Phase 3 of Major Flood Reduction Project Beginning Soon
Every resident deserves a safe place to live, and when it comes to infrastructure, I believe your local government has responsibility to ensure that you and your home are safe from harm during an extreme rainstorm.
I'm glad to share that this week Public Work will begin phase 3 of the Seeling Channel drainage project.
After the catastrophic of 2002, which claimed nine lives, and caused extreme damage to homes in the area, the community made a commitment that that would never happen again. Since then, voters have approved three City bond projects in keeping with this commitment: phase 1 was funded by the 2007 bond, phase 2 by the 2012 bond, and phase 3 by the 2017 bond.
The truth is, we are playing catch up with our older neighborhoods, some built as early as the 1890s and as recently as the 1920s, long before FEMA existed! To put that into perspective, the National Flood Insurance Program was only created in 1970 and FEMA, which creates flood risk maps, was only created in 1979!
Flooding is a tough issue for San Antonio because this is Flash Flood Alley. To put that into perspective: between 1993 and 2014, San Antonio experienced 129 floods, claiming 16 lives and causing an estimated $14.9 million in property damage.
Neighbors in the area were invited to a community meeting on Thursday. If you missed it, contact us and we can send you a copy of the video. We will also share a link to the video when it is available.
Some of the key takeaways from the meetings:
- St Cloud between Donaldson and Woodlawn will be closed for nine months beginning this month.
- All work will be conducted in the channel. Trucks will NOT be using the streets next to the channel.
- Huisache and W Mulberry will get new sidewalks and curbs.
- There is a dedicated email and phone number for questions about the project: 210-276-2771 and SeelingChannelPh3@sundt.com
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Equity and Environmental Justice Important Considerations for Future Transportation Projects |
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The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) unanimously approved the October 1, 2020 Call for Projects. This year’s Call for Projects introduces Environmental Justice and Equity into scoring criteria for the first time in the history of the agency. Councilwoman Sandoval issued the following statement:
“Under the leadership of State Rep. Ray Lopez and Commissioner Kevin Wolff and many others, our MPO has made huge strides in transportation infrastructure. Today’s action marks a seminal advancement for transportation investment in our community.
“Historically, low-income and minority populations have been left out of conversations on transportation planning. Yet they have often suffered some of transportation projects’ worst impacts, such as increased air pollution and economic disinvestment.
“Today’s action charts a path to actively reduce these disproportionate harmful impacts on minority and low-income populations. It’s new territory for us, but necessary. If we understand how projects fare with respect to equity and environmental justice we can make more informed decisions and better serve our community.
“I want to commend AAMPO staff and the Multi Agency work group for bringing forward this recommendation and finding a compromise for the first iteration of this criteria. I look forward to seeing the final scoring rubric.
The AAMPO is a funding subrecipient of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Per DOT, Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, national origin, or educational level with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. DOT is committed to ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system for communities nationwide. In doing so, DOT comprehensively incorporates environmental justice (EJ) considerations into all of the Department’s programs, policies, and activities. By ensuring opportunities for minority and low-income communities to influence the transportation planning and decision-making processes through enhanced engagement and meaningful input, the Department actively prevents disproportionately high and adverse effects of transportation projects on minority and low-income communities.
The Department of Transportation’s guiding environmental justice principles are:
- To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process;
- To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority or low-income populations; and
- To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority or low-income populations.
Councilwoman Sandoval has represented the City of San Antonio on the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Board and Executive Committee since 2017. She serves alongside fellow Councilmembers Melissa Cabello Havrda, Shirley Gonzales, and Clayton Perry.
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Nani Falcone Survey - We Want to Hear From You! |
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Public Works has prepared a set of quick public input surveys designed to poll District 7 neighborhood residents about what type of seating they would prefer to see in the improved dog park spaces at Nani Falcone Park. Take the survey by clicking the links below. |
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The survey is available for you until the end of day on Tuesday, October 6. |
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Starting September 29, 2020 the Forest Hills Branch Library will be undergoing renovations as part of the City of San Antonio's 2017-2022 Bond Program. Renovations are projected to be completed by January 2021. Contact-Free Pickup & outdoor Wi-Fi will be available with adjusted hours during renovation. For details about improvements being made, visit
Hours for Contact-Free Pickup and outdoor Wi-Fi at Forest Hills:
- Tuesday 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
As a reminder, all library locations remain closed for public access to limit the spread of COVID-19. Contact-Free Pickup for holds is available at all locations and public computer use is available by appointment at nine locations. Please see schedules and information here.
If you have any questions, Library staff are available by phone, Monday - Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. at 210-207-2500, or by chat, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., available at ask.mysapl.org.
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Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee
Monday, October 5 at 2:00 PM
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Economic and Workforce Development Committee
Tuesday, October 6 at 2:00 PM
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City Council B Session
Wednesday, October 7 at 2:00 PM
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City Council A Session
Thursday, October 8 at 9:00 AM
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Intergovernmental Relations
Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 AM
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City Council B Session
Wednesday, October 14 at 2:00 PM
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City of San Antonio announces reopening of several public-facing services, including parks and convention facilities |
With the COVID-19 indicators currently showing the lowest risk level (“Safe”) for transmission of the coronavirus, City Manager Erik Walsh announced timelines for the reopening of several City services today, including parks, senior centers and convention facilities, with many operating at reduced capacities. To find out more about specific facilities and departments, click here.
Residents with questions about City of San Antonio services are encouraged to call 311 or visit the City’s website at sanantonio.gov. |
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Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters in San Antonio |
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On the evening of October 3rd, as dusk turns to dark, landmarks, buildings, bridges, fire stations, and homes across the country will light up in “red” to honor America’s fallen firefighters as part of the Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters program.
Businesses throughout San Antonio are invited to Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters and light up Red this Saturday night October 3rd if they are able.
For businesses lighting up red, use #nffflightthenight2020 on social. In addition, photos can be sent to firepio@sanantonio.gov
For more information on Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters, click here. |
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The Parks and Recreation Department is offering students free access to Virtual Learning Hubs at eight community centers beginning Oct. 5 through Dec. 18, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Virtual Learning Hubs will provide internet access and a free lunch to students (ages 6+) in elementary, middle and high school. Online registration begins Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. Please visit saparksandrec.com for details.
Virtual Learn Hubs are located at the following community centers:
- Copernicus – 5003 Lord Rd
- Garza – 1450 Mira Vista
- Hamilton – 107000 Nacogdoches
- Harlandale – 7227 Briar Place
- Melendrez – 5919 W Commerce
- Miller’s Pond – 6175 Old Pearsall Rd
- Palm Heights – 1201 W Malone
- Southside Lions – 3100 Hiawatha
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Important Voting Information from the League of Women Voters |
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SA2020 Invite's You to Review the Draft Community Results and Indicators |
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This past Friday marked 10 years of San Antonio’s Community Vision!
SA2020 is looking for your feedback to guide the final phase of public input in strengthening the Community Vision for the next 10 years.
This phase asks San Antonians to review the draft Community Results and Indicators, which were informed by 10,500 San Antonians who shared feedback earlier this year and then reviewed by 80 local content experts. Folks can provide input in two ways this month:
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Via an online form, which asks them to choose a particular area and provide feedback on the language and proposed indicators.
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Via virtual community conversations we are hosting in partnership with UTSA. Community members can choose a particular area and be a part of a facilitated conversation with their neighbors.
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The City of San Antonio is considering creating a Renters' Commission. The Renters' commission proposal has two goals:
- Elevate renters' issues in citywide discussions and;
- Increase renter representation on boards and commissions.
This 5-minute survey is to hear from the public on the proposed commission and renters issues.
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Vita is Recruiting for the Upcoming Tax Season |
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VITA is a free tax preparation service for families or individuals who earn less than $55,000. The VITA office at Guadalupe Community Center is open year round and will be taking drop offs of tax documents Monday-Friday (8:30am-4:30pm).
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order to prevent evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order is effective September 4th, 2020 through December 31st, 2020.
The Order states that landlords are prohibited from evicting certain tenants affected by COVID-19. Click here to learn more or call 210-207-5910.
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Click any of the following buttons for reliable information about COVID-19. Additionally, you can text COSAGOV to 55000 to receive SMS text message updates. |
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The following buttons link to community resources should you need any assistance. If you need a service that is not listed below, please contact our office at 210-207-0870 or by email at District7@SanAntonio.gov. |
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See a full listing of resources here. |
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Looking for a way to help your neighbors during this time? Here are a few ideas: |
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See more ideas on how to get involved here. |
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During this time, the District 7 Office is continuing to work for you. We are taking the following precautions to protect your health and ours:
- We are taking your phone calls and emails.
- We are calling into neighborhood association and HOA meetings. If you would like help hosting a video or conference call for your NA/HOA meeting, call us!
- We are postponing in-person office events for the time being.
We appreciate your understanding.
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