D7 News: Spring Cleaning is Coming!

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Your District 7 Newsletter

VOLUME 32 | March 16, 2018

Dear Neighbor,

With spring time rolling in, it's time for spring cleaning! To assist residents with discarding bulky items, my office has worked with Solid Waste Management to bring two Dial-A-Trailers to District 7. I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity.

For your convenience, we have organized two Dial-A-Trailers:

The first will be at Gilbert Garza Park (1450 Mira Vista) on March 24 from 8 AM to 1 PM.
The second will be at the lot near the Braun Station East Clubhouse (9350 Knighthood) on April 14 from 8 AM to 1 PM.

Bring your brush and bulky items for safe and responsible disposal. The Dial-A-Trailer will accept appliances, furniture, lumber, mattresses, shrubs, tree limbs, water heaters, and up to 4 vehicle tires.

Yours in public service,

The Week in Photos

The District 7 Small Business Town Hall was a great success. Thank you to everybody who attended.

Councilmembers Gonzales, Viagran, and Sandoval on International Women's Day.

This past weekend, Councilwoman Sandoval held her first "Coffee with Ana" at the Braun Station East Clubhouse. She is pictured here with District 7 staff Lexi Bachran (left) and Braun Station East resident Eva Day.

Councilwoman Sandoval spoke at the Canary Islander's Luncheon as part of the City's Tricentennial event series.

CPS Energy held their Customer Care Fair at St. Paul's Community Center this past Thursday.

Councilwoman Sandoval toured the Toyota Manufacturing Plant, one of the city's largest employers.

Councilwoman Sandoval at Woodlawn Lake Park with Rise Above Hardship, a non-profit created to help empower and assist our military veterans and their families. For more information about them, visit them on Facebook.

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".

Councilwoman Sandoval,

I saw a story about Airbnb in the news this week and my neighbor told me the city was going to regulate them. Is that true?

Thanks,

Interested

Dear Interested,

Thank you for your question. It’s true: online services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Craigslist, among others, have led to a rapid increase in short-term rentals of rooms or even entire homes. Almost all of us know about a short-term rental in our neighborhood.

There are many reasons people choose to operate short-term rentals: to offset rising tax burdens or to earn additional income, for example. However, some residents are concerned about the potential change in their community as visitors come and go from homes in their neighborhoods.

In 2017, City Council formed a task force to evaluate the impact of short-term rentals on San Antonio neighborhoods and to develop proposals for regulations. Representatives from neighborhood associations, City Council, and short-term rental platforms, including Airbnb, worked together with short-term rental operators for nine months to develop a draft ordinance. I want to thank the task force for all of their hard work on the proposal. The draft can be viewed here.

City Council will be briefed on the proposed draft ordinance in April.

Please take a look at the draft ordinance and the material on the city website. Please send me your thoughts and input.

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Ana Sandoval

Connect with Your Councilmember

Councilwoman in the News

During Women's History Month, meet the women who run San Antonio

"In honor of San Antonio women, mySA compiled a city-wide, reader-nominated list comprised of those whose work and contributions have played a vital role in growth, business, arts, sports and education."

www.mysanantonio.com

Council firestorm erupts over SAWS appointee

"All three of Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s nominees to the San Antonio Water System board of trustees were approved Thursday by the City Council after a heated exchange over the appointment of water law expert Amy Hardberger."

www.expressnews.com

War of words: City Council members get in heated debate over SAWS trustee appointment

“'These are people who are volunteering to serve the community who come with tremendous skill and background, and we should be grateful that they’re' putting themselves out there and be very respectful of that. And unfortunately, that's not what happened during that line of questioning,' Sandoval said."

www.ksat.com

Gender Politics Erupt During Tense City Council Vote on SAWS Appointment

“Even the men admitted to me … that to play mariachi as a woman, you have to be at least twice as good as a man,' Sandoval said. 'I apologize, Ms. Hardberger, that that is what is happening up here today on this dais.'”

www.therivardreport.com

Construction Project Updates

Ongoing Projects

Crystal Hills Park Improvements

As part of the 2017-2022 voter-approved bond package, Crystal Hills Park received $250,000 in funds for general improvements. To begin this work, Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI) will host a public input meeting on the Crystal Hills Park Improvements on March 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at Driggers Elementary School, located at 6901 Shadow Mist Rd, 78238.

Staff will receive input on the planned improvements. Following the presentation, the project team will be on hand to answer your questions. For more information, please contact Eric Reyna at 210-207-4131 or at [email protected]

Seeling Channel Phase 2 Road Reconstruction Projects

As a part of Phase 2 of Seeling Channel, Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI) will be reconstructing streets south of Seeling Channel. The streets included are: W. Mulberry S, Manor Dr. SW, W. Mistletoe Ave. SW, Emory & Magnolia. So far, the contractor has removed existing sidewalks and has milled Mulberry from Morning Glory to Huisache Avenue.

The project is scheduled for tentative completion by April 2018.

Sidewalks coming to Riverdale Dr!

Sidewalks are coming to Riverdale Dr. Sidewalks will be installed on the south side of Riverdale Dr., from Hillcrest Dr. to NW 36th St. Construction is anticipated to begin on March 19, 2018.

The project will consist of the installation of concrete curb, sidewalk, and driveway approaches (the portion of the driveway typically in the Right-of-Way from the curb to the property line). The primary purpose of this project is for safe pedestrian access as required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

Share Your Thoughts

TCI's Pothole Survey

Do you hate potholes? Take TCI's pothole survey!

Viewshed Public Input Survey

SA Parks System Plan

SA Climate Ready: Priorities and Vision

TransportationChoices Survey

"La Buena Vida" Community Resiliency Survey

Announcements

Ongoing

City Seeks Applicants for the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Trustees

The City of San Antonio is seeking applicants to serve as VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Trustees. The VIA Metropolitan Transit Board of Trustees is comprised of 11 members, of which five members are appointed by the City Council for staggered two-year terms. One position is designated as a Union Representative and one position is designated to represent the interests of the Transportation Disadvantaged. Members must be qualified voters residing within the VIA Metropolitan Transit Service Area.

Members receive compensation of $50.00 per meeting. Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at the VIA Metro Center.

The positions will be open until Friday, March 16, 2018 at 5 p.m. and applications are available at: https://webapp9.sanantonio.gov/BoardCommApplication/vacancies.

For assistance with the application process, please contact Brandon Smith, the City’s Boards & Commissions Coordinator, at 210- 207-7253.

VIA Hosts Meetings on Building a Better Bus System

As part of VIA's Comprehensive Operations Analysis, VIA reached out to you, the community, for input on how to build a better bus system. They collected comments and information through meetings, presentations, and online surveys that will help them plan for system improvements. They would like to share what they learned and get your feedback. Several sharing sessions are planned throughout March. Please join us and let's continue the conversation. The meetings planned in and around District 7 follow:

Monday, March 19

Central Library

600 Soledad

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

VIA Routes: 4, 24, 43, 90, 95, 96, 97

Monday, March 26

Great Northwest Branch Library

9150 Wellwood St

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

VIA Routes 610

Wednesday, March 28

VIA Metro Center

1021 San Pedro Ave.

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

VIA Routes: 3, 4

Thursday, March 29

Maverick Library

8700 Mystic Park

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

VIA Routes: 605

Friday, March 30

Medical Center Transit Center

5330 Medical Center

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

VIA Routes: 100, 101, 520, 522, 534, 602, 603, 604, 606, 607

Tobacco 21 Stakeholder Meeting

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District invites community members and tobacco retailers to provide input on the implementation of the Tobacco 21 initiative. Three meetings are available for your convenience. The same information will be discussed at all three meetings.

Meeting topics will include: Overview of Tobacco 21 ordinance, Tobacco Retailer Education, Community Education, Outreach to other Municipalities, Youth Survey Evaluation, and Diversification of products in convenience stores.

Choose your meeting date & time; please RSVP using a link below.

(You can also email or call using the contact information below.)

Location for all: San Antonio Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad, San Antonio. Free parking is available at the Central Library

SAT's Inaugural Fiesta Student Art Contest Now Open

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is looking for the work of some of San Antonio’s most creative young students for its inaugural Fiesta Student Art Contest. All local students in kindergarten through twelfth grade are encouraged to submit their paintings, drawings, prints, collages, sculptures or photography. The entries should reflect San Antonio’s rich culture, heritage and fiesta traditions. San Antonio’s Fiesta celebration dates back to 1891 and is one of the most revered holidays in the city. The city comes alive for ten days with parades, food, royalty, music and many festive colors.

MEDIA AND TECHNIQUE REQUIREMENTS

Any of the following media or techniques may be used:

Paint (watercolor, tempera, poster, acrylic, etc.)
Drawing materials (pencil, charcoal, colored chalk, pastels, oil pastels, colored pencils, markers, etc.)
Collage materials (cut and glued papers, such as construction paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, aluminum foil, etc.)
Prints (handmade stencils, gadget printing, collographs, block prints, etc.)
Sculpting materials (clay, papiermâché,etc.)
Original digital illustration
Photography

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK

Take a picture or set of pictures (up to 3) of your completed artwork.
Email questions, and submittal picture(s) along with signed copies of pages 2 and 3 of the contest registration packet to [email protected].

Contest registration packet available online or by email request. Prizes will be awarded to the submissions receiving the most votes in the elementary, middle and high school levels. One grand prize winner will be selected to have their artwork on display in SAT for the entire year.

Submissions should be sent digitally to [email protected] by 4:30 p.m., April 6, 2018. For more information, visit here.

San Antonio’s New Animal Ordinance Revisions

Thanks to a collaborative effort between Animal Care Services (ACS), citizens and city leadership, San Antonio is progressing towards becoming a safer and more humane community. Your inputs and concerns, documented in community meeting and surveys, were instrumental in creating these new ordinances. City Council has passed a number of enhancements to local animal laws, known as the Chapter 5 animal ordinance.

Key changes to the laws include:

A complete ban on the use of chains of any weight as tethering for dogs
Stricter spay neuter requirements for dogs legally declared Dangerous
Stricter spay neuter requirements for dogs impounded for roaming by ACS
Authorizing ACS Officers to impound pets sold in illegal locations like roadsides or flea markets
Authorizing ACS Officers to impound pets sold without a litter and/or sellers permit (including those advertised in newspapers or social media)
Increase in the allowable number of chickens on a property within the city limits to eight (8) (housing restrictions still apply)
No more than one (1) rooster allowed per property within the city limits

ACS Director Heber Lefgren says the enhanced laws are focused on public safety and humane care. “The improved ordinance does just that by considering the balance between animal care and control as well as pets and people,” says Lefgren.

If you have any questions regarding the new Chapter 5 Animal Ordinances or need further clarification, please contact Councilwoman Sandoval’s Office. Your District 7 ACS Representative, Valerie Moore, is happy to assist in any citizen needs. She may be reached at [email protected].

Metro Health Offers ¡Viva Health! Tips for Staying Healthy during Spring Break

Whether you are traveling or staying in town, it’s important to make healthy choices, even during Spring Break. Metro Health’s ¡Viva Health! campaign reminds you that your healthy habits should not take a break too. Below are some simple tips for you and your family to follow during your spring vacation.

Healthy tips for the road:

Pack your own snacks instead of relying on gas stations. Include fresh fruit such as mandarin oranges, apples, or bananas, your favorite blend of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, and items for the ice chest such as string cheese and yogurt.
Choose water over sugary beverages and avoid or limit alcohol throughout your vacation to prevent excess calorie intake and dehydration.
Don’t skip meals. They keep you energized throughout your adventurous day.
When dining out, skip the appetizer and order a side salad instead. Share a plate to help with portion control.
Include daily physical activity in your vacation plans by incorporating fun, outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. Map out local bike-share programs, trails and parks.
Visit the local grocery store for snacks and meals. This can help you choose healthier food options and save money.

Healthy tips for a local vacation

Plan a trip to the local farmer’s market to choose seasonal fruits and vegetables to include with every meal and snack.
Purchase quick, healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts to have at home and within reach and skip the junk food.
Visit a local park; plan a bike ride or a hike together to keep the family moving.
Infuse water with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs as a replacement for sugary beverages. Freeze them to make delicious refreshing popsicles!
Preparing new healthy dishes at home is a great way to save money and spend fun, quality time with friends and family.

The Metro Health ¡Viva Health! campaign encourages everyone to continue their healthy habits or pick up some new ones during your spring break vacation.

Remember the three ¡Viva Health! messages:

Drink water, not sugary drinks
Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, every meal, every day
For portion control, use a smaller plate

Free & Low Cost Spay/Neuter

Thinking about getting your pets fixed? Well, we offer FREE & low cost spay and neuter services! Learn more about the services and book your appointment by contacting the clinics below:

Upcoming Events

To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website here.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Wednesdays: 12:00 - 7:00 PM

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: Forest Hills Libary, 5245 Ingram Rd

VITA staff and volunteers will be available to assist with filing your tax returns. This is for people with $60,000 or less in taxable income. This will occur weekly until April 14th.