Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 25 | Jan. 26, 2017
|
|
We had a great turnout Tuesday night for our first State of District 7 Town Hall, with lots of questions from residents who care deeply about their neighborhoods.
The program was scheduled to end at 8 p.m., but several of us were still talking about District 7 issues after 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Braun Station Elementary.
If you couldn’t make it to that meeting, please attend the Town Hall on Tuesday, January 30, at Jefferson High School (cafeteria) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CPS Energy, SAWS, and many City departments will be on hand between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and afterward to address your concerns and answer your questions.
If you’re unable to attend either Town Hall, please watch this short video on our priorities this year for making District 7 stronger, healthier, and brighter.
|
|
Thank you for the privilege of serving you.
|
|
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".
|
|
Dear Ana,
I am really upset about City Council – with your support – giving the city manager a bonus of $75,000. Why?
Taxpayer Against Waste
|
|
Dear Taxpayer,
I understand why you’re upset. The median income in San Antonio is $48,000. There’s no comparison between pay like that and City Manager Sheryl Sculley’s compensation package.
But the fact is that her task is enormous, she’s performed at a high level, and she’s saved San Antonio taxpayers many millions of dollars over the last 12 years.
The city manager manages a 12,000-employee operation with an annual budget of $2.7 billion. (It’s worth noting that the chief executives of SAWS and CPS Energy, public agencies with much smaller workforces and narrower missions, earn more than Sculley.)
She’s cut waste and inefficiency, and vastly strengthened our city’s financial position – to the point that San Antonio is the only major city in the country with a Triple-A credit rating. That designation alone saves San Antonio millions of dollars every year in interest on our bonds.
Under Sculley, our projects are on time and frequently under budget. She’s also overseen projects that have changed the face of San Antonio, from the Museum Reach to the creation of Pre-K for SA.
That’s why I believe her compensation is fair.
Going forward, Council will measure the city manager’s performance against standard metrics, making our evaluation of her more objective. I was surprised to learn we don’t currently have such metrics in place, and insisted that we make the process more formal.
Nevertheless, after many hours of deliberation, I believe Council made the right decision this week.
Sincerely,
Councilwoman Sandoval
|
|
State of District 7
Town Hall This Tuesday
|
|
Dates Available for
Coffee with Ana
|
|
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval values your input (and coffee). That's why we're inviting you to: Coffee with Ana.
District 7 residents have the opportunity to have a 15-minute, one-on-one conversation with Councilwoman Sandoval. These conversations are
by appointment.
The February 10th, and February 17th coffees will be held from 9 AM to 11 AM. All coffees will be held at the District 7 Field Office at 4414 Centerview Dr., Suite 160.
To make an appointment, call 210-207-0872 or send an email with the subject line "Coffee with Ana" to district7@sanantonio.gov.
|
|
"As the seventh largest city in the nation, San Antonio is already poised to grow by an additional 1 million people by 2040. For Councilwoman Sandoval, preparing for that influx means sustainability."
|
|
“'I am very grateful we have the opportunity to hear this in committee,' Sandoval said. 'I got a briefing one-on-one, and I would like to hear what my fellow Council members have to say.'"
|
|
"City Council members Cruz Shaw (D2) and Ana Sandoval (D7) filed a council consideration request in November requesting 'support to initiate the process to include additional San Antonio Historic Landmarks for Viewshed Protection, and to enable the establishment of Viewshed Protection Districts.' The request prompted the public input component and specifically names the Hays Street Bridge and Woodlawn Lake Park as landmarks worthy of consideration for protection."
|
|
If the pilot focuses on “disincentivizing bad behavior,” it could help the program thrive, Councilwoman Ana Sandoval (D7) said.
|
|
Construction Project Updates
|
|
The City of San Antonio is notifying you of an upcoming fiber installation pilot program in your neighborhood called "micro-trenching." The projected start date is February 1, 2018. The work will take place along Timberhill Street.
The project is anticipated to last 5 months. The installation of fiber does not guarantee service by the fiber provider.
|
|
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Utility locates: residents will see various colors of paint on the ground.
- Construction in the right of way (front yard): a tractor with a hydraulic saw will be used to cut a small micro-trench in the street along the curb line (some horizontal road cuts will also occur too).
- Installation of a small fiber box in the right of way (front yard): A hand saw will be used to cut curb and sidewalk joints in front of each property so an individual fiber line and fiber box can be installed for potential future customer use. To install a fiber box, a 14"Lx14Wx12D hole is required. Orange construction fencing in the right of way (front yards) will be installed to secure all open trenches until the boxes are installed.
Please note, that vehicles cannot be parked on the street while construction occurs.
The Fiber Agency's contractor will provide "advanced notices of work" as a reminder to keep vehicles off the street.
For construction related issues and concerns, neighborhood residents are encouraged to call the respective Fiber Agency's construction line at 1-877-454-6959 and is operated and staffed 24/7.
To see additional information on micro trenching please click
here.
|
|
The survey will close on January 31.
|
|
MedDropSA Collection this Weekend
|
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can pose a risk to the environment when flushed down the toilet or thrown away and dumped in a landfill. In addition, prescription drug abuse is a growing issue for law enforcement. Removing these medications from homes can help curb abuse and avoid accidental ingestion by keeping drugs out of the reach of unintended users. No sharps or needles are accepted.
MedDropSA is the safe, easy way to dispose of unwanted, expired over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Simply bring any unwanted medicines along with other household hazardous waste items to the City of San Antonio's mobile collection events.
Medications will be accepted at no charge, and disposed of in a safe, legal way -- keeping these drugs off our streets and out of the environment.
The next MedDropSA collection will be held at Solid Waste Department's Bulky Waste Collection Center at 2755 Rigsby Ave. from 8 AM to 1 PM.
DO: bring unused or expired prescription medications as well as out-of-date or unwanted over-the-counter medications.
DO: bring pills dumped into a zipper storage bag.
DO: bring liquids in their original container.
DON'T: bring needles of other 'sharps'.
|
|
Applicants Sought for City's Municipal Civic Service Commission
|
The City of San Antonio is recruiting citizens interested in serving the public as Municipal Civil Service Commissioners. The selected individuals will be appointed by City Council and must be available to serve a two-year term.
Those interested in applying may do so online using the City’s web-based application for boards and commissions
here. For additional information, please call Brandon Smith, at (210) 207-7253. For more information on City Boards, please visit the City Clerk's website
here.
For additional information regarding the Municipal Civil Service Commission, click
here and click on the Municipal Civil Service tab.
|
|
Applicants Sought for City's Firefighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission
|
Applicants are being sought for the City of San Antonio’s Firefighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission. The selected individual will be appointed by the City Manager and must be available to serve a three-year term.
Those interested in applying may do so online using the City’s web-based application for boards and commissions
here. For assistance with the application, contact Brandon Smith, Boards and Commissions Coordinator, at (210) 207-7253. For more information on City Boards, click
here.
For additional information regarding the Firefighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission, click
here and click on the Uniform Civil Service tab.
|
|
CivTechSA Startup Residency Application Opens
|
At a Glance
- CivTechSA connects local government with tech and entrepreneurial communities to solve civic challenges and facilitate growth of the startup ecosystem
- For the Residency, startups will embed in City departments for 16 weeks to observe operations firsthand, work with City staff, access data & develop an intimate understanding of the challenge
- There are seven challenges for startups to propose solving; the top three will be selected for the program’s inaugural year
- Find Your Forever Friend Notification System – Animal Care Services Department
- Airport Customer Experience Tool – Aviation Department
- Transportation One Pass for Downtown – Center City and Development Operations Department
- Alamodome Customer Experience Tool – Convention and Sports Facilities Department
- Centralized Entrepreneur Portal and Tracking – Economic Development Department
- Utility Assistance Digitization and Tracking – Department of Human Services
- Cart Tracking and Notification System – Solid Waste Management Department
- The application period opens on January 12, 2018, and closes on February 12, 2018
- A Question & Answer session/livestream will be held January 24th at 6pm at the Geekdom Centre
- To access the application (solicitation document), click here
|
|
NHSD Owner-Occupied Home Restoration
|
The Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department are accepting applications for funding for Owner-Occupied Home Repairs.
The application deadline is
January 30, 2018. For more information, call 210 -207-6459 or 210-207-5403.
|
|
To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website
here.
|
|
Date: January 29
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: Conference Room A, University Center, St. Mary's University, One Camino Santa Maria
Last year's election season brought a lot of fresh faces to City Hall. With a new mayor and six of ten City Council seats now occupied by first-term members, our municipal government is experiencing a surge of new perspectives and priorities.
Join the Rivard Report and District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval for a community discussion regarding the new Council, the future of San Antonio, and District 7’s place in it. Audience members will guide the evening’s conversation, so come with your questions, concerns, and topics of discussion. Rivard Report Publisher Robert Rivard will moderate.
Admission is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the conversation will begin at 6:30.
Tweet your questions before and during the event using #d7convo.
|
|
Date: January 29
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location:
The City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation is currently gathering public input regarding the locations and designs of potential new
Viewshed Protection Districts. we invite you to attend a public input meeting taking place on Monday, January 29, to share your ideas for views and sites that should be protected.
During the month of January, you can participate by sharing photos of some of your favorite San Antonio views. Submissions can be provided for public input thee ways:
- Share your photo on social media using #ThisViewMatters and tagging @SApreservation
- Email your photo to info@sapreservation.com
- Print your photo and bring it with you to the January 29 public input meeting. Printed photos should be 8x10 or letter-sized format. OHP will print all photos received electronically.
OHP will create a galley of images for public input at the January 29 meeting. Following the meeting, the gallery will remain on display at the AIA offices for an extended period of time to allow for additional public comment.
For more information, please visit
sapreservation.com
|
|
Date: January 30
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Cantilever Room, 900 E. Market Street
The City of San Antonio Planning Department is updating the City's future land use classifications and
we want your input!
The updated classifications will create consistency across the entire city's land use plans. These land use classifications will be an important tool in implementing the recommendations and policies from the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan which influences how the city will grow and develop over the next 25 years.
Your input is crucial to the SA Tomorrow initiative and planning for the city's future.
Free parking is available in the Convention Center Garage located at 850 E. Commerce at the corner of Commerce St. and Bowie St.
For inquiries, contact 210-207-5452.
|
|
Date: January 31
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Location: 1st Floor Boardroom, DSD Building, 1901 S. Alamo
In February 2017 Councilman Mike Gallagher issued a City Council Consideration Request (CCR) for city staff to explore the emerging short term rental trend and other cities best practices that have been implemented to address the trend. Review elements include:
- Research if short term rentals impact property values and neighborhood safety statistics.
- Review how cities have updated municipal codes or ordinances to allow this industry to operate.
- Review options for registering hosts with the City and if a permit should be required.
- Research if short term rentals should be required to remit hotel occupancy taxes
- Determine policies and procedures to enhance public safety in the short term rental industry.
- Comments and recommendations made either through meetings or submitted through email will be posted here. Please be clear on each recommendation and its' basis. We ask that email comments be submitted no later than March 24, 2017.
The draft ordinance is available
here.
|
|
AAMPO Public Meeting on Potential Bexar County Transportation Projects
Date: February 21
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: VIA Metropolitan Transit, 1021 San Pedro
The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization wants your input! Attend one of our public meetings to give us your thoughts on transportation projects competing for funding in our region.
Can't attend in person? Participate online February 19-28 at www.alamoareampo.org/YourMove
|
|
Parks Dept's Spring Break Camp
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.
Activities will include sports, fitness, active games, and crafts. Lunch and snack included. The camp is $3 per child per day.
|
|
|
|
- Joseph Bravo
- Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
- 210.207.2727
- Frank Ramirez IV
- Policy & Case Manager
- 210.207.0874
- Lexi Bachran
- Senior Services Coordinator
- 210.207.0870
|
|
 |
Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160
Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm
|
|
|
|
Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park
By appointment only.
Please call 210-207-2727.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
