Hello D6,

This week was about supporting and celebrating some of the communities and projects that are among my top priorities.  

My proposal to use surplus CPS Energy funds to strengthen our power grid’s reliability continued to attract attention.

The city receives 14% of CPS Energy revenues every year. The money goes into the general fund. I recently proposed returning 2 to 3% of the CPS Energy revenue transfer. The funds will be used to shore the CPS Energy grid in order to be better prepared for weather emergencies like winter storm Uri.

That proposal led to a discussion with Mayor Nirenberg, City Manager Walsh, and Chief Financial Officer Gorzell that resulted in a plan which takes my idea and turns it into a policy where surplus CPS Energy funds will be used for power reliability.

This is how it works: In recent years the annual transfer has been above what was projected. The plan directs any future surplus funds towards making our power infrastructure stronger and more reliable.

The plan was approved by the Council's Governance Committee and will be applied in our next city budget. Some of my Council colleagues wanted to better understand the plan, and brought it up for discussion during this week’s B Session.

I took the opportunity to reiterate my motive, and explain how the plan benefits the people of San Antonio.

This plan is about reliability and affordability.

It’s about using future surpluses to make sure our power grid’s reliability is more  affordable. The thing is, reliability is expensive. It costs hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade our power grid and it will cost just as much to make sure power outages like Winter Storm Uri don’t happen again.

There’s no guarantee that an emergency in the future won’t overwhelm the grid. But what we can guarantee with this proposal is that we’ll dedicate our resources to be better prepared. The people of San Antonio look to us to make sure we don’t have a repeat of Uri or the rolling outages that threatened us this summer. Remember, we can only say we were caught off guard and unprepared once.  

I understand that there are needs across the city – streets, sidewalks, and digital inclusion among others – that could be met with surplus funds. But power grid reliability is a top priority for everyone in our city: homeowners, renters, families, schools, businesses.  The grid is a vital part of our infrastructure. 

80% of the surplus funds will go to CPS to be used specifically for physical infrastructure improvements and maintenance, 20% will be applied to the REES fund. CPS Energy will need to come to the Council for approval of what the funds will be used for. 

This policy makes our city stronger. It gives us a plan to strengthen our response to unpredictable weather.I started with a bold idea that sparked a conversation, an uncomfortable conversation, but we knew when we were elected that difficult conversations can and should come with the job.

The idea has support from our residents, rate payers and the business community who see the value in the proposition. The alternative is to do nothing, to follow the status quo. This plan proposes action, in a compelling way. When everything around us is so uncertain, this plan will do what San Antonians do best, rely on ourselves and take care of each other.

This week I also had the opportunity to talk to members of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) about another transformative project.

The members of the Chamber were eager to hear details about VIA’s Advanced Rapid Transit. I’ve been keeping you up to date on the project through this newsletter, and I’m speaking to groups across the city about it as well. As Chair of the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) I have the responsibility to help guide the disbursement of state and federal transportation infrastructure funds for our region. The ART has been an important part of the MPO’s planning.

The ART will be transformational. There are people in our community who live in areas that, because of transportation limits and commute times, have access to only 12% of the available jobs in our city. ART will transform their lives and in the process transform our city; it will provide access to education, and health opportunities; and it will generate housing and business growth. The work ahead of us is to ensure that conditions are in place for this growth and economic development to benefit everyone in our community.

Much of my time and energy has gone to support foster children especially those who are aging out of the system. This week I had the opportunity to show my appreciation for one of our community's most successful foster support programs.

The Bexar County Fostering Educational Success (BCFES) program has had a huge impact on improving college enrollment, retention and graduation rates for students with lived experience in foster care.

BCFES is housed at UTSA and is a collaborative effort between UTSA, Texas A&M-San Antonio (A&M-SA), the Alamo Colleges District (ACD), Bexar County Children's Court and Child Advocates San Antonio.

This work is important. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, there are 51,417 children in foster care. Of those children, 4,858 currently live in Bexar County, ranking first in the state for children in DFPS custody.

These numbers paint a telling picture:

In 2021, there were 982 youth and young adults in foster care in Bexar County ages 14-18.

That equals more than 20% of youth in foster care that will likely age-out of the system. ​

In 2020 there were 125 foster youth in San Antonio’s education district.

Of these, 50.8% graduated high school, 40.1 % dropped out.

The graduation rate is 34.3% below youth “at-risk” who graduate from the same region.

BCFES is making an important impact:

2352 - the number of students with lived experience in foster care received targeted outreach to increase awareness of college & available support.

$9.4million - the amount in tuition & fees waived by BCFES partner institutions so foster youth could pursue higher education.

$464,762 in emergency funds, incentives, & financial assistance was disbursed. 

218 pre-college & college workshops were delivered.​ 

45 young adults & 30 dependent children are supported by the Housing First program to provide housing stability.

146 new & transfer students were provided early college transition programming.

19 foster care alumni employed at BCFES programs.

14 students in BCFES at UTSA completed degrees in the first biennium.

My thanks and admiration go to everyone involved in making the BCFES a success, especially Peggy Eighmy, the First Lady of the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose passion for foster care advocacy has been the driving force behind BCFES.

One of the most popular events in D6 is our Walks With the Chief, where SAPD Chief William McManus visits with members of the many D6 HOA’s and Neighborhood Associations.

This week the Chief and I met with the Los Jardines and Community Workers Neighborhood associations. Chief McManus spoke about city-wide crime trends and the SAFFE officers who were with him provided neighborhood-level updates. 

The residents, for  their part, talked to the Chief and the SFAFFE officers about their concerns and ideas to keep their neighborhoods safer. The goal is for police and residents to work together to make the neighborhoods better for all the families that live there.

I was honored to have been invited to commemorate Filipino American History Month with the screening of “Nurse Unseen,” a documentary celebrating Filipino heritage in our city.

The feature-length film is about the Filipino-American nurses who became the unknown backbone of the U.S. healthcare industry and their extraordinary contributions on the frontlines of the pandemic.

The documentary was screened at OLLU’s Thiry Auditorium.

One of the fun highlights of the week was Halloween.

Lindsey Place always has the best Boo Bash with kids, and fun, and costumes, and treats! I look forward to it every year because D6 knows how to celebrate Halloween, and Lindsey Place goes all out to bring their neighborhood together!

Thanks to Jesse Garcia and the HOA board for their dedication and hard work for their community.

D6 seniors also showed their Halloween spirit!

I love the Lopez Senior Center Halloween costume because it’s fun and because I always enjoy spending time with our seniors.

Their costumes this year, like every year, were fantastic and creative! It’s hard to judge the best when all of them are exceptional!

Get ready San Antonio, as the world renowned Cirque du Soleil will be performing in District 6 at Wolff Stadium for a 4-week run of the fabulous show, BAZZAR!

It was exciting to participate in the raising of the 80,000 lb canvas tent where a joyous troupe of acrobats, dancers, and musicians will create awe-inspiring performances you won’t want to miss.

BAZZAR runs from Nov. 5 to Dec. 3 in our very own District 6!

Have a great week and be safe!!

Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda

Construction and Maintenance Notices

MILL and OVERLAY

• Westcliff - from Westplain to cul-de-sac
  • October 31, 2023 to November 13, 2023
• Westbluff Dr from Westcliff to Westlawn Ln
  • November 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023
• West Valley Dr from Westcliff to Westlawn Ln
  • November 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023
• Rockgate Dr from HWY 90 Access to W. Military Dr
  • November 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023
• Westplain from Westcliff to Westlawn
  • November 3, 2023 to November 16, 2023          

FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATION PROJECTS

5950 Les Harrison Dr. - Great Northwest from 8/14/2023 to 12/24/2023

9203 Ridge Grove St - Great Northwest from 08/28/2023 to 12/29/2023.

10603 Culebra Rd - Mtn View from 08/28/2023 to 12/29/2023.

7543 Grissom Rd - Lindsey Pl, Misty Oaks from 08/24/2023 to 12/24/2023.

Council Meetings and Committees

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETINGS WEEK:

• Municipal Civil Service Commission Meeting
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting
• Public Listening Session (In-person) #7 - 2023 SBEDA Ordinance Amendments
• San Antonio Arts Commission: Public Art Committee Meeting
• Public Comment Session
• City Council A Session
• Building Standards Board

Community Bulletin Board

SAWS is currently seeking applications from D6 customers who are interested in serving on the Community Conservation Committee. Below are some helpful links and info to help advertise in our newsletter:

Sponsorships are now OPEN!

It’s TIME to support and collaborate for the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King March! Please see the attachment where we have outlined sponsorship levels and benefits.

Deadline to submit is Wednesday, November 15th.

COSA Construction Resource Toolkit

As progress continues in our City so does construction.  I am reaching out to remind you that COSA has a Construction Resource Toolkit to help small businesses impacted by construction in their area.  This guide includes contacts, strategies, and other resources to help small businesses prepare and navigate the construction experience. This Toolkit is available digitally at the links listed below. 

• EDD Programs & Grants page
• Construction Resource Toolkit-ENGLISH
• Construction Resource Toolkit-SPANISH

The Texas Legislature recently enacted HB 114 requiring all school districts to implement mandatory disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) placement for students found in possession of, using, selling, giving, or delivering e-cigarettes or vaping devices on school grounds or at a school-related event.

This alternative school placement, required by law, is made regardless of whether the substance being vaped is a controlled substance or not.

We ask that you discuss this new state law with your child(ren).

Pack your school bag with resources from San Antonio Public Library!

Local libraries offer school resources for students of all ages

The school year is once again upon us, and San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) wants to remind students and their families of the educational resources available at your library year-round. Throughout the year, SAPL is packed with free resources to support children, teens, and adults on their educational journeys.

In addition to a collection of over 2 million items and dozens of free online databases, SAPL offers online tutoring, Wi-Fi, low-cost printing services, and more for all ages. Sign up for a free SAPL card today to kick off the school year and enjoy several services and resources to assist in your educational pursuits. Visit MySAPL.org/CardSignUp or stop by your nearest SAPL location to register.

SAPL’s educational resources include:

Read-alongs

Available at all SAPL Locations

Do you have a young child learning to read or reading English or Spanish for the first time? Read-alongs, print books with built-in audio narration, are available in a range of English and Spanish titles. They are an entertaining, self-guided way to help enhance your little one's literacy skills. To borrow a read-along, visit the read-along shelf at your nearest SAPL location. Introduce children to the pleasure of independent reading and let them embark on a delightful literary journey with read-along stories. To learn more about these selections and to browse them in our collection, visit the children's services section of the SAPL website.

MySAPL App

Download instant access to the San Antonio Public Library collection on your phone or mobile device. The MySAPL app is free, easy, and available for both iOS and Android users — take the library wherever you go!

PrintOnline

Available at all SAPL Locations

PrintOnline is a mobile printing service available to all library cardholders. Get printing in four simple steps:

1. Access the PrintOnline portal
2. Upload documents from home, the office, a coffee shop, or anywhere you have internet access
3. Visit your nearest branch library to print your files
4. Enter your SAPL card number into the print kiosk at your library to finish printing your documents.

Free Indoor & Outdoor Public Wi-Fi

Available at SAPL Locations

You’ll always have the Wi-Fi password at SAPL! Wi-Fi is available at all SAPL locations daily.* Indoor Wi-Fi is available during normal service hours and outdoor Wi-Fi is available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day.

* Locations undergoing building improvements or other projects may have adjusted hours. Details listed at MySAPL.org.

Ask a Librarian
Call (210-207-2500) or chat online (Ask.MySAPL.org)
Librarians are teachers in disguise. They’re available to make book recommendations for your next research project or help with account questions.

Homework Help

Daily | 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Connecting you to Homework Help heroes is what we do. Free online homework help from professional tutors is available in a variety of subjects for students in kindergarten through college. Available 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., seven days a week in English and Spanish. For more information, visit SAPL’s expert help website.

SORA App

SAPL has partnered with every public school district in the area to offer students unlimited access to age-appropriate materials in our digital library even if you don't have a SAPL card. Thanks to the Sora app by OverDrive, San Antonio students at participating schools can easily browse our extensive library. Head over to Sora’s website to see if your school is participating!

FAFSA Assistance   

Monday – Thursday, 1 p.m. - 10 p.m.

College preparation just got a little bit easier! Brought to you by Brainfuse, FAFSA tutors are available for live assistance Monday through Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visit SAPL’s featured services page for details.

Database Access
Looking for the August 1973 issue of National Geographic for a research project? Need access to over 60 years of articles about rock music? From Aardvarks to ZZ Top, San Antonio Public Library is your doorway to over 170 online databases, including popular news databases like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Some databases are library-use only, so visit your nearest SAPL location for these resources. To get started visit our database guide.

For more information on Back-to-School resources provided by SAPL, visit our guide.

Animal Care Services Extends Shelter Hours to Encourage Lifesaving

 San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) has expanded shelter hours to give would-be adopters, fosters, and rescue partners more opportunities to help pets in need. The municipal shelter will be open two additional hours, with adoptions and other services now available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Weekend hours remain unchanged, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The $25 special adoption rate continues through the end of July. This special rate applies to dog, cat, puppy, and kitten adoptions. 

Fosters Desperately Needed to Help Local Pets in Need

 San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) and local animal welfare partners have been flooded with pets in need, including dozens of puppies and kittens. Fosters are urgently needed to provide temporary care for pets as they become adoption ready. Foster applications are available via the following links:

• Animal Care Services at: www.saacs.info/foster
• San Antonio Pets Alive! at: www.sanantoniopetsalive.org/programs/foster
• Animal Defense League at: www.adltexas.org/foster-application/

Fosters will receive food and other supplies for their temporary pets including medical care and vaccinations. Interested residents should check with the program of their choice for additional resources. 

Always dispose of pesticides properly

Pesticides and herbicides can be a convenient way to protect plants from pests and weeds. But when used or discarded incorrectly, these chemicals pose great risks not only to our ecosystem and wildlife, but also to our water, soil, air and human health.

The best way to avoid the perils of pesticides and herbicides is to stop using them altogether. But if you must use them:

• Always carefully read the product label and follow the disposal instructions exactly.
• Only purchase what you need and use it until it’s gone to avoid leftovers.
• Never discard these items in your trash bin for regular collection.  
• Don’t ever pour them down sink drains, toilets or storm drains.

Pesticides and herbicides must be disposed properly at a household hazardous waste site. For a schedule of monthly drop-off events, visit sa.gov/swmd.

A higher-paying career is now within your reach. San Antonio’s unprecedented Ready to Work program offers tuition assistance for education and job training.

Career coaches are with you from start to finish to evaluate what you need now to get started, guide you through career planning and get you enrolled to begin your path to securing a quality, higher-paying job.

No other program offers more support to ensure participants reach success. If you are ready for a change, take advantage of this opportunity now.

There are three easy ways to learn more and apply:

      1. Online: Visit readytoworksa.com

      2. Phone: Call 3-1-1 and ask for Ready to Work

          3. In Person: Visit Alamo Colleges District, Project Quest, Restore Education or Workforce Solutions Alamo

Animal Care Services joins Daisy Cares to feed hungry pets in San Antonio 

Pet food donations sought as holidays near and needs increase   

The San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) team is joining Daisy Cares, a local non-profit, to host a holiday pet food drive that will help both organizations support pet parents in need by filling their pet pantries.    

Bags of dog and puppy food are especially needed in addition to other new or gently used pet items. All donations will be divided between the Daisy Cares pet food pantry and the SAACS Community Animal Support and Assistance (CASA) program, which uses a case management approach to assist pet parents in need with food, humane care support, and veterinary resources.   

Residents can bring pet food donations through the end of November to Animal Care Services during regular business hours. SAACS is located at 4710 State Highway 151 and is open on weekdays from 1 - 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends (except on City holidays). All donations are tax-deductible.

CPS energy has launched an updated webpage with information to help keep customers safe in the event of an outage: www.cpsenergy.com/prepare and in Spanish www.cpsenergy.com/preparar.

Customers are also encouraged to update their emergency contact information with CPS in case of an emergency.

For more information visit http://cpsenergy.com