by Holly Reed, President
Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you and your family safe and well. At this time, the City of Austin has confirmed 58 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Travis County, and the daily count continues to grow. The City has created a website for the Coronavirus Disease to provide updates to citizens:
http://www.austintexas.gov/COVID19
The CDC website is also a vital source of information on how many cases have been confirmed, their location, and where to get help of you think you are sick:
Mayor Adler issued an Order to the City of Austin on March 17, 2020 which prohibits any public or private community gatherings (defined as any indoor or outdoor event that brings together 10 or more people in a single room or space) until May 1, 2020 in an effort to stave off the spread of COVID-19. This includes religious services, weddings, conferences, parties and sports events.
The Mayor’s order does not apply to airport facilities, transit, government buildings providing essential services, schools, institutes of higher learning, grocery stores and pharmacies, hospitals, medical offices and facilities.
Restaurants have also been ordered to close common dining areas to the public until May 1, 2020. Restaurants may provide take out or no contact delivery food.
Bars are ordered to close public spaces until May 1, 2020.
The City’s critical infrastructure (communications, emergency services, energy, transportation systems, water and wastewater, are ordered to continue operating.
Please note PARD facilities that are closed to the public:
https://austintexas.gov/page/pard-facilities-closures
We realize that these orders will financially impact our treasured community businesses, but understand that we must all make a valiant community effort in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Our daily choices during this critical time may save lives. In the long run we will all be better and healthier if we follow the advice of our health care professionals and city leadership now.
Although WANG has postponed our monthly meetings until the City of Austin orders for public gatherings are no longer in effect, we will continue to provide our members and neighbors with information on neighborhood issues.
WANG will be sharing these updates via our E-Newsletter.
As always, if you have an emergency please call 911!
WANG Minutes
March 9, 2020
Howson Public Library
These are the minutes of the meeting of the West Austin Neighborhood Group Board of Directors held Monday, March 9 at 6:00 PM at Lions Municipal Golf Course.
I. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 PM by President Holly Reed. Board members in attendance included Mary Arnold, Joe Bennett, Sarah Cain, Mike Cannatti, George Edwards, Heidi Gibbons, Bob Hamilton, Haidar Khazen, Cathy Kyle, Craig Lill, and Brady Pedneau. Board members Joyce Basciano, August Harris, and Blake Tollett were not in attendance.
II. Approval of Minutes:
Heidi Gibbons made a motion to postpone approval of the February 2020 Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Haidar Khazen, and passed unanimously.
III. Neighbor Communications:
- A. Members of the Austin Fire Dept. Project Team gave a presentation for the Fire Station 10 Renovation Project. This historic fire station, built in 1938, is located at 3009 Windsor Rd, and serves the WANG area. Division Chief Tony Haden, Elizabeth Ferrer, Jaime Palomo, and Michael Halloran explained that many older stations have aging infrastructure that needs improvement. The renovation will include adding dorm rooms, bathrooms, a workout space and exercise room, and will commence sometime this summer. Station 10 will be closed for approx. 9 months during the renovation. Sarah Cain asked if Station 10 Fire Fighters would be able to participate in the Tarrytown 4th of July Parade. Chief Haden said they would participate.
- B. Mayfield Park Trowel & Error Garden Symposium (4/4/2020) George Edwards made a motion that WANG support Mayfield Park’s Trowel & Error at the 250.00 level. Mike Cannatti seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
IX. Treasurer’s Report:
George Edwards reported that WANG has $12,054.46 in the Business Account, $111.33 in the Tarrytown 4th of July Parade Account, and $1,210.76 in the Oak Wilt Account.
X. Old Business:
- Save Muny/ Lions Municipal Golf Course Update: Mary Arnold reported that on February 20th, 2020 the City Council voted to approve the City of Austin’s request for Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the Brackenridge Development Agreement. These amendments would extend the terms of the BDA and the City’s lease of Lions Municipal Golf Course on a month to month basis, with a five month notification of cancellation. The amendments will give more time for the Save Historic Muny District to negotiate an agreement with the University, regarding acquisition and preservation of Muny . On February 27th the Board of Regents approved the amendments. Although the Board of Regents authorized amending the Muny lease and Brackenridge Development Agreement, they did not announce the conditions that the City would need to agree to, in connection with getting the lease extended.
- The Muny Conservancy continues raising funds for the purchase of Muny. Several fundraisers are planned for the spring including the Criquet Shirts 19th Hole Party on March 27th. “An Evening with the Masters” is scheduled for April 2nd at the State Theater, and the Forever Green Tournament will take place on April 18th. Mary Arnold told the Board that golfer Lloyd Morrison will be honored April 14th.
- A Muny Stakeholder Summit Meeting is planned for April 14th.
- Red Bud Trail Bridge Project: Public comments are closed but can still be emailed to the City of Austin. Plans can be seen on the website: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/redbud-trail-bridge-project
XI. New Business:
Next Meeting: Monday, April 13th at 6:30 PM Howson Public Library
XII. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by Pres. Holly Reed at 7:46 PM
WANG Board of Directors & Committee Members
Organized 1973......"To preserve our neighborhood and protect it from deterioration"
- President: Holly Reed President@westaustinng.com
- Secretary: Cathy Kyle Secretary@westaustinng.com
- Assistant Secretary: Blake Tollett AsstSecretary@westaustinng.com
- Treasurer: George Edwards Treasurer@westaustinng.com
- Past President: Cathy Kyle PastPresident@westaustinng.com
All Current Members (click on name to send email)
- Holly Reed ............................member since 2015 (President)
- Cathy Kyle ............................member since 2010 (Secretary)
- Blake Tollett .........................member since 1994 (Asst Secretary)
- George Edwards ..................member since 2004 (Treasurer)
- Mary Arnold .........................member since 2006 (Muny Tract)
- August "Happy" Harris.........member since 2005 (Transportation)
- Michael Cannatti .................member since 1999 (CWANPCT)
- Joseph M Bennett ...............member since 2001 (Membership)
- Haidar Khazen .....................member since 2004 (Web Master)
- Craig Lill ...............................member since 2017
- Joyce Basciano ...................member since 1999
- Brady Pedneau ................... member since 2019 (ANC Liason)
- Bob Hamilton........................new member
- Sarah Hawthorne Cain.........new member
- Heidi Gibbons.......................new member
Honorary Committee Members
- Honorary Mayor Steve Adler
- Honorary Alison Alter
- Honorary Kathie Tovo
Dear Neighbors,
My colleagues at the City of Austin and I are committed to protecting the health and safety of every member of our community. We have introduced several critical measures in the last few days – closing bars and in-house dining at restaurants, restricting group gatherings, and curtailing non-essential city business.
We are all learning to adjust to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I ask you to respond in ways that sustain and support the health and wellbeing of our community.
We must acknowledge that the limited testing means that we should act as if we are experiencing person to person spread of the virus in our community. We can see how events have unfolded in other cities and countries and resolve to do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Our goal is to act responsibly so our health system can support those in need of help over the coming weeks. This means following proper hygiene steps (washing your hands, cleaning surfaces, sneezing and coughing into your sleeves, staying home when sick), practicing social distancing, and checking in with vulnerable neighbors. These are truly the steps that will allow our community to limit exposure between people to prevent further community spread.
At the same time that we are facing a health crisis, our city is addressing the economic consequences. We have begun to roll out some measures to support those in need and will continue to do more. In the meantime, please consider ways that you can assist our local businesses and nonprofits. I have identified a few options below. I also included many resources and links in my last newsletter, which you can read here.
I appreciate those that have written me to share their thoughts and constructive ideas. I am sharing those ideas with the appropriate decision makers and advocating for increased precautions. We are a resilient and creative city. I welcome your efforts and suggestions as we navigate the pandemic.
Regards,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10
P.S. Please follow my Facebook page for frequent updates and additional information.
Austin Restaurants Offering Curbside & Takeout Food
In light of these new orders, Rally Austin is compiling a list of Austin restaurants offering curbside and takeout food. Please check out their list and consider supporting local businesses if you are able to.
Drive A Senior–West Austin – Help Needed
Drive A Senior–West Austin (DASW) is making plans to ensure all home-bound, isolated seniors in their area are getting basic food and goods during this crisis. If you are interested in being involved as a delivery driver, donating food/goods/ordering take-out, or making courtesy calls, please email them directly at westaustin@driveasenior.org.
If you are unsure of how you can help but want to be on their email list during this response time, please let them know. Please do not call the office as their phones are very busy and they need to keep them as open as possible to address the needs of our seniors.
This is Democracy Podcast: Life in a Time of Coronavirus
We are all adapting to new routines and learning to socially distance. My husband and kids recorded a podcast yesterday called "Life in the Time of the Coronavirus" and I thought you might find it interesting.
Contact your City Council Representatives:
(click on name to send email)
- Mayor: Steve Adler 512-978-2100
- District 1: Natasha Harper Madison 512-978-2101
- District 2: Delia Garza 512-978-2102
- District 3: Sabino Renteria 512-978-2103
- District 4: Gregorio Casar 512-978-2104
- District 5: Ann Kitchen 512-978-2105
- District 6: Jimmy Flanigan 512-978-2106
- District 7: Leslie Pool 512-978-2107
- District 8: Paige Ellis 512-978-2108
- District 9: Kathie Tovo 512-978-2109
- District 10: Alison Alter 512-978-2110
Email All of the Council: Entire Council and Mayor
Fruit flies can become a nuisance problem at any time of year. They can enter homes from ripe fruits or vegetables picked from the garden or purchased at the grocery store. Fruit fly adults may also fly into homes from outdoors.
Adult fruit flies are small (about 1/8 of an inch) and often have red eyes. The front portion of the body is tan while the back portion is dark brown to black. If given the opportunity, females can lay up to 500 eggs. Larvae are surface feeders on fermenting foods or other organic matter, which means that you can cut off the overripe parts of the fruit or vegetable and eat the rest.
To prevent bringing fruit flies into your home, do not purchase over ripened fruit and vegetables. Eat fresh produce in a timely manner and store items in the refrigerator or a paper bag that is clipped closed. All recyclables should be rinsed thoroughly before placing them into the recycling bin. Recycling and garbage bins should be cleaned on a regular basis with soapy water to eliminate any spilled material.
If your home already has fruit flies, locate all sources of infestation (where the larvae are living) and eliminate them. Insecticides only target adults and will not control the problem. While searching and eliminating breeding sources, a trap can be constructed to capture adult flies. Create a paper funnel by rolling paper and taping it closed. Place the funnel into a jar that has a small amount of apple cider vinegar in the bottom.
Click on the link (City Stage photo) above or on event below for more info of everything happening around Austin !!!!
Join the West Austin Neighborhood Group
on the First Tuesday of every month
STAY INFORMED on local topics and issues that
effect you and the Neighborhood!
- · The City of Austin Land Development Code Rewrite
- · The Brackenridge Tract Development
- · Transportation – Austin Metro
- · Lion’s Municipal Golf Course
- · Redbud Trail Bridge Project
- · Mayfield Park & Preserve
- · The Austin State School
- · Deep Eddy Pool & Park
- · Neighborhood Parks
- · Walsh Landing
- · Camp Mabry
- · District 10
- · And more…
Utilities:
Texas Gas Service.............................1-800-700-2443
Grande Communications...................512-220-4600
AT&T (new service)...........................1-800-464-7928
Time Warner Cable (Cust. Svc)...........512-485-5555
Austin/Travis Hazardous Waste.........512-974-4343