City of Leon Valley
                 ENews!
April 6, 2018
Read About:
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Construction Update
Introduction to Yoga
Tricentennial Commemorative Week
Avalanche to Love-Free Giveaways
Avalanche to Love-Free Shoes and Clothes
Avalanche to Love-Free Medical and Dental Services
Avalanche to Love-Free Groceries
Avalanche to Love-Free Diapers
AACOG CARE Program
Volunteers Needed
Little Free Libraries
Texas Ban on Texting While Driving
2-1-1 Texas
Be Air Aware
ON IT
CVS Drug Disposal Box
Neighborhood Officer Assignments
AACOG Alamo Call-A-Ride 4 Vets Program
Did you know?
Upcoming Regular City Council Meetings
Connect with LV!
Join Our List


 
Hi (Contact First Name),
Upcoming Meetings

Meetings
Times
Hike and Bike Committee Meeting
April 10, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. 
Library Board of Trustees Meeting
April 10, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Leon Valley Public Library.
Police Advisory Committee April 11, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall
Park Commission Meeting 
April 12, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. at  Leon Valley Conference Center
Regular City Council Meeting April 17, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall AGENDA
Police Advisory Committee 
April 18, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall
Zoning Commission Meeting 
April  24, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Coffee with the Mayor and City Council April 28, 2018, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m, Conference Center,
6421 Evers Road

Construction Update 

Evers Road Huebner Creek Bridge Update
 
As you are aware, the Evers Road low water crossing at Huebner Creek has been removed and our contractor, the J3 Company, has been tasked with building a new bridge type structure. Last week, the utility subcontractor, Badeco, installed new gas mains along the bottom of the creek. That work has been completed and now our contractor is able to start on the rest of the utilities. Beginning Monday, April 2, 2018, they will work to relocate water and sewer mains, which will take about two weeks. Once these remaining utilities have been moved, the exciting work begins, with the construction of the 10' x 6' concrete box culverts. J3 Company will work on several Saturdays to try and regain days lost, due to the creek flooding the construction site. With Easter coming up this weekend, we want to remind our citizens and guests that the construction site is just that - an active construction site. We ask that persons using the park or our library do not cross Evers Road inside the construction zone. There are several deep pits that are fenced off, but the pits are open and will remain open for the next two weeks. This is a dangerous area for children as well as adults. The expected completion date of the project is July 6 th , but with being allowed to work on Saturdays, the contractor is hoping they can get Evers Road opened to traffic before the July 4 th holiday. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress with this project. For questions, please contact the Leon Valley Public Works Department at (210) 681-1232 x 201.

Introduction to Yoga
Introduction to Yoga. This is a FREE event taught by Yoga Seva Institute:  Sundays starting March 4, 2018 through April 29, 2018 (no class April 1 - Easter) from 3: 00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Leon Valley Library.












AACOG's CARE Program Provides Rides Home From Work In Emergency Situations



Taking the bus, carpooling, cycling, or walking to work is good for the air as well as your pocketbook. But what do you do when an emergency comes up and you need to get home in a hurry, but you're stuck at work without your car? To promote greener commuting by reducing that concern, the Alamo Area Council of Governments' Certified Auto Ride in an Emergency (CARE) Program offers those who've commuted by alternative means a reimbursement of up to $50 for a ride home from work when an emergency arises.
 
To receive a reimbursement up to four times per year, you must: 1) live and work within the eight-county greater San Antonio area ; 2) carpool /vanpool, take the bus, bike, or walk to work at least three times per week; and 3) keep your commuting information current on NuRide.com, the online system AACOG uses to gather commuting statistics.  While it's free for individuals to use, NuRide offers not only CARE Program reimbursements, but rewards from more than 100 businesses. 
 
For more information about the CARE Program, contact:
Lily Lowder
Natural Resources Outreach Specialist
(210) 227-7665


Volunteers Needed


If you would like to be more involved in your great community, you can do so by volunteering to serve on one of the Boards/Commissions/Committees. Leon Valley has many ways you can serve. We have vacancies to fill in the following areas:
 
Zoning Commission: (1 Alternate Vacancy)
The Zoning Commission (ZC) acts as an advisory board to the City Council on land use and zoning matters.
 
Community Events Committee: (Numerous Vacancies)
The Community Events Committee (CEC) is committed to providing volunteer support and coordination for the various City-sponsored civic events including the 4th of July Celebration, the Grandparents' Day Concert, and the Holiday Lighting Program.
 
Tree Advisory Board : (1 Vacancy)
This seven member (7) Board with three (3) alternate members will meet to oversee the  Leon Valley Tree Challenge and work toward the City's goal to plant 10,000 trees by the  year 2020. Board members serve a term coterminous with the Mayor.

Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee: (2 Vacancies)
The Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee will vet economic and community development projects on an as needed basis; provide annual oversight of the expenditures allocated to the economic development applicable portion of the 1/8% sales & use tax which is now being directed to the General Fund.
 
Board of Adjustment: (1 Vacancy)
The Board of Adjustment (BOA) has the power to review and approve variances from zoning ordinance requirements and administrative decisions (Zoning Interpretations) that create unnecessary hardships in the development of property because of exceptional or extraordinary conditions. Unlike other boards or commissions, the BOA makes the final decision on items that come before it; variances are not passed on to City Council for final approval. Meetings are held on-call and are typically held on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the LV Fire Department Meeting Room.
 
Stormwater Management Program : (1 Vacancy)
Advisory committee for the Storm Water Management Program provides oversight for the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4). Meetings are held on-call at the Public Works Service Center off Evers Road.

Park Commission:        
The Park Commission (PC) is an advisory commission of Leon Valley citizens which makes recommendations to the City Council regarding park ordinances and policies, as well as serves as a liaison for the City with the public for park matters. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the LV Conference Center.
 
More information is available on the application which can be found on the City website.
You may also stop by City Hall and pick up an application. If you need assistance or have any questions, please call the City Secretary at 684-1391 ext. 216.


Little Free Libraries



Little Free Libraries are a global phenomenon. The small, typically front - yard book exchanges number 36,000 around the world in 70 countries - from Iceland to Tasmania to Pakistan. Now, two new Little Free Libraries, one at the Steurenthaler - Silo Park, 7500 block of Huebner Road, and one at the Old Mill Park, 6400 block of Huebner Road, will join the movement to share books, bring people together, and create communities of readers.
 
These Little Libraries, built by the Public Works Department and sponsored by the Friends of the Library, were the brainchild of resident Ms. Evon Kardos, who approached the Park Commission about installing them at our newest parks. The Park Commission got excited about the idea and offered their support, which was then further promoted by the Leon Valley City Council. Ms. Kardos has volunteered to be the first Steward of the Silo Park Library. Mr. David Smith of the Leon Valley Park Commission will steward the Old Mill Park Library. The steward's responsibility is to assure the library is fully stocked, to replace any worn or damaged books, and to report any vandalism to the boxes. The Leon Valley library will continue to provide the books from their outdated book collections.
 
"These Little Free Libraries don't just belong to the neighborhood in which they are located, they belong to the whole city," says Ms. Kardos. "It's our hope that these Little Free Libraries will bring a little more joy, a little more connection, and a whole lot more books to our community." One more Little Free Library is to be installed at the new Ridge at Leon Valley Park, located at the end of Grass Hill Drive, once the park has been developed. The Libraries are in the process of being registered with the national organization and will be added to the World Map (yes, there is a World Map of Little Free Libraries!). Once registered, the City will receive a charter and membership to the organization.
 
The Little Free Library nonprofit organization has been honored by the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation, and the American Library Association, and Reader's Digest named them one of the "50 Surprising Things We Love about America."
 
Each year, nearly 10 million books are shared in Little Free Libraries. To learn more, please visit www.littlefreelibrary.org or better yet, stop by our sites and "check" them out!

  

Texas Ban on Texting While Driving


On September 1, 2017, a statewide ban on texting while driving will go into effect. Texas House Bill 62 will outlaw text messaging with handheld wireless devices. This includes reading, writing or sending text messages while driving a motor vehicle. The new law specifies "electronic messaging" includes email and instant messaging. The State law does not ban the entry of phone numbers, voice commands and hands-free texting. The fines for texting while driving are $25-$99 for the first offense, then $100 to $200 for subsequent offenses. Fines of up to $4000 may be assessed If someone causes a death or serious injury while texting and driving. For more information on House Bill 62, you can visit https://openstates.org/tx/bills/85/HB62/.

2-1-1 Texas


2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. Whether by phone or internet, their goal is to present accurate, well-organized and easy-to-find information from state and local health and human services programs. 2-1-1 Texas is a FREE, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905, and find information about resources in your local community. Whether you need help finding food or housing, child care, crisis counseling or substance abuse treatment, one number is all you need to know.

Be Air Aware: Make a Commitment to Idle Less

Idling is leaving a vehicle's engine on while the vehicle isn't moving.  The Alamo Area Council of Governments is asking Greater San Antonio Area residents to reduce idling this summer when possible, because it wastes fuel and pollutes the air.
 
Facts about idling
  • Two minutes spent idling is equivalent to one mile of driving in terms of gasoline used.
  • Idling a vehicle for 10 seconds wastes more fuel than restarting it.
  • Excessive idling can damage cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems.
  • Restarting a car has little impact on its battery or starter motor.
  • Burning just one gallon of gas produces twenty pounds of pollutants.
Reasons to reduce idling
  • Protect healthVehicle engines emit gasses that form ozone, a component of smog. Exposure to ozone can cause difficulty or painful breathing, and even permanent lung damage. Although everyone is susceptible to ozone pollution, children, people with respiratory conditions, and those who are active outdoors are at an increased risk.
  • Save money on gasoline - Owners of an average four-cylinder sedan would save 32 gallons of gas and $64 every year by reducing idling by eight minutes per day, while owners of an average eight-cylinder SUV or truck would save 64 gallons of gas and $128 a year.
How to reduce idling
  • Skip the drive-thru lane - Park and go inside instead! According to a study by QSR Magazine, drive-thru lunch orders take an average of 214 seconds, while drive-thru dinner orders typically take 226.
  • Turn off your car when waiting Whether you're waiting to pick up your child from school or sitting in the parking lot before work, turn off your vehicle. Just roll down your windows if it's hot, or switch to "accessory" mode if you want to listen to the radio.
  • Avoid peak traffic times The worst times for traffic congestion are between 8-9 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. You're more likely to idle in traffic during these times, wasting both gas and money. If possible, run errands at another time. If you regularly commute to work or school during these times, consider working with your employer to change your schedule.
For more information, visit www.aacog.com/air .
ON IT
The City of Leon Valley is bringing new life and enforcement to the ON IT  program. All City Departments are teaming together to bring more attention and compliance to your neighborhood issues and concerns. The intention of the   ON IT  program is to have a direct means of reporting your community concerns regarding streets, sidewalks, abandoned homes, loose or dead animal reports, permitting concerns, noise or other neighborhood nuisances and much more.

The goal is to ensure that City service requests and information is handled, as promptly as possible, with a high level of customer service. Report it and an  ON IT team member will respond as quickly as possible.

Contact Information

Phone Number:
(210) 684-OnIt
(210) 684-6648
Email Address:
CVS Drug Disposal Box 
The CVS Drug Disposal Box has been installed in the city hall lobby between the two front doors - please feel free to utilize this box for expired prescriptions or prescriptions that you no longer use and need to dispose of in a proper manner.





Neighborhood Officer Assignments



Vehicle Impound Auction 
The Leon Valley Police Department vehicle impound auction is scheduled for  Thursday, 04/12/2018 at 6429 Evers Road, Leon Valley, Texas 78240. Viewing at 9:00 a.m. and auction at 10:00 a.m. 

Auctioneer: B. Ward #11400

YEAR, MAKE, MODEL
COLOR
1998 CHEVY BLAZER
WHITE
2000 TOYOTA SOL
SILVER
2000 TOYOTA COROLLA
MAROON
2005 CHEVY CAVALIER
RED
2001 FORD ESCAPE
SILVER
1997 TOYOTA COROLLA
TAN
2002 FORD ESCORT
RED
1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
WHITE
1999 HONDA UXL 4DE
GOLD
2003 INFINITY G35
SILVER
1994 SUBARU SVX
BLUE
2005 MAZDA 3
RED
2005 FORD 500
BLACK
2006 PONTIAC G6
SILVER
2008 CHEVY MALIBU
SILVER
2010 FORD MUSTANG
BLACK
2007 VW NTI,2H
BLACK
1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
BLACK
1995 CHEV SILV PU
GREEN
2006 MAZDA N35
SILVER
1991 HONDA ACCORD
RED
1998 SATURN SL1
GREEN
2008 NISSAN VERSA
SILVER
2005 MERCEDES E320
SILVER
2001 KIA OPT
WHITE
2005 VW BUG
YELLOW
2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
SILVER
2006 HYUNDIA ACC
SILVER
2001 TOYOTA COROLLA
WHITE
1999 FORD F250 PU
WHITE
1998 TOYOTA COROLLA
TAN
2000 BMW 328 I
SILVER
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
BLACK
2002 OLDS ALERO
SILVER
2008 TOYOTA YARIS
BLACK
2002 HONDA CIVIC
TAN
1995 HONDA CIVIC
BLUE
2003 BUICK CENTURY
TAN
2003 SUBA FORESTER
RED/GRY
2004 HONDA ACCORD
BGE
2005 FORD CROWN VIC
WHITE
2002 MERCURY VILLAGER
BLUE

ANCESTRY.COM IS AT YOUR LIBRARY!!!!

Are you interested in Genealogy but not interested in the annual fees associated with ancestry.com? Come to the library! Thanks to the Friends of the Leon Valley Public Library, we now have a Library Membership to Ancestry.com.This means.....while in the library, you can access this incredible database by going through our link. Being connected to our WiFi automatically authenticates you for full access. 
Come on in and we will help you navigate to our website or our catalog which both have links for you to access the databases through. OR....come in, pull up this post and simply click this link http://ancestrylibrary.proquest.com and BOOM! You are in!
AACOG Alamo Call-A-Ride 4 Vets Program


Did you know?
Did you know there are currently two donation stations located in Leon Valley, and they are at City Hall and the Library? By donating unwanted goods and recycling textile with ATRS, you're keeping our neighborhood clean, improving the quality of life for those in need and protecting the environment for future generations.
UPCOMING REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
6:00 p.m.

Located at City Hall
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
6:00 p.m.

Located at City Hall
Thank you for reading this edition of ENews. Please feel free to provide feedback to let us know what you are most interested in reading.


- ENews Team, City of Leon Valley