Dear Neighbors,
During the first regular Council meeting of 2021, the Council voted unanimously to elect District 1’s Natasha Harper-Madison to serve as Mayor Pro Tem in 2021 and to elect me to serve as Mayor Pro Tem beginning in 2022. I want to express heartfelt congratulations to Mayor Pro Tem Harper-Madison and to thank my colleagues for entrusting me with the responsibility of Mayor Pro Tem after her term. We have many important tasks ahead of us this year, and I look forward to working together to advance good policy for Austin.
I also am pleased to report my Council committee assignments for the next two years. I will continue to chair the Council’s Audit & Finance Committee and to serve on our Mobility Committee, Austin Water Oversight Committee, and the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee. I also was reappointed to represent the City of Austin on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Transportation Policy Board and on the City of Austin/AISD Board of Trustees/Travis County Commissioners Court Joint Committee.
Every year at the beginning of February, we mark National Gun Violence Survivors Week. The weeklong event honors survivors and victims by elevating their stories and bringing the public into the conversation about the impact of gun violence in our country. The ongoing need for these conversations takes on additional urgency in the wake of the tragic hostage situation that occurred on Jan. 26th at a pediatric practice in District 10. Together we mourn Dr. Lindley Dodson, a beloved pediatrician and member of our community lost to gun violence.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, this year’s National Gun Violence Survivors Week highlights the resilience of America’s gun violence survivors, who despite experiencing incredible trauma, are leading work on the ground to support other survivors and advocating for common-sense measures that save lives. In the wake of the heartbreaking tragedy that occurred in our city, I invite you to join the conversation and help lift the voices of gun violence survivors by visiting momentsthatsurvive.org. The Austin Independent School District has also published resources to help guide conversations with children about violence, loss and grief that are publicly accessible here. Additionally, Integral Care offers many services for those seeking help with mental health, including a 24/7 crisis hotline – (512) 472-HELP (4357). Please feel free to share these resources.
Many of us are searching for ways to help the family in this time of immeasurable grief. The Lindley Dodson Education Foundation has been established to help fund the future educational needs of Dr. Lindley Dodson’s three young children. Please donate and share if you feel inclined to help.
Now more than ever, it is critically important that we work together as a community and commit ourselves to helping one another, starting with those who are most in need. Over the last couple of weeks, Council has taken several actions towards that goal, including purchasing hotels to create permanent supportive housing with wraparound services for individuals experiencing homelessness, providing employment opportunities for our unhoused neighbors through encampment cleanup efforts, advancing a plan to fortify Austin’s flood resilience, and more. Learn more about Council’s recent efforts below.
As always, my office is here to help with City related matters and to connect you with resources. If you need assistance, please contact us at District10@austintexas.gov.
Regards,
Alison Alter Council Member, District 10 | | Council Recap Black History Month Vaccine Updates CapMetro COVID-19 Vaccination Transport Service COVID-19 Testing and Information Municipal Civil Service Commission Applications Open City of Austin Launches LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Survey City of Austin Announces New Civil Rights Officer Resilience is Community: A Community Conversation Applications Open for City Boards and Commissions
| | | During the first two Council meeting weeks of 2021, my colleagues and I took action on some of our city’s most pressing issues. The City’s new Homeless Strategy Officer, Dianna Grey, gave her first briefing to Council on the City’s latest homelessness efforts, which you can watch here. Despite the unanticipated challenges from the COVID-19 public health crisis, the City and its partners have made progress, successfully moving about 1,400 people experiencing homelessness into housing this year. I look forward to working alongside Ms. Grey in the weeks and months ahead.
Continuing to build upon our homelessness efforts and work on other important initiatives, Council took the following action over the last two Council meetings:
Created Permanent Supportive Housing: Over the last two Council meetings, we authorized the purchase of two hotels to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Item 61 this week on the Feb. 4th agenda authorized the purchase of a hotel in District 6 and Item 31 on the Jan. 27th agenda authorized the purchase of a hotel in District 7. Combined the two facilities are anticipated to provide 140 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and will be purchased with affordable housing bonds approved by Austin voters in 2018.
Housing-Focused Homeless Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative: At the Feb. 4th Council meeting, Council approved a resolution I co-sponsored directing the City Manager to develop and implement the Housing-Focused Homeless Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to housing and services in certain identified areas; to develop ordinances or other documents necessary to fund the initiative; and to propose amendments to City Code Section 9-4-11 to clarify that these four locations will not be available for camping after completion of the HEAL initiative. As you may recall, I did not vote in favor of repealing the camping ban when the Council majority took that step in 2019 because I did not believe we had a plan for what came next. I believe this item is a constructive contribution to building out the full portfolio of tools to make homelessness in Austin brief, non-recurring, and rare. You can read the HEAL Fact Sheet here.
Workforce First Encampment Cleanups: On. Jan. 27th, Council approved an agreement to add $223,245 in funding to provide temporary work to an additional crew of individuals experiencing homelessness who will focus on clean-up projects from the Watershed Protection Department. This contract is part of the Workforce First program.
Eating Apart Together (EAT) Initiative: Council allocated additional funding for the Eating Apart Together (EAT) Initiative as an emergency response to COVID-19. EAT is a partnership between public and private organizations developed to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness have ongoing access to food, water, and hygiene items when normal service delivery providers have either ceased operations or scaled back due to concerns about the spread of COVID19.
----------------------------------------------------------- February 5th marked one year since the Austin Public Health (APH) Department Operations Center was activated to monitor travelers returning from abroad for a mysterious respiratory illness, now known as COVID-19. One year later, the City is not only monitoring COVID-19 in our community, but has also undertaken robust case investigation, testing, vaccination, and social services operations. Below are the most recent steps Council has taken to help Austin recover from this pandemic. More COVID updates are included the sections below.
January 27th Meeting Item 14 ratified the contract with the Better Business Bureau to provide $4,803,025 of additional grant funding to small businesses that had previously applied to the Austin Small Business Relief Grant program. Item 16 provided United Way for Greater Austin with an additional $5,000,000 in Childcare Provider Relief Grant funds. Prior to this action the contract disbursed a total of $1,148,000 in emergency funds to childcare providers in need of relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This action brings the contract total to $6,398,000 in funding to support our childcare sector. Item 18 ratified a contract with Greater Austin Performing Arts Center to deploy the Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund, an effort to provide financial and technical support to Austin live music venues who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Item 41 increased funding to the Austin Public Education Foundation for continuation of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Caregiver Meals program that provides emergency food access for caregivers of students in Austin-area schools. The additional funds related to this item will be used for emergency food access for caregivers of students who are in Austin-area schools. Local vendors impacted by COVID-19 that are experiencing business interruptions will prepare the caregiver meals to assist with economic recovery efforts and ensure vendors’ employees maintain employment as a result of this contract. Funding of $3,900,000 will provide thirty-nine weeks of meals through the end of September 2021.
February 4th Meeting Item 29 amended an interlocal agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin to provide an additional $3,200,000 in emergency rental assistance for households impacted by COVID-19 for the term January 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022. Item 47 expanded the city’s contract with local group American Youthworks to provide training and green jobs to those economically impacted by the pandemic as part of the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps, an initiative I launched last May.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Council also passed several items that reflect Austin’s shared values and advance efforts to realize meaningful public safety reform, stand against hate, extremism, and bias, and create a more resilient Austin.
Reimagining Public Safety: New Forensic Science Department
Item 32: On Feb. 4th, Council took action to create the Forensic Science Department. The new Forensic Science Department will operate in partnership with the Austin Police Department but will have its own leadership that reports directly to the city manager. This reorganization helps address significant problems Austin has experienced with our city’s forensics processes and response, such as the massive backlog of sexual assault kits that took years to process. Many reports have been published calling for crime labs to be made independent of law enforcement agencies to address issues with bias, to improve scientific analysis, and to secure more accurate and timely results. I invite you to read the National Academy of Science’s report “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward” and UT Law professor Jennifer Laurin’s commentary in the Statesman calling for an independent crime lab.
This item advances the City’s “decoupling” efforts to separate civilian-led functions out from under the Austin Police Department umbrella; this change is part of the Reimagining Public Safety process.
Denouncing Violent Extremism Item 64: On Thursday, Council approved a resolution I authored denouncing the January 6, 2021 domestic terrorism incident at our nation's Capitol and affirming the City’s ongoing commitment to cultivating an inclusive, safe, and just society and culture. I believe we cannot be silent in the face of violence and intimidation, and we cannot allow our children to think these acts are normal and happen without consequence. Too many times in history we have seen the dark realities of hatred and extremism left unchecked. It is our responsibility as community leaders to demonstrate that violent extremism and domestic terrorism will not be tolerated. My resolution was authored in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and Austin joins cities across the country in adopting similar legislation.
Item 56: At the Jan. 27th meeting, I co-sponsored a resolution authored by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes addressing flood mitigation and community resilience. The resolution directs the City Manager to provide an update on the Resilient Austin resolution adopted in 2020, to compile an inventory of the City’s flood mitigation efforts to date, to coordinate on the Watershed Protection Department’s new strategic plan replacing the department’s former master plan, and to consider changes to the Land Development Code based on recommendations from the original Flood Mitigation Task Force. The resolution also includes details directing the City Manager to develop a scope of work around a plan implementing equitable and resilient measures for residents negatively impacted by flood events including in areas recorded as having localized flooding in District 10. | | | This month, please join me in honoring the extraordinary history, experiences and accomplishments of Black Americans. I am proud to be part of a Council that recognizes, acknowledges, and works to remedy Austin’s long history of institutional inequality and systemic oppression of the Black community. I also am proud to be part of a City network that honors the contributions and stories of Black employees. This year, the City of Austin kicked off Black History Month celebrations with a program presented by the City of Austin’s African-American Heritage Network (COAAAHN). The 2021 theme is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity & Diversity” featuring keynote speaker Heath Muhammad. You can watch the presentation online here.
I invite you to explore ways to honor Black History Month in Austin, such as checking out the George Washington Carver Museum’s digital programming or diving into the many programs, resources, and efforts of Six Square – Austin’s Black Cultural District. You can also check out the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce’s list of Black-owned businesses to support this month and year round. | | |
Unfortunately, the vaccine distribution process continues to be slower than we would like and is often frustrating for people seeking the vaccine. Thank you for your continued patience as APH leadership and providers work diligently to navigate and adapt to the State’s ever changing distribution process and guidelines.
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) continues to prioritize vaccine distribution for Phase 1A and Phase 1B individuals and has asked providers to emphasize individuals 75 years and older as well as communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. At this time, Austin Public Health (APH) has more than 190,000 people who are pre-registered in the system and meet the criteria for 1A or 1B, but has only received approximately 50,000 doses of the vaccine in the past month. APH is currently releasing new appointments on Tuesday and Thursday each week. In order to reach targeted populations of 1A and individuals over the age of 80, APH is sending emails providing advanced notice that appointments are available. If you have not yet registered, go to AustinTexas.gov/covid19-vaccines to begin the process. If you or a loved one do not have internet, computer, or email access, please call the Austin Public Health Nurse line at 512-972-5560 to register. Once your account is established, if you have difficulty logging back into your account, under User Name, add “.aph” to the end of your email address (example: john.doe@austintexas.gov.aph) This should resolve the issue.
Please continue to check austintexas.gov/covid19-vaccines for the latest information and weekly fact sheets.
Second Doses
Austin Public Health will be reaching out directly to individuals who received their first doses from APH to schedule their second shot. APH will only make appointments for second doses available once the vaccine arrives in order to avoid the confusion and frustration with cancelling appointments if the vaccine is not received in time. Please note that according to the CDC, second doses do not need to occur exactly 28 days after the first dose. Getting the second dose a few days or even a week late will not impact its effectiveness.
Vaccine Dashboard
Yesterday Austin Public Health released the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard which includes the following information: Total Doses Administered by APH Total Doses Administered by Priority Age Group Demographics of Doses Administered by APH Estimated 2019 Travis County Population detailed by Population 65 years of age and older
There are over 350 COVID-19 vaccine providers in Travis County that have been approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS); the APH COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard is limited to data about the doses administered by APH. Please also note that the allocation data shown on the dashboard is different than the current allocation received by APH. The data does not include vaccinations which were performed prior to the electronic registration process, but this information is in the process of being manually entered by staff. As the city fully transitions to using the technology available, the data will be more reflective of APH's weekly allocation. Like most of the existing APH dashboards, the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard will be updated weekly and show information from the previous week. APH has also included a link to the DSHS vaccine map to show the total amount of vaccines being providing in Travis County as well as a link to the John Hopkins vaccine tracker. APH will continue making improvements to the dashboard as more information becomes available. | | | CapMetro COVID-19 Vaccination Transport Service
CapMetro is offering complimentary curb-to-curb transportation service for eligible community members who have secured and scheduled their appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. MetroAccess vehicles are now accepting requests from community members and healthcare providers for transportation assistance to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations through phases I and II. Complimentary trips are currently available to individual customers only at this time.
Please note: Capital Metro is only providing transportation, not the vaccine itself. Customers must secure and schedule their vaccine dose with their healthcare provider.
How to Make Your Reservation Call 512-369-6050 weekdays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to request your trip at least 1 day in advance.
When making the reservation, customers will need the following information: Pickup address Vaccine location destination address Requested appointment and return times If the customer is traveling with another person or utilizing any mobility aids.
Service is available during regular MetroAccess hours of operation and within the current MetroAccess ADA service area. VaccineAccess trips are free to customers receiving the vaccine.
Customers should expect their ride to arrive within 30 minutes before or after their scheduled pickup time. When the appointment has ended, customers may call for their return pickup to be dispatched.
Please note that customers are required to wear face masks while on transit vehicles and when at our facilities. Per federal mandate, face masks must cover your nose and mouth and attach around the ears. Bandanas and other single-ply fabric coverings do not meet the federal requirement. Learn more about CapMetro's COVID-19 guidelines here. | | | COVID-19 Testing and Information
Testing
Austin Public Health continues to offer free testing prioritized for individuals without health insurance. Those with insurance are encouraged to contact their physician’s office or insurer directly for testing referrals and private options. You can sign-up for a test through the Public Testing Enrollment Form or through the APH Nursing Hotline (512-972-5560). When calling the Hotline press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, 3 for Vietnamese and other languages. Hotline hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
COVID-19 Data and Risk Guidelines
Austin Public Health tracks and publishes local COVID-19 data, such as new confirmed cases, case demographics, hospitalizations, and ICU/ventilator usage. Dashboards are available in desktop and mobile versions here. Austin is currently in Stage 5 risk guidelines. | | | Municipal Civil Service Commission Applications Open
The Austin City Council seeks applications from qualified individuals to serve on the five-member Municipal Civil Service Commission, which serves as the ruling body on appeals of disciplinary actions by covered City of Austin employees.
The applicants will be considered for two full three-year terms that will run from the date of appointment through May 2024 and may additionally be considered for an unexpired term (ending May 2023) if a position becomes available in May 2021.
The time commitment for Commission business varies but is typically 20 hours a month. Hearings of the Commission typically last an entire business day and are scheduled twice per month with the option to add additional meetings as needed. Commissioners serve on a voluntary basis. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2021. The MCS Commission hears and makes final, binding decisions on appeals of City employees resulting from a Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension, Demotion, Discharge, or Denial of Promotion. If rule revisions are brought forward by the MCS Director, the MCS Commission will recommend modifications to the City Council. The City Council is looking for the following qualities for appointees to the Municipal Civil Service Commission: City of Austin resident. Qualified voter of the City. Preferred experience or knowledge of the administration of human resources or labor relations. Preferred experience or knowledge in labor/employment law.
The following persons may not be appointed to the Board:
Application Process Interested applicants may complete a City of Austin Boards and Commissions application online at https://austintexas.granicus.com/boards/forms/385/apply. Resumes, cover letters and supporting documentation may be submitted electronically to Stephanie Hall, Boards and Commissions Coordinator, via email at Stephanie.Hall@austintexas.gov. | | | City of Austin Launches LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Survey Austin’s LGBTQIA+ Community Survey is open now through April 30, 2021. The survey, which takes 25-30 minutes to complete, will help to inform the City and its LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission about the quality of life of Austin’s LGBTQIA+ communities. The survey can be completed on any computer, touchpad, smartphone, or via printed copy. All responses will be kept anonymous and no personal information will be shared. | | | City of Austin Announces New Civil Rights Officer
The City of Austin has selected Carol Johnson as the City’s first Civil Rights Officer. Ms. Johnson will start her new position on February 16, 2021. The new Civil Rights Officer is responsible for supporting department programs and initiatives as it relates to all six of the Strategic Outcomes outlined in Strategic Direction 2023. The Civil Rights Officer reports to the Deputy City Manager and will develop and monitor a clear vision for the Civil Rights Office, advance the City’s non-discrimination efforts, and promote outreach, education, and awareness events for both businesses and community stakeholders.
Ms. Johnson previously worked as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission, serving under the last three Arkansas governors in a bi-partisan capacity. Ms. Johnson has nearly 20 years of experience in public administration and executive governance and was instrumental in developing a newly formed Civil Rights agency overseeing 75 Arkansas counties. Read more about Carol Johnson’s background and experience here. | | | Resilience is Community: A Community Conversation – Feb. 23 In May 2020, the City Council of the City of Austin passed a resolution I cosponsored regarding community resilience building and comprehensive resilience planning, in order to create a more resilient Austin. The new City of Austin Resilience effort would like to work hand in hand with residents to prepare for and move forward a comprehensive resilience planning process rooted in equity. Residents are invited to the upcoming event Resilience Is Community: A Community Conversation to speak about the shocks and stressors affecting African Americans in Austin and to discuss your perspectives on how to make a comprehensive resilience planning process an equitable one. The invitation is open to all. At the event the City will: Have brief remarks from guest speakers Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, City of Austin Deputy City Manager, Jozmand Black, former staffer to late Congressman & Civil Rights Activist John Lewis & candidate for Georgia State Representative (District 60), and Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, President of Huston-Tillotson University Provide a background on City of Austin resilience efforts Engage in discussion on the shocks and stressors in the community, and equity in comprehensive resilience planning
Resilience Is Community: A Community Conversation Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. (CST) – Please log in 15 minutes in advance Location: Zoom (Link provided to those who RSVP)
Please RSVP individually at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RICSeries by 5 p.m. Thursday, February 18. | | Applications Open for City Boards and Commissions As I begin my second term, I will be nominating volunteers to each Council-appointed board and commission. I have been so fortunate to have so many talented and dedicated commissioners, and I am looking forward to continuing our work over the next four years.
We have several vacancies and opportunities, and we are seeking District 10 residents to serve in these roles:
Urban Transportation Commission Bond Oversight Commission Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Commission on Veterans Affair Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Committee Building and Standards Commission Immigrant Affairs Library Commission
If you are interested in serving in one of these roles, please email Kurt.Cadena-Mitchell@austintexas.gov indicating your desired commission and include details on why you wish to serve. If you have already contacted us about an opening, we appreciate your willingness to serve and we are still reviewing applications. We will follow up with applicants shortly.
If you wish to serve on a board or commission that is not listed above, please email us to express your interest, as appointments can become vacant throughout the year when volunteers roll off or move on to other projects. Though most council members prefer to appoint commissioners who live in their districts, any resident may apply for any board or commission.
You can learn more about serving as a commissioner, see current vacancies, and apply to serve here. | |
|
|
