Hello D6,

This was a week of big wins and big celebrations!

I'll start with the win.

A proposal I put together with key City staff was brought to the Governance Committee this week. The proposal, which will help CPS Energy be more reliable and more affordable, was approved, unopposed, and will soon become part of the City’s budget policy.

This is how it works: every year CPS Energy transfers 14 percent of its revenues to the City’s general fund. The amount varies from year to year. The city, together with CPS Energy, prepares a forecast of the transfer amount. That forecasted amount is incorporated into the City’s annual spending plan. In recent years the transfer amount has been greater than expected. The proposal brought to Governance this week will take future transfer surpluses and use them to strengthen our community’s power grid so that the prolonged outages of the recent past don’t happen again.

The plan is specific. The transfer surplus funds will go directly to shore CPS Energy’s preparedness as well as the City’s REES fund, which helps mitigate San Antonio’s urban heat island and makes our city  competitive for federal climate action grants. 

Ever since winter storm Uri I have said repeatedly that we can only claim that we were caught unaware and unprepared once. This proposal helps to make good on that idea, and it also works to temper planned CPS Energy rate increases.

I first floated this idea a month ago in a published Op-ed and later in a City Ordinance proposal (CCR).

My goal was always reliability and affordability, and with that goal in mind I worked with Mayor Nirenberg, City Manager Walsh, and Chief Financial Officer Gorzell to design the plan that was approved this week.

This is a good idea that makes our city stronger. Chief Financial Officer Gorzell told the Governance Committee that the new plan will send a signal to the nation’s bond rating companies that San Antonio is serious about securing its utility’s structure. Our bond rating will be better for it, and a better bond rating will make future city-wide improvements less expensive.

I am ecstatic about what this win means for our city.

This week I also had the opportunity to thank some District 6 residents who will be giving their time, energy, and expertise as members of various City boards and commissions..

I’m proud and grateful for the many D6 community members who give their time to serve our city on boards and commissions. This week four D6ers were appointed to important boards and committees.

 Dr. Sonia Jasso has been reappointed to the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

 Bradley Carlson has been reappointed to the Port Authority of Wan Antonio 

 Roger Andrade is a new appointee to the Storm Water Management Advisory Board 

 David Zack Magallanez will serve on the Streets, Bridges, and Sidewalks Adviosory Board 

I’m very grateful for their willingness to serve. District 6 and our city is made better by their contributions.

I’m also grateful to my friend and neighbor, OC Carr, who led the council’s invocation Thursday morning.

OC is a minister at Grace First Baptist Church on the Northwest side of SA. He  is a dedicated D6 community member. He has served in the District 6 Veterans Advisory Committee, and has been a strong advocate and advisor in District and City-wide veterans issues.

He’s retired from the US Navy Submarine Forces, where he served for 27 years. He spent almost 20 of those years deployed in a submarine. When he retired from the Navy in 2013 he moved to San Antonio and has been my neighbor for several years.

For the past 10 years he has worked with the US Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland.

He and his wife of 34 years, Kenya, have 4 daughters, 2 granddaughters, and 1 grandson.

Thank you, OC, for coming to City Hall to lead us in prayer.

One of the events we celebrated at City Hall this week is Texas Czech Heritage Month.

It’s a month in which we recognize the many communities of Czechs who have and continue to enrich our city’s and our state’s vibrant history and cultural landscape. Czechs in Texas and San Antonio have made innumerable contributions to business, academia, medicine, government, and the arts.

Czech culture is deeply embedded in Texas, alongside the Mexican and German cultures dating back to the early 19th century. 

Czech immigrants have played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of San Antonio. Notable Czechs have left a lasting mark on the city's history. One of the most prominent figures is Dr. Anthony Michael Dignowity, who has a neighborhood in our city named after him, as well as my own father-in-law, retired chief of the Texas  Rangers, CJ Havrda.

We were honored to have Monika Prochazkova, Vice-President of the Bexar County Czech Heritage Society, come to City Hall to talk about the many contributions that the Czech community has made to our city and our state.

And, of course, she brought along some delicious kolaches for everyone to enjoy!

October is also National LGBTQIA+ History Month.

San Antonio has a diverse and growing LGBTQIA+ community, and we celebrate its resilience and contributions to the city's cultural landscape and social progress.

When people ask what this community has done, there are many famous, noteworthy people to mention. But I believe that what the LGBTQIA+ community does is exist here, in San Antonio.  They are part of our community with families and friends and passions and every day they make an impact.

This week we celebrated and thanked the LGBTQIA+ community. San Antonio is better because of their passion and work.

You all know that my favorite thing is to spend time with the District 6 community.

This week I had a great time visiting with the wonderful people at the Misty Oaks HOA.

We had a good conversation, catching each other up on community activities and important information regarding the city budget. 

It’s always a pleasure to visit with such an active community.

Any opportunity I get to spend time with our city’s special-needs community is time well spent.

This week was especially important because I was invited to join the Workforce Inclusion Network (WIN) at Morgan’s Wonderland as they celebrated San Antonio employers who see the benefit of increasing employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.  

The WIN leadership luncheon is a unique opportunity for businesses committed to disability inclusion in the workplace and those interested in gaining understanding of this crucial aspect of diversity and inclusion.

On Wednesday, I was honored to represent the residents of District 6 in a celebration of San Antonio’s innovation and growth.

It was a Special groundbreaking of San Pedro II, UTSA’s newest building located in the heart of San Antonio’s tech district.

The highlight of the event was an interactive “globe float,” where each participant was given the opportunity to honor an entrepreneur or innovator they admire. 

It was my honor to recognize YenYan.

Ms. Yan is a member of the City's Small Business Advisory Commission; 2022 President of the San Antonio chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America; President Elect of the Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce; Founding Member of the Asian American Alliance of San Antonio; Member of the San Antonio Board of Realtors Commercial Committee; and FoundingPresident of Greater San Antonio Chinese Chamber of Commerce. 

She has been a commercial real estate and business broker for 13years.  She is also a certified commercial investment broker, the highest commercial real estate designation. 

I love to see big ideas come to life!

That’s exactly what this week’s launch of the Women in Robotics – San Antonio event was about.

I want to thank the San Antonio robotics industry, Port San Antonio, the Capital Factory, and the Women in Robotics organization for showcasing the innovative brilliance of the women of our community.

It was an exciting and fun evening of networking with the women who are making contributions to advance robotics work in San Antonio and beyond. And it was great to cheer the young women whose robotics teams competed in intricate challenges that were designed to bring out their incredible intelligence and designs.

There is always excitement in the air when the San Antonio Spurs are involved!

That's exactly what the atmosphere was at the Victory Capital Performance Center Ribbon Cutting.

This new Spurs practice facility has been under construction for two years, but it’s been 10 years in the making.

The best part is that this practice facility is the first phase of the new Rock at La Cantera, which will include health and fitness spaces that the community at large can enjoy.

We’re just a week away from opening night of the Spurs’ new season.

All I can say is Go Spurs Go!

A special event to close out the week was the Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) Gallery of Hope Celebration.

I was honored to be a co-host of the event, where business and community leaders from across the city come together to raise funds for CASA, whose mission is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

It was a fun and heartwarming event in support of foster children from across the city. I was grateful to have the opportunity to highlight one of my top priorities, supporting the children who age out of the foster system.

I was happy to see so many women and men come together to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Have a great week and be safe!!

Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda

Construction and Maintenance Notices

MISTY OAKS REHAB

• Excavating across Misty Way between Owl Ridge and Airflight.
• Excavating across tree Top between Hawk Trail and Misty Park St.

Impact: Lane/sidewalk closures, Street Excavation, Partial Street Closure

Project duration: 60 Days

Micro Surfacing

• October 24^th   –   October 25^th

• Timber Gale from Timber Ash to Timber Briar. 
• Dover Rdg from Trendwood to Weybridge. 

MILL and OVERLAY

• Westcliff - from Westplain to cul-de-sac
• October 31, 2023 to November 13, 2023 (weather permitting)

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:

• Application Day - Façade Improvement Grant Program
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting
• Airport Advisory Commission
• Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee Meeting
• Head Start Policy Council Meeting
• Housing Commission Regular Meeting
• Conservation Advisory Board Meeting
• Planning Commission
• San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
• Transportation Advisory Board Meeting
• Planning and Community Development Committee
• Community Health Committee
• Public Listening Session (Virtual) #1 - 2023 SBEDA Ordinance Amendments

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