Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 10 | Oct. 5, 2017
Dear Neighbors,

I came away from my first Night National Out as your City Council representative even more energized and optimistic about District 7’s future. The residents we met Tuesday night were open, kind, and passionate about protecting and improving their community. They care deeply about their neighborhoods.

While our District 7 staff and I couldn’t make it to every event, we celebrated National Night Out with residents across District 7.

Having the opportunity to talk with you face-to-face about what your community needs most or your opinions on pressing city issues is important to me. That’s why we’re inviting District 7 residents to have “Coffee with Ana” at the district field office every two weeks, beginning in late October. We can talk in-person about the issues important to you and your neighborhood.

We will include in next week’s newsletter the time, dates for the remainder of 2017, and the phone number to call to schedule a coffee appointment.

I look forward to talking with you soon.
Braun Station East
Eckhert Crossing
Yours in public service,
Woodlawn Hills enjoying new compost kitchen bins.
Office Closures This Week
Please note that the Centerview Office will be closed this Friday, Oct. 6th and the Maverick Field Office will be closed this Saturday, Oct. 7th. Please leave us a phone message at 210-207-0870 or email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you next week.
Councilwoman in the News
"Area politicians let loose in a new music video that aired Saturday as part of an annual variety show to raise money for scholarships. And if you thought S.A.'s new mayor was all business, you should see him dance."

Read more

"As mayor, Nirenberg led an initiative that gave City Councilman Roberto Treviño a seat on AACOG's air quality committee and placed newly elected City Council members Ana Sandoval, Manny Pelaez and Clayton Perry on the agency's board. "

Read more

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has missed a key deadline to say whether San Antonio’s air meets smog standards, as local leaders grapple with what they can do without state and federal support."

Read more
Ask Ana Anything
One of the ways Councilwoman Sandoval wants to give you the answers you need about city government is through "Ask Ana Anything", a recurring part of the weekly District 7 newsletter. Have a question for Ana? Email it to [email protected] with the subject line "Ask Ana Anything".

Let's get started!
Dear Ana,

Are there any plans for the Alamo Golf Club [located adjacent to O.P. Schnabel Park] now that the City has acquired the property?

Sincerely,
Duffer
Dear Duffer,

First, a little background might be helpful.

In May, San Antonio voters overwhelmingly approved a $850-million bond package, which included $7.4 million for improvements to O.P. Schnabel Park and for nearby land acquisitions. The property on which the Alamo Golf Club operates had been on the market, and the City recently used bond proceeds to close on the purchase of the land.

The golf-club owners, meanwhile, have indicated they plan to cease operations at the location.

I think it’s important to note the City bought the property, but not the golf business.

The City acquired the land to expand O.P. Schnabel and has limited funds to develop it. The Parks Department will begin working with residents who love the park to develop a great use for the property, beginning in early 2018.

We’ll let you know how you can participate as soon as dates are set. If you have strong feelings about a specific use for the newly acquired land, please join the planning effort.

I hope that answers your question.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
Transportation Needs of San Antonio
The League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area presents a forum on

Transportation Needs of San Antonio:
How are we preparing for the future?
Councilwoman Sandoval will participate in a panel discussion with Commissioner Kevin Wolff, UTSA Professor Bill Barker, and President/CEO of VIA Jeff Arndt. UTSA Professor Dr. Francine Romero will moderate the discussion.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg will deliver the keynote address.

The forum is on Monday, October 9th, from 6pm to 8pm. It will take place at the San Antonio Central Library (600 Soledad St.). The event is free and open to the public. Parking is free in the Central Library parking garage. For questions, call 210-657-2206.
Construction Project Updates
1604/Bandera - Displaced Left-Turn Interchange

Last week's nightly lane closures at 1604 and Bandera Rd. are part of a TxDOT project to construct a displaced left-turn interchange on Bandera. This will be the second displaced left-turn interchange in all of Texas and is expected to improve driver safety and congestion in this area. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2018.

The following image depicts the project. For a video of how the construction project will affect traffic flows, click here.
For more information on this project, visit TxDOT's project site: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/san-antonio/sh16-loop1604.html
 
TxDOT San Antonio has an extremely informative blog to keep you up to date on all closures in the city. Check it out here: http://txdotsanantonio.blogspot.com/
C-12 Sewer Improvement Project

Beginning Oct. 9th, SAWS will close St. Cloud, from Donaldson Ave to Senisa, to continue work on the C-12 Sewer project. The start date was pushed from Oct. 5th to the 9th due to rain. Construction is expected to last 3 weeks, weather permitting. St. Cloud will be closed to traffic during this time.
The most recent work includes: (1) installing fence and guard rails along the channel, (2) street work on Morning Glory and Mulberry, (3) construction of curb, sidewalk, and driveway approaches, and (4) sod and grass installation.
Leon Vista Trailhead Parking Expansion

The Leon Vista Trailhead Parking Expansion Project (8561 Rochelle St.) will begin next week. The project will consist of 28 additional parking stalls at the Leon Vista Trailhead. The additional parking and adjacent trailhead will include low impact development (LID) features such as permeable parking stalls and a bio swale/ rain garden.
Additionally, the scope includes a new layout for the trail head with new signage to improve the flow of pedestrian and bicycle traffic to the trail. These improvements will become unique additions to the municipal park system’s creekways program for hiking, biking, and other recreational uses.
 
It is anticipated that construction will be completed before March 2018.
Mystic Park Pedestrian Refuge Island

TCI began construction of concrete median, ramps and pavement markings on Mystic Park (Bandera Rd to Guilbeau Rd). The project is anticipated to last until October 30, 2017, weather permitting.

While improvements are underway, please note that vehicles should not be parked on the street from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Unfortunately, if vehicles are in the path of construction improvements and no one is available to move it, it will be towed to Kenrock Ridge.

If you have any questions or concerns about the construction, or need special accommodations, please call 311 or Hector Luna at either (210) 207-4182 or (210) 289-2024. After regular business hours or weekends, you may direct your calls to (210) 206-8480.

Si desea información en Español, llame al teléfono (210) 207-4182
E-mail address: [email protected]
W Horseshoe Bend

TCI began mill and overlay work on W Horseshoe Bend, from Oak Knoll Dr. to the deadend, on October 3 to November 3. During this time, vehicles should not be parked on W Horseshoe Bend and Oak Knoll Dr. will be closed to thru traffic. If you have any questions, please call 210-206-8480.
Woodlawn-Neulon Area Drainage Improvements Project Meeting
The TCI Storm Water Team is planning to conduct a public meeting to inform citizens of the Woodlawn-Neulon Area Drainage Improvements project located at the intersection of Neulon and Woodlawn. The public meeting is anticipated to be held on Thursday, October 5th, between 6pm and 8pm. The location is at the Memorial Library at 3222 Culebra, near St. Mary’s University.

Scope of work:
This project will construct a storm drain inlet at the low point at 111 Neulon Drive. The storm drain system will be conveyed to the existing drainage system on W. Woodlawn. Neulon Drive will be reconstructed to improve conveyance to the existing curb inlets located near Neulon and Woodlawn. The street reconstruction will include driveways, sidewalks, curbs and pavement.
At-Large Positions Open on
City's Planning Commission
The City of San Antonio is seeking applicants to fill available positions on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission advises the City Council on the master plan for the physical development of San Antonio. Those interested in applying for one of the available positions may do so online using the City’s web-based application for boards and commission at https://webapp9.sanantonio.gov/BoardCommApplication/vacancies. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, October 30, 2017.
The commission also provides recommendations on capital improvements and administers regulations on subdivisions and platting, to include the extra-territorial jurisdiction. Regularly-scheduled meetings are held twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 2 p.m. at the Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center, 1901 S. Alamo St., in the first floor board room. Each term is two years.

For more information regarding the Planning Commission, visit http://www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Boards/PCTAC.aspx.

For assistance with the application, contact Brandon Smith, Boards & Commissions Coordinator, at 210-207-7253.
Share Your Thoughts
SA Corridors Framework Plan
The SA Corridors Strategic Framework Plan draft is now available for review. SA Corridors plan is one of the first steps to implementing VIA's Vision 2040 Plan and the City of San Antonio's SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan. It is the product of 18 months of collaboration with the community and in-depth market analysis of San Antonio's future transit corridors. We appreciate your feedback and will accept public comment on the draft plan documents . The plan is broken up into four parts, available for download here:  http://sacorridors.com/framework-plan/
Metro Health Survey on Raising the Minimum Age
to Purchase Tobacco Products

Metro Health want to know what you think about increasing the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age. Give your opinion by completing this short community survey. Your opinion will help gauge interest and support for this measure.
Office of Innovation Transportation Choices Survey
Transportation and access to various transportation choices is a critical issue for our city. Our goal is to find new ideas to solve this challenge and improve the quality of life for San Antonio residents.

The City of San Antonio is currently working to understand different transportation choices and preferences of San Antonio residents. Congestion is one critical issue in San Antonio and the number of miles residents travel is growing rapidly. If there is no change to the system, by 2040, vehicle miles traveled is expected to double. In order to tackle this challenge, San Antonio is researching options to decrease the length of trips, decrease the number of daily trips, and increase the use of alternative modes of transportation (bicycle, carpooling, transit, etc.). 

To accomplish this we need your help - please complete this survey to help us to better understand your transportation habits and preferences.
AACOG Federal & State
Resource Workshop
AACOG, along with key federal, state and area organizations, is pleased to offer this workshop to highlight available resources.

This event is designed for economic development professionals, community leaders and elected officials.

Presenters will provide an overview of resources as well as interactive discussions on potential projects.
The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 19 from 8:30am to 4:00pm.It will be held at the Alamo Area Council of Governments office at 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78217.

There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. To register, click here. For more information, please contact Gloria Vasquez at 210-362-5212 or email her at [email protected].
Hidden Treasure:
DSD's Weekly Building Permits
City government is big and complex. It can be intimidating, but shouldn't be. To help you get the most of your government, every week we will dedicate part of the District 7 newsletter to City services you may not be aware but that you might find useful.

This week, we're highlighting the Development Services Department's Weekly Building Permit Summaries.
Here's how Development Services describes the program:

Each week, Development Services reports on all the commercial and residential plans submitted for processing, as well as building permits that have been issued, for each district listed. Reports presented below are cumulative for the present calendar year through Saturday of the previous week. Click on the link(s) to view and download reports. Please note that districts with no activity for a given week will produce blank reports.

With Development Services' weekly building permits reports, you can see what new structures DSD has permitted and how your fellow neighbors are working to improve the community.

To begin exploring what is being built in your community, click here.
Stage 1 Water Restrictions
Under Stage 1, outdoor watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed only before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m., one day per week, as determined by the last number of your street address. To see when your watering days are, click here.

Watering days begin and end at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed. Water waste, such as water running down the street, is prohibited year-round. However, watering with a handheld hose is still allowed any day, any time.
Upcoming Events
Public Meeting on Woodlawn-Neulon Area Drainage Improvements Project
Date: October 5
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Memorial Library, St Mary's University, 3222 Culebra

City of San Antonio Air Quality Summit
Date: October 6
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Norris Conference Center, 618 NW Loop 410 #207
Register here.

VIA's Fare Free Day on VIVA Routes
Date: October 7
Time: All day
Location: VIA VIVA routes. To view the routes, click here.

League of Women Voters Forum on Transportation Needs of San Antonio
Date: October 9
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: San Antonio Central Library, 600 Soledad St.
Free admission. Free parking. Open to the public. For questions, call 210-657-2206.

Archaeology at the Alamo
Date: October 12
Time: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Location: Alamo Hall at the Alamo
Information here .

VIA's Fare Free Day on VIVA Routes
Date: October 14
Time: All day
Location: VIA VIVA routes. To view the routes, click here.

StMU 5K For the Neighborhood
Date: October 15
Time: 7:30 AM
Location: Alkek Plaza, St. Mary's University, 1 Camino Santa Maria
Register here.

AACOG Federal & State Resource Workshop
Date: October 19
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Alamo Area Council of Governments, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100
No fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. Register here. For more info, contact Gloria Vasquez at 210-362-5212.

VIA's Fare Free Day on VIVA Routes
Date: October 21
Time: All day
Location: VIA VIVA routes. To view the routes, click here.

Music Goes Mobile
Date: October 21
Time: 1:05 PM - 2:05 PM
Location: Boarding at either The McNay, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., or the Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star.

DHS Day of the Living Lead: Lead Awareness Month Fair
Date: October 21
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Antioch Sports Complex, 314 Eross

10th Annual City Manager's 5K Walk & Run
Date: October 22
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Alamo Plaza, 300 Alamo Plaza

Appreciation BBQ Luncheon for Prue Road C.O.P. Alumni
Date: October 25
Location: SAPD Prue Road Substation, 5020 Prue Road
Only for Prue Road C.O.P. Trained Volunteers. Must provide C.O.P. ID card or certificate and be on the RSVP list. RSVP to [email protected] no later than September 30.

VIA's Fare Free Day on VIVA Routes
Date: October 28
Time: All day
Location: VIA VIVA routes. To view the routes, click here.

3K/5K Boxer Boogie
Date: October 29
Location: Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave.
Pets innvited. For more information, call 210-865-2775.
Our Office Staff

  • Greg Jefferson
  • Chief of Policy & Communications
  • 210.859.1134

  • Joseph Bravo
  • Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
  • 210.207.2727

  • Liz McLeod
  • Policy Advisor
  • 210.207.2723

  • Sandra G. Vidaurri
  • Senior Executive Secretary
  • 210.207.7044

  • Ryan M. Garcia
  • Zoning Advisor
  • 210.207.0874

  • Bianca Maldonado
  • Housing & Neighborhoods
  • 210.207.0873

  • Matteo Trevino
  • Council Aide 
  • 210.207.0872

  • Debbie Dehlinger
  • Volunteer
  • 210.207.0870
Office Hours
Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160

CLOSED
October 6th

Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm

Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park

CLOSED
October 7th & 14th

Saturday:
10am - 1pm

Quick Links