City of San Antonio Budget Hearing Comments, May 2012

7/31/2019 City of San Antonio Budget Hearing Comments, May 2012

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Pre-Proposed Comm uni ty Budget Input Hear ings

- Summ ary o f Comment s Ar ranged by Category -

Resident s ' Com m ent s Area

FY 2013 Budget Development Proc ess

Ident i f ied High Pr ior i t y Areas

Airpor t

Number of times the Category was 1identified high priority

Expressed support for the airport as a higher priority. Northwest

Anim al Care Serv ic es

Number of times the Category was11

identified high priority

Residents would like to see a higher rate of spay/neuter as well asincreased stray collection.

Northcentral

Increase funding for Spay / Neuter program. Northeast

Funding for spay / neuter / vaccinations. Northwest

Expressed support for increased prioritization of Animal Control. Northwest

Need additional oversight of Animal Care and higher efficiency. Northwest

Focus on stray pick ups and vaccinations prior to adoption. Northwest

Focus on animal care and stray animals. Southeast

Animal Care is a high priority. Southeast

Animal Care still a very high priority. Southeast

Greater enforcement of animal care. Strays are rampant. Individualsafraid to leave their homes at night due to strays that are very dangerous.

Southeast

Problem with stray animals and owner accountability. Southwest

PreparedbytheOfficeofManagementandBudget Page1of26 Thursday,May31,20

NOTE:Thecommentscontainedhereinarerepresentedsummarypointsmadebythespeakerandsodonotnecessarilyrepresentthespeakers'exacommentsmadeduringtheBudgetHearing.


4/28






Code Enforcem ent


Code Compliance officers lack authority needed to effectively completetheir mission.

Northeast

More fund should be shifted towards Code Enforcement. Northeast

There are many vacant lots with garbage and debris around Bexar CountyJail and west side generally. Northwest

Expressed support for Code Enforcement because many police issuesstart with code enforcement. One resident believes private investigatorsshould be utilized before actions are taken by Code Compliance(Comment made by individual resident after table presented)

Northwest

Code Compliance officers should have more authority to provide moresafety in neighborhoods.

Northwest

Expressed a need for additional staffing and updated violation signs. Northwest

Code compliance is a high priority. Southeast

There is a major problem with dumping on the Eastside. Installation ofbetter measures to enforce dumping regulations.

Southeast

Focus on abandoned dwellings that are creating hazards for children andbeing utilized for individuals that are not making good choices. Moreefficient process for how long the dwellings stay there. Improve timelinefor those individuals living in these dwellings. There should be a betterprocess to manage these buildings and getting property owners to bemore compliant.

Southeast

More officers for code compliance enforcement. Higher compliance forremoval, enforcement, vacant lots, and dilapidated homes. Holdlandlords more responsible. Provide landlords resources and educationon their properties. In support of the Dangerous Assessment ResponseTeam (DART) but still feel like more officers are needed

Southeast

Problem with graffiti and overgrown lots. Southwest




5/28






Code Enforcem ent

Reduce graffiti. Southwest

Custom er Serv ice Cat egory/311


311 Services needs improvement so they can respond more quickly toquestions. The staff also should receive more training. Northwest

Down town


Cleanliness - tree trimming. Encouraged better maintenance of treesdowntown to make a cleaner appearance.

Northwest

More public restrooms are needed for tourists.

Expressed disapproval that vendors are allowed to set up at the cemeteryat the Alamo.

Northwest

Expressed support to elevate and beautify San Antonio as a tourist city.Very concerned about streets, sidewalks, and the potholes in downtownarea and perception it has for tourists.

Northwest

Housing in Downtown area; specifically build housing for seniors. Northwest




6/28






Ear ly Chi ldhood Programs & Educat ion


Children are the building blocks of our City. Northcentral

Very early childcare programs are important. Northcentral

Increase focus on education. Northcentral

Increase early childhood education programs. Increase funding for teenpregnancy prevention programs such as Me Now Baby Later.

Northcentral

More funding should be directed towards education and literacy programs. Northeast

Expressed support for Head Start Program and directing resources toCity's youngest residents.

Northwest

Early Childhood Education- Head Start; building up children and theirpotential to avoid teen pregnancy and problems.

Northwest

Education is extremely important. Northwest

Increase daycare for students. Northwest

Adult Education- Improve re-education opportunities and provide moretraining for residents who are transitioning into different careers.

Northwest

Early Childhood Education- Should be an equal opportunity and should befunded through sales tax.

Northwest

Online education and Library. Northwest

Citizen stated that early childhood development and senior services arevery important and have to be a stronger priority.

Southeast




7/28






Ear ly Chi ldhood Programs & Educat ion

A representative from Each One Teach One spoke, stating that 25% ofresidents are functionally illiterate; cannot read at a fifth grade level.Certain pockets of the community are suffering in literacy. Major priority iseducation for society to be ready for 21st century jobs. This includesmore literate, technical jobs. Action is needed to prepare children to be inthe literate workforce. Currently, nearly 40% of students drop out of highschool.

Southeast

Child Care Delivery Systems (CCDS) - Day Care is important. Southeast

Improve childhood education, middle school and college educationalsystems. If we are not providing resources for childhood education, theywill not be ready for adulthood.

Southeast

Educate importance of a stronger family unit. Teach people to want whatis best for others. Improve facilities and maintenance (includingtechnology). More vocational training and opportunities that go along withtraining. Education on parenting and the family unit (good mothers andfathers) and how to be good members of society.

Southeast

Representative of the Carver Library spoke. Need more staff andcomputers for the students. The focus of education should not only be onthe classroom but include education of homeless, disadvantaged, etc.

Southeast

Continued support of Project Quest and Each One Teach One. Southeast

Childhood education and adult literacy very important. A representativefrom Each One Teach One spoke about emphasizing the need for adultliteracy. We need to catch those that fell out of the school system. Weneed to recover, catch, and help those individuals and prepare them forgood jobs.

Southeast

More early childhood services are needed. Southwest

Stronger focus on education. Southwest




8/28






Econom ic Deve lopment


Increase focus on incubating small businesses. Northcentral

Increase focus on small businesses, especially along Vance Jackson. Northcentral

City should utilize Empowerment Zones to bring attractive retailers to

revitalize areas.

Northeast

Small businesses need education to understand and better navigate theprocess. Provide education on the process for receiving permits.

Northwest

Economic revitalization on west side of San Antonio. Build newer facilitiesand provide additional services.

Northwest

Would like to see more white collar jobs and more business activitybrought into Districts 2 and 3.

Southeast

Attract businesses in the medical, and tourism fields. Create high tech

jobs and streamline the process for housing development around the Cityfor a more efficient process. Continue to improve streets and drainage incollaboration with the County.

Southeast

A representative from Project Quest spoke for the table on economicdevelopment. Building the workforce/providing initiatives to createpositions in our City. This priority follows through on building our adulteducation programs and preparing individuals to build a strong workforcein our City. Continue to build and create well paying jobs for theseindividuals.

Southeast

Increased support for Economic Development. Southwest




9/28






Heal t h & Wel l -being


Create more open spaces such as bike trails and parks to encouragephysical activity.

Northcentral

Representative for the Davis Scott YMCA spoke about focusing onhealthy living, specifically water, parks, and extra nutrition for everyone inthe community.

Southeast

Metro Health. Southwest

More support for physical education, parks activities, and wellness. Southwest

Library Serv ic es


Residents support the Library system.Northcentral

Extend Library hours to 8:00 p.m., five days a week. Northeast

Expand hours and add more computers. Residents want more moneydirected to youth and libraries.

Northwest

Improve Library services. Southeast

Improve the technology in our Libraries and extend hours. Southeast

Increase support for Libraries. Southwest




10/28






Neighborhood/Com muni t y Serv ic es


Cleanup trash throughout community through use of volunteers. Northeast

More funding should be directed towards community programs. Northeast

Identify abandoned buildings that can be revitalized. A possible alternative

is turning abandoned buildings into community centers or child carefacilities.

Northwest

Neighborhood revitalization is an important issue. They need additionalpatrols and help.

Northwest

Use schools on weekends for recreational services. Turn them into seniorcitizen centers.

Northwest

Housing development is a process that should be more efficient forbuilders and the community.

Southeast

Individual home ownership program should be a priority. This programshould be more flexible and streamlined. Weatherization program andCPS have shown that there is a way of doing better outreach andproviding more flexibility.

Southeast

Deteriorating housing stock is a problem. Would like to advocate for aminor housing repair program to help senior citizens keep up with theirhomes and make repairs to deteriorating homes. Stronger focus on ourHousing programs.

Southeast

Need more multifunctional facilities for public use. Southwest

Park ing


There is a need for additional parking spaces for police vehicles andvisitors at the Bexar County Jail.

Northwest




11/28






Parks & Recreat ion


Increase the amount of green space and bike paths. Northcentral

Increase funding of Park programs for activities for all age groups. Northeast

Focus on Parks and Recreation. Northwest

Youth Programs- Parks and Recreation facilities give children analternative to being on the streets.

Northwest

Expand bike lanes and trails. Northwest

Parks and Recreation. Need parks and recreation programs for studentsoutside of school during the summer months. Assist in keeping them offthe streets.

Southeast

Parks and Recreation are important for youth to have safe places andopportunities for exercise.

Southeast

More availability of facilities for public use. Southwest




12/28






Publ ic Safet y


Fire and Police are mandatory. Northcentral

Police and Fire. Northcentral

Bond Program is spending on infrastructure so funds should be redirected

towards Police, Fire, and EMS

Northeast

Increase funding for Neighborhood Patrol (SAFE Officers). Northeast

Improve funding for SAFE officers. Northeast

More funding for Emergency Medical Services. Northeast

Increase funding for ATVs for drainage channel patrols and more officersfor Neighborhood Patrol (SAFE).

Northeast

Northeast side needs additional funding for EMS services to reduceresponse time.

Northeast

Fire and EMS. Northwest

Expressed support Police as a higher priority. Northwest

Fire Department. Northwest

Expressed continued support for Police and Fire. Northwest

Fire and Police. City should add additional police officers. Northwest

Fire and Police. More police are needed. Northwest

Police and Fire. Northwest




13/28






Publ ic Safet y

Safety is important for our children. Southeast

More officers for a safer City. Southeast

Police and Fire. More officers would help the problem with youth in SanAntonio.

Southeast

Police enforcement. Eastside is said to have the highest crime rate. Need

more officers.

Southeast

EMS is very important. If a resident is sick and needs assistance, theyshould not have to wait for services. Residents want decreased responsetimes for EMS.

Southeast

Continued support of Fire, Police, trash collection and maintenance of ourroadways. These are our fundamental basics.

Southeast

Fire. Southwest

Police. Southwest

Increased manpower and training for Police & Fire. Southwest

Increased Neighborhood safety with additional Police & Fire services. Southwest

Recyc l ing (Blue Car t )


The Blue Cart is a great benefit to our City. Northcentral

Improve recycling. Northwest

Great initiative. Reaching 27% in recycling is not high enough; would liketo see it get to 60%.

Southeast




14/28






Senior Serv ic es


More funding should be directed towards senior services. Northeast

Expressed support for Senior Services because San Antonio has anaging population. Meals on Wheels will continue to grow and is importantto fund.

Northwest

Tie youth to senior centers. Senior citizens want more interaction withyouth.

Northwest

Seniors are the fastest growing population in San Antonio. Transportation,nutrition services, and housing are needed for seniors.

Northwest

More support for Senior Services. Northwest

Residents want additional buildings for Seniors. Northwest

Take care of Senior Citizens. Northwest

Enhanced services and facilities for seniors. Southwest




15/28






Socia l Serv ice Programs/Delegat e Agenc ies


Educational Programs- Caf College, teen pregnancy, and Head Start.More programs that would help lower teenage pregnancy rates.Adult Services- Need more services for growing population.

Northwest

Focus on Library and Adult Literacy Programs. One in four people cannotread at an 8th grade level.

Southeast

Project Quest program is important for teen mothers and single moms toget ahead in life.

Southeast

Reinforcement of parent education. Adult education and programsneeded to provide second chances in our community centers.

Southeast

Haven for Hope representative spoke on the Child Advocacy Program.Stated there is a need for childcare and it should be subsidized (1700children on a waiting list). Also, we need to teach and train those workingin childcare to provide high quality care.

Southeast

Human Services.Southwest




16/28






St reet s , Sidew alks & Dra inage


Residents like seeing projects that are completed, not continuously underconstruction.

Northcentral

Public Works. Northcentral

Focus on areas that have not been maintained for the longest amount oftime. Increased focus on inner-city areas and major thoroughfares. Northcentral

More sidewalks in neighborhoods, specifically along La Manda and VanceJackson.

Northcentral

Additional funding should be provided for improving road conditions. Northeast

Sidewalks need to be provided in areas where children need to walk tothe school bus.

Northeast

Thousands of homes are in the City's Flood Plain. The City must focus

resources on moving these homes out of the Flood Plain.

Northeast

There should be more preventative maintenance of our roads in order toextend their operable lives.

Northeast

Need improved maintenance of Right of Way. Northeast

Need to focus resources on City infrastructure such as streets. Northeast

City should direct more resources towards streets. Northeast

City should direct more resources towards sidewalks.Northeast

City needs to direct more resources towards the repair of road surfacedamage.

Northeast

More funding should be directed towards infrastructure such as streets. Northeast

Improve funding for street repair. Northeast




17/28







Streets- There is continual concern over the quality of streets and theneeded maintenance.

Northwest

Flood Control (public works). Northwest

Public Works- Roads and sidewalks need improvement. There aredrainage issues in the community. The city should also place cameras atthe traffic signals located in high-risk areas.

Northwest

Public Works- Drainage, sidewalks, and flood water. Northwest

There should be a higher emphasis on streets, drainage and sidewalks. Southeast

Sidewalk and street repair are important priorities. Southeast

Sidewalk and street maintenance repair. Streets need to be extended andwidened in order to ease traffic burden.

Southeast

In support of SA 20/20. Infrastructure should be more balanced.Residents are concerned that the Eastside does not have the samebeautification in infrastructure and construction as the Northside. Shiftingin resources. Economic Development-business development should bedriving and stimulating our City.

Southeast

Public Works. Looking at scrubbing up the streets and really focusing onrepairs.

Southeast

Streets and infrastructure. Would like to see everything picked up andmaintained.

Southeast

Alley maintenance and code enforcement. Huntley Park Subdivision onEastside specifically. Alley's are difficult area and right of way (CPS and

SAWS need to be held accountable for sewer main breaks and alley mainbreaks). High focus on maintenance here.

Southeast

Area improvements for 2007 bond should be used for IMP/subsidies. Southeast

Street sweeping done a few times per year is insufficient. Citizens feel likenot getting enough value out of this service.

Southeast




18/28







Additional street repair. Southwest

Tour ism/Convent ion/Enter ta inment


Focus on tourism. Northeast

Transpor ta t ion


Coordinate with VIA on better/new bus benches. Northcentral

Coordinate with VIA on streetcars and other transportation options. Northcentral

Pedestrian Mobility. Major enhancements to connectivity in transportation.More connectivity for seniors including access to downtown.

Southeast




19/28






Youth Serv ices


Expressed support for the Department of Human Services and the needfor additional services for youth.

Northwest

Childhood care and anti-bullying, family and anti- domestic abuseprograms are important.

Southeast

Affordable after school and year round programs for kids. Southeast

Human Services. We would like more community centers for seniors andchildren. More resources to help kids. More after school programs.

Southeast

Youth employment opportunities. The City should look for moreopportunities for employment of our youth.

Southeast

More summer programming for kids are needed. Southwest




20/28





Ident i f ied Lesser Pr ior i t y Areas

Airpor t

Number of times the Category was 3identified lesser priority

Enough work has already been done at the airport. Northcentral

Airport funding is a lesser priority. Northeast

Support for Airport. Southwest

Anim al Care Serv ic es


No Kill for Animal Care is an important goal; however, in hard economictimes we should reconsider timeline in order to redirect resources towardspublic safety.

Northeast

Funding should be redirected from Animal Care towards SAFE program. Northeast

Animal Care Services. Northwest

Less focus on animals and more priority on humans. More focus onhuman services.

Southeast

Other agencies or outside partners can handle animal control. Southwest




21/28






Ar ts Programm ing


Arts program should be self-sufficient if it is going to exist. Northwest

Decrease art in public places. Northwest

Take a shot at being self-sufficient. Northwest

Code Enforcem ent


Expressed less support for code enforcement of buildings. Northwest

Investigate other possible funding sources for graffiti abatement otherthan the General Fund.

Northwest




22/28






Depar tment -wide


Increase efficiency throughout all city departments. Northcentral

No more electric charging stations. Northeast

Utilize technology to create efficiencies within the City such as automation

within 311 Customer Service.

Northeast

Reduce non-essential services as determined by the community. Northeast

Expressed that Public Works is an area where savings could be gleaned. Northwest

City Administrative Services- Review Purchasing and cut whereappropriate.

Northwest

Across the board cuts. Northwest

Streamline services; it is okay to cut certain areas. If something is notmaking progress, cut it.

Northwest

Reduce personnel by using more volunteers. Southeast

More efficient Public Works crews. Southeast

Look for efficiencies within City government. Find ways to save moneywithout sacrificing city services.

Southeast

Increase partnerships to decrease dependencies on City services.Calling on private industries to help with human services programs.

Southeast

Too nice of buildings for City offices. Also, the City should not removeoffice buildings and properties off the tax rolls.

Southeast

Benefits for City Employees are too high. Many businesses are having tocut back mainly in benefits. In our economy, the City should be cuttingthis as well. Take assessment on how to tighten the budget for benefits.

Southeast




23/28






Depar tment -wide

Combine elections to reduce costs. Southeast

Find efficiencies in the Municipal Courts. Re-shift money around to have itmore evenly distributed.

Southeast

Eliminate overtime. Southeast

Partner with the County and/or look at outsourcing. Options for additional

synergies.

Southeast

Managing more healthcare costs. Southeast

Improve tax collection. Southeast

Reallocate HOT funds to Downtown Operations. Analyze if Downtownholiday lights should be a priority for the City.

Southeast

Re-evaluation of fee schedules that the City has for Parks and otherfacilities that it leases out.

Southeast

311 is a possible area to reduce. Residents do not know who utilizes thisservice. Too many questions can be answered via the internet.Individuals are unaware that this service exists.

Southeast

Want more time to research city services to determine lesser priorities. Southwest




24/28






Down town


Market Square & Parking are a drain on downtown. Need to look topossible outside help to improve these areas.

Northcentral

Parking. Northcentral

Funding should be redirected from subsidizing downtown housing projectsto core city services such as public safety and infrastructure. Northeast

Bond provides funding for Hemisfair improvements, but playgrounds andsidewalks are in good condition. Restrooms and historic buildings needmore attention.

Northeast

Tax Abatements should be reconsidered for downtown housing program. Northeast

Reduce focus on Downtown. Focus on economic development andneighborhood development on the Eastside specifically. Southeastdevelopment is strong, but Eastside seems to be left out.

Southeast

Econom ic Deve lopment


Expressed that Economic Development should be a lesser priority. Northwest

Fewer tax breaks for corporations and businesses. Southeast

Heal t h & Wel l -beingNumber of times the Category was 1identified lesser priority

Metro Health should be available but that it is a lesser priority. Northwest




25/28






Library Serv ic es


Due to Bond Program's current funding of libraries, Parks andRecreation, and public art, the City should redirect future resources forthese areas towards core services.

Northeast

Libraries that use technology. Southwest

Neighborhood/Com muni t y Serv ic es


Hold individuals using the City's social services accountable. Suggestionmade to put a limit of five years for utilizing City's social services. Putmore money into those individuals doing something with their lives(women in school, etc.) so we can see our tax dollars in the future comeback to us.

Southeast

Organ ic Recyc l ing


New programs should not be expanded if there are fiscal problems. Northcentral

Residents do not support the Organics collection program. Northcentral

By adding a third garbage bin for organics, many citizens will not haveroom to store in their garages. Requires excessive work on the part of

citizens with no reduction in Solid Waste fee for effort.

Northeast

Citizens do not have sufficient space within garages to store three binstherefore causing them to store their bins outside.

Northeast




26/28






Parks & Recreat ion


Due to Bond Program's current funding of libraries, Parks andRecreation, and public art, the City should redirect future resourcestowards core services.

Northeast

Too much money goes to Parks and not enough to our schools. Southeast

Do a utilization assessment. Identify issues with overtime at the ParksDepartment, possibly reduce overtime costs.

Southeast

Publ ic Safet y


Police & Fire are such a large portion of the budget that they should justifytheir spending. Police & Fire need to find a better way to communicatehow they are using the money they spend. Additionally, Police & Fire need

to have increased focus on customer service, decrease response times,and make sure to be respectful of citizens. Increased engagement withneighborhoods. Increased focus crime prevention.

Northcentral

Pensions have been reduced for most workers over the last few yearstherefore public safety union pensions should be reduced too andredirected towards more officers.

Northeast




27/28






Socia l Serv ice Programs/Delegat e Agenc ies


Caf College is a duplication of services provided by UTSA thereforeUTSA should take control of Caf College and these resources should beredirected towards Police SAFE Program.

Northeast

Caf College is a duplication of services provided by UTSA thereforeUTSA should take control of Caf College.

Northeast

Caf College and Head Start. Northwest

Haven for Hope. Northwest

Street s , Sidew alks & Dra inage


Alleys were used in the pre-automated loading days of Solid Wastepickup and are not needed anymore. Northeast

Bike lanes on public streets; residents felt it was a safety hazard. Theysupport linear parks.

Northwest

Sidewalks. Northwest

Signage changes are not important. Southeast




28/28






Tour ism/Convent ion/Enter ta inment


Convention & Visitors Bureau. Southwest

Convention & Sports Entertainment. Southwest

Alamodome and other sporting events. Southwest

Transpor ta t ion


Expressed that public transportation should be improved and is a priority,but it is less than the higher priorities.

Northwest

B-Cycle program - questioned why the City is paying for bicycles used bytourists and visitors.

Southeast

City of San Antonio Budget Hearing Comments, May 2012

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