Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 18 | Dec. 1, 2017
Dear Neighbors,
On Tuesday night, we got many of the answers we needed from SAWS officials about the proposed rate increases for 2018 and 2019.
Getting enough information to make sense of SAWS’s request was my purpose in hosting the Town Hall meeting. The evening was mostly a success in that regard. Robert Puente, the chief executive of SAWS, and his team laid out their case for the increases and answered ratepayers’ questions for two hours.
While not every answer was to our liking, I believe the utility demonstrated the need for additional revenue. Apart from continuing the replacement of sewer lines required under a federal consent decree, SAWS also has to step up the maintenance of water lines to ensure its delivery of safe, uncontaminated water well into the future.
I hope you made it to the Town Hall meeting. But if you didn’t, you can click here to watch an archived recording of the event on Facebook Live.
Also, click here for the SAWS’s PowerPoint presentation.
I’d like to thank SAWS chief executive Robert Puente and his team for participating in the Town Hall, and Leon Valley Mayor Chris Riley for providing us with a conveniently located venue.
And thank-you to the ratepayers who showed up for answers.
Yours in public service,
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".
Dear Ana,
My income was cut recently, and I’m worried about being able to pay my electricity bill this winter. Is there anywhere I can go for help?
Worried
Dear Worried,
I’m glad you’re reaching out for help now. The sooner, the better.
Please look into Project WARM (Winter Assistance Relief Mobilization), which provides credits on the CPS Energy bills of qualifying customers.
The following guidelines are from CPS Energy’s website.

To qualify, you must:
  • Be experiencing a financial hardship and have an income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines.
  • Have small or school-age children.
  • Be elderly, handicapped or require critical care equipment.
  • Be a resident of San Antonio or Bexar County.
  • Be able to present proof of income, hardship and number of family members.
To access Project WARM, call 210-207-7830.
I hope that helps.


Sincerely,
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
Councilwoman Sandoval Volunteers with Meals on Wheels
Councilwoman Sandoval took time to deliver meals to District 7 residents with Meals on Wheels this past week.
Reminder: District 7 Holiday
Open House
District 7, we hope you marked your calendars because we are hosting a Holiday Open House this coming Tuesday, December 5th! We'll have tamales, dessert, and more!

We're proud to support the San Antonio Food Bank with this year's Holiday Open House and will be collecting donations at the door. Attendees do not need to bring a donation, but we strongly encourage it!

The Holiday Open House will be held at Exclusive Reception Hall at 5351 Glen Ridge Dr. from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. We hope you'll come enjoy seasonal treats with Councilwoman Sandoval and her staff!

For more info, call 210-207-0870.
ACA Enrollment is Open
ACA Enrollment Is Now Open. What Do San Antonians Need...

ACA enrollment is currently underway for Bexar County residents. To schedule an appointment for enrollment, call 211 or 311 or visit the EnrollSA website here: http://enrollsa.com/ Enrollment will continue until December 15th.

Read more
tpr.org
Construction Project Updates
SAWS C12 Sewer Project -- Donaldson Ave. Closure & Water Interruptions
The intersection at Donaldson Ave. and St. Cloud will be closed until approximately December 9th. The detour route is identified with on street signage.

Questions or concerns can be addressed with S.J. Louis at 210-863-0062 or Cecilia Picazo with SAWS at 210-233-3750.
Callaghan-Evers Road to Centerview Drive Project
TCI estimates that the project will be complete by March 7, 2018, assuming favorable weather conditions.
Ongoing Projects
Share Your Thoughts
This online survey is your opportunity to share your ideas for San Antonio's parks and recreation system. 
 
The SA Parks System Plan will guide future planning decisions on the expansion, capital improvements, and programming of the more than 240 City-owned parks and recreational facilities, 15,000 plus acres of green space, and over 181 miles of trails. The plan is updated every 10 years with the last plan being adopted in 2006. 
 
The entire update process will take approximately 18 months and we want your input at the start. This survey contains 30 questions about how you use parks, trails, recreation facilities and programs in San Antonio. It should take no more than 10 minutes of your time and will have opportunities for you to add new ideas as well as answer quick multiple choice questions. 
Important News
Joint Declaration Sets San Antonio on Course to Eradicate HIV
San Antonio today joined Fast Track Cities, an international city-led initiative to end AIDS worldwide by 2030. The formal signing of the Paris Declaration on Fast Track Cities Ending AIDS makes San Antonio the first city in Texas to commit to ending new cases of HIV through education and prevention and establishes a collaborative response to treating existing cases quickly and without stigma. 

Launched in 2014, the Fast Track Cities Initiative is a global partnership between the City of Paris, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and United Nations in collaboration with local, national, regional and international partners and stakeholders. Fast Track Cities aims to leverage existing HIV programs and resources to strengthen citywide responses by reaching 90-90-90 targets by the year 2020:

  • 90 percent of people with HIV are diagnosed [86 percent in San Antonio]
  • 90 percent of people diagnosed with HIV are being treated [72 percent in San Antonio]
  • 90 percent of people being treated for HIV have undetectable viral loads [85 percent in San Antonio]

In addition, Fast Track Cities aims to eliminate AIDS, a potential result of HIV, by 2030. 

In the summer of 2016, San Antonio learned it had the largest cluster of new HIV infections in Texas. The CDC and DSHS traced rapid and ongoing transmission of one HIV strain, and noted missed chances to diagnose HIV (especially in emergency departments), link people with HIV to care, and optimally treat HIV. 

Starting in 2018, Fast Track Cities will host a San Antonio data dashboard on its web portal, http://www.fast-trackcities.org. Metro Health will update the website annually, so stakeholders can track the community’s progress. A report to the community and additional HIV data can be found at http://www.sanantonio.gov/Health under the Fast Track Cities tab and at http://www.sanantonio.gov/Health/News/HealthDataReports.
Short-term Rental Task Force's Draft Ordinance Now Available
In February 2017 Councilman Mike Gallagher issued a City Council Consideration Request (CCR) for city staff to explore the emerging short term rental trend and other cities best practices that have been implemented to address the trend. Review elements include:

  • Research if short term rentals impact property values and neighborhood safety statistics.
  • Review how cities have updated municipal codes or ordinances to allow this industry to operate.
  • Review options for registering hosts with the City and if a permit should be required.
  • Research if short term rentals should be required to remit hotel occupancy taxes
  • Determine policies and procedures to enhance public safety in the short term rental industry.

The Task Force's draft ordinance is now available. To review it, click here.

The next steps for the draft ordinance are as follows:

  • December 15, 2017 - Zoning Commission Consideration
  • December 18, 2017 - Board of Adjustment Consideration
  • January 25, 2018 - Community Health & Equity
  • February 1, 2018 - City Council for consideration
Upcoming Events
To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website here.
DSD Academy: Code Enforcement
Date: December 2
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Cliff Morton Development & Business Services Center, 1901 S. Alamo
RSVP to Ximena Copa-Wiggins at 210-207-0221 or email [email protected]
Braun Oaks Blue Santa Toy Drive Final Pick Up
Date: December 4
Time: 6 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Braun Oaks Clubhouse, 10555 Tezel Rd

Join your community and take pictures with Blue Santa while sipping on hot coca and eating cookies on December 4. Kids welcome. You may drop off toys beginning November 18.
Community Meeting: Alamo Golf Club Property
Date: December 4
Time: 6 PM - 7 PM
Location: Earl Rudder Middle School, 6558 Horn Blvd.

Come learn and provide input on the city's plan for immediate and future park development of the former Alamo Golf Club.
District 7 Holiday Open House
Date: December 5
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Exclusive Reception Hall, 5351 Glen Ridge Dr.

Enjoy seasonal treats with the Councilwoman and her staff! You're encouraged to bring a donation for the San Antonio Food Bank. For more info, click here.
Infill Development Zoning (IDZ) General Meeting
Date: December 5
Time: 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: DSD Building, 1901 S. Alamo St.

A Task Force has been formed consisting of representatives from neighborhoods and development community to review and recommend potential changes to the “IDZ” zoning district. General Meetings will also be held to gather more input from the public.  
Mayor's Housing Policy Task Force Working Meeting
Date: December 5
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Municipal Plaza B Room, 114 W Commerce
For more info, click here.
Conversation 360: Transportation & Disability
Date: December 5
Time: 6 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Brick at Blue Star, 108 Blue Star

Join with disABILITYsa in conversation as we gather individuals, businesses, and San Antonio leaders in public and open discussions on the topics of Transportation, Employment, Education, Medical Care, Housing, Socialization and other issues people living with disabilities are facing. For more details, click here.
SA Climate Ready: Planning for All, Now and Tomorrow
Date: December 7
Time: 4 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: UTSA Downtown Campus, 501 W. Cesar E Chavez

Share your thoughts as SA Climate Ready kickoffs San Antonio's first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and hear from an internationally-recognized climate scientist.
Mayor's Housing Task Force: Public Meeting
Date: December 9
Time: 8:30 AM - 12 PM
Location: Our Lady of the Lake University
To RSVP, click here.
Our Office Staff





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


Office Hours
Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160

Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm

Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park

By appointment only.
Please call 210-207-2727.
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