Add us to your SafeSenders List! | View our Past Newsletters!
September 12, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
Developing our workforce while building a healthier city
Councilwoman Viagran and I co-authored an opinion piece in the Express News this week. The idea: by employing local healthcare students to do COVID-19 contact tracing, we could boost our workforce and make our community healthier.

Contact tracers are more effective when they know the local culture and language of the community. And they are most effective when they come from the very communities they are trying to help. Right now, our COVID contact tracing is done by a state contractor based in North Texas. But the work could be done locally and it could be done better.

The best part is that once we're passed COVID-19, we would have a cadre of community health workers who can serve our underserved communities, bringing the human touch and trust needed to help someone through a diabetes-prevention program, get out of an abusive relationship, or access mental health resources.

By investing in a robust, local training program like this, we can be ready to contain any surge. Our COVID-19 health response can be more than reaction to a crisis; it can be a pathway to opportunity and a healthier city.

You can read the full op-ed here.

City Council Discusses Plan for Edwards Aquifer Protection Program

The big question that has been on many of our minds lately is how the City will continue to fund the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP) into the future. The program is currently funded by a sales tax, but the tax will expire in 2021.

This week, City Council discussed a proposal to continue to protect the aquifer using the City's general fund. The proposal is to commit $100 million over 10 years to continue the purchase of conservation easements of the aquifer recharge and contributing zones. The program would not take effect until 2023.

There is likely no single issue as important as our water security. While I think this proposal is the best option we have, I plan to take a much closer look at it over the next week before committing to support it.

City Council will vote on the proposal this Thursday. If you have questions about the program, please feel free to email or call my office.

Additionally, you can watch the City Council meeting here.
Yours in public service,
"Before us is an opportunity to train future health care professionals while protecting the community from COVID-19. The answer: hiring local health care students as contact tracers."

The District 7 Team gathered to prepare bags of school supplies for our second Back to School Drive Thru. We're looking forward to making sure D7 students in-need are prepared for this school year.
"With hopes of another round of federal stimulus money quickly fading, San Antonio officials will have to dip into local funds to pay for the city’s public health response to the novel coronavirus and help residents harmed by the pandemic’s economic fallout."
"As they near a decision on the future of a program devoted to protecting San Antonio’s primary source of water, some City Council members worry that the proposal would sideline voters and shortchange a sister initiative to build linear parks and trails."
Virtual Conversation on Seeling Channel Public Art Project
Art, poetry, nature and heritage. These are just a few of the themes to be discussed during the Virtual Conversation about the Seeling Channel Public Art Project located near Woodlawn Lake. The event will be co-hosted by Centro Cultural Aztlan and the meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 5:30 pm. Click here to register.
Upcoming City Council Meetings
Audit and Accountability Committee
Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 AM | Agenda

Governance Committee
Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 AM | Agenda

City Council Special Session on potential amendments to the FY 2021 Proposed City Budget
Thursday, September 16 at 2:00 PM | Agenda

Public Comment
Thursday, September 16 at 5:00 PM | Agenda

City Council A Session
Friday, September 17 at 9:00 AM | Agenda
City Launches Interactive Website For Input On Micromobility Policies for Bicycle and Pedestrian Users
The City of San Antonio is launching an interactive website for a new Bicycle Implementation Plan for Downtown and Midtown. The City is starting with these two areas, since they have the greatest number of bicycle and mobility users.

The purpose of the interactive website is:

  • Obtain the community’s thoughts and feedback on certain areas to help provide safe mobility for all users
  • Guide future decisions on how to best to incorporate micromobility, including bicycles, scooters and pedestrian traffic

Moreover, the City of San Antonio is also launching an online survey to receive feedback from the community to help guide the development of the micromobility policy. Click here to learn more.
Pick Up Your SAPL Card During National Library Card Sign-Up Month!
San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is excited to celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month throughout September. Community members can now pick up a physical SAPL card during Contact-Free Pickup hours at all SAPL locations.

For more information, click here.
City of San Antonio and Diez y Seis de Septiembre Commission Announce Fiestas Patrias San Antonio
The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture has partnered with the Diez y Seis de Septiembre Commission to announce the commission’s annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which will take place virtually this year. Streamed events will be available free for the community via the Department of Arts & Culture website, YouTube channel and TVSA.

A full calendar of events is available at SanAntonio.gov/arts.
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.
City of San Antonio Launches COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Program
The City of San Antonio has partnered with Workforce Solutions Alamo, Alamo Colleges, Project Quest, and other workforce development agencies to offer free workforce training and education to San Antonio residents who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to find out more.

Residents interested in the program can call Workforce Solutions Alamo at (210) 224- HELP (4357) or visit www.workforcesolutionsalamo.org. 
City of San Antonio Financing & Housing Recovery Center
The new Financial and Housing Recovery Center is a central location where you can call for help with any of the assistance programs administered by the City of San Antonio. Please call 210-207-5910 for an appointment. Please leave a message if no one answers. Click here for more information.
Stay Informed
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.
Community Resources
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.
See a full listing of resources here.
Local Job Listings
Help Your Neighbors
Looking for a way to help your neighbors during this time? Here are a few ideas:
See more ideas on how to get involved here.
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.

Contact us by calling 210-207-0870 or emailing us at District7@SanAntonio.gov.

Please note, we will not be available Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.

We appreciate your understanding.