| Dear Neighbors,
On any given sunny summer day in Austin, you will find our lakes, rivers, and pools filled with people looking for a break from the heat. With so many folks visiting our natural water sources this summer, I want to raise awareness of a growing problem. In recent years, Central Texas waters have been invaded by zebra mussels – a small, destructive invasive species that can spread quickly from one body of water to another by clinging to watercraft, clothing, people, and more.
These small, shelled creatures may not look dangerous, but zebra mussels can destroy aquatic ecosystems by eliminating the food supply of native species and have threatened local water supplies by clogging water intake lines. They can also ruin beaches and shores with their sharp shells, which may cause physical injury to both humans and animals.
Now that zebra mussels have invaded Lake Travis and Lake Austin, local creeks and Barton Springs Pool are at risk of an infestation.
The City's Watershed Department warns that people can easily spread this invasive species from one body of water to another without knowing it and has issued the following advice:
Young zebra mussels are invisible to the naked eye, and millions of them can live undetected on wet items for days and form new colonies when introduced into another body of water. After each time you swim, float, fish, or play in Lake Travis, Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, and “Barking Springs” (by Barton Springs Pool), it’s important to take the follow precautions: - Wash your swimsuit, water shoes, wetsuits, and towels in hot water and dry them thoroughly
- Clean and dry all motor boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle board, toys, coolers, rafts, buckets, and other items
- Clean and dry your dogs
In the newsletter below, you'll find several opportunities to learn about and give feedback on new plans for things like floodplain regulations and the new Shoal Creek Trail Plan. I also have included some upcoming ways to take advantage of City resources, and a fun event at Camp Mabry for the whole family. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office at District10@austintexas.gov if we can be of service.
Sincerely,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10
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Table of Contents - Shoal Creek Trail Plan & Feedback
- Public Meetings on Potential Changes to Floodplain Regulations – July 17 & Aug 2
- Hands on History – July 21
- Dougherty Arts Center Redevelopment Survey – Closes July 25
- CityWorks Academy Application – Closes July 31
- Brush Square Revitalization Survey – Closes August 3
- Upcoming Classes for Small Businesses
- District 10 Artist Feature – Reece Fish
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| | | Shoal Creek Trail Plan & Feedback
Shoal Creek Conservancy has partnered with the City's Public Works Department and community stakeholders to create the Shoal Creek Trail: Vision to Action Plan, which will lay the groundwork for making major improvements to the Trail and extending it northward past Highway 183. Currently, the trail extends nearly four miles from Lady Bird Lake to 38th Street. The new plan will extend Shoal Creek Trail, making it part of a 30-mile continuous “Big Loop” of urban trails traversing the city from Lady Bird Lake to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park.
The Conservancy and the Public Works Department are presenting the plan to relevant boards and commissions, and also will be presenting the plan to the City Council. A summary presentation can be found here.
During this presentation period, public input will be collected and shared with decision makers. Later, the plan will be considered for adoption as an amendment to Austin’s Urban Trails Plan (UTP) during the UTP’s next revision process. The feedback survey is available to the public and closes on Tuesday, July 31. |
| | | Public Meetings on Potential Changes to Floodplain Regulations – July 17 & Aug 2
The City's Watershed Protection Department (WPD) is amending Austin’s floodplain regulations in response to the National Weather Service's latest historical rainfall study. This study, called Atlas 14, shows that Central Texas is at higher risk of large storms and severe flooding than what was previously expected. As WPD prepares the changes to the City's floodplain regulations, staff invites you to participate in a stakeholder meeting to find out more and share your thoughts and experience.
WPD will host at least two stakeholder meetings. The second one will build on the first one, so you may want to attend both of these meetings. The meetings will use a webinar platform that will enable you to participate in the meetings remotely.
Remote participants will need an internet connection, a working computer and either a telephone line or functioning audio speakers on their computer or tablet. Remote participants will be able to ask questions by typing them in.
The meetings will be recorded and available for viewing at www.austintexas.gov/Atlas14 after the meeting has taken place.
Stakeholder Meeting #1 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 4-5:30 p.m. Carver Branch Library (1161 Angelina Street)
Stakeholder Meeting #2 Thursday, August 2, 2018 12-1:30 p.m. Town Lake Center - Assembly Room 130 (721 Barton Springs Road)
For the second meeting, free parking is available at Palmer Auditorium. Please use the Riverside Drive entrance and mention Atlas 14/Watershed Protection to the parking attendant.
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| | | Hands on History – July 21
The Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry is hosting Hands on History, a one-night event giving folks an opportunity to see and handle some of the most famous weapons in military history. Attendees will be allowed to climb inside a M4A3 Sherman tank, a German Hetzer, WWII and post war era jeeps, a Kiowa and a Raven helicopter, US and German halftracks and M113s, and more.
Weapons from the Civil War through the War on Terror will be available to touch and pick up, including all standard infantry weapons and anti tank weapons, such as the M1863 Springfield, Krag-Jorgenson, Japanese type 99, BAR, German MP 40, Russian AK-47’s, M1-D sniper rifle, and many more. Uniformed reenactors will also be available to discuss the history of each weapon. There will be a Chick-Fil-A food truck onsite from 5-8 p.m. and souvenirs will be available for purchase. For more information 512-782-5394.
Regular admission tickets will be $5 at the door, and early bird entry (starting at 5 p.m.) will be $10. The event is free for museum members and children under the age of six. If you would like to become a member of the Museum Foundation, you can do so here. All money benefits the Texas Military Forces Museum and its programs. |
| | | | Dougherty Arts Center Redevelopment Survey – Closes July 25
The Dougherty Arts Center (DAC) is one of Austin's oldest community arts venues, and has brought joy, entertainment, and education to its students and visitors for years. The center, however, increasingly faces challenges such as lack of space, lack of technology resources, and missed opportunities to accommodate various activities.
The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is working on redeveloping the center and is asking community members to take a survey where they can share their vision for the future of the DAC. The survey is available in both English and Spanish and will be available until July 25. Residents can take the survey by clicking the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DACProject.
Once all feedback has been collected and reviewed, the project team plans to host a second open house this fall to discuss what we have heard and share updated concepts.
For more information, please visit www.austintexas.gov/DACproject. Questions regarding this project may be sent to DACProject@austintexas.gov.
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| | | CityWorks Academy Application – Closes July 31
Have you ever wondered how much a fire hose weighs? Or perhaps how many City vehicles operate on alternative fuel or hybrid technology? The Austin CityWorks Academy is an inside look at Austin government – a unique opportunity for Austinites to learn about the City’s governmental processes, its procedures and the people who deliver these services through a free series of 14 weekly classes.
Applications are currently being accepted and anyone living within the Austin City Limits is eligible to apply. Classes are Wednesdays 6-9 p.m and start on September 5, 2018. The complete class schedule will be posted on the CityWorks website soon. To apply, please fill out the online form here. The application will close on July 31.
Be informed and involved, and join others who help keep our community strong by actively participating in City affairs. You’re never too young or too old to learn more about the services of your City!
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| | | Brush Square Revitalization Survey – Closes August 3
Located in the southeast quadrant of downtown Austin, Brush Square was one of three original public squares in the City's 1839 Waller Plan. Currently, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is spearheading the revitalization of the square, which is the home of the historic Brush Square Museums. Austin Fire Station #1 is also located on the square and actively serves the surrounding downtown area. The PARD project team is asking for public feedback on initial design concepts via the Brush Square Concepts survey, which is open until August 3, 2018. Community input will be reflected in Brush Square’s master plan, which will be completed in Winter 2019. |
| | | Upcoming Classes for Small Businesses
The Economic Development Department's Small Business Program exists to foster job creation and support the growth of new and existing businesses by offering coaching and help for small businesses looking to strengthen their resilience and capabilities. To this end, the Small Business Program is offering several new workshops, including a workshop on authentic networking, which will help businesses build diverse, enduring professional relationships that contribute to the bottom line.
The Small Business Program also offers relevant courses as part of a partnership with University of Texas Center for Professional Education. These courses cover a variety of topics including marketing, human resources, business planning, accounting, and more. Individuals can earn their Business Skills Certification by completing six qualifying classes. Honorees also will receive a proclamation and reception at City Hall Council Chambers to celebrate the achievement.
All classes and events offered by the City's Small Business Program can be found and registered for here. |
| | District 10 Artist Feature – Reece Fish |
| | Thank you to District 10 artist Reece Fish for sharing his artwork with us! Above is Fish's piece Moving Forward, 2018. The artwork is inspired by the artist's reconciliation with difficult circumstances in his life. Fish hopes that viewers will feel in touch with their own spirituality or self-efficacy that helps them endure troubling times in their lives. Colored pencils were chosen for this piece because the artist finds the pencils make it easiest to get into the details. The subject matter and style both came to fruition as Fish was working on the piece, which he believes allows for a more integrated and personalized image.
Reece Fish has on online portfolio of his drawings, which can be found on his Instagram handle, @lapisfish. |
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Do you know a local artist whose work you'd like to share with your neighbors? If you or someone you know have a knack for painting, drawing, photography, etc., we would love the opportunity to feature work from District 10 artists in the newsletter! To submit an artist/piece to be featured here, please email my Communications and Outreach Coordinator, April Brown, at April.Brown@austintexas.gov. If you are sending in your own work, please include a photo of the work you would like to share with your neighbors, the work's title, year, medium/materials, and a link to your website if you have one. Also encouraged is a bit of background info, such as:- What/who inspired the work?
- What do you hope its viewers will feel/think?
- Why did you choose the medium, subject matter, style?
We also are looking to showcase our community's musical talents. If you are a musical artist and would like to be featured, please submit a video or link to your music. Please include names of individuals performing, as well as instruments used and the song title. You also can share additional relevant information about the music/artists, such as how long the artist has been playing and details about any upcoming performances in Austin.
Through these artist features, we hope to showcase some of the many talents and passions of District 10 residents and increase awareness of the importance of art in our communities. |
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