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Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 33 | March 22, 2018
Dear Neighbor,
Many of us are anxiously awaiting our new property tax assessments this May. For some, assessments won’t change much. For others, assessments may change drastically and may prevent families from remaining in their homes and communities they have known for much of their lives.

Part of the issue here is that some areas are becoming more desirable places to live, which is a good thing, and property values have increased to reflect this. But there’s another factor at play here: the appraisal process itself.

I have reviewed the way the Bexar County Appraisal District assesses property values along with a handful of my council colleagues. We believe the process the appraisers use leads to the inaccurate, inflated valuations many of us have received over the last several years.

With this in mind, I signed onto a request for a comprehensive study of the Appraisal District’s property tax valuation practices. You can view the Council Consideration Request (CCR) here.

In addition to examining how the appraisal district’s process impacts homeowners, the study will look at the process’s impact on the city’s economic development efforts and ability to address our housing needs.

While this effort won’t bear fruit immediately, I expect it will ultimately lead to more accurate tax valuations, which is one of many steps I believe we can take to make your property tax process more fair. I am committed to making sure my office is a resource for you as you and your family navigate the property tax process.

If you want to learn how to protest your tax appraisal, please consider attending one of the property tax workshops my office is hosting. There is one on April 16 at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy and another on May 2 at the St. George Maronite Church.
Yours in public service,
Dial-A-Trailer Garbage Collection and Property Tax Workshops
The Week in Photos
Councilwoman Sandoval attended the Culebra Park Neighborhood Association meeting this past week, where she spoke with residents about the Council Consideration Request she signed to have the Bexar County Appraisal District's process studied.
Members of the District 7 Neighborhood Leadership Academy focused on zoning this past week at Development Services.
CPS unveiled their new Smart Sniffer Vehicle to more effectively identify gas leaks throughout the city. Councilwoman Sandoval spoke about how the sniffer will save money and protect our health.
Ask Ana Anything
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".
Councilwoman Sandoval,

With the completion of Laddie Place, I want to know whether my home has been removed from the floodplain or not. I’ve been hoping to remove my flood insurance and just need the assurance that I can!

Thanks,
Flood Me Not
Dear Flood Me Not,

First, some quick background:

The City of San Antonio began the Laddie Place drainage projects to alleviate the severe flooding happening in the Maverick, Jefferson, and Monticello Park neighborhoods, as well as the other neighborhoods downstream. After the city completed Laddie Place I and II, Bexar County began Laddie Place III.

When the Laddie Place III project was completed in 2016, FEMA began to reevaluate their maps to show which areas remained at risk for flooding. They submitted their updated maps to the city and county this February and it is now in the appeals period. Our office will ensure property owners are aware of this process.

If you have a question about whether your home was removed from the floodplain, please call Jacob Powell at 210-207-0176.

While terminating your flood insurance is certainly your right, though I do not encourage it. Even if your property has been removed from the floodplain today, future development upstream can expand the floodplain once more.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
Connect with Your Councilmember
Councilwoman in the News
"At the most recent meeting of Council's Governance Committee, Councilwoman Ana Sandoval raised a concern about the number of city staff members on the evaluation committee. At the time, just one slot was open on the committee for an external member."

"District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval told us, "CPS will be able to detect smaller gas leaks faster and more easily and that reduces the risk of having some kind of explosion or a gas leak event and harming people's health."

"La compañía de energía presentó este lunes un coche con instrumentos capaces de detectar fugas de gas natural."

Construction Project Updates
Ongoing Projects
Seeling Channel Phase 2 Road Reconstruction Projects
As a part of Phase 2 of Seeling Channel, Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI) will be reconstructing streets south of Seeling Channel. The streets included are: W. Mulberry S, Manor Dr. SW, W. Mistletoe Ave. SW, Emory & Magnolia. So far, the contractor has removed existing sidewalks and has milled Mulberry from Morning Glory to Huisache Avenue.

The project is scheduled for tentative completion by April 2018.
Sidewalks coming to Riverdale Dr!
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 was 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).  
Share Your Thoughts
Do you hate potholes? Take TCI's pothole survey!
Announcements
Ongoing
Applications are being accepted for the Mayor's Office LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, a committee that will work to increase the quality of life for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Want to help highlight challenges and bright spots within the community and make policy recommendations to the Mayor's Office? Then apply!

Applications are open to everyone and will be accepted until midnight of March 23, 2018. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CR9KLH8
Curfew Lifted in Select Parks for Easter Holiday Weekend
San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department officials announced today that the park curfew will be lifted at select City parks for the Easter holiday. 

This has become an annual tradition and is a time for family and friends to enjoy each other and nature’s beauties while making lasting memories.

The park curfew will be lifted beginning at 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 29 and will resume at 11 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 1st.

“This is a special weekend when people connect with family and friends in our parks,” said Parks and Recreation Director Xavier Urrutia. He added, “Our Parks will be extremely busy with activity and everyone having fun. We ask that patrons do their part to keep parks clean.”

Everyone doing their part to ensure our parks remain clean by properly disposing of litter and recyclables not only protects the environment but contributes to a more enjoyable park experience for everyone. Parks have both recycling bins for plastic and cans and trash cans for food waste available. Patrons are urged to bring trash bags and remove their trash at the end of their stay in the park. Alcohol is still not allowed.

Citizens will be allowed to camp overnight at the following City Parks:
  • Brackenridge, 3700 N. St. Mary’s (excludes Brackenridge Parking Facility)
  • Eisenhower, 19399 N.W. Military Highway
  • J Street, 3500 J Street
  • McAllister, 13102 Jones Maltsberger
  • Roosevelt, 331 Roosevelt Ave.
  • San Pedro, 1315 San Pedro Ave.
  • O.P. Schnabel, 9606 Bandera Rd.
  • Southside Lions, 3100 Hiawatha
  • Southside Lions East, 3900 Pecan Valley
  • Woodlawn Lake, 1103 Cincinnati (excludes the Island House and gym areas)
City’s Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee seeks applicants
Development Services is seeking applicants to fill six positions in the City’s Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC):

  • Development/Real Estate Professional - one position
  • Registered Professional Engineer - one position and one alternate
  • Planning Professional - one position
  • Community at-Large - two positions

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, April 13. Anyone interested in filling one out can do so by visiting http://www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Boards/PCTAC.

The PCTAC advises the Planning Commission on matters relating to the Unified Development Code (UDC), Major Thoroughfare Plan, Transportation Plan as well as other components of the City’s Master Plan. It consists of 18 members, six of whom actively serve on an official City board such as the Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment or Parks and Recreation Board. The remaining 12 members are “non-City Official” members, representing a cross-section of community interests. Member terms are overlapping and up to two years in duration.

For more information, contact Yvette Thomas at Yvette.Thomas@sanantonio.gov or at (210) 207-8214.
SAWS offers new water saver coupons for Spring
Springtime is in the air, and that means SAWS WaterSaver coupons are emerging from their winter slumber to inspire smart landscape makeovers.

Starting March 1, SAWS residential customers can apply for up to four $100 WaterSaver coupons in order to replace part of your thirsty lawn with lush, drought-tolerant garden beds and/or permeable patios. That’s a whopping $400 in savings!

Imagine having your own rich garden bed, complete with radiant plants like butterfly iris, esperanza, mistflower, mountain laurel and more. These water-efficient landscapes will not only keep your lawn looking fresh for spring but also help you conserve water and save money on your water bill year-round.

Each coupon will cover only a portion of the cost of the plants or patio materials. Combine the coupons to your liking to create an inviting outdoor living space. Customers can apply for coupons through May 31.

For each coupon, you must remove at least 200 square feet of grass, since that’s the single most water-demanding element in a residential landscape. You must also cap any irrigation heads in the area where you install beds or patios. By doing so, you can also qualify for our residential irrigation design rebate, to further lower the cost of your outdoor project.

If you have an automatic irrigation system, contact us to schedule a free irrigation consultation at consult@saws.org or 210-704-SAVE (7283).

Learn more and apply online at GardenStyleSA.com/coupons.
SARA and Bexar County Host LID Certification Course
The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and Bexar County are hosting a 1.5-day Low Impact Development (LID) Annual Inspection and Maintenance Certification course created for inspectors and contractors who perform annual inspection and maintenance services of LID permanent stormwater best management practices (BMPs). A light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided to attendees on the first day.

Attendees are eligible for continuing education and professional development hours.

Date and Time: April 3, 8 a.m. to 3:30 pm. and April 4, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: San Antonio River Authority, 100 East Guenther Street 
Fee: $100

The course will cover:
Annual inspection and maintenance of LID permanent stormwater BMPs 
Specific inspection and maintenance considerations for bioretention, permeable pavement, green roofs, vegetated swales, vegetated filter strips, stormwater wetlands, rainwater capture and sand filters.

Attendees will be provided an opportunity to take an exam immediately following the final lesson on April 4 in order to earn a Certification Credential by successfully passing the course exam with a score of 75% or better. This credential supports Bexar County and City of San Antonio LID policies for LID annual inspection and maintenance activities.
As part of VIA's Comprehensive Operations Analysis, VIA reached out to you, the community, for input on how to build a better bus system. They collected comments and information through meetings, presentations, and online surveys that will help them plan for system improvements. They would like to share what they learned and get your feedback. Several sharing sessions are planned throughout March. Please join us and let's continue the conversation. The meetings planned in and around District 7 follow:

Monday, March 26
Great Northwest Branch Library
9150 Wellwood St
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
VIA Routes 610

Wednesday, March 28
VIA Metro Center
1021 San Pedro Ave.
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
VIA Routes: 3, 4

Thursday, March 29
Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
VIA Routes: 605

Friday, March 30
Medical Center Transit Center
5330 Medical Center
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
VIA Routes: 100, 101, 520, 522, 534, 602, 603, 604, 606, 607
Tobacco 21 Stakeholder Meeting
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District invites community members and tobacco retailers to provide input on the implementation of the Tobacco 21 initiative. Three meetings are available for your convenience. The same information will be discussed at all three meetings.

Meeting topics will include: Overview of Tobacco 21 ordinance, Tobacco Retailer Education, Community Education, Outreach to other Municipalities, Youth Survey Evaluation, and Diversification of products in convenience stores.

Choose your meeting date & time; please RSVP using a link below.
(You can also email or call using the contact information below.)


Location for all: San Antonio Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad, San Antonio. Free parking is available at the Central Library
Free & Low Cost Spay/Neuter
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:
Upcoming Events
To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website here.
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.
Date: March 22
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Maestro Entrepreneur Center, 1811 S Laredo St
Date: March 24
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 1504 E. Commerce Street
Date: March 24
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Friendship Church Parking Lot, 14015 San Pedro Ave
Date: March 24
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Burleson Beer Yard, 430 Austin St
Date: April 6
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Mays Family Center, Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway
Date: April 7
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Sam Houston High School, 4635 E Houston St
Date: April 21
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave
Our Office Staff

  • Joseph Bravo
  • Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
  • 210.207.2727






Office Hours
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.
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