City of Austin Announces “The Pivot” Video Podcast to Provide Space for Conversations of the African American Experience in Austin

For immediate release: January 13, 2021 Media Contact: Veronica Samo, 512-974-7636, veronica.samo@austintexas.gov   City of Austin Announces "The Pivot" Video Podcast to Provide Space for Conversations of the African American Experience in Austin Pilot episode will livestream on February 3rd, 2021   AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces a new livestream video podcast intended to offer a virtual conversation space for East Austin residents and the community as a whole. The Pivot will be a biweekly livestream from the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility Facebook page. The broadcast will also highlight the ways that local businesses, the creative community, and Austin culture can be collaborative. Each episode also features performances from local Austin musicians.   "We are excited to add this new dimension in our efforts to continue to tell the story of the African-American experience in Austin," notes Sylnovia Holt Rabb, Acting Director for the Economic Development Department. "These are critical times for communicating and storytelling. Adding this opportunity to tune in virtually continues our efforts to share vital information with residents and receive community feedback about City programs and services."   The series will air every first and third Wednesday of the month beginning in February, and viewers can watch the production online at www.facebook.com/AACHFAustin. The Pivot will be hosted by T.J. Owens, Program Manager for the Economic Development Department's African American Cultural & Heritage Facility.    "With the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility inoperable for most of 2020 due to the pandemic, our team sought a way to still serve the community who needs it the most," explains Owens. "The Pivot ensures we stay connected to our East Austin neighbors and provides useful information to the community as the pandemic continues."   The first episode of The Pivot airs on February 3rd at 7:00 p.m from the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility Facebook page. The episode will feature a conversation Sharon Mays, Owner and CEO of Baby Greens, to discuss how City resources helped her business successfully pivot after the initial COVID-19 emergency declaration in Austin. A performance from local musicians Bomani Ray Barton and Friends will close out the episode. Future episodes will include topics about the History of Black Austin, health and wellness, and the creative and entrepreneurship sectors.   For more information and a schedule of upcoming episodes, visit www.austintexas.gov/aachf.   For anyone interested in being a featured guest or recommending a guest or artist performance, please contact the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility (AACHF) team at: aachf@austintexas.gov ### About the City of Austin Economic Development Department The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents. To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd or or like us on Facebook @AustinEconDev and follow @AustinEconDev on Twitter.

Austin Public Health Opens COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration

For immediate release: January 13, 2021 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Austin Public Health Opens COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration Appointments focused on vulnerable populations in Phase 1B Austin, Texas – Today, Austin Public Health (APH) has opened the COVID-19 online vaccine pre-registration system. This registration system was launched following the announcement of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) pilot distribution model.   The pre-registration is only for the vaccines that APH receives, not for other vaccine providers in Austin-Travis County. Individuals who have private insurance are encouraged to call their primary care provider or pharmacy first. A map of providers is available on the DSHS website.    APH is currently vaccinating people who meet the criteria for Phase 1A or 1B, which includes frontline healthcare workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, and individuals who are 65 years or older.   "APH has historically served as a safety net vaccine provider for those who otherwise have no access to lifesaving vaccines," said APH Director Stephanie Hayden. "The 12,000 doses APH received in this week's allocation is less than 1% of the area population in Travis County and is available to all residents in Texas. It is critically important that we focus on our most vulnerable populations, including those who do not have private insurance or regular access to healthcare. We are encouraging people with private insurance to contact their primary care provider about being vaccinated."  To pre-register, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19-Vaccines. Individuals will then be redirected to create an account or login to an existing account and complete an assessment. If individuals meet the criteria and appointments are still available, they will be allowed to schedule an appointment to receive a vaccine. If individuals are not eligible or appointments are full, they will be placed on a waiting list and notified in the future if and when additional vaccine becomes available to APH. Appointments are required and, to protect patient privacy, locations will only be available to those with scheduled appointments.  A phone line will also be available for those without internet or computer access. The APH Nursing Hotline is available Monday-Friday 8 am-6 pm and Saturday 9 am-1 pm at 512-972-5560. The hotline is available in multiple languages, and individuals can press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, 3 for Vietnamese and other languages.  "The launch of our pre-registration system is the first major step toward getting the COVID-19 vaccine out into the wider community," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "However, vaccine supply still remains incredibly limited and there is not enough to meet the community-wide demand. We continue to encourage the community to be patient as we work to distribute the vaccine in an equitable manner. Until we are able to reach herd immunity through widespread vaccinations, it is important to remember that saying home if you can, masking, distancing, and frequent hand washing remain effective means of preventing infection."     For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas, visit dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx. For more information about the COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19-Vaccines.

Austin-Travis County Alternate Care Site Ready to Take Patients

For immediate release: January 12, 2021 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Austin-Travis County Alternate Care Site Ready to Take Patients Austin, Texas – Today, the Austin-Travis County Alternate Care (ACS) site is prepared to take its first patients from local hospitals.     The ACS established at the Austin Convention Center will help alleviate the burden of caring for COVID-19 patients in hospitals across central Texas. This facility was established to take specific patients who need a lower intensity of care. Patients needing higher-level or intensive care will still be cared for at hospitals.    The facility is ready to open following a request to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to assist with opening the facility. TDEM, the City of Austin, Travis County, and the Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council (CATRAC) have worked in partnership to begin operations at this facility.   "Opening the facility is a signal to the community that we have a long way to go in our fight against COVID-19 and we are grateful to the Texas Division of Emergency Management for their support in the rapid opening of this facility," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "While we have increased the capacity of our healthcare system, we have to reduce our risk and flatten the curve immediately. Central Texas must come together and say that we will not accept unnecessary hospitalizations and death due to COVID-19."    Patients entering the ACS will be transferred from hospitals. It is not a walk-up site.     Coordination has begun between staff of the ACS, CATRAC, and the hospitals to ensure that all parties understand the criteria and the process for transferring patients from a hospital to the ACS. The process for admission to the ACS will be managed by CATRAC.    The ACS has doctors and other medical personnel at the facility 24 hours a day. Patients will be given the highest level of care and, should their condition worsen, a process to transfer patients to local hospitals has been established.    The facility has a current capacity of 25 beds and has the capability to expand if necessary.

Fwd: Local live music venues receive $1,340,000 in emergency funding from the City of Austin

For immediate release: January 12, 2021 Media Contact: Simone Wilson, simone.wilson@austintexas.gov   Local live music venues receive $1,340,000 in emergency funding from the City of Austin Applications Phase 2: Enhanced Funding support will continue in March  Austin, TX - The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces the award of $1,340,000 in relief grants to 67 local live music venues impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was provided through the Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund, which is a $5 million program established by the Austin City Council on December 3, 2020 via Resolution No. 20200103-013. As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, the Long Center processed applications and distributed grants as part of the program's Phase 1: Emergency Funding.   "Economic Development Department and Long Center staff worked through the holidays to get these funds to local live music venues," notes Veronica Briseño, Austin's Chief Economic Recovery Officer. "We are proud that this support has benefited many cultural and economic icons in our community, and we are determined to build upon the initial grants by offering support through technical assistance and additional financial resources."   The Long Center began accepting Phase 1: Emergency Funding applications on December 11, 2020, and the first funds were dispersed on December 24, 2020. Grant recipients must complete a technical assistance evaluation and an Equity Strategic Plan before applying for enhanced grant funding of up to $140,000 in Phase 2. Applications submitted by the deadline of January 11, 2021 at 5 p.m. will continue to be processed and notifications sent out this week. The City of Austin will continue to provide updated metrics for economic impact through the online dashboard for the Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund.   "In less than a month, we were able to partner with the City of Austin and distribute over a million dollars of emergency funds to venues at a critical time," said Cory Baker, President & CEO of the Long Center. "Our team looks forward to the next phase the Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund where we can provide additional financial support as well as initiate a technical assistance program for venues that need it."   The Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund will be distributed in two phases: Phase 1: Emergency Funding Eligible applicants experiencing immediate risk of closure will receive a $20,000 grant, which the Long Center distributed in December 11, 2020 through January 11, 2021. Additional services available to venues receiving emergency funding include: legal and accounting services; real estate advice and guidance on lease negotiations; and other professional services and long-term planning from community experts.  Phase 2: Enhanced Funding Only Phase 1 grant recipients are eligible to apply for additional grant funding in Phase 2. Phase 1 grant recipients must complete a technical assistance evaluation and an Equity Strategic Plan in order to apply for additional funds. Eligible applicants from Phase 1 can apply for additional grant funding up to $140,000 (this does not include funds received from the first phase). The funding will be distributed in monthly payments with a maximum of $40,000 per month. For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact the Long Center by email saveaustinvenues@thelongcenter.org or by phone 512-457-5181. ### About the City of Austin Economic Development Department The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents. To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd or or like us on Facebook @AustinEconDev and follow @AustinEconDev on Twitter. About the Long Center for Performing Arts For Austinites of every background, the Long Center is the community gathering place that offers the most diverse programming and stunning views of the city, so that together, everyone can experience remarkable live arts and entertainment. The Long Center is dedicated to elevating Austin's creative sector, serving artists across Austin, including creative organizations, musicians and performing artists, with both performance spaces and professional assistance.

For immediate release: January 11, 2021 Contact:  Jorge Ortega, 512-974-2743, Jorge.Ortega@austintexas.gov   City Opens Application Process for Affordable Housing 4% Tax Credit Resolution Applications As part of its ongoing effort to build more affordable housing in Austin, the City's Housing and Planning Department has announced the 2021 application process for developers seeking resolutions of no objection for 4 Percent Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs).   The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) provides LIHTCs that allow housing developers to sell federal tax credits to equity investors in exchange for building low-income rental housing.  To be eligible, developers are required by TDCHA rules to obtain a resolution of no objection from the City Council as part of their application.   Developers must apply for a resolution from City Council for the 4 percent LIHTC, which is accessible on the HPD Affordable Housing Development Funding website. There are four opportunities to apply in 2021. The first deadline to submit the resolution application is 5 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2021. Additional deadlines can be found in the application.   The application seeks basic information on a proposed development so that HPD staff can make the appropriate recommendations to City Council.

Governor’s Order GA 32 Restrictions Activated for Trauma Service Area that Includes Austin-Travis County

For immediate release: January 10, 2021 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Governor's Order GA 32 Activated for Trauma Service Area that Includes Austin-Travis County Restrictions announced as area sees record-high COVID-19 hospitalizations Austin, Texas – Today, Jan. 10, the Governor of Texas announced additional COVID-19-related occupancy requirements and restrictions due to worsening conditions in our region.   Under Governor's Order GA 32, after a state Trauma Service Area has COVID-19 hospitalizations that represent 15% of overall hospitalizations for seven consecutive days, additional restrictions on businesses and hospitals must occur. Austin-Travis County is part of Trauma Service Area O, which encompasses 11 counties in Central Texas.   The restrictions outlined in GA 32 are required by the Governor's Order and are not optional for local jurisdictions. Businesses, including restaurants and retail, are required to move from 75% occupancy to 50% occupancy, and hospitals are required to stop elective surgeries.   "We are incredibly concerned that our area has hit the hospitalization rate which has resulted in the rollback on the occupancy of businesses," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "The projections have been concerning for some time, and this is just the latest reminder that Austin-Travis County is experiencing a deadly surge in cases as a result of holiday gatherings and gatherings thereafter. The additional restrictions placed by GA 32 alone, though, will not be enough to counterbalance this surge in cases and hospitalizations. In other jurisdictions that hit this point prior to the Austin area, cases and hospitalizations continue their uncontrolled rise. Dallas/Fort Worth is at 27%, San Antonio at 22%, and Houston at almost 20% and all three continue to rise. We need every person in this community to understand that exceeding our hospital capacity is now inevitable, but how far we exceed that capacity depends on all of us. Today is the day to decide to stay home and reduce risk to save our hospitals and save lives."   This announcement comes one day after Austin-Travis County announced the beginning of the activation process for the Alternate Care Site (ACS). The ACS will be activated to take specific COVID-19 low-acuity patients to help relieve stress on local hospitals.   "It is critically important that everyone follow protective measures at this time," said Stephanie Hayden, Austin Public Health Director. "Wearing a mask, washing your hands, watching your distance, and avoiding gatherings have been lifesaving measures throughout this pandemic. We will not be able to vaccinate or enforce our way out of the surge already happening, so we need to take it upon ourselves to protect our community."   COVID-19 hospital data for the 5-county Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) can be found on the Austin Public Health COVID-19 dashboards. Historical and raw data can be found on the COVID-19 Data Hub.   Questions about details of the Governor's Order or the Governor's announcement should be directed to the Governor's Office.   For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

Austin-Travis County Begins Work to Open Alternate Care Site

For immediate release: January 9, 2021 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Austin-Travis County Begins Work to Open Alternate Care Site Health leaders: taking protective health precautions are more important now than ever Austin, Texas — After record new COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions, the City of Austin and Travis County have begun the process to open the Alternate Care Site to help expand the healthcare system's capacity for the region. The site will be prepared to take COVID-19 patients as soon as staffing is in place. The purpose of the facility is to take specific patients who need a lower acuity of care to help relieve stress on local hospitals. Patients needing higher-level or intensive care will still be cared for at hospitals.     The Austin-Travis County Alternate Care Site (ACS) is based at the Austin Convention Center. This facility was established during the summer of 2020 after the area experienced its first major surge. It has been on standby but has not taken any patients to date.     "Activating the Alternate Care Site means that we believe that it is inevitable that the healthcare system in Central Texas will exceed capacity and will soon be overwhelmed," said Jason Pickett, Alternate Health Authority for Austin-Travis County. "When we exceed capacity, we will do so not only for COVID patients, but for all individuals needing hospital care in this community. We need this community to take substantial steps now to avoid a catastrophic surge." On Friday, the City and the County submitted a request to the State of Texas to request staffing of the facility.  The request has been approved and the State is coordinating staffing at this time.   Patients will need to be referred to the Alternate Care Site by hospitals staff and will likely be transferred from local hospitals based on criteria established in consultation with physicians and hospital staff.  Once healthcare professionals accept the first patient at the ACS, the facility will have doctors and other medical personnel on-site 24 hours a day.  Additionally, the facility has:  Meals and beverages  Linen and laundry services  Toileting assistance  Showering and/or bathing assistance  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  Wi-Fi  Telephone service  Television  Social services  "We have been sounding the alarm for weeks that our situation was worsening," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "Our hospitals and intensive care units are filling up and deaths continue to rise throughout Central Texas. You must take simple actions today to stop this from worsening. Stay home if you can. If you must leave home, wear a mask, practice proper hand hygiene, stay six feet apart from others, and do not gather with someone you do not live with. The whole region must act now." For COVID-19 information and updates, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.