April 2023 Meeting Minutes

Written By Krystin Ramirez

Attendance: 52 individuals

●       38 members and neighbors

●       14 guest and representatives Call to Order ~6:30 p.m.

Call to Order 6:40 PM

Introductions of Guests and New Neighbors

  • Hector Arredondo and Jacob Hernandez, SAFFE Officers

  • Ralph Pena & Team, Parking Enforcement

  • Bethany Gutierrez, Office of Rep. Diego Bernal

  • Juan Gomez, Officer of County Commissioner Clay-Flores

  • Phyllis Viagran, City Councilwoman of District 3

  • Enrique Trevino, District 3 Policy Director and Liaison to District 3

  • Derek Tulowitzki, Liaison to District 5

  • Mercury Project – Rikki Van Kirk

  • Texas Sugar Daddies, Chris Espinoza & David Martinez

  • New neighbors

    • Luke N. on Hunstock

    • Ray C. on Steves

Announcements:

  •  About Mercury Project (RPNA Business Member)

    • MP is a gallery at 538 Roosevelt Ave

    • Current exhibit is “David M. Alcantar Presents: The Superman Project Part IV: Person Today”; visit Sunday 4/23 at 2 PM

    • Find them on Instagram

  • About Texas Sugar Daddies (RPNA Business Member)

    • Bakery and lunch buffet located at Blessed Sacrament (1135 Mission Rd Building 9)

  • Thanks for attending the Unity Festival and the Concert in the Park

  • Conception Park – Dog Park

    • $500K of $600K going towards dog park, which will be shaded and include separate sections for small dogs and large dogs

    • With the additional budget, the next priority is shade over the kids’ playground and potentially workout area (presentation from city pending)

  • Pools

    • Lifeguards are needed at Roosevelt Park and Conception Park; Rate is $17.50/hour

  • Voting

    • Early voting begins Mon, April 24

    • You are encouraged to vote

Treasurer’s Report: Jamie Palochak

  • Reviewed report – see report for full details (sent 4/17 via email)

Old Business:

  • Vote to add 2-year membership option for all membership types (regular, business, associate) to the bylaws

    • Passed

  • Roosevelt Park Swimming Pool update

    • Aiming to open in June

    • However, lifeguards are needed and pool is still under construction (on-time opening is somewhat dependent on sub-contractors)

  • World Heritage Trail – artwork update

    • Two art projects will be installed at the entrance of the World Heritage Trail (World Heritage Trail at corner of Roosevelt and Mission): (1) two skeletal tall structures and (2) mural

    • Construction to begin later this year

  • Instagram back and new Website

    • RPNA has regained access to our IG account and are seeing more engagement here vs. Facebook

    • The website launched at https://www.rpna-satx.org/

    • The board is open to suggestions for the website (anything missing?)

New Business:

  • Update from County Commissioner’s Office – Juan Moreno

    • Had a successful annual Fiesta medal food drive supporting South San Antonio ISD and South Side ISD families

    • Annual 5K supporting the Texas Kidney Foundation date TBD

  • SAFFE Officers’ Updates

    • District 5 – Officer Hernandez

      • “Same old” issues

      • Unhoused presence/activity by highway continues to be a focus and officers continue to offer services

      • Radars installed to deter speeders on Mission cutting through to access Roosevelt; several were damaged but now a temporary radar speed trailer is up & running as a calming strategy

    • District 3 – Officer Arredondo

      • Ongoing issues at Everkleen Motel

      • Ongoing prostitution concerns outside Gadi Foodmart

      • 1322 Roosevelt is being monitored for loitering, etc.

      • Houseless population being monitored & regularly dispersed at Roosevelt & Steves (near Coco Loco bar)

      • Regular patrols focus on abandoned problem homes

    • About the COP “Citizen on Patrol” Program – Officer Zulaica (COP Coordinator for Central Station)

      • Program designed to enhance collaboration between residents and police in your neighborhood

      • Residents interested will complete a class & patrol ride

      • More info here https://www.sanantonio.gov/SAPD/Cellular-On-Patrol

  • Parking Enforcement – Officer Pena

    • 22 officers for entire city (looking to hire more)

    • Next week’s primary focus is Fiesta

    • Lavaca’s biggest concern is parking, which will be the same concern for RP as our neighborhood becomes more developed

    • Currently a lot of congestion around certain areas (e.g. St. Johns)

    • Some common violations that Parking can address include 30 feet from stop sign, cars parked facing the wrong way, abandoned vehicles

    • Expired registration is a moving violation (handled by Traffic, not Parking)

    • Encourage attendance at zoning meetings, etc. to voice future concerns pertaining to parking

    • Residents encouraged discuss any issues with Parking Officers when they see them in the neighborhood

    • Resident mentions it is dangerous to turn on Presa due to cars parked next to intersection (not much can be done about this besides painting curb red)

    • Resident mentions concerns of contractors being ticketed for parking outside home; Officer explains that they try to find ways to professionally engage with the homeowner to avoid ticketing in these situations but they are not permitted on private property

    • Resident mentions concern about congestion around St. Johns; Resident was connected with resources

    • Call 311 or contact Parking Enforcement if you have a concern

  • Hype Crew – Ronda H.

    • Two purposes: welcome new neighbors and raise awareness about association

    • Welcome packets will be distributed to new residents

    • If you have a passion (plants, etc.), consider donating something small to the welcome packet

    • Residents asked to get the word out about the association, flyers available for distribution if interested

    • Residents asked to look out for new neighbors and contact RPNA by email or website form to notify the Hype Crew of move-ins

  • Trash Pick Up Committee – Ken G.

    • Monthly clean-ups were too frequent, so shifting to 4x annual

    • Next clean-up is May 13 (same day as Family Day in the Park)

    • Vote on purchase of equipment (10 grippers, rubber gloves, trash bags) for $150

      • Passed

  • Updates from Diego Bernal’s Office – Bethany Gutierrez

    • Early voting starts Mon April 24

    • Fiesta Medal Food Drive on April 22 9 AM – 12 PM at 5252 Blanco Rd

    • Continuous Medicaid coverage has stopped; Medicaid enrollees must be sure to update their info/re-register

    • Working on I-90 noise reduction with D5, TXDOT (e.g. barriers, trees)

  • Update from District 3 – Phyllis Viagran

    • Upcoming Presidents Gathering

    • Pushing for walkable neighborhoods

    • New “state of the art” sub-station in the works for 17.8 acres at Stinson & Flores (by Livengood Feeds) leveraging $19M bond; will be seeking input on what residents want

    • Sat April 22 Cultural Arts Fair, World Heritage Open House, & Parade at Mission Marquee

    • Looking for in put on what you need from Animal Care Services (ACS)

  • Update from District 5 – Derek Tulowitzki

    • Updates on Roosevelt Park

      • Last meeting Derek sought input from residents on lights in the park and he is continuing to work on this

      • Crosswalk will be installed at Lone Star & Roosevelt Park Dr, but timing unknown

      • Duck crossing signs will go up

      • Grass will be re-planted after construction is done

      • Jeff H. asked about installing rail at concrete steps going down to the park

    • Street calming mechanisms will be installed near the school

    • Open office hours April 24 4 – 6 PM at Collins Garden Library

      (3rd and 4th raffle prize drawings)

Next meeting is Tuesday, JUNE 27 at 6:30 PM at Freetail Brewery

Meeting adjourned 8:03 p.m.

Submitted by: Jessica Stuart Date: 04/25/2023

 
Krystin Ramirez
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