Village North II Neighborhood Association: District 10 Update June 2016

Upcoming Important Meetings

Neighborhood Day 2016

June 25th, 10AM, at Laurel Heights United Methodist Church

Northeast Neighborhood Alliance

July 18th, 7PM, at the Tool Yard

Want to publicize your neighborhood event?

If so, please send an e-mail to Rebecca Podowski to make a request to post on our Facebook page!

June 23rd, 2016

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to all who attended our District 10 Community Meeting this week. Did you know we just about ran out of chairs for everyone attending? It is always a pleasure seeing neighbors who regularly attend, but I was also very pleased to see so many new faces in the crowd. We had Michael Shannon, Assistant Director of Development Services out to talk about Code Enforcement and common types of violations. For those who couldn't make it out last night, you can read about common code rules here. I strongly encourage you to utilize our 311 system to call in potential code violations. We are the eyes and ears of our neighborhoods; codes cannot be enforced if these problems are not reported.

We also had Amanda Canales from CPS Energy out to talk about ways to keep your power bill down during the summer heat. Between the Casa Verde weatherization program to special billing periods for elderly residents, CPS has multiple resources to help manage your power bills this summer. For more information, visit the Customer Assistance Center on the CPS website and find out what options are available for you.

Our final speaker was Dan Markson from The NRP Group, talking about the history and projections of affordable housing. As our city grows, we expect to see more housing plans submitted to accommodate new residents. By staying educated on housing options available, we can make the best decisions for our neighborhoods.

This Saturday, June 25th, is Neighborhood Day 2016. Moderated by Emily Baucum, WOAI, this event will include three panels of local leaders at the City and County level discussing best practices for neighborhood organizations. We've included the event details in this newsletter for your reference. I encourage all our neighborhood leaders to attend and share the information with their associations.

This month, the San Antonio Police Union and the City's negotiators reached a mediated agreement for a new police officer contract. As you may know, this process has taken over two years and seemed to reach a stalemate. Thanks to the efforts on both sides, negotiations have been completed and are awaiting approval by the majority of union police officers. In addition to new police officers being recruited, the new contract is expected to draw in seasoned, veteran officers to SAPD and increase our police numbers.

Thank you for staying actively involved in our community and for your strong support of District 10.

Sincerely,

Mike Gallagher

City Councilman District 10

PSA: 100 Deadliest Days

Press conference: Police Union and City Complete Negotiations

Neighborhood Day 2016

"Why Neighborhoods Matter"

10 AM - 2PM

Saturday, June 25th

Laurel Heights United Methodist Church

Featured Speakers	Featured Panelists
Mayor Emeritus Henry Cisneros Former Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson Councilman Mike Gallagher, District 10	Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert Former Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson Councilmembers Shirley Gonzales, District 5, Joe Krier, District 9, Mike Gallagher, District 10 Bexar County Appraiser Michael Amezquita Rod Sanchez (Director, Development Services) Dr. Christine Drennon (Trinity University) Bob Jacobs (SABOR Chairman)

Presented by the Bowen Center for Neighborhood Advocacy

Committed to helping grow strong neighborhoods with active membership and dedicated leadership

Your District, In Action

Michael Shannon, Assistant Director of Development Services, addresses code concerns at the District 10 Community Meeting

Neighbors from Terrell Heights and Oakpark/Northwood neighborhoods attend a community meeting addressing crime

Groundbreaking for Redland Road South construction

Residents review plans for the proposed SPUI at Harry Wurzbach and Austin Highway

Redland Road South Project Update

Jones Maltsberger Road Bridge Closure

The bridge on Jones Maltsberger Rd is closed from June 6th through August 14th, 2016, during the summer school break.
Detour signage is in place.
Please click here for the bridge detour map.

June 2016 activities

Demolition work on the Jones Maltsberger Rd bridge/low water crossing.
Utility crew excavation of gas trench and installation of gas line on Redland Rd.
Roadway widening and grading work on Redland Rd.
AT&T working on splicing and fiber optic lines.
SAWS water main and tie-in work at Jones Maltsberger Rd.
Fire hydrant installation on Redland Rd and Jones Maltsberger Rd.
Utility crew excavation and installation of storm drain at Jones Maltsberger Rd.
Hauled away debris from site.

Planned activities for the next 3+ weeks

Utility crews to continue excavating gas trench and installation on Redland Rd.
Crews to continue roadway widening and grading on Redland Rd.
AT&T to continue working on splicing and fiber optic lines.
SAWS to continue water main work at Jones Maltsberger Rd.
SAWS planning sewer line work on Jones Maltsberger Rd.
Utility crew to continue excavation and installation of storm drains at Jones Maltsberger Rd.
Utility crew planning excavation and installation for box culverts at Jones Maltsberger Rd.
Utility crew to start excavating and installing storm drain on Redland Rd on the east side at 1604 area.
Haul away debris from site.

All work is subject to favorable weather conditions. If you have questions about the project, please contact:

Joey Doctor | Capital Projects Officer

210.207.8415 | joe.doctor@sanantonio.gov

Upcoming Events at District 10 Libraries

Semmes Library (15060 Judson Rd., 78247)

Tom Kinsey--Master Naturalist

Saturday, June 25

2-3 PM

Children are invited to explore and observe nature in a presentation by master naturalist, Tom Kinsey.

Tobin Branch Library at Oakwell (4134 Harry Wurzbach, 78209)

Tobin Writers Group

Saturday, June 25

10:30 AM-2 PM

Come join our writers group for an opportunity to share, discuss and critique your work with fellow writers.

Tobin Game Day

Saturday, June 25

2:30 PM-3:30 PM

Everyone is invited to come and play their choice from our large selection of popular Wii and board games.

Thousand Oaks Branch Library (4618 Thousand Oaks, 78233)

What should you know about the Zika Virus?

Monday, June 27

6:30 PM-7:30 PM

Dr. Anil T. Mangla, Assistant Director of Health of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, will discuss the Zika virus disease and facts about the virus. Dr Mangla will describe what Zika is, how it is spread, what you should know about the precautions and what you should know regarding prevention messages. Q & A will follow for your questions.

For more information or additional events, visit the library website.

Volunteer Opportunity with American Spirit Alliance

Here is an upcoming volunteer opportunity with the American Spirit Alliance for the 4th of July weekend!

With the 240th anniversary of our country's founding, the time to reflect what our nation has accomplished not only for us - but globally - is upon us. Since our birth there have been many great Patriots that have paved the way for our society to exist as we know it. While we should honor all of our Patriots every day of our lives, there is one date that our nation celebrates collectively. Independence Day is approaching and we are asking for the support of our community to carry the American Spirit Alliance's vision to commemorate the history of the NW Military corridor (designated as the Second Indian Head Memorial Highway) and honor the American Spirit.

We ask you to join the American Spirit Alliance this July 2nd as we take part of our annual planting of American flags along the NW Military corridor, a route that was once walked by our troops back in the 1940's. This event is sponsored by Houses In San Antonio located at 2012 NW Military Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78213. After all the participants are back from planting flags there will be hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments for everyone. Once the community has enjoyed the field of vision that is our American spirit we ask, again, for your support to come back by helping us remove the flags so we don't allow our flags to become litter. The removal of the flags would take place on July 6.

If you would like to get involved with our mission by participating in our flag planting Please contact Belinda Castro at 210-366-3342 or by responding via email at info@americanspiritalliance.org.

Better Business Bureau's Top 5 Summer Scams

Summer is a great time to take that long-overdue vacation or take a part-time job. Unfortunately, as the weather heats up in Texas, so do scams. Last summer, Texans reported more than 100 scams and more than $35,000 in losses to BBB Scam Tracker. Nationwide, nearly 1,000 scams were reported with more than $780,000 in losses. Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin is warning consumers about some of the top summer scams:

Don't let a scam ruin your vacation. Scammers are known for advertising too-good-to-be-true deals in the hopes of getting your money in return. Known as "bait-and-switch," the scammer shows appealing photos of a home or condo (some real, some fake) that isn't actually available and at the last-minute changes the location to a less appealing rental. The phony landlord then collects an upfront deposit, leaving the vacationer to find out they've been scammed when they show up to the address. Whether it's a fake timeshare rental or a falsely promised Disney vacation, don't let a vacation scam take you for a ride. Make sure the offer is legitimate by checking bbb.org first. If there is no BBB Business Review on the company, dig deeper. Google the phone number or website to see if others report problems. Beware of red flags, such as a listing at a suspiciously low price, or a landlord that communicates only via email and/or asks for a wire transfer.

Keep your belongings safe during your move. Summer is the peak time of year for changing residencies, and unlicensed movers and are waiting to take advantage of the busy season. In Texas, professional movers are required to be licensed by the State of Texas. Always research the company first and check out the mover's BBB Business Review at bbb.org. Not all price quotes online or over the phone are legitimate (or binding), so be sure to get everything in writing and read carefully before signing a contract. Beware of cheap online offers-if a moving deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Also, remember that the lowest estimate can sometimes be an unrealistic, lowball offer, which may cost you more in the end. For a list of BBB Accredited movers, go to checkbbb.org.

Beware of summer concert ticket scams. Before paying for concert tickets online, make sure the seller is reputable. In some instances, phony sellers will trick people into wiring money with no intention of sending real tickets. Most concert venues now allow ticket holders to print tickets from personal computers; however, this also gives scammers the opportunity to sell the same ticket over and over to unsuspecting consumers. Be wary of sellers that play on your emotions and offer a sad tale as to why they can't use the tickets. Also, watch out for red flags, such as a seller that pressures you to act quickly or asks you to wire the money.

Be wary of high pressure door-to-door sales tactics. During the summer months, door-to-door selling activity increases because many residents are home during the day to answer the door. Many legitimate companies use the door-to-door sales method, and various city ordinances regulate solicitors to protect residents from unscrupulous individuals. However, residents need to watch for individuals who try to work their way around the system to line their pockets. Under Texas law, a door-to-door seller must advise you verbally and in writing that you have a right to cancel the sale within three days. The sales representative must also give you a contract or receipt stating the date of the sale, the name and address of the merchant and a statement of your right to cancel the contract, which includes the address where you send your cancellation notice. Many door-to-door sales representatives offer deals for everything from air conditioning unit repair to installing home security systems. Before saying yes, get all promises in writing, including start and finish dates. Resist pressure to "buy now," and don't be pressured to take advantage of a time-sensitive offer, like "once in a lifetime" or "today only." Instead, do some comparison shopping and take time to decide whether you want the product being sold.

Beware of job scams that can turn a hot summer cold. Finding summer employment is a top priority for many college and high school students. Unfortunately, scammers know this and advertise jobs where legitimate employers do-online, in a newspaper ad or via email. They will claim they can guarantee job placement after you pay upfront fees; however, the promised job never materializes and the company does not return your calls. Always be wary of employers who require fees for training and background checks, or who tout "no experience needed." If you receive an unsolicited email or text message advertising an open position, don't click on any links until you've verified the business and can confirm that the email came from a legitimate source. Also, job seekers should be cautious of any posting advertising extremely high pay for short hours or minimal required experience. Remember, legitimate businesses don't make promises or guarantees about jobs. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.