The San Antonio Fire Department will be installing free smoke detectors in single family homes while supplies last. For a free smoke detector, call 211 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

VIA in the Community - Adopt-A-Bus Shelter

VIA has over 800 shelters throughout Bexar County. The Adopt-A-Bus-Shelter Program helps VIA provide immediate attention to maintenance concerns, graffiti removal, urgent repairs, and security issues.

VIA encourages local organizations and businesses to participate in the program by adopting a VIA shelter in their area to assist in keeping our community cleaner and safer. Click on the following link for more information www.viainfo.net/Community/AdoptaStop.aspx or call VIA's Public Affairs/Community Relations Office at 362-2370.

Thousand Oaks Library 20th Birthday Celebration

On November 17, 2007, Councilman Clamp celebrated the 20th Birthday of the Thousand Oaks Library with the library staff.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites will open city-wide on Wednesday, January 23^rd and operate until April 15th. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance available for individuals and families with an annual income of no more than $45,000 per year. Call 2-1-1 or 227-4357 for questions. The District 10 site will be the Thousand Oaks/El Sendero Branch Library, 4618 Thousand Oaks Drive. For more information on other services provided by the Department of Community Initiatives please call 207-8198 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/comminit.

Neighborhood Mini Grant Program

Neighborhood Mini Grants Program

United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County

The mini grant program is an effort to encourage the activities and ideas of neighborhoods in San Antonio and Bexar County by supporting small projects that can have a large impact. For more information visit www.unitedwaysatx.org/Pages/minigrants.html

or contact 352-7067. Application deadline is April 8, 2008.

Dear District 10 Residents & Friends,

I want to congratulate Councilman Rowe and Councilwoman Ramos in becoming the two newest council members for District 9 and District 3. I look forward to working with each of them in our service to your city.

In the next few weeks, the city will have its grand opening of the new Animal Care Services facility (February 2), councilwill receive a staff briefing on public works, and our staff will gear up for a very productive year.

As promised in the last newsletter, I would like to outline some major goals and objectives that our office will pursue this year with the help and assistance of our city staff; they include, but are not limited to:

Target additional funding sources for the San Antonio Street Endowment Fund (to address future street and infrastructure projects)
Revitalize identified areas within District 10
Expand parks and open spaces
Establish a Senior Center in the northeast quadrant of the City
Monitor street maintenance and drainage projects
Identify and implement operational efficiencies
Enhance communication between the District 10 constituency and the Council office
Develop options for the convenient disposal of Household Hazardous Waste
Ensure the Budget Process effectively addresses our city's basic services, and,
Identify proactive measures to address graffiti

Throughout the year, I will update you on the progress of our goals.

In closing, thanks to everyone for a fantastic 2007; I look forward to serving you in 2008!

Councilman

District 10

City Council News

January 10, 2008 Agenda

Acquisition of land over the aquifer and within the recharge zone

On Thursday, January 10, 2008, the San Antonio City Council approved an ordinance authorizing payment in the amount of $1,447,600.00 for title on conservation easement on one tract of land known as the "Gulley Ranch Tract" (approximately 2,251.07 acres) situated in Uvalde County Texas.

This parcel is located within the recharge zone and contains many recharge features including, fractures and fissures. Most of the property is also located outside of the flood plain and would have been suitable for rural residential development prior to the City's agreement to purchase conservation easements.

My office will also be working with the San Antonio Water System to discuss what the city can do to help preserve the aquifer through Recharge and Re-circulation efforts.

Community Link Center coming to District 10!

On Thursday, January 10, 2008 the San Antonio City Council approved the location for the newest Community Link Center in the Oak Ridge Plaza shopping center located at 11220 Perrin Beitel, Suite 112. This location allows convenient access from Loop 410 and is located within two blocks of a VIA bus route. The Center is tentatively scheduled to open in July 2008.

The Community Link Service Centers decentralize City services to residents by offering access to payments of municipal court tickets, purchase of police reports, birth/death certificates, immunization records, garage sale permits, trade permits, pet licenses and park reservations.

City Council Meeting, 1.31.08

Written Testimony Form

City Council Meeting - January 31, 2008

The next City Council meeting will be held January 31^st as a meeting is not conducted on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Do you want your voice heard but your schedule does not allow you the time to attend council meetings?

Written testimony in support of or in opposition to an agenda item may be submitted to the City Council in lieu of verbal testimony. Written testimony must be submitted by appropriate registration deadlines. Testimony forms are available in the Office of the City Clerk and at the registration desk on the day of a Council meeting. Also, the form may be located at www.sanantonio.gov/clerk/Forms/WrittenTestimony.pdf. Contact the City Clerk's office at 207-7253 with questions or for more information.

Around District 10

Several infrastructure projects have been implemented since June 1, 2007 to improve public safety. These projects include:

▪ Installation of flashing advisory beacons on Henderson Pass between Diamond Canyon and Point Oak to warn of the street's curvature and need for decreased speed.

▪ Installation of hatch striping along the bike/travel lane on Henderson Pass from Gold Canyon to Cedar Ridge to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

▪ Installation of flashing advisory beacons on Stahl Road between Hunting Valley and Front Royal to warn motorists of the sharp curve ahead.

▪ Speed hump installation on Chapala Way/Casa Alto between Thousand Oaks and Casa Oro in the Sierra North neighborhood to address residential speeding.

▪ Speed hump installation on Sunshadow from Spring Dawn to Summer Wind in the Sun Gate neighborhood to address residential speeding.

Free Landfill Disposal Day helps residents get a jump start on spring cleaning
If you are looking to dispose of brush, furniture, old appliances and other bulky items, then make plans to stop by one of four convenient locations on Saturday, February 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Landfill Disposal Day is an opportunity for residents who may not be scheduled for City brush collection service in the near future to get rid of lumber, remodeling debris, furniture, appliances, mattresses, brush, passenger car tires (limit 6), and other bulky items at no cost. This event is offered at the following drop-off location:

� TDS Starcrest Transfer Station, 11601 Starcrest Road (closest site to District 10)

For more information on Free Landfill Disposal Day and other disposal options, call 3-1-1 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/enviro/solidwaste/disposallandfill_Re.asp.

Do you know who your neighborhood San Antonio Police Department S.A.F.F.E. Officer is?

SAFFE officers are assigned to specific areas or neighborhoods within the city, and work closely with both residents and the district patrol officers also assigned to those areas. SAFFE officers establish and maintain day-to-day interaction with residents and businesses within their assigned beats, in order to prevent crimes before they happen. SAFFE officers also act as liaisons with other city agencies, work closely with schools and youth programs, coordinate graffiti-removal activities, and serve as resources to residents who wish to take back their neighborhoods from crime and decay.

San Antonio Police Department SAFFE Officers offer the following Safety Programs and Presentations

Home Security Surveys
A complete security survey of the home is conducted. The Crime Prevention Officer examines locks, doors, strike plates, and windows. Exterior and interior lighting are also examined, as well as shrubbery and fencing. Written suggestions on how to improve the security of the home are given. If the residence qualifies, the homeowner may receive a 5% discount on homeowner's insurance premium.

Crime Prevention Displays
Displays are conducted for area businesses, schools, and universities. Numerous brochures covering a large array of Crime Prevention topics are provided for the general public. Also, various exhibits of locks for the home and for automobiles are shown, as well as several examples of personal safety devices. Uniformed Crime Prevention Officers working at the displays interact with the public and answer questions.

HEAT! Program
HEAT! stands for, "Help End Auto Theft." This is a program where vehicle owners place a numbered decal on their vehicle which gives any police officer permission to stop that vehicle between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Decals are available at any of the six SAPD Substations. Please bring your vehicle registration and your vehicle to the substation to obtain the HEAT decal. There is no cost. (HEAT decals replace the ACT decals previously used within San Antonio.)

For more information regarding any of these programs please call the North S.A.F.F.E. unit at 207-8350 or contact our office and we can assist with providing you the contact information for the S.A.F.F.E. Officer assigned to your area.

Free On-Line Stolen Property Database

Protect yourself and your valuables:

Search the global database to make sure you are not buying stolen goods

Be Proactive - register your valuables online to keep them safe.

http://www.mythings.com/Partners/SanAntonioPolice/SanAntonioPolice.aspx

GRAFFITI - Remember the 4 R's of Graffiti

▪ Read It

▪ Record It

▪ Report It

▪ Remove It

It is important to notify your SAFFE officer of any graffiti in your neighborhood so he or she can record it for identification and future prosecution.

The following telephone numbers may be utilized to request graffiti removal:

City infrastructure such as drainage channels, etc. - 311.

AT&T infrastructure such as cabinets, huts, etc. - 1-800-246-8464.

Clear Channel billboards - 227-3451.

CPS Energy equipment such as green electrical boxes, etc. - 353-2222.

Grande Communications - 320-4000.

San Antonio Water System water tanks, buildings, etc. - 704-7297.

Time Warner such as boxes, pedestals, etc. - 244-0500.

VIA Metropolitan Transit such as bus shelters, benches, etc. - 362-2020.

Please assist us in keeping the area "graffiti free."

Upcoming City Holidays

Martin Luther King, Monday - January 21, 2008

Garbage, recyclables and brush will not be collected on Monday, January 21, while City Hall and most municipal offices will be closed to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Residents who receive manual garbage collection will receive service on their next scheduled collection day, Thursday, January 24. However, residents who are on the new two-cart automated garbage and recyclables collection will receive service on a sliding schedule as follows: If your automated garbage collection is on Monday, you will receive service on Tuesday; if your automated garbage collection is on Tuesday, you will receive service on Wednesday.

In addition, residents with the 18-gallon City-issued green recycling bin whose recyclables service day falls on a Monday will receive service on Tuesday, January 22; if your recyclable collection date falls on Tuesday, you will receive service on Wednesday, January 23. Customers are reminded to place their items out for collection no later than 7:00 a.m. to avoid a missed collection.

Other City services will operate as follows:

Central Library and all branch libraries will be closed.
Downtown visitors will enjoy a parking meter holiday.
Municipal Court, 401 S. Frio, will be closed.
Animal Care Services lobby and adoption center will be closed.
Las Palmas and Valley View Community Link Service Centers will be closed.
South Park Mall Community Link Service Center will be open.
All municipal golf courses and facilities will be open.
Bitters Brush Recycling Center, 1800 Bitters Road, will be open.
Dead animal collection crews, animal care officers, and police, fire and EMS personnel will be on duty as usual.

President's Day- Monday, February 18, 2008

There will be manual garbage and recycling collection and automated garbage collection on Monday, February 18, 2008.

Time to start planning - National Night Out 2008 - 25^th Anniversary

It is never too early to start planning for National Night Out which will culminate on Tuesday, August 5, 2008.

National Night Out is an annual event designed to strengthen our neighborhoods through police-community partnerships. The goal is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, build support and participation in local anti-crime programs and, most importantly, send a message to criminals that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

In an attempt to address the growing heat concerns in August, NNO will experiment with a September 15^th date in 2009. Immediately after the 2009 event, coordinators will be asked to comment on their experience with the trial date.

San Antonio Police Department - www.sanantonio.gov/sapd

National Association of Town Watch - www.natw.org

Events and Meetings

MLK March

Monday, January 21^st - begins at 10:00 a.m. at the MLK Freedom Bridge, 3503 MLK Drive

The largest U. S. march aimed at remembering and continuing Dr. King's legacy. The March starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Eastside Boys & Girls Club/MLK Freedom Bridge, 3500 MLK Drive

For more information, call 207-7278 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/mlk.

5^th Annual Arbor Day celebration

Saturday, January 26^th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

San Pedro Park, 1315 San Pedro Avenue

Free trees to the first 250 people who take a brief tree education class. Tree leaf bingo. Tree trimming demonstration at 11:00 a.m.

For more information call 353-2090 or visit www.AlamoForestPartnership.org.

Houston Street Fair & Market - Wild West Experience

Saturday, January 26^th from 12 Noon to 6:00 p.m.

Downtown San Antonio

Free parking at St. Mary's Parking Garage

For more information call 207-7258 or visit www.houstonstreetfair.com.

"Arte de Mi Amor" (Art of My Love) Art Exhibit and Opening Reception

Saturday, February 2^nd from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Central Library Gallery, 600 Soledad

Featuring work by San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department art students.

For more information call 207-3032.

San Antonio Audubon Club

Thursday, February 7th at 7:00 p.m.

Lion's Field Community Center, 2809 Broadway

For more information call 308-6788 or visit www.saaudubon.org

Tobin at Oakwell Branch Library Book Sale

Saturday, February 16^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tobin Library at Oakwell, 4134 Harry Wurzbach

For more information call 828-2569.

Julia Yates Semmes Branch Library Book Sale

Saturday, March 1^st - time to be determined

Semmes Branch Library, 15060 Judson Road

For more information call 650-9540.

Basura Bash 2008

Saturday, March 8^th - registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with clean up from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon

Location - to be determined

For more information contact Keep San Antonio Beautiful, 207-6460.

FY 2007-2008 Cellular On Patrol Class Schedule

The C.O.P. training class requires a 4 hour one time session with an optional police ride along. Unless otherwise noted, all weekday classes will start at 6:00 p.m. and all Saturday classes will start at 9:00 a.m. Classes are held at the North Police Substation, 13030 Jones Maltsberger. For questions or for more information contact Officer James MacDonald at 207-8350 office, 394-0626 cell, email - james.mcdonald@sanantonio.gov

PLEASE NOTE - SEVERAL DATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED - HIGHLIGHTED IN BOLD.

Saturday, February 16^th

Tuesday, March 4^th

Saturday, April 5^th

Tuesday, May 13^th

Saturday, June 7^th

Tuesday, July 8^th

Saturday, August 2^nd

Tuesday, September 9th

Saturday, October 4th.