Dear Neighbors,
When I first ran for office, I was known as the "park lady" for my advocacy and passion for parks and green space. As a member of the City Council, I have worked to improve our existing parks, pools, and trails through new investments and to acquire new parkland around the city. Today I am excited to report on the purchase of valuable new parkland in District 10 along Bull Creek.
This purchase, approved last month on a unanimous vote (Item 43), will add a new trail head, amenities, a signature park, and a scenic overlook on a beautiful part of Bull Creek. I'm excited to expand the Bull Creek Greenbelt and protect this environmentally sensitive area. See the map below for details on the latest purchase. | | This purchase at 5903 Spicewood Springs Road is in addition to Council’s unanimous vote in 2020 to acquire for use as parkland the adjacent property at 6315 Spicewood Springs Rd at Yaupon (known to some of you as the Spicewood Springs Lodge property). I invite you to read the newsletter I wrote about the 2020 acquisition here. Together and once complete these two acquisitions position 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. Bull Creek runs directly through and alongside these two properties, enhancing the need for their environmental preservation.
We should all plant trees whose shade we will never rest under, but which our children and grandchildren will enjoy. I hope that these parks and trails will be assets for all Austinites for generations to come. I want to thank the many neighbors and organizations who have worked alongside me in our efforts to acquire these properties, including the Yaupon HOA, Clean Water Action Texas, the Bull Creek Foundation, Save Our Springs Alliance, the Austin Parks Foundation, the Austin Sierra Club, Save Barton Creek Association, Environment Texas, and, especially, Randy Scott and our staff at the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department.
This Bull Creek purchase represents just one example of the investments we are making in our parks system. In a future newsletter I will share updates on other parkland improvements and acquisitions of likely interest to District 10. For those who can’t wait, please read our most recent Director’s Report from our Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) here. Additionally, I invite you to learn more about the anticipated summer re-opening of PARD facilities and programming here. My children and I are excited to see the safe reopening of summer camps and aquatic facilities on the horizon.
In the balance of this newsletter, you will find highlights from the last two Council meetings, the latest information on COVID-19 and vaccination efforts in Travis County, links to the Murchison Middle School modernization and grand opening, some resources related to the recent rise of Asian-American hate, and more.
Regards,
Alison Alter Council Member, District 10 | | Council Recap COVID-19 and Vaccine Update This is Democracy Podcast: Asian American History and Exclusion National Public Health Week Medical Directives Planning & Information Drive Thru Event – April 16 Storm Debris Pick-Up Update Toxic Algae Found in Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis Deep Eddy To Close For Annual Cleaning Rework Now: WorkForce Solutions Program Modernized Murchison Middle School Holds Virtual Grand Opening Provide Feedback on I-35 Comment Period City Seeking Public Input for FY 21-22 Action Plan Draft that Guides Prioritization of Programs and Addresses Community Needs
| | | Below you will find a few highlights from our March 25th and April 8th Council Meetings.
March 25th Council Meeting American Rescue Plan spending framework: With item 111 on the March 25th agenda, Council passed a resolution I cosponsored detailing a framework of guidelines for the City Manager as he prepares the final proposal for how Austin intends to spend the funds we receive from the federal government. This framework prioritizes homelessness, early childhood care and education, workforce development, and food security. Furthermore, the resolution provides direction to leverage our partnerships with the County and other regional entities to make the most impact in building long-term capacity and resilience.
Storm response review: I cosponsored item 67 at the March 25th meeting, which provides for a review of how the City of Austin and its departments responded to Winter Storm Uri. The review will include critical topics such as energy, water, sheltering, communications, emergency operations, intergovernmental coordination, and coordination with community organizations. Also included is an audit through the Office of the City Auditor, a Winter Storm Task Force made up of community members, and a mechanism for public engagement in the review process.
I also cosponsored item 112 at the March 25th meeting which initiated a comprehensive response to address persistent health and safety violations that are a result of Winter Storm Uri, including resources to support tenant assistance for vulnerable populations living in multi-family units experiencing hazardous living conditions. This item will enable us to provide rapid repair of health and safety violations to individuals impacted by Winter Storm Uri as well as provide a better system to respond to similar circumstances in the future.
Cadet Academy Blueprint: In my last newsletter, I wrote to you with details on recent progress and initiatives related to the Reimagining Public Safety process as well as ongoing public safety reform efforts. At the March 25th meeting council approved the City Manager’s Cadet Academy Blueprint, which sets out the steps that need to be taken before the next cadet class is launched (currently tentatively scheduled to begin on June 7th). The blueprint is centered on the recommendations from Kroll & Associates, the consultants we hired to review the APD cadet academy. Kroll published a preliminary report in February detailing their initial recommendations, and the final report will be completed this month. I authored several unanimously adopted amendments to the blueprint aiming to increase transparency and improve reporting on the academy reform progress. In order for the next class to begin, Council also will need to vote to fund the academy. The city manager is expected to bring forward that budget amendment in the coming weeks.
My colleagues and I made clear that we expect the Kroll recommendations to be implemented before a new class begins. We also continue to seek public input on the cadet academy reforms and recommendations, and I invite you to provide input on the Kroll recommendations on the Reimagining Public Safety website here.
April 8th Council Meeting Vegetation management: Over the past few years I have worked closely with Austin Energy to enhance their vegetation management program in order to improve reliability and mitigate the wildfire risk posed by tree limbs becoming entangled in energized wires. On April 8th, my colleagues and I approved item 20, a contract for vegetation management services on Austin Energy transmission lines. I am pleased to see these investments move forward and I look forward to working with our neighborhoods and Austin Energy on advancing this initiative.
| | | On Tuesday, Council joined the Travis County Commissioners Court for a briefing on COVID-19 and vaccination efforts in our community. You can see the presentation and slides here. Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott informed us that our COVID numbers continue to decrease, though the rate of decline is slowing down. We remain at Stage 3 Community Risk Levels. Our goal is to decrease our COVID numbers in order to enter Stage 2 and then Stage 1, so please continue to mask up and be safe!
Austin Public Health (APH) Director Stephanie Hayden Howard provided updates on local vaccine efforts. The state recently announced that all adults ages 16 and up are eligible to receive the vaccine. Due to limited vaccine supply, Austin Public Health prioritized higher risk populations, specifically groups 1A, 1B, and 1C, as well as childcare providers and educators. This week APH began expanding vaccine eligibility to include the previously prioritized groups as well as all individuals 40 years of age or older.
First dose appointments are typically released on Monday evenings, but times and days can change as conditions and availability change. Please follow Austin Public Health on Facebook and Twitter and pre-register for the vaccine to stay up to date. Even if you are not in the groups currently prioritized by APH, all adults can pre-register for the vaccine through APH and will receive an email when they become eligible to schedule an appointment. Limited vaccine is also available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, hospitals, etc. Visit VaccineFinder.org to locate additional providers in your area with supply of COVID-19 vaccine.
You can find more information on the City’s COVID-19 vaccine website – austintexas.gov/covid19-vaccines. Be sure to read through the Vaccine FAQs page for details on second doses, technology assistance, and more. The Vaccine FAQ page is updated weekly. | | | This is Democracy: Asian American History and Exclusion Over the last year, our country has experienced a disturbing rise in anti-Asian violence and discrimination. One of the ways we combat hate is with education. As a member of an Asian-American family, I would like to invite you to listen to a recent episode of This is Democracy, a podcast hosted by my husband and son, Jeremi & Zachary Suri. After the racially-motivated attacks in Atlanta, Georgia, This is Democracy spoke with UT Professor Madeline Hsu about Asian American History and exclusion in the United States. Their discussion offers critical history and background as we try to understand the rise of violence against Asian-Americans and what we can do about it. Listen here. | | | National Public Health Week
Please join me in honoring National Public Health Week by thanking our Austin Public Health employees and other public health workers! They work tirelessly to support the wellbeing of our community, and this has been especially true throughout the pandemic. The last year has shown just how critical investments in our public health system are for our entire society. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to increase funding and resources for public health and I look forward to continuing these efforts.
Each day of National Public Health Week (NPHW) has a theme related to public health. Check out the NPHW website for each day’s themes and fact sheets! | | Medical Directives Planning & Information Drive Thru Event – April 16
Celebrate National Healthcare Decisions Day by joining Hospice Austin’s GIFT Project, AGE of Central Texas and Meals on Wheels for a “Drop-by Directives” event. Stop by the parking lot of Westover Hills Church on Friday, April 16th from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to learn about advance directives like Medical Power of Attorney and Living Wills, get your questions answered from doctors, nurses and social workers, and enjoy a free meal from P. Terry’s food truck. Witnesses will be on hand if you wish to sign your advance directives forms. | | | Storm Debris Pick-Up Update
Many Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) customers put in a special request for storm debris collection. Please be aware that ARR is running behind on completing these requests. Customers that still need a storm debris collection are asked to set out any remaining storm debris to the curb by 6 a.m. Monday, April 12 for collection. The high volume of storm debris material is taking longer than expected, and collection can take up to a month.
Austin Resource Recovery has provided some other options for storm debris removal:
Set out material with your weekly composting collection: On their collection day, customers can use their compost cart for organic materials – including brush. Once the cart is full, they can use lawn and leaf bags or a reusable container that is no larger than 34-gallons and no heavier than 50 pounds for any excess material, and place them beside the cart. In addition, small branches (no longer than five feet and no thicker than three inches in diameter) should be stacked into manageable bundles no heavier than 30 pounds. They just need to remember to not use garbage bags – that will be seen as trash and subject to fees.
Set out material with your regularly scheduled large brush collection: Large brush and tree limbs that are too large for yard trimmings collection are collected periodically. Download the Austin Recycles app or check our website for your collection schedule.
Drop off debris: Austinites can drop off storm debris from the recent winter storm at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant. | | | Toxic Algae Found in Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis
Please do not allow your dogs to swim in Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, or Lake Travis! As the weather warms, the Highland Lakes are at an increased risk for blue-green algae that is toxic and potentially fatal to dogs. The safest course of action is to keep your dogs out of the water. If you do decide to let your dogs swim, please know that you do this at your own risk. If your dog gets in the water, rinse them off immediately afterwards. Seek veterinary assistance and call 3-1-1 if they become sick.
Austin’s Watershed Protection Department has detected low levels of dihydroanatoxin in an algae sample taken in mid-March from Lake Austin near Mansfield Dam. Trace levels were also detected in two algae samples from Lady Bird Lake. This is the same toxin that Lower Colorado River Authority detected in Lake Travis and other Highland Lakes earlier this year and the same one found in 2019 and 2020 in Lady Bird Lake. Although levels of the toxin are low, they indicate an increased risk for dogs in the water bodies. Note also that the risk may also be higher at stock ponds or stormwater ponds. Although these ponds may be attractive, their water quality tends to be poor and is not suitable for recreation at any time for either people or pets. Learn more about the algae and the risks at https://www.austintexas.gov/algae. | | | Deep Eddy to Close for Annual Cleaning
Deep Eddy Pool will close Sunday, April 11 through Sunday, May 2 for its annual spring cleaning. The pool will reopen on Monday, May 3 and will resume modified normal hours of operation.
During the closure, the facility will be painted, cleaned and repaired. This closure is a week longer than previous closures in order to address unforeseen storm repair items and cracks in the pool shell.
While Deep Eddy Pool is closed, please check AustinTexas.gov/Pools for the hours of operation for City of Austin pools. The hours of operation for Barton Springs Pool are listed below.
Barton Springs Pool Schedule 5 AM – 8 AM Daily: Swim at Your Own Risk 8 AM – 10 PM Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Guarded Swim
For more information, please call Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Aquatic Administration and Training Center at 512-974-9330. | | | Modernized Murchison Middle School Holds Virtual Grand Opening
The Matadors have officially been welcomed home as Murchison Middle School held its virtual grand opening for their newly modernized campus on Wednesday, March 31. The new building is one of nine AISD schools that have been modernized by the 2017 Bond Program, including projects such as Menchaca Elementary, Norman-Sims Elementary, Rosedale School and more. The modernized space includes a three-story addition with classroom studios, three learning neighborhoods, makerspaces, new science rooms, and an open collaboration area for students to learn in a flexible learning environment.
Watch the recorded event here or by clicking the image above. You can learn more about the modernizations on the AISD website here. | | | Give Feedback on the I-35 Capital Express Central Project In March, we shared an opportunity to provide public comment on the I-35 Capital Express Central Project through downtown Austin. The virtual public scoping meeting will be available until April 9th. Stakeholders can view the project presentation and provide comments on how alternatives will be analyzed; coordination plan and schedule; project purpose and need; and the range of alternatives. Learn more about the project and access the meeting materials here.
All comments must be received on or before Friday, April 9, 2021, to be a part of the official virtual public scoping meeting record. | | | City Seeking Public Input for FY 21-22 Action Plan Draft that Guides Prioritization of Programs and Addresses Community Needs
The City of Austin Housing and Planning Department (HPD) and Austin Public Health (APH) are seeking public input on what programs and community needs to prioritize in the FY-21-22 Action Plan, specifically relating to housing, community development, economic development, homelessness assistance, and public services. Austinites can complete a brief survey by April 30 to provide comments that will be considered as the Action Plan is drafted.
Each year, the City of Austin prepares an Action Plan – a plan detailing the amount of federal funding to be allocated to various housing and public service programs (i.e. Emergency Rental Assistance, Minor Home Repair), and setting goals for how many low- to moderate-income people will be served by these programs over the coming year. The Action Plan serves as a grant application submitted to the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) to qualify for the following grants: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
Additionally, the City of Austin will collect public input and assess the needs of the community as part of the drafting of the Action Plan with two public hearings to be held Monday, April 13th by the Community Development Commission, and Thursday, April 22nd by the City Council.
For more information and to provide comments, visit the FY21-22 Action Plan SpeakUp page or contact the Housing and Planning Department at HPD@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-974-3100. |
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