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THE BIG PICTURE
(City of Buda Weekly Newsletter)
Week of March 23, 2020
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In this Issue:
- Stay Home, Work Safe Order/Mayor Haehn Amends Order to Match Hays County Order
- Parks Restrictions/Closures
- Buda Public Library Curbside Service Suspended
- Buda Small Business Survey
- City of Buda Conducting Business Virtually
- Hays County Reports 12th & 13th Positive COVID 19 Cases
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- Message to City of Buda Utility Customers
- Downtown Main Street Closure - March 27 (8 PM) - March 28 (5 AM)
- Buda Counts: 2020 Census
- Boards and Commissions Application Extended
- City of Buda Water Smart Portal
- Buda Construction Website Page
- City of Buda Job Opportunities
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Stay Home, Work Safe Order
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Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a Stay Home, Work Safe Order effective March 26, 2020, at 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. April 10, 2020, unless extended or cancelled. The Order also imposes a nightly curfew for members of the public between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Mayor George Haehn has amended his previous order that closed daycare centers in Buda. The amended order mirrors the current “Stay Home, Work Safe” order put in to place by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. After consulting with the City Attorney, it was determined that in the event of any conflict between the orders of the county judge and mayor, the orders of the county judge prevail.
Under Judge Becerra’s order day care facilities that serve essential workers can remain open, with restrictions on how they operate in order to help ensure children and employees do not spread the virus.
See childcare service restrictions in
“Section 4, viii”
of Hays County Stay Home, Work Safe order:
Stay Home, Work Safe Order
While Hays County’s Stay Home, Work Safe order allows for day care facilities to remain open with restrictions, the decision to open or close is up to individual daycare owners.
Mayor Haehn’s amended order also asks retailers to implement one-way aisles in their establishments to help with customer flow, overcrowding, and observation of the 6-foot social distancing recommendations by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Businesses will need to mark the floor at six-foot intervals at registers or other areas where lines are formed
.
In addition, all doors used for the general public should be situated in a way that customers do not have to touch the door entering or exiting the business.
“I met with as many of our local retailers as possible and greatly appreciate their cooperation in keeping everyone safe. A week ago, we had 6 positive COVID-19 cases in Hays County. That number has since doubled and will likely continue to increase. It is important that we continue to work as a community to prevent further spread of the virus in Buda and Hays County and prevent our hospitals and medical professionals from being overwhelmed with patients.”
As mentioned previously, all sports fields, bathrooms, playscapes, basketball courts, skateparks, water fountains and other facilities are closed to the public until further notice. Trails and green spaces remain open, but please practice social distancing guidelines and keep six feet of space between yourself and others who do not live in your same household. The same rules apply for HOA managed and private parks facilities.
“My amended order is designed to protect the health and welfare of our citizens, while balancing their ability to live and work.”
For non-emergency questions about COVID-19 please call the Hays County COVID-19 Hotline at 512-393-5525.
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Park Restrictions/Closures
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Mayor Haehn has included neighborhood parks and private parks in the restrictions/closures.
The City of Buda Parks Department is following Federal, State and Local guidelines to limit the potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Implemented policies and procedures are in place to include:
1. Closure of all sports fields, bathrooms, playscapes, basketball courts, skatepark and facility reservations until further notice.
2. Cancel or postpone special events until further notice.
3. Trails and green spaces will remain open, unless otherwise directed by Federal, State or local authorities.
4. Please respect social distancing while in the park system-trails, tables, etc.
5. Water fountains will not be available for use.
6. Green Meadows Splash Pad will have a delayed opening for the season. Updates will be placed on our City website when available.
Please be safe and healthy during this time, if you have any questions please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 512-523-1081.
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Buda Public Library Suspends Curbside Service
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Due to the “Stay at Home, Work Safe" order by Hays County, Curbside Service at the Buda Public Library will be suspended beginning tonight, March 26 at 7:00 pm. All items that are currently on hold will be held for 5 business days after Curbside Service resumes. You can find information on all of our eBook and downloadable audio books by going to our “Buda Library at Home” webpage here:
https://www.budalibrary.org/281/Buda-Library-at-Home
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Buda Small Business Survey
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To our budaful business community: your small businesses bring us together and form the heart of our city. Your care and hard work have not gone unnoticed. While this season has been tough on our local businesses, we know you are still here and you are still budaful. Let us be here for you. How is your business doing? How can we help? We’re here to listen.
And when you have a moment, please fill out this survey to help understand the impact and needs of our businesses due to COVID-19. The Buda Area Chamber of Commerce is working with Hays County Texas - Official to conduct this countywide survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HaysCOVID19Survey
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City of Buda Conducting Business Virtually
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To follow the social distancing guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDD), all City offices will be conducting business virtually. This means there will be no walk-ins, with all business being done via telephone and computer
.
You can contact City Departments directly at the numbers below:
Public Works (512-312-2876)
Buda Police Department - Non-Emergency - (512-393-7896)
Parks and Recreation (512-523-1081)
Utility Billing - (512-295-8845)
Municipal Court - (512-295-2562)
Library - (512-295-5899)
Planning, Permitting, and Engineering - (512-312-5745)
Utility billing and municipal court payments may be paid online here:
https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/budatx
. Additional ways to make utility payments include online through your bank, over the phone at 512-295-8845, and by mail to 405 E. Loop St., Building 100, Buda, Texas. Customers can also utilize the utility payment drop boxes at the front entrance of the building and near the library book drop. The Utility Billing e-mail that residents should use to communicate with Utilities is
utilitybilling@ci.buda.tx.us
.
Municipal Court:
Buda Municipal Court will be closed to the public starting March 20th. The decision is made in an effort limit the number of individuals gathering in a confined space to reduce the risks to public health. Although operations are closed to the public, individuals may still contact the Court by phone and email to get information and handle their cases; many options are available that do not require a personal appearance.
All court dockets are cancelled. Cases that are set on dockets will be rescheduled to a date after May 8th; individuals will be notified by mail of their new court date.
All individuals are encouraged to call 512-295-2562 or email the Court
budamunicipalcourt@ci.buda.tx.us
in lieu of making personal appearances to take care of their court business.
Park rentals, library programs and all City-sponsored events are suspended until further notice.
Additional online resources:
Licenses, Permits and Fees:
You can view City Council meetings online here:
For more information on Buda Library Services:
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Hays County Reports 12th & 13th Positive COVID-19 Cases
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(The information coming from Hays County will continue to change. Please follow Hays County at
www.haysinformed.com
)
The Hays County Local Health Department has been notified two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total cases in Hays County to 13. All 13 positive cases are adults. One is a resident of Dripping Springs and one is a resident of Kyle. In addition, as of 4 p.m. March 26, the Hays County Local Health Department has received 131 negative test results and 21 test results are pending (note that these test results are frequently changing numbers). One of the original positive cases, a resident of Kyle, has recovered and is out of quarantine.
The breakdown of cases by city as of 12 p.m. March 26 is:
Austin (some Hays County addresses are Austin) – 1
Buda – 3
Dripping Springs – 3
Kyle -4
San Marcos – 2
Because of HIPAA laws, additional information about patients is not allowed to be shared.
Hays County Epidemiologist Eric Schneider reminds citizens that most persons who contract the disease will have low to moderate fever, a cough, and congestion, typically treated with over the counter medications as there is no specialized treatment for COVID-19 like there is with Influenza. The majority of persons who contract this disease will not need to seek medical care. Residents with these symptoms should self-quarantine until they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 72 hours.
“Residents with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system and persons over 65 tend to be hardest hit by COVID-19 and should consult their health care provider if they are experiencing symptoms, as should persons with high fevers or shortness of breath.
Good hygiene practices are essential:
Prevention Tips:
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day, including between your fingers and underneath your nails. Handwashing is considered the best way to remove germs and dirt, and hand sanitizers should be used only when handwashing is not available. The hand sanitizers should be at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective.
- Avoid handshaking and high-fives
- Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you feel sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue then put the tissue in the trash, or use the crook of your elbow if a tissue isn’t available
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe. Clean cell and desk phones, computer keyboards, door handles, and work surfaces often.
- Face masks are not considered an effective way to prevent someone from catching a virus unless you have close, frequent contact with a sick person; however, they are an option for sick people to use to keep from spreading the virus.
- Avoid travel to areas that have been designated high-risk areas because of multiple verified cases of Corona
- Individuals are encouraged to avoid large gatherings. This includes, but is not limited to concerts, plays, sporting events, gymnasiums, dances, and restaurants. Recreation activities that can be practiced in private are encouraged. This virus spreads by person-to-person transmission just like the flu, so limiting human contact can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
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Message to City of Buda Utility Customers
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Dear City of Buda Utility Customers:
As you are aware, there is a growing concern over the coronavirus (COVID-19) as it continues to evolve. Please know that the City of Buda remains committed to providing safe drinking water to our customers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water regulations require treatment of public water systems to remove or kill pathogens, including viruses. The City of Buda uses chlorine as a disinfectant for bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. City operators perform daily chlorine testing in accordance with EPA regulations to ensure chlorine levels remain within an acceptable range.
The City of Buda has also taken precautions to protect our staff from any illness that would disrupt service. We have operations staff that are cross-trained and licensed in both water and wastewater operations to ensure safe and reliable treatment of water and wastewater in the areas we serve.
The City of Buda is temporarily halting late payment fees and disconnections due to non-payment.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact either Public Works at 512-312-2876 or Utility Billing at 512-295-8845.
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Downtown Main Street Closure
Friday, March 27 (8 PM) - Saturday, March 28 (5 AM)
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Main Street between Ash Street and Peach Street is expected to close overnight beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 27 and will re-open by 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 28. This includes the intersection of Main Street and RM 967. Lone Star Site Works will be placing permanent striping as part of the Main Street Improvement Project to include:
Permanent striping
Parking slots
Crosswalks, stop bars and hash marks
In the event of inclement weather, plans are subject to change.
Detour Information
Southbound Main Street traffic will detour to San Antonio Street and then to San Marcos Street, where motorists can then turn west onto RM 967 or continue to Peach Street to return to Main Street.
Northbound Main Street traffic will detour to Peach Street and then to San Marcos Street, where motorists can then turn west onto RM 967 or continue towards San Antonio Street and back onto Main Street.
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Buda Counts: Census Questionnaire Online
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You can now take the census questionnaire online by visiting the Census 2020 website at
https://2020census.gov/
. From March 12 to March 20 homes will receive official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond. You can respond online, by phone, or by mail. Computers are available at the Buda Public Library and staff will help you get started! Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.
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City of Buda Accepting Applications
For Boards and Commissions
Deadline Extended
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A citizen’s point of view provides valuable insight into the operations of the City’s and Council's decision-making process. The job of Board and Commission members is crucial to the success of Buda's representative government. The Buda City Council is accepting completed application forms from City of Buda citizens interested in serving on one of our various boards and commissions. Deadline to apply has been extended.
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City of Buda WaterSmart Customer Portal Open
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Minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of wasted water each year
.
Sign up for leak alerts.
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Buda Construction
Website Page
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With so many construction projects happening we decided to create a page on our website dedicated to construction updates. You can find it at
ci.buda.tx.us/budaconstruction.
We will keep this page updated and continue to post updates on our social media channels. Construction updates are also running on the monitors in the lobby of the Municipal Building.
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City of Buda
Job Opportunities
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Interested in joining our team? Check out our latest employment opportunities.
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Thank you for subscribing to "The Big Picture" weekly newsletter! It's a "Budaful" way to keep up with the latest City news.
Sincerely,
City of Buda
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405. E Loop St., Building 100
Buda, TX 78610
512-312-0084
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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