Hello D6,

There are two important topics to discuss this week, both of which will affect our daily lives.

One is a proposed CPS Energy rate change; the other is the addition of 50 new police officers for our city.

I’ll start with the rate change.

The fact that CPS Energy leaders came to City Council this week to present their case for a 4.25% rate increase didn’t come as a surprise. CPS Energy told the Council that they would be coming to us with a rate increase proposal for 2025, and they also said they’d come back again in 2027.

This request is a difficult issue for conversation because no one wants to pay higher bills. But it’s a discussion we must have. The proposed rate increase is for reliability; it’s about upgrading the power grid technology.

I’ve been working to help CPS Energy strengthen the grid. I’ve made proposals, I’ve pushed us to have this conversation, and I did my best to propose an alternative to a rate increase, but here we are. These last few years have driven home the need to be prepared for another weather emergency. The grid’s reliability is a top priority, and I know it’s expensive to meet that need.

The final decision on a rate increase is the Council’s responsibility, and I take the responsibility very seriously. In the coming weeks, I will make it my priority to make sure that the need for a rate change is clear and understood, and I will work to ensure that every step in the decision-making process is open and transparent.

There are too many people and families in our city who struggle to pay their monthly bills; those families will be top of mind. It’s important to me that any rate change also includes a safety net for the elderly and for families that live with limited means.

We’re lucky to live in a city that has the lowest power utility cost in the state. And we’re lucky that we haven’t had a significant rate increase in years. But we can’t leave the reliability of our power grid to luck, and that’s the conversation we’ll be having in the weeks to come.

There will be plenty of opportunities in the coming days for you to share your thoughts and concerns. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Another important topic this week was public safety, specifically the announcement of a $6.25 million Department of Justice grant that will allow the City to add 50 new police patrol officers.

Public safety, more importantly, police presence and patrol, is a top issue for D6. I hear it every time I meet with community members, HOA’s, neighborhood associations, and business owners. The grant award we announced this week goes a long way toward answering that important need.

This is a big deal. This grant is going to help us put more police on the streets, which is what the residents of this city have asked for.

Earlier this year, when we went through the long budget process, many of you told me that you wanted to see our City departments, the San Antonio Police Department, and our local partners work together to respond to areas that have the highest number of calls for police.

We promised that we would do our best to make our city safer, and this grant helps us keep that promise. Our goal is to deliver the safe community that our residents have asked for.

This $6.25 million grant will help the City hire 50 new officers to help our community thrive and be the safest and best place to work, live, and play.

November is Homeless Youth Awareness Month.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, approximately 550K unaccompanied youth and young adults up to age 24 experience a homelessness episode longer than a week.

43% of homeless youth are unsheltered; and many of them have experienced significant trauma before and after being unhoused.

I took a moment during this week’s Council A Session to invite Adrian Ramirez, Executive Director of the San Antonio Stand Up Kids program, to speak to the Mayor and Council.

San Antonio Stand For Up Kids is a volunteer organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of youth homelessness. The organization works with young people ages 13 to 25 who are living on the streets or are at risk of becoming homeless. Since 2006, the StandUp for Kids – San Antonio program has been providing outreach, mentoring, and housing support for the more than 3,000 homeless youths in our city.

This was also Municipal Court week, and I had the privilege of meeting a group of high school students who visited our municipal court to learn more about the work that the Judges and staff do to ensure our community’s safety.

I was excited to see young people thinking about a career in law. I’m an attorney by trade, and I know the importance of the law and the court systems. I also know that it’s hard work, but also very rewarding.

Our municipal courts play an important role in upholding justice, ensuring public safety, and serving our community. Municipal Courts are the first line of defense in protecting our rights, resolving disputes, and maintaining law and order in our neighborhoods. The judges, clerks, and staff who work tirelessly to keep our municipal courts running smoothly deserve our appreciation every day of the week.

It’s true when they say that pictures tell the best stories. Here’s a sample of the great fun we had at the D6 Veterans Dance at the San Antonio Food Bank this week!

Veterans are an important part of the D6 community - there are more veterans, retired military, and active military personnel in District 6 than in any other District in the City. That’s why we celebrate them as often as we can.

It’s our way of saying Happy Veterans Day!

And speaking of pictures, this Holiday Season we’ll be highlighting our community’s decorated homes in this newsletter.

Be sure to send a picture of your Holiday Lights to infoD6@sanantonio.gov. and we'll include the in this weekly newsletter.

I’m looking forward to seeing your wonderful Holiday decorations!

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:

• San Antonio Youth Commission November Meeting
• Planning and Community Development Committee
• Public Listening Session (Virtual) #11 - 2023 SBEDA Ordinance Amendments
• Disability Access Advisory Committee Meeting
• San Antonio Arts Commission
• Audit Committee
• Municipal Court Advisory Committee
• Affirmative Action Advisory Committee Meeting
• Head Start Policy Council Meeting
• Municipal Civil Service Commission
• Planning Commission
• Historic and Design Review Commission
• Transportation Advisory Board
• Animal Care Services Advisory Board Meeting

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