January - February 2016 City Magazine

JAN - FEB 2016 | COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
Reflecting on 2015 p.3
Annual Lighting
of the Tree Ceremony p.7
E-Cycle Tri-City Event p.9
Non-Building Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7806
CITY OF SELMA
Contact Information
Police Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7865
Elected Officials
Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7800
Tom Daly, Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-687-6757
[email protected]
The number to call on weekends, holidays and after
normal business hours for City Offices is Live Oak
Dispatch at 210-653-0033.
Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7830
Kevin Hadas, Mayor Pro Tem . . . . . . . . . . . 210-383-3093
Harry Greene, Councilman. . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-657-5497
Important Dates
Ken Harris, Councilman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-5617
•
City Offices CLOSED Dec 31 and Jan 1 in observance of the
Holiday Season
•
Regular Monthly City Council Meeting Jan 14 at 6:30PM
•
City Offices CLOSED Jan 18 in observance
of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
•
Regular Monthly City Council Meeting Feb 11 at 6:30PM
•
City Offices to be CLOSED Feb 15 in observance of
Presidents Day
Jim Parma, Councilman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-6551
Ken Polasek, Councilman . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 361-537-8810
City Officials
Johnny Casias, City Administrator . . . . . . . . 210-651-7858
[email protected]
Van Adams, Interim Chief of Police. . . . . .
[email protected]
210-651-7810
Ric Braun, Fire Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7831
[email protected]
Albert Compton, Director of Public Works 210-651-7830
[email protected]
Becky Del Toro, Asst. City Secretary . . . . . 210-651-7825
[email protected]
Larry Verner, City Engineer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7828
[email protected]
City Contact Information
Website: www.ci.selma.tx.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/selmatx78154
Address: 9375 Corporate Drive, Selma, TX 78154
Phone: 210-651-6661
Important Phone Numbers
Animal Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
210-651-7862
Building Permits & Inspections. . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7827
Chipper Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210-651-7800
Code Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
210-651-7862
Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
210-651-7832
Municipal Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
210-651-7801
2
CITY NEWS
What a Great 2015 for the City of Selma!
As the City eyes the possibilities and challenges
that await 2016, it is important reflect on the
many accomplishments that occurred in 2015.
First and foremost, this switch from the monthly
city newsletter to this bi-monthly magazine
has increased public awareness and improved
communications of city news. It has provided a fresh
new look for each issue that keeps our residents
engaged in their city.
Improvements and New Construction
In May 2015, the voters approved $9,000,000 in
general obligation bonds to improve and widen
Lookout Road and construct a bridge over the Cibolo
Creek. Look for this project to begin in Summer
2016. In September 2015, the City Council lowered
the property tax rate from $0.2223 to $0.2065 while
maintaining the same level of city services as the
previous year. Standard & Poor’s increased the
City’s bond rating to “AA” from “AA-“ which will
significantly lower interest costs in the future when
and if the City decides to issue new debt.
There is also funding for new capital improvement projects
that will enhance the City’s infrastructure and keep pace
with residential and commercial growth. The Fiscal Year
2015-2016 Annual Operating Budget will be increased over
the previous fiscal year budget by 7.2% for a grand total of
$19,112,598.
Commercial development was solid during 2015 as
evidenced by the Titan Industrial Park in Selma being
awarded the Best Industrial Development in 2015 by the
San Antonio Business Journal. O’Reilly Auto Parts began
construction on their newest warehouse/distribution center
that will add 250 new jobs. Ben E. Keith food distributors is
relocating from their existing location in San Antonio and
expanding into a 500,000 square foot building and doubling
their employee size to approximately 700 jobs.
Selma Community Magazine
3
CITY NEWS
Commercial Growth
New businesses finally began to
open their doors in the Forum Pointe
Shopping Center, what was Ruben’s
Place.
Sweet!
Great Location
VIRC Snacks LLC broke ground on its 25,000
square foot gummy-candy manufacturing facility
that will be located behind the City of Selma
Municipal Complex.
Bracken Café is now located in Selma in the grounds of
Retama Park!
Road Improvements
Road improvements were done to Alton Boulevard
in Selma Park Estates and storm water drainage
improvements were made to Glenn, York, and Fox
Lanes in the Live Oak Hills Subdivision.
City Park and Community Center
The completion of the newest City Park, the
John S. Harrison City Park, finished in March
2015 and the pavilion has been booked nearly
every weekend! Look for the Community Center
to be completed and ready for use by the end of
2016. The general contractor for this portion of
the project is Selma-based, SpawGlass.
4
CITY NEWS
Selma Residents Can Utilize the Schertz Public Library for FREE!
As a reminder, the cities of Selma and Schertz entered
into an Interlocal Agreement that allows Selma residents
to utilize the Schertz public library without charge! Any
resident with a photo ID and current proof of residence
may apply for a library card, free of charge.
Children under 18 may apply for a card as long as they can
write their name and a parent or legal guardian is present
to sign the application form.
Recognition for Our Community
Movoto.com awarded the City of Selma several
accolades: 2nd Best San Antonio Suburban City
for Young Professionals; 2nd Best San Antonio
Suburban City for Young Couples; and 2nd Best
San Antonio Suburban City to buy a house in 2015.
Homes for Our Heroes
On September 16, 2015, Liberty Pass
Apartments held a “Grand Hammering”
Event for their apartment complex to
house our nation’s wounded warriors.
Completion is anticipated for early 2016.
Congratulations to Officer Tiffany Kierum
for receiving the Star of Texas Award!
These are just some of the many things to be thankful for and that
the City is proud of! We’re hoping for continued success in 2016!
Selma Community Magazine
5
REGISTRATION
EVENT SPONSOR
6TH ANNUAL SALUTE TO SERVICE
MEMBERS 5K & KIDS FREEDOM
FUN RUN
DATE:
Saturday, January 23, 2016
WHERE:
Bluebonnet Palace, 17630 Lookout Rd., Selma TX 78154
EVENT THEME: Sports
Registered participants are asked to come dressed
in your favorite sports team attire. Judging for
below categories will take place from 6:30am-8am.
Prize Categories for Costume contest:
Best Sports Couple
Best Sports Female
Best Sports Male
Register on Active.com
or Scan this code
6
$30 ONLINE @
ACTIVE.COM
THROUGH 1/9/2016,
$35 ON LINE
THROUGH 1/17/2016,
$45 DAY OF
EVENT
NO REFUNDS
Kids Freedom Fun Run
Free for age 0-12. Must
register day of from
6:30am-8am day of
event to participate.
Early Packet Pickup:
Jan 20th & 21th 11am-3pm,
at Gunn Chevrolet in
Selma, TX
**Pick up your packet early
and you will be placed in a
drawing for a $500 Best
Buy gift card**
EVENT TIMES
6:30am – 8am – Registration
8:15am-Opening Ceremonies
8:30am-Kids Freedom Fun
Run begins
8:45am-Line up for 5K
9:00am- 5k begins
Awards Immediately After
Service animals are
welcome WITH vest,
however no other animals
are allowed.
CITY NEWS
Tree Lighting Ceremony held on December 4th at the Stage Stop Visitors Center.
Congratulations!
Happy 25 Years to Munters Drycool!
Selma Community Magazine
7
WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS!
NAME
SUBDIVISION
NAME
Rebecca Bannon
Kensington
Damian Luna
NAME
SUBDIVISION
Samantha Carpenter Forest Creek
Stephen Leysath
Retreat at Retama
Forest Creek
Michael Tokarski
Kensington
Brian Cantu
Kensington
Erica Gray
Forest Creek
James & Yvonne
Eells
Live Oak Hills
Tim & Ronda
Dexter
Kensington
Kevin Jernigan
Forest Creek
Dana Jones
Retreat at Retama
Kristina Martinez
Retama Ridge
Janessa Brown
Retreat at Retama
Retama Springs
Arthur & Noemi
Feudo
Kensington
Enroy Barrett
Reynaldo Ruiz
Creekside Gardens
Terry Molina
Kensington
Adam Rivas
Kensington
Mark & Christian
Zunino
Kensington
Aleida Castineira
Retreat at Retama
Randy Price
Retama Springs
Valerie Webb
Retama Springs
Melody Haase
Chelsea Place
Robert Bazan
Kensington
John Finnegan
Retama Springs
Arron Chaffin
Retama Springs
Marshale Blooflat
Forest Creek
Jeremy & Judith
Flores
Kensington
Courtney Bracken
Retreat Springs
Crystal Coe
Kensington
Kensington
Emma Roberts
Kensington
Jonya Huggins
Retama Ridge
Daniel & Krista
Stone
8
SUBDIVISION
CITY NEWS
E-cycle Tri-City Event
Taking Universal Waste Liabilities
Off Your Shoulders
With rapid advancements in technology, builtin product obsolescence, and the exposure of
unethical e-waste disposal methods, there is an
increasing demand for responsible electronics
recycling solutions (E-cycling). A Tri-City effort
including Selma, Live Oak and Universal City will
partner with ECS Refining for an E-cycling event.
A pioneer in the end-of-life electronics recycling
industry, ECS Refining is a reliable domestic
e-waste processor. Electronics that have reached
the end of their useful lives are refined into
reusable commodities. No e-waste is shipped
overseas or dumped in landfills. Citizens can also
feel safe knowing that their confidential data is
destroyed and their e-waste is recycled properly.
This will be a free electronic recycling
event on Saturday, April 23rd at the
Alamo Colleges Parking lot located
at 7990 Pat Booker across from 54th
Street Restaurant.
Examples of acceptable items for this E-cycling event:
Computers
Pagers
Computer Accessories
PDAs
Computer Monitors
Tablets
Televisions
Answering Machines
Printers
MP3 Players
DVD/CD Players
Scanners
Microwave Ovens (Non PCB)
External Hard Drives
Copiers/Fax Machines
Radios & Boomboxes
Typewriters
Video & Camera Equipment
Telephones
Communications Equipment
Cell Phones & Chargers
Video Game Systems
GPS Units
Cable Boxes/DVR
Cables
Circuit Boards
Wires
Power Strips
Power Cords
Please see website www.ecsrefining.com for a
complete list of acceptable and not acceptable items.
This E-cycling event is AVAILABLE TO
EVERYONE and is not limited to city residents.
All consumer electronics, including monitors
and TVs are accepted. All electronics accepted
at our collection events will be responsibly
and securely recycled at the ECS Refining
Electronics Processing Facility.
For more information:
210-653-9140 x215
[email protected]
www.liveoaktx.net
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.ecsrefining.com
Selma Community Magazine
9
PROGRAMS
Alamo Call-A-Ride 4 Vets
The Alamo Call-A-Ride 4 Vets program is a
transportation and mobility assistance program funded
by the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’
Assistance program.
Any honorably discharged Veteran, their immediate
family (spouse, under 18 family member, or disabled
adult in the home), surviving spouse, and/or caregiver
of a Veteran are eligible to receive FREE rides.
For more information, please call the Alamo Call-A-Ride
4 Vets phone line at (210) 362-5254 or toll-free at 1-800960-5201, or via email at [email protected].
GRASP
The Greater Randolph Area Services Program,
Inc. (GRASP), a 501(c) (3) human service
organization established in 1983, helps
economically disadvantaged individuals, families
and children.
GRASP programs offer emergency assistance to
those experiencing a household crisis and who
live in areas of Bexar or Guadalupe Counties in
communities where access to help is limited.
Qualified households receive emergency
assistance for rent, utilities, food, and medicine.
The GRASP Thrift Shop provides clothing and
housewares to needy families who experience a
catastrophe such as fire, flood, or other loss.
The agency provides emergency financial
assistance, food pantry, senior transportation,
daily activities and nutritious meals at the GRASP
Community Center in Converse.
For more information please call (210) 658-6351
or visit their website at Grasp211.org.
10
CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECAPS
November 12, 2015
Citizens to be Heard:
Maggie Titterington provided an update on upcoming activities and events for the
Schertz Chamber of Commerce.
• Approved the Minutes of the October 8, 2015
• Passed Resolution Number 111215-01 to participate
Selma Regular Monthly Council Meeting and
in the Texas Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities
Public Hearing.
System investment pool.
• Approved the Tax Roll Totals for 2015 as
presented by the Guadalupe County Tax
Assessor/Collector.
• Approved the purchase of body cameras for the
Selma Police Department.
• Approved various expenditures by the Historical &
Parks Commission.
• Approved an Interlocal Purchasing Agreement with
Bexar County.
Selma Community Magazine
11
CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECAPS
December 10, 2015
Citizens to be Heard:
Charlie Eads thanked City Administrator Ken Roberts for his service to the City of Selma, wished him well
on his retirement, and recommended that City Council give strong consideration to appoint Johnny Casias
as the new City Administrator. Janet Ahmad pointed out that the website of her nonprofit corporation was
compromised, in her view, by Cartwheel Communications. Maggie Titterington thanked City Administrator
Ken Roberts for his service to the City of Selma, wished him well on his retirement, and recommended that
City Council give strong consideration to appoint Johnny Casias as the new City Administrator. Alton Crain
pointed out a delay in public information requests and that he was in communication with the Texas Attorney
General’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mr. Crain also commented on nepotism in the City Staff and expressed his dismay for City Council action on
Ordinance Number 121015-02 relating to the removal of signs placed in public rights-of-way. Selma Police
Detective Sergeant John Sorensen thanked City Administrator Ken Roberts for his service to the City of
Selma, wished him well on his retirement, and recommended that City Council give strong consideration to
appoint Johnny Casias as the new City Administrator.
• Approved the Minutes of the November 12, 2015
Selma City Council Meeting and Public Hearing.
• Awarded a contract for road improvements
throughout Forest Creek Subdivision and the
intersection of Derby Vista and Amberly Court in
• Approved Ordinance Number 121015-02 to
authorize City Employees to remove any signs
placed in or on the public right-of-way when in
violation of the sign ordinance.
• Received a briefing on a proposed contract with
the Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation
Retama Springs Subdivision.
• Approved Ordinance Number 121015-01 to
allow expenditures by the Historical & Parks
Commission under $1,000 to be approved by the
to provide water to sustain full buildout of the City
of Selma.
• Approved the 3rd quarter 2015 Investment Policy
Report.
City Administrator.
• Awarded a contract for concrete sidewalk
U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
WWW.AUTOAUCTIONS.GSA.GOV
installation along Valhalla Road in the Stage Stop
Park.
• Appointed Johnny Casias as the City
13510 TOEPPERWIEN RD, SAN ANTONIO TX 78130
210-298-5477
WWW.SPARKLINGCITYAA.COM
Administrator/City Secretary effective January 1,
2016.
CONTACT US: 210-298-5477
WWW.SPARKLINGCITYAA.COM
SALES START AT 12PM UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
12
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to City Staff for their public service!
Promotion of Chris Claybrook to
Selma Police Sergeant
Selma
Michelle Veracruz, 5 years
Promotion of Clifford Ellison to
Selma Police Sergeant
Luke Johns, 5 years
Corporal Promotions Ceremony – Congratulations to Officers Robert
Cardenas, Stefanie Casias, Jonathan Losawyer, David Ludy, and Steven Rolison
who were promoted to the rank of Corporal on December 3rd.
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Selma Community Magazine
13
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Water Restrictions
Selma is currently not under any water restrictions.
We ask that all residents continue to be wise in your
water use and conserve where you can.
Best management practices for conserving water
include prohibiting watering lawns and other
landscaping between the hours of 10AM and 8PM
unless such watering is by hand-held bucket, handheld hose, or a properly installed drip-irrigation
system. Water runoff from property is prohibited.
Be the Solution to Storm Water Pollution!
Washing your car at home washes soaps
and detergents into the storm water
drainage system. Consider taking your
car to a commercial car wash that treats
its wastewater.
Sewer Rate Increase
The Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority is raising the sewer
rates by 5%. This equates to a $1.20 increase to the
average wastewater user. The increase will reflect on
your upcoming utility bills.
Seasonal Sewer Averaging
It’s that time of year again for Sewer Averaging. The
City of Selma does not have meters for sewer usage,
therefore an average is taken. This average comes from
your water usage between the months of November
through February.
We use the winter months for sewer averaging to ensure
that landscape watering is not included in this charge.
Please be aware of your usage during these times, as it
will determine your sewer charge for the upcoming year.
14
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chipper Service
Chipper Service is provided to residents free of charge
during the FIRST WEEK of every month. If you would
like to add your address to the monthly chipper service
list, please call 210-651-7800.
As a reminder, chipper service is provided for the
residents of the City of Selma only. This service IS NOT
for professional landscaping services to call for the City
to come chip the contractor-produced waste.
When professional landscape contracts are entered
into by the residents, have the removal of the
contractor-generated waste included in the contract.
Here are brief reminders & guidelines to
remember when preparing for chipper service:
• No palm limbs can be chipped—they will clog
the chipper;
• No tree limbs wider than 12 inches in diameter;
• No tree stumps, plywood, wood, or fencing can
be chipped;
• All brush and tree limbs must be stacked at the front
curb to allow easy access for City staff (City staff is not
allowed to enter onto private property);
• No bulk items or trash will be chipped (arrangements
can be made with Bexar Waste at 210-566-5454 to
remove these bulk items);
• Please remember to set piles for chipper
service as close to the first week of the month as
feasible; putting piles for chipper service too early can
result in nesting for snakes and other animals.
Chipper service is provided for the residents
of the City of Selma only. To add your address
to the monthly chipper service list, please call
210-651-7800.
Selma Community Magazine
15
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Selma, TX 78154
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