West Austin Neighborhood Group » Health and Safety

Red Bud Isle Ready Set Plant

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:37:49 +0000

Friends of Red Bud Isle,

Due to recent rains & great planting conditions, the Austin Parks & Recreation Department has changed the date for the “Ready, Set, Plant” event at Red Bud Isle.

The event has been moved up to Saturday, December 17th, from 9 am – Noon.
If you are already signed up you don’t need to do anything.

To sign-up to participate, click the link below:

http://connect.austinparks.org/site/GetTogether?cal_event_id=105570&gettogether=event_main&page=event_main&cal_invitee_id=&cal_activity_id=1080
Ready Set Plant RedBudIsleProposed

T-Shirt Fundraiser Flyer

Crash History Survey

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:29:54 +0000

As graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin, we are conducting a research study to explore motor vehicle crash histories of Austin area residents. Motor vehicle crashes pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of any community: on average, one Texas citizen is killed in a motor vehicle collision about every 3 hours. Furthermore, one person is injured in a collision every 2 minutes, and a reportable crash occurs in a little over a minute (TxDOT 2009).

This study aims to answer questions that will provide guidance to planners, policymakers and engineers in the area of road safety as it relates to collisions. In doing so, we seek to classify what environmental and behavioral characteristics might play a role in the number and/or severity of these collisions. Please note that, while we acknowledge information about one’s crash history may be sensitive, we will not be collecting any personal identifiers, such as home address. In addition, all collected data will be kept confidential and will not be shared with any third parties.

Beginning this Saturday, October the 1^st, this survey will be available online at the following URL: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/646412/CrashSurvey. On October 14^th, we will use all data gathered so far to perform analysis and publish results as part of our class project.

To help spread the word and ensure adequate number of responses for analysis, we would greatly appreciate if you could advertise this survey by placing the above link on your neighborhood association website, your upcoming newsletters or meet-ups, and any other ways you might reach out to the residents of your neighborhood.

Please note that while we want a large number of responses before October 14^th in order to perform analysis during this fall semester, the survey will remain available long after this date so that a re-analysis might be performed. In other words, please feel free to continue advertising this survey after October 14^th.

Lastly, please note that the online survey is not yet complete. So please discourage any use of the URL until October 1.

Typhus Information

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:58:28 +0000

Typhus has recently been reported in our area. As new information is made available, we will post it here.

Typhus illness has been in the Austin area since 2008. Typhus symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches and pains and, in some cases, a rash. This disease is transmitted from infected fleas and is not spread from person to person. Typhus is treatable with antibiotics and early treatment can lessen the severity of disease. To promote awareness and prevention of typhus, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department offers the following information and tips:
• Use effective and safe flea control measures to ensure your pets, yard and home is flea free.
• Eliminate food sources that might attract wild animals to your neighborhood.
• Keep your yard clear of heavy undergrowth and debris that might serve as a nesting place for animals.
• Limit your exposure by avoiding places that may be infested with ticks/fleas and wear heavy clothing (long sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes)
• Use insect repellants containing DEET.
More information on typhus can be found on the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department’s website at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/health/healthcare_epi_typhus.htm

Typhus Update, Travis County

June 29, 2011

Note: All 2011 data is preliminary and is subject to change until it is finalized in March 2012.

Typhus has been reported in the Austin/Travis County area for the past several years. As of June 29, 2011, nineteen total cases have been reported in 2011 in Travis County. Thus far in 2011, cases of Typhus seem to be clustering in central Travis County in the following zip codes: 78702, 78703, 78704, 78705, 78722, 78727, 78751, 78753 and 78756. The highest concentrations of reported cases are in 78703 and 78751.

Cases seem to be reported most frequently from May through September. However, A/TCHHSD receives reports throughout the year and throughout Travis County. The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department continues to monitor all reports of Typhus.

For more info: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/murine_typhus/

I spoke with Carole Barasch with ATCHHD. The health department maps by zip code although they are alert to clusters in those zip codes. Their aim is to educate residents to manage their property to eliminate a hospitable environment for urban wildlife.

The county vector program does not handle individual residences. People are advised of steps to take if they have a rodent infestation and to call a pest control company if they need more help.

Some items of interest –

- The fleas that carry typhus are infected from an infected animal

- Infected fleas then carry it to other animals and humans

- The lifespan of a flea is one year so they have the potential to infect for a long time

- There is no particular dormancy – somewhere in the chain something has the disease and is capable of giving it to a flea the main transmitter

Tarrytown Neighborhood Meeting – Tarrytown Park Traffic

admin — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:00:56 +0000

Dear Neighbors,

It is time to participate in the next step of the process to change Tarrytown Neighborhood Park:

When:	Tuesday, January 31, 2012 6:00 P.M.
Where:	Tarrytown Neighborhood Park
Purpose:	A walk through of the proposed site Decide whether to adopt the new proposed designs (sent to you on 12/30/2011)
Next Steps:	IF ADOPTED:	Form a committee representative of the neighborhood to continue with the application process with the City (see attached application) Attend WANG’s meeting on Feb. 6 to represent the group and obtain their support of the Project Report and update the group Raise the additional funds (25% of the total cost of the Project) to match the funds awarded by the City (75% of the total cost of the Project) Decide on the maintenance of the Site/Project (100% by the awardees, 0% from the City)
	IF Not Adopted	Propose a new design Explore new traffic calming alternatives Continue to maintain the park as is and enjoy the neighborhood as it has been for many years
To do Now	Ask all the questions/concerns you may have as engineers will not be at the on-site meeting	Sara is willing to address them as they are sent

Below is the copy of the application from the City of Austin:

NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNER PROGRAM

Applications Are Accepted By Invitation Only After Notice of Intent of Application Interest

Application Form

Please print clearly or type. Please answer all questions and use the space provided. Attach additional pages as needed.

Please consider us for: ¨ NCSP Small Project Program (< $75,000)

¨ GAP Project ¨ NCSP Large Project Program ($75,000 to $150,000)

ORGANIZATION
CONTACT PERSON Note: This person will be the only contact for the project and the only person able to request funding. The contact person must be a member of the neighborhood organization or entity representing applicant.
ADDRESS		ZIP
EMAIL
PHONE
PROJECT NAME
PROJECT LOCATION
AMOUNT REQUESTED
PARTNERING ORGANIZATION(S) (source of funds, labor, or contributions)

By signing this application, I certify that the information contained in the application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I certify that the contact person will be the only contact person for the project, the only person who is able to submit or request funding, and is a member of our neighborhood or community organization.

If the project is approved, I understand that the City will enter into a contract with the applicant organization to ensure completion of the project as described in the application.

This section must be completed by the president or the vice-president of the neighborhood organization or officer of the community organization, or by the president or vice president of the Board of the Fiscal Agent- 501(c)3 organization or equivalent

PRESIDENT OR VICE-PRESIDENT
NAME
POSITION
CONTACT NUMBER
SIGNATURE
DATE

Project Requirements Checklist

All projects must meet minimum requirements. Please check yes or no to the following questions:

Estimated Project Cost or Grant Assistance Requested**: $______________________

Project is located on City of Austin property or Right of Way

Project has a public benefit and publicly accessible

Project is consistent with neighborhood plans (if applicable)

Project is endorsed by 60% of the impacted stakeholders

Project does not have full funding available from another source

Project meets City of Austin design criteria, or appropriate waivers have been obtained

YES _____ NO_____

**City staff can assist in obtaining project cost estimates. Cost estimates must be submitted with this application.

Project Scope: briefly describe your project. Include any necessary details, and attach technical documents as needed.

Evaluation Information

Applications are scored for purposes of determining final awards. The following information helps City staff to evaluate and develop your application score.

1. Is the proposed project an existing, but underfunded requirement by the City? (Contact NPP staff if you are unsure).

Yes_____ No _____

Is the proposed project a Neighborhood Capital Improvement Project recommended by the Planning Commission? (Contact NPP staff if you are unsure)

Yes_____ No _____

3. Quality Of Life Enhancements

Describe how the project will contribute to environmental improvement and neighborhood quality of life.

4. Cost Share Proposal : Briefly describe how your organization will meet its cost share requirement.

All projects must meet minimum cost-sharing requirements, but additional points are awarded for organizations that assume a greater percentage of the match. If your cost-match exceeds the minimum requirement, please indicate the cost match percentage here: ____________%

5. Community Participation:

Describe the active participation of the responsible entity in the project. Indicators of participation are contribution of labor, services, and materials; fund raising efforts; the number of persons contributing financially; and the percentage of property owners indicating approval of the project.

6. Maintenance Plan

Describe the maintenance required, if any, after the project is completed. Who will be responsible for maintenance and the plan for complying with the maintenance requirement?

7. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your project?

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS

These items must be submitted in order to be considered for funding:

Cost estimates
Any technical documents associated with scope
IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)3 status of fiscal agent
If Neighborhood Association is not a 501(c)3, documents supporting establishment
Location map (if applicable)
Before photographs (if applicable)
Sketch of improvements (if applicable)
Proof of required match including

Proof of Cash Availability (Bank Statement)

Donation Letters (if applicable)

Volunteer Commitment forms and Release and Hold Harmless Agreements

Proof of Support of property owners or impacted individuals and entities
Endorsement of affected neighborhood association (if applicable)
For Grant Assistance Applications, please provide grant information including grant terms from the funding agency.

PLEASE CONTACT SARA KRAUSE, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIVITY DIVISION, PUBLIC WORKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AT sara.krause@austintexas.gov or 512-974-7182 FOR QUESTIONS OR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Please join us Monday, November 28tth, 6:00PM at Howson Library to discuss

Traffic Calming Proposals
Impact on the neighborhood
Permanent change of the streets
Safety of our children
Future Initiatives

For more info, please see the following:

Brrrr! Freeze Reminders

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:50:45 +0000

The first of the freezing temperatures have descended upon Austin. Remember PLANTS, PETS and PIPES!!

Here are a few helpful tips to protect your property:

Before Freezing Weather

• Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home.

• Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Insulate outside faucets with Styrofoam cover, rags or paper.

• Make sure that your property owner’s water cut-off valve is accessible and operational.

In Sub-Freezing Weather

• Drip outside faucets 24 hours a day (roughly 5 drops per minute; faster if a hard freeze is expected).

• Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.

• In unheated garages, shut water off to washing machines. Turn off both the hot and cold water lines and disconnect them from the back of the washer. Place both lines in the drain pipe behind the washer and drip the faucets.

• In sustained sub-freezing weather, let water drip slowly from inside faucets (steady drip).

• Take extra precautions to protect pipes that have frozen in the past.

• Businesses and homes that operate landscape sprinkler systems are urged to shut their systems off to prevent run-off water from freezing on sidewalks and road surfaces.

If You Are Not Going To Be At Home

• Cut water off at the property owner’s cut-off valve.

• Drain all outside water faucets if your house will be unoccupied for several days (leave outside faucets open and return water flow to then gradually when you return home).

• Or, leave home heating system on at a low setting.

• Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.

• Renters and tenants may be responsible for personal property damage caused by broken water pipes during severe weather conditions.

Residents should contact property management, landlord or maintenance personnel to locate the property owner’s cut-off valve and find ways to avoid pipe breakage during a freeze.

No Lake Austin Lowering in January

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:33:15 +0000

Due to current drought conditions, Lake Austin will not be lowered this winter as originally planned.

The City of Austin submitted a drawdown request to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) in October, hoping that fall rains would increase water storage in lakes Travis and Buchanan and allow for an effective drawdown. However, as of Nov. 30, the combined water stored in the two lakes is around 1.1 million acre-feet — about 55 percent of their capacity.

Over the past decade, the lake has been lowered several times to control the aggressive non-native aquatic plant hydrilla. The last time the lake was lowered was in January 2008. The introduction of sterile grass carp into the lake by the City of Austin has had a major impact on controlling this weed. However, the carp have been less effective against other aquatic vegetation such as Eurasian watermilfoil.

“The lack of a drawdown is not the best case scenario for either property owners or lake users, but unfortunately, the persistent drought conditions are determining the situation,” said Mary Gilroy, Environmental Scientist with the City’s Watershed Protection Department. “While a drawdown would help minimize the impacts from the nuisance aquatic vegetation in shallow water, it would not have much effect on the aggressive hydrilla, which grows in much deeper water.”

“Reduced environmental flow requirements as a result of low lake levels and reduced winter water releases would not be enough to effectively draw down Lake Austin,” said Mark Jordan, Manager of LCRA River Management Services. “Even a very limited drawdown would not be effective for either vegetation control or dock maintenance and repair.”

The City of Austin continues to work with its partners (the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, LCRA, and citizens’ group Friends of Lake Austin) to combat the invasive hydrilla, which showed resurgence to more than 320 acres this fall. Because sterile grass carp proved successful in reducing the aquatic weed in the past, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department granted approval to stock an additional 4,400 fish. In mid-November, 2,200 fish were stocked, with the remaining fish scheduled to go into the lake later this year.

Contact: Krista Umscheid, LCRA, (512) 473-3365; Lynne Lightsey, City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, (512) 974-3538

Crime and Safety Seminary (2009)

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:02:42 +0000

WANG recently co-hosted a Crime and Safety Seminar with the Austin Police Department at the O. Henry Middle School. The seminar featured APD Chief of Police Art Acevedo as the special guest speaker, including presentations by APD representatives concerning crime prevention, as well as information from local security companies and products for protecting your home. See highlights and links from the agenda below:

HIGHLIGHTS AND LINKS FROM THE

WEST AUSTIN CRIME AND SAFETY SEMINAR

Website for Austin Police Department with links to all areas: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/

Neighborhood Crime Summary, including Central/West Austin:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/crimeinformation.htm

West Austin Crime BLOG — To report crime or read blogs on activity in West Austin see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/West_Austin_Crime_Reports/

The neighborhood point-of-contact for our West Austin list serve is: Kara Kockelman. Her email is: kkockelm@mail.utexas.edu

Burglary prevention tips

Burglaries in Austin neighborhoods cost residents over 1.3 million per year in loss of property alone. Most burglaries in your neighborhood are being committed by youths 18 and under. They are not skilled professionals, but they will take advantage of an easy target. Don’t make it easy for them.

1. Install a deadbolt lock.
Deadbolts are usually locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder should be pick resistant. Lock your doors every time you leave the house, even if you’re leaving for just a few minutes during the day. The most popular times for residential burglaries are weekday daylight hours. In over 1/3 of burglaries, there is no forcible entry–someone forgot to lock the doors.

2. Install solid doors.
Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood and at least 1 3/4 inches thick. Frames must be made of equally strong material and each door must fit its frame securely.

3. Keep garage doors closed and locked.

4. Secure sliding doors and windows.
Cut a broom handle to the length of the bottom track so that the window or door will not slide open when forced. Also, drill one hole through both casings and sliding window and insert a nail or pin.

5. Secure sash windows.
To prevent wooden sash windows from being pried open, drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the bottom window through and into the bottom of the top window and insert a pin or nail.
To prevent aluminum sash windows from being broken into, purchase a track lock that blocks the window track.

6. Mark your property.
Mark your valuables with an engraver. Marking your property serves as a deterrent to would-be burglars and it helps police in identifying and returning stolen property. Make a property identification list. Put warning stickers on doors and windows.

7. Purchase a burglar alarm.
A home alarm system can be a very effective burglary deterrent and fit into many people’s needs. Remember to test your system monthly.

8. Leave a light on.
When leaving on trips, leave a light on in the bathroom. In the bedroom, attach a lamp and radio to a 24-hour electric timer set to go on at dusk and off at your bedtime. Close bedroom drapes or blinds.

9. Use proper exterior lighting.
Place a light over every door. Double cones lights on each corner of the house will also light up windows.

10. Work together with your neighbors.
When you are going to be away, tell trusted neighbors and ask them to watch your property. Have neighbors maintain your yard. When on vacation, have someone cut grass. Shrubbery should not hide neighbors’ view of windows or doors. Have someone pick up newspapers and mail. Tell neighbors to call police if they notice anything suspicious.

back to crime prevention

Neighborhood Watch Block

How to start a neighborhood watch

Participation in a neighborhood watch program can help reduce crime in your area. To be eligible for a neighborhood watch sign, it is preferred that fifty percent of your neighborhood or block must attend one to three meetings where helpful information on personal and property crimes is shared. Tips include how to reduce your chances of being attacked. Contact your neighborhood association president, or the Austin Police Department at 974-4736. Download the Neighborhood Watch Manual (PDF)

“Stranger Danger” video adds to APD arsenal for child safety –>

Watch the MPEG video – low resolution (13.6 Mb .mpg)
This video will generally play in any default multimedia player.

Watch the MPEG video – medium resolution (20.8 Mb .mpg)
This video will generally play in any default multimedia player.
See below for links to multimedia players you may download for free to see the video.

The mission of the Austin Police Department is to make Austin the safest city in America. The following video was created by the Austin Police Department to educate and raise awareness about child safety issues. This video is not intended to alarm or scare children or their families.

To schedule a presentation for a school, church, or civic organization, please call the Austin Police Department Office of Community Liaison at (512) 459-1877. Watch the Real VideoTo view to video in Real Video, you will need the Real Video plug-in for your browser. You may download it for free. If you don’t have the plugin installed, download it prior to clicking on the broadcast link above.

Links to multimedia players you may download for free:

Online Crime Reporting Resources Presentation by Jack Darby — for this presentation please e-mail: (jdlink@yahoo.com)

a) Krimelabb Citywide Crime Data Plotting Tool –http://www.krimelabb.com

b) West Austin Crime Listserv — West_Austin_Crime_Reports@yahoogroups.com

c) Texas DPS Registered Sex Offenders Database — https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Portal/index.aspx

2009 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:36:43 +0000

The City of Austin will hold a series of public meetings to get input on the 2009 Hazard Mitigation Plan update. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their concerns for potential hazards and ideas for mitigation in their neighborhoods and in Austin at large.

Also, please take the online survey at www.ci.austin.tx.us/oem/

PUBLIC MEETINGS for 2009 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Monday, April 27 @ 5:30 – 6:30PM

EAST: Oak Springs Library, 3101 Oak Springs Dr., (512) 926-4453

NORTH: Spicewood Springs Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd., (512) 974-3800

Tuesday, April 28 @ 5:30 – 6:30PM

WEST: Howson Library, 2500 Exposition, (512) 472-3584

SOUTH: Manchaca Road Library, Blvd 5500 Manchaca Rd., (512) 974-8700

The goal of the Hazard Mitigation Plan update for Austin is to minimize or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from known hazards by identifying and implementing cost-effective mitigation actions.

In 2004, Austin was the first City in Texas to have a Hazard Mitigation Plan approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA requires that the City update the Plan every five years to maintain certain grant
eligibilities.

The 13 hazards (with ranking) identified in the 2004 Plan are: Flood / Wildland Fire / Major Urban Fire / Drought / Severe Winter storm / Tornado & Windstorm / Hailstorm / Dam Failure / Terrorism / Hazardous materials incident / Extreme heat / Fuel pipeline accident / Transportation collision.

For more information contact: Erin Capps – (512) 769-5483 / ecapps@h2opartnersusa.com