VOLUME 118 | January 10, 2020
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I hope you had a Happy New Year’s celebration and are enjoying the beginning of 2020.
In 2020, I plan to continue the momentum our district has built over these last couple of years. Since 2018, the District 7 Team has worked to secure over $40 million in infrastructure funding. That’s $40 million spent on maintaining our streets, constructing sidewalks, repainting lane stripes, and improving our drainage systems, among other projects.
City Council made progress on big issues in 2019: we adopted a General Homestead Exemption to begin easing the residential property tax burden; took steps toward climate preparedness by adopting a Climate Action & Adaptation Plan; and furthered conversations on responsible development, domestic violence, and gun safety.
I’m especially proud that, in 2019, City Council adopted my Public Participation Initiative—a set of standards to guide how the City works with the public. This marks a step toward ensuring our City government is accessible, transparent, and open to the community. With the same goal in mind, the City also began broadcasting online all City Council Committees and high-profile Boards and Commissions.
There is a lot to look forward to this year. One of my priorities is to tackle neighborhood safety—especially street safety. We’ve identified several locations in the district where drivers routinely speed and regularly crash into people’s backyards. We’re advocating for safety improvements to ensure that doesn’t continue to happen.
Additionally, I will continue to advocate for Sick & Safe Leave protections for working families, working the City’s public comment process to make it better for residents, and adopting a comprehensive plan to fight domestic violence in San Antonio.
One last note: we put the District 7 Community Newsletter in the mail early last month. Didn’t get a copy? You can
view the newsletter online here or pick up a copy from the district office at 4414 Centerview Dr, Ste. 160. And if you want to receive the next newsletter that we mail, send us your mailing address.
Yours in public service,
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On January 9, Councilwoman Sandoval and the District 7 Team recognized National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Thanks to the excellent men and women in our San Antonio Police Department, whose selfless service and dedication keep our community safe. We hope the
pan dulce hit the spot!
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The District 7 Team joined the Braun Oaks HOA Board for their weekly meeting, where representatives of Quik Trip discussed the new location under construction off of Tezel and Bandera Road.
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The Transportation & Capital Improvements Department provided an update to the Thunderbird Hills Neighborhood Association on improvements underway at Jane Dubel Park. Great news: the new restroom is coming soon!
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The Oaks of French Creek held their annual meeting this week and invited Councilwoman Sandoval to share progress on projects within the district, including her efforts to develop a congestion-relief plan for Bandera Road.
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French Creek Village welcomed the District 7 Team and the new Bexar County Constable in Precinct 2, Leticia Vasquez.
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The Donaldson Terrace Neighborhood Association welcomed Transportation & Capital Improvements for an update on the plans for park improvements at the unnamed park at Sutton and Zachry. We're looking forward to seeing the new jungle gym installed soon!
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Bonnie Arbittier / The Rivard Report
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Here’s a look at some pending issues and initiatives, most of which a majority of Council has agreed merit attention through budget discussions or through committee processes.
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San Antonio officials are considering a proposal to provide free childcare during city committee and board meetings to help increase participation by parents and add more female voices on those panels.
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Bob Owen / San Antonio Express News
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Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express News
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The female majority sworn in to the City Council six months ago has brought an increased sense of urgency to domestic violence, wage parity, gender diversity on city boards and commissions, and other problems affecting women.
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January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
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Human trafficking is the most common form of modern-day slavery. Estimates place the number of its domestic and international victims in the millions, mostly females and children enslaved in the commercial sex industry for little or no money. The term human trafficking usually conjures up images of young girls beaten and abused in faraway places, like Eastern Europe, Asia, or Africa. Actually, human trafficking happens locally in cities and towns, both large and small, throughout the United States, right in citizens' backyards.
How to Report Human Trafficking
If you suspect that you or someone else is a victim of human trafficking, please contact Sex Crimes by email: PDSexCrimes.Unit@sanantonio.gov or call the Sex Crimes Unit at 210.207.2313, Monday – Friday, between 7:45 am and 5:45 pm. The after-hours contact number for the Night Detectives is 210.207.7389. If a criminal offense is in progress, please call 911 for a life threatening emergency, or the non-emergency line for a non-life threatening event at 210.207.SAPD or 210.207.7273.
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Metro Health Offers Free Flu Vaccines on a First Come, First Serve Basis
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San Antonio is in the midst of the flu season and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) wants to help by giving away free flu vaccine. Call 210-207-8894 to schedule your flu vaccine at one of the following locations:
Eastside Clinic
210 Mel Waiters Way
San Antonio, TX 78202
210.207.8894
Open: Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Appointment ONLY
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Walk-Ins ONLY
Frank Garrett Center
1226 NW 18th St.
San Antonio, TX 78207
210.207.8894
Enter: from Hamilton Ave. & Albert St.
Open: Tuesdays & Thursdays •
by appointment only
This location does not sell immunization records.
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Dreamweek 2020: Creating an Environment for Civil & Civic Engagements
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Each annual DreamWeek Summit comprises of hundreds of events presented by local organizations and individuals with the collective purpose: to foster the free exchange of ideas on universal issues affecting the human race. The aim is to invite all to participate in an open and welcoming arena, where real-world issues are engaged in a well-balanced manner, with the understanding that the truest voices will always prevail. Events take a variety of forms: from symposiums, panel discussions and debates to film screenings, concerts and art exhibits, DreamWeek is a community in reflection.
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January 4-31: 8th Annual Holocaust Learn and Remember
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San Antonio Public Library will be hosting its
8th Annual Holocaust Learn and Remember series from
January 4-31st, 2020. The 2020 theme, Women in the Holocaust, will focus on women’s unique experiences in persisting through and surviving the Holocaust. This year’s schedule includes:
- A gallery exhibit entitled Letters to Sala
- Programs scheduled at various library locations featuring guest speakers that have in-depth knowledge of the Holocaust as well as readers theatre performances of the play Letters to Sala
- A closing reception featuring Caroline Weinberg, the granddaughter of Sala Garncarz Kirschner who is featured in the gallery exhibit Letters to Sala
Founded in 2013 by Ramiro Salazar and Howie Nestel, Holocaust Learn and Remember is an annual series that brings awareness to the Holocaust so that such an atrocity will never happen again.
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January 15: VIA Metropolitan Transit Tele-Townhall:
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Save the Date: San Antonio Housing Summit, May 12
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Save the date! The San Antonio Housing Summit is scheduled for May 12, 2020 at the Norris Conference Center, 618 NW Loop 410 #207. Registration opens on February 1, 2020.
Healthy growing cities have dynamic and diverse neighborhoods offering a mix of housing opportunities for all. The 2020 Housing Summit will help us achieve and maintain this goal by:
- Updating and informing the housing community about the current housing ecosystem;
- Engaging participants from different disciplines in positive conversations with varied viewpoints;
- Providing targeted information and seeking feedback on barriers to housing production, especially the production of affordable housing;
- Advising policy makers and housing providers about necessary local changes; and
- Promoting opportunities for specific action.
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Wonder where your District 7 Team is headed next? Join Councilwoman Sandoval and/or District 7 staff at any of the following events! Call us for more information.
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Jefferson Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 13
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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University Park
Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 14
Time: 6:30 p.m.
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Braun Station East
Community Improvement Association Board Meeting
Date: January 15
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Maverick Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 20
Time: 6:30 p.m.
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Culebra Park Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 21
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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City Council Public Safety
Committee Meeting
Date: January 21
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: St. Philip's College,
1801 Martin Luther King Dr
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City Council Community Health & Equity Committee Meeting
Date: January 23
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Municipal Plaza Building,
114 W Commerce
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Rolling Ridge Club Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 27
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Woodlawn Lake Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 28
Time: 6:30 p.m.
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Rolling Ridge Village Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 28
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Woodlawn Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: January 29
Time: 6:00 p.m.
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Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr, Ste #160
Monday - Friday:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed for Lunch:
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
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Plaza de Armas
100 Military Plaza
Monday - Friday:
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Please call for an appointment.
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