Hello D6,

This week the Council once again discussed the Migrant Resource Center (MRC).

This was also a joyous week!

All week long we celebrated International Women’s Day.

On Thursday, 27 women judges walked from the Courthouse, wearing their judicial robes, across the Plaza de las Canarias, to join us in celebration.

It was an inspiring and powerful moment at Council Chambers. These women judges represent a legacy of tenacity, intelligence, leadership and hard work. 

Here’s a little bit of Women’s history in Bexar County. The first woman elected Judge in our county was Barbara Hanson Nellermoe. In 1989, Judge Nellermoe became the first woman to serve as a district judge in Bexar County.

Women have come far in 35 short years. We currently have the most women on the bench in Bexar County; 100% of Civil District Court Judges are women; as is the entirety of the 4^th Court of Appeals.

I want to name the Judges who stood before us Thursday morning:

Fourth Court of Appeals Justices: ⁃ Justice Luz Elena Chapa ⁃ Justice Liza Rodriguez ⁃ Justice Irene Rios 

Civil District Court Judges: ⁃ Judge Monique Diaz ⁃ Judge Mary Lou Alvarez ⁃ Judge Marisa Flores 

Criminal District Court Judges: ⁃ Judge Stephanie Boyd ⁃ Judge Kristina Escalona ⁃ Judge Velia Meza ⁃ Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl 

Juvenile District Court Judges: ⁃ Judge Jackie Valdés ⁃ Judge Rose Sosa

County Court Judges: - Judge Melissa Vara - Judge Andrea Arevalos - Judge Helen Petry Stowe - Judge Yolanda Huff - Juge Erica Dominguez - Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez

Municipal Court Judges: - Presiding Judge Carla Obledo – Judge Melanie Castillo – Judge Clarissa Chavarria - Judge Yvonne M. Gomez – Judge Lisa M. Gonzales – Judge Margarita Pol – Judge Veronica Legarreta – Judge Elizabeth Martinez – and Judge Cheryl Mendoza

These women Judges made history on Thursday by walking together across the Plaza de las Canarias, in their robes, and gathering at City Hall. I'm grateful to them for everything they do, their leadership, their wisdom, and the example they leave for young girls across the city.

International Women’s Day and Women’s history Month continued on Friday.

The Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) organized an International Women’s Day Summit and I was honored to moderate a panel on Education as a Preventative Measure to Reduce Domestic Violence.

The discussion’s panelists, Erica Haller-Stevenson, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District;  Marta Pelaez, Family Violence Prevention Services; and Kim Beauchamp, Communities in Schools San Antonio, offered their wisdom, experience, and knowledge to the discussion.

Thank you to the MCSW for organizing the event and for inviting me to moderate the discussion, to the panelists for their insights, and to the women who attended the summit for their eagerness to work for change.

And while Women’s History Month celebrations will continue throughout March, this week’s celebrations culminated in a very special celebration.

I was honored to be present at a special naturalization ceremony for 47 women from 22 different countries, who became U.S. citizens.

What better day to commemorate the contributions and achievements of women than by witnessing women from across the world achieve their dream of US citizenship!

I was proud to welcome them as newly minted citizens and I thanked them for their tenacity and energy. Their dreams will fuel our community and our country!

San Antonio has big plans to provide transportation and mobility options as our city grows.

This week I had the opportunity to talk directly with Texas Transportation Commission chair Bruce Bugg about our goals. We shared a table at a SAMCO luncheon where we heard from Alex Meade, the state’s new Transportation Commission member.

I never miss an opportunity to talk about rail between San Antonio and Austin and talked to Chair Bruce Bugg and Commissioner Meade about our goals.

Please join me in congratulating Ena, a fourth grade student at Raba Elementary in D6, for winning the grand prize in the Texas Cavaliers River Parade Art Contest!

Ena was one of more than 1,000 students from 67 schools across the city who participated in the art contest.

There were ten finalists, each representing a Council District. Each finalist received $3,000 for their school’s art program and a one-week summer scholarship to the Southwest School of Art. Look for Ena’s artwork which will soon be displayed on a VIA bus wrap-around.

Congratulations Ena, Raba Elementary Art Teacher Katrina Gonzalez, and Principal Francesca Neal!

There’s no better way to end a great week than visiting with the seniors of D6!

This was our largest BINGO event to date! A sincere thank you to our sponsors — Blue Cares, CPS Energy, Diabetes Institute, Financial Empowerment Center, Fit City SA, Gonzaba Foundation, Kings Compassion, San Antonio Food Bank and SAWS.

It’s always a fun time calling out the numbers and seeing the smiles of our lucky seniors who won a variety of prizes. Congratulations to the lucky winner of the raffle who won two tickets with a parking pass to see the San Antonio Spurs play the Memphis Grizzlies!

Have a great week!

Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda

Construction and Maintenance Notices

February 26th - March 30

• Military Dr W and Democracy
  • Behind Curb, Sidewalk
  • ZAYO Group, Alex Dorgan
  • alex.dorgan@zayo.com
  • (435) 660-1937

March 1st - June 28th

• Military Dr W and Potranco Rd
  • Fiberlichgt, LLC
  • robert.pash.fiberlight.com
  • (435) 687-7836

March 8th - July 8th

• Culebra Rd
  • Starting at 10603 Culebra Rd, Crown Castle is aerial fiber attachments at an existing CPS utility pole along Culebra Rd. Aerial fiber to route west along Culebra Rd. At 10151 Culebra Rd, fiber turn turn north at an existing utility pole, and route along the west side of Les Harrison Dr. At the north side of 10151 Culebra Rd, aerial fiber to transition at an existing utility pole to underground conduit. Underground conduit by direction bore to continue north along Les Harrison Dr. Underground conduit to terminate at HH at 5802 Les Harrison Dr.

March 8th - July 8th

• Weybridge and Hardesty
  • Starting at 10603 Culebra Rd, Crown Castle is aerial fiber attachments at an existing CPS utility pole along Culebra Rd. Aerial fiber to route west along Culebra Rd. At 10151 Culebra Rd, fiber turn turn north at an existing utility pole, and route along the west side of Les Harrison Dr. At the north side of 10151 Culebra Rd, aerial fiber to transition at an existing utility pole to underground conduit. Underground conduit by direction bore to continue north along Les Harrison Dr. Underground conduit to terminate at HH at 5802 Les Harrison Dr.

March 29 - July 19

• Google
  • 9550 Westover Hills Blvd
  • Stonegate Hills & Aviara

March 20 - July 20

• Google
  • 9760 Braun Rd
  • Tezel Trls

February 28^th – March 12^th     

• Timber Path to Cul De Sac. Weather permitting.

February 28 - March 12

• Meadow Trace to Meadow Trace. Weather permitting.

March 3^rd – March 29^th

• BARBADOS PLACE from WESTWARD DR to MARIMBA PLACE. Weather permitting.

March 7^th – April 7^th

• REMUDA DR from HARNESS LN to BIG ROCK DR. Weather permitting.

March 4^th – March 29^th

• MARIMBA PLACE from ANDROS PLACE to BARBADOS PLACE.Weather permitting.

February 29^th – March 25^th

• WESTWARD DR from W MILITARY DR to PINN RD. Weather permitting

February 29^th – March 25^th

• WESTEDGE DR from MARBACH RD to WESTLAWN DR. Weather permitting.

March 3^rd – March 29^th

• BARBADOS PLACE from WESTWARD DR to MARIMBA PLACE. Weather permitting.

March 7^th – April 7^th

• REMUDA DR from HARNESS LN to BIG ROCK DR. Weather permitting.

March 4^th – March 29^th

• MARIMBA PLACE from ANDROS PLACE to BARBADOS PLACE. Weather permitting.

February 29^th – March 25^th

• WESTWARD DR from W MILITARY DR to PINN RD. Weather permitting.

February 29^th – March 25^th

• WESTEDGE DR from MARBACH RD to WESTLAWN DR. Weather permitting.

March 7 - July 7

• Old Tezel Rd
  • Within COSA right of way, start path at approximately 9418 Guilbeau Rd proposing to bore for an estimated 3,514 ft along Old Tezel Rd.

March 1 - July 1

• Rue De Bois
  • Within COSA right of way, start path at approximately 9303 Rue De Bois proposing to softscape for an estimated 4,407 ft and bore 400 ft along Rue de Bois, Autumn Branches, Autumn Sunrise and Braun Rd.

March 2 - July 2

• Guilbeau Rd.
  • Within COSA right of way, start path at approximately 9418 Guilbeau Rd, proposing to softscape for an estimated 1,812 ft and bore 418 ft along Guilbeau Rd between Old Tezel Rd and Tezel Rd.

Council Meetings and Committees

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETINGS WEEK:

• Disability Access Advisory Committee
• San Antonio Arts Commission
• Audit Committee
• Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee Meeting
• Affirmative Action Advisory Committee Meeting
• City/County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs Meeting
• Planning Commission Meeting
• Production Cost Grant Application Info Session for Organizations
• Building Standards Board
• 2024 Girls Empowerment Summit
• Healthy Neighborhoods Gardening Event - Colorful Garden, colorful plate!

Community Bulletin Board

Mental Health Matters!

The Teen Mental Health Survey, created by teens for teens ages 12-19 in San Antonio, is now live. By filling it out today, teens can help improve teen mental health in San Antonio!

Take the survey here: https://publicinput.com/v2030

Did you know that we have an interactive Apartment Inspections dashboard? Stay up to date on inspection activities for apartment units. For more info: https://app.powerbigov.us/view...

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