| Dear Neighbors,
Monday saw the highest early voting turnout in Travis County in the last four Presidential elections, with more than 46,000 voters going to the polls! I was honored to vote yesterday at City Hall and I want to encourage you to make a plan and vote early this week or next week to avoid long election day lines. Early voting is happening now until Friday, November 1.
Here are few tips on how to vote in Austin:
Find the closest polling location and get more early voting information at VoteTravis.com.
Please remember that you are not allowed to use your phone within 100 feet of polling locations. You can print out a sample ballot from Vote411.org or take notes on paper ahead of time since we’re voting on a lot of positions this election.
Make sure to bring a photo ID with you to the polls! Acceptable IDs include a Texas driver's license, a U.S. passport, a Texas Election Identification Certificate (EID), a Texas Personal Identification Card or Handgun License issued by DPS, a U.S. military photo ID and a U.S. citizenship certificate with a photo. IDs may be expired up to four years, and people who are seventy years of age or older may use an expired ID. If you don’t have a photo ID, you can still vote with another form of ID. Student IDs are not sufficient.
If you run into any issues while voting, election protection hotlines are available in English (866-687-8683) and various other languages including ASL (video call 301-818-8683). Disability Rights Texas (888-796-8683) is available to help, as well.
If you discover that you are "suspended" when you show up to the polls, you can still vote but you must fill out a Statement of Residence before you can receive a ballot. If you are still registered to vote at your old address, you may return to your old precinct to vote.
You are entitled to receive assistance if you have a physical disability or need an interpreter. You may be assisted by a person of your choice who is not your union representative or employer. Election workers are also available upon request to assist you. If you are planning to take advantage of curbside voting, it is recommended that you call the polling place ahead of time so they can prepare to take a ballot out to your car. For more information about voting assistance, visit this website.
October 25 is the last day to apply to vote by mail. You are eligible to vote by mail if you will be 65 years of age or older on Election Day, if you are sick or disabled, if you are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, if you are away from your county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period, and if you are incarcerated but eligible to vote. If you submit an Application for a Ballot by Mail by fax (512-854-3969) or email (ebbm@traviscountytx.gov), it must also be submitted by mail and received within four business days of your electronic submission. Download the vote-by-mail application and get the mailing address on the website.
I encourage you to get informed and learn about the candidates and propositions on the ballot. You will see there are multiple pages, with the most local issues and seats farthest down the ballot. At the City level, the Mayor and six City Council positions are up for election, including my seat; I am not running for re-election. ACC and AISD Trustees will also be on your ballot, plus a Travis County proposition relating to child care and an Austin ISD proposition.
If you have any questions about the candidates or propositions, I recommend taking advantage of the League of Women Voters Austin Voting Guide and visiting the websites and social media pages of candidates. You can view City Council Candidate Forums here, including those for District 10.
In the remainder of this letter, you will find a wildfire update, City and Council news, upcoming events, and more. I also want to wish a Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating and Happy Halloween to you and your family!
Regards,
| | Alison Alter Council Member, District 10
P.S. The City of Austin has a few Halloween safety tips for you and your family. For local Halloween events, visit the Parks and Recreation Department social media, and the Austin Library events page. | | Table of Contents
Wildfire Update
Council Recap
Council Member Alter in the Community Swearing In Ceremony for Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis Cybersecurity Awareness Month Proclamation Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation Women’s Small Business Month Proclamation For Women, By Women Breakfast and Panel Party for the Parks and It’s My Park Day Jeremiah Program Generation Rise Luncheon Anti-Defamation League of Austin Golden Door Awards Dinner
Announcements
Fall Fitness Festival at Pease Park Community Connections Resource Fair Sustainability Salon Dia de los Muertos / MexAmeriCon November Small Business Classes
City Service Updates
Austin Poet Laureate Applications Open Asian American Resource Center Open Call For Artists and Curators Zilker Tree Youth Art Contest Sobering Center Board Nominees
| | | Wildfire is always a danger in Austin, but dry, windy conditions, with more than 40 days without measurable rainfall, mean our area is currently at severe risk for wildfire. Travis and Williamson County are under established burn bans, and the Parks and Recreation Department has issued a Parks Burning Restriction, banning fire and grilling in all parks, greenbelts, and preserves. Last week, the City and Travis County issued a pre-emptive disaster declaration, announcing the improved ability of various city departments to respond to wildfires and encouraging everyone to be extra careful to prevent wildfires.
Each of us can help minimize the risk. Avoid throwing cigarettes out of car windows or anywhere outside - this is a common origin story of devastating wildfires. Avoid creating sparks on the roadway by making sure that towing chains are securely fastened before driving, avoid driving or parking on the shoulder of roads and on grass.
To protect your home, remove brush, dry leaves, and vegetation within 5 feet of your home and dead tree limbs within 10 feet of your home. Keep your gutters clear of dry leaves, as well. When grilling or cooking outdoors, keep your grill or smoker away from grass and flammable things like leaves and brush. Cook over hard, flat surfaces like concrete and pavement.
I encourage you to request a free Structural Ignition Zone Evaluation (SIZE) from the Austin Fire Department’s Wildfire Division, during which a wildfire advisor will walk the exterior of your home and offer guidance about how to strengthen your property against wildfire risk. Embers from wildfires can travel more than 1.5 miles, so it’s important to be preventative and protect yourself, your family and your property.
Please take extra care with candles around Halloween decorations and use battery powered tea lights in your jack-o’-lanterns and decorations rather than real flame. Extinguish all candles - before going to sleep. Do not leave flames of any size unattended.
The Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Action Guide and the Firewise Landscaping Handbook are valuable references to prepare for and prevent wildfires. | | | | Let me start by sharing some good news:
HOT Fund Grants Awarded to Austin Creatives: The Economic Development Department is proud to report that the City awarded over $21 million in Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)-funded grants to 502 awardees across Austin’s diverse creative sector. These grants reinforce the City’s ongoing commitment to fostering the impactful talent and cultural contributions that make Austin an attractive hub for the arts. Read more about the grants and impact.
Austin Energy Bill Decrease: Good news for Austin Energy customers! You will see another decrease of about $2 on your monthly electric bill, thanks to a 5% decrease of the Power Supply Rate Adjustment (PSA) effective November 1, 2024. This is the second month in a row that Austin Energy is implementing a 5% PSA reduction. For more information about your electric bill, check out this guide.
At the October 10th Council Meeting, we approved a number of important items. Here are a few highlights:
Austin-Travis County Food Plan: Council approved the Austin-Travis County Food Plan, a culmination of a multi-year community engagement process to create a more just and resilient food system. Thousands of community members shared their voice and perspective as to how we can transform our local and regional food system to meet the needs of our community.
The plan contains strategies to address hunger, minimize food waste, and fortify Austin’s food supply in the face of a natural disaster. The Travis County Commissioners Court is expected to vote on the plan in the coming weeks. My office joined the countless stakeholders who worked on this plan, and I'm proud to have been a co-sponsor of the resolution directing how we can implement the plan.
Affordable Housing in District 10: I am excited that Ovetta Rosedale, a 70-unit affordable housing community located at 42nd and Medical Parkway, is moving forward in District 10. With this project, we can provide much needed affordable units near a park, transit, medical facilities, and a grocery store with funding from the Austin Housing Finance Corporation and major federal tax credit assistance - a first for our district. | | | | | Swearing In Ceremony for Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis
The new Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis was sworn in recently at City Hall. I am confident that she will be a hands-on, transformational Chief who will earn the respect and trust of our officers and community. | | | Photo courtesy of the Office of Vanessa Fuentes. | Cybersecurity Awareness Month Proclamation
I was happy to present a Cybersecurity Awareness Month proclamation to Shirley Erp, Chief Information Security Officer of the City of Austin, and her team. Our hardworking Information Security Office, created in 2019, protects our City, critical infrastructure, and residents against cyber threats.
Council Members Ryan Alter, Vanessa Fuentes, Mackenzie Kelly and Mayor Pro Tem Pool joined me in recognizing the importance of education and vigilance regarding our online security. While there is always more to do, the City has made tremendous progress with our program and we are considered a local government leader. | | | Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
Austin City Hall marked Hispanic Heritage Month with a lively proclamation presented by Council Member José Velásquez. I was honored to stand with Council Members Vanessa Fuentes, José "Chito" Vela, Zo Qadri, Ryan Alter, the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA) and other leaders to celebrate the storied history and important contributions of Hispanic and Latino Austinites. | | | Women’s Small Business Month Proclamation
I joined Council Members Vanessa Fuentes, José “Chito” Vela, Zo Qadri, and José Velásquez for a proclamation honoring National Women's Small Business Month. Women-owned small businesses are essential for cities like Austin to have equitable, inclusive, and strong local economies. The proclamation was presented to Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, the City’s Director of Economic Development. | | | For Women, By Women Breakfast and Panel
I enjoyed attending the For Women, By Women Breakfast and Panel Discussion hosted by the Economic Development Department. It was a pleasure to speak about the importance of supporting women in business - especially the small businesses that support our vibrant and stable local economy. | | | Party for the Parks and It’s My Park Day
I had a great time at the Austin Parks Foundation Party for the Parks! It was a pleasure to get outside, listen to music, and visit with friends and coworkers.
The Austin Parks Foundation connects Austinities to the parks they love and works with City departments to improve our parkland. The biannual volunteer It’s My Park Day is coming up on November 2. Learn more and sign up to volunteer on their website. | | | Jeremiah Program Generation Rise Luncheon
I spent an amazing afternoon last week celebrating the Jeremiah Program and its vision of imagining what can happen in a generation.
The Jeremiah Program helps single moms by providing them with college access and support, high quality care and education for their kids, safe and affordable housing, empowerment and leadership training and supportive community. If you agree that no mom should have to choose between investing in herself or her child, I encourage you to learn more on their website.
| | | Anti-Defamation League of Austin Golden Door Awards Dinner
I was pleased to attend the Anti-Defamation League of Austin’s annual Golden Door awards, celebrating the contributions of the Ferdman/Spier Family and the ADL Austin’s fight against hate in our community. October is an important month for our Jewish community, including my family, and it’s always a good time to unite diverse community members from across Austin and celebrate humanitarian work. | | | | | | | | 12th Annual Community Connect Resource Fair
Mark your calendars for the next Community Connections Resource Fair on Saturday, October 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Akins High School (10701 S 1st St., 78748). City of Austin staff and local community providers will be on hand to answer your questions about city departments and city outreach services available. The event offers a free, fun-filled day for the whole family including free food, prizes and activities for the kids, access to health services and more. Learn more at AustinEnergy.com/CommunityConnections.
| | | Sustainability Salon
Come out to the Dougherty Arts Center on Saturday, October 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a special event to gather valuable feedback on eco-friendly practices. Share your knowledge and curiosity about sustainable art practices and how artists can contribute to a healthier planet.
Swap art supplies, make seed balls, paint, and enjoy hot cocoa while engaging in meaningful conversations about sustainability. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. You can register, but it is not required to attend. | | | Dia de los Muertos / MexAmeriCon
Join the 17th annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and MexAmeriCon on November 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (2100 E. 3rd St., 78702). This beloved tradition brings family and community together to celebrate the lives of ancestors, family, friends, and public figures.
The event is open to all ages with no RSVP or ticket required. Guests may bring folding chairs, water and snacks. Find the performance schedule, parking/shuttle details, and more information at AustinTexas.gov/DayoftheDead. | | | | | | | | Austin Poet Laureate Applications Open
The Austin Public Library’s new Austin Poet Laureate program is accepting applications until November 30. The inaugural Austin Poet Laureate will act as the official ambassador of the city’s literary arts, fostering community connections through the art of poetry. For more information about the program, learn more and see the official Austin Poet Laureate guidelines.
This program is near and dear to my heart, as my son Zachary was the 2022 Austin Youth Poet Laureate, and poetry is a big part of my life. Earlier this year, I was delighted to co-sponsor Council Member Vanessa Fuentes’ resolution creating this program. | | | Asian American Resource Center Open Call For Artists and Curators
The AARC’s Community Exhibits Program displays exhibits year-round that celebrate the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, history, identity, and creativity of Austin’s Asian American Pacific Islanders. Selected artists and curators will be provided with support to showcase their work and research, access to AARC exhibiting spaces, facilities, funded community outreach/professional development opportunities, marketing, and other resources.
Artists, curators, and the public are invited to apply to the program by January 12, 2025. For more information about eligibility, the selection process and how to apply, please visit the AARC’s Exhibits webpage. | | | Zilker Tree Youth Art Contest: Submissions Close November 1
Each year, Austin Parks and Recreation Department hosts a youth art contest with the prize of lighting the Zilker Holiday Tree. Submissions for the 2024 Youth Art Contest close on November 1. Learn more and submit at austintexas.gov/department/zilker-holiday-tree. | | | Sobering Center Board Nominees
Applications are still open for the eleven-member Sobering Center Board of Directors. The Sobering Center is a safe place for publicly intoxicated individuals to sober up as an alternative to the emergency room or jail and, where appropriate, to provide a bridge to recovery.
If you have expertise in fields such as legal, medical, behavioral and mental health, public health, chemical dependency and addiction, as well as business, philanthropy and fundraising, you can find out more and apply. Applications will remain open until the position has been filled. | | | |
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