Subject: What We Accomplished Together in 2022

Dear Neighbors,


Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, I would like to reflect on what we accomplished together in 2022 for District 10 and for Austin. 


In 2022, I worked to advance Austin’s long-term health and sustainability.  I focused on strengthening our resilience and emergency preparedness, expanding access to medical care, improving Austin’s response to hate and sexual assault, and investing in our workforce. I regularly partnered across departments and levels of government to improve delivery of basic services. [Interested in the Cliff Notes version? Check out this recent interview in the Austin Monitor.]


Emergency Preparedness and Climate Resilience


Rebuilding Trust in our Water Utility

In February 2022, Council unanimously passed my resolution calling for an external audit of Austin Water to examine Austin’s recent pattern of water quality challenges and identify appropriate changes and actions. The final report will be presented at the Audit and Finance Committee meeting on January 18th and Austin Water’s implementation plan will be presented on February 15th, 2023.  (I will cover the findings and next steps in more detail in a future newsletter. For now see also my recent message board post). 


During last year’s search for the next Austin Water Director, I also worked to connect community water advocates with the City Manager’s office to provide feedback. Shay Ralls Roalson, who was recently appointed to be Water Director, will play an important role in rebuilding trust in our water utility and ensuring that Austin Water effectively prepares for the water quality and supply issues brought on by the climate crisis.


Household Hazardous Waste Pickup Pilot

This year, I worked with Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) to make it easier for those living North of the river to safely dispose of hazardous waste. ARR customers in District 10 can now schedule a free home pickup of paint, batteries, oil, and more through this pilot. See a full list of items and schedule a pickup at austintexas.gov/hhwpilot.


Expanding the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps

I created the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps (ACCC) in 2020 to provide job training while meeting City sustainability and conservation goals. As our need for a green workforce grows, I implemented a budget amendment adding two full time employees to manage the ACCC program and expand pathways to green jobs.


Austin Energy

In December, I sponsored a resolution initiating revision of our 2030 Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan, which will include a new retirement date for the Fayette Power Project plant. The generation choices that we make have potentially great impacts on our rates and our ability to achieve our climate change goals. I also co-sponsored an initiative to expand access to Austin Energy’s Customer Assistance Programs to households impacted by the rate increases taking effect in March. You can read more about why I voted against the Austin Energy base rate increase in my December newsletter.


Access to Healthcare


In 2022 I authored/co-authored several budget amendments to expand access to healthcare: improving the City’s ability to monitor and respond to infectious diseases, funding a life-saving EMS whole blood administration program, investing in EMS simulation training equipment to expedite medic hiring, and expanding EMS service to the airport. I am also proud that the Paramedic Practitioner Program, I launched in 2021, now has four staff who are dispatched to treat patients where they are, helping them to avoid costly ER visits and keeping our ambulances available to service those in need faster. We also are making progress in my efforts to improve the EMS billing system.


Public Safety


Wildfire Preparedness

I facilitated funding for staffing and constructing the new fire/EMS station opening at 360 and Davenport this February and supported investments in wildfire education and vegetation management. I also sponsored a resolution to incorporate more of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code into Austin’s land development code.


Response to Hate

After a spate of hate incidents in my district, I authored a budget amendment supporting a public education campaign and improvements to the 311 reporting system.


Reducing Gun Violence

Approaching gun violence as a public health issue, I leveraged partnerships to build a stronger ecosystem locally to prevent gun violence. Along with Travis County Judge Brown, District Attorney Garza, and Mayor Adler, I co-hosted a gun violence summit in June. I also authored a resolution directing the City Manager to explore every option to prohibit or reduce the sale of semi-automatic rifles to anyone under age 21 in Austin.


Response to Sexual Assault

An independent evaluation of Austin’s sexual assault investigations, which I commissioned in consultation with survivors and advocates, was published in November. This report recommends systemic changes and improvements to Austin’s sexual assault response system, some of which are already underway. During the budget process I secured the needed financial resources identified in a preliminary report, including a crime analyst for APD’s Sex Crimes Unit, investments in detective training, an increase to the Victim Emergency Assistance Fund, additional vehicles for APD’s Sex Crimes and Victim Services divisions, and funding for 3 previously grant-funded positions to support survivors.


Police and 911 Call Center

I have long maintained that we can both address police culture and bias and improve staffing, training, and response times. In 2022, I co-authored a resolution to develop a comprehensive public safety staffing plan, and supported 3 additional APD cadet classes that will use improved, community-focused curriculum. I also continued my work to address vacancies and emergency response times in our 911 call center through increased compensation and investments in recruitment and retention.


Transportation and Mobility


I supported continued improvements along 360, 183, and on Spicewood Springs and the Redbud Trail Bridge. Additionally, I worked with City staff to update Austin’s Strategic Mobility Plan to better address the wildfire threat and plan for evacuations.


2022 Safe Routes to School Project locations included:

  • Austin Woods Drive/Hill Elementary school

  • Laurel Mountain Elementary School in Great Hills Reserve

  • Doss Elementary School and Murchison Middle School


Parks


Every Austinite deserves to live and work within walking distance of a great park. In 2022, I led the effort to require commercial developers to pay their fair share by including parkland in their plans or paying parkland fees.


District 10 parks improvement projects completed or initiated in 2022 include: renovations to the Tarrytown and Reed playgrounds, new artwork and landscaping improvements at Eilers Park, and improved restrooms at the Walsh Boat Landing and Bull Creek Park.


Equity, Opportunity, and Investing in our Workforce


As our City and our workforce face new challenges and a rising cost of living, I am proud to have championed creative approaches to expand equity and opportunity in Austin.


Together with the Asian, Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ chambers and the Economic Development Department, I launched the development of a Regional Economic Equity Development plan. I also initiated a process to create a local preference program to help our small businesses access city contracts.  I supported increasing the City’s living wage to a minimum of $20 per hour and I worked with Capital IDEA and United Way to leverage American Rescue Plan Act funds to strengthen our workforce, healthcare and early childhood ecosystems.


Housing and Land Use


In 2022 Council adopted two policy changes I co-authored, which allow residential uses in commercial zones and relax compatibility requirements on targeted corridors under certain conditions. See my December newsletter for details.


Looking Ahead to 2023


My highest priority in 2023 is to continue to address City recruitment and retention efforts in order to improve our public safety response times and our delivery of essential services. In my view, policy work is not completed simply by passing resolutions and amendments. This year I will thus be stewarding the full implementation of my efforts to strengthen Austin’s long term health and resilience.


In the remainder of this letter, you will find information on my upcoming office hours at a District 10 emergency preparedness event, January volunteer opportunities, a COVID risk update, and more.


Thank you to the many D10 residents, Austinites, and city staff who joined me in this work in 2022. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year. And if you read this far, THANK YOU too! 🙂🙂🙂


Regards,

Alison Alter

Council Member, District 10

Table of Contents


Council Transitions


Reminder: District 10 Office Hours and Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up–January 18


Safety Tips and Updates

  • Increased COVID Risk in Travis County


Service and Public Input Opportunities

  • Serve on a City Commission

  • Food Drive at Pease Park on Monday

  • Airport Open House on January 19th

  • Public Hearing for I-35 Capital Express Central Project

  • Youth Career Fair: Call for Volunteers and Swag Donations

  • Share Your Feedback with Austin’s Commission on Aging

  • Complete the Austin Public Health Basic Needs Survey


Announcements

  • City Announces Small Business Training Classes

  • City Grant to Support Local Creative Spaces Facing Displacement

  • Sign up for Winter Lifeguard Training!


Council Member Alter in the Community

  • Constituent Eagle Scout Project: Memorial for Frontline Workers

  • Visiting the 911 Call Center

  • Happy Lunar New Year!


Accessing City Services

  • Austin Forensic Science Services Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Council Transitions

In 2022 I also had the honor of serving as your Mayor Pro Tem. It is now my pleasure to pass the torch– Council Member Paige Ellis will serve as Mayor Pro Tem this year, and Council Member Leslie Pool will serve in the role in 2024. I hope they find the job as rewarding as I did.


Congratulations to my newly elected colleagues, Mayor Kirk Watson and Council Members José Velásquez, Ryan Alter, and Zohaib Qadri, and to my recently re-elected colleagues, Council Member Harper-Madison and Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, on their recent inauguration! I look forward to working with them and hearing the unique perspectives they will each bring to the dais.

Reminder: District 10 Office Hours and Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up–January 18
Join me at a District 10 emergency preparedness pop-up event on Wednesday, January 18th at the Howson Branch Library (2500 Exposition Blvd.). You can stop by between 4 and 7 pm (no RSVP required). Make sure to visit my table-- I will be holding office hours there from 5-6:30 pm. The D10 table will have a limited number of water valve shutoff keys to share, and the first 50 guests will receive a free household emergency supply kit from Austin Homeland Security and Emergency Management. I hope to see you there!

Increased COVID Risk in Travis County

For the first time in five months, Austin-Travis County’s COVID Community Risk Level has been moved from low to medium, and the new, highly transmissible subvariant Omicron XBB.1 has been detected in Travis County.

With new Council members joining the dais, there will be additional opportunities to serve on City boards and commissions. Commissioners volunteer their time to advise their appointing Council member on a policy area they have expertise in. Issues range from planning and zoning to LGBTQ quality of life to animal services in Austin. To learn more about commission openings or to submit an application, visit austintexas.gov/department/boards-and-commissions.

Food Drive at Pease Park on Monday

Please bring donations to the Pease Park Conservancy MLK Day Food Drive supporting Central Texas Food Bank! Conservancy staff and volunteers will be at Kingsbury Commons collecting donations between 12 and 5 p.m. on Monday. Most-needed items include peanut butter, canned meats and vegetables, dry pasta, beans, and rice, whole grain cereal, and tomato sauce.

Airport Open House on January 19th

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport invites Austin and Central Texas residents to an open house to learn more about their active and upcoming improvement and expansion projects.

  • Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023

  • Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Come & go when convenient!

  • Location: Southeast Branch, Austin Public Library - 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd. 78744

  • Parking & Transit: Free parking is available in the library parking lot. Take transit with CapMetro’s Route 7 and Stop 4342.

Public Hearing for I-35 Capital Express Central Project

TxDOT has proposed improvements along I-35 from US 290 East to US 290 West/State Highway 71. Community members can join a public hearing on the proposed project, with both online and in-person attendance options, on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 5-7 p.m.  The in-person hearing will be held at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave Street. The virtual hearing can be joined at my35capex.com.


Project materials are available for review at my35capex.com and TxDOT.gov. Testimony can be submitted by emailing capexcentral@txdot.gov or calling (512) 651-2948 before March 7.

Youth Career Fair: Call for Volunteers and Swag Donations

The City’s Youth Initiatives Office is preparing for this year’s Youth Career Fest on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 9 to 12 at the Palmer Events Center. The office is seeking volunteers to help with registration and donations of swag items from local businesses. You can access the volunteer sign-up form here, and complete the swag donation form here.

Share Your Feedback with Austin’s Commission on Aging

The City of Austin's Commission on Aging is preparing recommendations for the next City budget cycle, and needs your help to inform and educate City leadership on the programs and services needed to support older adults. Please share your concerns and opinions in this survey: surveymonkey.com/r/AFASurvey2023E. Survey coming in other languages soon!

Complete the Austin Public Health Basic Needs Survey

Austin Public Health (APH) needs your help to understand the major needs for services in your community. Austin/Travis County residents can complete this survey to help determine where to focus funding for the community.

City Announces Small Business Training Classes

The Austin Economic Development Department has launched new small business training classes featuring topics for all business types, including non-profit organizations and creative professionals. The 3-hour classes include a workbook and a resource toolkit with templates, helpful links, and low-cost software. The department is offering Buy One, Get One half price registration for classes ranging from $25-35 before January 31.

City Grant to Support Local Creative Spaces Facing Displacement

The Austin Economic Development Department will offer grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to creative organizations and independent artists facing displacement or unaffordable commercial leases. Grant funds may be used for space improvements, lease payments, and gap financing for creative space purchases. Applications are open from January 24 to February 28. For eligibility requirements, grant guidelines, and application assistance, visit www.austintexas.gov/creative-space-assistance-program.

Sign up for Winter Lifeguard Training!

Austinites aged 15 and up are invited to get their lifeguarding certification this winter, with options to begin lifeguarding now or in the summer. City of Austin lifeguards now start at $20/hour and can get certified for free. Learn more at LifeguardAustin.com.

Constituent Eagle Scout Project: Memorial for Frontline Workers

Please join me in supporting constituent Vaishnuv Thiagarajan of Scout Troop 162 in Northwest Austin. His Eagle Scout project, a memorial to the frontline workers who served and lost their lives during the pandemic, will open at the Central Library later this year. Read more about the project and help support it here.

Visiting the 911 Call Center

In December, I toured our 911 Call Center and spoke with many call-takers, dispatchers, and mental health specialists. These are the people who every day connect us with the help we need when we face an emergency and I am grateful for their service.


Since the summer of 2021, I have been working to resolve the ongoing staffing vacancies in our 911 call center. My efforts have focused on increasing compensation, addressing salary compression, and improving recruitment and retention investments. We must continue to address this situation with the urgency it deserves.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Wishing a happy Lunar New Year to all of my constituents who celebrate! I look forward to seeing some of you at the Chinese New Year celebration at Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple on the 22nd.

Austin Forensic Science Services Celebrates 50th Anniversary

I’ve seen a lot of changes with Austin Forensic Science Services over the years– from my work with survivors to reform our sexual assault response system, to the most recent budget cycle when my colleagues and I transitioned Forensic Science Services out of APD to operate as an independent, civilian department. I am proud of this department’s recent work to improve public safety and to build trust with and support survivors of crimes. Here’s to another 50 years!


Learn more by visiting austintexas.gov/department/forensic-science.

CONTACT US!



Follow us on social for more updates!


Powered by:
GetResponse