VOLUME 64 | October 26, 2018
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One reason that I ran for office is because I believed, and continue to believe, that our city government has the potential to be more transparent and accountable to our residents. Less than halfway into my first term, I proposed sweeping changes to enhance meaningful opportunities for public participation. This week, The Express News published a
story about my efforts. I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about my approach to improving public participation and then describe these proposals that I’ve been working on with Mayor Nirenberg in greater detail.
I prioritized addressing
low-hanging fruit—those improvements the City could implement fairly quickly and at low or no cost. Early this year I authored a request to have Council adopt principles of public participation that would permeate the culture of our work with the public. The first of those principles, I felt, should be a commitment to
meaningful public participation. Meaningful public participation begins with the understanding and conviction that engaging the public strengthens decision-making and helps the City develop better programs, policies and ordinances. You can see my request
here.
My request was heard by the Council Governance Committee in July, and since then, City staff has been hard at work implementing these recommendations. We will hear an update on their progress at my Community Health and Equity Committee Meeting early next month (you can see the meeting live on our
District Office Facebook page). In the meanwhile, Mayor Nirenberg and I have collaborated on a follow-up request. Specifically, we are looking into the following specific improvements:
- Broadcasting and/or livestreaming council committee meetings and high-profile board and commission meetings. Currently, only two council meetings are broadcast on local access television and on the City’s website.
- Publishing records of Councilmember’s votes and attendance at Council meetings.
- Improving the Citizens to Be Heard format. Venturing to Municipal Plaza and testifying in front of the City Council is a remarkable act, yet sometimes participants are not clear of what the outcome was, as the State Opens Meetings act prohibits Council members from discussing any items from the dais if the item has not been posted on a Council agenda with at least 72 hours notice. There are no-cost improvements we can make to ensure the participants gets an answer to their question after Citizens to be heard, or even helping participants find another way of meeting with their representative.
- Creating a Citizens Advisory Group to guide the City’s efforts to improve its outreach and accessibility and recommend future initiatives.
The City has made great strides on public participation over the past years—broadcasting all Council meetings and “B Sessions” (work sessions), providing American Sign Language and Spanish Language interpretation at all Council meetings, expanding budget input efforts, launching an open records portal for frequently requested documents, and providing more materials online, such as all economic development incentive agreements. Yet, we know more opportunities for improved public participation remain. This is
your government, and your participation makes that a reality.
As always, your input is welcome.
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Councilwoman Sandoval joined the Neff Middle School PTA this past Monday to kick off Bully Free Month, Red Ribbon Week, and a performance by the school's talented band!
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The National Wildlife Federation welcomed Councilwoman Sandoval as San Antonio enters its third year as a Champion City for native pollinators, like the Monarch Butterfly. You can learn more about how you can get involved
here.
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The Young Women's Leadership Academy hosted Muffins for Moms, where Councilwoman Sandoval visited and spoke about the school's new initiative to discourage parents from idling in the parking lot. Cars emit more carbon dioxide when they're idling than when driven and can also contribute to ground-level ozone pollution--two things we want to limit children's exposure to!
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Councilwoman Sandoval sponsored the Geekbus's visit to Sul Ross Middle School to enrich students' STEM education and expose them to topics like 3D printing, prosthetic organs, and coding.
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To continue their education and ensure their delivering the best care possible, the San Antonio Emergency Nurses Association held their 6th annual conference. Councilwoman Sandoval delivered opening remarks and thanked the attendees for the critical service they provide and commitment to top-notch service.
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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 "Ask Ana Anything".
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Hi Ana,
I couldn’t attend this week’s Seeling Channel meeting. Can you fill me in? I hope you’re not using the same contractor this time!
Thanks,
Attentive on Alexander Hamilton
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Dear Attentive,
During the meeting, representatives from Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI), residents, and I discussed the long anticipated phase three of the Seeling Channel project. Construction is projected to begin November 2019 and end in December 2021.
My office has heard from residents that this project has generated more than its fair share of frustrations. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring the project poses the least possible disruption to those living along the channel.
The City has even gone so far as to modify the request for proposals the City issued to find a contractor for the project. Generally, the City looks for the lowest bidder. By working with TCI, I’ve made sure that the City will prefer a contractor that has a history of quality customer service.
The Seeling Channel is a critical project because it will reduce the risk of flooding for many homes and make future drainage projects possible upstream. Please notify my office if there is anything we can do to ensure the process is as painless as possible.
Thank you for the question.
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Yours in public service,
Ana E. Sandoval
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Connect with Your Councilmember
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City Services Friday: Meet with Code Enforcement on November 9
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Councilwoman Sandoval has heard your feedback and now seeks to give residents an opportunity to speak directly to the city services you call about most. Schedule a 20 minute meeting with a representative from Animal Care Services, Code Enforcement or 311. Take your concerns directly to the city department, learn more about their processes, and gain a better understanding of how city services work together to address the needs of our community.
Call 210-207-0870 or email us at District7@sanantonio.gov to reserve an appointment. Representatives will only meet with pre-scheduled constituents of District 7.
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Coffee with Ana: Make an Appointment Now!
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Appointments are available for the upcoming Coffees with Ana! This is an opportunity for residents to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Councilwoman.
To make an appointment, call 210-207-0870 or send an email to district7@sanantonio.gov.
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"Mayor Ron Nirenberg and District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval are quietly working on a plan to make municipal government more accessible to the public, including livestreaming more meetings and creating a more engaging citizens-to-be-heard format at council meetings."
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"District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval sat in the Jefferson High School room where she took SAT prep more than 25 years ago, a step in her journey to a degree from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other Latino MIT alumni flanked her, facing about 60 students."
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Application Open for Neighborhood Leadership Academy
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October 1st begins the application period for the 2019 Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA). Visit www.sanantonio.gov/NLA to apply or ask us a question by email at neighborhoods@sanantonio.gov The NLA is an interactive face-to-face program designed to equip residents with the knowledge, network, and skills to be effective neighborhood leaders. Selected participants will learn simple strategies to create, grow membership and increase effective communication between neighbors and associations.
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O.P. Schnabel Park Expansion Meeting -- November 7th
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The City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a third public meeting to continue the community discussion about the future development and expansion of O.P. Schnabel Park on the grounds of the former Alamo Golf Club.
Dunaway Associates, a statewide professional design firm specializing in landscape architectural services, has refined two schematic design concepts based on public input provided at the previous meeting. The consultants will present these alternative concepts and solicit feedback from the audience.
The meeting is scheduled Wednesday,
November 7th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Carl Wanke Elementary School located at 10419 Old Prue Road.
For any questions, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (210) 207-8480.
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Visit Historical and Cultural Landmarks throughout San Antonio for FREE
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The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department is excited to partner with The Cultural Landscape Foundation in connecting people with places. You are invited to explore San Antonio's diverse cultural landscapes during the What's Out There Weekend San Antonio tours on
November 10 - 11, 2018.
Come learn more during expertly guided tours of some of our city's most significant public spaces.
All tours are free. Space is limited and registration is required. Go to tclf.org for more info.
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Maverick Elementary hosts Recycle Drives to raise funds for New Outdoor Learning Space
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Maverick Elementary School has been a participant of the National Pepsi Co recycle challenge for the past three years. The school has placed in the top 10 nationwide for two years in a row!
The school accepts #1 & #2 plastics and aluminum cans. Funds raised will go towards the ECO Club's vision of creating an outdoor learning center for the students to enjoy. This year, the Pepsi Co Recycle Rally has doubled the top five prizes!
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Apply for Under One Roof Funds
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The Under One Roof Program repairs or replaces worn and damaged roofs with new, energy-efficient roofs for qualified homeowners. This year, the program is accepting applications city-wide.
The eligibility requirements for the program follow:
- Property must be within San Antonio city limits and have Homestead Exemption
- Property taxes must be current (no prior year taxes due)
- Be a US citizen or Legal Resident with no prior liens or Judgments
- Property must be SOLEY owned and occupied and less then 1500sqft
- Must meet established HUD Income limits income guidelines,
- Gross income must not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
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To view more events, visit our calendar on the website
here.
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District 7 Team & Parks & Rec. Clean Seeling Park
Date: October 27
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Seeling Park (105 Placid Drive)
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Trunk or Treat with the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park
Date: October 27
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: O.P. Schnabel Park (9606 Bandera)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Date: October 29
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Oblate School of Theology (285 Oblate Drive)
*Councilwoman Sandoval will serve as a panelist.*
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Rolling Ridge Neighborhood Meeting
Date: October 29
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rolling Ridge Clubhouse (5306 Rolling Ridge Drive)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Woodlawn Lake Neighborhood Meeting
Date: October 30
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Lake Gym's Wifi Room (1103 Cincinnati Avenue)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Woodlawn Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: October 31
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Forest Hills Library (5245 Ingram Road)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Guilbeau Park Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 1
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Guilbeau Park Community Center (9214 Caen)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Kaboom! Playground Installation
Date: November 3
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Salvation Army -- Catherine Booth (2710 W Ashby Place)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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O.P. Schnabel Park Expansion Meeting
Date: November 7
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Carl Wanke Elementary School (10419 Old Prue Road)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Puppies & Pumpkins
Date: November 10
Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Location: Nani Falcone Park (7625 Mystic Park)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Date: November 15
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: VIA Metro Center (1021 San Pedro Ave)
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Tween Night with the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park
Date: November 17
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Location: O.P. Schnabel Park (9606 Bandera)
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Tween Night with the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park
Date: December 8
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Location: O.P. Schnabel Park (9606 Bandera)
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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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