Leon Valley ENews

March 9, 2012

Upcoming City Council MeetingsThe next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 20, 2012.Agendas are normally posted by the Thursday evening preceding the Tuesday CityCouncil Meeting.

See the agenda and agenda packet for details on the City Council business to beconducted on our new City website at www.leonvalleytexas.gov. The agenda is alsoposted on the City’s official bulletin board outside the front City Hall doors.

All City Council meetings are open to the public. The public is cordially invited to attendand participate.

City Welcomes New Economic Development DirectorThe City of Leon Valley’s newly hired Economic Development Director, Ms.Claudia Mora, reported for work on Tuesday, March 6. Ms. Mora wasformally introduced to the Leon Valley City Council and the Leon ValleyEconomic Development Corporation Board of Directors during a SpecialJoint Meeting held on Tuesday, March 6 preceding the Regular CityCouncil Meeting.

Ms. Mora in her opening remarks to the City Council and the LVEDC Board, “…Economic Development takes a long time and it takes an entire team working togetherto make it happen…”

Ms. Mora was selected for the Director of Economic Development position after asubstantial hiring process. A San Antonio native, she comes to Leon Valley with nineyears of experience in economic development with the City of San Antonio. She servedas San Antonio’s Economic Development Manager for business recruitment and wasthe City’s staff liaison to the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. While inSan Antonio, she helped identify business incentives programs throughout the UnitedStates that were transferred and used in San Antonio.

Most recently, Ms. Mora has worked in the private sector as a Tax Manager for ErnstYoung and a Lead Tax accountant for AT&T services. Her education includes aBachelor’s degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s University and a Master’s inUrban Studies from Trinity University. She received her Economic DeveloperCertification (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council in 2005.

Mora is excited to become part of the Leon Valley community and help the City inachieving new found success in the Economic Development arena. Ms. Mora’s office islocated at the Leon Valley City Hall at 6400 El Verde Road. Ms. Mora’s email addressis: c.mora@leonvalleytexas.gov. Her telephone number is 210 – 684-1391, Extension235.

City Launches New WebsiteThe City of Leon Valley launched its new website with a completely new web presenceon Monday, March 5. Please note that this continues as a work in-progress. Wecontinue to migrate information from our former website and appreciate your patienceas we do so. We appreciate any comments for improvement. Sign-up for our Twitter

and Facebook from the City’s website on the home page, see the Connectwith Us section at thebottom of the page.www.leonvalleytexas.gov

Bond Election Called for Public Safety & SupportFacilityThe City Council at a Special Called City Council Meeting held on Monday, February27, 2012, called a Special Bond Election to be held on the next uniform election date ofMay 12, 2012, to allow the qualified voters of the City of Leon Valley to consider thefollowing proposition:

“Shall the City Council of the City of Leon Valley, Texas be authorized to issue and sellone or more series of general obligation bonds of the City in the aggregate principalamount of not more than $7,000,000 for the purpose of making permanent publicimprovements or other public purposes, to wit: designing, acquiring, constructing,improving, renovating, demolishing, expanding, and equipping a Public Safety andSupport Services Complex to house police, fire, municipal court, and City administrationservice departments, and expenses incidental and necessary to the foregoing (includingnecessary utility relocation, acquisition of easements, rights-of-way, and other realproperty interests, landscaping, and streetscape modification and improvements), suchbonds to mature serially or otherwise in accordance with law; and any issue or series ofsaid bonds to bear interest at such rate or rates (fixed, floating, variable or otherwise) asmay be determined within the discretion of the City Council, provided that such rate ofinterest shall not exceed the maximum rate per annum authorized by law at the time ofthe issuance of any issue or series of said bonds; and shall the City Council of the City beauthorized to levy and pledge, and cause to be assessed and collected, annual ad valoremtaxes, within the limitations prescribed by law, on all taxable property in said Citysufficient to pay the annual interest and provide a sinking fund to pay the bonds atmaturity and the cost of any credit agreements executed in connection with the bonds?”

Leon Valley residents may expect to see an voter informational flyer soon.

Bond Election Initiative HistoryThe City Council appointed an ad-hoc committee, the Capital Facilities Committee, inJune of 2011. The Committee is composed of community volunteers Olen Yarnell(committee chair), Mike Davis Jr., Pedro Esquivel and Al Uvietta, LV Fire Chief, StanIrwin, LV Police Chief, Randall Wallace, LV City Manager, Manny Longoria, Mayor ProTem Jack Dean and Council Member Kathy Hill.

The Committee was tasked with assessing the City’s capital facility needs for the City ofLeon Valley based on feedback from the City Council’s January 2011 Town HallMeeting. Following a series of meetings by the Capital Facilities Committee, at the rateof approximately two meetings per month, and trips to tour local public safety facilities,the Committee working with Alamo Architects, issued the Capital Facilities NeedsAssessment Report on the Proposed Public Safety & Support Service Facility.

The City Council initially previewed the Assessment Report and Proposed MunicipalFacilities recommendations at its Town Hall Meeting on January 28, 2012. The CityCouncil then conducted a series of three public workshops to receive citizen input onthe Capital Facilities Needs Assessment Report and Proposed Public Safety & SupportService Facility. Citizens were issued postcard invitations through the mail informingthem of the opportunity to give public input. Additionally, information about theAssessment Report was posted to the City’s website at www.leonvalleytexas.gov. Onapproximately, a weekly basis, information was also disseminated using the City’sweekly ENews which is delivered to subscribers of the City’s weekly news and events,by electronic mail. The weekly ENews is also posted to the City’s website for non-subscribers to avail themselves of the City’s news and events.

The first public workshop was conducted on February 7, 2012 during the City Council’sRegular Meeting. The second public workshop was conducted on February 15, 2012during a Special City Council Meeting conducted specifically for that purpose. The thirdpublic workshop was conducted on February 21, 2012 during the City Council‘s RegularMeeting. Ancillary to the Committee’s work have been a series of Open House Toursconducted on February 11, and February 25, and scheduled for March 24, and April 28,in order to educate the public on the growth of the City’s public safety servicesoperations.

Starting with the Town Hall Meeting, on January 28, 2012, citizens have had anopportunity to participate in a survey prepared to gauge community interest in a BondElection related to Proposed Public Safety & Support Facility.

The City Council heard presentations by its financial advisors, First Southwest, at itsSpecial City Council Meeting on February 15, and its Regular City Council Meeting onFebruary 21, regarding current market conditions related to what could be anticipatedwith the issuance of bonds, if the Bond Election is called and the voters pass theProposition. The City Council at its Regular City Council Meeting on February 21, alsoheard a presentation by its bond counsel, Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P., regarding thelegal requirements related to the conduct of a Special Bond Election, and how the salesof the actual series of bonds would proceed, if authorized by the qualified voters of theCity of Leon Valley.

The City Council having had the benefit of receiving public input up to and includingupdated information on Monday, February 27, 2012, considered and took action by aunanimous vote on Ordinance No. 12-002, calling a Special Bond Election to considerthe Proposition of issuing and selling one or more series of general obligation bonds inthe aggregate principal amount of not more than $7,000,000 for the purpose of makingpermanent public improvements related to a Public Safety and Support ServicesComplex to house police, fire, municipal court, and City administration servicedepartments.

May 12, 2012 General & Special Bond ElectionInformationThe City Council at a Special Called City Council Meeting held onMonday, February 27, 2012, called the General Election for Election ofthe following City Council Places; Mayor, Place 2, and Place 4. TheCity Council also called a Special Bond Election to be held on the nextuniform election date of May 12, 2012, to allow the qualified voters of

the City of Leon Valley to consider issuing $7 million in bonds for public improvements.

City Council General Election Slate of Candidates SetThe period for signing up to run for City Council ended Monday,March 5 at 5 p.m. The deadline for withdrawal ended on Thursday,March 8, with no changes to the slate of candidates.

The following offices are up for election on the May 12, 2012 GeneralElection Ballot: Mayor, Council Place 2, and Council Place 4.

Voters may expect to see the names of the candidates in the following order on theballot based on the drawing to determine the order of the names:

For Mayor:Robert Stanley Litoff

Chris Riley

For Council Place 2:Arthur “Art” Reyna, Jr.

For Council Place 4:Jack Dean

Al Baldridge

Voter Registrations Due at Bexar County Voter Registrar’sOffice on Thursday, April 12th by 5 p.m.April 12th is the last day for submitting voter registration applications in timeto vote in the May 12th General and Bond Election or for requesting transferof registration in time to vote in new precinct (not in the same county and

territory).

Voter registration information is found at:http://elections.bexar.org/Registration/registration.html. Please note that anyapplications or changes have to be at the Voter Registrar’s office by their close-of-business at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.

Meet the Candidates ForumAs there are contested races in the May 12, 2012 GeneralElection, there will be a Meet the Leon Valley CandidatesForum, Thursday, April 26th at 7 p.m. at the Leon ValleyConference Center, 6427 Evers Road, Leon Valley, 78238.

The League of Women Voters conducts the Forum. The event

is held in order to give Leon Valley voters an opportunity to meet candidates incontested races and to provide the public with information about the candidates, issuesof concern, and responses of the candidates to questions posed by the public and theLeague moderator. Questions may be submitted in advance to the Moderator in care ofthe Leon Valley Public Library. A limited number of questions are taken from theaudience the night of the event. Candidates will have an opportunity to make a brief (4to 5 minutes) introductory statement, respond to each question posed in rotating orderand to make a brief (4 to 5 minutes) closing statement. In the interest of covering asmany topics as possible, candidate statements and responses will be timed and limitedby the League Moderator.

Candidates in non-contested races are allowed to make a brief (4 to 5 minutes)introductory statement only. This is due to the League of Women Voters’ policy.

Other City Board, Committee, and Commission-affiliatedMeetings & Community Interest EventsThe City’s Park Commission MeetingThe City of Leon Valley Park Commission Meeting is posted for Monday, March 12 at 7p.m. at the City Council Chambers located at City Hall, 6400 El Verde Road, LeonValley, 78238.

BOMA MeetingThe Leon Valley Business Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) is posted tomeet on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 1 p.m. in the Leon Valley City Hall ConferenceRoom, 6400 El Verde Road, Leon Valley, 78238.

The City’s Earthwise Living Committee MeetingThe Earthwise Living Committee Meeting is posted for Tuesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. atthe Leon Valley Public Works Facility located at 6427 Evers Road, Leon Valley, 78240.

Next CAG Meeting Date Re-scheduledAlthough the meeting agenda for the next Bandera Road Site Citizens Advisory Groupmeeting has not been posted yet, we have been asked to inform you the planned April19th meeting has been moved to April 12. The re-scheduling is due to EPA RemedialProject Manager Chris Villarreal having a conflict in his schedule. The meeting will beheld at the Leon Valley Conference Center, 6421 Evers Road, Leon Valley, 78238,starting at 5:30 p.m. Watch the City’s website for the agenda posting.

We thank you for supporting our MPO ProjectPlease connect to link below and vote for the Leon Valley Huebner Creek Greenwayproject! Your support could be the key to the City of Leon Valley receiving grant funds!

To activate the link, hold the control key when you click the link.http://www.sametroplan.org/book/MPObudgetgame.html

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES ~

Spring Forward, Fall Back is the often-used phrase toremind people in which direction to turn their clocks when DaylightSaving Time begins or ends. Sunday, March 11th is the date to turnyour clocks forward one hour. It is suggested that clocks be moved

forward one hour on Saturday night before going to bed.

FOREST OAKS GARDEN CLUB6222 Forest Grove (FOCA Clubhouse)Leon Valley, Texas 78240Thursday, March 15, 2012

8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Please come support this local club in continuing programming aboutgardening in all its branches and help to foster civic pride in our community.

A lion by any other name…Last week, it was reported here that the upcoming Los Leones Student ArtsFestival is the 17th Annual Event; it is actually the 16th Annual Event becausethe Northside School District uses school calendar years to determine dates.Since the event was moved to this Spring based on availability of City facilities,

Public Safety and Support ServicesOpen House

In anticipation of a plan to expand and renovate the Leon Valley Police,Fire/EMS and support facilities, the City of Leon Valley would like to extend aninvitation to attend an open house of the municipal facilities located at 6400 El

Verde Road.

Open House Tours will be conducted on the following Saturdays:March 24, and April 28, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

this year’s event is actually the 16th Annual Los Leones Student Arts Festival.

When the Leon Valley ENews was published, we could not get confirmation of thecorrect event year. Since, speaking with the Northside Independent School DistrictPartnership Office, we have confirmed a couple of changes to be noted here:

It is the 16th Annual Los Leones Student Arts Festival and the Awards Ceremony takesplace at 9:30 a.m.

The event is on Saturday, March 31st from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

16th Annual Los Leones Student Arts FestivalSaturday, March 31st 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Awards Ceremony at 9:30 a.m.Leon Valley Community & Conference Centers

6427 Evers Road. See related story on last page.

Next Quarterly Walk with the MayorSaturday, April 7th at 8:30 a.m., Meet at Tellezlocated at 6501 Bandera RoadThe walk will wind through Seneca Estates (Seneca I).

Wear your best walking shoes and walk and talk with Mayor Chris Riley.

Pet Vaccination ClinicSaturday, April 14th, 10 a.m. – NoonLeon Valley Conference Center, 6421 Evers Road,Leon Valley, 78238. For more information, please call AnimalControl Officer Ricky Williams at (210) 684-1391, extension 229.

Spring Clean-Up Week Dates Changed!The City of Leon Valley had previously announced the Spring Clean-up / Brush pickupas being scheduled for April 23 through May 4.

Please note that those dates are being changed due to scheduling conflicts with thebeginning of the Street Maintenance Sales & Use Tax work plan. The new dates are:March 26 through April 6. You can start setting out items on March 19.Collection starts on March 26. Please see the flyer in the attachements.

Please do not set out items too early or you will receive a visit from CodeCompliance! If you still have items that may be of use to someone else, pleasecall the Salvation Army at 1-800-SA-Truck or the Goodwill of San Antonio at 210924-8581 or any other organiztion of your choice that accepts donations.

Also important to remember is that our residents are limited to eight cubic yards ofmaterial to be disposed of. This represents a pile six foot high, six foot wide, and sixfoot deep. The Fall Clean-Up is scheduled for September 10 through September 21.

Pet Parade, Saturday, May 19th10 a.m.to 12 Noon at the

Leon Valley Conference Center Grounds, 6421 Evers Road, LeonValley, 78238. Bring your pet and join the parade.

Taste of Leon Valley set for May 20See the event’s new logo pictured above. For more information or to purchase a booth,call the City’s Community Development Department at 210 – 684-1391, Extension 226.

The Leon Valley Public LibraryThe Leon Valley Public Library is still the best value intown for free information, free resources of varyingkinds, and free family entertainment.

Chess Night: The Librarian is currently seeking chess

You Are Cordially Invited toa Taste of Leon Valley

Sunday, May 20th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.Leon Valley Community & Conference Centers6421 & 6427 Evers Road, Leon Valley, Texas,

78238

You Are Cordially Invited toa Taste of Leon Valley

Sunday, May 20th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.Leon Valley Community & Conference Centers6421 & 6427 Evers Road, Leon Valley, Texas,

78238

players who would like to meet for a weekly or monthly chess night.Volunteers to teach chess are also being sought. Email the Librarianexpressing your interest or with your offer to teach on a voluntary basis.

For more information on the latest events at the City’s Public Library, seetheir website: http://www.leonvalley.lib.tx.us. Watch their website forupdates on upcoming events.

Leon Valley Farmers MarketWith Spring around the corner, don’t forget to stop and shop atour local Farmer’s Market, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. whichhappens each Wednesday on the parking lot next the LeonValley Public Library, 6425 Evers Road, Leon Valley, 78238.

Next Prescription Drug CollectionDuring the recent highly successful 23rd Anniversary Earthwise Living Day Event, Dr.Georgia Zannaras, was approached by a number of individuals requesting informationon when the next date will be to drop off leftover prescription drugs. Police ChiefRandall Wallace reports those dates as April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the U.S.Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Take Back Initiative for Prescription Drugs.

LEON VALLEY SELECTED AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2012 AIRQUALITY STEWARDSHIP AWARDThe Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) selected the City of Leon Valley asthe recipient of the 2012 Air Quality Stewardship Award in the Government category.The Award is extended in honor of the City of Leon Valley’s various voluntary actions toimprove air quality and the natural environment in general.

TOWER CLIMB AND RUN – THESTORY BEHIND THE PICTURE…Five City of Leon Valley Firefightersparticipated in this year’s Tower Climb andRun. They traveled only about a third of amile during the event. But they climbed 952steps (58 stories) from the base of the Towerof the Americas in HemisFair Park to the top.

The event benefited the Lone Star Chapter of the Cystic FibrosisFoundation. Our five firefighters raised $425 which does not include theregistration fee paid per person. Participants were required to raise at least$50. We’re proud of you!

Leon Valley Firefighters who participated: Luis Valdez, Will Ripps, KoryPaulini, Rick Lopez, and Andy Patterson.

Los LeonesEach year, student artists, aged from 4 years to 18 years, exhibit and selltheir work as well as limited edition prints at the Annual Los LeonesStudent Art Festival. This is part of a wonderful partnership betweenNorthside Independent School District and the City of Leon Valley.

The free festival, conducted indoors and outdoors, at the Leon Valley Community &Conference Centers, includes dance, choral performances, hands-on art activities, food,sidewalk chalk art, and professional artist demonstrations.

Each year, the event, inspired by former Leon Valley Mayor Marcy Meffert, attractsthousands to the Festival. Los Leones (“The Lions” in Spanish) teaches students about“the business of art,” while also working to establish an active arts community.

All Northside Independent School District high schools, middle schools, and elementaryschools participate in Los Leones. Each year, several thousand pieces of qualitystudent artwork are placed on display.

Admission is free. There is also free shuttle bus service continuously available to andfrom parking at Leon Valley Elementary School, located at 7111 Huebner Road, from 8a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This year’s event is scheduled on Saturday, March 31st from 8:30a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that the Awards Ceremony takes place at 9:30 a.m.

Spring Clean-up Week

March 19 ~ March 25, 2012

Prst. Std.U.S.Postage

PAIDPermit #357

San Antonio, TX

6400 EL VERDE ROAD • LEON VALLEY, TX 78238T E X A SLEON VALLEY★

Spring Clean-up Week • MarCH 19 ~ MarCH 25, 2012Waste Management will pick up all your bulky items such as old furniture, water heaters, appliances and brush.

Collection begins on March 26, 2012 at 7:00 a.m. Collection vehicles will pass down each street only once and will proceed until the entire

City has been collected. All commercial tree trimmers will be required to haul away all trimmings.

Thanks! Together, we can keep leon Valley clean! For information, contact Public Works, 681-1232, or Waste Management, 1-800-800-5804.

Do limit amount to be picked up to 8 cubic yards - (6ft. x 6ft. x 6ft.).Do place bulky waste items in an area clear of obstacles, away from fences, fire hydrants or gas and water heaters.

Do place discarded items and brush at your normal pick-up location(s).

Do stack brush with the butt ends pointing in the same di-rection and notify all commercial landscapers that brush must be hauled away and not placed at the curb.

Do have Freon properly removed and disposed from re-frigerators and air conditioners and properly tagged by a qualified Freon disposal technician.

Don’t mix scrap iron, wire or any other metal objects with brush and shrubbery.

Don’t put out commercial or industrial waste, construction material, tires, batteries, oil, paint, or other household hazardous waste. These items will not be picked up.

Don’t place discarded items on vacant lots or commercial establishments.

Don’t place discarded items under low hanging tree limbs.Don’t consolidate piles with neighbors.Don’t wait until March 26th to put your items out for collection. You could miss the collection for your street.

DON’TDOSimple guidelines that will help you prepare for a safe and successful clean-up.