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Whispers
Monday, November 16, 2020 by Tai Moses
Covid emergency rules extended
Amid what Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott calls “a significantly worsening situation,” the health authority has extended emergency rules designed to help slow the spread of Covid-19. Last week, he said the region “reported the highest number of new cases since September. We are up over 140 percent in a little over a month, and 60 percent in the past week.” The rules, which expire on Dec. 31, 2020, were adopted as authorized by Ordinance No. 2020709-003, and “govern individuals and sites within the City of Austin and impose requirements reasonably necessary to protect public health from Covid-19 during this critical moment of transmission.” The emergency rules are separate from the city and county orders.
Monday, November 16, 2020 by Tai Moses
City premieres new Montopolis rec center
Montopolis residents are thrilled by the completion of the newly redeveloped Montopolis Recreation and Community Center. The new 33,000-square-foot facility replaces the former 40-year-old recreation center, which was in poor condition “and could no longer meet the needs of a growing community,” according to a news release. The new Montopolis center features plenty of space for “recreational uses, public health services, educational programming areas, a commercial kitchen and more.” While the facility is not yet open to the public, eager residents may watch a video showcasing the new center or view photographs of the building and its interior. Find more info on the project website.
Friday, November 13, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Council opponents give endorsements
Republican Jay Wiley, who unsuccessfully ran for the City Council District 6 seat in 2014, has endorsed his former opponent, Jimmy Flannigan, in the December runoff. That might have been a surprise to Mackenzie Kelly, Flannigan’s runoff opponent, especially since Kelly seems to be operating out of the Republican playbook. Wiley posted on Facebook Thursday, “I am a conservative Republican and am supporting Jimmy Flannigan for reelection … I know Jimmy. He is a committed, selfless public servant who cares deeply about the future of Austin. As an Austin City Council candidate myself, I got to know Jimmy and his dedication to our neighbors. We have serious political differences, but we share common cause in our respect for thoughtful, meaningful public policy that improves the lives of Austin citizens.” On the other hand, Wiley said Kelly is “extremely unqualified to serve in a position of public trust. I know her to be profoundly unserious in her public and private affairs and thoroughly void of the kind of judgment we need to confront various issues in Austin. We have had enough clown shows in politics recently, we cannot afford another in our backyard.” Over in District 10, there was a less dramatic endorsement from a former opponent. Pooja Sethi and Alison Alter released a joint statement praising each other. Sethi said, “We simply cannot afford to be divided as we move forward as a city to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, reimagining public safety, and an economic recovery for our great city. Alison Alter has the formal and on-the-ground training essential to represent our district. Jennifer Virden will not be the unifying voice our Council or city need at this crucial moment. Rather than being represented by someone who would be an opposition vote, I support Alison Alter because I believe she will continue to stand up for District 10 residents.” Alter said, “Pooja is a passionate advocate who has worked at City Hall as an Asian American Quality of Life Commissioner and is committed to giving voice and agency to the most vulnerable communities. As I continue to serve District 10, I’m committed to working with Pooja to fight for all people.”
This whisper has been corrected to reflect the fact that Wiley did not run for Council in 2016.
Friday, November 13, 2020 by Tai Moses
CommUnityCare relocates testing clinic
With students back to on-campus learning at Barbara Jordan Elementary, Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare has moved its Covid-19 testing clinic to the Turner-Roberts Recreation Center at 7201 Colony Park Loop. Health officials said they moved the testing clinic so it would not “interfere with students, parents and teachers getting back into the classroom.” Yvonne Camarena, CommUnityCare’s chief operating officer, said in a news release, “Like most of the country, Austin is seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases and CommUnityCare wants to continue to make testing as accessible as possible, especially in Eastern Travis County.” The mobile health clinic has been operating at Barbara Jordan Elementary for nearly two years, and Covid-19 testing was added this spring. However, with the campus open again, CommUnityCare said there was not enough space in the parking lot for the mobile clinic, Covid-19 testing and traffic from parents, teachers and school staff. Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, which is run by the parks department, is next to Overton Elementary School. Testing is available on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, November 13, 2020 by Tai Moses
Town hall puts spotlight on disabilities and public safety
Mayor Steve Adler, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, the Office of Police Oversight and the Equity Office will be co-hosting an online town hall to allow community members with disabilities to share their experiences with the Austin Police Department with city leaders. Mayor Adler said in a news release about the event, “We are committed to working toward universal access for persons with disabilities. Austin must lead on facilitating full inclusion with respect to learning, working and playing in our city. That means taking the time to listen to community members living with disabilities and understand their experiences.” American Sign Language and Spanish interpretation will be offered and additional language translations and accessibility accommodations are available upon request. The event will be held on Zoom. RSVP here to receive login info. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 12, 2020 by Tai Moses
AISD subs get pay bump
The Austin Independent School District has decided to raise the base pay for substitute teachers and teaching assistants, giving certified substitutes who work regularly the opportunity to earn up to $210 a day. The pay increase goes into effect Monday, Nov. 16. The district is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year. The work schedule for substitute teachers is flexible and they may generally work as many or as few days as they like while teaching a variety of subjects. Find more details about the pay increase and information about working as a substitute teacher or teaching assistant at AISD here.
Thursday, November 12, 2020 by Tai Moses
Panel explores election results
Common Ground for Texans is inviting Austinites to attend a timely panel discussion analyzing the recent election and its aftermath. Moderator Mike Ignatowski and panelists City Council Member Leslie Pool, KUT News reporter Ashley Lopez and 19th News staff writer Barbara Rodriguez will discuss local, state and national election results and their significance. Join the Zoom meeting here on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2-4 p.m. Meeting ID: 826 7133 9020; passcode: 57935547. Attendees may RSVP on Facebook.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Harper-Madison seeking grand plan
District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison has given her colleagues plenty to think about in an 11-page resolution directing the city manager to develop a process and scope for a comprehensive long-range plan for the eastern crescent. The plan should take into account how the city might encourage equitable transit-oriented development, job stability and high-quality public spaces. And she wants staff members to figure out how to pay for that. The resolution does mention Travis County, the expo center and the Austin Rodeo, but Council Member Jimmy Flannigan said at Tuesday’s work session that he would be providing some additional language related to Travis County. Several Council members, including Alison Alter, had other questions and perhaps they will get more answers at Thursday’s meeting.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
City facilities to close for Veterans Day
Today, city of Austin administrative offices and facilities will close in observance of Veterans Day. All City Council offices as well as library curbside and reference services are included in the closures. The Austin Animal Center and Little Walnut Creek Library, Givens Recreation Center and Southeast Library Covid-19 test sites will also be closed. However, the St. Johns drive-thru testing site will be open by appointment. Austin Resource Recovery services will not be impacted by the holiday. Find more information about city closures and city Covid-19 testing sites online.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Zilker tree-lighting goes online
The Zilker tree-lighting ceremony will be a bit different this year, just like everything else. The good news is, if you are someone who has avoided the ceremony due to a distaste for crowds, this might be your year. All of the 2020 festivities will take place virtually, on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. The online event will feature performances from the Barton Hills Choir and the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble. Those who would like to “attend” may tune in to ATXN, Channel 6, YouTube or Facebook Live.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by Tai Moses
Travelers still not flying much
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport remained at its lower-than-usual numbers in September, due to the ongoing pandemic, according to a press release. Fewer travelers passed through the airport in September than in August. “September passenger traffic decreased by 70.5% compared to September 2019 with 417,037 passengers flying during the month.”
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Area residents express anger at Bee Cave
When the Bee Cave City Council meets tonight, some angry residents of Hamilton Pool Road will be tuned in via Zoom to hear what the Council members have to say about the West Travis County Public Utility Agency. Although there is an item on the agenda for a “discussion and update” related to the agency, there is no reference to the Council’s 2013 resolution. Jim Koerner, founder of Hamilton Pool Road Matters, told the Austin Monitor that a number of residents had requested a discussion about that resolution, which specifically opposes development on the property where Provence intends to build a high-density subdivision with 1,600 new homes within the Barton Creek watershed. Residents are worried about pollution of Barton Creek as well as increased traffic if the public utility agency settles the lawsuit filed by the property owner. Koerner said it was particularly frustrating to residents that the two people appointed by Bee Cave to the utility authority board – including Bee Cave City Manager Clint Garza – seem to be the ones driving the settlement. Resident Gene Lowenthal told the Monitor that Garza “is telling Council members not to talk to us, not to discuss Provence, and not to discuss the 2013 resolution that was opposed to Provence.” Although the Council is not slated for action, the board of the utility is scheduled to meet on Nov. 19. Lowenthal and Koerner are worried that the board will approve the settlement and give the developer 1,137 water taps, as requested. If that happens, Lowenthal said, “it will open the door to all kinds of development. The line is capacity limited today and that has saved us from rampant development,” but that protection will disappear once there are more water taps. Organizers announced Monday they will hold a Save Hamilton Pool Road protest rally before the Bee Cave City Council meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m. directly behind City Hall in the Hill Country Galleria.