Dear Neighbors,
I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and well.
As I write this greeting, our community is experiencing many new cases of COVID-19 each day, and our health professionals are warning that our medical facilities are taking in COVID-19 patients very quickly. See updated statistics
here.
Please stay home if you are able to do so – especially during this July 4 weekend. Our medical professionals are urging us to stay home, to wear masks in public, to stay at least 6 feet apart, and to avoid get-togethers with people outside our households. This advice is critical to ensuring that our medical facilities have the capacity to care for those who are sick.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our dedicated frontline workers, healthcare providers, and essential employees who have kept our community clean, healthy, safe, and fed every day throughout this crisis! I am also grateful to those of you who have stepped up to help – by distributing meals, calling and checking on seniors (see more below), donating to organizations, and more.
The last three months have been extraordinarily intense and busy for City Council. I have been actively leading and supporting efforts to respond to immediate needs for food and utility assistance while also working with my colleagues to initiate important reforms to public safety and to explore investments that will provide long-term sustainable results toward ensuring that every family in Austin has access to a healthy meal, a safe home, and opportunities to thrive.
Now more than ever, I am honored to represent you on the City Council.
My staff and I remain available to receive your feedback and address your questions and concerns even as we work remotely. Please leave a voice mail at (512) 978-2109 or email
Kathie.tovo@austintexas.gov
.
Best,
Kathie Tovo
Council Member District 9
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My office organized volunteers to call seniors in District 9 to make sure they have what they need to get through this challenging and uncertain time. I’m so appreciative of the community members who stepped forward to check on our neighbors!
A HUGE THANK YOU to Ross Baldick, Nancy Bass, Ali Carter, Ann Daly, Barbara Davis, Ellie Hanlon, Barbara Holthouse, Teri Hubbeling, Jolene Kiolbassa, Paula Kothmann, Susan Lambe, Nari Mann, Barry and Pat Massy, Madhavi Reese, Joan Quenan, Iumi Richard, Katie Rudnik, Judy Shipway, Sira, Leighanne Swaverly, Kristen Thompson, Mary Venn, Sally VanSickle, Stacey Vicari, Mari Ward, Mike Wong, and the other volunteers donating their time to call thousands of our neighbors in District 9.
Volunteers provided information about available community resources and helped identify seniors who needed assistance with groceries or obtaining masks – and, in some cases, then helped them meet these needs! We also sent postcards to every District 9 resident over 65 to be sure individuals know how to access information and resources during this challenging time. Again, I’m so grateful to those who helped with this initiative!
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Community members experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can complete an
online assessment
to determine eligibility for a free drive-through test without referral from a doctor. Eligibility is based on symptoms and individual risk factors; completion of the assessment does not guarantee referral to a testing site. If you have severe symptoms, please contact a healthcare provider immediately.
If you need to be tested and do not have access to a vehicle, reach out to
CommUnity Care
for other options.
If you have insurance, our officials ask that you contact your doctor to be tested at a site other than the public health drive-through.
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Thanks to a generous donation from the
Austin Emergency Supply Foundation (AESF)
,
18,000 masks were provided to emergency shelters, medical offices, social service agencies, and community groups located in District 9 and serving vulnerable populations. I’m incredibly grateful for this life-saving donation to our community.
AESF donated masks to a total of 2,075 small businesses and social service providers in Austin and continues to help the community by offering the option to buy masks, buy masks for yourself and donate masks to others, or request free masks by clicking on the link in the middle of the home page:
https://atxsupply.org
.
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Assistance and Ways To Help
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If you or someone you know is in need of food, information, or other assistance, please call
211.
If you are looking for ways to help during this time, you can explore opportunities through the City’s
How to Help
campaign.
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The City Council has now held multiple virtual Council meetings. Some important highlights include the following:
- On June 11, the City Council unanimously approved reforms to our public safety system, including efforts to reduce racial disparities in public safety outcomes, the creation of a Council Public Safety Committee, changes to use of force policies, and an exploration of funding allocations. I voted for these measures, joined as a co-sponsor, and am committed to the hard and necessary work ahead to re-imagine our public safety model.
- On May 21, Council approved my resolution to support the live music community, particularly within the Red River Cultural District, by potentially aquiring venue space and adjusting fees and permitting requirements.
- On May 7, Council approved my initiative to provide meals to caregivers of students within the Austin and Del Valle Independent School Districts facing food insecurity. AISD will continue to provide student meals throughout the summer, and the Austin Ed Fund is soliciting donations from the community to support this critical need through the Keep AISD Kids Fed campaign.
- In response to a resolution I sponsored, on April 23 Council approved $1.5 million to create an Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund for musicians who are struggling due to measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
- On April 23, Council passed my resolution to mitigate financial barriers and create a low interest loan for residents who want to construct accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
- Land Development Code Update: District Court Judge Jan Soifer has ruled that the City failed to adequately notify property owners of potential zoning changes and that the City must recognize individuals’ protest rights on proposed re-zonings. On April 9th, Mayor Adler, Mayor Pro Tem Garza, and Council Members Harper-Madison, Renteria, Casar, Flannigan, and Ellis voted to appeal this court decision, a process which will likely take up to one year or more. Council Members Alter, Kitchen, Pool, and I released a statement expressing our concern that the appeal is an “ill-timed expenditure of resources amid our current crisis.” City Council will soon resume discussions about what other Land Development Code changes can and/or should be undertaken in advance of the Appellate Court’s decision.
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District 9 Business Shout-Out!
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As part of their modified operations during COVID-19,
The Flightpath Coffeehouse
started a neighborhood
commissary
to help those who are struggling to secure basic provisions.
Neighbors have generously donated items, allowing the commissary to offer staples for free or at a very low cost to those who are out of work.
According to the Flightpath’s owner, this process evolved organically and has been a true partnership between his business and the community. Thank you, Flightpath, and all who contributed toward this effort!
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You are not alone. SAFE is an Austin nonprofit dedicated to stopping abuse for everyone. During this period of shelter-in-place,
SAFE
knows that home is not a safe place for everyone. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call or text 911.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing violence or abuse, please call, chat or text the 24/7, free & confidential SAFEline. SAFEline advocates can help you assess the level of danger, create a safety plan, discuss ways to help someone you know, or just talk.
www.safeaustin.org
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24-hr SAFEline - Call: 512.267.SAFE (7233) | Text: 737.888.SAFE (7233) | SAFEline chat.
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If your
business
is facing a layoff or closure, Workforce Solutions Capital Area can offer proactive outplacement assistance or layoff aversion support at no cost. Review these resources on the
Resources for Employers page
,
fill out this
online form
to be contacted by a staff member, or call 512-549-4967.
Additional resources to support economic recovery for businesses, creatives, organizations, and residents can be found at
ATXRecovers.com
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Today from home, you can help our community receive the funding and representation it deserves for the next 10 years by completing your 2020 Census.
Every 10 years, the Census counts all people living within the United States. For every person counted, our neighborhoods receive $1,500 more per year to support our community's needs.
The Census is safe, confidential, and easy to complete! 9 Questions in 9 Minutes. Your home can fill out the Census in three ways:
● Online - My2020Census.gov
● By Phone - 844-330-2020
● By Mail
Questions? Visit ATXCensus2020.com or call 211 to learn how the Census affects our community – and find out how you can volunteer with outreach efforts!
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Looking to add a new family member? Animal Services is offering pet adoptions via
appointment. Adopters can
view adoptable pets
on the Austin Animal Center
website
.
For pets in shelter, email ASOanimaladoption@austintexas.gov with your phone number and a team member will contact you within 72 hours to schedule an appointment to visit the shelter. For pets in foster care, complete a
Visitor Profile
,
then email ASOanimaladoption@austintexas.gov to be put in touch with their foster family
.
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