At Your Doorstep, April 2004

At Your Doorstep Departments

Web Wise

Help City determine look of future development

The Commercial Development Preference survey is an opportunity for you to indicate your preferences for how commercial development, large and small, should look in Austin. And "look" means more than just architecture of the buildings.

It includes landscaping, signage, building layout and parking. All Austin residents and visitors are invited to participate in the survey at www.cityofaustin.org/planning/cd_intro.cfm. The survey should take less than five minutes.

The design of commercial development, such as shopping centers, "big box" retail and office complexes, is influenced by a combination of City regulations and private decisions. Your input will help City staff evaluate how well current city regulations align with public preferences.

Responses are due April 15, 2004. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Katie Larsen at 974-6413, or at Katie.Larsen@ci.austin.tx.us.

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Neighbor to Neighbor

Clean Sweep across Austin 2004

Keep Austin Beautiful needs your help to make Clean Sweep Across Austin 2004 Saturday, April 3, the biggest clean-up effort the City has seen yet.

The event is the 19th Annual Clean Sweep event. This year Keep Austin Beautiful is expanding it to include the entire Greater Austin area with a focus on your neighborhood. Private, public and non-profit groups can participate. Clean Sweep Across Austin is a network of small cleanups throughout Austin. Keep Austin Beautiful will provide the supplies.

For more information about how to participate in a cleanup or join another group's cleanup, visit www.keepaustinbeautiful.org. You may also register online at www.keepaustinbeautiful.org/volunteer.php.

Flood Awareness Week Expo May 23

This year City officials will recognize the 1981 "Memorial Day Flood" with a movie premiere highlighting an important message - floods know no boundaries.

Austin and Central Texas have floods, lightning, thunderstorms and tornados. City officials are offering a unique opportunity Sunday, May 23, to learn why and how to be prepared for potential loss of property and life for such events.

The City of Austin will host a Flood Awareness Week Expo featuring the Austin premiere of "Texas Flood" at the State Theater, 719 Congress Ave. The event will provide an exclusive look at historical footage and interviews related to flooding in Central Texas.

The community event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and will include exhibits, festivities for all age groups and refreshments. The movie premiere will follow at 6 p.m.

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 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, May 23-28, helps educate the public about taking preventive measures to avoid loss of property and life in a flood situation.

For more information visit www.cityofaustin.org/oem.

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 to help them recover.

Homeowners' 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.

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

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.

Rid City of bandit signs: Become a Sign Ranger

The City of Austin and its partners encourage you to become a Volunteer Sign Ranger and register for volunteer training.

A Volunteer Sign Ranger assists City staff to eliminate illegal bandit signs. Eligibility requirements include:

• Must be available during day-time hours.
• Be physically able to lift 10 to 15 pounds, depending on the size of sign being removed.
• Be willing to partner with another volunteer.
• Complete the 12-hour Sign Ranger training course.
• Complete a background and fingerprint check.

Training classes will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21-23 at the Austin Police Department's Office of the Community Liaison, 1009 E. 11th St., First Floor Conference Room.

At the completion of the 12-hour training course, the participant will be an official Volunteer Sign Ranger and will receive an accredited certificate.

Please call APD Volunteer Coordinator, Sherry Mitchell at (512) 974-4731 or Gloria Quinonez at (512) 974-7673 to confirm attendance.

City to host Sixth Annual NeighborFest!

The City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department will host its Sixth Annual NeighborFest! from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Barbara Jordan Elementary, 6711 Johnny Morris Road.

The event will provide Austin residents with a wide variety of information about services offered in Austin. The family event will provide activities for children along with educational opportunities.

To sign up for the event, or for more information, please contact Edith Merla at 974- 3173; e-mail: edith.merla@ci.austin.tx.us

Library exhibit recognizes 165 years of poster art in Austin

The Austin History Center, in collaboration with the Austin Poster Enthusiasts Society is hosting a new exhibit featuring poster art in Austin. The free exhibit "Artists Among Us: Poster Art in Austin," will be on display through Saturday, May 29, 2004.

The exhibit marks Austin's 165th anniversary of poster art and will guide the visitor through the simple advertisements of the 1920s through the 1950s, to the explosion of the psychedelic and colorful posters of the 1960s and 1970s, on through to the outrageous and almost offensive posters of the punk era in the 1980s, ending with the incredible array of style from today's artists.

Visitors will be impressed with the color and imaginative styles of art created by Austin's precious artists.

The Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe Street, is open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon - 6 p.m.

For more information, call (512) 974-7400, or visit www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/.

Right sizing your garbage cart: A perfect fit for trash

Solid Waste Services Department officials this month are encouraging everyone to "right-size" their garbage cart.

The goal is to educate the public about reducing the amount of extra garbage ? garbage that doesn't fit in your garbage cart with the lid closed. What's wrong with extra garbage? It can be unsightly and promote litter. In addition, it can place additional cost on the Solid Waste Services Department and the resident.

Garbage carts can be exchanged at any time by calling (512) 494-9400. However, the Solid Waste Services Department will waive the $15 upgrade fee for the month of April if you order the exchange cart in April.

If you have more than two bags of extra garbage a month, it is more cost efficient to order a larger cart now. Three sizes of carts are available. There is a $2.75 (plus tax) difference in the monthly rate between cart sizes. To compare, two extra bags range from $4 to $8 (plus tax) depending on whether Extra Garbage Stickers are used. Additional carts are also available.

How can you reduce trash in your cart? First, recycle everything possible:

If recycling is not enough, order the right-size garbage cart. This should help keep your neighborhood clean while ensuring your spending the right amount of money for the right fit for your trash.

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Big Ideas

City makes restaurant inspection scores available online

A new, online service provides information designed to give consumers an indication of a food establishment's sanitation level during an inspection performed by the food inspection staff.

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department conducts the permitting and inspection of more than 4,000 food establishments in Austin, several area municipalities and rural Travis County.

The establishments include a wide variety of food industries such as restaurants, delicatessens, school cafeterias, grocery stores, retail meat markets, bakeries and bars.

A score of 100 is given if no violations are found. If more than 30 points are lost, a reinspection is required and corrections must be made to bring the score above 70, in accordance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules.

If subsequent inspections are below 70, compliance actions will be taken. Reinspection scores are not posted here, but can be obtained by calling (512) 972-5600, or e-mailing the Health Department, www.cityofaustin.org/health/restaurant/email_ehcuservice1.cfm.

The inspection results give consumers a snapshot in time of an establishment's sanitation and procedures. The public should not assume that the inspection results reflect how an establishment always operates. Consumers may draw their own conclusions from the information available at www.cityofaustin.org/health/restaurant/search.cfm.

For more information, contact (512) 972-5600.

City seeks developer for prime downtown site north of new City Hall

The City of Austin issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) last month for the purchase and development of City-owned Block 21, just north of the new City Hall and Public Plaza in the southwest sector of downtown Austin.

The proposal calls for a developer or development team with demonstrated experience and strong financial resources to purchase Block 21 ? minimum price $9.2 million ? and develop it with a creative project that supports and enhances the new, multi-use urban neighborhood in which it is located.

The RFP may be accessed on the Austin City Connection, the City's official Web site, at waller.ci.austin.tx.us/purchase/get_ad_detail.cfm?ID=RL04300041. An informational meeting and site tour will be at 9 a.m. April 7, 2004, at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, Third Floor Training Room. Proposals are due June 7, 2004.

Block 21 is bordered by Third Street on the north; Second Street, south; Lavaca Street, east; and Guadalupe Street, west. The site is one of six blocks in an adventurous new urban neighborhood known as the "Second Street District."

The Second Street District is next to the popular Warehouse Entertainment District; borders beautiful Town Lake on the south; and is just off Congress Avenue, the "Main Street of Texas."

The development requirements include:

• The project must include at least 42,000 square feet of high-quality retail space and at least 150 parking spaces to accommodate the retail portion of the project.
• The project must be built in accordance with the City's Downtown Design Guidelines.
• The project must contain a pedestrian friendly streetscape on all four sides of the block in accordance with the Second Street Streetscape Guidelines.
• The successful developer is required to contribute $100,000 to the City's Art in Public Places program for further implementation of the Second Street District Streetscape Public Art Program.
• Completion of the project must occur within four years.
• The project will receive its HVAC cooling services from Austin Energy's Downtown District Cooling Plant.

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Streetscapes

City to host Traffic Signal Open House

The City of Austin's Transportation, Planning and Sustainability Department will host a Traffic Signal Open House April 15 to obtain public input about traffic signals.

The meeting will be from 3 to 8 p.m. at One Texas Center, Third Floor Conference Room, 505 Barton Springs Road. The City will consider the input so it can provide better traffic signal service and improved traffic flow.

It is not necessary to attend the entire meeting. Just come when convenient, ask any questions and/or make suggestions and go on your way.

The City would appreciate a notification to members of your neighborhood association members inviting them to this meeting.

In case you cannot attend, a comment form may be requested from trafficsignals@ci.austin.tx.us.

For more information about the open house, call Ali Mozdbar, Senior Traffic Signal Engineer, at (512) 457-4870.

Lamar Boulevard: paving the way for improved infrastructure

The City of Austin is working to make what's under Lamar Boulevard work with current development, providing the water and wastewater improvements necessary to keep with the changing times.

The Lamar Boulevard Utilities and Road Reconstruction Project began March 1. This large, $12.6 million project will significantly improve the riding surface of 24 blocks of Lamar north of Town Lake. Construction is scheduled for completion in summer 2005.

The public can keep up with new information by visiting www.cityofaustin.org/lamar/default.htm, a Web site dedicated to bringing new information and upcoming changes to the public.

The project involves major water and wastewater improvements, limited storm water improvements, road reconstruction, and pedestrian amenities. The 16½-month schedule includes a six-week break in construction in the retail district (West 12th Street to Town Lake) for the 2004 holiday season.

The schedule also requires the work between Town Lake and West Ninth Street to be completed by Jan. 31, 2005. Unusually inclement weather or unexpected utility conflicts encountered during the work could extend the schedule.

For more information about the scope of the project as well as pedestrian amenities, visit www.cityofaustin.org/lamar/default.htm.

City officials will continue to publish information and answers to frequently asked questions to assist the public as this project progresses.

For more information, contact Julie Strong, Public Works Department, (512) 974- 1413.

Synchronizing traffic lights in Austin

The Austin City Connection, the official Web site for the City of Ausitn, provides insight to traffic issues and offers a close-up look at the status quo for traffic problems in Austin.

Visit www.cityofaustin.org/roadworks/trafficsync.htm to view this presentation. The presentation will focus on the issues associated with synchronizing traffic lights in Austin. The online video has been prepared to answer questions posed by motorists concerning the common experience of traffic congestion.

It defines "synchronization," one of the best tools available to Austin's traffic engineers; discusses the misconceptions about what synchronization can achieve and what it can't; and reviews what the City of Austin is doing to solve the problem.

There is no question that traffic congestion is a serious problem and, while it's a problem all over the United States, it has recently become an even greater concern in Austin compared to other cities of our size.

Visit www.cityofaustin.org/roadworks/trafficsync.htm for a demonstration as to why Austin doesn't have enough land or money to build its way out of congestion.

To schedule a City representative to speak to your group or for more information about the online presentation, contact Sylvia Arzola, Transportation, Planning and Sustainability Department, at (512) 974-6448; e-mail Sylvia.Arzola@ci.austin.tx.us.

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Money Wise

Water Conservation partners with Housing Authority

Toilets can use the most water of any fixture in a home. That's why the City of Austin offers free toilets and rebates on selected models - to encourage residents to install water- efficient toilets.

However, for some residents the cost of installation is an obstacle. Those who can't afford the installation costs or who are unable to install a toilet themselves may have older fixtures and higher water bills.

For a limited time, the City of Austin's Water Conservation Program is offering an additional installation rebate for Austin Housing Authority homes participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program, Section 8.

Qualified residences can participate in the Free Toilet Program and can get an extra $30 to help cover the cost of installation through June 30. That's a total of $60 toward installation by a licensed plumber.

The $30 rebate is also available to those who choose the Toilet Rebate Program. Residents or property owners get up to $130 back per toilet toward the cost of the toilet and installation when they choose a toilet model from the City's pre-approved list.

To be eligible, a property must have toilets installed before 1992 and install toilets by May 30, 2004. Additional restrictions apply. For more information, contact (512) 974-2199 for details.

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Environs

Spring cleaning could turn up hazardous waste

Cleaning out the garage? Sprucing up the yard? At the end of both endeavors, you may find yourself with unwanted chemicals ? paint, automotive fluids, cleaners, fertilizers, pesticides and pool chemicals. Even small quantities of these common products can do a lot of damage if disposed improperly.

In Austin and Travis County, it's easy to do the right thing. Simply bring your unwanted chemicals to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2514 Business Center Drive in Southeast Austin. The facility is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m. Businesses must call for assistance. Products brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility must not weigh more than 30 gallons.

For more information, call (512) 974-4343 or visit www.austinrecycles.com.

Electric mower sale

Gasoline-powered lawnmowers are responsible for a disproportionate amount of air pollution.

Also, spillage when filling gas-powered mowers finds its way into creeks. Bagged grass clippings fill up landfills.

Solution: The Third Annual Central Texas Electric Lawnmower Program.

The program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Home Depot , I-35 and Woodward Street. Between the mower discount and lawn care product give-aways a person can save up to $80 on a cordless (battery pack) model when accompanied with a gas-powered mower trade-in.

For more information, contact Scott Johnson at (512) at 447-4595.

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Kid Stuff

Summer fun for everyone

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department offers free, minimal cost and fee-based summer programs for children 3-18 years of age. These programs are offered at City facilities, golf courses, pools, tennis courts and parks.

Summer provides a number of events in Austin parks and City facilities for the whole family. Summer months are all about having fun, and so is the Summer Playground Program. This year marks the 77th Annual Summer Playground Program of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

With neighborhood sites throughout the city, playground leaders create safe, supervised and fun-filled environments with activities including sports, games, arts and crafts, nature activities and cook-outs.

The program begins Wednesday, June 2, through Friday, July 23. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. All sites will be closed July 4.

For more information, contact (512) 480-3043. To learn more about youth programs offered by the City of Austin, visit www.cityofaustin.org/parks/summer_programs.htm.

More Good Stuff

Get outdoors and enjoy Austin

Pleasant, outdoor weather has arrived. Visit some of Austin's vibrant venues; and enjoy free outdoor activities.

Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, is ideally located in the center of Texas' capital city with 18 acres of garden displays. The gardens and trees are surrounded by natural grottoes and aquatic habitats that have been integrated into a design of spectacular beauty and tranquility.

Featured gardens include a Japanese garden, xeriscape demonstration garden, rose garden, cactus garden, bedding displays, floral display garden, butterfly trail, butterfly garden, and herb and fragrance garden and the Hartman Prehistoric Garden.

Visiting the Zilker Botanical Garden is free and open to the public. The public may visit from 7 a.m. to dusk daily.

For more information visit www.zilkergarden.org.

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Zone In

The following zoning cases are tentatively scheduled for the April 6 Planning Commission Agenda and the May 6 City Council Agenda.

C14-04-0052 - Onion Creek Club Inc. (David Turpin), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), 2510 Onion Creek Parkway. From I-RR to CR. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0053 -Onion Creek Club Inc. (David Turpin), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), 2510 Onion Creek Parkway. From I-RR to CR. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0054 - (Samuel Alexander), by Waterloo Development Inc. (Chris Blackburn), Manchaca Road. From DR to SF-4A. (Slaughter Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

The following zoning cases are tentatively scheduled for the April 6 Planning Commission Agenda and the May 6 City Council Agenda.

C14-04-0042 - Rebota Inc. (Jim Guantt), by Carlson, Brigance & Doering (Debbie Guerra), N. U.S. 183. From LR to GR. (Lake Creek). City Staff: Sherri Gager, (512) 974-3057.

C14-04-0043 - (Wolfred Attal), by Trammell Crow Company (Jill Allison), Zimmerman Lane. From DR to SF-6. (Bull Creek). City Staff: Sherri Gager, (512) 974-3057.

C14-04-0044 - Onion Creek Club (David Turpin), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), 2510 Onion Creek Parkway. From I-RR to CR. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0045 - Onion Creek Club (David Turpin), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), Onion Creek Parkway. From I-RR to CR. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0046 - Onion Creek Club (David Turpin), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), Onion Creek Parkway. From I-RR to CR. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0047 - (Tamara & James Piper), by (Teresa L. Hankins), 8001 Brodie Lane. From SF-2 to LR. (Williamson Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0048 - Onion Creek Development Company (Darlene Louk), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), South IH-35. From I-RR to GO. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0050 - Onion Creek Club (David Turpin), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), Onion Creek Parkway. From I-RR to CR. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-04-0051 - Onion Creek Club (David Turpin), by Vaughn & Associates (Rick Vaughn), Onion Creek Parkway. From I-RR to CR. (Onion Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.