| Dear Neighbors,
Each year in March, Austin welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world for South by Southwest. Guests enjoy exclusive film screenings, music showcases, expert panels, and more. As we return to "normal", we should remember that much of SXSW's talent and expertise remains in Austin – the city they call home.
One of those accomplished Austinites is artist Josef "Jo" Kristofoletti, a District 10 resident who focuses his art on mural paintings that address ideas about nature, technology, space, and architecture. His work has appeared in several publications, including Wired, PBS News Hour, New York Times, The Guardian, Boston Globe, Fast Company, and Symmetry Magazine.
Kristofoletti is the creator of Austin's tallest work of public art Tau Ceti, which stands 10 stories tall. Tau Ceti sits on the corner of Second and Brazos Streets and references a single star in the constellation Cetus known for being the closest Sun-like star.
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| Kristofoletti hand painted Tau Ceti by utilizing a swing stage – scaffolding similar to that which is used to wash the windows of tall buildings. As you may have already seen if you've walked past the downtown mural , Tau Ceti creates what the City's Cultural Arts Division has described as "a stunning optic experience as sunlight from surrounding buildings refract and correspond with the painted gradient color spectrum throughout the day".
We are fortunate to live in such a thriving, creative city, and I invite you to take advantage of the art, entertainment, and learning opportunities available in Austin not only during SXSW, but year round.
As in every newsletter, listed below you will find many upcoming opportunities to participate in initiatives around the city. As you will see, there are plenty of ways to engage and make your voices heard.
Regards,
Alison Alter Council Member, District 10 |
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Table of Contents - Budget Community Forums
- Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Feedback
- District 10 Office Hours – March 29
- Bull Creek District Park Community Meeting – March 25
- Shoal Creek Open Houses – March 26, 28 and 30
- Office of Police Oversight Community Office Hours – March 27
- Exposition Blvd. Water Improvement Project Meeting – March 27
- Creative Space Assistance Program Grant Applications – March 29
- Palm School Community Meeting – April 3
- Mayfield Gardening Symposium – April 6
- Five-Year Federal Funding Plan Survey
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| | | Budget Community Forums
For the upcoming budget cycle, staff from the City’s Budget Office, Equity Office, and Public Information Office have been collaborating with the various commissions that comprise the City’s Joint Inclusion Commission on a community engagement effort. That collaboration has resulted in a Community Forum series that will take place throughout the month of March. The input received during these forums will assist the commissions in making recommendations related to city services and the budget.
Below is the 2020 Budget Community Forum Flyer that includes the list of all upcoming dates and locations for each forum. |
| | | | Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Feedback
As you may recall from my December newsletter, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) will be the city's guide for transportation policies, programs, projects, and investments for the next 20 years. The ASMP addresses multiple modes of transportation, including driving, walking, bicycling, and public transit.
The plan will be presented to various boards and commissions for feedback and consideration before it comes to Council. I encourage folks to share their thoughts on the ASMP by attending any of the public boards and commissions meetings listed below.
Zoning and Platting Commission Council Chambers at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St. Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m.
Downtown Commission Boards and Commissions Room at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St. Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Council Chambers at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St. Thursday, March 26, 6 p.m.
Joint Sustainability Committee Council Chambers at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St. Wednesday, March 27, 6 p.m.
Additionally, City Council has set a public hearing on the plan for March 28. Community members are encouraged to attend this public hearing to share with the full Council their opinions on the future of transportation in Austin.
City Council – Public Hearing Thursday, March 28 (time to be determined) Austin City Hall 301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX
In case you haven’t had a chance to check out the final draft of the plan yet, please head on over to the ASMP website. The final draft includes a policy document to guide decisions, action items to achieve the ASMP's goals, indicators to help us measure progress, and final draft maps for a visual representation of how the ASMP will impact Austin's transportation network. |
| | District 10 Office Hours – March 29
Come by and talk to us about the issues that matter most to you! District 10 staff will be available on March 29 to listen to your comments and concerns and help connect you with the appropriate City resources. These will be walk-in office hours operating on a first come, first served during the hours detailed below.
Friday, March 29 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Galaxy Cafe 8127 Mesa Dr. Suite A100
Additionally, please stay tuned for an upcoming District 10 town hall in late April or early May. We will be covering a variety of topics, including the 2020 Budget. Details for this meeting will be included in the next newsletter. |
| | | Bull Creek District Park Community Meeting – March 25
The Austin Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a public meeting to provide interested stakeholders with an update on the Bull Creek District Park Master Plan. The plan outlines proposed enhancements to the trail, restroom, and picnic areas in the southwest corner of the park and is currently in the design development phase. Construction is anticipated to begin this fall.
Monday, March 25 7-8:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 913 Northland Dr. |
| | | Shoal Creek Open House – March 26, 28 and 30
Austin Transportation Department (ATD) is evaluating Shoal Creek Boulevard from 38th Street to US 183 for changes to enhance the safety and mobility of everyone who uses these streets. In late 2018, ATD began a public process to collect community input from people who use Shoal Creek Boulevard. You can view the public input summary and all public input received during the first public comment period on the project website.
The project team used input collected from the community to develop a number of alternatives for public review. You are invited to provide feedback on these draft alternatives, which includes a no build option, at any one of three open house events.
Community Open Houses
Tuesday, March 26 5:30-7 p.m. Burnet Middle School Cafeteria 8401 Hathaway Drive
Thursday, March 28 5:30-7 p.m. Lamar Middle School Cafeteria 6201 Wynona Avenue
Saturday, March 30 1-2 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center Gym 2913 Northland Drive
The same information will be presented at each open house, so attend the one that is most convenient for you. For those unable to attend, all open house materials will be available on the project website starting March 26, including a survey.
To learn more about the 2016 Mobility Bond, visit AustinTexas.gov/2016Bond. |
| | | Office of Police Oversight Community Office Hours – March 27
The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) will hold Community Office Hours where director Farah Muscadin will introduce the community to the Office of Police Oversight and its mission.
Wednesday March 27, 2019 3-4p.m. Ruiz Branch Library 1600 Grove Blvd
Director Muscadin will share how the office is advancing its goal of increasing accessibility and transparency with:
- Anonymous complaints, presenting a new tool that will make it easier for community members to file complaints against the police.
- Online forms, which will gather critical data on the interactions between the community and the police and are being revamped to accept both positive and negative feedback via mobile-friendly online forms.
- A dedicated complaint line available in English and Spanish. The line (512-972-2676) will be staffed by a complaint specialist to answer questions immediately from the public and take complaints.
- Community partnerships, detailing a new network of community partners across the city able to facilitate the complaint process online or in a convenient paper form to bridge the digital divide.
- Community Office Hours – twice monthly outreach event at local libraries to establish the Office of Police Oversight as a community resource and to let community members know that OPO is the place to file complaints of police misconduct.
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| | | Exposition Blvd. Water Improvement Project Meeting – March 27
Austin Water has scheduled a public meeting for the Exposition Blvd. Water Improvement Project, which is part of the Renewing Austin Program, an ongoing program to replace and upgrade aging infrastructure. Construction will begin on the project in the next month.
At the public meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the contractor, the City of Austin project inspector and other staff. Staff will also be available to answer questions.
Wednesday, March 27 7-8 p.m. O. Henry Middle School
2610 West 10th Street |
| | | | Creative Space Assistance Program Grant Applications – March 29
The City of Austin Economic Development Department’s Cultural Arts and Music & Entertainment Divisions recently launched a joint funding initiative to help preserve and grow spaces for Austin creatives. The Creative Space Assistance Program (CSAP), is a new grant program that stems from the 2016 Austin Music & Creative Ecosystem Omnibus Resolution and Art Space Assistance Program which identified lack of affordable space for artists as a priority concern.
The new CSAP initiative expands eligibility to for-profit live music venues, performance spaces, and art galleries, in addition to arts-focused nonprofits. CSAP aims to provide direct support to qualifying creative organizations facing temporary or permanent displacement, or to organizations previously displaced.
The CSAP is being launched with $750,000 in funding. Organizations may apply for a financial assistance grant of up to $50,000 to defray rent hikes, property acquisition costs, or other space-related needs. The grants will be made on a competitive basis, and priority will be given to organizations confronting immediate and critical needs. Nonprofits serving historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply. A Grant Review Committee comprised of public and private sector leaders in the arts, banking, and real estate sectors will evaluate the applications and make final recommendations for awards.
Information Meetings: March 19, 2019, 2-3:30 p.m. March 25, 2019, 2-3:30 p.m. City Hall Boards & Commission Room, 301 W. 2nd Street
Deadline to Submit Eligibility Requirements: March 29, 2019
Deadline to Apply: April 30, 2019
Awards Announced: Week of May 20, 2019
Interested applicants are welcome to attend an information meeting on the CSAP program on either March 19 or March 25, 2019 at 2 p.m.. in the Boards and Commission Room at Austin City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street. The meeting on March 19 will also be broadcast live on ATXN, the City of Austin's television station, and recorded and posted on the website shortly after the event.
For more information, including guidelines and eligibility, please visit www.austintexas.gov/csap or contact Kim McCarson, Music and Entertainment Division Economic and Business Liaison, at (512) 974-7963. |
| | | Palm School Community Meeting – April 3
On May 8, 2018, Travis County Commissioners Court approved the creation of the Palm School Advisory Board, which is charged with drafting recommended covenants for deed-restricted sale or long-term lease of the Palm School Property, considering its significant cultural, historic, and real estate value.
To assist them in this effort, the Board and County staff has scheduled a public input meeting to identify public priorities and receive important feedback to inform their work.
Wednesday, April 3 6:30-8:30 p.m. Terrazas Branch Library 1105 E Cesar Chavez St.
During this meeting, Travis County staff and the Palm School Advisory Board will be presenting draft restrictive covenants for public review and comment. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to contact Heather Ashline at (512) 854-1161.
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| | | Mayfield Gardening Symposium
Please join Friends of the Parks of Austin, the Mayfield Park Community Project, and the Austin Parks & Recreation Department for their annual "Trowel & Error" gardening symposium. The event will feature a raffle, plant sale, garden tours, and speakers from the Austin Pond Society, Red Wheelbarrow Landscape Consulting and the Austin Rose Society.
Saturday, April 6 (rain or shine) 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mayfield Park 3505 W. 35th Street
Trowel & Error benefits one of Austin’s favorite and enchanting parks, historic Mayfield. Guests may tour the restored Mayfield-Gutsch home, surrounded by stone-walled gardens patterned in the 1920’s after the cottage gardens of England. Visitors also will enjoy towering palms, flowering trees and perennials line meandering paths set among ponds filled with water lilies and fish, as well as the gregarious peacocks that supervise overflowing flowerbeds planted and maintained by community volunteers.
Trowel & Error is the sole fund-raiser for historic Mayfield Park. Although admission is free, a $5.00 donation is requested.
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| | | Five-Year Federal Funding Plan Survey
Help set Austin's priorities for federally funded housing and public service programs!
The City of Austin is asking residents to fill out a two-minute online survey and to share their thoughts about priorities for addressing affordable housing, job creation, and public service needs for low- and moderate-income families, persons with disabilities, and seniors.
The survey is available in both English and Spanish, and asks Austinites to rank their community priorities, identify areas of need, and offer their own suggestions of needs and potential programming.
Managed by the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department (NHCD), the survey will help decide where to spend nearly $13 million in annual grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the next five years. Vulnerable communities and populations are especially encouraged to participate.
For more information, please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/five or call 512-974-3100. |
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