North San Antonio Edition - February 2022

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NORTH SANANTONIO EDITION

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 5 FEB. 17MARCH 17, 2022

ONLINE AT

Rate increase, added feemeans higher costs on CPS Energy bills Customers will see the change beginning March 1

ANEW UTILITY BILL CPS Energy will launch a new monthly base rate increase of approximate 3.85% on average and a new monthly fee for all customers starting March 1.

Average residential user:

Current electric only: $126.11

Combined current electric and gas: $152.28

BY EDMOND ORTIZ

Rudy Garza, CPS Energy interim president and CEO, said there is no ideal time to raise rates, but that these actions are necessary. “Through this rate increase, we will do the work needed and invest in our infrastructure, our technology and our people to ensure the delivery of essential services to our community,” Garza said. Eects on customers For the average residential CPS Energy customer—who sees, on aver- age, a $152 monthly bill—the rate increase would be $3.84 on the base portion, along with a $1.26 monthly fee for what the utility calls a regula- tory asset or pass-through fee. CPS Energy estimates the approx- imate 3.85% rate increase will pro- vide $73 million yearly in additional revenue. Utility ocials said these revenues will support infrastructure resiliency, technology updates, keep- ing pace with the San Antonio-area’s growth, and attracting and retaining

Current gas only: $26.17

Beginning March 1, CPS Energy cus- tomers will see an approximate 3.85% base rate increase and a new monthly fee of $1.26—the rst rate hike since 2014, utility leaders said. The approximate 3.85% increase is for the average customer but there is some variance due to some rounding and adjustments allowed. Some rate- payers may see a higher rate increase, others may see a lower increase. Ocials with the city-owned utility said the new projected revenues will help support their eorts toward mod- ernizing equipment, addressing rising demands from a growing population, and recovering money spent on fuel in response to the historic February 2021 winter storm. While CPS Energy’s new rate hike received approval from the San Antonio City Council on Jan. 13, some elected ocials and residents have expressed concerns that higher bills will exacer- bate matters for customers, especially those already struggling with ination and the pandemic’s economic eects.

Electric only base increase: $3.12

Combined base increase: $3.84

Gas only base increase: $0.72

Electric only winter storm fee: $0.93

Combined winter storm fee: $1.26

Gas only winter storm fee: $0.33

New electric total bill: $130.16

Electric combined bill increase: $4.05

New gas total bill: $27.22

Gas combined bill increase: $1.05

New combined total bill: $157.38

Total combined bill increase: $5.10

SOURCE: CPS ENERGYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

CONTINUED ON 18

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Curious what is selling in your neighborhood? Scan me *All prices shown are list price

ACTIVE

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4 bds

3 ba

2,108 sq ft

3 bds

2 ba

1,520 sq ft

3 bds

2.5 ba 1,508 sq ft

3 bds

2 ba

1,798 sq ft

10817 Redbird Dr, Somerset, TX 78069 Benjamin Mostyn | 210-379-7117

506 Cormorant, San Antonio, TX 78245 Lisa Cabrera | 210-701-1791

5710 Tranquil Cv, Converse, TX 78244 Anni Colaw | 210-844-9012

1448 Prairie Rose, Seguin, TX 78155 Renae Pretty | 210-376-9815

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3 bds

2.5 ba 2,272 sq ft

5 bds

3.5 ba 2,956 sq ft

3 bds

2 ba

1,732 sq ft

3 bds

2 ba

2,072 sq ft

7715 Harvest Bay, San Antonio, TX 78253 Bertha Wicker | 210-727-8538

5132 Black Horse, Schertz, TX 78108 Sarita Elliott | 210-956-0223

410 Simon Crest, Canyon Lake, TX 78133 Cyndi Cummings | 512-423-6782

8758 Ridgefront, San Antonio, TX 78250 Wayne Ramirez | 210-867-9921

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realtysanantonio.com/p/1575132

$355,000

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$560,000

$1,000,000

3 bds

2.5 ba 2,504 sq ft

4 bds

3.5 ba 2,889 sq ft

4 bds

3.5 ba 2,503 sq ft

4 bds

3.5 ba 3,541 sq ft

215 Myrtle St, Kyle, TX 78640 Mike Harper | 512-757-7326

4526 Amos Pollard, San Antonio, TX 78253 Ace Team | 512-829-1762

435 WGramercy Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212 Alexandra Hernandez-Bobrow | 210-771-3805

121 Bent Tree Dr, Boerne, TX 78006 Nova Stephenson | 210-859-0982

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022

DOMINION : 6185 Camp Bullis Rd.

THREE CONVENIENT CAMPUSES SERVING SAN ANTONIO NORTH CENTRAL : 12222 Huebner Rd I STONE OAK : 20615 Huebner Rd. DOMINION : 6185 Camp Bullis Rd.

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THIS ISSUE

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HIGHLIGHTS FROMTHISMONTH

FROM JASELLE: In recent weeks, CPS Energy and the San Antonio City Council have voted to increase the utility’s rates and add an additional fee to each customer’s monthly bill. In our front page story, reporter Edmond Ortiz digs into the change and explains what it means to customers, particularly on the city’s North Side. Jaselle Luna, PUBLISHER

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

W Y

STONE OAK

CAMP BULLIS

281

NEST Pet Retreat, Playcare and Spa

ENCINO RIO

COURTESY NEST PET RETREAT, PLAYCARE AND SPA

at 15231 San Pedro Ave. According to OPEX, each user is provided a free con- sultation, an initial assessment, goals, education and an individualized fitness plan. 210-556-8674. https://opexsanantonio.com 6 Mochinut held a soft opening in January for their second San Antonio location at 19202 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 111. The pastry chain offers Hawai- ian-style doughnuts mixed with Japanese mochi and American doughnuts. The first San Antonio Mochinut is located at 5222 DeZavala Road, Ste. 328. 210-276-0060. www.mochinut.com 7 Key Title Group held a Feb. 8 rib- bon-cutting with the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce at 1717 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 318. Key Title Group is a locally owned and operated Central Texas-based title insurance company that closes both residential and commercial real estate transactions in Texas. 210-960-1604. www.keytitlegroup.com 8 Tlahco Mexican Kitchen opened a second San Antonio location in November at 1662 Encino Rio, Ste. 100. Tlahco offers Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Delivery is also available. Tlahco’s original location is at 6702 San Pedro Ave. 210-455-8543. www.tlahcokitchen.com 9 Rusty Taco , a Dallas-based restaurant chain, opened its first San Antonio location on Feb. 8 at the Bulverde Marketplace, 17026 Bulverde Road. Rusty Taco offers more than 20 street-style tacos, including breakfast tacos served all day. Sides made from scratch daily include queso, salsa and sauces. Rusty Taco also has a full bar, featuring handmade margaritas and craft cocktails. The Lone Star Restaurant Group, which opened the San Antonio location,

16C

1604

HOLLYWOOD PARK

SHAVANO PARK

16B

410

16A

NOWOPEN 1 La Catrina Mexican Bakery and Coffee House opened Jan. 31 at 923 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 101. Their menu features freshly baked Mexican bread and other pastries, and coffee sourced from Mexico. La Catrina is housed in the former Rise Bakery location. 210-396-7133. www.facebook.com/ lacatrinamexicanbakery 2 Nest Pet Retreat, Playcare and Spa opened Nov. 15 at 4350 E. Evans Road, offering various services for traditional and exotic pets, including day play care, overnight boarding and grooming. Nest

4 BellaRo Cupcakery and Sweets held a Jan. 15 grand opening at 19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 302. BellaRo bakes a range of cupcakes and other desserts and treats, as well as custom cakes. This is the first brick-and-mortar storefront for BellaRo, which has spent the past few years offering baked goods at arti- sans’ markets, via online orders and for community fundraisers. The permanent location will also host parties and baking workshops, and sell some items from area small businesses. 210-375-4714. https://bellarocupcakery.com

Pet Retreat was developed by the owners of Northern Oaks Bird and Animal Hospi- tal, and Heritage Oaks Animal Hospital. 210-898-8400. www.facebook.com/ nestpetretreatplayandspa 3 Bitter Ends Barbershop opened Dec. 1 inside Sola Salon Studios at 22906 US 281 N., Ste. 104. Owner and operator Ashley Drive provides waxing and hairstyling services in one of many studio spaces offered to stylists; barbers; estheticians; nail, brow and lash technicians; and other beauty pro- fessionals. 806-676-8737. www.solasalonstudios.com/ salon-professional/ashley-driver1

5 OPEX San Antonio , a physical fitness center, had a Jan. 15 grand opening

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TO-DO LIST

February-March events

COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ

BellaRo Cupcakery and Sweets

OPEX San Antonio

NOW - FEB. 26

GO TO THE RODEO AT&T CENTER

COURTESY BELLARO CUPCAKERY AND SWEETS

COURTESY OPEX SAN ANTONIO

plans to open additional Rusty Taco restaurants in San Antonio. 210-265-5626. www.facebook.com/rtsanantoniotx 10 Unas Frias Cantina held a grand opening on Dec. 17 at 11813 West Ave., San Antonio. It is a full bar featuring happy hour, drink specials, bottle service, DJs and a dance floor. 210-251-2138. www.facebook.com/unasfriascantina 11 YogaSix Stone Oak at 23714 Hardy Oak Blvd. had a soft opening in Decem- ber. The boutique franchise yoga studio offers class options for everyone from beginners seeking to learn poses and ath- letes wanting to build recovery into their regimen, to more advanced students. Owners Ted and Angela Glutz said the Stone Oak location is the first of four Yo- gaSix studios coming to the San Antonio area, with future sites projected in the Shavano Park, The Rim/Dominion and the Alamo Heights areas. 210-960-0650. www.yogasix.com/location/stone-oak 12 Kids Empire , a California-based chain of indoor children’s playgrounds, opened its first San Antonio location in January at the Park North retail center, 742 N.W. Loop 410. Kids Empire offers 15,000 square feet of play space for all ages, and accommodates birthday par- ties. 210-640-3011. www.kidsempire.com COMING SOON 13 Dunkin will open a new Stone Oak-area store at 19087 Blanco Road this spring. The commercial building that will house the new Dunkin location is under construction just south of Hueb- 14 The first Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream location in Texas will open this summer in the Alon Town Centre, 10003 N.W. Military Hwy., Ste. 3109, San Antonio. The Florida-based chain uses liquid nitro- gen to flash-freeze ice cream or yogurt, offering more than one dozen flavors and 20-plus toppings. www.chillnicecream.com 15 Ross Dress for Less is opening a store at The Vineyard shopping center at 1209 N. Loop 1604 W. this winter or spring. According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the retailer was scheduled to complete interior and exterior renova- tions at their 25,555-square-foot space in late 2021. 800-336-1115. www.rossstores.com ner Road. 781-737-3000. www.dunkindonuts.com

The annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo includes a carnival; a range of rodeo events and competitive activities; a Western art competition; and daily concerts with a variety of performing artists, including Tim McGraw, Mickey Guyton, Ludacris, Ramon Ayala and Styx. Proceeds benefit San Antonio Livestock Show and Exposition scholarships. Times and admission vary. AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Parkway. 210-225-5851 www.sarodeo.com

FEBRUARY NOWTHROUGH FEB. 20 WATCHA FILMFESTIVAL The 21st annual San Antonio Jewish Film Festival offers in-person and virtual screenings of feature and documentary films that promote Jewish values and diversity. Times of in-person events vary. Tickets can be purchased online. Prices vary. Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio, 12500 N.W. Military Hwy. 210-302-6820. www.jccsanantonio.org/film-festival 17 THROUGH FEB. 19 WATCH ‘THE SOUNDOFMUSIC’ Reagan High School students will present “The Sound of Music,” based on the classic film. 7 p.m. (Feb. 17 and 18); 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Feb. 19). $10-$20. 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive. 210-356-1800. www.neisd.net/ domain/9325 18 SEE NICK ZAMORA PERFORM The local country musician will play contemporary favorites and classic hits. 6-9 p.m. Free (admission). Blanco BBQ, 13259 Blanco Road, San Antonio. 210-251-2602. https://blancobbq.com 24 THROUGH 27 WATCH ‘LEGALLY BLONDE: THEMUSICAL’ North East School of the Arts students perform “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” a variation of Reese Witherspoon’s hit movie and novelization. 7:30 p.m. (Feb. 24-26), 2:30 p.m. (Feb. 27). $15- $20. NESA Performing Arts Center/ L.E.E. High School, 1400 Jackson Keller Road, San Antonio. 210-356-1033. https://nesa.booktix.com 24 LAUGH FOR A CAUSE Chismosas Cantina y Comida Mexicana hosts a comedy show hosted by Gabe Farias and starring comics Davey Jackson, King Kwasi and Zach Dickson. Proceeds benefit the Kellum Cares Foundation, a nonprofit arm of Kellum Family Medicine. 9 p.m. $10. 14355 Blanco Road, San Antonio.

Rusty Taco

COURTESY RUSTY TACO

16 Brevity , a local drive-thru coffee chain, plans to open three more locations this spring and summer at A 2342 N.W. Military Hwy., north of Castle Hills; B 2838 N. Loop 1604 E. at Redland Road; and C 18450 Blanco Road in Stone Oak, according to reports. In addition to classic coffee drinks, Brevity offers specialty coffee drinks that are hot, iced or frozen. The company, which opened in the summer of 2019, has existing North Side locations at 5985 DeZavala Road and 8802 Huebner Road. https://brevitycoffee.com RENOVATIONS 17 Cornerstone Church at 18755 Stone Oak Parkway is renovating its existing main sanctuary, and administrative and education areas, adding 21,500 square feet of space and improving exterior elements. According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the $12.5 million renovation project at the Stone Oak church began in summer of 2021 and is scheduled for completion this April. 210-490-1600. www.sacornerstone.org IN THE NEWS 18 San Antonio Housing Authority is building Vista at Interpark at 12727 N. US 281, just north of Wurzbach Parkway. SAHA officials said the affordable complex will have 64 units, all of which will be re- served for tenants earning between 20% and 60% of the San Antonio-area median income. The $17.7 million project is being supported with 9% state housing tax credits, and is estimated for completion this fall. 210-477-6000. https://saha.org 19 Chismosas Cantina y Comida Texicana at 14355 Blanco Road announced Jan. 15 that it was becoming a bar and event venue. The owners posted on social media that they do not have enough em- ployees to operate as a restaurant now. 210-970-2549. Search Chismosas Cantina y Comida Texicana at www.facebook.com.

SINGLEPROFESSIONALS NETWORK VALLARTA GRILL & BAR

FEB. 17

210-970-2549. http://txcomedyshow.com MARCH 12 RUN/WALK FOR A CAUSE Hollywood Park Community Association’s Deer Dash 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run and Walk includes prizes. Proceeds benefit the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation. 8 a.m. Voigt Park, 701 El Portal, Hollywood Park. https://hpcatx.com 15 SEE ‘THE BOOKOFWILL’ Johnson High School students perform “The Book of Will,” a one-act drama set in the 17th century where two aging actors try to publish, in a single- bound volume, all of the plays written by their late friend William Shakespeare. 7 p.m. $5 (per person). 23203 Bulverde Road, San Antonio. 210-356-0400. www.neisd.net/domain/9308 All events are conrmed at press time. Check with event organizers for potential cancellation or postponements due to the rise in cases of COVID-19 and its variants. Single Professionals Network, a friendship group for singles age 55 and older, meets for conversation, libations and food. 5-7 p.m. Free (admission). Vallarta Grill & Bar, 14814 Jones Maltsberger Road, San Antonio. https://spn-sa.org

Find more or submit North San Antonio events at communityimpact.com/event- calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022

TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES Hill CountryVillage: Contractor needs tomake corrections before Tower Drive project ends

COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ

ONGOING PROJECTS

Hill Country Village’s city engineer is working with ocials to develop nal to-do lists in order for a contrac- tor to nish a project that has been plagued with complaints from local leaders and residents. City Council on Jan. 20 discussed All In Construction’s handling of the Tower Drive improvement project, which began in summer 2020 between Winding Way and Hill Country Lane. The city has received complaints about dust, curbing, missed dead- lines, contractor vehicles parked on rights of way and more associated with the road project. Brady Kosub, department man- ager with M&S Engineering, the city’s consulting engineering rm, said All In is nearing the nal stage of work for which it was under contract to perform. But the city still owes All In about $120,226, and ocials have cited concerns about the general contrac- tor’s performance on Tower. The council has approved two change orders totaling an additional $61,342, that has been added to the original project contract cost of $895,996, ocials said. The project is being paid for with city funds. Additionally, subcontractors have led liens with All In Construction. In an executive summary of the matter, City Administrator/Police Chief Frank Morales said two subcontractors/ suppliers have pending payment bond claims that he anticipates being settled for between $170,000 and $200,000.

TREE HILL ST.

HILL COUNTRY LN.

Vance Jackson Road update The contractor for a San Antonio bond-supported project to improve low-water crossings was working in late January on utility lines and channel excavation at Orsinger Lane ending at Tree Hill Street. Upgrades include rebuilding roads, curbs, sidewalks and driveway ap- proaches, according to the city. Cost: $8.1 million Timeline: May 2021-June 2022 Funding source: city of San Antonio

281

Contractor All In Construction’s vehicles sit along a stretch of Tower Drive in Hill Country Village. Ocials have criticizedmuch of All In’s work on the improvement project.

PARTRIDGE TRAIL

EDMOND ORTIZCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

“I anticipate additional claims to come in from subcontractors/suppli- ers [that All In] uses to close out this project,” Morales said. Some council members asked if they couldmeet with the engineer and contractor and tour the work site to point out problems in the road work. “Why would we make a consensus opinion about the contractor whose work we’re unhappy with? Wouldn’t we want to form our own analysis and say here are the things we think are wrong with the project?” Council Member Matthew Acock asked. Council Member Neal Leonard was more blunt stating, “The city picked a bad contractor.” Mayor Gabriel Durand-Hollis said the council tapped All In based on the bids the city received and on available information provided by the

consulting engineer. “We picked the lowest [project] bidder. It was under the advice that we received,” Durand-Hollis said. Resident Bernard Swift said he and his wife are frequently challenged by dust emanating from the road work. Swift also said the new curb provided in front of his home “is particularly egregious.” According to Morales, All In plans to x some ribbon curbing on Tower and bring in new dirt and reseed rights of way where grass has been worn down due to parking. The project is expected suggested it was best to leave it to M&S Engineering to compile a list of project issues, with input from the council, and to have All In Construc- tion address those matters. to be completed this Spring. City Attorney Marc Schnall

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF FEB. 10. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NSANEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. Bitters Road update Construction crews continued concrete work at the Bitters/Blanco roads inter- section in late January as part of a city bond initiative. The project will bring upgrades to Bitters from Blanco to Sa- vannah Pass, including sidewalks and left-turn lanes on Bitters at Partridge Trail, Silverhorn Drive and Savannah. Cost: $5.13 million Timeline: October 2020-February 2022 Funding source: city of San Antonio

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EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from North East & Northside ISDs

QUOTEOFNOTE “CLEARLY, CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN OLDANDNEWISWHAT DOMINATED THE 2018 PROPOSAL. IT ISWHAT MORE SODOMINATES THIS PROPOSAL.” BRIAN WOODS, SUPERINTENDENT, SPEAKING ABOUT THE DISTRICT’S 2022 BOND PROPOSAL. DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS NORTHSIDE ISD Northside ISD has revised its 2021-22 school calendar in order to give teachers more time for planning. The teacher planning time/student early dismissal days are scheduled for Feb. 16, March 23, April 20 and May 18. Elementary schools will dismiss at 11:45 a.m.; middle schools will dismiss at 12:40 p.m.; and high schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. Breakfast and sack lunches are provided on these days. SAN ANTONIO Cornerstone Christian Schools freshman Samuel Draper was among 100 students nationwide selected to participate in the 2022 Disney Dreamers Academy. The four-day academy takes place each year at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. According to DDA, the academy was founded in 2008 as a way for select young adults ages 13-19 to learn life skills by interacting with cast members, celebrities and industry experts as well as community members. North East ISD will meet March 14 at 5:30 p.m. 8961 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio 210-407-0000 • www.neisd.net Northside ISD will meet March 14 at 6 p.m. 5900 Evers Road, San Antonio 210-397-8500 • www.nisd.net MEETINGSWE COVER

NISDvoters to decide $992Mbond proposal inMay

BY EDMOND ORTIZ

NISD BONDHIGHLIGHTS Northside ISD will oer a $992 million single-proposition bond during the May 7 election. Highlights include: $45M to build one new campus, an elementary

NORTHSIDE ISD Ocials with the Northside ISD will oat a $992 million bond package in the May 7 local elec- tion, with most of the funds proposed to cover improve- ments to existing campuses such as those in the Clark High School attendance zone. The NISD board unanimously voted Jan. 25 to put the single-proposition bond on the ballot. Ocials said no new property tax rate hike will be needed to support projects. With more than 102,600 students enrolled in the current academic year, NISD is Texas’ fourth biggest public school district, NISD ocials said. NISD voters have approved the district’s last eight bond issues, dating back to 1995. A 250-member citizens bond committee reviewed existing NISD facilities and collected input from district residents and employees to develop proposed projects. District ocials said the bond proposal will help NISD keep pace with growth and address older schools, more than half of which are more than 20 years old. The oldest NISD campus is nearly 70 years old. “Clearly, closing the gap between old and new is what dominated the 2018 proposal,” Superintendent Brian Woods said. “It is what more so dominates this proposal.” If approved, the bond would fund construction of one

school in the Alamo Ranch neighborhood $645M for renovations, reconstruction and upgrades at existing facilities districtwide $14M for technology improvements $18.1M for safety and security

SOURCE: NORTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

new elementary school in the fast-growing Alamo Ranch area. Tentatively called Village at West Pointe West, the new campus is estimated to cost $45 million. The new bond proposes $56 million to replace ne arts facilities at Clark High School and $24.8 million to upgrade magnet program facilities at Hobby Middle School. NISD plans to oer public meeting dates and locations and other information on its website—www.nisd.net—to inform district residents about the proposed bond before the May 7 election, ocials said. Early voting is April 25-May 3.

ReaganHigh graduate’sWestern lmdebuts at Sundance FilmFestival

BY EDMOND ORTIZ

Sundance Film Festival was carried out online for a second straight year. According to a release, Bernard and fellow producers were eager to lm “God’s Country” after reading the script written by Shaye Ogbonna and the lm’s director, Julian Higgins. Thandiwe Newton stars in the con- temporary Western as Sandra, who confronts two hunters after she nds them trespassing on her property. Bernard also produced a television project, “Pineapple,” which debuted at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

NORTH EAST ISD Halee Bernard, a 2009 Reagan High School graduate, was one of four producers behind “God’s Country,” a feature lm that premiered during the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in January. Usually held at the Sundance Resort in Park City, Utah, Sundance is the nation’s largest independent lm festival with an average total attendance of more than 40,000 people, event organizers say. But because of the pandemic, the

Thandiwe Newton is seen in “God’s Country,” a lm co-produced by 2009 Reagan High graduate Halee Bernard.

COURTESY SUNDANCE INSTITUTE

HAPPY HEART. HAPPY HORMONES. HAPPY LIFE.

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022

CITY& COUNTY

News from Hollywood Park, Shavano Park & Bexar County

Warming shelters among local preparations for wintryweather SANANTONIO Area warming

Antonio area either day. NWS said the local highs for Feb. 3 and 4 reached 38 degrees and 43 degrees, respectively, while lows were 24 degrees and 21 degrees, respectively. NWS also recorded 1.53 inches of rain, which turned into freezing precipitation and ice across parts of the area. San Antonio and Bexar County governments geared up for both weather events by opening a total of 10 public warming shelters, including the Hamilton Community Center at 10700 Nacogdoches Road, and the Emergency Services District No. 3 re station at 23103 Bulverde Road. Michelle Vigil, public aairs man- ager with the city of San Antonio’s communications and engagement department, said 32 residents and three pets visited the city’s warming shelters during the two cold snaps. Tom Peine, county assistant public information ocer, said two people visited the county’s warming shelters in January and 20 was the highest number of visitors to the warming

shelters were opened, schools were closed, roads were treated, and local utilities made their preparations ahead of two cold snaps that hit Texas in January and February. Two strong cold fronts each brought freezing temperatures and ice during two periods—Jan. 20 and 21, and Feb. 10 and 11. In each case, the city of San Anto- nio, Bexar County, San Antonio Water System and CPS Energy announced various ways they were preparing ahead of the wintry weather. Local government agencies and utilities received criticism for their responses to the winter storm that aected Texas and the South and Central Plains in February 2021. The late January 2022 cold front produced a midday high temperature Jan. 20 of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 32 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. On Jan. 21, the high reached 53 degrees and the low was 32. NWS recorded no precipitation in the San

A Texas Department of Transportation crew treats a portion of the Loop 1604 and I35 interchange Jan. 19 ahead of a freeze that hit the San Antonio area Jan. 2021.

COURTESY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

centers overnight Feb. 3. Addition- ally, the city worked with nonprot partners to help shelter homeless individuals across ve sites during the cold snaps. Vigil said it was critical for the city to partner with other local agencies to publicize vital information as quickly as possible. Other preparations included the Texas Department of Transporta- tion pretreating state-maintained roadways, and CPS Energy texting, emailing or calling customers. City ocials said CPS Energy responded to more than 20 outages in January and 160-plus outages in

February, adding that outages were caused by the weather, and most were resolved within a few hours. SAWS used its website and social media to urge customers to protect their water pipes. VIA Metropolitan Transit oered fare-free rides for people who sought to visit a public warming shelter. The city of Shavano Park urged residents with smartphones to use the town’s new TextMyGov texting service and stay tuned for emergency messages during both weather events. Hollywood Park briey turned its City Hall into a warming center Feb. 3.

ShavanoPark shoring up food truck, park regulations SHAVANO PARK Shavano Park City Council voted Jan. 24 to pass the rst reading of an ordi- nance that proposes regulations on mobile food units and mobile food courts. THIS TAKES RESOURCES TO DO, ANDWE GET

SanAntonio calls for $1.2Bbond vote SAN ANTONIO City Council on Feb. 10 approved setting a $1.2 billion bond vote mostly to fund infrastructure improvements citywide during the May 7 local elections. City ocials said the bond is split into six propositions: streets, bridges and sidewalks; drainage and ood control; parks, recreation and open space—$271.9 million; library and cultural facilities; public safety and health facili- ties—$78.2 million; and aordable housing. Local ocials said more than half of the total bond package will be dedicated toward improv- ing existing roads and drainage features, and that no property tax increase is proposed to fund an approved bond. Early voting will be held April 25-May 3, according to the state’s May 7 election calendar. “If approved by voters, these infrastructure improvements would be made without increas- ing the city’s property tax rate,” City Manager Erik Walsh said. COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

The council will consider a second and nal reading of the ordinance at its regular monthly meeting on Feb. 28. No food truck courts are presently in Shavano Park. According to city ocials, the goal of the new ordinance is to establish performance standards for dedicated food truck parks while prohibiting pop-up gatherings of food trucks from appearing in vacant parking lots. Many council members said they were ne permitting food trucks to occasionally operate in town. But they disagreed with letting in perma- nent mobile food courts because they felt little to no sales tax revenue would be generated at such establishments. Nearby area cities such as New Braunfels have dedicated regulations for food truck courts, and others make no mention of mobile food operations.

NOBENEFIT. SHAVANO PARK CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PETE MILLER SAID OF ANY POSSIBILITY OF THE CITY PERMITTING A PERMANENT FOOD TRUCK PARK IN THE FUTURE

Council Member Pete Miller said he is not opposed to food trucks, but that Shavano Park would not stand to gain much from providing food truck operators a permanent presence because the mobile kitchens do not generate sales tax revenue for the city. “This takes resources to do, and we get no benet,” Miller said of allowing a permanent food truck park.

COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ

QUOTEOFNOTE “I USEDMY

HollywoodPark EDC board president survives ouster threat

RELATIONSHIPWITH BROADMINDEDMEDIA TOACCOMPLISH RESTAURANTWEEK. I’LL CONTINUE TOUSE MYRELATIONSHIPS TO FURTHER BUSINESS IN HOLLYWOODPARK.” ANDREWMOON, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. BOARD PRESIDENT EXPLAINING HIS RELATIONSHIP TO A COMPANY THAT SOME LOCAL RESIDENTS AND OFFICIALS SAY IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN RELATIONSHIP TO HIS BOARD POSITION. CITY HIGHLIGHTS SANANTONIO City Council’s Redistricting Advisory Committee is creating a proposed plan for new council district boundaries via a series of public meetings taking place through May 31. Local population growth reected in the 2020 census is driving the need for council redistricting ahead of the next council elections set for May 2023, a city news release said. Data from the 2020 census shows San Antonio’s population increased to 1.43 million in 2020, but redistricting is needed to ensure each of the 10 City Council districts has an “ideal population size” of 143,378 people per district, city ocials said. Details can be found at www.sabexarcountmein.org and www.saspeakup.com Bexar County Commissioners Court meets Feb. 22 and March 8 at 9 a.m. Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa St., Ste. 2.01, San Antonio • 210-335-2011 www.bexar.org Hill Country Village City Council meets March 17 at 5 p.m. 116 Aspen Lane • 210-494-3671 http://hcv.org Hollywood Park City Council meets March 15 at 6 p.m. 2 Mecca Drive • 210-494-2023 https://hollywoodpark-tx.gov San Antonio City Council meets at 9 a.m. Feb. 17 and 24, and March 3, 10 and 17 114 W. Commerce St. • 210-207-7040 www.sanantonio.gov MEETINGSWE COVER

the agency’s rst Hollywood Park Restaurant Week in 2021. Villarreal, who as mayor also serves as EDC executive director, said some residents expressed worry that Moon had not disclosed his function with Broadminded Media. Moon said he is not a Broadminded Media employee or a partner with benets. “I have no nancial or legal interest in Broadmin- ded Media,” Moon said. “I used my relationship with Broadminded Media to accomplish Restaurant Week. I’ll continue to use my relationships to further business in Hollywood Park.” City Attorney Ryan Henry said Moon appears not to be violating any laws, although the EDC does not have a mechanism by which to review alleged ethics violations. Several attendees at the Feb. 1 meeting defended Moon, including Broadminded Media President Debbie Johnson, who said she was shocked anyone was questioning Moon’s work or professional relationships.

Hollywood Park EDC board president AndrewMoon (left) talks with residents at the City Council’s Feb. 1 meeting.

EDMOND ORTIZCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

HOLLYWOOD PARK City Council, in a called meeting Feb. 1, did not act on an agenda item in which council members mulled removing Economic Development Corp. board President Andrew Moon. According to Mayor Oscar Villarreal, concerned residents claimed Moon’s role as a registered agent for Broadminded Media, a local marketing agency, is a conict of interest because the company contracted with the EDC to carry out

HollywoodPark advances park bathroomproject HOLLYWOOD PARK The Holly- wood Park Economic Development Corp. is requesting proposals for the design, construction and installa- tion of a permanent septic system and restroom facilities at Triangle Park, also called Memorial Park. City Council unanimously passed a resolution Jan. 18 authorizing the HPEDC to seek proposals to advance the park project. The triangle-shaped park has one portable restroom. According to City Secretary Patrick Aten, an improved bathroom facility at Triangle Park is chief among preferred amenities for many residents who answered a

MECCA DR.

EL CERRITO CIRCLE

The city of Hollywood Park and the Hollywood Park Economic Development Corp. are working to go forward with a proposed permanent bathroom system at Triangle Park.

COURTESY GOOGLE STREETS

local parks use survey conducted in late 2021. “I think a lot of residents are in favor of this,” Council Member Debbie Trueman said. Council Member Glenna Pearce urged the city and the HPEDC to address other design issues, such

as security, maintenance, costs and efforts to keep wait lines short when crowds are present at the park. “I want to make sure our resi- dents don’t constantly compete with [crowds] from leagues and other organizations,” she said.

SanAntonioPublic Librarywins innovation award Jan. 21 SAN ANTONIO The Urban Libraries Council

SAPL’s Enhanced Library Card was selected by a panel of judges from more than 250 submissions, the release said. SAPL won in the category of Civic and Community Engagement, the release said. The card is available by appointment through the Learn@SAPL Adult Education program at four SAPL

announced San Antonio Public Library as one of 10 Top Innovators during the 2021 Innovations Celebration held virtually Jan. 21. A city release said the annual award recognizes “trans- formative programs that address structural racism, bridge digital divides, provide lifelong education oppor- tunities, meet the needs of under-resourced populations and improve essential library service delivery.”

Shavano Park City Council meets Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. 900 Saddletree Court 210-493-3478 www.shavanopark.org

locations, including Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Court. Call 210-207-2500 or visit http://mysapl.org for more information.

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022

2022 P R I M A R Y E L E C T I O N G U I D E GUIDE Candidates and information for the March primaries

D A T E S T O K N O W Feb. 14 First day of early voting

W H E R E T O V O T E

March 1 Primary election day March 1 Last day to receive ballot by mail (or March 3 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

Registered voters in Bexar County can cast a ballot at their assigned precinct during early voting or on election day. Voters can nd their precinct location at www.bexar.org/elections-department

Feb. 18 Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Feb. 25 Last day of early voting

SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE, BEXAR COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

S A M P L E B A L L O T

R Republican

D Democrat

*Incumbent

Voters can vote in the Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Only candidates in contested primary elections are listed below. Winners advance to the Nov. 8 general election.

Commissioner of agriculture R Carey Counsil R Sid Miller R James White D Susan Hays D Ed Ireson Railroad commissioner R Wayne Christian* R Tom Slocum Jr. R Marvin “Sarge” Summers † R Sarah Stogner R Dawayne Tipton D Luke Warford Justice, Supreme Court, Place 9 R David Schenck R Evan Young Member, State Board of Education, District 1 R Lani Popp R Michael “Travis” Stevens D Laura Marquez D Melissa Ortega D Omar Yanar Member, State Board of

Representatives, District 121 D Becca Defelice D Gabriel Gregory R Steve Allison* R Michael Champion Texas House of Representatives, District 122 R Adam Blanchard R Elisa Chan R Mark Cuthbert R Mark Dorazio Texas Senate, District 25 R Channon Cain R Donna Campbell* Bexar County judge D Ivalis Meza Gonzalez D Ina Minjarez D Gerardo Ponce D Peter Sakai R Nathan Buchanan R Trish DeBerry Bexar County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace R Joseph Appelt R Julie Bray Patterson R Carla Riedl R Duane Weeks

R Louie Gourmet R Eva Guzman R Ken Paxton* D Mike Fields D Rochelle Mercedes Garza D Joe Jaworski D Lee Merritt

R Ken Morrow LOCAL U.S. House of Representatives, District 20 R Raquel Lopez R Kyle Sinclair U.S. House of Representatives, District 21

STATEWIDE

Governor R Greg Abbott* R Paul Belew R Danny Harrison R Don Hunes R Kandy Kaye Horn

D S. “T-Bone” Raynor Comptroller of public accounts

R Rick Perry** R Chad Prather R Allen B. West D Rich Wakeland D Inocencio (Inno) Barrientez D Michael Cooper D Joy Diaz D Beto O’Rourke Lieutenant governor R Trayce Bradford R Todd Bullis

R Mark Goloby R Glenn Hegar* D Janet T. Dudding D Tim Mahoney D Angel Luis Vega Commissioner of the General Land Oce R Ben Armenta R Victor Avila R Dawn Buckingham R Rufus Lopez R Weston Martinez R Don Minton R Jon Spiers R Tim Westley D Jay Kleberg D Michael Lange D Sandragrace Martinez D Jinny Suh

D David Anderson Jr. D Coy Gee Branscum II D Cherif Gacis D Scott Sturm D Ricardo Villarreal

D Claudia Zapata R Michael French R Robert Lowry R Chip Roy* R Dana Zavorka U.S. House of Representatives, District 23 D Priscilla Golden D John Lira R Alma Arredondo-Lynch R Alia Garcia R Tony Gonzales* Texas House of

R Daniel Miller R Dan Patrick* R Aaron Sorrells R Zach Vance D Michelle Beckley D Carla Brailey D Mike Collier

Attorney general R George P. Bush

Education, District 3 R Lana Jean Holland

** CANDIDATE IS NOT FORMER GOV. RICK PERRY

† MARVIN "SARGE" SUMMERS DIED FEB. 8; HOWEVER, HIS NAME WILL STILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT.

V O T E R T U R N O U T

Republican primaries

Democratic primaries

Turnout

Registered voters

Turnout

Registered voters

2002

38,383

855,156

63,657

2006

40,487

21,017

872,040

2010

67,263

887,915

43,338

2014

64,595

916,408

44,835

2018

69,695

1,073,655

86,761

SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ

P O L L I N G L O C A T I O N S

BEXAR COUNTY The following are area Bexar County polling locations and times for early voting for March 1 primaries. Some area voters may have changed voting precincts because of the 2021 edition of Texas state redistricting. Boundaries of 13 voting precincts in County Precinct 3 have been updated. However, voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site or any precinct polling location on Election Day, March 1. Voting hours: Feb. 14-18: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 19: Feb. 22-25: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

OVERLOOK PKWY.

GLENROSE RD.

WILDERNESS OAK

BULVERDE GREEN

R N E S S O STONE OAK 281 35

RESORT PKWY.

ROAN PARK

HARDY OAK BLVD.

SADDLETREE CT.

Feb. 20: noon-6 p.m. March 1: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. ELECTION DAY & EARLY VOTING 1 Shavano Park City Hall 900 Saddletree Court

CRESCENT OAKS

CANYON PKWY.

MECCA DR.

SHAVANO PARK

1604

SILVER SPRUCE ST.

1604

2 Castle Hills City Hall 209 Lemonwood Drive 3 Brookhollow Branch Library 530 Heimer Road 4 University of Texas at San Antonio Student Union Bexar Room 1 UTSA Circle 5 Wonderland Mall of the Americas 4522 Fredericksburg Road 6 Cody Branch Library 11441 Vance Jackson Road 7 Encino Branch Library 2515 E. Evans Road 8 Parman Branch Library 20735 Wilderness Oak ELECTION DAY 9 Hill Country Village City Hall 116 Aspen Place 10 Hollywood Park City Hall 2 Mecca Drive 11 Bulverde Creek Elementary School 3839 Canyon Parkway 12 Bush Middle School 1500 Evans Road 13 Cibolo Green Elementary School

PARKSITE WOODS ST.

HOLLYWOOD PARK

ASPEN LN.

HUNTERS CIR.

1604

HEIMER RD.

UTSA CIR.

HUNTERS GREEN

INTERPARK BLVD.

281

410

LEMONWOOD DR.

410

NORTHAMPTON DR.

24 Kinder Ranch Elementary School 2035 Kinder Parkway 25 Lopez Middle School 23103 Hardy Oak Blvd. 26 Oak Meadow United Methodist Church 2740 Hunters Green 27 Rawlinson Middle School 14100 Vance Jackson Road 28 Roan Forest Elementary School 22710 Roan Park 29 San Antonio Shrine Auditorium 901 N. Loop 1604 W. 30 Shearer Hills Baptist Church 360 Interpark Blvd. 31 Specht Elementary School 25815 Overlook Parkway 32 Stone Oak Elementary School 21045 Crescent Oaks

33 Tejeda Middle School 2909 E. Evans Road 34 Timberwood Park Elementary School 26715 S. Glenrose Road 35 Tuscany Heights Elementary School 25001 Wilderness Oak 36 Vineyard Ranch Elementary School 16818 Huebner Road 37 Woods of Shavano Community Clubhouse 13838 Parksite Woods St.

16 Colonies North Elementary School 9915 Northampton 17 Hardy Oak Elementary School 22900 Hardy Oak Blvd. 18 Hartman Center II Building No. 1 1202 W. Bitters Road 19 Hidden Forest Elementary School 802 Silver Spruce St. 20 Hill Middle School 21314 Bulverde Road 21 Huebner Elementary School 16311 Huebner Road 22 Hunters Creek Swim and Racquet Club 3630 Hunters Circle St. 23 Indian Springs Elementary School 25751 Wilderness Oak

24315 Bulverde Green 14 Clark High School 5150 DeZavala Road 15 Colonial Hills United Methodist Church 5247 Vance Jackson Road

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022

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