Council Member Greg Casar’s office has created a set of maps showing the need for robust anti-displacement measures if voters approve a proposed mass transit system with Project Connect. Casar brought forward the maps Thursday as part of Council Member Ann Kitchen’s resolution aiming to take a proactive stance against displacement caused by major transportation infrastructure improvements. Using data from the city demographer, Casar’s office mapped income level and racial makeup by ZIP code over the Orange and Blue light rail lines and the Green commuter rail line in the transit system’s current vision. Using raw numbers of low-income and minority residents in each ZIP code, the maps show that both the Orange and Blue light rail lines serve parts of the city that have the most low-income residents and people of color. In particular, the northern segment of the Orange Line north of U.S. Highway 183 and the southeastern leg of the Blue Line between Interstate 35 and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport appear to serve neighborhoods with among the highest numbers of residents of color, whether Hispanic or African American. By income, both the Orange and Blue lines south of Lady Bird Lake and the Orange Line north of U.S. 183 serve neighborhoods with among the lowest average incomes in the city. “Obviously it’s unacceptable for us to make such a big mass transit investment and not serve low-income people … but then we also have the challenge – that I think is addressed by our action on this item and our continuous conversation – to make sure those communities can stay rooted and stay in place so that people can continue to have access to those lines,” Casar said. Kitchen’s resolution calling for anti-displacement solutions passed on consent.

Austin-Travis County’s Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said Wednesday that staff working at multiple nursing homes have contributed to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the facilities. In a press conference, which can be viewed in full below, Dr. Escott discouraged people from working at multiple facilities and issued a call for new staff members to avoid a “domino effect.”

Early this week, Austin Public Health released new guidelines for nursing homes and long-term care facilities, after residents and staff concentrated in eight nursing homes were found to have the virus, and 16 resident deaths were found to be related to Covid-19. Those updated guidelines can be found here.

We know you love to fill out surveys. Doesn’t it feel good to be helpful? Today we bring you the Music Cities Together Covid-19 Impact Survey, the result of a partnership between Music Policy Forum and Sound Music Cities that is “focused on strengthening collaboration, promoting best practices and democratizing research related to local music scenes.” If you’re in the music and entertainment industries or are close to someone who is, please take a few minutes to complete the survey, which will “help provide a human and financial picture for how the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting our industry.” Data from the survey will be shared with policymakers “to make a case for an industry often overlooked.” Start the survey here.

Construction has been deemed an essential occupation during the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean workers must risk their lives when they report to the job site. The Central Texas chapter of the national group Associated Builders and Contractors is asking construction job sites to host a “safety stand-down” this Thursday, April 23, “to discuss safe work practices and protocols to keep workers safe and to help slow the spread of Covid-19.” Read ABC’s guidelines (pdf) for hosting a Covid-19 safety stand-down or download the resource packet. Since all materials are online, the stand-downs can be held digitally by distributing links through text or email. The city of Austin also has a variety of materials and safety posters that can be distributed digitally or printed.

Here’s something to take your mind off of pandemics and politics: The Austin Independent School District would like the community’s help in naming its modernized Norman Elementary School, slated to open in January 2021. While Norman has been undergoing modernization, its school community has been co-located at Sims Elementary School. When the project is complete, both the Norman and Sims school communities will move into the new – and newly named – Norman campus. Here’s some background that might get your creative juices flowing: According to AISD, since the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, “the two communities have worked together to create a shared sense of community and purpose, living their motto of ‘Two Schools; One Vision.’ … While the Sims facility will close when all of the students move into the modernized Norman site, the district would like to ensure that the legacies of G.W. Norman and Mary J. Sims are carried on at the new school.” You may submit your name suggestion using this online form through Monday, May 4. Before submitting, it is suggested that you first read through the board’s criteria for naming a district facility.

A newly launched website matches technically skilled volunteers with people who could use their services during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Sarah Ortiz Shields, the executive director of Austin Tech Alliance, the nonprofit that created lendahandATX.org, said in a news release, “Stay-at-home tech workers have the desire and in-demand skills that our community needs. We’re asking them to step up in the fields of branding, content, design, hardware needs, strategy, social media, IT services, and tutoring to support nonprofits, community members and small businesses in Austin.” The website is extremely simple to use. First, you create an account; then, you make a request (“I need help building a website”) or offer your assistance (“I’m a math tutor”); then you get matched with a volunteer who can help you or a person who needs your particular skill. You can also browse the lists of volunteers and needs. Liz Coufal, an ATA advisory board member, explained, “We didn’t see an entity that was galvanizing stay-at-home tech workers for volunteer opportunities, so we created Lend a Hand ATX.”

Austin Public Health announced Sunday that its epidemiologists are investigating nine clusters of Covid-19 cases in Austin-Travis County. A cluster, according to APH, is three or more positive cases of the virus at a location. In a press release about the ongoing investigation, the public health authority identified the clusters as occurring at the Eighth Street Salvation Army and eight senior living communities. In response, the Nursing Home Task Force has begun the process of setting up isolation facilities for those in senior facilities who test positive, and a Health Authority Control Order details how to avoid the spread in health care facilities. As of Monday evening, Austin-Travis County had confirmed 1,174 cases of Covid-19 and 26 deaths. More information about the location and demographics of the cases can be found on the city’s Covid-19 dashboard.

All Together ATX has announced the recipients of its first round of grants. The grants, which total $1.8 million, will be split among 97 nonprofits working in Central Texas to support those impacted by Covid-19. The All Together ATX fund, which is a partnership between United Way for Greater Austin and Austin Community Foundation, has raised almost $5 million since March 27. “In this time of uncertainty, it’s incredible to witness our community come together and rise to the challenge of supporting our nonprofit sector and the individuals they serve,” said Mike Nellis, CEO of Austin Community Foundation, in a statement to the press. “Thanks to this generosity, we are able to quickly deploy substantial funding to organizations helping those struggling to make rent, put food on the table or get proper medical care. However, these initial grants only scratch the surface of the level of support our community will need to fully recover from this pandemic, which is why we will continue to fundraise and distribute additional funding.” A list of nonprofits that received grants, and their plans to reinvest the money, is embedded below. Applications for round two of funding will open this summer.

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You may think traffic signal timing is random, but Austin Transportation’s Mobility Management Center is continuously monitoring traffic flow and adjusting signals in response to changes in traffic patterns. It’s no surprise that with so many of us working remotely right now, there are fewer cars on the road, so ATX technicians have accordingly made adjustments, reducing the amount of time between signal phases. Translation: You’re spending less time waiting at red lights when you do venture out. According to the department’s newsletter, “These changes are intended to increase travel time reliability for all people making essential trips – whether that’s walking, biking, scooting or driving.” Speaking of working from home, the transportation management association Movability is conducting a survey about teleworking in an effort to “gather data on what’s working (and what isn’t) when it comes to remote work.” Fill out the Covid-19 Telework Survey by Thursday and you’ll be in the running to win a $50 Visa gift card. Which you could use to buy some new slippers to wear at your next Zoom meeting. Just a suggestion.

An Austin Water work crew will be closing Mt. Bonnell Road between Waters Edge Drive and Mt. Bonnell Drive on Monday, April 27, in order to repair a leaking water line. This section of the road will be closed for about two weeks and motorists will need to take a detour around the construction zone during that time. There should be no interruption to water service. Customers who have questions or concerns about the project may contact project inspector Don Wendel or Austin Water spokesperson Emlea Chanslor.

St. Edward’s announced Wednesday that the university will be discontinuing six athletic programs moving forward: men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf and men’s soccer, with plans to transition cheerleading to a club team. Students received the information that their programs would be closing last week, and though their scholarships will be honored, they must give the university notice by July 1 if they want to transfer schools to continue their sports. Students have written a Change.org petition in response, asking the school to reinstate the programs. By Sunday afternoon, 12,380 people had signed the petition.

As Covid-19 continues to financially destabilize many residents, the city has stepped up its efforts to help keep people in their homes and prevent further eviction and displacement. To that end, the city has extended the application deadline for the Tenant Stabilization Service to May 1 for social service agencies applying for funding for the rental assistance and eviction prevention programs. As the Austin Monitor recently reported, this new initiative is managed by the Austin Housing Finance Corporation and funded by the city’s housing trust fund to address the issues of gentrification and displacement. Besides extending the deadline, AHFC is also asking that applications to the Tenant Stabilization Service be submitted by postal mail by Friday, May 1. Read the full list of eligibility requirements here. According to the city’s announcement, “In the coming months, more Displacement Prevention initiatives that support individuals will be announced, including an online search tool for income-restricted housing, a public education campaign for homeowners dealing with aggressive house flippers, a pilot Preference Policy program to help families return to former neighborhoods, and a geographically focused home repair initiative for households at risk of displacement.”