District 8 Neighborhood Alliance

Councilman A Hall "E-blast" Update 051107

A Bonnie Conner Park

Friends and Neighbors,



I am presently moving forward on an initiative to name the newest City park along Hausman Road between 1604 and Woller Road after former City Councilwoman Bonnie Conner.

This park is located on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and is attached to the John Igo Library.
The original 17 acres of this property for the development of the Park and Library was acquired in a land exchange with CPS Energy at essentially no cost in April of 2003. The corner seven acres were acquired from Ms. Van De Walle with 2003 Bond funds from the Parks and Recreation Department where the City paid above appraised value for the property. The library will consume approximately four acres of the combined 24 acre site, the remainder of the land will be used for practice sports fields and recreation areas. There will be walking trails that connect the library to the practice fields.

Councilwoman Bonnie Conner was elected to the San Antonio City Council in 1999 and re-elected in 2001, serving two, accomplishment filled, terms. During her tenure on City Council, Councilwoman Conner gained a reputation of having open communication between City Hall and District 8 neighborhoods and constituents. Councilwoman Conner was active in several community service capacities for many years prior to her City Council service. In 1996, she co-authored the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance and formed Friends of Medina River; a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving a river corridor in south San Antonio. From 1997 to 1998 she served on the City Parks and Recreation Board and Open Space Advisory Board. Councilwoman Conner has, to this day, remained passionate about Parks and Recreation and environmental issues. She is currently employed with the San Antonio Parks Foundation, a private organization dedicated to providing enhancements to the City of San Antonio’s parks system which will improve the quality of life for all its citizens. Ms. Conner is actively involved with the Friends of the Parks Foundation, Friends of Voelcker, and serves on the board of the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Bonnie Conner successfully developed the Proposition 1 and Proposition 3 initiatives which used sales tax revenues to purchase sensitive land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Prior to her career in public service, Mrs. Conner taught public school for 21 years in the Edgewood, San Antonio and Northside Independent School Districts, reflecting her dedication to the personal advancement of individuals citywide.

The entire Council will vote on this proposal this Thursday morning, May 17, 2007.



I see the park space on Hausman Road as a perfect place to honor Mrs. Conner's dedication to education, preservation of our parks and natural areas, and the protection of the Edwards Aquifer.



I would encourage the residents of District 8 to provide me with your thoughts regarding the naming of this park after Mrs. Conner. You can email my Chief of Staff Janice Pokrant at Janice.Pokrant@sanantonio.gov to voice your support or opinions on the park naming.




Councilman Art Hall with former Councilwoman Conner at the Springtime Park ribbon cutting ceremony



If I can be of any additional assistance to you on this or any other issue, please contact the District 8 Field Office at 692.0463 or the City Hall office at 207.2888.



Thank you for letting me be of service to you and our great district.






ART A. HALL

City Councilman, District 8

District 8 Announcements

District 8 Announcements:



Extreme Neighborhood Target Sweep Program applications being accepted!!

Housing & Neighborhood Services is accepting applications for participation in the Extreme Neighborhood Target Sweep Program. Attached is the FY07-08 application. Deadline for submission is June 29, 2007. Please distribute this information to neighborhood/community leaders, groups and organizations that might be interested in applying. The application may be downloaded from the City’s website at www.sanantonio.gov/nad. Joe Frank Picazo, Special Projects Coordinator, may be contacted for technical assistance at 207-2820 or by cell phone at 219-5933.

City News Releases

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5/10: City Extends Free Street Meter Parking Program for Hybrids
The City of San Antonio is continuing a program that will provide free street meter parking to owners of hybrid vehicles and help the City further its environment-friendly initiatives. City Council voted today to indefinitely extend the Hybrid Vehicle Pilot Program initiated last May by District 3 Councilman Roland Gutierrez to promote environmental awareness and provide incentives for citizens to purchase hybrids. The extension applies to 170 vehicles currently registered with the City.



4/24: Process begins for crafting City’s 2008 Budget
The City’s annual budget process is already underway. Again this year, City budget planners are soliciting input from residents and employees to help formulate a proposed balanced budget for the City’s 2008 Fiscal Year (FY) that will be presented to City Council and to the community on August 16.















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