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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8 MAY 25JUNE 22, 2023
Improving air quality
A new location of Cheba Hut is coming soon
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San Antonio tests ‘cool’ pavement in new project
Transportation
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Downtown trac contributes to higher levels of ozone pollution, resulting in new regulations that will require emissions tests for automobiles registered in the San Antonio area. (Jarrett Whitener/Community Impact)
City faces new regulations
COMPARING TEXAS CITIES The EPA classies cities for nonattainment, or failing to meet air quality standards. Austin is unclassied, or in attainment. UNDERSTANDING THE LEVELS The EPA rates air quality by measuring ozone or pollution in the air in parts per billion, or ppb. Cities are then assigned a design value, a statistic that describes the air quality status of a location. Area has a design value of 71 up to 80 ppb Area has a design value of 81 up to 92 ppb Area has a design value of 93 up to 104 ppb MARGINAL MODERATE SERIOUS NONATTAINMENT STATUS The Environmental Protection Agency classies cities based on how close they are to not attaining air quality standards. The farther a city is from attainment, the stricter the regulation.
Find out who won city council seats
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BY JARRETT WHITENER
A change in the San Antonio area’s federal air quality classication set in motion new rules for businesses and residents. In November, the San Antonio area fell in its ranking for not meeting federal air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Since 2018 San Antonio had been clas- sied as having a “marginal” score, or being out of compliance with the ozone standard. Now the area has worsened to a “moderate” level but ocials hope to avoid being classied at the “serious” level. John Williams, chair of the Alamo Area Coun- cil of Governments Air Quality Committee and mayor of Universal City, said the area almost met a higher standard. Governmental agencies, businesses, and area residents continue to work to meet EPA requirements that were put in place to lower the amount of ground-level ozone in the air. “We were so close to being in attainment,” Williams said. “And we are working hard to meet
Create a boil at Stone Oak’s Smashin’ Crab
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Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries
Dallas: moderate
San Antonio: moderate
Houston: moderate
Austin: unclassied
SOURCES: TEXAS COMMISSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
CONTINUED ON 14
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From design to done. At BBQ Outfitters, we offer more than just outdoor cooking and living products. We also have a team of experts specializing in custom design and installation of outdoor
From design to done. At BBQ Outfitters, we offer more than just outdoor cooking and living products. We also have a team of experts specializing in custom design and installation of outdoor
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Austin 6715 Ranch Rd 620 N Austin, TX 78732 (512) 347-1988 Mon–Sat: 10a–6p Sunday: 11a–4p
San Antonio 4519 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78249
Austin 6715 Ranch Rd 620 N Austin, TX 78732 (512) 347-1988 Mon–Sat: 10a–6p Sunday: 11a–4p
San Antonio 4519 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78249
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3
NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • MAY 2023
Museums for All is an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. Rate is offered for up to four guests per EBT card. ©THE DOSEUM 2023, IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT Visit TheDoSeum.org/mfa for more program details EXPLORE THE DOSEUM FOR ONLY $3 THROUGH OUR MUSEUMS FOR ALL PROGRAM!
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THIS ISSUE
MARKET TEAM EDITOR Tricia Schwennesen REPORTER Edmond Ortiz GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brendan Rodriguez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jaime Rubio METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna MANAGING EDITOR Miranda Jaimes MANAGING COPY EDITOR Beth Marshall ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Rachal Elliott CONTACT US 3522 Paesanos Parkway, Ste. 304, San Antonio, TX 78231 • 8669896808 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES nsanews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING nsaads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM JASELLE: What exactly is ozone and why is it so important? So glad that you asked. In this month’s front-page story reporters Jarrett Whitener and Edmond Ortiz report on what factors contribute to our ozone and the implications of the city’s increasingly poor air quality. As our cities continue to grow, so does the need for an increased understanding and awareness on how air quality aects our communities. Jaselle Luna, PUBLISHER
FROM TRICIA: Voters headed to the polls May 6 to cast ballots in city council races for Hollywood Park and the city of San Antonio. Plus, area voters also voted on a controversial proposition that wrapped together six criminal justice related issues—including expanding San Antonio’s existing cite and release program, and decriminalizing possession of small quantities of marijuana—in one question. Find area election results on Page 11. Tricia Schwennesen, EDITOR
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • MAY 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
STONE OAK
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Cheba Hut
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COURTESY CHEBA HUT
15060 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, in a former Primal Juice and Smooth- ies site. Just Smash’em offers various fresh-squeezed lemonades and aguas frescas, as well as smoothie bowls and kettle-cooked popcorn. 210-254-9950.
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HOLLYWOOD PARK
www.justsmashem.com COMING SOON
SHAVANO PARK
8 Mimosa Gossip, a brunch and mimo- sa-centric restaurant, is under construc- tion in the Redland Plaza retail center at 2907 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 301, San Antonio. The owners shared they plan to offer 20-plus varieties of mimosas. A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing states a $150,000, three-month renovation project began in early April and is due to wrap up in late June or early July. www.instagram.com/ mimosagossip 9 Cheba Hut plans to open a second San Antonio restaurant at 2907 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 205, in the Redland Plaza shopping center. According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, the franchisee began a $199,000, nine-month renovation project at the North Side retail center in March. Cheba Hut specializes in toasted subs with Parisian bread. No opening date has been announced. www.chebahut.com CLOSINGS 10 Jeanne Philippus, owner of J. Philippus Art Studio and Gallery, 1846 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, announced she is closing her studio effective May 31 citing personal reasons. Philippus is offering discounts on art pieces through May 31, and will contin-
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EMBASSY OAKS DR.
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NOW OPEN 1 The first San Antonio franchise of Dirty Dough, a Tempe, Arizona-based cookie bakery chain, opened May 13 at 19903 Stone Oak Parkway, Bldg. 1, Ste. 104, San Antonio. Dirty Dough offers six signature cookie flavors, plus weekly rotating flavors, shakes, ice cream and drinks. https://dirtydoughcookies.com 2 Studio 1604 Pilates and Fitness opened April 1 in the Ventura Plaza retail center, 434 N. Loop 1604 W., Ste. 3103, San Antonio. Studio 1604 offers beginning, intermediate and ad- vanced pilates classes, and other fitness classes. The first class is free to guests. 210-507-2033. www.studio1604.com
3 HTeaO opened a new location south of Shavano Park April 21 at 14423 NW Military Highway, San Antonio. The Texas-based drive-thru chain offers a range of sweetened and unsweetened iced tea drinks as well as coffee and other beverages. www.hteao.com 4 Daggett Dental Care opened a second location in March at 15303 Huebner Road, Bldg. 17, San Antonio. The practitioners, Drs. Mat- thew and Barbara MacNeill-Daggett, own a full dental clinic that also provides cosmetic treatments and holistic dental services. 210-828-1392. www.mysanantoniodentist.com 5 Portland, Oregon-based coffee
chain Black Rock Coffee Bar opened its third San Antonio shop May 12 at 14635 Huebner Road, just south of Sha- vano Park. Black Rock offers an array of traditional and signature coffee beverag- es. www.br.coffee 6 North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce held a May 5 ribbon-cut- ting and grand opening ceremony for Burk Ace Hardware and Gifts at 18450 Blanco Road, Ste. 112, San Antonio. Burk, a locally and fami- ly-owned storefront, includes a variety of tools as well as home decor gifts. www.burkhardware.com 7 Just Smash’em had a soft opening April 17 and a May 6 grand opening at
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THROUGH OCT. 29
TRAVERSE ‘IMAGINARY WORLDS’ SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN
San Antonio Botanical Garden visitors may encounter large-scale topiary-like sculptures of fantastical gures and creatures, such as a snoozing Rip Van Winkle, a dragon and a mermaid. Regular admission includes the exhibit through Oct. 29. Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; extended hours until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays through October. Free for SABG members and children age 3-under; $13-$18 for nonmembers. 555 Funston Place, San Antonio. 210-536-1400. www.sabot.org
San Antonio chain Las Palapas serves up Tex-Mex favorites including enchiladas and flautas.
COURTESY SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN
COURTESY LAS PALAPAS
ue to paint and do commissioned art. 210-474-0440. www.jphilippusart.com 11 Jiffy Lube, 15703B San Pedro Ave., Hill Country Village, is temporarily closed after sustaining damage from an April 11 fire, store representatives said. Hollywood Park Fire Department officials said flames erupted in one car parked in a service bay and quick- ly spread. No injuries were reported. Company officials have not yet said what will happen to the storefront. 210-496-2548. www.jiffylube.com. ANNIVERSARIES 12 Evolve Optimization Labs, 502 Embassy Oaks Drive, Ste. 103, San Antonio, celebrated its first anniversary FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN San Antonio-based Tex-Mex restaurant chain Las Palapas opened a Shavano Park-area location March 18 at 4083 N. Loop 1604 W., formerly a Bush’s Chicken site. Las Palapas oers a variety of Tex-Mex dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new location is currently open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and closed Sunday. www.laspalapas.com
FEATURED EVENTS
organizations, health providers, educational institutions, and other community resources, food and music. 3-9 p.m. Admission is free, but online registration is required. Crockett Park, 1300 N. Main Ave., San Antonio. https://tinyurl.com/bdzx6zxp 24 APPRECIATE NATURE Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy will present a nature walk where Joan Miller and Drake White with the Native Plant Society of Texas-San Antonio will discuss how people and wildlife can benet from native landscaping. 8-10 a.m. Free admission. Urban Ecology Center, 8400 NW Military Highway, San Antonio. 210-492-7472. www.philhardbergerpark.org 26 SEE A COCKTAIL COMPETITION Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar will host its Daq-O Cocktail Competition. Some proceeds go to benet the local Third Coast Cocktail Summit. 6-9 p.m. $25-$75. 2895 Thousand Oaks Drive, San Antonio. https://tinyurl.com/p7mdn6jx
JUNE 10 WALK WITH A DOCTOR Dr. Jessica Vazquez with Pasteur Medical Associates invites residents to enjoy a brief health talk and walk in Walker Ranch Park. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Free. 12603 West Ave., San Antonio. www.walkwithadoc.org/ join-a-walk/locations/san-antonio- texas-vazquez 10 CELEBRATE PRIDE Visit San Antonio will hold the second annual Pride River Parade and Celebration, which begins with entertainment at the Arneson River Theatre stage along the San Antonio River Walk. The parade will occur twice—4-5 p.m. in the downtown area and 7-8 p.m. along the River Walk Museum Reach. 1-8 p.m. Free. 418 Villita St., San Antonio. www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ events/pride-river-parade-celebration 17 ENJOY JUNETEENTH The public is invited to a Juneteenth block party and fair, which will include for- and nonprot
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with a May 7 community event. Evolve provides high-tech, membership-based holistic wellness services. 210-451-5511. www.evolvehumanlabs.com IN THE NEWS 13 Trilogy Pizza Bistro, 19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 113, San Antonio, turned to limited hours of operation May 11, according to owner John Gladders, who announced he is beginning semi-retirement. New hours of service are Thu. and Fri., 3-9 p.m., and Sat. and Sun., noon-9 p.m. Glad- ders added that a portion of Trilogy’s monthly sales will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank. 210-404-1818. www.trilogypizza.com
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • MAY 2023
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES San Antonio tests ‘cool’ pavement in new project This spring, city crews dropped cool pavement on 12 select roads in all 10 San Antonio City Council districts in a pilot program designed to counter rising temperatures in the hottest parts of town. Senior Sustainability Manager Murray Myers said the city crews are using products similar to typical street asphalt pavement materials, but these water-based products contain additives to reflect solar radiation. Myers said conventional dark pavements magnify urban heat island effects in areas where there is more roadway and a density of concrete structures. “‘Cool pavement’ has the added benefit of reflecting more sun and absorbing less heat. In some places, there can be a difference of 10 to 15 degrees compared with places with regular pavement,” Myers said. On San Antonio’s north side, the pilot project involved applying cool pavement in two spots in Encino Park and in one spot near Vance Jackson Road. Myers said the pilot program locations were chosen using various factors, including neighborhoods most affected by heat, pavement conditions and the city’s attempt to ensure a more equitable distribution of infrastructure improvements citywide. The $1 million pilot program is supported by the city’s
COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ
ONGOING PROJECTS
COOLING THE ROADS City of San Antonio work crews applied cool pavement on 12 roads, including three north side-area streets, as part of a pilot project.
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North US 281 expansion Phase 2 of widening of US 281 from Stone Oak Parkway to Borgfeld Drive has recently included alternating lane closures at Mountain Lodge, Borgfeld Drive and Overlook Parkway mainly for asphalt work. The overall project adds three lanes, including one high-occupancy vehicle lane in each direction. The project also features bike lanes, pedestrian upgrades, a new freeway entrance and exit ramps. Timeline: March 2019-summer 2023 Cost: $168.8 million Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation
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SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
resiliency, energy efficiency and sustainability program fund, Myers said. Higher evening temperatures lead to more energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and other harmful effects, city officials said. Myers said he and his staff will spend the next six months studying the test locations and working with The University of Texas at San Antonio researchers to evaluate the cool pavement’s potential for wider use.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MAY 3. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NSANEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from North East and Northside ISDs
COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ
HIGHLIGHTS NORTH EAST ISD &
NISD adopts District of Innovation plan NORTHSIDE ISD Trustees on April 25 approved a plan to make NISD a District of Innovation, begin its school year before the fourth Monday in August, district spokesperson Barry Perez said. NISD’s approved 2023-24 school year starts Aug. 28.
SHORING UP SAFETY Three overhead flashing beacons will be installed over the summer near Johnson High School.
NORTHSIDE ISD H-E-B honored North East and Northside ISDs at the Excellence in Education Awards on April 30 at La Cantera Resort and Spa. Honorees included Aime Charney, North East School of the Arts’ creative writing director for secondary school leadership; Pre-K Academy at West Avenue for early childhood center; and NISD for top school board in Texas. NORTH EAST ISD Johnson High School students on April 10 received BexarFest Film Festival awards for Best Storytelling, Most Creative Project, Best Still Photography and Best Portfolio. They also shared the Best Behind the Scenes Award with Reagan and Stevens high schools and Southwest Preparatory School. North East ISD will meet June 5, 12 and 19 at 5:30 p.m. 8961 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio. 210-407-0000. www.neisd.net Northside ISD will meet June 26 at 6 p.m. 5900 Evers Road, San Antonio. 210-397-8500 • www.nisd.net MEETINGS WE COVER
Key
Beacon
which district officials said gives independent school districts access to flexibilities currently available to open-enrollment charter schools. Officials added that such flexibil- ities enacted by a DOI plan would exempt NISD from state require- ments that may limit its ability to carry out innovative ideas. The school board’s approval of the five-year plan capped a five-month process involving meetings among several commit- tees, including one committee of parents, teachers, district staff, principals and other community members, officials said. Texas Education Agency is now reviewing NISD’s DOI plan. According to NISD’s DOI plan, key flexibilities and exemptions include letting Northside consider starting its school year earlier each August. Northside presently cannot
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A five-year District of Innovation plan gives Northside ISD flexibility under state rules on the following:
SOURCE: NORTH EAST ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Johnson High School gets flashing beacons NORTH EAST ISD District repre- sentatives said April 20 that the city of San Antonio and Bexar County will partner to install three sets of flashing beacons near Johnson High School. The city will pay $90,000 to the county to install the beacons which will increase safety on TPC Parkway and Bulverde Road, district spokes- person Aubrey Chancellor said.
A school year start time earlier than the fourth Monday in August Probationary contracts for newly hired teachers Campus behavior coordinator duties Educator certification requirements Teacher/administration appraisals
SOURCE: NISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
1922 Dry Creek Way San Antonio, Tx 78259
DRY CREEK WAY
281
RIDGEWOOD PKWY.
2023-2024
SONTERRA BLVD.
N
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • MAY 2023
PEOPLE Peter Sakai Bexar County judge
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
THE MAIN ISSUES Peter Sakai’s campaign for Bexar
County judge in 2022 revolved around four overarching issues, which he told Community Impact will still be a foundation for his style of governance.
Fight economic ination locally, support small businesses and create higher-paying jobs.
Peter Sakai nished his rst 100 days as Bexar County judge, the county’s top elected ocial, on April 11. A Democrat elected to a four-year term as county judge in the Nov. 8 general election, Sakai previously spent 26 years as a 225th District Court judge handling civil law cases. He focused on family law cases, including those involving child abuse and neglect. Sakai talked with Community Impact about his career and overall approach to his newest role. This article has been edited for clarity and length.
Create “rocket dockets” to expedite justice system cases, free up jail space and sentence criminals faster.
AFTER LEAVING THE JUDI CIARY, WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO RUN FOR COUNTY JUDGE? After four terms as a district court judge, I was kind of on cruise control on the political scene. I had completed what I wanted to accomplish. I did everything I could, but of course the child welfare system still has problems. When it came time to decide what I wanted to do, [former County Judge Nelson] Wol was announcing his retirement. He, his wife, Tracy, and I have always been close. I talked with Judge Wol and Tracy. and I asked him, “Are you really going to retire?” He said he was really going to retire. I said, “Well, I will want to run for your position.” I talked to my wife, Rachel, about doing this, and she gave me her full support. The only thing she told me was that if I was going to retire, I wasn’t going to just go home, and watch TV and sit on the sofa. I had to think of a path to follow. This is a whole dierent path. WHAT HAVE YOU ACHIEVED IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS? We are tackling a comprehensive Bexar County-wide organizational
WHICH OF YOUR SKILLS CARRY OVER FROM THE JUDI CIARY TO BEING THE COUN TY’S TOP ELECTED OFFICIAL? I’ll put it this way. I met with a well-known developer. I talked to them about my skill set. I told them what you see is what you get. I was a judge who developed a reputation for listening and listen- ing intently. There’s a dierence. It means you’re listening to both sides of an argument, and then you gure out who’s telling the truth or which side should prevail. I also have to have the ability to apply the rule of law, which is very big with me. There are big decisions I’ve had to make as a civil district judge, such as the [city employee] paid leave issue. You just have to be able to make a decision. HOW DO YOU ENGAGE CONSTITUENTS? I’ve met with the business com- munity; I’ve met with developers; I’ve met with the owners of the San Antonio Missions. I’ve made it very clear that I want to see a return on invest- ment. If I can see that, get an example of that, that would help.
review, adjusting the pay scale for county staers, getting millions of dollars to local school districts for mental health assistance, putting more Narcan in the hands of sheri’s deputies, adding positions for law enforcement and building a new sta lounge at the jail. YOU SAID YOU SOUGHT TO FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AS COUNTY JUDGE, BUT HOW DOES THAT AFFECT OTHER COUNTY ISSUES? I think the voters gave me an overwhelming mandate—that’s what we want, to focus on children and families. I promised I’d look at all issues that aect children and families. I look at the decisions I have to make as a county judge through an equity lens—what’s happening for our children and families? Those issues are economic development, education, workforce development, domestic violence, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health care, homelessness, and aordable housing. These are the issues I want to tackle during my time as county judge. Some of those issues are very big, but at the very least I want a discussion on them.
Improve road infrastructure, including internet utilities , to close the digital divide in underserved areas.
Shore up public health with a new county public health division, especially in unincorporated areas.
Stay in contact Physical/mailing address: 101 W. Nueva St., 10th Floor San Antonio, Texas 78205 210-335-1326 www.bexar.org/1127/ bexar-county-judge-peter-sakai Oce hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun. and county holidays County Judge Peter Sakai and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg attend a JETRO San Antonio event Feb. 7. COURTESY PETER SAKAI
THREE CONVENIENT CAMPUSES SERVING SAN ANTONIO
hello SUMMER
T F
NORTH CENTRAL: 12222 Huebner Rd. STONE OAK: 20615 Huebner Rd. DOMINION: 6185 Camp Bullis Rd.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
ELECTION RESULTS
News from Hollywood Park & San Antonio
COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ
RESULTS BREAKDOWN
San Antonio voters reject Prop A, re-elect mayor, 2 city councilors
San Antonio voters casting ballots in the May 6 elections defeated a policing-focused initiative, Proposition A, and re-elected the mayor and two north side council members, and tapped a political newcomer for a third north side council seat. In Hollywood Park’s only contested election, voters selected Dale Randol in a two- way competition for an open City Council seat. Two other Hollywood Park council incumbents ran unopposed.
Ocial Bexar County May 6 election totals showed Proposition A, a city charter amendment, being defeated with 71.6% of the vote. Proposition A sought local decrim- inalization of abortion and marijuana as well as elimination of arrests for low-level, nonviolent crimes, among other public safety measures. In a statement, Prop A organiza- tional group Act 4 SA said opponents used “misinformation and false insinuations” to motivate opponents. “We will continue to ght for the transformative change that our city needs, for true community safety and for the protection of fundamental rights for every San Antonian,” the statement said. The San Antonio Police Ocers Association, a police union that opposed Prop A, said in a statement that voters were decisive in rejecting Prop A. “We will not become another statistic; we will not tolerate criminal leniency; we will not allow our city to
crumble,” the SAPOA statement said. In a competitive race, Mayor Ron Nirenberg won a fourth and nal two- year term with 60.7% of the vote. “The work we’ve done to rally around the issues that matter the most to the community has been great, but the work isn’t done,” Nirenberg said. Two council members also each won a fourth and nal term. District 8 Council Member Manny Pelaez beat his lone opponent, Cesario Garcia, with 70.4% of the vote, and District 9 Council Member John Courage beat three foes with 62.4% of the vote. Additionally, former City Zon- ing Commissioner Marc Whyte tallied 57.8% of the vote, beating six fellow contestants to claim the open District 10 council seat. Whyte succeeds three-term incum- bent Clayton Perry, who declined a re-election bid after being arrested and receiving vehicular hit-and-run and driving while intoxicated charges in 2022.
Incumbent
Winner
SAN ANTONIO
62.46% John Courage 27.64% Jarrett Lipman 4.22% Dominique Lui 5.68% David Allan Lara CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 57.84% Marc Whyte 12.75% Joel Solis
PROPOSITION A
28.4% For 71.6% Against
MAYOR
60.73% Ron Nirenberg
21.9% Christopher Schuchardt
6.18% Gary Allen
8.44% Robert Flores 7.02% Bryan Martin
3.32% Michael Samaniego
2.96% Diana Uriegas
4.42% Margaret Sherwood 3.49% Rick Otley 6.04% Madison Gutierrez
2.27% Christopher Longoria
1.55% Ray Basaldua
0.7% Armando Dominguez 0.39% Michael Idrogo
HOLLYWOOD PARK
70.45% Manny Pelaez 29.55% Cesario Garcia CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8
Randol wins Hollywood Park council seat Dale Randol, president and CEO of the San Antonio-based IBC Insurance Agency, won the open City Council Place 3 seat with 60.3% of the vote against Shea Johnson on May 6. backers and lauded council incum- bents Chester Drash and Glenna Pearce, each of whom had no oppo- sition in winning a two-year term in the May 6 election.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3
60.37% Dale Randol 39.63% Shea Johnson
NOTE: ALL RESULTS ARE OFFICIAL. THE TOWN OF HOLLYWOOD PARK CANVASSED VOTES ON MAY 16 AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CANVASSED VOTES ON MAY 17.
SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Randol succeeds Michael Voorhies, who did not seek a second term. In a statement, Randol thanked
“Hollywood Park won today with a great slate of candidates. Thank you for the support,” Randol said.
For more election information, visit communityimpact.com .
11
NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • MAY 2023
CITY & COUNTY
News from Hollywood Park, San Antonio & Shavano Park
COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ
Bexar County Commissioners Court Meets June 6 and 20 at 9 a.m. at the Bexar County Courthouse, MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS HOLLYWOOD PARK City Council voted April 18 to revise Voigt Park swimming pool rules, allowing $600 family season pass purchasers to distribute the six provided wristbands however they want. The city previously required family season pass purchasers to distribute wristbands only to family members. The pool is open until Sept. 30.
Council renews fire, emergency services contract 10-year agreement with the San Antonio Fire Department to keep providing firefighting, paramedic and hazardous material responses in Hill Country Village. Hill Country Village’s City Council SAN ANTONIO City Coun- cil voted April 20 to renew a voted Jan. 19 to renew the agree- ment with the city of San Antonio at a yearly rate of $272,950, up from $265,000. San Antonio began providing firefighting and EMS services to Hill Country Village in summer 2011. Hill Country Village officials said they get more value from San Antonio’s inclusion of EMS services in the contract and its ability to dispatch personnel from any of three nearby San Antonio Fire Department stations.
Shavano Park implements rules for dangerous dogs SHAVANO PARK City Council on April 24 finalized strengthening city rules regarding dogs deemed danger- ous, aggressive or a public nuisance. City officials said Shavano Park previously only required dogs be leashed in public and be vaccinated, but lacked stronger regulations for aggressive or dangerous dogs. The new ordinance spells out three types of dogs—pub- lic nuisance, aggressive and dangerous—that, along with their owner or custodian, could be called an offender by police depending on their level of misbehavior. Anyone owning, keeping or controlling a dog deemed dangerous, aggressive or a public nuisance commits a Class C misdemeanor and could face a fine of $500-$2,000, depending on the severity of the case. City Manager Bill Hill said the city has had no reports of dangerous or aggressive dogs, but has had multiple com- plaints that now would be considered a public nuisance. City officials said the three-tiered structure was designed to help police categorize dogs based upon their actions, adding that reports of troublesome dogs will help build a registry and contribute to any investigations. Police Chief Gene Fox said the city was moved to bolster its loose dog rules by a February incident in San Antonio where an elderly man was killed and three other people were injured following a dog attack. Fox said there have
AIDING THE HOMELESS San Antonio and Bexar County officials said $14.6 million in new federal funds will support the following programs.
NEW RULE REGULATES DOGS An amended Shavano Park animal rule now has a three- tiered structure for regulating dogs in order of severity from lowest to highest.
Additional rental assistance programs Additional transitional housing options
More housing resources for the chronically homeless More funding for housing navigation support
More housing vouchers More capacity to manage vouchers effectively Increased street outreach funding
Public nuisance dogs, the least severe cases, are those that run loose three or more times in a year or behave in ways that bother people. Aggressive dogs are defined as dogs that commit unprovoked attacks and injure people or other animals. Dangerous dogs commit unprovoked attacks on people that cause serious injuries, which are the most severe cases.
SOURCES: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY, SOUTH ALAMO REGIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE HOMELESS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
San Antonio, Bexar County receive 47 stability vouchers, $14.6M to boost homelessness services
100 Dolorosa St., Ste. 2.01, San Antonio. 210-335-2011. www.bexar.org Hollywood Park City Council Meets June 20 at 6 p.m. at 2 Mecca Drive, Hollywood Park. 210-494-2023. www.hollywoodpark-tx.gov San Antonio City Council
SOURCE: CITY OF SHAVANO PARK/SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SAN ANTONIO The city and Bexar County secured a total of $14.6 million in grants and 47 stability vouchers from the federal government to help address local homelessness, participants of an April 17 news conference said. South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless officials said San Antonio/Bexar County was one of 29 U.S. communities to receive a total of $171.2 million in grants from
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support 115 projects to help unsheltered indi- viduals in urban and rural settings. News conference participants said Opportunity Home, San Antonio’s public housing authority, received 41 stability vouchers, and the Bexar County Housing Authority receiving six vouchers. According to HUD, stability vouchers immediately aid people experiencing or are at risk
of homelessness, or those fleeing things such as domestic violence, human trafficking or stalking. Officials with SARAH, the lead local Continuum of Care agency, said they are eager to partner with the San Antonio Hope Center, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries and Haven for Hope on initiatives affecting permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and street outreach.
been some less severe issues regarding loose dogs in Shavano Park in recent months. “I think we have a pretty extensive ordinance now,” Fox said. If a resident’s dog leaves their property and wanders around more than once but does not bother any human or other animal, Fox said city officials are willing to work with those dog owners to rectify their issue before it gets out of hand. “I think this will have a positive effect on our ability to protect our residents,” Hill said.
Meets June 1, 8 and 15 at 9 a.m. at 114 W. Commerce St., San Antonio. 210-207-7040 • www.sanantonio.gov
Shavano Park City Council Meets June 26 at 6:30 p.m. at 900 Saddletree Court, Shavano Park. 210-493-3478. www.shavanopark.org
STONE OAK 23026 US Hwy 281 N (210) 497-1322 DE ZAVALA 5219 De Zavala Rd (210) 561-0900
VINEYARD 1309 N Loop 1604 W (210) 408-8206
RECTOR 819 E Rector Dr (210) 340-2244
LEGACY 2003 N Loop 1604 E (210) 494-8600
Di erent ozones
Area pollution sources
The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes two main types of ozone: one that is benecial and one that is detrimental to people.
All other states: 39% International: 34% San Antonio: 19% Corpus Christi: 2% Houston: 2% Austin: 1% Dallas: 1% Temple/Waco: 1% Tyler/Longview: 1%
h e r i c o z o This naturally forming gas in the upper atmosphere protects the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
San Antonio’s pollution sources
l e v e l o z o
Human-made pollutants reacting with heat and sunlight create a gas that is unhealthy to breathe.
SOURCE: ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
35 years sooner than expected. “The plan we approved calls for clos- ing the Spruce I coal plant by 2028 and transitioning Spruce II to natural gas by 2027—minimizing the burden on our ratepayers,” he said. Nirenberg said the plan will add more than 4,900 megawatts of gener- ation capacity, including new wind and solar capacity and battery storage. CPS Energy has also made a push for alternative energy production by implementing programs, such as Windtricity and Casa Verde. The Windtricity program allows residential and business customers to enroll in an initiative to support the growth of wind power. In 2009, Universal City was the rst Texas city to become a Green Power Community under the EPA for using the Windtricity program and support- ing the development of wind power. The Casa Verde program aims to help low-income households reduce power consumption and has weatherized 30,000 homes since its inception. Williams said Universal City and other area cities have helped promote alternative power sources in the com- munity, encouraging solar power use to residents interested in cutting costs. Williams said the AACOG is working with other area governments to pro- mote programs that help cut pollution. “I think you will nd a lot of cities in our area are doing their best to at least try to meet the requirements and hope- fully lessen the amount of pollution we have in the air,” Williams said. Health concerns Aside from regulation, an increase in ground-level ozone can lead to other health concerns for the San Antonio area, Metro Health Program Manager Kyle Cunningham said. Con- ditions could include reduced lung
Hufstetler said. These tests will cost residents about $20 during the yearly state inspection. “And if their vehicles do not pass, then that could mean they pay more to get their vehicles in com- pliance,” he said. Meeting EPA standards The moderate designation means the area is required to comply with EPA air quality regulations by Sept. 24, 2024, or face further regulations being imple- mented. It also gives the TCEQ the reg- ulatory role to enforce the EPA’s Clean Air Act regulations. EPA requirements are measured in parts per billion, or the parts of ozone per 1 billion parts of air. Under a standard that was set in 2015, the requirement to be within attainment was decreased from 75 ppb to 70 ppb. Williams said at that time the committee was aware of the area potentially entering nonattainment. “When [the] EPA changed the parameters from 75 parts per billion to 70 [ppb], we knew we were in trouble,” Williams said. To help meet EPA standards, the AACOG is working with the Clean Cit- ies Coalition National Network—a pro- gram by the U.S. Department of Energy to promote clean fuel alternatives and raise awareness of pollution caused by idling cars—and other organizations to help inform the community. In North San Antonio, Alamo Cement Co. completed a 45-acre solar panel eld that company ocials said will help reduce the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions by 8,000 tons yearly. In the area, municipally owned CPS Energy is the largest provider for elec- tricity and energy generation. To help cut back on contributions to pollution, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the city will leave coal energy behind by 2028, which is
SOURCES: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, NASACOMMUNITY IMPACT
still the responsibility of the city, the county and local organizations to meet EPA requirements, Hufstetler said. “Our modeling only shows that really only about 20% comes from our metro area,” he said. “The other 80% we nd comes in from other parts of the coun- try and other parts of the world.” Of the roughly 20% of overall pollu- tion the area contributes, 29.7% of the contribution is from mobile sources, which include automobiles and other road vehicles; 25.2% of the contri- bution is from point sources, which are classied as factories and power plants, including coal production, Hufstetler said. With the transition to moderate non- attainment, large businesses in the area will have to meet rules to oset pro- jected emissions. “The most directly impacted will be large industries, those that have the potential to emit 100 tons a year of emissions,” Hufstetler said. “Those are the ones that feel the change most acutely from marginal to moderate.” The more severe the nonattain- ment status, the higher that oset ratio will be, which may discourage businesses from coming to the area, Hufstetler said. “For businesses in the area that have to use a technology solution to help oset their emissions, I imagine that cost will get passed down to the con- sumer,” he said. For Bexar County residents, an emis- sions inspection will be required for all cars 2-24 years old. The emissions test is required to be implemented by 2026,
CONTINUED FROM 1
the EPA requirements the best we can.” Following this fall in the area’s air quality rating, drivers and business owners are now facing new regula- tions. These include emissions testing for automobiles and stricter allowable emissions levels for businesses. Lyle Hufstetler, natural resources project administrator for the AACOG, said the increase in regulations could result in businesses being deterred from moving or expanding to the area, or could increase product costs as busi- nesses pay to meet requirements. Ozone’s importance Stratospheric ozone forms naturally in the upper atmosphere and acts as a protectant from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. But ground-level ozone is created through the two types of interactions. One is the human-made and natu- ral emissions of volatile organic com- pounds—which include petroleum fuels, paint thinners and dry clean- ing agents—and the other is nitrogen oxides interacting with heat and sun- light, such as vapors from gas and coal, the EPA website states. Hufstetler said Guadalupe, Comal, Wilson, Atascosa, Medina, Bandera and Kendall counties are “in compli- ance with the ozone standard.” “Bexar County is what is in nonat- tainment right now,” Hufstetler said. Moving to moderate Despite the 19% San Antonio con- tributes to the area’s total pollution, it’s
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