Austin COVID-19 Order Concerning Restrictions on Issuing Notices to Vacate Extended through Dec. 31

For immediate release: September 30, 2020 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Austin COVID-19 Order Concerning Restrictions on Issuing Notices to Vacate Extended through December 31 Extension includes alignment with CDC orders and clarification on commercial evictions Austin, Texas – Today, Sept. 30, the City of Austin extended and updated the restrictions related to the Notices to Vacate through Dec. 31, which is the same day as the expiration date of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order related to residential evictions.  The updated order can be found on the COVID-19 Orders and Rules page under "Current Orders." Updates to the order, outside of the extension to Dec. 31, include the circumstances when a landlord is prohibited from issuing a Notice to Vacate to residential and commercial evictions. For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

For immediate release: September 30, 2020 Contact:  Bryce Bencivengo, City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 512-974-0470   Austin-Travis County Partner to Launch Emergency Preparedness Mobile Application Austin, TX – The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Travis County Office of Emergency Management have partnered to deploy an emergency preparedness mobile application called Ready Central Texas. The new Ready Central Texas app provides resources and information for citizens across the Central Texas area to better prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies, as well as updates about COVID-19. The mobile app has a news section, preparedness resources, emergency plan checklist, informational videos, a document library, and COVID-19 resources from Austin, the State of Texas and the federal government. "As we conclude National Preparedness Month, we are excited to give the community another tool to raise their emergency preparedness for emergencies that can happen in our community," said Juan Ortiz, Director of the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security Emergency Management. "We hope the public will download the app and take the time to make an emergency preparedness plan for their family or household." The application is available on Android and iOS devices. You can download the application from the Apple Store here and on the Google Play Store here. The application is free to download and use. This mobile app is another tool for Central Texans to be prepare for and alerted about emergencies. Residents are also encouraged to register with Warn Central Texas to receive critical local alerts for natural disasters, weather warnings, evacuation notices, and more by text message, phone call or email. "We believe this is another great tool for the public to get information about COVID-19 and other emergencies that can strike in Central Texas," said Eric Carter, Chief Emergency Manager for the Travis County Office of Emergency Management. "Our goal is to continue to provide multiple avenues for the public to be prepared so when disasters strike they can take immediate action to ensure they and their loved ones are safe." The two emergency management offices continue to stress the importance of the four key steps to emergency preparedness: Make a Plan: Make an emergency plan for your household and practice it once a year. Know what you are going to do if your household is together or apart in case a disaster strikes. Build a Kit: Ensure you have some essentials for your household on hand including food, water, medication and other items to sustain your house for three days. Know your neighbors: Know the people who live in your neighborhood and who would need extra help during a disaster. Stay Informed: Follow trusted resources online to ensure you and your family have the most up to date information during an emergency. Also it is important everyone registers with Warn Central Texas to get emergency alerts for your neighborhood. For more information visit: www.austintexas.gov/prepared

News from AustinTexas.gov

News from the City of Austin, Texas Austin Mobility News: Austin BCycle is now MetroBike; Austin Transportation's experts engage in statewide and international smart mobility conferences Sep 28, 2020 11:04 am External News Link: https://mailchi.mp/austintexas/austin-mobility-news-2020-09-28      Read in browser » Austin Parks and Recreation Department Lifts Burn Restrictions Sep 28, 2020 10:30 am Due to recent rainfall the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has lifted burn restrictions in Austin parks, greenbelts and preserves - pursuant to Ordinance No. 20111102-025 - effective Thursday, September 24, 2020. Visitors may use provided grills, fire rings, and propane stoves in designated picnic areas. As a general reminder, smoking is always prohibited in City of Austin parks.  PARD is committed to protecting the City's parks and surrounding communities. PARD will be re-evaluating the wildfire risk on an ongoing basis and will advise the public if circumstances change.  Read in browser » More to read: Austin Public Health Encourages Community to Get Flu Shot to Fight Flu Final Push to Get Communities Counted on Last Weekend Before Census Deadline City Auditor Conducts Random Drawing to Select the Applicant Review Panel for the Redistricting Effort City of Austin Pools to Reopen with Modified Operations Fatality Crash #62 For more City of Austin news releases, visit AustinTexas.gov.

Parks News 09/28/2020

Parks News Burn Restrictions Lifted 09/28/2020 Due to recent rainfall the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has lifted burn restrictions in Austin parks, greenbelts and preserves - pursuant to Ordinance No. 20111102-025 - effective Thursday, September 24, 2020. Visitors may use provided grills, fire rings, and propane stoves in designated picnic areas. As a general reminder, smoking is always prohibited in City of Austin parks.  PARD is committed to protecting the City's parks and surrounding communities. PARD will be re-evaluating the wildfire risk on an ongoing basis and will advise the public if circumstances change.  Read the rest of this story... Austin Parks and Recreation Department Lifts Burn Restrictions 09/28/2020 Due to recent rainfall the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has lifted burn restrictions in Austin parks, greenbelts and preserves - pursuant to Ordinance No. 20111102-025 - effective Thursday, September 24, 2020. Visitors may use provided grills, fire rings, and propane stoves in designated picnic areas. As a general reminder, smoking is always prohibited in City of Austin parks.  PARD is committed to protecting the City's parks and surrounding communities. PARD will be re-evaluating the wildfire risk on an ongoing basis and will advise the public if circumstances change.  Read the rest of this story... More to read: City of Austin Pools to Reopen with Modified Operations Art Access Program Opens Applications for 2022 Season Additional Park Amenities and Outdoor Facilities Reopen on Saturday, September 12 Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Community Symposium Announced Now Accepting Artist Proposals for Upcoming Exhibit Thanks for your interest in the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Austin, Texas. Visit AustinTexas.gov/parks for more information about these and other services.

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. For immediate release: September 28, 2020 Contact:  Communications and Public Information Office, 512-974-2220, media@austintexas.gov   Council District 10 Candidate Forum set for Tomorrow The City of Austin sponsored virtual forum for District 10 Candidates is set for tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 6 p.m. The City's Ethics Review Commission and the League of Women Voters Austin Area will host a forum for each of the five district council seats on the November 3,2020 election ballot. There is also a forum planned in the event of a runoff election. Tomorrow's forum will air live at ATXN.TV (English & Spanish), cable TV channel 6, and AT&T U-Verse channel 99. The forum can also be heard on KAZI FM 88.7 and by telephone by dialing (855) 756-7520 (English: Ext. 65822# Spanish: Ext. 65823#). For more information, visit AustinTexas.gov/CandidateForums. Candidates for District 10 are: Robert Thomas Alison Alter Belinda Greene Bennett Easton Noel Tristan Pooja Sethi Jennifer Virden People interested in suggesting a question to be asked of the Candidates during the forums can email forum@lwvaustin.org or call 512-451-6710 by 5 p.m. tomorrow. Topics can be both citywide and Council district-specific. Questions suggested repeatedly will be considered for inclusion. Each event will be an opportunity for Austinites to listen to candidates express their views so audience members can understand candidates' positions and make informed voting decisions. Candidates who are elected will serve four-year terms. All online forums begin at 6 p.m. Remaining forums include: District 6: Wednesday, September 30th District 7: Wednesday, October 7th District 10: Tuesday, September 29th If Runoff: Monday, November 30th For more information about the election process, visit AustinTexas.gov/Elections.

Animal Center Hosts Sunrise Adoption Event

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. For immediate release: September 11, 2020 Contact: Jennifer Olohan, Austin Animal Center, 512-294-3802, jennifer.olohan@austintexas.gov AAC Hosts Sunrise Adoption Event, Skip the Wait to Adopt Amid safety measures put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic, occupancy has been severely limited at the Austin Animal Center, resulting in long wait times for potential adopters. Appointments are needed to visit the shelter to find a new furry friend, and adoption appointments may book up weeks in advance. The Sunrise Adoption event will be a no-appointment-needed event, and will feature a limited number of pre-selected dogs who are ready to find their forever home.   7 - 10 a.m. Saturday, September 12 Austin Animal Center 7201 Levander Loop The event will take place on the AAC front lawn so that social distancing requirements can be met, and a face covering will be required to attend. The Sunrise superstar dogs will be stationed around lawn where potential adopters can line up to meet them. All adoptions will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The shelter facility will not be open during this event, and adoptions will be limited to the dogs on the lawn. Adoption fees are continuing to be waived for all animals at AAC, including those in foster care. For more information visit the Facebook event page at https://bit.ly/2DWkAiY   About the Animal Services Office The Animal Services Office operates the Austin Animal Center, and is home to the largest No Kill community in the United States. We provide shelter to more than 17,000 animals annually. Our goal is to provide a safe place for lost and homeless animals and to educate our community in order to prevent animal homelessness and promote compassionate treatment of animals and responsible pet ownership.   # # # Follow on Twitter    Friend on Facebook    Forward to Friend  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Update: Pflugerville COVID-19 Test Site Location Change

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. For immediate release: September 25, 2020 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-947-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Update: Pflugerville COVID-19 Test Site Location Change Test site will move to 103 N. Railroad Ave. on Monday, Sept. 28  Beginning Monday, Sept. 28, the Pflugerville test site, which is managed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), will be moving from the Pfield to 103 North Railroad Avenue, Pflugerville, Texas. This will be the Pflugerville testing location for the remainder of the year.    It was previously noted that the test site would be moving to a new location on Saturday, Sept. 26 due to an error.  Additionally, on Oct. 5, the Pflugerville test site hours of operation will be extended. More details on the new hours will come next week.   For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.    ###  Follow on Twitter    Friend on Facebook    Forward to Friend  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. For immediate release: September 25, 2020 Contact: Communications & Public Information Office, 512-974-2220, media@austintexas.gov   Final Push to Get Communities Counted on Last Weekend Before Census Deadline Drive-through events will also distribute personal protective equipment to keep community safe during COVID-19                                       NOTE: Media Interviews available tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 26. Details below.   Austin-Travis County leaders and campaigners will help get out the count for Census 2020 at a number of events tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 26, just four days before the count is scheduled to conclude.   The drive-through events, all from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., will take place at the following locations:   Dobie Middle School 1200 E Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78753   Civitan Neighborhood Park 513 Vargas Rd, Austin, TX 78741   Mendez Middle School 5106 Village Square Dr, Austin, TX 78744   Del Valle High School 5201 Ross Rd, Del Valle, TX 78617   Attending the events will be Travis County Constable George Morales, the Austin-Travis County Census Action Team, Austin Public Library, and community partners.   "Registering for the Census creates a better future for our communities of color for the next 10 years," said Travis County Constable George Morales-Precinct 4. "Making sure we count everyone because our communities count, our families count and most importantly you count."   Barring a last minute rule change, this will be the last weekend before the Wednesday, Sept. 30 deadline for people to fill out the Census - a process which takes about 10 minutes. In addition to increasing responses to the 2020 Census, the events will distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizer to help keep our communities safe during COVID-19. Distribution will continue as long as supplies last, and supplies are distributed on a first come, first served basis.   For further information, or to set up a media interview, contact: John Lawler, Austin-Travis County Census Project Manager, John.Lawler@traviscountytx.gov, 512-854-6185, or Fred Cantu, Executive Assistant for Constable George Morales, Pct. 4, Fred.Cantu@traviscountytx.gov, 512-698-4805.  Every 10 years, the federal government is constitutionally required to count every person - regardless of origin or status - who is living in the United States in order to provide an accurate count of all people in the country. The results of the Census are far-reaching and impacts federal funding for public schools, transportation dollars for roads and buses, reimbursement for healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, among other services. Census data also informs the way political districts are drawn for Congress, State House seats, and school board members.   For more information on the 2020 Census and how to take the questionnaire, residents can visit ATXCensus2020.com.         ### Follow on Twitter    Friend on Facebook    Forward to Friend  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences