Government
BY PARKS KUGLE
Bexar County institutes burn ban The Bexar County Commissioners Court approved a ban on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county Oct. 29. What you need to know Due to extremely dry conditions and critical fire weather conditions, a burn ban has been instituted for 90 days, or until either the Commissioners Court or the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s office determines the hazard no longer exists. Under the ban, private residences in unin- corporated areas of the county are restricted to burning household waste only if no trash collection services are available. Animal control changes proposed in San Antonio San Antonio interim Animal Care Services direc- tor Michael Shannon recommended changes to create additional safety measures regarding loose and roaming animals throughout the city Oct. 15. Long story short A series of measures were proposed during the meeting, such as increasing fines for repeat offend- ers, sterilization of pets found free of restraint, and implementation of a pseudonym program to protect the identity of people filing dangerous dog affidavits. According to a study conducted by ACS in 2019, the city has nearly 34,000 loose and roaming dogs in the streets at any given time. Of those dogs, 87.2% and 96.5% have owners. Addi- tionally, the San Antonio Animal Care Services 2023 Strategic Plan noted that only 30% of owned animals in San Antonio are sterilized. “This is a people problem, not a dog problem,
Shavano Park sign plan approved Shavano Park City Council approved the final reading of the plan to allow limited digital billboard signage along Loop 1604 during its Oct. 28 meeting. The overview Known as the Loop 1604 Urban Sign Corridor Plan, the ordinance allows city officials to negotiate with prospective bidders to construct three digital billboards within the Loop 1604 corridor. City Manager Bill Hill said city attorneys have been working with the landlord Rogers Chevron Ranch on the terms of the lease. “The lease is a draft and the agreement has been signed by the landlord’s represen- tative Bitterblue Group. [The agreement is] awaiting consideration from the City Council,” Hill said.
Loose pets Current fines Proposed fines
$100 $200 $300
$100 $500 $750
First offense
Second offense
Third offense
Bite cases
— — —
$1,000 $1,500 $2,000
First offense
Second offense
Third offense
NOTE: MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PROPOSED CHANGES.
SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
that we’ve let persist in the city for too long. I understand that fines are harsh, but so are the consequences of not doing anything,” said Marina Alderete Gavito, District 7 council member. Stay tuned The proposal will be reviewed by the San Anto- nio Animal Care Advisory Board and if approved, will be brought to the San Antonio City Council for full adoption in December.
Zero-interest small-business loans now available The city of San Antonio, in partnership with the nonprofit organization LiftFund, is providing 0% interest rate loans for small-business owners. The gist
Funding small businesses LiftFund has specific criteria for applicants to be able qualify for the program, including: • A personal credit score check to measure reliability • The ability to pay back the loan • Details on what has been invested or what will be invested into the company • Collateral of comparable value to the loan, such as equipment and vehicles with clear titles • The ability to explain what the loan will be used for
The Zero Percent Interest Rate Loan Program offers flexible small-business loans of $500 to $100,000 at 0% interest, and is designed for small-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who are either based in San Antonio or intend to relocate to the city. Businesses intending to hire at least one full-time position in the next 12 months are also able to apply. Alma Valdez Brown, LiftFund senior business development officer, said the loans are for busi- ness owners who do not have access to loans and credit through commercial sources like a bank. Caitlin Cowart, San Antonio economic devel- opment manager for small business, said the City Council has earmarked $2 million over the next two years for 0% interest loan buydown, and Wells Fargo has supplemented the program with matching funds. “We know that access to capital is one of the greatest needs for small-business owners,” Cowart said.
SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Funds may be used for: • Business growth and expansion • Startup expenses • Equipment and machinery • Inventory • Payroll • Working capital for business-related expenses Next steps Applicants can apply for the program online and must be ready to provide documentation based on the loan amount.
Recent brush fires in Bexar County: 51 brush-related fires in September 78 brush-related fires from Oct. 1-28 For more information on wildfire risk and outdoor burning guidelines, visit www.bexar.org/fmo .
SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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