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VOLUME 109 | October 18, 2019
Dear Neighbors,
City Council Adopts Climate Action & Adaptation Plan

Protection from floods, healthy air, green careers, more trees, a city prepared for the future—our Climate Action & Adaptation Plan sets out to accomplish each of these and more.

Whether you’re a resident who wants a home safe from flooding, a parent who wants their children to have clean air, a park patron who wants to enjoy a park full of trees and free from litter, or a driver who wants genuine transportation options—there’s something in this plan for everyone.

One of the elements of the plan that I’m most proud of is our focus on equity as we adapt. Not only are we preparing for a changing climate, we're making sure that our efforts don’t have unintended consequences on the most vulnerable among us by putting in place a screening process for any potential climate action initiative.

San Antonio residents expect their leaders to seek practical solutions grounded in the best available research and practices. I’ve heard that consistently at neighborhood meetings and community events. Yesterday, we did just that.

SAPD Provides Update on Cite and Release Policy

The Public Safety Committee received the first quarterly report on the expanded Cite and Release policy this Wednesday.

The Cite and Release policy allows police officers to choose to ticket someone for minor offenses, like possession of small amounts of marijuana, instead of arresting them and introducing them to the criminal justice system.

As part of the presentation, SAPD reported that, for the July 1 to September 30 period, there were 1,509 offenses eligible for citation (instead of arrest). Of those 1,509, about 34% of the individuals received citations. This saved SAPD Officers about 935.5 hours in processing time—the equivalent of having two more officers available for patrol.
 
Because of this new policy, over 500 people were able to stay out of jail, continue their jobs, support their families, and keep their lives intact. Moreover, they avoided the stigma of a criminal record—something that all too often ends opportunities for education and work because of a one-time mistake.
 
I thank SAPD and the District Attorney’s Office for looking for ways to adopt sound criminal justice policy. They’ve been diligent in their efforts to report on the program’s progress and impact on our community and operations. I look forward to continued collaboration between the City and District Attorney.

Diagnostic Mammograms Now Covered by Most Insurance

The Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women is spreading the word that, as of Sept. 1, most insurance companies in Texas cover the cost of diagnostic mammograms.

On Tuesday, the councilwomen were invited to visit the University Health System’s mobile mammogram clinic to get screened and recognize the implementation of House Bill 170, a bill that requires insurance companies in Texas to cover both screening and diagnostic mammograms. Whereas screening mammograms detect potential symptoms of cancer, diagnostic mammograms determine whether the symptoms are cancerous.

Even with insurance coverage, diagnostic mammograms can entail a financial hardship for women. Susan G. Komen San Antonio estimates that, prior to HB 170, insured women could expect to pay up to $800 for a diagnostic mammogram.

For women who can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs, this means deciding between either taking out a loan to afford the mammogram or foregoing it and hoping for the best.

HB 170 will save lives. I encourage all women who can to take advantage of it. Women are so often caretakers in our community; our community must ensure women are taken care of too.
Yours in public service,
The Week in Photos
The District 7 Office had an excellent turn out to our first Multi-Faith Meeting, where the City's Liaison to the Faith Community, Rev. Ann Helmke, led the discussion on how congregations can work together to uplift the community.
Police Chief McManus and the District Attorney's Office presented a report on the City's expanded Cite-and-Release policy to the Council's Public Safety Committee.
This week marks the Navy's 244th Birthday--an occasion celebrated at City Council with a cake cutting. We thank our sailors for their service!
City Council hit the road for the second time, this time bringing a Council meeting out to the Eastside Pre-K 4 SA site. Crowds filled the room to deliver comments to the Council.
Councilwoman Sandoval welcomed climate advocate and UTSA student Jay'len Boone to Council Chambers Thursday to recognize his recent designation as the United Nations Youth Observer. As UN Youth Observer, Jay'len represents youth voices at the UN General Assembly and connects with youth across the country to learn how they're making positive change in their communities.
D7 in the News
SA leaders raise breast cancer screening awareness
"District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval says it's a step toward health equity, but there's still work to do to make sure all women have access to the important form of screening."

More than 500 people avoided jail for misdemeanors under San Antonio's new cite-and-release program
"These 500 people didn’t end up with this stigma of a criminal record, which could have kept them from future education opportunities, future job opportunities and could have been a one time mistake,” Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said Tuesday at the council’s Public Safety Committee meeting."

San Antonio's reliance on coal still a big questions as City Council heads toward vote on climate plan
"There’s concerns about driving up costs,” District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said. “Do we actually have the technology to provide electricity when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing ... those are all just deeper conversations we’re going to need to have with CPS."

"San Antonio City Council on Thursday passed a climate action plan that puts the city on the path to carbon neutrality by 2050."

Ana at Your Service
Councilwoman Sandoval and her team are working everyday to help the residents of District 7 solve their problems and make the district a better place for all. Below are examples of cases we worked this week. 
A resident contacted our office to request help finding transportation services for their chemotherapy appointments. Given the intensity of chemotherapy on a patient, the resident would not be able to transport himself. Our staff informed him that VIA Metropolitan offers VIA Trans, a transportation service option for customers who cannot utilize regular bus service because of a disability. It is a shared-ride, curb-to-curb service that offers independence through mobility and expands access to opportunity via transit. The resident informed us this week that VIA Trans accepted their applicant and will transport them to their appointments.
Is there something we can help you with? Contact us at 210-207-0870 or district7@sanantonio.gov and we'd be happy to help.
Announcements
Have Coffee with Ana!
Appointments are available for an 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.
October 16 - November 13:
Public Info Meetings on Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance
The updated Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance will take effect on December 1, 2019. Sick & Safe Leave is a law in San Antonio that requires most employees in San Antonio be given time off needed to be absent from work because the employee or the employee’s family member experiences illness, injury, stalking, domestic abuse, sexual assault or otherwise requires medical or health care, including preventive care, and mental healthcare.  

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health), will be hosting eight free information sessions in different areas of the City of San Antonio which will allow employers and employees to learn more about the updated Sick & Safe Leave ordinance. “Metro Health is available to help employers and employees learn about the new updates to the Sick & Safe Leave ordinance. Our goal is to provide education, technical assistance and tools that businesses need to successfully implement the ordinance by December 1, 2019,” said Jennifer Herriott, Interim Director of Health.
Advance registration is requested for all sessions. To attend one of the free Sick & Safe Leave Information Sessions please register at: https://sasickandsafeleave.eventbrite.com. Upon request Spanish translation or interpretation for the hard of hearing will be available. 

More information on the Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance can be found at www.sanantonio.gov/health and questions can be submitted to paidsickleave@sanantonio.gov, or by calling 311 or 210-207-8458. 
The Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee ( BMAC) & Pedestrian Mobility Advisory Committee ( PMAC) invite you to the Alamo Area MPO's Walk & Bike Night Spooktacular!

Don a costume (keep it family friendly, please), join us for a game of Transportation Lotería, and catch up on news from the region's active transportation partners!
Join us in celebrating our dearly departed familia, friends, and ancestors at our annual Día de los Muertos celebration! Admission is free!

There will be displays of community altars/ofrendas, live music, face painting for children, food, and more! The evening will highlight readings of literary ofrendas to remember our dead, and calavera poems that poke fun at the living and their untimely encounters with La Muerte or La Catrina. We will also have a procession through the neighborhood, so please join us! Folks are welcome to dress up and bring an instrument or noise maker for the procession.

And now that our clay cooperative MujerArtes is in their new adobe/compressed earth block studio at the Rinconcito, visitors will be able to see the culmination of the women’s hard work and creative endeavors. They will be selling Day of the Dead clay artwork and more!

Concessions of hot chocolate, tamales, and the traditional pan de muerto will be available. Vegan options will be available.

Join us in conserving our traditions and celebrating our cultura in El Westside de San Antonio!

In addition to the Día de los Muertos celebration, the Esperanza will host a series of Day of the Dead workshops IN OCTOBER for community members to learn the various aspects of this cultural tradition. The workshops will include how to make ofrendas/altares, paper flowers, and sugar skulls. For more info on our Day of the Dead celebration, workshops in October, or if you’d like to make an altar, please call 210.228.0201!

Date: Friday, November 1
Time: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Organizer: Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
Phone: (210) 228-0201
Since 1977, Centro Cultural has opened its doors to tourists and residents to take part in the biggest and oldest Dia de los Muertos Celebration paying tribute to this ancient tradition.

Centro Cultural Aztlan celebrates the Annual Dia de los Muertos with a group exhibition of Altares y Ofrendas on November 2nd. Community artists are invited to create altares in our gallery and help facilitate a dialogue that examines the history and traditions of this cultural festivity. This event illustrates the artistic, cultural and religious facets of this popular pre-Columbian/Mexican tradition where death is seen as a natural part of life and this reality is approached with gaiety and humor. Photographs of loved ones grace altars as well as offerings of food and other things associated with Dia de los Muertos, such as marigolds, incense, and candles. The entire gallery is transformed into a giant installation that is a sumptuous feast for the senses.

Be a part of this year’s Celebration!

Opening reception Friday, Nov. 2nd, 2018 from 6-9pm. Suggested admission: $3. Kids and students are free.
Last year the Neighborhood Leadership Academy went city-wide and had great success among residents in all 10 districts. We are now accepting applications for the 2020 NLA! The application period will close October 31st and classes will begin January 2020. The application is available at www.sanantonio.gov/nla.
According to San Antonio’s Housing Policy Framework, half of all renters in the city spend more than a third of their income on rent. This means that families have less money left over for basic needs like food, transportation, healthcare, and quality of life.

The Housing Tax Credit (HTC) program helps build and preserve affordable housing all over the United States. Since 1986, the program has helped build affordable apartments for about 700,000 households in Texas. The City expects HTCs to fund more than 70% of all affordable apartments in San Antonio.

To receive HTCs, developers apply to the State. They need a letter of support from the City where they want to build. The City of San Antonio is updating our criteria for letters of support.

Councilwoman Sandoval believes in the importance of public participation and hopes you will take the time to share your thoughts on this program.
Where We're Going Next
Wonder where your District 7 Team is headed next? Join Councilwoman Sandoval and/or District 7 staff at any of the following events!
Maverick Neighborhood Meeting
Date: October 21
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: St. Brigid's Convent,
5118 Loma Linda Dr
Rolling Ridge Club Neighborhood Meeting
Date: October 28
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rolling Ridge Clubhouse, 5306 Rolling Ridge Dr W
Woodlawn Lake Community Association Meeting
Date: October 29
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Lake Gym, 1103 Cincinnati Ave.
Woodlawn Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: October 30
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Road
Ingram Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 4
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: International Bible College, 2369 Benrus
Donaldson Terrace Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 4
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: St. Paul's Pastoral Center,
326 John Adams Dr.
Our Offices
Brass Professional Center
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Closed for Lunch:
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
Plaza de Armas
100 Military Plaza

Monday - Friday:
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Please call for an appointment.