COVID-19 Update: Stage 5 & City Operation Details
STAGE 5 GUIDELINES:
Travis County is now in Stage 5 of the Austin Public Health risk-based guidelines. This highest stage includes a recommendation that those who are vaccinated or at low-risk, wear a proper face covering when engaging with others not from your household. High-risk, vaccinated individuals are encouraged not to gather with people outside their household and should limit essential travel. Those who are partially vaccinated (including if you do not have a booster), or not vaccinated should not gather with people outside their household under any circumstances, and should use curbside or takeout dining services. As the Omicron variant continues to rapidly spread across the country, Travis County continues to offer COVID-19 vaccine distribution pop-up events. No appointments are necessary. CLICK HERE for time, date and location details, and also for more information on the Stage 5 guidelines in place within Travis County.

CITY OPERATIONS:
The City of Lakeway is currently experiencing staffing shortages due to recent COVID-19 exposures. While regular city operations are continuing, expect a delay in response times. All advisory committees will meet virtually through the end of the month as needed. The City Council meeting and City Building Commission meeting scheduled this month will still continue in-person at this time. Enhanced health and safety protocols are also being put in place at the Lakeway Activity Center and Lakeway Swim Center. Questions? Please email us at [email protected].

THE NUMBERS:
A total of 136,004 positive cases have been reported to date in Travis County. There have been a total of 4,981 cases in the Lakeway area (zip codes 78734, 78738 and 78669) since the start of the pandemic (up 239 cases from the same time last week, compared to a rise of 100 cases the previous week). There are currently 6,043 active cases at this time in Travis County (up from 4,269 active cases indicated last week) and a seven-day moving average of 404 hospitalizations in the region (up from 163 last week). CLICK HERE to review the COVID-19 case dashboard. CLICK HERE for more details on hospitalizations.



Winter Weather Preparedness Event
The Young Men's Service League Cavalier's Chapter at Lake Travis High School (YMSL) in partnership with the City of Lakeway's Office of Emergency Management are hosting a Winter Weather Preparedness Event this Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lakeway Justice Complex located at 104 Cross Creek. Residents will be able to stop by the parking lot (outside) of the Justice Complex during that time to pick up items for a home safety kit in preparation for the peak of the winter season. The following items will be available for free pick-up while supplies last:

  • Firewood
  • Blankets
  • Space Heaters
  • Flashlights
  • First Aid Kits
  • Water
  • Batteries
  • Hand Wipes
  • Hand Sanitizers
  • Portable Battery Chargers
  • Toilet Paper
  • Masks
  • Buckets
  • Winter Storm Emergency Checklists
  • And more...

Arrive early as quantities will be limited. Distribution will be on a first-come, first- served basis. CLICK HERE for more details.
City Council Meeting Recap
The regular City Council meeting scheduled on Dec. 20 was moved to this past Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Here are some of the highlights from that City Council meeting:

COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD:
Representatives with We Are Blood attended the meeting Monday evening to receive the 2021 Community Partner Award for their ongoing partnership with the City of Lakeway. Organizers continued to safely put together blood donation events every two months at the Lakeway Activity Center through the pandemic. The events had enhanced health and safety protocols in place to keep residents safe during the donation process. Congratulations, We Are Blood!

FINANCIALS:
City Manager Julie Oakley gave an update on the state of the city's financials for the first two months of the fiscal year (October & November 2021) showing revenue is ahead of budgeted expectations by $169,104 and expenditures are running below budgeted expectations by $67,438.

WASTE CONTRACT EXTENSION:
City Council unanimously approved extending the contract for solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services for an additional two years per a request made by Waste Connections. The current five year agreement with Waste Connections was approved in 2017 with two, one year optional extensions if requested. Under the extension to continue services under the contract until 2024, Waste Connections agreed to waive their right to petition for any rate adjustment within that additional two-year period.

FIREWORKS ORDINANCE UPDATE:
City Council unanimously approved an update to the current Fireworks ordinance, which was initially adopted in 1976. Residential fireworks remain prohibited. This update relates to non-residential fireworks. The updated ordinance includes definitions, along with a process for applying for a permit, which includes items such as the entity getting the appropriate fire department approval, notification being made no later than 10 days prior to the scheduled event, and a process for proper notification to the City and Lakeway Police Department. Additionally, the penalty for violation of the fireworks ordinance changed from $100 to $500.

NEW ZONING DISTRICT:
City Council approved 6-1 (with Councilmember Trecker against) for the establishment of a new zoning district titled R-9 (High Density Multifamily Residential), and amending language for the already established R-8 multifamily zoning to be medium density. This approved update to the zoning code adds a district category with about 67% more allowable density, increasing from the current R-8 maximum of 12 units per acre to a new R-9 district maximum of 20 units per acre. The City's Zoning & Planning Commission previously unanimously approved making the recommendation to City Council for formal approval.

CLICK HERE to see the video and review the agenda from Monday night's meeting.
Storywalk Returns

Read excerpts from a book and take a stroll on the trails directly behind City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing Road) during this beloved family-friendly event. Storywalk takes place starting Jan. 22 through Feb. 14, 2022. During that time, you will be able to read excerpts from this year's Valentine-themed book "The I Love You Book" by New York Times Best Selling Author Todd Parr as you walk along the trails. This is a free event for the community. Questions? Email us at [email protected].
City Park Playground Project

Starting next Monday, Jan. 10, crews will be working to deconstruct the current playground at City Park in anticipation of the new equipment arriving soon. City crews will be trimming trees and installing a temporary irrigation system starting next week as well. Please avoid any areas marked off at City Park during the construction phase. The new playscape is expected to be in place and finished by the middle to end of March 2022. Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Saturday, Jan. 8 @ 10 a.m.