Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 12 | Oct. 19, 2017
Dear Neighbors,
As you’ve probably seen in the news, SAWS is asking City Council to approve rate increases of 5.8 percent and 4.7 percent for 2018 and 2019, respectively. While I understand the need for the utility’s request, I will ask SAWS executives to trim their rate proposals as much as possible.

Many District 7 residents are already struggling to pay their bills, put food on the table, and save some money for retirement or their children’s higher education. I am very mindful of your household budgets as I consider SAWS’s request.

I’ll also weigh the importance of maintaining safe, efficient water and sewer systems.

SAWS needs the additional revenue mainly for the repair and replacement of old water lines, and to continue upgrading our sewer system. SAWS is required to make the sewer-line improvements under its consent-decree agreement with the federal government. More importantly, we don’t want sewage spills on our streets or polluting our rivers and creek ways.

I know this work is necessary to ensure the efficient delivery of clean drinking water to San Antonio residents and businesses in the years ahead. We can’t shirk investment in essential infrastructure.

That said, I believe SAWS – a large, complex organization, with assets totaling $6 billion – can find the savings required to reduce the proposed rate increases.

I’ll share more of my thoughts on this issue as we get closer to City Council’s vote on SAWS’s request.
Yours in public service,
Councilwoman in the News
Mixed reactions from City Council about decision to not...

"Despite all the things we have going for us, there are some things we need to address to attract really powerful companies like that," said District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval.

Read more
www.ksat.com
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 district7@sanantonio.gov with the subject line "Ask Ana Anything".

Let's get started!
Dear Ana,

As we drive on Bandera Road, the weeds in the median are very ugly and embarrassing, especially if we were to show off San Antonio to any out-of-town guests. That is, until we reach Leon Valley.

Is there anything that can be done to routinely keep the medians of San Antonio free from unsightly weeds?

Sincerely,
Cut the Grass!
Dear Cut the Grass,

I agree! The condition of our medians says something about our community, which is why maintaining the medians on major thoroughfares such as Bandera is so important.

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for upkeep of the medians on Bandera. The good news is that, after you submitted your question, TXDOT cleaned up the median.

We’ll keep an eye on it.

I hope that helps!

Sincerely,
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
Construction Project Updates
Hemphill

Hemphill will undergo street excavation from Benrus to Broadview, beginning in the next 30 days. The project should take between 30 and 45 days. Residents will receive a notice before the work commences.
Holmes High School & Ingram Rd

Holmes High School is currently replacing their Fine Arts Building. As a result of the construction, traffic congestion on Ingram Rd. has increased. Our office has received several calls about this issue and have learned that the construction is anticipated to finish by early December of 2018.
District 7 Fall Fest
You're invited to this year's District 7 Fall Fest on Saturday, October 28th! From 12 PM to 4 PM, the District 7 Office will host Fall Fest in Nani Falcone Park at 7625 Mystic Park. There will be food, drinks, games, and, the ever popular, compost pails! Bring your family out for some generally spooky, but not too spooky, fun and games.

For more info, contact Bianca Maldonado at 210-207-0873.
SAWS: A Discussion About Rates
SAWS is hosting "A Discussion About Rates" on Oct. 24th at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be in the SAWS Headquarters at 2800 US Hwy 281 North. It will also be live streamed at both saws.org/rates and at Facebook.com/MySAWS

SAWS will host another discussion on Nov. 1st at 10 AM. It will be a conversation over Facebook Live. Users can access it at Facebook.com/MySAWS during the meeting.
Public Meeting: Jane Dubel Park Improvements
TCI and the Parks Dept. are hosting a public input meeting on Jane Dubel Park bond improvements on Oct. 24th, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. It will be at Powell Elementary School, 6003 Thunder Dr. Staff will receive input on the planned improvements. Following the presentation, the project team will be on hand to answer questions.

For more information, contact Eric Reyna at 210-207-4131 or at eric.reyna@sanantonio.gov.
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/
San Antonio Public Library Technology Survey
The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is very interested in your feedback to better understand how the community is using its current technology-based services so that we can improve your overall library experience. SAPL welcomes your feedback whether you use the library or not. Please share your experiences, impressions, and interests in new technologies at your San Antonio Public Library by using the button below.

Participants have the chance to win a Kindle Fire.
Ongoing Public Surveys
DSD Academy: Zoning 102
Development Services is back with Zoning 102 , with history of San Antonio's zoning districts, non-conforming uses, verifying your zoning and our Board of Adjustment process.

This session will be presented by Catherine Hernandez, DSD's Land Development Administrator, on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Board Room inside the Cliff Morton Development & Business Services Center located at 1901 S. Alamo.

Spacing is limited, so sign up today! (Please make sure to sign up individually)

Partnering with our community to build and maintain a safer San Antonio is a mission that we take seriously and are always looking for new and innovative ways in which to accomplish our goals. DSD Academy will have a session every month, each on a different topic. For more information, click here .
The Big Fix: Spay/Neuter Clinic
SNIPSA is hosting The Big Fix on October 28th at the Bill Greehey Gymnasium at St. Mary's University. Appointments are required and free for residents in 78201, 78237, 78207, 78228.

For more information, contact 210-237-9400 or visit snipsa.org.
Hidden Treasure: NowData
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 CI:Now's Data Explorer, a place where you can find many of the city's studies on topics from air quality to San Antonio's Vision Zero Initiative.
Here's how CI:Now describes the program:

"The Data Explorer allows you to find vetted, trustworthy data by topic, by county, or by special focus area. CI:Now has pulled this collection together to make it faster to find data you need than it would be searching the entire web."

By ensuring open access to data and community indicators, CI:Now makes it easier for communities to see where they've been and where they're going.
To begin exploring the data available, 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
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.

Síclovía: Back on Broadway
Date: October 22
Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Broadway, from E. Houston St. to Parland Pl.

AACOG Weatherization Day 2017
Date: October 24
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Alamo Area Council of Governments, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 160
To register, please click here.

Jane Dubel Park Improvements Public Meeting
Date: October 24
Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Powell Elementary School, 6003 Thunder Dr

SAWS: A Discussion About Rates
Date: October 24
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: SAWS Headquarters, 2800 US Hwy 281 North
The meeting will be live streamed at saws.org/rates and Facebook.com/MySAWS. Questions may be submitted during live broadcast.

AAMPO Regional Transportation Meeting
Date: October 26
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: VIA Metropolitan Transit, 1021 San Pedro
For more information, please contact Linda Vela at alvarado-vela@alamoareampo.org or call 210-230-6929.
Our Office Staff

  • Greg Jefferson
  • Chief of Policy & Communications
  • 210.859.1134

  • Ryan M. Garcia
  • Zoning Advisor
  • 210.207.0874

  • Liz McLeod
  • Policy Advisor
  • 210.207.2723

  • Sandra G. Vidaurri
  • Senior Executive Secretary
  • 210.207.7044

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

  • 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

Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm

Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park

Saturday:
10am - 1pm

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