The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is taking its meetings online and over the phone for the month of April. This will impact the Monday, April 6, meeting of the Transportation Policy Board as well as a number of open house meetings. Monday’s board meeting will include a public hearing on the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan, the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and amendments to the existing Transportation Improvement Program, all of which could be impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. All of the events will be hosted online via WebEx or by phone. Those who would like to speak during Monday’s public hearing can call (512) 215-8225 or email their comments to comments@campotexas.org by 10 a.m. on April 6. Monday’s meeting will begin earlier than usual at 2 p.m. CAMPO is holding a series of four consecutive online open house meetings April 13-16 to offer the public a chance to comment on the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan after 16 open houses were canceled. Visit CAMPO’s website for online and phone access information for each meeting. The public is also invited to study specifics of the Regional Transportation Plan and respond to a survey on the website through April 13. As we previously reported, Travis County considers this online engagement effort seriously flawed due in part to the current strain on government resources. The Commissioners Court will be considering a request next week to ask for a restart to the Regional Transportation Plan public engagement process once the online materials are revised and completed.

Clarification from the city about construction regulations under shelter-in-place was upended Tuesday by Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott issued an executive order, which takes effect today, establishing statewide protocols for essential work based on the guidelines issued by the Department of Homeland Security. According to a letter from Denise Lucas, the director of the Development Services Department, the city is “working to develop written guidance on the application of the order” which supersedes city regulations. In the meantime, Austin Code inspectors will monitor construction sites to ensure that social distancing and increased sanitation is being observed.

Sendero Health Plans, the nonprofit health care plan organized by Central Health to serve the Austin area, has waived all costs for Covid-19 treatment for members using in-network providers. Sendero’s board of directors approved the change at an April 1 meeting, making it the first plan in the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace to waive all cost-sharing requirements related to Covid-19. The company also waived copayment fees for in-network doctor visits and lab costs to screen for the disease. In March, Sendero conducted outreach calls to more than 10 percent of its members, based on data for which populations were most likely to be affected by the virus, including low-income individuals and those who had formerly been uninsured and enrolled in Central Health’s Medical Access Program. The company is also providing free prescription delivery from larger pharmacies and early refills on maintenance medications, and is extending submission deadlines for provider claims.

In response to the ongoing Covid-19 public health crisis, all Travis County-run parks will be closed over Easter weekend. The closure will apply to all parks, beginning Thursday, April 9, at 8 pm. Some parks may reopen for hiking and biking on Monday, April 13, at 8 a.m., according to a notice from the county. Currently, some county parks are open for day use, though all park playgrounds and restrooms are closed and water fountains are turned off. These parks remain open under these conditions:

• Reimers Ranch Park (beach access closed)
• Pace Bend Park (boat ramps closed)
• Mansfield Dam Park (boat ramp closed; limited parking available)
• Arkansas Bend Park (boat ramps closed)
• Richard Moya Park (west end entry and multi-use parking lot)
• Northeast Metro Park (only trails are open; limited parking)
• Southeast Metro Park (only trails are open)
• East Metro Park (only trails are open)
• Webberville Park (boat ramp closed)

In addition, the following Travis County parks are closed to the public until further notice:

• Hamilton Pool Preserve (currently closed)
• Allen Park
• Bob Wentz Park
• Hippie Hollow Park
• Loop 360 Park
• Cypress Creek Park
• Sandy Creek Park
• Tom Hughes Park
• Mary Quinlan Park
• Barkley Meadows Park
• Del Valle Softball Fields
• Little Webberville Park
• Fritz Hughes Park
• Selma Hughes Park
• Ben E. Fisher Park
• Windmill Run Park

A map of the parks run by the county is available online. Updates on parks and Covid-19 preparedness at county parks can be found here.

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The city of Austin is kicking off a study that will examine disparities in the number of women-owned and minority businesses that are awarded city contracts. The study will be launched with a public informational webinar on Thursday, April 16. According to the city announcement, the webinar “will introduce the study team, present the study elements and methodology, describe the study process, and outline how stakeholders and business owners can participate.” Business owners currently doing business with the city as well as those interested in doing business with the city are welcome to participate. There will be two sessions: Register here for the 2 p.m. session; register here for the 6 p.m. session.

Today, April 1, many Austinites face paying rent amid widespread layoffs and work stoppages due to the coronavirus pandemic. Though City Council recently took action to prevent evictions during this time, rent is still due, so the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department has compiled a Covid-19 resource page for renters who may need help over the coming months. The department notes, “Not paying your rent could put you at greater financial risk. Contact your landlord for potential payment options if you are unable to pay in full when your rent is due. … The Texas Apartment Association has advised landlords to offer tenants payment plans and temporarily waive late fees. However, individual landlords determine their own policies. Make sure that any rental-deferment agreement is in writing and – if possible – is reviewed by an attorney.” To that end, the city has put together a list of resources offering emergency financial assistance for renters. The city also has information on avoiding mortgage foreclosure and a list of resources for those experiencing homelessness.

This whisper has been updated.

The Austin Justice Coalition is hosting a virtual community town hall today from 3:30-5 p.m. with Austin’s elected officials and city leaders. Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, Police Chief Brian Manley, District Attorney Margaret Moore, Sheriff Sally Hernandez, and Assistant City Manager Chris Shorter will discuss the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on our community. Users with a Zoom account can register here to attend the free event.

The Austin Disaster Relief Network knows that sometimes, you just need someone to talk to. So the group has launched a citywide “emotional/spiritual care hotline for families and individuals that are struggling with the loss of job and/or emotions around the coronavirus crisis/economic crisis.” The hotline will be manned by volunteers “trained to provide callers with basic emotional and spiritual support.” Daniel Geraci, ADRN’s executive director, said in a press release, “I met a business owner yesterday who was terrified because he had to let most of his employees go and didn’t know if his business would survive. With churches closed, thousands of people losing their job, dramatic lifestyle changes and Austinites shut in for an extended period of time, we believe individuals and families need a hotline they can call for comfort, support and prayer in a time when they may be losing hope.” The hotline is designed to handle thousands of calls a day and callers may call back as often as they need. The hotline number is 512-537-7100 and it is available Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

In the midst of these tough times there are a multitude of stories about community members reaching out to support and help others, making efforts to stay connected and keeping one another safe. A new city/county initiative called “ATX for ATX” is aimed at highlighting these bright spots, asking residents to share stories and ideas over social media and via the SpeakUp Austin! online community engagement tool. According to the SpeakUp page, “Whether you are helping as an individual, with friends, neighbors, as part of a community of faith or a business, please share your stories to inform, empower and inspire. No act is too small or too big.” The page showcases the many dozens of ways residents, businesses and nonprofits are demonstrating their generosity during the crisis. For example, one community member is offering online visits from Bailey the Therapy Hound. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is donating a 55-gallon drum of hand sanitizer to be shared between Austin Public Health clinics, Covid-19 test sites and Austin Animal Services. From coloring sheets for kids at home to donations of protective equipment from large corporations, people are coming up with innumerable ways to show they care. Share your stories here or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #ATXforATX.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sunday that he would be issuing an executive order to prevent the release of “dangerous felons” in Texas. With that order now available to the public, ACLU Texas is speaking out against it, saying it “undermines public safety.” At issue is, of course, the health of incarcerated people and those working with them. Recent weeks have seen the release and proposed release of detained people in an effort to reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19 and having it spread in crowded jails. “Texas has the highest incarceration rate of almost anywhere on the planet. For everyone’s safety, political leaders should be working to reduce the crowded population in prisons and jails that could lead to a potential coronavirus outbreak. Governor Abbott’s executive order puts people and communities in grave danger for infection,”said Sarah Labowitz, policy and advocacy director for the ACLU of Texas, in a statement to the press. “The order allows anyone who can pay bond to go free, while forcing those who can’t to remain in custody, giving preferential treatment to the wealthy. Gov. Abbott needs to rescind his order and align with science-based evidence for how to fight this pandemic, which includes reducing Texas’ population of incarcerated people to avoid the possible steep loss of life.”

The Austin American-Statesman is among the newspapers that will have fewer reporters available to cover local news in the coming months, as a result of a decision by its parent company to institute mandatory furloughs to many of its salaried employees. In memos delivered to all Gannett newsrooms Monday, anyone making more than $38,000 per year will be required to take one week of unpaid leave each month from April through June. The decision was made in response to sharp declines in advertising revenue related to the widespread economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. An accompanying FAQ stated that the company hopes more furloughs won’t be necessary beyond June, but that “No decision on this can be made at this time.”

Many of us are working from home these days, and most of us have a little extra time on our hands; possibly enough time to hop online and fill out the 2020 Census form – which we can tell you from personal experience takes far less than 10 minutes. The current crisis makes completing the census even more important, not less. According to the United Way of Austin, “Covid-19 reminds us of the very importance of being counted: Knowing how many of us live in our cities allows us to more effectively and efficiently respond to crises like this one.” That’s because results from the census will be used “to determine where hospitals, roads, schools, child care centers, senior centers, and other public services should be built. A complete count will ensure our community has the funding needed to support all of us.” The results also determine our political representation at all levels of government. It has never been easier to fill out the census: you can do it online at my2020census.gov. Have any census-related questions or need to fill out the form in another language? Just call 211. Completing the census is something that will benefit everyone. Happy Census Day!