| | Dear Neighbors,
I feel strongly that as a city we must act to meet the climate challenge. After over a year of plan development and stakeholder engagement, the city’s Office of Sustainability has released the draft update to the Austin Community Climate Plan, now the Climate Equity Plan. The public comment period is now open through September 30.
Last year I led the resolution declaring a climate emergency in Austin. That resolution also included direction for the climate plan update, including:
- accelerating our path to net-zero emissions;
- incorporating innovative and aggressive strategies for addressing the climate crisis in Austin;
- developing climate resilience policies and planning;
- treating the climate crisis like the threat to public safety that it is; and
- focusing on community engagement and awareness throughout the process.
I am pleased to see this direction has been incorporated into the update, and I look forward to working to turn the goals and strategies outlined in this plan into reality.
Regards,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10 |
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| | Table of Contents - Austin American-Statesman Op-Ed on Public Safety
- Austin Resource Recovery Resumption of Services
- Update on COVID-19 Recovery Grants Recipients
- Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant Applications Open Through Oct. 9
- Community Development Block Grants for Rental Assistance
- Reimagining Public Safety Input and D10 Meetings
- Five More Days to Complete the 2020 Census!
- Voter Registration Deadlines and Mail-In Ballots
- September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
- Free Digital Transportation Resource Guide
- Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project
- At-Home Fun & Learning
- 2021 Redistricting Commission: Applications Open Through Sept. 30
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| | Austin American-Statesman Op-Ed on Public Safety
Alter: Austin can have racial justice and public safety
Austin needs an effective police force and Austin must address racism in its policing. We must do both.
In the midst of a contentious debate, let us not forget that every Austinite deserves to feel safe and to be treated with dignity. Those in our community who are calling to fully “defund” the police and those who demand that we simply “back the blue” are each addressing only half the issue. What the city of Austin needs, and what I have pursued since 2017, is a holistic process for pushing resistant police leadership to adopt reforms that will address racism and allow for greater public safety at the same time. Critics should address both racism and safety.
Early in my time at City Hall I focused on police contract reform. That work enabled us to finance 30 new officer positions each year and I voted with the council to approve these new positions. I also pushed for the creation of our city’s new Office of Police Oversight for grievances about police behavior, especially from communities of color. These accomplishments made our city safer and increased public accountability. My staff attended every police contract negotiation session, working closely with representatives from the Austin Police Department, the Austin Police Association, the Austin Justice Coalition, Grassroots Leadership, and others. The contract we adopted provided the fiscal savings needed to fund more patrol officers and improved mechanisms to address recurring complaints about unfair treatment of people of color.
In 2018 the nation learned that APD was not fully investigating sexual assault cases. Sexual assault disproportionately impacts women and people of color. In Austin, 99% of reported cases remain unresolved, and for years, DNA kits languished untested. I worked with the Survivor Justice Project, the women’s commission, victim services, and sex crime unit staff to identify how we could better meet the needs of survivors and stop the violence, and I led council efforts to improve how sexual assault cases are processed and investigated. We increased staffing and resources for victims services, improved DNA test processing, and launched a comprehensive evaluation of our sexual assault response system. Unfortunately, police leadership continues to resist changes that would make our community safer, especially for women.
In December 2019 the City Council unanimously approved Council Member Harper-Madison’s resolution to reform the police training academy, which suffered an astonishing 48 percent attrition rate. We also ordered the city manager to investigate racism in the department following reports of racist language by an assistant chief, who conveniently retired before we could investigate. We allowed the cadet class scheduled to begin in February to proceed with explicit directions that no further classes would begin without reform to the training academy. The police were supposed to update the curriculum in time for a July class. Police leadership failed to do so, and we thus postponed a new cadet class until we can train cadets to keep our city safe and implement anti-racist policies.
Recently, the City Council reinvested city funds from the cadet class in staffing and programs outside of APD, including new ambulances, mental health response, community health paramedics serving the homeless, domestic violence shelters, substance use, and violence prevention programs that will save lives and make our community safer for all. We are using limited city resources more effectively for greater public safety.
As a city, we would be well served to remember that effective city policy requires avoiding simple slogans and unnecessary tradeoffs. We can root out racism in any form and ensure safety for all. As my examples demonstrate, these are not mutually exclusive goals.
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| | | Austin Resource Recovery Resumption of Services
Large brush and bulk collections to resume; Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center reopens by appointment only.
My office has been working closely with Austin Resource Recovery staff to identify a path towards resuming regular ARR services.
We are happy to announce that curbside collection of large brush will resume the week of October 12, and bulk collection will resume the week of October 26. Customers will receive postcards in the mail informing them of their scheduled collection dates and large brush and bulk collection guidelines. Customers can also view their collection schedule and sign-up for collection reminders at austintexas.gov/myschedule or by downloading the Austin Recycles app.
Austin and Travis County residents are now able to drop items off at the RRDOC by appointment only. Face coverings are required and a six-foot distance from other customers and staff members must be maintained while at the drop-off center. Accepted items include household hazardous waste, electronics, tires, plastic bags and film, Styrofoam, and clothing and housewares. For a full list of accepted items and visitor guidelines, visit austintexas.gov/dropoff or call 512-974-4343 to schedule an appointment. |
| | | Update on COVID-19 Recovery Grants Recipients
In response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has launched several recovery funds, tailored to specific industries. The information below captures award information for each of our recovery funds, many of which I helped to create.
Recovery Funding Programs
- The Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program awarded $987,943 in grants to 32 for-profit live music venues, performance spaces, art galleries, arts-focused non-profits, and individual artists facing temporary or permanent displacement.
- The Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant will award $3,342,500 in grants to over 1,600 creative sector workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. in process.
- The Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund awarded $1.5 million in grants to 1,500 performing musicians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant awarded $3.5 million in grants to 217 non-profit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For those interested in more detail on the need and the awards, the Economic Development Department has created and published interactive dashboards for each grant. Each dashboard displays information such as the number of applications received for each program, profiles of applicants (minus personal identifying information), and approval/denial rates. Visit ATXRecovers.com to view the dashboards, eligibility standards, and application details, as well as any future recovery programs. This website is intended to be a helpful resource for individuals, businesses, and nonprofits as Austin recovers from the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| | | Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant Applications Open Through Oct. 9
I was proud to help create Austin’s Non-Profit Relief Grant program for nonprofits affected by COVID-19. Applications have been re-opened with revised eligibility standards to ensure grant guidelines accommodate more non-profit organizations. The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant has a remaining $2.4 million fund providing up to $20,000 grants to Austin’s non-profit community toward reimbursement of eligible expenses including rent, payroll, and other economic needs.
Learn more about the grant guidelines and apply at ATXRecovers.com. Applications close Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. |
| | | Community Development Block Grants for Rental Assistance
Recently the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided an additional allocation of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds to communities with households facing higher risk of eviction. The City of Austin will receive $7,262,074 in funding in this allocation.
These funds can be used to provide temporary financial assistance to meet rental obligations for up to 6 months. The funds are targeted toward places with households facing higher risk of eviction.
Specifically:
- Communities with high rates of individuals in industries with high job loss in states with high unemployment;
- Communities with high rates of businesses in industries with high job loss in states with high unemployment; and
- Concentrations of those most at risk for transmission and risk of eviction, with higher amounts for states with high rates of coronavirus.
If you or someone you know needs to apply for rental assistance, please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/rent or call 512-488-1397. |
| | | Reimagining Public Safety Input and D10 Meetings
To help the public stay engaged with the Reimagining Public Safety process, the City of Austin launched a website (austintexas.gov/publicsafety) containing information, updates, and ways to engage.
Starting this month, residents will have several opportunities to provide input on the City’s reimagining efforts. District 10 will have a meeting facilitated by City staff in the coming weeks, and we will announce details for that once they are finalized. Separately, my office is holding small, informal virtual events throughout the district to discuss public safety changes and ideas. Please contact my office at District10@austintexas.gov to find an event in your area or to organize one with your neighbors.
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Below, you will find more ways to engage in this process. You can learn more about those opportunities in the Share Input section on the website.
More opportunities will be added in the coming weeks. If you have questions about the Reimagining Public Safety public input process email publicsafetyinfo@austintexas.gov.
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| | | Five More Days to Complete the 2020 Census!
The current deadline to complete the 2020 Census is September 30th. If you haven’t done so already, make sure you log on to www.2020census.gov and fill out your household’s Census form online, by phone, or by mail.
A lot is at stake in the 2020 Census, and our communities can't afford an undercount. Essential neighborhood resources like street improvements, school lunches for children in need, and housing for seniors and families will all be gained or lost because of the 2020 Census.
Stand up and be counted in 2020!
We are aware of court rulings yesterday that may extend this deadline if they stand upon appeal. We nonetheless encourage you to act as if Sept. 30th is the last day and complete your census form today!
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| | | Voter Registration Deadlines and Mail-In Ballots
Are you registered to vote in the upcoming election? Did you recently change your address or name? Visit VoteTravis.com to check your voter registration status, register to vote, find polling locations near you, and more. The deadline to register to vote in person or via mail is (postmarked by) October 5, 2020. If you moved within Travis County or changed your name, you can update your voter registration online.
Due to COVID-19 delays, all eligible voters are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Please do not delay your registration.
If you wish to vote by mail this year, you must submit a mail-in ballot application. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is (received by) October 23, 2020. Again, please do not delay submitting your application. The Travis County Clerk’s Office is reporting very high numbers of applications and recommends voters submit their applications and ballots as soon as possible. Learn more about how to vote by mail by visiting the Travis County Clerk’s website.
Early voting begins on October 13, 2020 and Election Day is November 3, 2020.
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| | | September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide affects all of us. Of particular concern, the United States’ gun suicide rate is nearly 10x higher than that of other high-income countries, and the rate of firearm suicide among young people has increased 56% over the past decade. I’ve championed efforts to improve funding and resources for prevention, mental health, and safe gun storage, but all of us must act.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America launched the Be SMART campaign to raise awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns, and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer. Learn more at besmartforkids.org and check out other resources like SuicidePreventionLifeline.org or texassuicideprevention.org to learn about how to get involved in suicide prevention.
Remember, if you or someone you love needs someone to talk to, please call 1-800-273-TALK.
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| | | Free Digital Transportation Resource Guide
Smart Trips Austin has launched their new Transportation Resource Guide, a resource that features tips and info for getting around Austin safely during and after COVID-19. It includes incentives such as free bus and train passes, B-Cycle passes, and promo codes for the latest mobility options in Austin so participants can try all the ways to get around.
Smart Trips Austin is a partner program shared by Capital Metro and the City of Austin that helps Austinites find sustainable transportation solutions that work for everyday trips.
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| | | Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project
I am a proud champion of our environmental resilience efforts and our action to secure our future water supply. I’m happy to share that Council authorized the creation of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery pilot project, a key strategy to prepare for future severe droughts. Aquifer Storage and Recovery allows us to store water in a natural aquifer during periods when rain is plentiful so that the water can be withdrawn during droughts. Storing water in a natural aquifer helps reduce costs associated with building alternatives and prevents evaporative loss.
Our project would store water from existing water supplies after treatment at our water treatment plants. This project is part of our Water Forward Plan, Austin’s 100-year Integrated Water Resource Plan, which includes conservation, reuse, and supply strategies. Find more information at austintexas.gov/waterforward. |
| | | At-Home Fun & Learning
Below, find some fun educational opportunities that families can access from the safety and comfort of their homes! |
| | | 2021 Redistricting Commission: Applications Open Through Sept. 30
The Austin City Auditor has 5 days left in the redistricting effort to recruit Austinites to apply for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which will be responsible for redrawing the City Council districts and shape Austin’s future.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 30.
The 14-member Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will redraw the boundaries of the council districts.
The Applicant Review Panel will select 60 of the most qualified applicants for the redistricting commission. Three independent auditors with CPAs will be selected to serve on the panel. The deadline to apply for the panel closed on Sept. 1. The Auditor’s Office received 44 applications.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply for the Commission, visit redistrictatx.org. |
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