Highland Park Neighborhood Association

July 2003 edition

Jul 29, 2003

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Fight crime in the Highlands!
Cellular on Patrol Class
Saturday, July 12
9:00 a.m. ?– 5:00 p.m.

More than 30 of your neighbors have agreed to participate, so don?’t be the one who doesn?’t attend!
The purpose of the Cellular on Patrol (COP) program is to prepare citizens to be the ?“eyes and ears?” of the police and to promote closer cooperation between residents and the city agencies that exist to serve them. The training programs consist of eight hours of classroom training and the opportunity for up to eight hours of ride-along with a district patrol officer.
COP class content includes:
* recognizing suspicious activities * using wireless phones
* taking descriptions and calling the police * setting up COP patrols
* crime prevention * testifying in court
* working with Code Compliance and other agencies * COP volunteer rules and agreement

St. Stephen?’s Episcopal Church
3726 New Braunfels Ave South, at Ada Street

8:45 a.m. Class kicks off with reception for new McCreless Library manager!
During the breaks, we will learn about:
► what H.E.B. plans for McCreless Mall
► how San Antonio Water System will replace the older main lines in our area
► what?’s going on at Kelly USA
► how we can get custom-designed bus schedules for VIA?’s new routes

Lunch provided by Subway restaurant on Southcross.
Snacks and beverages donated by Sheila Folschinsky.
Sign up now! Contact Leo Rahmgren at (210) 534-2425.


Compute with your Board of Directors!
Sunday, July 20, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Palo Alto College
Ozuna Learning Resources Center, room 104

3-4 p.m.
Learn how to visit the Highland Park website.
Learn about Palo Alto College?’s unique programs.
Tour the Ozuna library and computer lab.
Learn about free tuition for ages 65+ at all ACCD campuses.

4-5 p.m.
Board will meet with Parks and Recreation staff and make final decision on whether and how many picnic tables to donate to Highland Park. If you have an opinion, please come share it! Board also voted to finalize its expenditure policy during this meeting. All members are welcome!
Volunteers needed! Computer-literate members, please come help those who aren?’t! Refreshments provided.
To carpool or to volunteer your web skills to assist, contact Rachel Cywinski at racywins@yahoo.com.


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CLEAN-UP AND CODE COMPLIANCE
By Gaynell Smith, Highlands Alliance leader of Neighborhood Appearance and Character team
In order to attract better businesses and more people to the south side of town, we must show more pride in the appearance and safety of our neighborhoods. This will take the cooperation of all the people, not just a few. As part of this effort, the Highlands Alliance is sponsoring City Code education and will be spearheading enforcement in our area, and invite other neighborhood associations to do the same. We will be publishing information on two city codes each month. Please make an effort to rid your neighborhoods of violations of these codes. Report violations to the Department of Code Compliance by calling 311. You may also log on to www.sanantonio.gov/codecomp/.
This month, we will highlight two more of the major problems: poorly maintained vacant lots, and signs that were posted in violation of the law.
Allowing weeds and vegetation to grow in excess of 12 inches in height is a violation of City ordinance. Failure to keep your lot clean and mowed could result in a fine of $2,000.00 with an administrative fee of $150.00. This applies to the alley adjacent to the property.

The City Code states that there shall be NO posting of signs on utility poles, streetlight poles, fences, trees, or other manmade or natural features. The means NO signs for garage sales, lost dogs, items for sale, etc. can be legally posted on any of these structures.
Garage sale signs can be placed within your own property where the garage sale is occurring, after you have obtained the garage sale permit for the correct date and location. Signs cannot be posted on any other private property even with permission of the property owner. Failure to remove your signs could result in the issuance of a citation that will result in a court case filed in Municipal Court. If found guilty, the court can assess up to a maximum fine of $500.00 for EACH AND EVERY LOCATION found in violation.
Permits may be obtained for ?“temporary weekend signs?” by paying an annual fee of $50.00 for each advertised location and $1.00 for a decal which must be placed on the front of each sign. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Signs shall not exceed 24 inches by 32 inches in size and must comply with other regulations. Temporary signs with permits may be in place only Friday through the following Monday.

Any sign placed in violation of the provisions of these sections of the City Ordinance can be declared a nuisance to the public health, safety and welfare; and may be confiscated. You may apply for a permit at Development Services Department/Sign Section of the City of San Antonio.
All right, south side residents, join with us to improve our neighborhoods and show Toyota and other companies that we take pride in our communities.

For more information about the Highlands Alliance committee, contact Gaynell Smith at(210) 333-4563 or mrsblacksmith@aol.com.


SIGN UP TO BE A CODE COMPLIANCE ZONE CAPTAIN!
Each month you will let our own Code Compliance Volunteer Coordinator know about any dangerous conditions in your zone.
Call Patrick Sandoval at (210) 533-1726 to volunteer!

To report illegally-posted signs: 207-8289


Code Compliance update
on major problems
from Rachel Cywinski
The Auto/ A/C ?“temporary weekend signs?” permit for Ernest Auto Repairs-N-A/C has been revoked because the permits show the business operating in a residence on Bailey Avenue since 2001. Residential zoning does not allow auto repair businesses.

The house at 135 Waleetka was processed through the ?“dangerous structures?” procedures and was ordered to be demolished. Code Compliance issued a demolition order June 30.

Construction without building permits on Hampshire (new house) and Rigsby (additions) is being investigated by Development Services. The case numbers are 26015 and 26016, respectively. We have asked Councilman Segovia?’s District 3 staff to keep us informed.

The ?“24 hour bail bond?” business attempting to open in a residence on Hicks will be inspected by Code Compliance after the structure is repaired. District 3 Code Compliance Supervisor Denise Hastings states that bail bonds is an allowable ?“home occupation?” in the City Code, and that Code Compliance inspectors will inspect to be sure the business is operating under these restrictions:
* Building must be primary residence of the person conducting business there.
* Office can take up no more than 25% of the space of the home.
* Business may not cause the traffic flow of the neighborhood to be altered.
* Business may not advertise its location.
* Business may be conducted only by appointment.
* Sign restrictions will not allow for the type of signs that had been previously displayed.


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Every time you visit one of our wonderful business sponsors, please tell them how much you appreciate their support of your community and the Highland Park Neighborhood Association!
County Judge Nelson Wolff

Brown's Mexican Food
(210) 533-8174
2405 South Hackberry Street
San Antonio, Texas 78210

Highland's Cafe
(210) 533-4700
2314 Steves Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78210

La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe
(210) 829-7279
4820 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
www.lamadeleine.com

Little Red Barn Steak House
(210) 532-4235
1902 South Hackberry Street
San Antonio, Texas 78210

Subway #18286
(210) 531-0320
2927 East Southcross
San Antonio, Texas 78223

Wallace Cook Agency, Inc.
(210) 534-9293
3902 Clark Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78223
www.wallacecookagency.com

South East Community Credit Union
(210) 534-7221
123 Waleetka
San Antonio, Texas 78210

Michael's Child Care
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Saucedo
(210) 533-3939
645 Kayton Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78210

San Antonio Fighting Back
(210) 271-7232
2803 East Commerce Street
San Antonio, Texas 78203
CBonner@SAFB.org

Neighborhood Resource Center
(210) 735-0586
P. O. Box 120246
San Antonio, Texas 78212-0586
www.nrc-sa.org



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Membership contest!
The best person to tell someone about the Highland Park Neighborhood Association is YOU, the current member! And now you can get a special prize for sharing information!

In October, we will award prizes to the following person who signs up the most new members:
?• for the month of July
?• for the month of August
?• for the month of September
?• for the entire three months total

This includes NEW members who either list you as a referral and pay their own dues, or NEW members to whom you give gift memberships! If you refer a new member, make sure your name is written as a reference on their form!

New member bonus
As an extra incentive, all new members who sign up now will have membership valid through dues renewal time (October 1) of 2004!

Door Prizes needed!
Our Door Prizes Chairwoman Lydia Romo has generously donated door prizes to recent meetings. Now it?’s someone else?’s turn. If you would like to thrill someone and reward them for attending a meeting, please call Lydia Romo at 534-7386 to donate.

Hospitality
Our generous Hospitality Chairwoman Rita Pe?±a can also use some help for August through November. If you would provide refreshments or be a greeter, please call Rita Pe?±a at 534-3135.

Notice of hearing
Monday, July 14, at 8:30 a.m. in Municipal Plaza Building, 114 Commerce Street West, the Dangerous Structure Determination Board will hold a public hearing for consideration of the condition of the property located at:
826 Schley
1827 Schley.
For more information on the public hearing, please contact Code Compliance at 207-3324.

Highland Park Neighborhood Association will be represented at the hearing. All area residents are also welcome to give testimony presenting their own opinions to the Determination Board.


2003 Highland Park Neighborhood Association Board of Directors
President Rachel Cywinski racywins@yahoo.com
Vice President Madeline De La O mdelao2001@yahoo.com
Secretary Loyd Le Blanc
Treasurer Bertha Saucedo

Directors:
Al Lindsey, Diane Cortez, Eric Kauska,
Lydia Romo, Rita Pe?±a, Harry Oliver

Newsletter and Website Editor: Rachel Cywinski

http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/sat/hparkna


THE HIGHLANDER
Highland Park Neighborhood Association
PO Box 10210
San Antonio TX 78210-0210