| Dear Neighbors,
I have long been a parks advocate with a deep belief in the power of parks and green spaces to help us play, gather, and grow as a community. I was first introduced to City Hall when I chaired the We Love Ramsey Park renovation campaign and then served on the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Board. As your council member, I have worked to ensure that every Austinite can live or work within walking distance of a great park. Currently, 70% of the city is within a quarter or half mile of a park, up from 65% when I started at City Hall.
In this newsletter, I want to update you on some significant park improvements and acquisitions that we have completed or begun in District 10.
Park Improvements:
You and your family can enjoy new playscapes at Great Hills, Tarrytown, Reed, and Eilers Neighborhood Parks, as well as a newly built playground next to Murchison Pool. Thanks to our collaboration with Pease Park Conservancy, the whole city can access new play amenities, artwork, facilities and regular events and programming in Pease Park.
Recreational facilities have been upgraded at Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Lions Municipal Golf Course (Muny), Veterans Park, Deep Eddy Pool, and Walsh Boat Landing. Last month, I was honored to cut the ribbon at a ceremony marking the final phase of the renovations of Bull Creek District Park, a process that began when I served on the Parks Board.
Park and Preserve Acquisitions:
I am particularly proud of the new parkland and preserves that I helped secure so future generations can enjoy these Austin treasures. During my second term, we celebrated the acquisition of two major tracts of parkland along Spicewood Springs Road near Yaupon Dr. that will allow us to create a continuous trail along the Upper and Lower Bull Creek Greenbelts from Bull Creek District Park east of 360 to St. Edwards Park.
We will be extending the fabulous 360 Pennybacker Bridge Overlook park further along the bluff as a result of our deliberations over the Camelback PUD and in collaboration with TXDOT. We also have a plan to create safer access with a parking lot incorporated into the Loop 360 at Courtyard construction project as well as a new ADA accessible entry to reach the Overlook. Along the soon to be extended Bridge Point Parkway, there will be new park space and dozens of acres of new preserve lands.
In 2023, I was pleased to dedicate a public memorial garden and new 34-acre wildlife preserve along 2222 in honor of my constituent and friend Carol Lee. Austin Water acquired the 216-acre Bright Leaf Preserve, located off Highway 2222 near Mt. Bonnell, in 2021. Additionally, the Grove Signature Park, located at Bull Creek and 45th, is open for community use and will include improved access to the Shoal Creek Trail.
Next week, City Council will vote on an item I sponsored to dedicate several City-owned properties as parkland. This includes the properties at 11703 Charing Cross located in District 10. While this property is already city-owned, parkland dedication is an important step that can allow parks related dollars to be used to make improvements to the site. After this action, the Parks Department would be able to, with the community, plan their next steps regarding how this property can be improved and opened to public use. | | I invite you to browse the interactive map (below) that shows more information about the District 10 specific improvements, acquisitions, and updates to park and open space land during my tenure. | | Parks Funding:
Since 2017, I have worked with my colleagues to successfully increase investments in city parks and pools in each city budget cycle. I co-led the effort with Council Members Tovo, Troxclair, Kitchen and Pool to redirect some of our “HOT Funds” (hotel occupancy taxes) to finance improvements to historic parks and buildings such as Barton Springs, Mayfield Park, and the Driscoll Villa at Laguna Gloria. I ensured that we funded our Capital Rehabilitation Fund and that a good portion would support upgrades to PARD facilities. I also pushed for large investments in acquisition and park and pool renovations in our 2018 parks bond. I also worked with the budget office to codify that when dedicated park land is subject to eminent domain the resulting funds return to PARD’s capital budget.
In FY 2018-2019, I led the effort to expand recycling to our city parks, starting with a pilot introducing recycling in District 10 parks. More recently, recognizing how loved our existing parks are, I worked with the Parks and Recreation Department and Budget Office to quantify the gaps in our parks service. This work now serves as a roadmap for further investments in parks maintenance, including in our most recent budget, where together with Council Member Ellis, I led on funding 16 new parks maintenance employees.
I initiated and was instrumental in funding a 2023 Land Management Plan for Austin Parks and Preserves, focused on wildfire resilience and ensuring that our green spaces promote biodiversity, mitigate climate effects, and provide habitat for wildlife.
In the last few years, I’ve worked to decrease the cost of accessing city pools, especially in the summer. In 2023, I was pleased to help extend hours and waive entrance fees at city pools to help our community combat record heat. To combat a lifeguard shortage at our pools, I supported efforts to streamline the hiring process and raise compensation for this important role.
In 2020, I launched the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps (ACCC) to help our community achieve our conservation and climate goals while creating jobs and training for those most impacted by the pandemic. Through partnerships with City departments and external partners, this workforce development program is creating pathways to desirable careers that support our outdoor spaces and our green infrastructure. Many ACCC projects focus on enhancing our parks and preserves. ACCC’s vision and work were recognized by The Corps Network with the Project of the Year Award in 2022.
In closing, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate our Parks and Recreation Department and other city staff, Pease Park Conservancy, Shoal Creek Conservancy, The Trail Conservancy, the Austin Parks Foundation, Austin Outside, and all of the friends of the parks groups I’ve worked with these past eight years. Parks and pools remain a central way for us to stay healthy and connect to one another and nature. It has been my honor to be the “Parks Lady” on City Council, and I look forward to continuing to enjoy my favorite local green spaces with my family and yours.
In the remainder of this letter, you will find upcoming events, City and Council information, Halloween events, and more. I would also like to wish Shanah Tovah and a meaningful Yom Kippur to everyone observing the Jewish High Holidays this month.
Regards,
| | Alison Alter Council Member, District 10 | | Table of Contents
Voting Reminder
Council Recap
Council Member Alter in the Community
Bull Creek District Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony National Night Out “A Safer Texas” Texas Gun Sense Event Domestic Violence Awareness Proclamation Austin Board of Realtors Meeting
Announcements The People's Gallery Opening Reception “Ready Together” Emergency Preparedness Training Hispanic Heritage Month Events Fall Fitness Fest at Pease Park 12th Annual Community Connect Resource Fair Zilker Tree Art Contest
City Service Updates | | | October 7 is the last day to register to vote or update your address if you have recently moved. First time voter registrations must be done in person or by mail. Any public library can help you register to vote, or you can visit the Travis County voter registration division at 2433 Ridgepoint Drive from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Update your address and get voter registration information at tax-office.traviscountytx.gov/voters.
Travis County residents who will be 18 by Election Day (Tuesday, November 5th) can register to vote once they reach 17 years and 10 months of age.
This Thursday, October 3 is the live candidate forum for Austin’s next Mayor, hosted by the City’s Ethics Review Commission and moderated by The League of Women Voters Austin Area. Monday, October 7 is the candidate forum for the City Council Member representing District 6.
You are invited to attend the forums in person or watch them online. You can view previous Candidate Forums, including for District 10, here.
View your personal sample ballot, identify a polling location, and get early voting information at VoteTravis.com. Early voting starts on Monday, October 21st. | | | I want to first share some good news regarding your energy bill and our zero-waste efforts.
Austin Energy Bill Decrease: Good news for Austin Energy customers! You will see about a $2 on average decrease on your monthly electric bill, thanks to a 5% decrease of the Power Supply Rate Adjustment (PSA) fee effective October 1st. While summer may not have felt this way, less extreme heat contributed to general lower market cost. For more information about your electric bill check out this guide.
New Composting Requirements: Beginning October 1, Austin is the first city in Texas to require convenient access to commercial composting collection services for residents who live in multifamily communities of five or more units. Multifamily properties will need to provide one gallon of composting capacity per residential unit, with weekly collection and no overflowing containers. They must accept certain materials for composting, including food scraps, food-soiled paper and BPI-certified compostable products. You can learn more about the new requirements on the City’s website.
We approved a number of significant items at the September 26th Council Meeting. Here are a few highlights:
GoPurple Pilot Program Continues: Council approved a continuation of the pilot “Go Purple Program”, which will increase use of reclaimed water in and around Austin. The decision to continue the program will accelerate the expansion of Austin’s centralized reclaimed water system and aligns with our Water Forward 100-Year plan to help us meet our goals for a sustainable water future.
Child Care & Street Impact Fees: The Council also approved my proposal to waive Street Impact Fees for child care centers throughout Austin. This action was recommended by our Impact Fee Advisory Committee earlier this year. We know the margins for these businesses are slim, but their impact is huge. Every effort is required to support these small businesses as they enable our economy to realize its full potential. The Street Impact Fee is burdensome to child care providers and can impact their decision to expand their small business and serve more families. We also know that the money providers will save from this action will be reinvested back into their business, strengthening their programs and expanding the recruitment & retention of their employees so they can serve more children.
Austin Airport Expansion: Last week, the Council approved contracts with two firms for design and construction services for the airport’s Arrival and Departures Hall, which is a key part of the airport’s forthcoming expansion project. This project will be transformational for both the airport’s travelers and its operations, specifically with regard to flow and functionality. Airport staff refer to this project as the airport’s “front door,” and it will help usher in a new era for the airport as we experience record-level travel and demand. You’ll see new amenities, pedestrian and vehicular infrastructure, baggage claim renovations, concessions, restrooms, direct access to security screening areas, and more. This project is a massive undertaking that will serve our community and visitors for years to come. Learn more about the Journey with AUS program.
New Annual Event City Co-Sponsorship: The Council approved my amendment to add the DECA Small Business Opportunity Summit to the list of the City’s co-sponsored annual events. I am happy to have this affirmation of the Council’s commitment to help grow small businesses in the Austin area by recognizing the important work of the Diversity Ethnic Chamber Alliance.
Solar Energy Incentives: Lastly, Council authorized additional funding for solar incentives through Austin Energy for both customer-sited commercial and multi-family solar installations expanding locally-sited solar, carbon reduction and resiliency. You can find alternative renewable energy options for residential customers on the website, as well as incentives for your business, nonprofit, or commercial property. | | | | | Photo courtesy of CBS Austin | Bull Creek District Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
In September, I was delighted to cut the ribbon at the unveiling of the final phase of improvements to Bull Creek District Park, a park in District 10 that is beloved across the city. Parks ribbon cuttings are one of my favorite things that I get to do as a Council Member.
This important park serves as the anchor for Bull Creek Greenbelt, which through multiple recent acquisitions we are extending through to St. Edward’s Park in the near future. The restroom renovations close out phase II of a multi-year process that began in 2016 when I was serving on the Parks and Recreation Board. Improvements like this help increase accessibility and comfort, allowing for continued use of the park for generations to come. | | | National Night Out
Yesterday, I attended National Night Out events in District 10. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that fosters positive relationships and communication between community members, police, and emergency services. It encourages community awareness, involvement, and provides law enforcement accessibility in order to make our neighborhoods safer. It was a pleasure to see friends and meet community members in the district. | | | “A Safer Texas” Texas Gun Sense Event
Congratulations to ATX Peace for being honored by Texas Gun Sense last week at their annual "A Safer Texas” event. ATX Peace received the Frances Schenkkan Advocate of the Year award for their community violence intervention program, which employs trusted messengers to mediate and stop violence before it happens in Georgian Acres and Pleasant Valley / Riverside.
ATX Peace is a collaboration between Jail to Jobs and Life Anew Restorative Justice, and funded by the City’s Office of Violence Prevention which I created back in 2021. You can find out more about their mission and efforts at atxpeace.org. District 10 resident Nicole Golden is the wonderful Executive Director of Texas Gun Sense. | | | Domestic Violence Month Proclamation
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Last week, I stood with Council Members Vanessa Fuentes and José Velásquez to recognize the important work of the Austin/Travis County Family Violence Task Force, Austin Police Department’s Victim Services Division and Domestic Violence Unit, Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA) and The SAFE Alliance.
If you need assistance, you can call the ADSSA’s 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at (877) 281-8371 or get in touch with SAFE by using their online chat, available on their website safeaustin.org, or by calling (512) 267-7233 or texting (737) 888-7233. For Deaf people of all identities, please use relay / VRS. | | | Photo courtesy of the Austin Board of Realtors | Austin Board of Realtors Meeting
In September, I met with Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) Members to hear their policy priorities and concerns. It was a pleasure to exchange ideas and policy approaches with the members. ABOR headquarters are located in District 10. | | | | | The People's Gallery Opening Reception
You're invited to the opening reception of the latest People's Gallery exhibition at City Hall, hosted by the Austin Public Library. Join us on Friday, October 4 from 6 - 9 p.m. for live music, light refreshments, and over 100 pieces of art! This event is free, open to all, and we will have an ASL interpreter on site.
Since 2005, Austin City Hall has been an annual showcase for work by Austin-area artists. Located on the first three floors of City Hall, the People’s Gallery is part of an Exhibition Series that displays artwork from local and regional artists, encouraging public dialogue, understanding, and the enjoyment of visual art.
District 10 artists featured in this year’s exhibit include Amanda Linn McInerney, Deborah Cole, Ernie Wood, L. Morgan Kelley, Lynda Felger, Rebecca Bennett, Sanghamitra Deb, Shailee Thakkar, and Suzette Boston. Additionally, attendees can enjoy the three We All Belong works of art that were created by our community at the “Party At The People’s House” event this summer and last year. | | | “Ready Together” Emergency Preparedness Training
The City of Austin Government is hosting a free "Ready Together" emergency preparedness classroom training on Thursday, October 10 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Hampton Branch Library at Oak Hill (5125 Convict Hill Rd, 78749).
Complimentary pizza and beverages will be provided for attendees. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive an emergency preparedness starter kit and a NOAA weather radio. Register ahead of time.
Interpreters will be available in both Spanish and American Sign Language, with additional language support provided upon request. More information on how to prepare you and your household can be found at ReadyCentralTexas.org. | | | Hispanic Heritage Month Events
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Pease Park! Austin's oldest park is hosting Yoga en Español with Cálmate Yoga on Sunday, October 13 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park (1100 Kingsbury Street, 78703). It will be a bilingual class, open to everyone. Learn more and sign up.
The Austin Public Library is hosting a variety of Hispanic Latino Heritage Month events for children, teens, and adults until October 22. View the full calendar. | | | | | | 12th Annual Community Connect Resource Fair
Mark your calendars for the next Community Connections Resource Fair on Saturday, October 26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Akins High School (10701 S 1st St., 78748). City of Austin staff and local community providers will be on hand to answer your questions about city departments and city outreach services available. The event offers a free, fun-filled day for the whole family including free food, prizes and activities for the kids, access to health services and more. Learn more at AustinEnergy.com/CommunityConnections.
| | | Zilker Tree Art Contest
Each year, Austin Parks and Recreation Department hosts a youth art contest with the prize of lighting the Zilker Holiday Tree. Submissions for the 2024 Youth Art Contest are open from now until November 1. Get the details and submission requirements at austintexas.gov/department/zilker-holiday-tree. | | | | | Austin City Limits Music Festival
The 23rd Austin City Limits Music Festival will fill Zilker Park with music for the next two weekends. Find road closure information for ACL Weekend 1 and Weekend 2, and find more essential information about the festival on the City of Austin website.
Don’t let parking stress kill the ACL vibe! CapMetro has a range of transportation options for the weekend, including daytime and nighttime buses, bike rental, and extended train hours. Get all the details at capmetro.org/special-events/acl. | | | Sobering Center Board Nominees
Austin City Council is looking for applicants for the eleven-member Sobering Center Board of Directors. The Sobering Center is a safe place for publicly intoxicated individuals to sober up as an alternative to the emergency room or jail and, where appropriate, to provide a bridge to recovery.
If you have expertise in fields such as legal, medical, behavioral and mental health, public health, chemical dependency and addiction, as well as business, philanthropy and fundraising, you can find out more and apply. Applications will remain open until the position has been filled. | | | Barton Springs Reopened
Barton Springs repairs are completed and the pool has reopened with normal hours. Deep Eddy hours are back to normal as well. | | | Austin Water Update
Last week, a contractor struck a 48-inch water main pipeline near Spicewood Springs Road and Loop 360, causing a water outage for one commercial building and low water pressure for some residents in the area. Austin Water began emergency repairs right away, and asked nearby residents to shut off automatic irrigation systems and conserve water use, but water remained safe to drink.
Roads that were closed nearby during repairs have now been opened, thanks to overnight crews who have fully repaired the break. About 5,000 customers near the affected area have received notifications through the My ATX Water Customer Portal. From the onset of the incident, Austin Water’s Department Operations Center (DOC) maintained a bottled water distribution team and resources on standby. Crews will also work to recover 8 cubic yards of cobble stone that was discharged into Bull Creek from the construction site to prevent any environmental impacts.
Coordination between Austin Water, the City’s Watershed Protection Department (WPD), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Parks and Wildlife is ongoing. Watershed Protection staff were onsite and testing as Austin Water prepared to bring the line back into service. Other than a sighting of approximately 100 dead fish, no evidence of impacts to Bull Creek’s environment or amphibian residents have been reported. | | | |
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