At Your Doorstep May 2003

The public may visit www.cityofaustin.org for results online or tune in to Channel 6, the City of Austin's municipally-owned cable channel. City election information is available at www.cityofaustin.org/election.

At Your Doorstep Departments

Big Ideas | Environs | Health Check | Neighbor to Neighbor | Safe & Sane | Speed Way | Streetscapes | Zone In

Neighbor to Neighbor

City kicks off Flood Awareness Week, May 17-23

Austin and other areas of Central Texas have floods, lightning, thunderstorms and tornados. City officials are offering a unique opportunity Saturday, May 17, to learn why and how to be prepared for potential loss of property and life for such events.

City officials will kick off Flood Awareness Week, May 17-23, with a preview of "Texas Flood," a short film depicting the history and hazards of flooding in Texas. The event is from 10 a.m. to noon at the Alamo Drafthouse, 2700 W. Anderson Lane.

The public also will find out how to become a Disaster Ready Austin volunteer. Free popcorn and a Flood Safety CD will be available during the event. There will be educational exhibits and activities for all ages.

For more information visit www.cityofaustin.org/oem. Sponsors include the City of Austin's Office of Emergency Management/Disaster Ready Austin, Watershed Protection and Development Review Department, Water and Wastewater Utility, and Public Information Office as well as the Austin American- Statesman, the Alamo Drafthouse, Capital Metro and FloodSafety.com.

In 1981, the "Memorial Day flood" hit Austin and within hours, approximately 11 inches of rain caused more than $3 million in damage. The Austin community lost 13 lives within two days.

Regardless of where you live, there will always be the possibility of natural disasters and hazardous conditions. City officials want the public to remain aware of the natural disasters that have impacted the Austin community in the past and, more importantly, what can happen at any time in the future.

Flood Awareness Week helps educate the public about taking preventive measures to avoid loss of property and life in a flood situation.

Consider your risk of flooding: Get flood insurance

In Austin everyone lives with the risk of flooding. Have you considered your risk?

The City of Austin experienced its last major flood Nov. 15, 2001. The flood killed five people and endangered many more lives. The fast moving water, debris and thick mud damaged hundreds of homes and businesses. However, the flood was not declared a federal disaster. Many homeowners impacted by the flood received little to no disaster assistance or insurance coverage.

Homeowner policies do not cover flood damage. In Austin, you can insure your home with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Only communities that agree to control the risk of flood damage are eligible for flood insurance.

Because the City of Austin is serious about flood hazard reduction, the National Flood Insurance Program offers flood insurance to Austin residents at 10 percent below standard rates in most cases.

The City of Austin is a National Flood Insurance Program Community. Protect yourself, your home, your family and your financial future. Call your insurance company or agent and ask for details about how you can buy flood insurance!

Reasons to purchase flood insurance

As of September 2002, Austinites had 5,006 flood insurance polices for a total of $604,000,000 in coverage. Since October 2001, the National Flood Insurance Program paid more than $7,183,700 for flood damage claims to area residents with flood insurance.

Statistics prove that not just high-risk areas are flooded. On average 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from medium or low flood-risk areas.

Consider these facts about flood insurance and your flood risk and get in touch with your insurance agent so that you don't become a statistic.

• Flood insurance can be purchased whether the flood risk is high, medium or low. In fact, there is a low-cost policy for homes in low- to moderate-risk areas.
• Renters as well as property owners can insure their belongings because coverage for home contents is separate.
• Flood insurance is far better protection than depending on federal disaster assistance, which is available only if the president declares a disaster. More than 90 percent of all flood events in the United States are not declared disasters by the president. If you have a flood insurance policy, you could be reimbursed for all your covered losses.
• Federal disaster assistance is often a loan – repayable in full with interest. With a flood insurance policy, all you have to pay is the annual premium.
• Flood insurance is easy to get. Coverage by the National Flood Insurance Program is available through your insurance agent – just a phone call away.
• There is usually a 30-day waiting period before the coverage goes into effect. Plan ahead. Call today. For more information about flood insurance, call (512) 974-3399 or visit the Austin City Connection, www.cityofaustin.org/watershed/flood.htm.

Public hearing for naming of recreation center in Colony Park

The Austin Parks and Recreation Board will host a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road, to receive input about the name of the soon to be built recreation center within Colony Park in East Austin. The public hearing comes after the nomination process that ended Feb. 17.

The 18,000-square-foot facility will include a gym, weight room, classrooms and activity rooms. Colony Park is off Loyola Lane, just east of U.S. 183. A small park was established at the site in the late 1970s. Recently, the City has purchased 75 additional acres to increase its size to 95 acres. The Parks Board will recommend a name to the City Council within 45 days of the public hearing for final approval. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department, (512) 974-6716.

City helps Austinites read, talk together

Louis Sachar's, Holes, is the second annual selection of the "Mayor's Book Club," highlighting the City's "Keep Austin Reading" campaign.

Holes is an award-winning novel based on the journey of a young boy who is mistakenly sent to a detention camp in Texas where "rehabilitation" translates into digging holes. This year the Austin Public Library and Mayor Gus Garcia selected the book based on input from the community. The book is available at all 21 library locations, as well as offered at area bookstores.

Partners of the citywide reading program are the City of Austin, the University of Texas Humanities Institute, the Austin Public Library Foundation, H-E-B, FOX 7, Tokyo Electron America, Austin American- Statesman, the Austin Chronicle, the Friends of the Austin Public Library and area bookstores. Louis Sachar is the recipient of the National Book Award and the 1999 Newbery Medal for his novel Holes.

He is also recognized for his ever-popular story There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, his "Wayside School" series for middle graders and his "Marvin Redpost" chapter books for younger readers.

Sachar's trademark is a humorous and realistic portrayal and exploration of relationships and feelings.

For more information about the Mayor's Book Club, contact Patricia Fraga, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528.

City reopens Barton Springs pool; State, federal agencies concur it's safe

Barton Springs pool re-opened last month after state and federal agencies told City officials that they concur with earlier findings that the pool is safe for swimmers. Entry fees for the pool will be waived through May 19 under the sponsorship of Austin Energy, the City's electric utility.

"No one is happier than I am to have the pool open again," said City Manager Toby Hammett Futrell. "Extensive testing and scrutiny during the last three months have proven what the City has said throughout – that the pool is a place to enjoy and does not pose a human health risk."

That conclusion is echoed in the report produced by the Texas Department of Health under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

"We did not find any information to support the contention that swimming every day in Barton Springs would result in adverse health effects," the report states. "Thus, we have concluded that swimming and playing in Barton Springs Pool poses no apparent public health hazard."

The report was reviewed and received concurrence by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

In a letter to the City Manager, Margaret Hoffman, Executive Director of the TCEQ, states, "The TCEQ concurs with the TDH that chemicals found in sediments and water in Barton Springs Pool do not pose a health threat to users of the pool. We are pleased to concur … that the Barton Springs Pool is safe for swimmers."

The report's conclusions were based on 12 years of data; approximately 14,500 data points; and on recent testing of sediment and water at the pool, Barton Creek and a tributary of the creek; soil samples along the creek and tributary; and boring samples at a nearby hillside.

"I couldn't be prouder of City staff who have worked tirelessly to help make the re-opening of the pool possible, and I want to personally thank the four agencies that stuck with us through this very long process," Futrell said.

City staff members responsible for oversight of the water quality of the pool and springs will continue to work with other agencies to determine sources of pollution near all of Austin's waterways. A copy of the report is available at www.cityofaustin.org/news/2003/2003bartonsprings.htm.

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Health Check

Reduce your risk of respiratory infections

Most of the public is aware of the widespread concern about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

SARS is causing growing concerns throughout the world as the number of cases and fatalities continues to increase. There has been one suspected SARS case in Travis County and seven in Texas. The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department follows federal guidance closely and encourages local healthcare organizations to do the same.

ATCHHSD offers guidelines to help reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory diseases for two reasons. First, early recognition and prompt institution of appropriate isolation and infection control practices may fail to prevent community transmission of SARS because one or more cases may elude early recognition. Second, there is significant serious illness associated with respiratory infections other than SARS, which could be reduced by taking simple precautions.

Health officials recommend the following:

• Avoid contact with others who have respiratory infections.
• When avoidance is not possible, as in the case of family members, either wear a surgical mask when in the sick person's presence or have them wear a mask.
• Wash hands thoroughly after any contact with someone that has a respiratory infection. This includes even a simple handshake. The transmission of respiratory germs from this kind of contact has been well established.
• Avoid smoking, tobacco smoke and other airborne pollution as much as possible. Lungs are less effective at clearing viruses and other respiratory germs when over-burdened by airborne pollution such as inhaled tobacco smoke.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and get enough regular physical activity. The effectiveness of the human immune system is increased by good general health and regular physical activity.

If you have a respiratory infection and wish to avoid possible transmission to friends, family members and coworkers, the following is recommended:

• Avoid contact with others as much as possible. This means staying home from work, school, shopping and other public places.
• Practice good cough and sneeze control by coughing and sneezing into facial tissues.
• Wear a surgical mask when in close proximity to others.
• Wash hands thoroughly after contact with your face, coughing or sneezing.
• When visiting your physician or other healthcare facility, bring your own reading material or a small toy for your child. Magazines and toys that have been previously handled by sick people can transmit germs.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site at www.cdc.gov.

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Environs

City offers new award for beautiful yards

The City of Austin has launched an Award Winning Green Garden program to promote attractive yards that incorporates earth-wise gardening techniques.

The program's mission is to help protect Austin's environment. Your yard could be the City's next featured example of Green Gardening at work in Austin.

Many folks in Austin rely on chemical fertilizers and weed killers to maintain their yards. Unfortunately, the results of these lawn care practices are beginning to show up in Austin's waterways.

When it rains, fertilizers and weed killers can run off lawns and into Austin's creeks. Landscaping chemicals are being found in Austin's creeks and springs. City scientists believe that fertilizers may be contributing to elevated nitrate levels as well.

There are many ways to care for yards without contributing to pollution problems. Simple precautions include using mulch in flowerbeds and leaving grass clippings on the lawn.

Green gardeners use common sense approaches like xeriscaping and choosing plants that like local conditions. Plants that are suited to their environment are naturally more resistant to bugs and weeds and need less help from you to survive. Less water, less fertilizer and less herbicide mean less money out of your pocket and less time spent in the garden.

To have your yard considered for a Green Garden award, fill out a nomination form and submit it to the City along with a photo of your yard. Nomination forms are available at Grow Green nurseries and displays and at www.cityofaustin.org/greengarden. Call (512) 974-2550 for more information. Let people know that you not only have a beautiful yard but that you also care for the environment as well!

Sponsors of the Green Garden Initiative include City programs and departments: Dillo Dirt, the Green Building Program, Grow Green, Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste Services, Water Conservation and Watershed Protection and Development Review. Texas Cooperative Extension also is a partner.

City offers help to future homeowners

The City of Austin and the Austin Housing Finance Corp. invite you to attend a free workshop to learn about a program that's making Austinites new homeowners.

The Mortgage Credit Certificate Program provides a direct tax credit resulting in up to $2,000 per year as added cash for you and your family. Learn more about this great opportunity by attending a workshop listed below:

• May 8, 2003:
  ACC Pinnacle Campus, Room 1013
  (6-8 p.m.)
  7748 U.S. 290 West.
• May 14, 2003:
  YMCA Northwest Branch
  (6-8 p.m.)
  5807 McNeil Drive.
• May 21, 2003:
  Northwest Recreation Center
  (6-8 p.m.)
  2913 Northland Drive.
• May 24, 2003:
  North Village Library Branch
  (10 a.m.-noon.)
  2139 W. Anderson Lane.
• May 27, 2003:
  Akins High School, Eagle's Nest Room
  (6-8 p.m.)
  10701 S. First St.

For more information, call the Austin Housing Finance Corp. (512) 476- 3863 or visit www.cityofaustin.org/ahfc.

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Big Ideas

Library gets creative to raise money and environmental awareness

Last year, more than 80 percent of Austin business owners and consumers threw away empty toner and inkjet cartridges. These empty cartridges end up in the Austin landfill.

Most consumers and businesses don't know that tossed cartridges are worth up to $10 each. By donating empty cartridges to the Austin Public Library's ingenious new program, "Inkjet Rescue," Austin Public Library can receive the proceeds for books and programs.

To help solve the problem of raising much needed funds for non-profit organizations and to help keep the empty cartridges out of the Austin landfill, Austin based Megabyte Express has rolled out a new recycling fundraiser called "Inkjet Rescue."

Consumers and businesses can drop off empty cartridges to the 21 Austin Public Library locations. Each of the locations has a recycling bin for donated cartridges provided to the library free of charge by the "Inkjet Rescue" staff.

"Inkjet Rescue" is a great way for organizations like the Austin Public Library to raise funds by recycling a product that is currently being discarded. Instead of throwing cartridges out in the future, simply take the used cartridge to your neighborhood library. A list of library locations is available at www.cityofaustin.org/library/map.htm.

To receive a cartridge recycling bin free of charge for your business or to coordinate a recycling fundraiser for your organization, call Bill Breed at (512) 452-8855 or e-mail bill@datasupplies.com for more information.

City reduces sewer line overflows through education

The City of Austin Water and Wastewater Utility's Austin Clean Water Program is working with the Citizens Advisory Group to find ways the City and community can work together to prevent private sewer line overflows.

The goal of the Private Laterals Advisory Task Force is to inform the community about what the City will be doing about overflows from private laterals, which are sewer lines on private property. The task force also will provide advisory input to the City of Austin Waster and Wastewater Utility.

Sewage overflows can be caused by root and/or grease blockages or cracks in service lines on private property. The overflows can enter streams and creeks and cause serious environmental and public health concerns.

The City estimates that more than 10,000 private lateral defects exist causing future repairs of $20-$30 million. The Environmental Protection Agency has mandated an end to sanitary sewer overflows in Austin by December 2007.

As a result, the City is inspecting, repairing and replacing sewer lines on City-owned public property and City-owned easements on private property. Homeowners are responsible for repairs on private property and can help prevent sewage overflows by fixing defective sewer service lines located on private property.

For information about the City of Austin Water and Wastewater Utility's Austin Clean Water Program, visit www.cityofaustin.org/water/.

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Streetscapes

Roadwork continues on North Lamar Boulevard

The North Lamar road reconstruction project entered in to phase two last month with new traffic patterns between West 45th and Guadalupe streets.

Northbound traffic that temporarily shifted to the west side of the street has returned to the reconstructed east side of the median. Southbound traffic will be reduced to one inside lane on the west side of the street. Construction will take place in the two outside lanes west of the median for the next couple of months.

This is the second phase of a three-phase, seven-month project. Work began in early February and is managed by the Public Works Department.

For more information, contact Julie Strong at (512) 974-1413 or e-mail julie.strong@ci.austin.tx.us.

The public may also visit www.cityofaustin.org/roadworks/rwwork.htm to get the latest information about all Public Works projects resulting in closures.

New Austin City Hall construction update

Construction on the new Austin City Hall and Public Plaza resumed last month.

The site development plan has been approved, and the building permit has been issued. The City of Austin issued the official "notice to proceed" to Hensel Phelps Construction Co. of Austin, allowing the construction manager to proceed with the first group of construction trade contracts, which includes structural concrete, hoisting cranes and forklifts, and sitework including site utilities and backfill.

Workers have begun moving equipment and supplies onsite, as well as reactivating the tower crane. Live images from the construction site are available at the New Austin City Hall Web site www.cityofaustin.org/cityhall/livecamera.htm.

Barton Springs Road Project update

Work is now under way on several manholes and on three segments of the wastewater line running beneath the north side of Barton Springs Road.

City crews from the Water and Wastewater Utility began work on the adjustments last month. Once the utility work is completed, Street and Bridge crews from the Public Works Department will complete the street reconstruction and the final paving.

All work — both utility and road reconstruction — on Barton Springs Road is expected to reach completion by May 24, 2003, weather permitting. The similar work on Jessie Street may continue beyond May 24.

For more information, contact Julie Strong at (512) 974-1413 or e-mail julie.strong@ci.austin.tx.us.

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Safe & Sane

Firefighters recognized by Firehouse magazine

Austin firefighters have been recognized by Firehouse magazine's Heroism and Community Service Awards program for the year 2002. Firefighter John Banning was chosen as a $500 award recipient, the fourth-highest level of recognition. Captain James Boynton was honored as a $100 recipient.

Banning and Boynton rescued victims from burning cars while off-duty in separate incidences last year. After witnessing a single-car rollover into a ravine, Banning freed the trapped driver and pulled him out. Banning suffered second- and third-degree burns to his arms while rescuing the driver. Capt. Boynton also rescued the driver of a burning vehicle by freeing him from the pedals. The pickup truck's gas tank ignited after Capt. Boynton removed the victim.

Firehouse honored a total of 77 firefighters from around the United States.

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Speedway

The following speed limit changes are tentatively scheduled for the May 8 Austin City Council Agenda.

• Wayne Riddell Loop, from FM 626 to Lord Derby Drive - 35 mph.
• Thompson Lane - from U.S. 183 to the Travis County Line - 35 mph.
• Avery Ranch Boulevard - from Parmer Lane to 1,500 feet west of Parmer Lane- 40 mph.
• Slaughter Lane - from S. Congress Avenue to 1500 feet east of IH 35 East Service Road - 45 mph.
• Slaughter Lane from 1500 feet east of IH 35 East Service Road to Brandt Road - 55 mph.

The following speed limit changes are tentatively scheduled for the May 15 Austin City Council Agenda.

• Deer Lane - from Brodie Lane to Corran Ferry Drive - 40 mph.
• Deer Lane - from Corran Ferry Drive to South MoPac Expressway - 40 mph.

The following speed limit changes are tentatively scheduled for the May 22 Austin City Council Agenda.

• Payton Gin Road - from North Lamar Boulevard to U.S. Hwy 183 East Service Road - 35 mph.
• Stonelake Boulevard - from U.S. 183 East Service Road to Capital of Texas Highway - 35 mph.
• St. Johns Avenue, both east and west – from North Lamar Boulevard to Berkman Drive - 35 mph.

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Zone In

The following zoning cases are tentatively scheduled for the May 14 Planning Commission Agenda and the June 12 Austin City Council Agenda.

C14-03-0067 – (Walter Leamons, Eugene Volcik), by Lopez-Phelps & Assoc. (Amelia Lopez-Phelps), 1401 W. Koenig Lane. From LR to CS. (Shoal Creek). City Staff: Glenn Rhoades, (512) 974-2775.

C14-03-0070 – The Human Potential Center (Robert McGarey), by (Sarah Crocker), 2007 Bert Ave. From SF-3 to NO. (West Bouldin Creek). City Staff: Annick Beaudet, (512) 974-2975.

The following zoning cases are tentatively scheduled for the June 5 Austin City Council Agenda.

C14-03-0057 – (Robert Haug), by Sarah Crocker, Loyola Lane. From SF-3 to CS. (Walnut Creek). City Staff: Annick Beaudet, (512) 974-2975.

C14-03-0060 – Metropolitan Life Insurance (John Loehr), by Winstead Sechrest & Minick P. C. (Rick Reed), 4025 Duval Road. From MF-2 to LO-MU. (Walnut Creek). City Staff: Glenn Rhoades, (512) 974-2775.

C14-03-0061 – The Protestant Episcopal Church of Texas, by Heimsath Architects (Eric Macinerney), 2205 Moffett Drive. From SF-3 to LO. (Johnson Creek). City Staff: Glenn Rhoades, (512) 974-2775.

C14-03-0063 – Capital Chevrolet Inc. (William Cromwell), by Ben Turner, South IH 35 and North Bluff Drive. From GR-CO to GR. (Williamson Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-03-0064 – Capital Chevrolet Inc. (William Cromwell), by Ben Turner, 704 North Bluff Drive. From SF-3 to GR. (Williamson Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-03-0065 – 4526 Westgate Ltd. (Lance Morris), by Sarah Crocker, 4526 Westgate Blvd. From CS to CS-1. (Williamson Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.