Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 31 | March 8, 2018
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While my council colleagues and I work on a solution to rising property taxes, we know from conversations with many of you that you are feeling the pressure now. To help, my office will host two workshops on protesting your property tax appraisal.
These workshops will explain the process and prepare you with the information you need to protest your property tax appraisal this year. Remember, your neighbor’s property value influences yours, so please invite them! Our presenter is bilingual and will be able to explain the process in both English and Spanish.
For your convenience, we will host two workshops. The information follows:
- The first workshop is Monday, April 16 at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (2123 W Huisache Avenue). Doors will open at 6:30 PM and the presentation will begin at 7:00 PM.
- The second workshop is Wednesday, May 2 at the St. George Maronite Church (6070 Babcock). Doors will open at 6:30 PM and the presentation will begin at 7:00 PM, as well.
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P.S. As a reminder, if you own a small business in District 7 and have not yet registered for our first-ever District 7 Small Business Town Hall this Friday, you may do so
here.
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Councilwoman Sandoval shared her support for reading at LBJ Elementary School's "Reading Across America" by reading the Dr. Seuss classic, "Cat in the Hat".
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The Community Health and Equity Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, met on Tuesday and discussed the challenges of floodplains in District 7.
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Councilwoman Sandoval participated on a Community Conversations panel focused on San Antonio's environmental challenges at St. Mary's University. She was joined by Chief Sustainability Officer Doug Melnick and Senior Health Scientist Dr. Elena Kraft. Dean Amy Hardberger served as the moderator.
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Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI) accompanied District 7 staff to Donaldson Terrace's Neighborhood Association meeting this past week to discuss drainage and infrastructure issues in the area.
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One of the ways Councilwoman Sandoval wants to give you the answers you need about city government is through "Ask Ana Anything", a recurring part of the weekly District 7 newsletter. Have a question for Ana? Email it to
district7@sanantonio.gov with the subject line "Ask Ana Anything".
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Councilwoman Sandoval,
I have noticed that many streets in my neighborhood do not have sidewalks. This is a real problem. What is the city doing to fix this?
Thanks,
Aspiring Pedestrian
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Dear Aspiring,
I hear your concern. The lack of basic infrastructure, such as sidewalks and drainage, is one of the most frustrating challenges District 7 faces today. We want to be able to walk to bus stops and schools safely and engage our neighbors without fear of being in the street.
This is not just a District 7 issue. Two weeks ago, the Transportation Committee received a presentation from city staff showing that the city has a total of 2,000 miles of needed sidewalk.
As a member of the Transportation Committee, I will make sure that District 7 has a voice as the committee determines how best to meet our sidewalk needs. If the city continues with its current approach, it could take
50 years to install the needed sidewalk. We must change our approach and I will be seeking your input on this as the conversation progresses.
Your question is timely and I will keep you informed on this important topic. Thank you for asking this question.
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Sincerely,
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
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Connect with Your Councilmember
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"'I applaud the Solid Waste Management Department for this innovative approach to encouraging San Antonio employers to recycle,' Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said. 'I am confident ReWorksSA will be a strong partnership between the City and local companies.'"
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Meet Kevin Supak and Scout Pack 601, who recently spent a Sunday cleaning up the drainage area behind HEB at Guilbeau and Mystic Park. Although they could not collect all the trash, they got enough to fill a truck! Councilwoman Sandoval and the District 7 Office salute Pack 601 for their work cleaning up our community and demonstrating the power of personal responsibility.
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This morning, City Council approved the appointment of District 7 resident Amy Hardberger to the SAWS Board of Trustees, along with David McGee (left) and Eduardo J. Parra (right). Representation for the Board of Trustees is split among quadrants. Amy Hardberger will represent the Southwest Quadrant, while David McGee and Eduardo Parra will represent the Northeast and Northwest, respectively. District 7 is covered by the Northwest of and Southwest Quadrant.
The SAWS Board of Trustees is vested with the complete management, control and operation of the water system. The Board controls the expenditure and application of the revenues of the System and makes recommendations to City Council concerning rates, fees, and changes for services rendered by the System. Members serve a four-year term of office and are limited to serving two terms.
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Correction on last week's "Meet Your Appointee": District 7's appointee to the City's Commission on Veteran's Affairs, Ramon Gonzales, is available by email at rgonzales@voatx.com.
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Join Us for the First District 7
Small Business Town Hall
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Small businesses are a huge driver of the of San Antonio economy. Many of our neighbors work for small businesses. These companies account for a large share of the jobs created across our city.
The District 7 Council Office wants small businesses to know that you are welcome here! We are hosting our first small business town hall to connect you to resources and help you succeed here!
First Small Business Town Hall
Friday, March 9
8:00 AM
AT&T Center for Information Technology, St. Mary's University
One Camino Santa Maria
We will have a panel discussion and question and answer session with Councilwoman Ana E. Sandoval; Hugh Stevens, Director of the Najim Center for Business Innovation at St. Mary's University; Michael Sindon, Assistant Director of the City of San Antonio's Economic Development Department; and Alma Valdez Brown, Senior Business Development Office at LiftFund. In addition, the following organizations will be on hand to provide resources:
- UTSA Small Business Development Center
- Westside Development Corporation
- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- LiftFund
- City of San Antonio Economic Development
- LaunchSA
- Najim Center for Business Innovation
- PTAC – Procurement Technical Assistance Center
- SAWS – Small Minority and Women Owned Business Program
- PeopleFund
- SCORE
If you own or work at a small business, please join us! We want to get to know you and your company. Please
RSVP below.
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Spring Cleaning in District 7!
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To assist our residents with spring cleaning, we have arranged for a Dial-A-Trailer for March 24, from 8 AM to 12 PM, at Gilbert Garza Park (1450 Mira Vista). This is an opportunity to discard objects that you cannot typically fit into your trash bin, including: appliances, furniture, lumber, mattresses, shrubs, tree limbs, water heaters, and vehicle tires (limit of 4).
A third Dial-A-Trailer at Braun Station East is also in the works. We will announce that event soon.
For more information, call the District 7 Office at 210-207-0870.
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Councilwoman Ana Sandoval values your input (and coffee). That's why we're inviting you to: Coffee with Ana on March 10th at the Braun Station East Clubhouse (9350 Knighthood). It will be held from 10am to noon.
District 7 residents have the opportunity to have a 20-minute, one-on-one conversation with Councilwoman Sandoval. These conversations are by appointment only.
To make an appointment, call 210-207-0872 or send an email with the subject line "Coffee with Ana" to district7@sanantonio.gov.
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Construction Project Updates
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Crystal Hills Park Improvements
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As part of the 2017-2022 voter-approved bond package, Crystal Hills Park received $250,000 in funds for general improvements. To begin this work, Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI) will host a public input meeting on the Crystal Hills Park Improvements on March 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at Driggers Elementary School, located at 6901 Shadow Mist Rd, 78238.
Staff will receive input on the planned improvements. Following the presentation, the project team will be on hand to answer your questions. For more information, please contact Eric Reyna at 210-207-4131 or at eric.reyna@sanantonio.gov
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Sidewalks coming to Riverdale Dr!
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Sidewalks are coming to Riverdale Dr. Sidewalks will be installed on the south side of Riverdale Dr., from Hillcrest Dr. to NW 36th St. Construction is anticipated to begin on March 19, 2018.
The project will consist of the installation of concrete curb, sidewalk, and driveway approaches (the portion of the driveway typically in the Right-of-Way from the curb to the property line). The primary purpose of this project is for safe pedestrian access as required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
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Woodlawn Lake Park Honored with Prestigious Honor
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Woodlawn Lake Park has been awarded the” Lone Star Legacy Park Award” by the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS). This award comes during Woodlawn Lake Park's 100th Birthday.
A Lone Star Legacy Park is classified as a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the State of Texas.
To qualify for consideration, the park must have endured the test of time and become iconic to those who have visited, played and rested on its grounds.
Nominated parks must be a minimum of 50 years old and have to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- The property represents distinctive design and/or construction.
- The park is associated with historic events or sites.
- The park is associated with events specific to the local community/state.
- The park is home to unique natural features.
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The City of San Antonio is seeking applicants to serve as VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Trustees. The VIA Metropolitan Transit Board of Trustees is comprised of 11 members, of which five members are appointed by the City Council for staggered two-year terms. One position is designated as a Union Representative and one position is designated to represent the interests of the Transportation Disadvantaged. Members must be qualified voters residing within the VIA Metropolitan Transit Service Area.
Members receive compensation of $50.00 per meeting. Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at the VIA Metro Center.
The positions will be open until Friday,
March 16, 2018 at 5 p.m. and applications are available at: https://webapp9.sanantonio.gov/BoardCommApplication/vacancies.
For assistance with the application process, please contact Brandon Smith, the City’s Boards & Commissions Coordinator, at 210- 207-7253.
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Ditch that old gas-guzzling mower and replace it with a new model that mows as clean as it looks. We offer a valuable rebate when you reduce air pollution by using electric lawn equipment.
Mow Down Smog Details:
- Bill credit up to $60 for purchasing a qualifying product.
- Electric lawn mowers as well as electric edgers, blowers and hedge trimmers are eligible.
- Push mowers and battery powered mowers are also eligible.
- The rebate runs from March 1 through August 31 (or until program funds have been exhausted.)
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Free & Low Cost Spay/Neuter
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Thinking about getting your pets fixed? Well, we offer FREE & low cost spay and neuter services! Learn more about the services and book your appointment by contacting the clinics below:
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To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website
here.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Wednesdays: 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Forest Hills Libary, 5245 Ingram Rd
VITA staff and volunteers will be available to assist with filing your tax returns. This is for people with $60,000 or less in taxable income. This will occur weekly until April 14th.
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Date: March 9
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Headwaters, 4503 Broadway
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Date: March 10
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: SAWS, 2800 US Highway 281 N
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Gerald and Piggie Puppet Show
Date: March 10
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Maverick Library, 8700 Mystic Park
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Date: March 10
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Main Plaza, 115 N Main Ave
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Canary Islands -- San Antonio at the XXI Century (Tricentennial Event)
Date: March 10
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: UTSA Downtown Campus, Buena Vista Building, ,Aula Canaria Lecture Hall, 501 W Cesar Chavez Blvd
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Opposing Viewpoints Book Club
Date: March 10
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Rd
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Date: March 12-16
Location: Gilbert Garza Park, 1450 Mira Vista; other locations
available.
Registration is now open for the Parks and Recreation Department's Spring Break Camp for children ages 6 to 14. Register
here.
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CPS Customer Care Fair
Date: March 15
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: St. Paul's Community Center, 1201 Donaldson Ave.
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Free Rabies & Microchip Clinic and Low-Cost Veterinary Services
Date: March 17
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: By the boathouse at Woodlawn Lake, 1103 Cincinnati
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Free Rabies & Microchip Clinic and Low-Cost Veterinary Services
Date: March 19
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Animal Care Services Annex Building, 4710 Hwy 151
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Date: March 24
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 1504 E. Commerce Street
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Date: March 24
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Friendship Church Parking Lot, 14015 San Pedro Ave
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Date: March 24
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Burleson Beer Yard, 430 Austin St
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Date: April 7
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Sam Houston High School, 4635 E Houston St
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Date: April 21
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave
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- Joseph Bravo
- Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
- 210.207.2727
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Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160
Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm
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Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park
By appointment only.
Please call 210-207-2727.
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