First Term Accomplishments
Councilman Rodriguez has been a tireless advocate for the residents of District 7
during his first two years at City Hall. 
On Council
First Term Budget Achievements
- Added nine new firefighter positions and one new EMS unit
- Added nearly 200 police officers to the police force in his first term.
- Supported additional funding to increase proactive graffiti abatement activities.
- Approved funding for 7 new code compliance officers.
- Full funding for the Police Department’s successful Tactical Response Unit (TRU)
- More officers added to neighborhood patrol in FY 2007 and FY 2008 than have been added over the past decade.
- Voted to enhance pet and dangerous animal laws in the city ordinance
- Opposed initial 7% CPS Energy rate increase and led efforts to compromise a 3.5% rate increase.
- Secured funding for a 5 year rolling alley maintenance schedule
- Approved and implemented the Bandera Rd. Traffic Signal System Modernization and Synchronization Project.
City Council Committees
Chair- Public Safety Committee
- Protecting child safety by authoring a proposed ordinance prohibiting cell phone use in school zone
- Heightened public awareness on the affects of Salvia Divinorum on our youth
- Authoring amendment to strengthen our city's current youth curfew ordinance.
Governance Committee
- Improved communication between TxDoT and COSA Public Works to improve timeline start dates on capital improvement projects such as the Callaghan Rd: Ingram to Bandera Rd Project
- Providing an advanced notification system to local neighborhood and stakeholder groups of impending structural determinations in historic districts.
Community Action Advisory Board- Elected Official
- Supported Project Cool Fan for District 7 Seniors
Police and Fire Pension Board
- Responsible for management of $2 billion retiree fund
Community Investment
- Opened the first ever “storefront” field office in District 7
- Implemented Saturday office hours at District 7 Field Office to increase accessibility.
- Sponsored over 400 school suppy filled backpacks for District 7 students
- Introduced first ever bi-monthly email updates to District 7 residents
- Hosted the first ever “Bandit Sign” cleanup day in District 7
- Co-sponsored Grandparents Day 2007 at St Paul Community Center
- Brought back the storefront police substation to the Deco District
- Introduced the San Antonio Symphony to District 7 at Jefferson HS
- Hosted District 7 FY 2008 Budget Town Hall meetings districtwide
- Hosted District 7 Town Hall meeting on CPS rate increase
- Sponsored Graffiti Wipeout 2007 in District 7
- Co-Sponsored “Alley Rally” cleanup in the Jefferson NA
- Hosted first ever District 7 Fall Fest at Nani Falcone Park
- Unveiled 3 new murals in District 7 to combat graffiti
- Sponsored Valentine Senior Dance at Holy Family Senior Nutrition Center
- Gazebo/Pavillion Development: Monticello Park NA and Ingram Hills NA
- Hosted District 7 Holiday Party and toy/coat drive
- Human Development Funds allocation to “Meals on Wheels” senior initiatives
- Creation of “Camp 7”, an extended summer recreation camp in District 7
Infrastructure Improvements
- Toured District 7 streets with new Public Works Director Majed Al-Ghafrey to immediately improve trouble spots in the district
- Working with TxDoT to bring much needed traffic calming devices to Mainland Dr. with installation of a skid resistant surface and flashing speed beacons.
- Opened the Tezel Rd. Project: Ridge Ranch to Old Tezel
- Approved funding for speed hump and traffic calming devices throughout District 7.
- Broke ground on the Woodlawn Ave: Maiden to Bandera Rd Project
- Opened the Timberhill Bridge over the Huenber Creek low water crossing
- Over 60 streets and 30 alleys resurfaced and overlayed in District 7 in FY 2008
- Increased pedestrian mobility options by funding sidewalk projects throughout District 7.
Green San Antonio
Councilman Rodriguez has taken a leadership role in community sustainability by authoring and sponsoring many “Green” intiatives during his first year in office.
- Hosted tree planting events at Nani Falcone Park and Woodlawn Lake Park
- Sponsored Earth Day 2007 and 2008 at Woodlawn Lake Park
- Hosted special screening of the environmental documentary “The11th Hour”®.
- First “Green” Neighborhood Showcase of Homes in District 7
- Authored Council Consideration Requests for:
- Citizens Advisory Committee on Environmental Initiatives
- Public funded Build Green and LEED remodeling certification
- A comprehensive environmental plan modeled after the City of Chicago, to promote more green initiatives in San Antonio.
- Creation of online intiatives www.greensanantonio.org and www.LightRailSA.org.
- Opening of the Leon Creek Linear Creekway and Trail System in District 7.
