Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 40 | May 11, 2018
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I believe neighborhoods should have a voice in deciding our city’s priorities. That’s why I invite you to participate in this year’s SASpeakUp budget survey.
Through SASpeakUp, you can make your priorities known to City Council and city staff as we work together to craft the City’s budget for the 2019 Fiscal Year. The information collected through SASpeakUp will help inform the decisions my council colleagues and I make, and help answer questions like: which trade-offs are we willing to make? If we increase funding for one initiative, which services should we pull funding from?
Take the survey
here. You can also participate in a budget balancing exercise on the SASpeakUp website to provide a detailed proposal of how you think we should balance our many needs and limited resources.
Expanding and improving opportunities for public engagement, such as the SASpeakUp survey, are what I had in mind when I authored my request for a review the City's public engagement practices. You can view my request to city staff
here.
You are the foremost expert on your values and priorities. I hope you’ll share them.
I would also like to wish all the District 7 mothers a happy Mother's Day!
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P.S. Due to popular demand, we are hosting a fourth property tax appeal workshop this Monday, May 14. at the St. Mary's University AT&T Center. You can register
here.
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Councilwoman Sandoval recognized May as Asthma Awareness Month by presenting a proclamation to the South Texas Asthma Coalition. Together, we’ll build a City where everyone has clean, healthy air to breathe regardless of their zip code.
University Health System offers a free monthly one-hour classes for parents of children with asthma. If you are interested, please
click here for more information.
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The District 7 Council Office hosted the third property tax workshop this past Monday night with a packed room ready to learn about the property tax system and how to appeal their appraisals. Our office has organized a fourth workshop this Monday, May 14. To register for that workshop,
click here.
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Councilwoman Sandoval was honored to introduce performers at this year's Serenata de las Madres, an annual Mother's Day event held at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Happy Mother's Day to all!
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Councilwoman Sandoval visited the Salvation Army Peacock Center to present them with Mother's Day carnations!
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Councilwoman Sandoval joined the San Antonio Fire Department at the Oak Hills Citizens' Association this past Sunday, where neighbors spoke about the need to address oak wilt in the area.
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This past week, Councilwoman Sandoval and the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization partnered to produce an educational video about the need to improve our air quality. We'll share the video in the newsletter once it is has been released.
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SAWS stopped by City Hall to celebrate Drinking Water Week--an opportunity to recognize the vital role our drinking water plays in our lives.
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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’ve been hearing a lot about of back and forth whether the City should have submitted an RNC bid. Where do you stand? And why wasn’t this debated in an open meeting?
Thanks,
Why R-N’t We Bidding?
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Dear R-N’t,
There are two different questions here, and I want to answer each in turn.
First, the question of whether to bid for the RNC Convention: As your City Councilmember, I am not inclined to support a bid for a political convention of any party—Democrat or Republican—when it requires the City to put forward millions in taxpayer dollars for incentives and staff time.
While private donors offered to raise some of the $70 million the RNC bid required, the City would still have been on the hook for several million dollars of the full price tag, a price tag which does not include the additional expenses the City would have to incur in staff time. I think there are more responsible ways to spend your tax dollars than on a partisan convention.
Secondly, the question of whether or not to discuss the bid in an open session: I am a strong believer in the importance of a transparent and open government. It is important to know that the law provides for executive sessions of the City Council to meet privately to discuss certain issues—like the details of a contract or a lawsuit, or in this case, competitive economic development bids. The Mayor sought the advice of the City Attorney before he called for the executive session and was assured that discussing the RNC bid was appropriate and legal.
Thank you for your question.
Sincerely,
Councilwoman Sandoval
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Connect with Your Councilmember
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Community Conversations 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.
These events are open to the public. Upcoming Conversations with Councilwoman Sandoval:
- May 12 from 10 AM to 11 AM at Barrio Barista (3735 Culebra Road)
- May 26 from 10 AM to 11 AM at Corazones on Fire (1024 Donaldson Ave)
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 210-207-0857 or send an email with the subject line "Coffee with Ana" to district7@sanantonio.gov.
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District 7 Announces a Fourth Property Tax Workshops
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The District 7 Office will offer a fourth property tax workshop on
Monday, May 14 at the AT&T Center at St. Mary's University. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will go from 7 to 8 p.m. Participants must register.
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"[On Wednesday], Councilwoman Ana Sandoval will commemorate the South Texas Asthma Coalition - a community-based organization. At the event, there is going to be a discussion on how San Antonio can work together to secure healthier air."
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"If you live in District 7, you can attend a Property Tax Appeal Workshop on May 14. For more information,
click here."
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Meet Your Neighbor:
Virginia Valenzuela
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Councilwoman Sandoval welcomed Pastoral Associate Virginia Valenzuela to deliver the invocation for the May 10 City Council session.
Virginia delivered an inspirational and hopeful prayer, calling for a blessing on all of our elected leaders and, of course, a blessing for all mothers in honor of Mother's Day. Thank you, Virginia!
Virginia Valenzuela currently serves as Pastoral Associate at St. Paul Catholic Church with previous positions including that of Associate Director at Our Lady of the Lake University at the Center for Women in Church & Society and Director of Community Outreach & Spirituality at Morningside Ministries. Ms. Valenzuela holds a Masters in Social Work from OLLU and a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from Oblate School of Theology.
Ms. Valenzuela is a 40 plus year resident of District 7 and believes strongly in the importance of community building and engagement. Her four daughters all attended public school, proudly graduating from Jefferson High School.
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Help us map the way, San Antonio!
Use your voice to tell the City of San Antonio - Municipal Government what YOU want prioritized in 2019's budget.
Take SASpeakUp’s five-minute survey now!
The survey closes May 12.
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"Sound the Alarm" Fire Safety
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The American Red Cross Serving Greater San Antonio is inviting our community to join the Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event on
May 12 from 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Volunteers and local partners will be canvassing neighborhoods, installing free smoke alarms, replacing batteries in existing alarms and helping families create escape plans. Volunteers will install free smoke alarms into the following neighborhoods from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: University Park, Woodlawn Lake, Memorial Heights, Loma Vista and Prospect Hill. For more information, or to volunteer, visit soundthealarm.org/sanantonio or call 210-224-5151.
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Proposed Comprehensive Land Use Categories
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The Planning Department invites the community to review the Proposed Comprehensive Land Use Categories.
The City of San Antonio Planning Department has been working with the community to update the City's future land use categories. The updated future land use categories will implement the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan and provide the City with an easily understandable and flexible land use framework.
For more information, or to schedule a meeting to learn more, please contact Shepard beamon at shepard.beamon@sanantonio.gov or 210-207-0244. More info available
here.
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State Rep. Bernal's Summer Resource Fair
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State Representative Diego Bernal is hosting a Summer Resource Fair on Saturday,
May 12 at the Last Chance Ministries (404 Brady Blvd). Attendees will see what various organizations are offering children and families this summer. There will be games for the kids and an opportunity to win door prizes!
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Tree Preservation and Oak Wilt Prevention Class
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Join the City Arborist in the next DSD (Development Services Department) Academy, scheduled for Saturday,
May 19, 9 to 11 AM. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and free parking is available on premise.
The session will discuss San Antonio's Tree Preservation Ordinance and steps homeowners can take to help in the prevention of Oak Wilt.
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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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To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website
here.
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Date: May 12
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Barrio Barista, 3735 Culebra Road
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
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Jorge and Nicole: Acoustic World Music
Date: May 12
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Maverick Library, 8700 Mystic Park
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Community Meeting: OP Schnabel Park Expansion
Date: May 17
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Rudder Middle School, 6558 Horn Blvd
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
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Date: May 19
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Development Services Department, 1901 S. Alamo
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Date: May 20
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, 1715 N. Zarzamora
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Date: May 26
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Corazones on Fire, 1024 Donaldson Ave
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
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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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