Northwest Austin Edition | June 2020

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

2020 HEALTHCARE EDITION

ONLINE AT

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 5 JUNE 26JULY 31, 2020

In a matter of two weeks, two new children’s hospitals—Dell Children’s Medical Center North Austin and Texas Children’s Hospital—were announced in far Northwest Austin. IT TAKES TWO

Children’shospitals tochangepediatric care for greater WilliamsonCounty

Dell Children’sMedical Center NorthAustin

36 beds

135,000 square feet

Nov.. 2022 Scheduled to open

IMPACTS

BY IAIN OLDMAN

VOTER Guide Local 2020

Families in Williamson County in need of pediatric health care have his- torically had to travel south into Cen- tral Austin to get it. Following the news that two chil- dren’s hospitals will be built in far Northwest Austin in the coming years, however, families from Northwest Austin, Cedar Park and other sur- rounding communities will soon have pediatric health care options right in their own backyards. Ascension Texas announced plans May 7 to construct a new Dell Chil- dren’s Medical Center campus to be located at the intersection of Avery Ranch Boulevard and 183A Toll in Wil- liamson County. “I think it’s exciting to have a chil- dren’s hospital of Dell’s caliber coming to our area. This is a fantastic addition CONTINUED ON 28

Texas Children’s Hospital

AVERY RANCH BLVD.

48 48

183A TOLL

beds

xxxxxxxxxx CANDIDATE Q&A

xx 14

360,000 square feet

HEALTH CARE EDI T ION 2020

N. LAKE CREEK PKWY.

45 TOLL

Scheduled to open winter 2023 i t 2023

SPONSOREDBY

• Baylor Scott & White Health

HOSPITAL LISTINGS

SOURCES: ASCENSION TEXAS, TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITALCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

At a time when general practitioners and pediat- ric care clinics are taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of patients, many parents in and around Austin are hesitant to bring their children in for routine wellness checks and vaccinations. According to data provided to Community Impact Newspaper , Austin Regional Clinic experienced a 22% drop in administered pediatric vaccines in March and April as compared to March and April of last year. Pediatric wellness checks also declined by 38% in that same time. “Nationally, we have seen that the number of chil- dren receiving vaccines has dropped, and we’ve also seen that within our own clinics. ... We have used Pandemic causing lapses in pediatric vaccinations BY IAIN OLDMAN

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CONTINUED ON 30

WATER IS ESSENTIAL

Please remember to follow Conservation Stage Guidelines RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION Automatic Irrigation

Odd Addresses: Wednesday Even Addresses: Thursday Hose-end Sprinklers

Odd Addresses: Wednesday & Saturday Even Addresses: Thursday & Sunday Midnight – 10 a.m. • 7 p.m. – Midnight Tree Bubblers, Hand-Held Hose, Drip Irrigation: Any Day/Any Time Home Car Wash Allowed with Bucket or Auto Shut-Off Hose

Summer is a great time to be Water Wise and plan for fall landscaping. Take advantage of these Austin Water rebates 6 Irrigation Upgrades up to $1000 to improve irrigation efficiency 6 Landscape Survival Tools up to $120 for compost, mulch, and core aeration 6 WaterWise Landscape up to $1,750 to convert turf grass to native beds 6 WaterWise Rainscape up to $500 for landscape features to retain rainwater 6 Rainwater Harvesting up to $5,000 for equipment to capture rainwater Find more water-saving tips and rebates at Austinwater.org

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transit Keeps AustinMoving Forward

Project Connect is a bold vision for how we move people today and plan for tomorrow. It includes:

4 New Rail Lines

Downtown Transit Tunnel

Zero-Emissions Fleet

15 New, Faster Bus Routes

24 New Park & Ride Locations

Improved Customer Technology

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2020

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

THIS ISSUE

CONTENTS

HIGHLIGHTS FROMTHISMONTH

IMPACTS

Now Open, Coming Soon &more TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES 9 Capital Metro nalizes transit plan EDUCATION BRIEFS 11 Austin ISD drafts early budget CITY& COUNTY 13 The latest local news

MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Phyllis Campos, pcampos@communityimpact.com EDITOR Iain Oldman, ioldman@communityimpact.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mel Stea ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Taylor Caranfa METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Joe Warner

FROMPHYLLIS: As a mother of three kids, two of them with special needs, my family is acutely aware of the importance of having pediatric specialists nearby. With the news of two children’s hospitals coming to our area in a couple of years, Northwest Austin families will be fortunate to have choices so close to home. This is truly healthcare news to celebrate!

2020LocalVoterGuide

Phyllis Campos, GENERALMANAGER

HealthCareEdition CANDIDATE Q&AAND SAMPLE BALLOT 14 See who is running in the July 14 election

ASSISTANTMANAGING EDITOR Amy Denney ART PRODUCTIONMANAGER Haley Grace CORPORATE LEADERSHIP PUBLISHERS AND FOUNDERS John and Jennifer Garrett GROUP PUBLISHER Traci Rodriguez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Derek Sullivan SALES DIRECTOR Tess Coverman WHOWE ARE John and Jennifer Garrett began Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 in Pugerville, Texas. The company’s mission is to build informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Today we operate across six metropolitan areas, providing hyperlocal, nonpartisan news produced by our full-time journalists in each community we serve. BECOMEA#COMMUNITYPATRON

FROM IAIN: Protests and demonstrations advocating for police reforms continue throughout the nation and here in Austin. We encourage our readers to follow updates as local leaders react and vote on legislation by visiting communityimpact.com.

HealthCareEdition

HEALTH CARE SNAPSHOT

16 24

Iain Oldman, EDITOR

NEWS BRIEFS

Local health care news

THIS ISSUE BY THE NUMBERS

Local sources 31

New businesses 10

State candidates interviewed 6

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DINING FEATURE

Hopdoddy joins national relief fund BUSINESS FEATURE Premises Place Group goes digital REAL ESTATE

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2020

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

45 TOLL

LAKELINE MALL DR.

LAKELINE BLVD.

PECAN PARK BLVD.

RIDGELINE BLVD.

MoPac

WELLS BRANCH PKWY.

LAKE CREEK PKWY.

POND SPRINGS RD.

First Watch

COURTESY FIRST WATCH

183

NORTHWEST AUSTIN

620

W. HOWARD LN.

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

183

JOLLYVILLE RD.

CENTURY OAKS TERRACE

WALNUT CREEK PARK

Narrow Street 512

2222

COURTESY NARROW STREET 512

GREAT HILLS TRL.

Nith said she will be wearing a mask and gloves and asked that clients also wear a mask. Vanity Skin & Brow oers eyebrow and waxing services, microdermabrasion, microblading, spray tanning and more. 512-508-9146. www.schedulicity.com/ scheduling/VSBPSL 11 Southwest Stamp and Awards in early June relocated to 7801 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. B-154, Austin. The business, previously located at 1308 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, sells stamping products and professionally engraves trophies, awards, gifts and plaques. 855-752-2577. www.etchitausitn.com ANNIVERSARIES 12 Waterloo Swimming celebrated its 10-year anniversary June 1. The swim- ming school moved to its current location four years ago at 12332 N. RM 620, Austin. The school reopened May 18 and is restarting swim team, swim tness and 40th anniversary May 5. The Austin com- fort food spot, which is open for dining, takeout and delivery, started at 3704 Kerbey Lane, Austin, and has since grown to seven other locations, including a location at 13435 US 183, Ste. 415, Austin. 512-451-1436. www.kerbeylanecafe.com CLOSINGS 14 Do-it-yourself candle shop Pad- dywax Candle Wax closed its location in Domain Northside at 3210 Esperanza Crossing, Ste. 110, Austin, due to nancial losses caused by the coronavirus pan- demic, according to a May 14 Google post by the company. www.paddywax.com swim lessons. 512-401-3404. www.waterlooswimming.com 13 Kerbey Lane celebrated its

360

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

2222

W.ANDERSON LN.

ANDERSON LN.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY.

N. LAMAR BLVD.

183

NOWOPEN 1 Kasian Boil in March opened at 13717 Burnet Road, Ste. 250, Austin. The restaurant dishes out Cajun and Asian fusion seafood with a menu featuring crawsh, crab legs, shrimp and house- made butters. 512-243-7067. www.kasianboil.com 2 First Watch in early June opened its sixth Austin-area location at 10710 Re- search Blvd., Ste. 1110, Austin. The cafe sells breakfast, brunch and lunch items, such as freshly baked goods, waes and sandwiches. First Watch additionally serves fresh juice, a rotating selection of kombucha and signature cocktails. 512-877-1800. www.rstwatch.com 3 Reectionz BBQ and More opened its food truck in mid-March at 1716 W. Howard Lane, Austin, inside Alice’s Food Court. The food truck and catering company serves classic barbecue fare such as brisket, ribs and pulled pork by the pound. Reectionz BBQ also serves sandwiches, fried sh, wings, sides and

10025 Burnet Road, Austin, reopened to the public May 22 with social dis- tancing guidelines in place. The bar and cafe pours locally roasted coee and signature, handcrafted cocktails to go alongside 16 taps of craft beer. 512-373-3273. www.turnstilebrews.com 5 Korean eatery Narrow Street 512 opened March 23 at 11301 Lakeline Blvd., Austin, inside H Mart. Narrow Street 512 serves barbecue, stir fried udon noodles, cold noodles and other Korean cuisine staples. General manager Joon Kim said the owners and chefs at Narrow Street 512 have more than 20 years of experience serving Korean cuisine, including running restaurants in Dallas. 737-708-8033. www.narrowstreet512.com COMING SOON 6 Barkin’ Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath is opening a new location in Domain Northside at 200 Palm Way, Ste. 142, Austin, according to the company’s web- site. The store, set to open in fall 2020, sells healthy dog food and treats made from locally sourced ingredients. Barkin’ Creek also oers dog spa and day care services for clients. 512-368-7684. www.barkincreek.com 7 Fine jewelry retailer Mejuri is opening

a store soon at 11700 Domain Blvd., Ste. 126, Austin, in Domain Northside. Mejuri sells handmade earrings, necklac- es, rings and bracelets with a special line of wedding jewelry for engagement rings and wedding bands. www.mejuri.com 8 Patrinely Group and USAA Real Es- tate announced in a May 20 news release they have broken ground on Aspen Lake Three , a new commercial oce develop- ment located at 10355 Pecan Park Blvd., Austin. Aspen Lake Three will ultimately deliver 128,990 square feet of Class A oce space and is scheduled to be com- pleted by April 2021. www.patrinelygroup.com RELOCATIONS 9 Modern Muse Beauty Collective opened its new location at 8820 Burnet Road, Ste. 503, Austin, in mid-May. The hair and beauty salon, previously located on Shoal Creek Boulevard in North Austin, oers a full menu of hair cut and color services for clients. 512-661-8205. www.modernmusebeauty.com 10 Vanity Skin & Brow Studio relocated from 1627 Williams Drive, Georgetown, to 12700 Ridgeline Blvd., Cedar Park. The business reopened to customers at the new location May 8. Owner Jenna

desserts. 512-949-9714. www.reectionzbbq.com

4 After opening for one day before closing due to the coronavirus, Turn- stile Coee, Beer and Spirits, located at

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY IAIN OLDMAN AND JACK FLAGLER

LOCAL HOT SPOT

Kitchen United Mix

Before opening Bao’d Up in the Mueller neighborhood in 2017, Ting Lin re- turned to China, the country where he grew up, to study the culinary styles he wanted to put on his menu. He and co-founder Alex Wu aimed to bring a dierent style of food to Austinites— but they also noticed in addition to dif- ferent cuisines, American and Chinese customers had dierent dining habits. Americans are more likely to go out to a sit-down restaurant, while takeout is more popular in China, but that has been changing over the last few years, according to Bao’d Up Marketing Direc- tor Cici Zhu, and the takeout trend in the U.S. was only accelerated by recent forced dining room shutdowns due to the coronavirus. “Especially during COVID-19, in this period of time, takeout will become more mainstream. The entire food industry, we feel like it’s moving this way,” Zhu said. To get ahead of that trend, Bao’d Up opened its fourth location June 4 in the Kitchen United Mix facility at 8023 Bur- net Road, Austin. The shared kitchen space oers 13 small kitchens for restaurant owners to provide on-site takeout and delivery service. Customers can order on the

restaurant’s website, the Kitchen United website, via a third-party delivery app or at a digital kiosk inside the space. Kitchen United started in 2018 in Pasadena, California, and now has four additional locations—Chicago; Scotts- dale, Arizona; and Austin. Lakhbir Singh, the owner of Round Rock- based Indian restaurant Teji’s, said he expects it will be months before dine-in business at his four area brick-and-mor- tar restaurants returns. But he hopes the Kitchen United model will allow him to expand his business to more markets— possibly out of state—as those dine-in customers slowly return. “This model was something I wanted four or ve years ago,” Singh said. “This is always something I wanted to do.” The location has 13 kitchens, including a dedicated space that will be provided free for local nonprot Keep Austin Fed to prepare meals for those in need. Austin’s Kitchen United Mix location has seven restaurants, listed here, either now open or coming soon. Kitchen United Mix

NOWOPEN 1 Bombay Walla 512-669-9069. www.bombay-walla.com 2 Bao’d Up 737-203-8661. www.baodup.com 3 Teji’s 512-956-4121. www.tejifoods.com 4 Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill 512-777-2916. www.hawaiianbros.com 5 Hawt Chicken

Bombay Walla

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2020

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Thank you to all the essential workers who keep Central Texas moving. We appreciate you today and everyday.

www.MobilityAuthority.com

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES

COMPILED BY IAIN OLDMAN & JACK FLAGLER

Rethinking downtown travel Capital Metro’s Project Connect plan calls for three light-rail stations, which would connect dierent areas of the city to downtown Austin. TRAVEL TIMES TO REPUBLIC SQUARE

Austin area’s public transportation plan goes fromvision to actionwithProject Connect vote The Capital Metro board of

Rail

Car in rush hour trac

Now that Project Connect has been adopted, a major next step for local ocials will be working out the nancing aspect. According to a presentation from Jill Jaworski of PFM Financial Advi- sors to the board and City Council on June 10, analysis of other projects around the country support an estimate that 45% of Project Connect would be funded by the federal government—or $4.4 billion of the $9.8 billion project. That leaves $5.4 billion to be funded locally, which would come in part from property taxes. In August, once the city and Capital Metro board determine how much revenue is needed and where the city would need to set the tax rate, City Council could call for a tax rate election, which would ask voters for permission to raise property taxes to bring in the revenue needed to fund the program. Those numbers still need to be

20 30 40 50 60

directors voted unanimously June 10 to adopt Project Connect, the plan that includes adding three light-rail lines and expanding Capital Metro’s bus network. The $9.8 billion plan would add three light-rail lines. One, the Orange Line, would run between Tech Ridge in North Austin to Slaughter Lane in South Austin. Another, the Blue Line, would connect downtown Austin to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and the third, the Gold Line, would run between Austin Commu- nity College’s Highland campus and South Austin. The lines outlined in the plan would run through an underground tunnel downtown to take them away from trac, and they would converge in some denser sections of the city to provide service every ve min- utes rather than every 10 minutes, according to Project Connect program manager Dave Couch.

0 10

Tech Ridge Station

Slaughter Station

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

ACC Highland

ORIGIN

Republic Square Park 422 Guadalupe St., Austin

SOURCE: CAPITAL METROCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

the median homeowner of a $325,000 property, that would translate to a $358 increase annually. Both the city and Capital Metro will next be going to their annual budget reviews in July. Austin City Council has until Aug. 12 to call a referendum, and then the decision would go to the voters in November.

REPUBLIC SQUARE PARK

nalized, but on June 10 Jaworski and Greg Canally, Austin’s deputy chief nancial ocer, presented numbers based on an $0.11 increase in the tax rate per $100 of home valuation. For

ONGOING PROJECTS

620

MOPAC

RIVER PLACE BLVD.

BULLOCK HOLLOW RD.

183

2222

RM 2222 bypass and improvements Texas Department of Transportation crews installed a storm sewer under- neath the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222 in May. Timeline: fall 2018-late 2021

I-35 yover construction In May, TxDOT crews set beams on southbound I-35 to southbound US 183 yover. Timeline: January 2018-mid-2021

N. Lamar Blvd. improvements Lane closures along North Lamar Boulevard from US 183 to Payton Gin Road have begun as city of Austin crews improve multiple intersections. Timeline: spring 2020-fall 2020

Construction crews install sewer line along RM 2222 in May. (Courtesy Texas Department of Transportation)

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF 61520 NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NWANEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.

Open to the Public 500 W Ben White Blvd Austin, TX 78704 @atxrestore Discount Home Improvement Store and Donation Center

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2020

P ARSONS H OUSE S ENIOR L IVING

The Best Kept Secret in Austin

Parsons House Independent & Assisted Living is located in the heart of Austin. Privately owned by the Parsons family, who have operated the community for 17 years, Parsons House is a unique blend of care and services to meet the individual needs of our residents. If you haven’t been to visit in a while, stop in so we can show you around. If you have never toured the community, we hope to see you soon!

Nelson Field

(512) 454-0524 P ARSONS H OUSE A USTIN . COM

CHCP Campus

290

1130 C AMINO L A C OSTA A USTIN , TX 78752

More pediatric specialists in more places Dell Children’s is building a new hospital in North Austin We’re excited to share the news that Dell Children’s is growing so your child can always get the specialized care they need in Central Texas. New state-of-the-art, children’s hospital in North Austin opening 2022: • Including emergency services, trauma care, operating rooms and more • Pediatric specialist medical office building on-site

Dell Children’s Medical Center campus expansions include a new medical office building, additional parking garages and more: • New tower with floors dedicated to critical care, cancer care and more • New maternal-fetal medicine program, delivery unit and expanded NICU

Learn more at DellChildrens.net/Expansion

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from Austin, Pugerville & Round Rock ISDs

District leaders propose budget with $66million shortfall

Freemeal pickupwill run through summer

BY NICHOLAS CICALE

ready for actions that may be needed to teach during the coronavirus pandemic. It also does not include any budget cuts compared to the previous year’s budget, she said. Conley said district residents would see a decrease in the tax rate based on the estimated budget. Although the district will not ocially set the tax rate until Sep- tember, the budget outlines a drop from the current rate by $0.0136 per

$100 in valuation to a rate of $1.1084 per $100. According to the presentation, the district is projecting its general fund will operate at a shortfall of about $56 million, with about $1.43 billion in revenue coming in under about $1.49 billion in expenditures. Austin ISD is also estimating the corona- virus pandemic will bring a total of $45.7 million in unforeseen costs to the district.

AUSTIN ISD Trustees on June 22 voted on a proposed $1.67 billion budget for scal year 2020-21, in which the district would operate at an estimated shortfall of about $66.3 million. According to a June 8 presentation to trustees by Chief Business and Operations Ocer Nicole Conley, the proposed budget includes expenses that would allow the district to be

BY IAIN OLDMAN

PFLUGERVILLE ISD Students who rely on meals from the district will be able to continue picking them up throughout the summer. The school district announced May 28 that Aramark Food Services, the food service provider for Puger- ville ISD, will be distributing free meals to children through Aug. 11. The announcement states children under 18 may collect free meals and do not need to be registered in school programs or show proof of age, income or residence. Meals can be picked up Monday through Friday at 8-9 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit www.psd.net for more information. Round Rock ISD board of trustees Meets third Thursday at 7 p.m. 300 Lake Creek Drive, Round Rock 512-464-5000 www.roundrockisd.org Pugerville ISD board of trustees Meets third Thursday at 7 p.m. 1401 W. Pecan St., Pugerville 512-594-0000 www.psd.net Austin ISD board of trustees Board information sessions: second Monday at 6 p.m.; voting meetings: fourth Monday at 7 p.m. 4000 S. I-35, Austin www.austinisd.org Austin Community College board of trustees Meets rst Monday at 5 p.m. 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin 512-223-7613 • www.austincc.edu MEETINGSWE COVER

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER The following is an estimated breakdown of Austin ISD general fund expenditures in the 2020-21 scal year as proposed June 8. BREAKDOW BUDGET BREAKDOWN UDGET

$606.3M - Recapture payments

$527M - Instructional costs

$91M - Plant maintenance $73.7M - Instructional and school leadership

$51.2M - Support services $44.7M - Student services $34.85M - Transportation

$27.7M - General administration $16.2M - Co-curricular activities $11.6M - Other costs

$300

$400

$500

$600

$700

$800

$100

$200

Survey shows majority of RRISD parents, staff comfortable with a fall return to classrooms

Returning to campus Nearly one-third of Round Rock ISD parents responding to a survey said they were uncertain at this time about their children returning to campus in the fall semester.

BY TAYLOR JACKSON BUCHANAN

challenge was having less interaction with teachers and classmates. According to RRISD, 15,492 parents responded to the survey, and 63% of respondents said they would be com- fortable with their students returning to campus if schools were to reopen for the 2020-21 school year. The survey found 60% of dis- trict-based sta and 68% of cam- pus-based sta would be comfortable returning to campus if schools reopen in the fall.

ROUND ROCK ISD To gauge the perceived eectiveness of online learning initiatives amid the coro- navirus pandemic, Round Rock ISD sought input from parents, students and sta via a survey administered May 15-22. In all, 14,824 students responded to the survey. The majority said they spent one to three hours per day on school work while lessons were held virtually and said the biggest

Comfortable with child returning to campus in the fall?

27% 10% 3 1

68%

Yes No Uncertain

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

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12332 FM 620 NORTH � AUSTIN � NEAR THE HWY 183 AND TOLLROAD 45 INTERCHANGE, TWO BLOCKS FROM LAKELINE MALL

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2020

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8012 Jester Blvd, Austin, TX 78750 Cliff Landers | 512-708-0788

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12215 Mosley Ln, Austin, TX 78727 Shannon Reeve | 512-799-5390

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13501 Metric Blvd #8, Austin, TX 78727 Shelley Cartier | 512-820-0959

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12332 RR 620 NORTH | AUSTIN, TX 78750 512.331.7503 | PLUSHHOMEFABRIC.COM

3 bds

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RIDGELINE DR.

620

183

12325 Los Indios Trl #6, Austin, TX 78729 Arby Hinojosa | 512-814-6922

8418 Fathom Cir #E-504, Austin, TX 78750 Joshua Swan | 512-662-0143

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

CITY& COUNTY

News from Austin & Travis and Williamson counties

Sheriwon’t resign despite ocials’ calls

SELECTING THE SELECTORS

Austin to redraw its 10City Council districts to reect populationgrowth, demographics

Applications are open to apply for the commission to redraw Austin’s districts through September, and members will be selected by March 2021.

BY ALI LINAN

BY JACK FLAGLER

redistricting commission, an individual must have been registered to vote in Austin for at least ve years and voted in at least three of the last ve of the city’s general elections. Residents also must prove they do not have conicts of interest, which would include recently running for state or city oce, contributing more than $1,000 to a city candidate or being an employee of the city. One commission member spot will be reserved for a university or community college student living in Austin. The Texas Legislature will handle redistricting on a state and federal level in 2021. Texas is expected to gain at least three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, which would constitute a jump from 36 to 39 seats. In 2010, Texas gained four seats.

AUSTIN In 2014, Austin radically changed the shape of its city government. After nearly 200 years of electing council members from anywhere in the city with an at-large system, the city changed its City Council to represent 10 geographic districts, along with the mayor, in the current 10-1 system. Over the course of six years, Austin’s population has grown, and its demographics have changed. The 2020 census survey process to count each person where they live is ongoing, and that data is scheduled to be delivered to individual states no later than March 31, 2021. Based on the new data, a commis- sion of Austin residents will redraw the city’s 10 council districts. The process will take place more than two years, and the new boundaries will be in place for the November 2022 City Council elections. To be eligible for the 14-member

WILLIAMSON COUNTY Commis- sioners Cynthia Long and Terry Cook on June 9 called for the resignation of Sheri Robert Chody following a report on the March 2019 death of Javier Ambler. Ambler died while being detained by Williamson County sheris after a 22-minute police chase. Both Long and Cook claimed the June 9 meeting—more than a year after Ambler’s death—was the rst time they had heard of the incident. Long said Chody’s actions demon- strate he is not t to be a law ocer, let alone a top ocer. Chody replied to calls for his resig- nation on Twitter saying he plans to continue to serve as sheri. He added that Long requested he resign before getting all the facts. Austin City Council meets Thursdays at 10 a.m. at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Austin. 512-974-2250 www.austintexas.gov/department/ city-council Travis County Commissioners Court meets Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the Travis County Administration Building, 700 Lavaca St., Austin 512-854-9020 www.traviscountytx.gov Williamson County Commissioners Court meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. MEETINGSWE COVER

Independent auditors will select 60 of the most qualied candidates from the pool of commission applicants by Jan. 15, 2021. The city auditor will randomly draw eight names from the pool of 60 to serve on the commission on Jan. 23, 2021. Those eight individuals will then choose six more qualied candidates for a total of 14 members starting March 2021.

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

Austin lawmakers commit to advance policing and public safety reforms

BY CHRISTOPHER NEELY

in trac stops, limiting use-of-force tactics and weapons, and committing to reducing next year’s police budget to fund social service programs that advocates and council members said make the public safer without need for a sworn ocer with a gun. On June 11, City Council committed to cutting the roughly $400 million police department budget and reallo- cating the money to social programs focused on health care, mental health, homelessness and equity.

AUSTIN City Council unanimously pushed forward a set of four policies and commitments June 11 aimed at responding to the growing momen- tum around police and public safety reform. All 11 elected ocials also signed o on language that said they have “no condence” that police leadership intends to implement the necessary changes. The ocials approved policies aimed at eliminating racial disparities

at the Williamson County Courthouse, 710 Main St., Georgetown

A police ocer rides past a protester during the June 7 Justice for Them All March. (Christopher Neely/Community Impact Newspaper)

512-943-1100 www.wilco.org

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2020

CANDIDATE Q&A

Private school guide 2020

Senate District 14 candidates discuss the issues ahead of July 14 election

Early voting for the Senate District 14 special election will begin June 29, and on July 14, Travis County and Bastrop County residents will have an opportunity to make their choice for the candidate they would like to see fill the seat of former state Sen. Kirk Watson at the Capitol.

Party: Republican Occupation: attorney Website: not available WALLER T. BURNS

PAT DIXON

SARAH ECKHARDT Party: Democrat Occupation: lawyer Website: www.saraheckhardt.com

Party: Libertarian Occupation: engineer, president, www.dpas-inc.com Website: www.logic14.org

The needs of the community haven’t changed. But, the needs and inequities of the community have certainly been amplified by the pandemic. The world is very different today than it was a few months ago. How has the pandemic changed the way you see the needs of the community?

I’m not too sure there are any different needs in respect to all of that unless the coronavirus stays around for the rest of the year. The federal government has done a tremendous job of helping everyone. Texas could do a little bit in helping financially, but the federal government has given an enormous amount of help.

Any honest candidate would admit that COVID-19 has changed things, but certain community needs have not changed. We remain a popular location for business and residential relocation, and the challenges of sustainable growth remain. Instead of corporate welfare incentives that put the tax burden on small businesses and individuals, I suggest free market sustainability.

What separates you from the rest of the candidates in the field and makes you the best choice for this position in the state Senate?

I’m 81 and running for the Texas Senate. I’m a fourth- generation Texan. My grandfather, Waller Thomas Burns, was a state senator from 1897-1901—the same position I’m running for, but a different district. He wrote the bill to buy the land to build the San Jacinto Monument in 1897. I decided, “If my grandfather can do it, here I go.”

Unlike my opponents, I am Libertarian. Like some of my opponents, I have a record of my actions in elected office. Unlike my opponents, I will let that record tell the story instead of making promises to special interest groups and offering an inflexible platform covering every issue. I am interviewing for a job and showing you my resume. My platform is one word: logic.

As commissioner and later chief executive of Travis County, I have negotiated 11 balanced budgets for a $1B organization. By population, Travis County is larger than eight U.S. states. Too often, legislators operate without knowing what happens to their bill after it leaves the building. I know how to fix the problem between sessions, but I’d rather fix the problem’s source.

Answers may have been edited for length. For full Q&A’s and a map of Senate District 14, visit communityimpact.com .

Federal, state courts reject voting-by-mail expansion TEXAS A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on June 4 blocked a lower court’s ruling that would have expanded voting by mail in Texas, effectively blocking the option for Texas voters ahead of November’s general election. The appellate court’s decision temporarily nullifies a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Fred Biery that would have expanded Texas residents’ ability to vote by mail. On May 27, the Texas Supreme Court found that a lack of immunity to the coronavirus does not rise to standards necessary to qualify a voter to a mail-in ballot. This ruling kicked off the federal appeals process. BY IAIN OLDMAN POLLING LOCATIONS In both Travis and Williamson counties, voters on election day can visit any precinct in their respective counties to cast ballots. Voters are not obligated to vote at the precinct they reside in. Travis County For a full list of polling locations, visit https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections. Williamson County

SAMPLE ELECTION BALLOT

On March 20, Gov. Greg Abbott temporarily postponed primary runoff and special elections statewide until July 14. The runoff elections determine the Democratic or Republican candidates from the original field of candidates for the March 3 primary election earlier this year. The early voting period for the July 14 special election and primary runoffs runs from June 29-July 10. STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 14 Special election

KEY: R : Republican D : Democrat

I : Independent L : Libertarian *Incumbent

R : Waller T. Burns R : Don Zimmerman D : Sarah Eckhardt D : Eddie Rodriguez I : Jeff Ridgeway L : Pat Dixon TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 3 Runoff D : Valinda Bolton D : Ann Howard DISTRICT ATTORNEY Runoff D : José Garza

FEDERAL U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 10 Runoff D : Pritesh Gandhi D : Mike Siegel U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 17 Runoff

R : Pete Sessions R : Renée Swann D : Rick Kennedy

D : David Anthony Jaramillo U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 31 Runoff D : Christine Eady Mann D : Donna Imam LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 47 Runoff R : Justin Berry R : Jennifer Fleck

D : Margaret Moore* COUNTY ATTORNEY Runoff D : Laurie Eiserloh D : Delia Garza JUDGE, COUNTY COURT AT LAWNO. 4 Runoff D : Dimple Malhotra* D : Margaret Chen Kercher

For a full list of polling locations, visit www.wilco.org/departments/elections.

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

2020 Local Voter Guide

COMPILED BY JACK FLAGLER

JEFF RIDGEWAY

EDDIE RODRIGUEZ

DON ZIMMERMAN

Party: Republican Occupation: robotics engineer Website: www.texansforzimmerman.com

Party: Democrat Occupation: vice president, commercial business development, state representative Website: www.eddiefortexas.com

Party: Independent Occupation: physician Website: www.ridgewayfortx.com

The world is very different today than it was a few months ago. How has the pandemic changed the way you see the needs of the community?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the response have upended the priorities of Texans everywhere. Now that the economy is reopening, we need to focus our resources on making sure our healthcare systems have the equipment they need to handle any spikes in cases as well as keep our hospital staff safe and healthy. Testing and contact tracing will be important parts of that.

This pandemic has shown we have deep inequities that require common-sense solutions, like expanding Medicaid and paid sick leave. This crisis has also shown how porous of a safety net we have. We removed numerous restrictions to receiving benefits, and we must look at making some of these changes permanent.

The tendency of government to serve its own interests and charge the taxpayer more every budget cycle is a constant. We have seen our constitutional liberties almost completely ignored during the COVID-19 outbreak while government keeps trying to spend its way out. Our livelihoods and our health are in jeopardy the longer our businesses stay even partially closed. Keep Texas Open.

What separates you from the rest of the candidates in the field and makes you the best choice for this position in the state Senate?

I am a physician and the only [candidate] in this race with a medical background. We need more knowledge at the state level so our leaders are not constantly trying to catch up to emerging data about this disease. I am also the only independent candidate in this election, and will be able to focus on the needs of Central Texas rather than party agendas.

I am the candidate with the best experience and vision to guide us through this crisis and make sure we have an equitable recovery. With 18 years of experience in the State House, I have a strong track record of passing progressive legislation even while in the minority. Serving in the Legislature requires the experience and connections to pass good bills and kill bad bills. We can't have a rookie in this time of crisis

What other candidate has successfully stopped a new tax dead in its tracks? What other candidate has stood with taxpayers during appeals hearings? What other candidate has the courage and the tenacity to stand up to bureaucrats and lobbyists and instead represent the rights of property owners? I will continue to do that in the senate.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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Health CareDirectory 2020

Data and information on local health care trends

COMPILED BY KELSEY THOMPSON

HEALTH CARE SNAPSHOT NORTHWEST AUST IN

In 2019, both Travis and Williamson counties were listed among the top 10 of 244 Texas counties for health care rankings. Travis County earned high marks for length and quality of life, and Williamson County received high rankings for length of life and socioeconomic health factors. However, both counties ranked lower for physical environment analyses. CORONAVIRUS CASE ANALYSIS Compared to Williamson County, Travis County has a higher percentage of active cases, but Williamson has a higher percentage of deaths related to COVID-19.

HOWHEALTHY IS YOUR COUNTY?

These rankings are updated annually but include data from previous years. There are other factors included that are not listed below.

183

Travis County

CASE BREAKDOWN Travis County

HEALTH OUTCOMES INCLUDE:

Williamson County

130 TOLL

• LENGTHOFLIFE • QUALITYOFLIFE , such as the number of poor mental and physical health days reported

Williamson County

Active cases 21.36% 76.47% Recoveries

Active cases 40.80% 56.28% Recoveries

2020 STATEWIDE HEALTH CARE RANKINGS (out of 244 counties)

Total cases: 4,991

Total cases: 1,114

5 4 9 20 12 4 18 19 2 6

HEALTH FACTORS INCLUDE:

Health outcomes

2.16% Deaths

2.87% Deaths

• HEALTHBEHAVIORS , such as smoking, physical activity and excessive drinking • SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS , such as educational attainment levels, children in poverty, income inequality and violent crimes • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT FACTORS , such as air pollution, housing problems and long commutes

Length of life

Quality of life Health factors Health behaviors

SOURCES: COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG, ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, TRAVIS COUNTY, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN POPULATION HEALTH INSTITUTE, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5YEAR ESTIMATES, WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

Socioeconomic 30 3 Physical environment 215 188

All coronavirus data is up-to-date as of press time June 19. For updated coronavirus data and information, go to communityimpact.com.

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