| Dear Neighbors,
A year ago, my office began working with sexual assault survivors and advocates to identify the root causes behind Austin's problems with investigating and prosecuting these horrific crimes. Among other things, this work resulted in a resolution I sponsored calling for a comprehensive third-party evaluation of our criminal justice response to reported sexual assaults.
I am pleased to share that the evaluation is now underway. The team will examine around 2,000 sexual assault cases, review relevant City and Austin Police Department policies and procedures, and conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including survivors and members of APD's Sex Crimes Unit.
Reforming our sexual assault response system is one of my priorities, and though we still have a long way to go, I am proud of each step forward we have taken. - In the 2018-19 Budget, we added two additional victim services counselors and increased money for relationship violence prevention.
- In the 2019-20 Budget, we again added new victim services counselors and also funded additional detectives in the Sex Crimes Unit.
- We successfully secured grant money to help fund DNA testing, as well as to temporarily hire retired detectives to investigate backlog cases, a coordinator to identify the community's high-risk, violent offenders, and a researcher to assist law enforcement and prosecutors with justice system improvements.
- We upgraded APD's victim interview rooms to be more welcoming and comfortable in order to create a better physical environment in which survivors can recount their traumatic experiences.
- At the state level, my office and the City's Intergovernmental Relations Office worked with Representative Donna Howard, who successfully added a rider to the State's budget directing the State Auditor's Office to examine sexual assault investigations and processes in cities and counties across the state.
Accepting shortcomings and failures in the city we love is painful, especially with respect to sexual assault, but it is necessary if we are to create a better future for our daughters, sons and neighbors. I am committed to implementing further reforms that will make Austin a safer and more survivor-focused city.
In this month's newsletter, you'll find updates on a range of topics, including the Land Development Code revision process, safety improvements along RM 2222, and of particular importance this time of year, how to avoid turkey fryer fires.
The District 10 team wishes you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Regards,
Alison Alter Council Member, District 10 |
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Table of Contents - Land Development Code Update
- Safety Improvements on RM 2222 at Mt. Bonnell Road
- Become a Community Climate Ambassador
- AFD Warning: Prevent Turkey Fires!
- 2019 Perry Park Capital Campaign
- Shoal Creek Boulevard Improvements
- Wastewater Averaging: November-March
- Downtown Mobility Survey
- District 10 Opening: Historic Landmark Commission
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| | | Land Development Code Update
On Monday, Council held a special called meeting to discuss the Land Development Code (LDC), with two more work sessions scheduled for December 3rd and 4th. A public hearing will be held on Saturday, December 7th at City Hall. Council is currently slated to vote on the first of three readings of the code and maps on Monday, December 9th. We are expecting the Planning Commission's amendments with staff recommendations as well as staff's proposed amendments to be posted within in the next week.
Please visit the LDC website to find all documents, upcoming events, resources, the current draft map and code, and more. Additionally, please take note of the proposed staff timeline, as this process is moving quickly and we don't want you to miss opportunities to engage. |
| | | Safety Improvements on RM 2222 at Mt. Bonnell Road
In August, our community was shocked and heartbroken to learn of the deaths of two young residents, Aamna Najam and Cedric Benson, former UT football standout. Najam and Benson were traveling down RM 2222 when they collided with a vehicle making a left turn onto RM 2222 from Mt. Bonnell Road, resurfacing many concerns about the dangers of left turns at this high speed intersection.
The Austin Transportation Department and the Texas Department of Transportation worked together to identify safety improvements to prevent this type of tragedy from happening at this intersection again. At the beginning of this month, a new median and signage were installed prohibiting left turns in either direction.
Vegetation growth in this area may also contribute to difficulty with visibility. If you are driving along RM 2222 or any other road that needs to be trimmed back, please contact my office so that we may elevate these concerns. |
| | | Become a Community Climate Ambassador
Are you interested in climate change issues? Do you belong to an organization that serves underrepresented groups in Austin? You may be interested in becoming a Community Climate Ambassador! The City's Office of Sustainability is working to recruit a racially and economically diverse group of people to serve as ambassadors as part of the Community Climate Plan update.
The Climate Plan was first passed in 2015, and helped set the direction for net-zero emissions in Austin by 2050. Five years later, the plan is being updated with the goal of advancing racial equity in identifying strategies to reduce our community's greenhouse gas emissions.
We are looking for ambassadors who can apply an equity lens to climate work, or can contribute their historical and/or lived experience to the conversation. This is a paid opportunity, with funding available to compensate ambassadors for completing tasks like educating the community on climate issues, interviewing people to better understand their challenges and opportunities, and aiding City staff in outreach for the Climate Plan Update.
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| | | AFD Warning: Prevent Turkey Fires!
Many people know Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, but did you know Texas ranks number one in the nation? When you fry foods, you increase the risk of a cooking fire.
If you're frying your turkey this year, the Austin Fire Department's Wildfire Division has shared some tips to help prevent a turkey tragedy: - Do a “dry run” first and fill the pot with water, place your turkey inside, and then mark the water line. That will tell you how much oil you’ll need to use.
- Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before you fry it! That means at least three days in the fridge if it’s been in the freezer.
- Cook outdoors and away from flammables, and stay off of wooden structures (like a deck).
- Never use water to put out a grease fire! Make sure you have a fire extinguisher close by and know how to use it. Babysit your bird! Never leave cooking unattended, especially when you’re using hot oil.
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| | | 2019 Perry Park Capital Campaign
The Austin Parks Foundation, the Highland Park Campus Advisory Council/PTA, the Austin Independent School District and Highland Park Balcones West Area Neighborhood Association (HPBWANA), have launched a coordinated campaign to raise funds for the Upper Field of Perry Park.
For many years, there has been an attempt to grow grass on the Upper Field to no avail. The record rains of the past year have proven no help and the field remains relatively unusable for the children and the community. This has been a cause of much frustration for the school and the community.
Following the successful efforts of other area schools, a campaign to raise $65,000 in order to put turf on the field has begun. We are confident this wonderful community will rally around this effort and bring to the kids a field that they can utilize to the fullest!
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| | | | Shoal Creek Boulevard Improvements
The Austin Transportation Department is continuing to make progress on the Shoal Creek Boulevard improvements, which are funded through the 2016 Bond and the 2018 Bond. Most recently, crews completed the first segment of the selected improvements for the lower portion of Shoal Creek Boulevard, which include new pedestrian crossings and a two-way protected bike lane from 38th Street to Foster Lane.
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| | | Wastewater Averaging: November-March
From November to March, Austin Water calculates customers' wastewater usage to determine monthly billing for the next year. Wastewater averaging is used as a way to save customers money since most of the water during these months goes directly into the sanitary sewer system instead of being used for outdoor watering. To learn about how to save water and possibly lower your wastewater bill, visit http://waterwiseaustin.org.
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| | | Downtown Mobility Survey
Movability and Texas State University are conducting a mobility study to find out how commuters get to, from and around downtown, especially since new modes, like scooters, have entered the market. The results will inform better transportation and mobility planning by the City of Austin, Travis County and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Participants will be asked to complete a short initial survey and then answer one quick question per day (via text) for 30 work days. All data collected will be anonymous. You can register for the study by visiting the Qualtrics survey page. More information on this initiative is also available on the Movability survey webpage. Please feel free to share the survey with anyone who works downtown. |
| | | District 10 Opening: Historic Landmark Commission
The District 10 office is seeking a new representative to serve on the Historic Landmark Commission. The duties of the Historic Landmark Commission are to:- Promote historic preservation activities in Austin
- Review applications for heritage grant monies
- Review applications for historic zoning cases
- Review certificates of appropriateness and tax exemption applications for city landmarks
- Review sign and building permits in historic districts
If you are interested in volunteering for this commission, please send your resume and a short memo with the following information to my office at district10@austintexas.gov:
- What is your assessment of the top three policy questions your commission will be dealing with over the next four years?
- A statement of the expertise and experience that you bring to these issues.
- A statement of what issues you anticipate emphasizing in your work supporting your commission.
Feel free to also share this opportunity with your friends and neighbors. We look forward to hearing from you! |
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