Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 35 | April 5, 2018
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This week is National Public Health Week. It’s a reminder of the progress we’ve made in improving our public health and of the obstacles we still face. For me as an elected official, it’s a call to action to ensure every community has clean air to breathe, nutritious food to eat, and a safe place to exercise. Healthier communities increase our quality of life and stimulate workforce participation. Together, we’ll secure a healthier, more prosperous community.
Until then, we must continue to work on our challenges. Among them is the rising rate of HIV in Bexar County. While infection rates have been dropping nationwide, rates in our county have been increasing over the past decade.
In the spirit of National Public Health Week, the City is joining BEAT AIDS, San Antonio AIDS Foundation, Alamo Area Resource Center, Center for Health Care Services, and San Antonio Fighting Back in the Know Your Status Campaign. City Council districts are competing to have the largest number of people who know their status.
Being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence so long as you’re aware of your status and receiving medical attention. Being HIV positive becomes more than just one person's health problem when they unknowingly spread the virus to their partners or when they neglect their own health and are unable to care for their loved ones.
So now I’m challenging you: know your status—for yourself, your family, and your friends. You can get your status checked for free at the
Alamo Area Resource Center or by contacting your doctor.
To learn more about San Antonio’s public health issues, Metro Health will host three open houses:
- Communicable Disease Open House on Friday, April 6, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the STD-HIV Clinic at 512 E. Highland.
- Environmental Health and Safety Open House on Friday, April 13, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Claude Black Community Center at 2915 E. Commerce.
- Community Health Open House on Thursday, April 19, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Benavides Center at 515 Castroville.
Or visit Metro Health's website
here.
Please consider attending. Here's to our health!
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On Monday, the American Cancer Society presented Councilwoman Sandoval with an award in appreciation of her support for the Tobacco 21 ordinance.
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The San Antonio Metro Health Department held a screening of "San Antonio: 300 Years of Public Health" on Monday night. Pictured here is Councilwoman Sandoval delivering opening remarks.
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Councilwoman Sandoval spoke at CPS Energy's Spring 2018 Energy Workshop, thanking the utility for its commitment to energy reliability, affordability, and sustainability. Featured here is former Secretary of Energy and MIT Professor Ernest Moriz.
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Dr. Willis Mackey was confirmed to the CPS Board of Trustees on Thursday morning. Councilwoman Sandoval voted in support of Dr. Mackey's appointment for his experience with community engagement as a former school district superintendent, his ties to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, and his former work in the industry.
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This Thursday was Realtor Day at City Hall. Here, local realtors visit with the Councilwoman.
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Team Sandoval joined the Northwest Alliance this week to discuss the property tax assessments that went out yesterday and the District 7's Office upcoming events, including the upcoming
Property Tax Appraisal Workshops and
Dial A Trailer.
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Final Four came and went. Whether you were indoors watching the game or outdoors enjoying the city, it was a lively weekend.
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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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Dear Ana,
I found having the garbage truck at Gilbert Garza Park last weekend convenient. I got to throw away a lot of old furniture and tree branches. How can I schedule another garbage truck in the future?
Thank you,
Planning to Dial A Trailer
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Dear Planning,
I’m glad you were able to take advantage of the Dial-A-Trailer garbage truck my office organized a couple of weeks ago.
Neighborhoods can work with Solid Waste Management to organize their own Dial-A-Trailer for safe and responsible disposal of brush and bulky items. More information, including the application, is available
here. Note that only an officer of a Neighborhood Association or HOA can submit the application.
If you are interested in scheduling a Dial-A-Trailer for your neighborhood, let us know. We would be happy to spread the word to your neighbors.
We have a second Dial-A-Trailer scheduled at the Braun Station East Clubhouse (9350 Knighthood) on April 14th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you have brush or bulky items to discard, plan to drop it off then! It accepts: appliances, furniture, lumber, mattresses, shrub, tree limbs, water heaters, and up to four vehicle tires. It’s a great tool to use when bulky collection service just isn’t happening soon enough.
Thank you for your question!
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Sincerely,
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
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Connect with Your Councilmember
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Community Conversation with the Councilwoman
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Councilwoman Ana Sandoval is committed to being your voice at City Hall. As a part of her ongoing efforts to make your District 7 Office accessible and responsive, we invite you to join us for a "Community Conversation with the Councilwoman". Please join your neighbors to discuss issues affecting our families and our neighborhoods.
This event is open to the public.
It will be held at Martha's Mexican Restaurant (5822 Babcock Road) on April 7 from 10 AM to 11 AM.
If you have any questions, call 210-207-0870 or send an email with the subject line "Community Conversations with the Councilwoman" to district7@sanantonio.gov.
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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 20-minute, one-on-one conversation with Councilwoman Sandoval.
These conversations are by appointment.
To make an appointment, call 210-207-0875 or send an email with the subject line "Coffee with Ana" to district7@sanantonio.gov.
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Dial A Trailer Coming to Braun Station Neighborhoods
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It's time for spring cleaning! To assist, we have arranged for a Dial-A-Trailer in your area. This is an opportunity to discard objects that you cannot typically fit into your trash bin.
The Dial-A-Trailer will be April 14 at the Braun Station East Clubhouse (9350 Knighthood) from 8 AM to 1 PM. Volunteers are greatly appreciated! IF you want to volunteer, please call Frank Ramirez at 210-207-0874.
Items accepted at Dial-A-Trailer include appliances, furniture, lumber, mattresses, shrubs, tree limbs, water heaters, and vehicle tires (limit of 4).
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Two Property Tax Appraisal Workshops
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The District 7 Office will host two workshops on protesting your property tax appraisal:
- The first workshop is Monday, April 16 at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (2123 W Huisache Avenue). This workshop is booked to capacity.
- 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. RSVP here.
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.
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"Councilwoman Ana Sandoval (D7) said Mackey will 'bring a good perspective for community engagement' due to his experience as superintendent, but was disappointed the applicant pool wasn’t broader, including more women and people with environmental backgrounds."
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"'It is extremely important to have women at the forefront not only for creative ideas but for healthier outcomes,' explained Sandoval."
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"'It would have been great if it had been a woman, but overall, it was disappointing there wasn't a bigger pool from which to draw,' District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said. 'I think we need to be more active in our recruitment efforts.'"
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"Councilwoman Ana Sandoval (D7) emphasized the importance of continuing education on the site’s more than 300 years and 'layers' of history."
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"The Historic and Design Review Commission on Wednesday unanimously recommended a proposed process that could increase the number of historic landmarks eligible for viewshed protection and introduce Viewshed Protection Districts."
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One of District 7's hidden gems: a flock of peacocks and peahens in the Glenoaks area. According to neighborhood lore, a resident of Dreamhill Estates originally owned the birds. After his death in the 1970s, the birds migrated to their current home, where they have flourished ever since.
If you visit, neighbors ask that you do not feed the birds. If you have any stories about the peacocks or information about their history, share them with our office!
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For a Tricentennial event, the Pan American League has invited Councilwoman Sandoval to model in the Fiesta Olé: Mujeres Poderoasa Fashion Show on April 22 at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort. For more information, visit the Pan American League website
here.
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Construction Project Updates
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Mayor's Housing Policy Task Force Community Meeting Tomorrow
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We want to hear from you! Help prioritize our city’s housing needs. Your opinions are important to us in this unprecedented collaboration among community members, housing providers, developers, and the public. Over the months, we have been gathering data, comments, and proposed solutions. We have engaged experts in all aspects of housing in the discussion. Now is the time for us to bring this information and recommendations back to the community for your input. Please join us!
Follow this link to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VAly2iqfDj2bSuwW6grLkhGA3y0UvHKZJebeWqlnLu0/viewform?c=0&w=1&edit_requested=true
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City Accepting Applications for Ambassador Summer Internship Program
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The City of San Antonio, Department of Human Services, is accepting applications for the 2018 Ambassador Summer Internship Program.
The Ambassador Summer Internship Program encourages college students to return or stay in San Antonio upon graduation by connecting them to professional opportunities and innovative career paths through paid internships, peer-to-peer networking sessions, and community service projects.
The program starts June 18 and ends August 10.
To be eligible, students must be a San Antonio high school graduate or attend a university in San Antonio, be a permanent resident of San Antonio, obtain at least a 2.5 grade point average, complete at least one full year (two semesters) of college, and be currently enrolled.
Interested applicants must submit a completed application by April 13. Applications can be found online on the Department of Human Services website or by visiting http://www.sanantonio.gov/humanservices
Last year, 130 students participated in the program, representing a variety of local, state and national colleges and universities, including the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M, Stanford University, and Cornell University.
Participating employers represented the engineering, communications, local government, science, and health fields. Employer partners included Standard Aero, San Antonio Water System, Texas Biomedical Institute, and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.
For more information on the Ambassador Program, contact Angel Lerma at 210-207-5843 or ambassadorinternship@sanantonio.gov
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Metro Health Hosts Open House Events for National Public Health Month
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National Public Health Month does not rank among the most popular annual observances. However, this year, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District wants to use the opportunity to raise awareness about public health issues and connect directly with the community through a series of open house events held throughout the month at different Metro Health locations.
Metro Health will host the following open house events:
- Communicable Disease Open House on Friday, April 6, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the STD-HIV Clinic at 512 E. Highland.
- Environmental Health and Safety Open House on Friday, April 13, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Claude Black Community Center at 2915 E. Commerce.
- Community Health Open House on Thursday, April 19, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Benavides Center at 515 Castroville.
Nationally, the annual observance begins with National Public Health Week (April 2-8) which serves to celebrate the power of prevention, advocate for healthy and fair policies, share strategies for successful partnerships and champion the role of a strong public health system. The theme for 2018 is “Healthiest Nation 2030” and strives to create the healthiest nation in one generation.
To learn more about Metro Health’s mission and initiatives, please visit www.sanantonio.gov/health.
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SA Climate Ready is a community-driven project that will improve the quality of life of all residents by reducing our contributions to a changing climate and making the city and its people better prepared to face our expected changes in climate.
Interested in hosting your own SA Climate Ready meeting with your family, friends, neighbors, or civic club to discuss VISION & PRIORITIES? Our Meeting-in-a-Box tools are online and designed to help you get the conversation going!
For more information and to download the Meeting-in-a-Box toolkit or to volunteer with the planning effort, click
here.
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SA Climate Ready needs your help in engaging citizens across the community! Attend a volunteer training to learn about SA Climate Ready and about how you can get involved. It is open to the public.
Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad St
Thursday, April 12
5:30 - 6:30 PM
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City’s Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee seeks applicants
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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 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.
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March for Science -- April 14
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The March for Science demonstrates our passion for science and sounds a call to support the use of science-based decision making, the scientific community and science education. Ongoing policy changes have caused heightened concern regarding the role scientific analysis plays in policy deliberations. The outpouring of support for science advocacy and STEM education are evidence of the understanding of the value science brings to our world. The March for Science - San Antonio 2018 in a non-partisan, apolitical collaboration celebrating science.
March for Science - San Antonio has been busy planning for the 2018 March. Come and join us as we march from Jefferson High School to Woodlawn Lake, and return along Kampmann Blvd. for a Walk Thru Science! We want YOU! Like to volunteer? Start by filling out the MFS San Antonio 2018 SignUp (https://goo.gl/hwzcwE) to tell us more about yourself. We will continue to update this website with volunteer opportunities, news, and merchandise offerings. Thank you, San Antonio!
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Recruiting 300 Men As Mentors
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In honor of San Antonio's 300th year celebration, Big Brothers Big Sisters has kicked off a "300 Men" Campaign to recruit 300 male volunteers to become Big Brothers to kids on our wait list.
The campaign kicked off on New Year's Day and will run until Father's Day, June 17, 2018. There are hundreds of boys on the wait list to get a Big Brother. We hope to find mentors for 300 of them in honor of the Tricentennial.
Men who sign up to become mentors (aka "Bigs") between New Year's Day and Father's Day will be entered into a drawing with a chance to win prizes. Drawings will be held at the end of each month and on Father's Day. Below is a sample of the prizes we have acquired so far:
- A signed Tony Parker jersey
- An all-team signed Spurs basketball
- 2 game tickets
- A night stay at El Tropicano
- Free Krispy Kreme doughnuts
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Tobacco 21 Stakeholder Meetings
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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
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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: April 6
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Mays Family Center, Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway
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Date: April 7
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Martha's Mexican Restaurant, 5822 Babcock Road
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Date: April 7
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Sam Houston High School, 4635 E Houston St
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
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Date: April 12
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad St.
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Date: April 14
Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Braun Station East Clubhhouse, 9350 Knighthood
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Date: April 14
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Thomas Jefferson High School, 723 Donaldson Ave
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Date: April 16
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: Young Women's Leadership Academy Library, 2123 W Huisache
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
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Date: May 2
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: St. George Maronite Church, 6070 Babcock Road
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
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Date: April 17
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Mexican American Unity Council, 23000 W Commerce St
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Date: April 18
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: LiftFund, 2007 W Martin 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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Date: April 24
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 AM
Location: San Antonio Area Foundation, 303 Pearl Pkwy
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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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