Subject: Pilot Reimagined Police Cadet Academy To Start in June

Dear Neighbors,


Last week Council approved the commencement of the Pilot Reimagined Police Cadet Academy (Item 10 on the May 6 agenda), with an expected June start date. This action follows a year and a half of work to transform the Austin Police Department’s Cadet Academy to improve training, reduce bias and discrimination, prioritize de-escalation, and meet community expectations. Since the Dec. 5, 2019, Council resolution initiating a comprehensive audit of the APD Academy, many reports and recommendations have been published regarding academy curriculum and culture. You can find an overview of the reports in my March newsletter. 


Kroll & Associates, the consultant hired by the City to help identify and implement reforms in the academy, presented their final report to Council on May 4, and the Austin Police Department also reported back on progress made thus far. I encourage you to watch their presentation here. In the update to Council, we learned that most of the short-term recommendations from Kroll were either completed or in progress, with the expectation that those still underway will be completed in the coming weeks.


I voted to approve the pilot class because I believe much progress has been made to date. We must now see the reforms in action to see whether and how they work in practice. I also see it as critical that we begin to train new officers if we want to meet the public safety needs of our community and shift from a “warrior” to a “guardian” culture at APD.  


The pilot academy class will be the first of its kind in Austin, with a fully reviewed and revised curriculum and training videos, new training philosophies and approaches, new sworn and civilian academy leadership, interim progress reports, and an independent evaluator observing and reporting on each component of the academy training. In a previous newsletter, I wrote to you about the passage of the Cadet Academy Blueprint and the amendments I authored to help guide the pilot class and future classes. As part of last week’s discussion on Item 10, I offered new amendments and direction to improve transparency around the pilot class which you can read here. 


Critically, I provided direction to ensure staff makes adjustments throughout the course of the academy instead of waiting until the end. If we see that a reform or an approach is not working, I believe we should pivot as quickly as possible to make improvements. We also must ensure community feedback is built into the ongoing process; I structured one of my amendments to include updates from the Community Video Review Panel and the Academy Curriculum Review Committee as part of the interim reports.


The work to Reimagine Public Safety in Austin continues across many city departments and several foci, with various opportunities to engage. The Office of Police Oversight is hosting several virtual events to get public feedback on APD’s use of force policies. You can RSVP for one of the upcoming events here or submit online input here. Additionally, last month we received recommendations from the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, and we expect the city manager to come back to us with an analysis of those recommendations this summer. I encourage you to watch the Task Force’s presentation and stay tuned for the report back from the city manager. Below, you will also find an opportunity to share your thoughts on our next police chief.


I also want to congratulate Dr. Mark Escott, previously serving as the Interim Health Authority, on his transition to a new role as the City’s Chief Medical Officer. He is going to be leading the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, which was created in last year’s budget on my initiative. Dr. Desmar Walkes will be our new Health Authority/Medical Director, and she will begin her duties on May 31, 2021. You can read more about Dr. Walkes here. I also want to congratulate Stephanie Hayden-Howard in her promotion from Austin Public Health Director to Assistant City Manager. Adrienne Stirrup, formerly serving as the Assistant Director of Austin Public Health, is now stepping up as Interim APH Director.


We have a LOT to report this week on other council actions, implementation of Prop B and other homelessness related actions and ways to help, the latest COVID information, and many ways for you to engage with the City. It is a long newsletter, but full of information and opportunities that I believe you will appreciate.


Warm regards,


Alison Alter

Council Member, District 10

Table of Contents


  • Homelessness Update and How to Help

  • Council Recap

  • COVID Update 

  • Fundraiser: COVID Relief in India

  • Winter Storm Uri Review Updates

  • Congratulations to Our New EMS and AFD Graduates!

  • Provide Feedback on Austin’s Next Police Chief

  • APD Expands Online Reporting Options

  • Highland Park Water & Wastewater Improvements Update

  • City of Austin Employee Retirement System (COAERS) Call for Applications

  • Disposal of Storm Debris and Yard Trimmings

  • Barton Springs Pool to Require Reservations Starting May 21

  • Become a Summer Camp Counselor with the Parks and Recreation Department!

Homelessness Update and How to Help


Proposition B and City Response


Early this month, Austin voters approved the adoption of Proposition B, an ordinance regulating public camping, public solicitation, and sleeping or sitting down on sidewalks in the downtown area. The City Manager is charged with implementing and enforcing this ordinance and on Tuesday he announced a phased process to safely and humanely implement and enforce the Proposition B ordinance. The plan has been developed through a coordinated effort among multiple departments—including the Austin Police Department (APD), the Homeless Strategy Division, the Homeless Outreach Street Team, the Downtown Austin Community Court, Parks and Recreation Department, Austin Resource Recovery and others. 

  • Phase One: (30 days; beginning May 11th) APD will give verbal warnings, except in cases of imminent health/safety threats while coordinating with our homelessness outreach teams to provide information about alternative options such as storing personal items, alternate campsites, available shelter, and other resources.   

  • Phase Two: (30 days) APD will begin to issue written warnings and citations. 

  • Phase Three: APD may initiate arrests and/or encampment clearances where compliance has not been achieved after a citation has been issued.   


Staff have indicated that they anticipate that Phase 3 will be completed by August at which point we will transition into Phase Four, during which citations and arrests will continue as necessary. APD will continue to coordinate with City homelessness outreach teams to provide information about alternative options such as storing personal items, alternate campsites, available shelter, and other resources.  


All citations issued for violation of the new ordinance will be directed to the Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC), where personnel evaluate each case and develop disposition plans that include connecting individuals to needed social services and/or assigning them to community service.


You may watch the City Manager’s press conference on the implementation of this ordinance using this link. Additionally, a web page has been created to help address frequently asked questions about this issue. This webpage will continue to be updated as more information and resources are available to help all community members, including those without housing, understand implementation and enforcement of Proposition B.



Council Action on May 6


Last week Council approved several related items:


Items 18 and 20 were two contracts with Front Steps using local and federal dollars to operate a new shelter at one of the properties the City previously purchased as a transitional housing shelter at 2711 S. IH 35. The property, which is a former Rodeway Inn hotel, at 2711 S. IH-35 in south Austin, was purchased by the City in April 2020 using Federal Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and has operated as a temporary COVID protective lodge since August 2020. As the need for protective lodging during COVID has subsided, we are now able to deploy this property for its original intended purpose. The property will now be known as the Southbridge shelter.


The new Southbridge shelter will include the following features:

  • On entering the shelter clients will be immediately connected with case workers tasked with linking them to rapid rehousing, which means they would ultimately move on to apartments across the city with rental assistance and ongoing case management.

  • This is an invitation-only shelter and will not be walk-up, avoiding the need for people to congregate outside the property every day to secure a bed or seek other types of services. Clients will be offered rooms to stay in and receive assistance as they progress into permanent housing. Their expected stay at the bridge shelter is temporary, not indefinite.

  • The property will have on-site security, staffed 24 hours a day, and a new fence will be installed.

  • The property has 87 rooms and each room has a bathroom. Some rooms will be used as offices and meeting spaces. 


Item 16 and Item 17 were agreements with Austin/Travis County Integral Care and Family Eldercare to provide case management and rapid rehousing services to individuals experiencing homelessness who have been temporarily housed at the Southbridge shelter. These two providers will work with residents to transition them in and out of the Southbridge temporary shelter into Permanent Supportive Housing units. This will then open up new capacity at Southbridge and new individuals will be housed there temporarily as they too are then transitioned into permanent units.


These contractors, working together, will be implementing the first stages of the  Homeless Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative which I co-sponsored, and which Council approved earlier this year as a strategy for safely and humanely addressing existing encampments. You may read the detailed blueprint of the HEAL initiative here.


Council also unanimously approved Item 70 which was a resolution  directing the City Manager to research best practices related to temporary designated encampments on public land and to provide recommendations to Council on potential publicly-owned land or land within the city limits owned by willing community partners that could accommodate temporary housing. Important factors to understand about this resolution is that it asks the Manager to provide recommendations on how to create sites for temporary housing in the form of tiny home type structures, not tent encampments. Council anticipates the Manager providing an initial response to this resolution by May 14th. 

 


How To Help


Many have asked how they can help our neighbors experiencing homelessness. You may already have your favorite groups and organizations that are helping, but if you are looking for ways to contribute, you can visit this City of Austin page dedicated to getting involved in this issue, or you can visit this page which is focused on how to help during COVID. Lastly, the Austin Chronicle had a holiday report on the various non-profits that work in this area and their needs are year-round and you may identify one or several organizations that speak to you. 

Council Recap


On Thursday, May 6, my Council colleagues and I advanced several important initiatives. Find highlights below including overviews of our work on violence prevention, COVID-19 relief, and mold remediation in response to damage caused by Winter Storm Uri. 


Violence Prevention and Public Safety


Item 15 (Contract for Violence Prevention Work) – This item advances the important work of establishing our Office of Violence Prevention, which was a key recommendation put forward by our Task Force on Gun Violence in 2020.  I created the Task Force on Gun Violence after the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas in 2019 and then I secured funding for a new Office of Violence Prevention during our FY 2021 budget deliberations.


This item is a contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to gather, assess, and analyze our local data on violence and use their expertise to craft recommendations on violence intervention and prevention strategies tailored to the types of violence and area of violence we experience locally. The NICJR has been working in the field of violence prevention for over 15 years and is the convenor and creator of the National Office of Violence Prevention Network. Across the nation the evidence-based strategies developed and implemented by this type of work has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on preventing and reducing violence and harm. I look forward to their work and advancing their recommendations. 


Item 38 (APD Academy Independent Evaluator Contract) – Following their extensive analysis and reporting on the APD Cadet Academy, consultant firm Kroll & Associates will serve as independent evaluators for the 144th Pilot Cadet Class I wrote about in my letter above. They will observe the training, guide the implementation of the short-term and long-term recommendations, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the class through its completion, and report back to the Council with findings. 



COVID-19 and Public Health Response


Items 12 & 13 (Code Requirements for Food Pantries) – Historically, the City has regulated most charitable feeding organizations (CFO) such as food pantries and soup kitchens in the same manner as commercial food establishments. This approach poses challenges to non-profits, religious, and charitable groups who don’t operate in the same way as restaurants and similar commercial entities. Item 12 and Item 13 will amend Chapter 10-3 (Food and Food Handlers) to define “charitable feeding organization” as a food establishment that provides food without charge and that holds an IRS 501(c) tax exempt status and will adjust their permit requirements based on the scale and scope of their operations without negatively impacting health and safety. The City also designated a CFO ombudsman/liaison and developed a CFO webpage.. To review the full list of distinctions and code and permitting changes, you may read this staff memo. 


Item 19 (State Grant for COVID-19 response) – This item accepted a grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services to fund 5 full-time positions and 43 temporary staff to support medical data entry, call center support, administer vaccinations, educate the community about COVID-19, and provide support to community vaccine providers. 


Item 40 (Mold Remediation) – This resolution directed the City Manager to provide recommendations and best practices to determine how the City can better respond to health and safety issues caused by mold in rental properties, including ways to facilitate access to existing resources for financing mold remediation.

COVID Update


On Tuesday, Council again joined the County Commissioners Court for a joint COVID briefing from Dr. Mark Escott and Assistant City Manager Stephanie Hayden-Howard. You can view the presentations and their slides here. We started the meeting with a recognition of National Nurses Week and gratitude for the irreplaceable work done by our dedicated nurses each and every day, especially in this pandemic. Please take a few moments to thank the nurses in your life and in your community this week!


This week, our community remains at Stage 3 Risk Guidelines, but public health staff is carefully monitoring hospitalization numbers for a potential shift down to Stage 2. Dr. Escott noted that risk guidelines are likely to be adjusted for Stage 2 as information from the CDC changes. Overall, the latest data show that case numbers and infection rates are slowly but steadily declining. We also continue to make progress in terms of vaccination rates, with an estimated 30% of the Austin-Travis County population still vulnerable to COVID-19.

While we are reducing our general community vulnerability, the largest population of vulnerable individuals are children. Data from last week show an increase in the number of hospitalizations for youth under 19, and Dr. Escott reported recent hospitalizations of kids as young as 3, noting this is the same pattern currently seen in Israel. Although the risk of hospitalization and death is lower for kids, both the immediate and long-term risks are real. As a parent, I have ensured my teenagers are vaccinated and I highly encourage parents to vaccinate their children as well.


This week we learned that Pfizer has been approved for children ages 12 and up. Austin Public Health continues to only distribute the Moderna vaccine, but other community partners are offering Pfizer, including UT Health, the Travis County Vaccine Collaborative Drive-Thru Site at the Expo Center, and many local pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, and H-E-B. You can find additional providers at vaccines.gov.


Vaccinations efforts are still as important as ever, and all Austin Public Health sites are transitioning to a dual appointment/walk-up model to accommodate more patients and schedules. If you have yet to get vaccinated, please take advantage of the many providers in our community. To help with the vaccine effort, Austin FC released a PSA encouraging Austinites to “Take the Shot”. You can watch the PSA in English or in Spanish and share with friends or on social media!

Additionally, Austin Public Health is partnering with local LGBTQ+ organizations to host a vaccine event this Saturday, May 15, at Givens District Park from 2-6 p.m. Please RSVP using the QR code below or via this link.

I am grateful for the tireless efforts from community partners, and we are fortunate that our collective commitment to preventing and responding to COVID has put us in a better position than many other Texas cities. This week, staff informed us that Austin/Travis County actions in response to COVID-19 have resulted in the lowest confirmed cases among Texas metropolitan areas at 82,526, significantly less than Harris (393,183), Dallas (257,895), Tarrant (216,096), Bexar (180,885) and El Paso (134,441) counties. Similarly, Travis County has experienced significantly fewer deaths due to COVID-19 with 998 compared to other Texas metro counties such as Harris (6,230), Dallas (3,988), Bexar (3,489), Tarrant (3,022) and El Paso (2,663). 


We must continue our efforts to stay safe and vaccinate. These results speak to the effectiveness of the COVID-19 response overall in regards to testing availability, mitigation measure implementation and vaccination efforts, and they are a testament to why we should continue this work.


Note the CDC is providing updates on recommendations for vaccinated individuals and mask mandates. We will share more information on social media and in our next newsletter as soon as we know how the city's mask mandate and risk guidelines may evolve to reflect the new guidance.

Fundraiser: COVID Relief in India


Over the last few years, it has been my honor to help establish a sister city relationship between Austin and Pune, India. As a second wave of COVID is hitting India, Pune has been greatly impacted and is in need of assistance. Please join me and our Austin-Pune sister city team and help fund:

  1. the delivery of critical equipment to hospitals

  2. food for the needy, and

  3. an effective vaccine rollout.

Learn more by clicking my photo above to watch a video I recorded for this effort. You can donate here. All funds will be applied to Pune City Connect, which is a division of Lighthouse Communities Foundation – a nonprofit entity that I personally visited in 2018.


You can find a FAQ at https://lighthousecommunities.org/faqs and a short video on this project here.

Winter Storm Uri Review Updates


Following the severe weather events of Winter Storm Uri that impacted residents in February 2021, the City of Austin established a Winter Storm Review Task Force to identify strategies for building a more resilient, better-prepared city and community response for future disasters.  

The Task Force is holding listening sessions in which individuals and organizational representatives can share their experiences, and recommendations related to the winter storm. The Task Force will summarize the testimony received into a final report for the Austin City Council.  

The public can also provide feedback, suggestions, and ideas on SpeakUp Austin. The website is translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Burmese, Urdu, and Arabic.


The Task Force is seeking public comment from impacted residents and businesses. The upcoming meetings will be held on the following dates: 

  • May 14, 2021 (6-8PM) - 2 of 5 

  • May 28, 2021 (6-8PM) - 3 of 5 

  • June 11, 2021 (6-8PM) - 4 of 5 

  • June 23, 2021 (6-8:30P) - 5 of 5 


For more information on the Winter Storm Review Task Force and the meetings, visit https://www.austintexas.gov/content/winter-storm-review-task-force. 


Yesterday, the City Council met with the City Manager and various department heads to discuss the City’s operational response to the February 2021 Winter Storm event (Winter Storm Uri). Department heads for the Austin Transportation Department, Austin Fire Department, Austin Water and others provided answers to Council questions related to the storm. You may view the video of the meeting and the associated back-up documents at this link.

Congratulations to Our New EMS and AFD Graduates!


Over the past few weeks, the Austin Fire Department and the Austin-Travis County EMS team marked the graduation of their respective cadet classes into a life of public service. As Austin’s newest firefighters and medics, each day they will help save lives. Please join me in congratulating AFD Cadet Class 130 and ATCEMS Cadet Class 0221!

\Provide Feedback on Austin’s Next Police Chief


Please join the City for a virtual community meeting where you will be able to provide the Consultants from Ralph Andersen & Associates with your feedback as it relates to the next police chief.


Virtual meetings will take place via Zoom. Click on the meeting date links below to join your preferred Zoom meeting.

Virtual Community Meetings:

Monday May 17, 2021: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Monday May 17, 2021: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Thursday May 20, 2021: 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Friday May 21, 2021: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Friday May 21, 2021: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

 

Those unable to attend, may still submit feedback via SpeakUp Austin: Your Next Chief of Police Recruitment Process or send an email to Community@AustinTexas.gov. All submissions will be taken into consideration.

APD Expands Online Reporting Options


The Austin Police Department (APD) has expanded the options for citizens to file non-emergency police reports online. The website, www.ireportaustin.com, includes the following categories: Assault Threats Burglary Criminal Mischief Fraud Harassment Incident Involving a Motor Vehicle Lost Property Theft The online reporting tool provides an easily-accessible platform for people to create a police report without having to wait for a call back from a non-emergency operator to take the report, making the process more efficient. Once the person filing the report (the complainant) chooses the appropriate category, they will answer a series of questions specific to the offense. From there, the APD Record’s Division will review the report for completeness and take one of the following actions:

  1. approve the report;

  2. send the report back to the complainant for more information; or

  3. reject the report.

Learn more about the reporting process here.

Highland Park Water & Wastewater Improvements Update


The construction crew for the Highland Park project has moved to the intersection of Northland and Balcones Drive to make temporary pavement repairs. Crews will also make temporary pavement repairs on Balcones, N Hills, E Hill and Hart Lane in the next three weeks. Road conditions will improve once this work is completed. Please observe detour signs and use caution in the construction area. Final paving of the streets will be performed at the end of the project, currently scheduled for August 2021. You can learn more about the project at austintexas.gov/highlandpark.

City of Austin Employee Retirement System (COAERS)

Call for Applications


The City of Austin is seeking residents interested in serving as a trustee on the City of Austin Employee Retirement System (COAERS). This position, appointed by the Austin City Council, is a volunteer position with a four-year term. Pension system trustees are fiduciaries of the pension plan and fulfill the following responsibilities: 

  • oversight of investment decisions and asset allocation of the fund;

  • with the assistance of professional staff including the executive director, investment officer and plan actuary, establish the actuarial assumptions and determine contribution requirements;

  • hiring and evaluation of the executive director;

  • approval of system consultants;

  • approval of the budget;

  • oversight of benefit payments;

  • approval of disability retirement applications. 


To qualify, applicants must have been city residents for the preceding five years and must not be City of Austin employees, former employees, or officers of an employer.


How to Apply


If interested, please submit a 500 word or less statement of interest and a current resume to city.clerk@austintexas.gov with the subject line “City of Austin Employee Retirement System - Statement of Interest.”

Disposal of Storm Debris and Yard Trimming


Austinites can drop off storm debris from February's winter storm and other yard waste at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant, free of charge. The facility will be open seven days a week through May 16 (and Monday through Saturday after that). In addition, small branches and leaves can be composted in your green cart. Branches that don't fit in the cart (no longer than five feet and no thicker than three inches in diameter) should be stacked into manageable bundles no heavier than 30 pounds, next to your cart. Larger material can be set out with your regularly scheduled large brush collection. Large brush and tree limbs that are too large for composting collection are collected periodically. 


Download the Austin Recycles app or check the website for your collection schedule.

Barton Springs Pool to Require Reservations Starting May 21


Barton Springs Pool will require reservations beginning Friday, May 21 in order to manage capacity for the safety of staff and guests. Reservation time slots will be available in two-hour increments beginning at 8 a.m. until the pool closes at 10 p.m. All other aquatic facilities do not currently require reservations. 


Season Pass Holders, Patrons 80+, Veterans as well as Retired and Active Duty Military can enter Barton Springs Pool with no reservations; however, everyone else in the party must have a reservation. In person payment acceptance suspended until further notice. The first set of reservations as well as season passes will be available beginning on May 10. People will need to pay the standard Barton Springs Pool entry fee (e.g., $5.00 for adult residents) in order to reserve a ticket. 


To make a reservation CLICK HERE. To purchase Season Swim Passes CLICK HERE.

Become a Summer Camp Counselor with the

Parks and Recreation Department!


The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is looking for extraordinary, talented people to join its team of summer camp counselors!  Be a role model for kids and teens, lead activities, gain valuable experience and memories, have fun teaching and playing outside. Must be 18+ to apply. Pay starting at $15/hour. Find a list of open positions at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/summer-jobs.

CONTACT US!



Follow us on social media for more updates!

301 W 2nd street, Austin, TX 78701, United States

You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.

Powered by:
GetResponse

    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of district10 (District 10, 301 W 2nd street, 78701 Austin) and sent via GetResponse on 2021-05-13. Report abuse