| | | Dear Neighbors,
Last week Council held its last meeting of 2020. I am proud to report on the many important initiatives we advanced, including a policy requiring new developments to pay for their impact on roadways, utility discounts for multifamily properties, a design build agreement for a Fire/EMS station in District 10 in the Davenport area, and more.
I have worked closely with the Austin Transportation Department staff to create and implement a policy ensuring new developments pay their fair share to cover the effect of the increased traffic they bring to Austin’s roadways. On Thursday, the City Council adopted Street Impact Fees, which will be assessed on new developments to help finance needed roadway capacity improvements. The adopted ordinances incorporate comments from stakeholders and a citizens’ advisory committee gathered throughout the multi-year process.
Impact fees fund public infrastructure required by new development. Across the country, impact fees are used to fund police and fire facilities, parks, schools, streets and utilities. In Texas, the legislature has allowed their use for water, wastewater, street and drainage facilities. The City of Austin has used impact fees to fund water and wastewater improvements since the 1990s. Read this press release for more details.
Earlier this year I authored a budget rider directing Austin Water to develop a water and wastewater bill discount program for multifamily properties. This week Council adopted the ordinance authorizing this new discount program. Income eligible households in single-family homes have long been eligible for this discount, but eligible households living in multifamily housing have often been unable to access the program if their property was billed using a single master meter. Under this newly designed program, we estimate that this discount will reach 23,000 new households. We anticipate this will save each impacted household over $200 annually, and income eligible households will be automatically enrolled in the program. While many water utilities across the country have increased rates by as much as 5 percent year-over-year, we reduced Austin Water rates in 2018 and have not increased them since. In addition, the utility offers rate reductions for Customer Assistance Program (CAP) customers, generous rebates, programs to help low-income families with plumbing repairs, and more.
In the face of drought, climate change, and continued growth, it is critical that we secure a safe water supply for our future. In November 2018, Council approved and began implementation of Water Forward, our 100 year integrated water resource plan, to ensure a diversified, sustainable and resilient water future with a strong emphasis on water conservation. The next implementation steps were adopted in Items 6 and 7; Council approved a pilot program to offer grant incentives to projects conserving water through onsite non-potable reuse systems. Projects will be able to apply for incentive grant awards to help offset the installation costs of systems for development projects that voluntarily install and use onsite water reuse systems for non-potable water uses such as toilet flushing. The pilot program will allow us to collect data on the costs to install and maintain an onsite water reuse system, encourage adoption of onsite water reuse in new developments, and help us determine the logistics of requiring on-site non-potable reuse in new large commercial buildings in the future.
This contract supports the construction of electric vehicle charging stations for the City's Fleet Mobility Services. I’m excited to see our electrification initiative take this step. As a city we’re on track to add 330 plug-in electric vehicles to our fleet. This project will help us reduce costs and the usage of fossil fuels, and I look forward to further progress on de-carbonizing the City’s fleet.
Item 16 is the design build agreement for the Davenport/Loop360 Fire & EMS station in District 10. I’m eager to see this project move forward; in 2018, I secured the funding for this station. This location will help improve response times in the area and aid in our wildfire mitigation efforts. You may review the latest information regarding the project here.
In addition to these highlights, on Thursday Council also extended the City's contract with United Way to administer the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant. Find information on how to apply for the childcare grant as well as the new Live Music Venue Preservation Fund below. You will also find Election Day (Dec. 15th) information, updated COVID quarantine guidelines, holiday safety tips, and more.
Regards,
Alison Alter Council Member, District 10 |
| | Table of Contents - Election Day is Tuesday, December 15th!
- Extended COVID-19 Relief Grants for Childcare Providers
- New Relief for Local Live Music Venues
- Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantines
- Holiday Safety Tips from APD
- Shop Local! Austin Small Business Shopping Guide
- Virtual and Drive-Thru Zilker Holiday Tree & Trail of Lights
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| | | Election Day is Tuesday, December 15th!
Election Day for the local runoff election is Tuesday, December 15th! If you live in City Council Districts 10 or 6, or if you live within the AISD boundaries, you have another opportunity to vote this year. Find your nearest polling location and personalized ballot at VoteTravis.com. Please tell your friends and neighbors to vote! |
| | | Extended COVID-19 Relief Grants for Childcare Providers
Last week, the City extended the grant program to support and sustain Austin childcare providers (both home-based and center-based) impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant is a $5 million fund that will provide grants up to $60,000 per site to cover eligible operating expenses for providers offering full-day childcare to ages five and under.
Eligible childcare providers must be able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with COVID-19 and must be located in a City of Austin Council district. Providers that are Texas Rising Star certified, or demonstrate appointments scheduled to complete the Texas Rising Star accreditation assessment, or have National Accreditation are eligible to apply. Providers that serve families receiving a Childcare Subsidy (CCS) and providers located in historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications will be accepted December 15, 2020 at 10 a.m. – January 15, 2021 at 5 p.m. at www.ATXrecovers.com.
As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, United Way for Greater Austin will accept and review all submitted applications. Additionally, consultation services and application assistance will be available to grant applicants.
Register for the City of Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant Informational Webinar with United Way for Greater Austin on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact United Way for Greater Austin by email ChildcareReliefGrant@uwatx.org or by phone 512-225-0390. |
| | | New Relief for Local Live Music Venues
Phase 1: Emergency Funding
- Eligible applicants experiencing immediate risk of closure will receive a $20,000 grant, which the Long Center will distribute in December 2020.
- Services that will be available to venues receiving emergency funding include: legal and accounting services; real estate advice and guidance on lease negotiations; and other professional services and long-term planning from community experts.
Phase 2: Enhanced Funding
- Eligible applicants can apply for additional grant funding up to $140,000 (this does not include funds received from the first phase).
- Grant recipients must complete a technical assistance evaluation and an Equity Strategic Plan in order to apply for more funds during the second phase.
- The funding will be distributed in monthly payments with a maximum of $40,000 per month.
Applications are open through Monday, January 11, 2021 at 5 p.m.
Application and eligibility guidelines available online at www.thelongcenter.org/saveaustinvenues. For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact the Long Center by email saveaustinvenues@thelongcenter.org or by phone 512-457-5181. |
| | | Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantines
Austin Public Health (APH) has released updated guidance on COVID-19 quarantining to reflect changes recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week.
While the CDC has reinforced that the 14 day quarantine is the most protective, local and national data suggest that in some circumstances, a shorter quarantine may provide appropriate protection against the spread of COVID-19. The quarantine length will be determined based on the exposure risk and risk of transmitting the virus to those who could develop severe symptoms from the virus. This flowchart allows individuals to better understand the quarantine period required in Austin and Travis County after an exposure and may be shared with the public, attributed to Austin Public Health.
The updated recommendations are as follows:
1. If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and were not wearing a mask OR you do live with or work in a setting with people who are at high risk for severe disease, you should quarantine for the full 14 days.
2. If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and were wearing a mask and do not live with or work in a setting with people who are at high risk for severe disease, the following guidance applies:- Quarantine for 10 days, monitoring your symptoms OR quarantine for 7 days, monitoring your symptoms AND receive a negative COVID-19 test on or after the 5th day following exposure.
- If you are a healthcare worker or first responder, quarantine for 7 days, monitoring your symptoms AND receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test result on or after the 7th day following exposure.
The flowchart above is to determine when to quarantine after an exposure to COVID-19 before it is certain whether it was spread to you. If you develop symptoms during your quarantine period and test positive for COVID-19, you need to self-isolate for at least 10 days since the onset of symptoms and for at least 1 day following the resolution of fever and improvement of other symptoms.
While the quarantine period has been shortened in some instances, it is essential that everyone closely monitor their health to ensure that they are not developing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, headache, runny nose, loss of sense of smell/taste, sore throat, and/or diarrhea. Regardless of the quarantine guidelines, individuals should wear a mask, watch their distance, and wash their hands for the full 14 days following an exposure, even within their own household.
A free hotel facility is available for those awaiting their COVID-19 results or who have tested positive and cannot safely isolate from others in their home. Individuals wishing to stay at the facility can call 512-810-7554. For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19. |
| | | Holiday Safety Tips from APD
As we prepare for the new year, I wanted to share safety tips to help keep your homes and belongings safe. Unfortunately during the holiday season, we tend to see a jump in property crimes and stolen items as thieves look for vacant homes, unlocked cars, and packages left on doorsteps. Below, you'll find suggestions from the Austin Police Department for protecting your property from break-ins and theft. As always, if something does happen to you or a neighbor, please report it! No matter how small the crime, your report could help investigators track and solve cases across the city.
Auto Theft Prevention
- Never leave your car running while unattended. It takes seconds to steal a car when it is left running. Always roll up the windows, turn off your car, lock the doors, and take the keys with you.
- Take valuables out of your vehicle. Leaving valuables visible in your car is an open invitation for a holiday Grinch eager to steal from you. Take your belongings or place them in the trunk before arriving at your final destination.
- Record serial numbers. This makes it easier to recover property in the event it is found or turned in.
- See something, say something. If you notice suspicious activity, call 9-1-1.
Home Burglary Prevention
- Lock doors and windows. Secure your home, lock all doors and windows, and set the alarm.
- Mail: Ask a trusted neighbor or family member to watch your home and pick up your mail if you’re going to be away for an extended period of time.
- Lighting: Place indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer.
- Audio: Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
- Close the blinds and curtains. Make a family game and look through the windows and doors of your home. If you can see your gifts under the tree, so can the would-be thieves.
- Package safety: Leave a note on your door asking package carriers (UPS, Fed Ex, USPS, etc.) not to leave packages on your doorstep. Request that they leave a notice so you can pick up packages from their facility.
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| | | Shop Local! Austin Small Business Shopping Guide
This December, Visit Austin is celebrating Small Business Season, the month-long movement to help support Austin’s small business community by making them your first stop for in-store and online purchases. As part of this effort, Visit Austin created an Austin Shopping Guide featuring more than 300 local businesses. Check it out and encourage your friends and family to shop local! |
| | | Virtual and Drive-Thru Zilker Holiday Tree & Trail of Lights
This year, access to the Zilker Holiday Tree and Trail of Lights will be different due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions. The Zilker Holiday Tree will be lit nightly from 6 p.m. to midnight through January 1, 2021 at Zilker Metropolitan Park. No onsite access is allowed this year due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Instead, the tree can be viewed from inside a vehicle from the roadway or virtually online here. One perk of the virtual 2020 Zilker Holiday Tree experience is that you will be able to still spin under the tree, safely from home in your pajamas. Visit austintexas.gov/zilkerholidaytree to watch this year’s tree lighting ceremony, see the holiday tree at night, and find a virtual tree spinning video.
Similarly, Trail of Lights is a drive-thru only experience this holiday season. Now through January 3, 2021, participants can access the Trail of Lights with a vehicle pass purchased in advance. No walk up or open-air vehicle access is allowed due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Vehicle tickets and more details are available at austintrailoflights.org.
Please remember: Austin Public Health recommends being cautious this holiday season by celebrating virtually or with members of your household only. If you choose to gather traditionally, follow the holiday safety guidance at austintexas.gov/holidaysafety. |
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