Hello D6,

Fantastic news this week about making Culebra Rd. safer.

The planned transformation of a major portion of Culebra in Council District 6 has received an $8 million boost. The City of San Antonio received news of the award from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Work on the portion of Culebra Rd. from General McMullen to Loop 410 was scheduled as a second phase of safety improvements.

The RAISE grant is the green light we need to get it done now.

This is good for everyone who uses Culebra. It’s good for business, it’s good for families, it’s good for District 6, and it’s good for San Antonio.

It’s great news for the people who drive, cycle, and walk along Culebra. This is one of the most dangerous streets in the city, and making the road safer has been a top priority for me.

The project will transform Culebra Rd. from an automobile-dominated thoroughfare to a safer, complete street design with sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, trees, and dedicated bike lanes. The funding will advance preliminary planning, engineering, and environmental analysis that will lead to a final design.

Thanks to the City staff who worked on securing this grant, their effort and the dedication of the Culebra Rd. neighborhoods that have advocated for these road upgrades will benefit District 6 for generations to come.

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth of July!

The Independence Day parade at the Great Northwest Community Improvement Association is one of the highlights of the year for me.

It’s always great to see so many families and neighbors coming together to celebrate. Congratulations to Brian Stives and all the members of the GNW board, and to all the residents of the largest HOA in the city who make every 4th of July a memorable day!

Thanks also to Doug and Susan Handlin and Joan Lopez, whose dedication to the Stonegate Hills HOA makes their July 4th celebration a true community event!

I loved visiting with all the Stonegate Hills families who gathered for a special Independence Day breakfast. It’s great to see so many kids enjoying their summer.

It was wonderful to see my friend Mayor Priya Rajan, of Chennai, India, this week at City Hall. Chennai is a San Antonio Sister City. She and I met when a San Antonio delegation traveled to India, and we found we had many things in common.

I’m proud to be the City’s designated Sister City liaison to Chennai and to foster deep and lasting relationships with cities around the world.

Mayor Rajan was in San Antonio with a delegation from Chennai on a diplomatic exchange.

Also this week, I had the honor of welcoming more than 5,000 members of the Knanaya Catholic community who came to San Antonio from across North America to celebrate their 15th KCNNA Convention in our city.

My heartfelt thanks to the organizers, volunteers, and all those who worked to make this convention a success. Thank you for choosing our city to host this important event!

Have a great week!

Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda

         SAPD Calls for Service - Last 7 Days

Click on the image for interactive map.

Council Meetings and Committees

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETINGS WEEK:

• Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing Technical Working Group
• San Antonio Arts Commission
• Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee Meeting
• Affirmative Action Advisory Committee Meeting
• City/County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs July Meeting
• Planning Commission
• Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women
• Building Standards Board
• City of San Antonio Commission on Strengthening Family Well-Being
• Ad Hoc Executive Search Committee of the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees
• Artist Talk and Workshop

Construction and Maintenance Notices

June 17^th – July 17^th 

• Arbeth Place @ Heath Glen. - 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.

​​​​May 3 - September 3

• Tezel Rd
  • Within COSA right of way, start path at approximately 8181 Tezel Rd proposing to bore for an estimated 609 ft along Tezel Rd.

ACS Pet Of The Week

What's pup! Want to be my best furiend? 

I'm Lilly, a young pup found wandering and brought to ACS at the end of May. Thankfully, Ms. Z decided to take me in as a foster, and I've been loving every moment since, but I sure am ready to find my furever home!

I get along great with other dogs and kids of all ages. My favorite activities include playing fetch, exploring the great outdoors, and spending quality time with my human friends - I love getting pets and cuddles. I've learned some cool tricks, too!

What I love most about my foster home is how happy and comfortable I feel but I can’t wait to feel that in my furever home. I adore playing and exploring new places. And guess what? I sleep through the night! My foster mom says seeing me happy is her favorite part of fostering me. So, if you're looking for a playful, adventurous companion, I'm your girl! Email ACSfoster@sanantonio.gov so we can meet!

Community Bulletin Board

Storm drains are only for rain

Rain may be a rare occurrence these days, but when it does happen the San Antonio River and local creeks are inundated with debris and contaminants.

That's because trash from streets and parking lots or chemicals from driveways and landscapes is washed down storm drains and right into the nearest body of water.

It's called runoff — and it's a major source of pollution to the San Antonio River watershed.

You can help prevent pollutants and debris from entering our storm drains.

· Toss trash in garbage bins.

· Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly, within recommended amounts (and avoid using if rain is in the forecast).

· Pick up and dispose of pet waste.

· Use drip pans to catch engine oil and other pollutants when repairing automobiles and recycle them.

· Compost or mulch leaves and yard trimmings instead of sweeping them into the street.

· Direct downspouts and rain gutters away from paved surfaces.

The Bond Project will construct roadway improvements to include sidewalks, curbs, driveway approaches, drainage, bicycle facilities and other improvements as applicable and within available funding.  This is a multi-phased project. 

Click on the graphic above for more information.

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