In Lakeway
Christmas tree recycling
Through Jan. 21, Lakeway residents can place trees on the curb, but they must be cut into 3-foot sections, for Waste Connection trash pick-up. Please remove lights and decorations beforehand.
Art Display at LTCL
The art of Andy Hempel is on display at Lake Travis Community Library, in the meeting room. The artist highlights Texas locations and icons. Take the time on your next library visit to view the collection.
A Night with the Austin Symphony Orchestra
Plan ahead for March 26, when the Austin Symphony Orchestra performs with Lake Travis High School students. According to the city’s press release, ASO Maestro Peter Bay will conduct the performance with participation by Anna Macias, Director for the Lake Travis High School Orchestra, and Richard Hicks, Director for the Lake Travis High School Band. Brought to you by the City of Lakeway Arts Committee, this concert will take place at the Lake Travis Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 26, at 7p.m. Tickets, $15-50, are on sale online at www.ltisdschools.org/finearts
RESULTS of Lakeway Council’s Jan. 3 meeting
I attended the first half of this meeting in person, watching the rest online. Starting with an ominous comment made during Citizen’s Participation (Item 11) and culminating with several outrageous remarks against Item 24 (with accompanying misconduct in the gallery disrupting the meeting), I was both saddened and disgusted. Certain people now living here fear the creation of housing options in Lakeway to allow people we desperately need to WORK here–including our police officers, firefighters and teachers–to afford to LIVE here. This smug comment was actually made: “Let them commute!” (Yet, as any thoughtful person knows, it is largely today’s excessive commuting that CAUSES our traffic problems.) Anyone who doubts that bigoted privilege, intolerance, and ignorance exist in our lovely town need only listen to the comments made during Item 24. To understand the origin and scope of the problem, also listen to the first comment during item 11’s Citizen’s Participation. It looks like we have an ugly Council election ahead in May—but also a very important one.
All members were present for the meeting, though Mayor Kilgore and Councilmembers Smith and Trecker attended by video. Mayor Pro Tem Mastrangelo helmed the meeting from the dais. With RESULTS IN ALL CAPS, Consequential Agenda items included:
On Dec. 28, an addendum was published, adding an item to the Consent Agenda for appointment of the Board of Ethics Chair. THIS AND THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 6: The Consent Agenda includes a schedule for Council meetings in 2022. It ONLY shows meetings on the 3rd Monday, eliminating additional scheduled meetings on the first Monday of each month as have recently been held. THIS AND THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 9: Also in the Consent Agenda, ZAPCO meetings are moved to the first Wednesday of the month, instead of the second Monday of the month. The reason is to better coordinate handling of issues first by ZAPCO and then by Council. THIS AND THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 11: Citizens Participation for items not on the agenda. 2 PEOPLE SPOKE.
ITEM 14: Waste Connections has requested a 2-year extension of its solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services contract, at the current rate, plus discussion of composting programs. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED (with details and pricing on composting options to follow soon).
ITEM 16: Lake Travis Film Festival requests $43,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax Funding. POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT MEETING (as LTFF’s representative could not attend tonight’s meeting).
ITEM 17: Sweetwater Development Agreement. In July, Council repealed a 2008 ordinance and thereby captured within the city’s ETJ property on Hwy. 71 not already claimed by City of Bee Cave. This includes the ongoing Sweetwater residential development. This agreement states Sweetwater can continue construction under Travis County rules and oversight, and Lakeway will not impose its building code. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 18: Approval of final plat for Hillsong Planned Unit Development, 126 detached single-family homes on 22.859 acres and a commercial component with park amenities on 3.09 acres of land, located at the intersection of Flint Rock Road and Wild Cherry Drive. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 19: A special use request for a medical lab on Cavalier Canyon Drive turned unexpectedly controversial at the meeting, despite being unanimously approved by ZAPCO (with a limit on daily trips/traffic generated). TABLED UNTIL NEXT MEETING (as Council had several questions for the owner, who was not able to attend tonight’s meeting).
ITEM 20: Revising the ordinances as to permitting of non-residential fireworks displays and general fireworks rules. This would bring the code up to date, require 10 days notice to the city, only allow aerial displays, limit displays to 10pm or earlier (except for 4th of July and New Years celebrations), and set a $500 fine for all fireworks violations. (Residential fireworks are still NOT allowed.) UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 21: Revising the PUD ordinance to require an approved preliminary plan within 12 months or the PUD zoning reverts to the original zoning, and to allow a PUD for less than 8 acres if ZAPCO recommends this and Council approves it. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 22: Revising the building code to make medical offices a permitted use by right in a commercial zoned space (C-1 or C-2). TABLED UNTIL NEXT MEETING (for staff to refine the language used).
ITEM 23: Revising the building code to make R-5 (condominium) an active zoning designation. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 24: Revising the building code to designate R-8 zoning (multifamily residential, 12 units per acre maximum) as medium density, and to create R-9 zoning as high density multifamily residential (20 units per acre maximum). PASSED 6/1 (Trecker voting against).
ITEM 25: Discussion of communications strategy and social media use policy. POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT MEETING (as presenter unavailable tonight).
ITEMS 26-28: Executive sessions on “Legal Issues Relating to Former City Attorney,” police department, and economic development. COUNCIL WENT OUT FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:20. THE RECORDING ENDED THERE, WITH NO COVERAGE OF RETURN AND ADJOURNMENT. I have been assured that no action was taken on these items, with adjournment happening around 10:30pm.
Go here for the Agenda, Meeting Packet and Presentation— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online— https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/152325
Lakeway Council meets in Regular Session on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 6:30pm, in-person at City Hall
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 7: Citizens Participation.
ITEM 9: Lake Travis Film Festival requests $43,000 of Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. POSTPONED from last meeting.
ITEM 10: Proposal to refund certain existing bonds and replace them with 1 large new bond at a better rate.
ITEM 11: Proposal to move forward with engineering services ($191,000 fee) as to several transportation projects (roads, drainage, sidewalks).
ITEMS 14 and 15: Annexation into Lakeway from the ETJ and designation of R-1* zoning for 6.34 acres located at 314 Clubhouse Drive, with 16 single-family homes to be built per a Development Agreement.
ITEM 16: Special use request for a medical lab on Cavalier Canyon Drive. TABLED from the last meeting after discussion, as Council had several questions for the owner, who was unable to attend that meeting.
ITEM 18: Revising the code to make the offices of physicians, dentists, optometrists, and chiropractors a permitted use by right in a commercial zoned space, while clarifying that medical offices such as rehab facilities, labs, and testing facilities remain conditional uses when within 300 feet of a residence or school, requiring Council approval. TABLED from the last meeting for staff to refine the language used.
ITEM 19: First Reading: Amendment of Eastside Landing Development Agreement. POSTPONED from Council’s November meeting.
ITEM 20: Discussion of communications strategy and social media use policy. POSTPONED from the last meeting, as presenter was unavailable.
ITEM 21: Approval of the May 7, 2022, city election, as terms are expiring for Councilmembers Higginbotham, Mastrangelo, and Smith.
Go here for the Agenda, Meeting Packet and Presentation— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
To send comments to Council beforehand (by 3pm Tuesday) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form– https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Texas elections
This article covers the start of the race for Governor. Abbott, O’Rourke lead off election year with visits to border cities 1/8/22 https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/08/texas-governor-abbott-orourke/
A lot has changed, for the 2022 election cycle in Texas. This page shows how the redistricting changes impacted you— https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2021/texas-redistricting-map/
Go here and enter your address, to see your ballot for the March primary election—https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2022/texas-2022-election-ballot-primary/?mc_cid=303e225272&mc_eid=fc281ae7cc
Daring Mighty Things
So far, things seem to be going well for the James Webb Space Telescope. The complex unfolding process continues. As of Jan. 15, it is 88% of the way to its destination orbit, about 1 million miles away from Earth. Track Webb here—https://webb.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/whereIsWebb.html
This 14-minute video has everything you need to know about this incredible telescope and what it is expected to show us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shPwW11MEHg&t=4s
Back to me….
I had a closet full of extra paint from the home reno and decided to use it to freshen up my garage. Sure, why not… Over a month later (and after neck and back rebellions and a hand that still alternates spasms and numbness), it is DONE. Walls, ceiling, trim, all the storage items, and floor. The floor was the worst; scrubbing 25 years of oil and general grime off the concrete first was especially awful, but the results are outstanding.
A good book I recently finished (available at Lake Travis Community Library):
Betrayal—The Final Act of the Trump Show (2021), by Jonathan Karl—Having read a lot of these books lately, by politicians and reporters, I figured I would just skim this one. Nope—it turned out to be the best record of 2020’s politics to date. Well written and carefully researched, it has considerable and well-sourced new information, presented rationally. If you only read one of these political tell-all books—this should be it.
Rut season is done. On my morning walks these days, the does are all sedately over here, and the bucks are all resigned to being over there…. It always amazes me how different our deer look in winter—their coats suddenly thick and rough, bleached out to mushroom gray instead of summer’s vibrant caramel. Here are some recent photos.
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, the milestone of 300 million reported cases was passed. The global new case average was 2 million per day, for most of January to date. Highest case numbers were recorded in Europe, the USA and Canada.
The W.H.O. projected that 50% of Europe would be infected with Omicron by the end of February.
The UK has reinstated an indoor mask requirement for schools and universities, in an effort to keep them open despite Omicron. Also, the government is shipping air purification systems to educational institutions later this month.
A UK study found that Omicron cases are half as likely as Delta to require hospitalization. That is consistent with findings in other countries that Omicron infections are milder in most people, especially the fully vaccinated/boosted.
Ontario, Canada’s largest province, has shut down due to the Omicron surge. Schools, indoor dining, theaters and other indoor gathering places are closed.
India’s major cities are seeing Omicron cases doubling daily. Covid curfews and restrictions are at odds with the government continuing to hold political rallies.
Kuwait and Qatar are recording daily new case at record levels.
Japan requested US military bases there be locked down, to keep Covid surges from leaking into nearby Japanese communities. In response, starting Jan. 10, US military personnel are confined to base except for essential activities.
Rio de Janeiro canceled street celebrations for Carnival.
Romania reinstated restrictions, including business closures and mandatory masking, trying to stem a surge of infections.
Sweden announced restrictions, including public gathering limits, early business closures, and requiring people to work from home whenever possible.
Italy operated under new restrictions as of Jan. 10, requiring proof of vaccination and upgraded masks to use mass transit or enter public places. Working from home is strongly encouraged.
Rolls-Royce reports selling more vehicles in 2021 than ever before in 117 years of making luxury cars. It credited the milestone to Covid-19 making people realize time is short so they should indulge while they can.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, cases have increased 113%, hospitalizations are up 73%, and deaths increased 55%. We are averaging 806,000new cases per day. 151,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and the death rate averages 1,900 people per day.
On Jan. 4, over 1 million people tested positive for Covid-19, a record for the US. Also, the US is the first country reporting that many new cases in a day.
Experts tracking Omicron expect cases to peak during January. New York and other areas hard hit early on seem to be peaking already. Other parts of the country should peak later in January.
Yes, Omicron tends to cause milder disease than the other variants. But, Omicron is still a huge problem, due to it being far more contagious. The avalanche of cases sends hoards of people hospitals, at the same time, clogging the medical system. If Omicron infects 5 times as many people as Delta, then even if these Omicron sufferers are only half as likely to need hospitalization, that is still a massive increase in hospitalizations. The best explanation I’ve heard for Omicron’s counterintuitive results goes like this: Think of Delta as an extremely powerful Category 5 hurricane; the results are terrible. Think of Omicron as a Category 3 hurricane; the results are much less bad. BUT, due to Omicron infecting so many people at the same time, there are FOUR Category 3 hurricanes, at once. So, we’re back to terrible. For a lot of good Omicron and Covid info presented clearly, listen to this podcast– Why Omicron is Counterintuitive 1/3/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/podcasts/the-daily/omicron-variant-hospitalizations-cdc-isolation.html
Hospitals are filling up nationwide, many moving to crisis care standards as a result. As always, the sickest patients are unvaccinated. But, so far, officials are reporting fewer Covid patients ending up in ICUs and on ventilators; in addition, hospital stays are shorter with Omicron. This supports the idea that Omicron creates a milder disease, for most people, with the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions at high risk. Still, hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid patients, in addition to dealing with seasonal flu patients and those who delayed handling various medical issues during the first 2 years of the pandemic. Even patients hospitalized for another reason but testing positive for Covid have to be isolated, creating extra work and risk for staff. The final puzzle piece is that hospital workers themselves are catching Omicron in huge numbers, just like the rest of the population, exacerbating staff shortages. National Guard troops have been deployed in a dozen states to assist.
In late December, Maryland had a 500% increase in daily cases. The accompanying 50% increase in hospitalizations caused several facilities to implement crisis-mode standards of care. Maryland declared a state of emergency on Jan. 4, due to more Covid hospitalizations now than ever before in the pandemic.
New York’s hospitals were over-capacity as of Jan. 10. As of Jan. 14, over 2 dozen states reported shortages of hospital beds in general and ICU beds in particular. The most dire situations are in Alabama, Missouri, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas, Georgia, Maryland and Massachusetts. Experts project 7 other states (including Texas and California) to be over-capacity by Jan. 20.
US territory Puerto Rica had a mind-boggling 4,600% increase in cases during December. The incredible surge is blamed on a series of super-spreader concerts and other events leading up to the holidays. Hospitalizations doubled mid-December, then doubled again at Christmas. Restrictions have been put in place, but the crisis is expected to continue through January.
Chicago on Jan. 5 cancelled school due to conflict with the teachers’ union over Covid protections; schools finally reopened with increased safety procedures on Jan. 12. Many other school systems are delaying the post-holiday return to classes, either adding more days off or shifting to remote learning, due to high infection rates among staff as well as students. Health concerns aside, many schools lack enough healthy personnel to operate. Even NYC’s new mayor has stepped back from an earlier vow to continue in-person learning at any cost.
In NYC, over 20% of subway workers were out last week due to Covid. As a result, multiple routes were closed or routinely delayed.
The Grammys were postponed, and Sundance Film Festival cancelled in-person events.
On Jan. 7, Royal Caribbean Cruises “paused” several of its scheduled cruises, due to widespread Covid infections. Per the CDC as of Jan. 12, Covid cases increased 30-fold in the last 2 weeks. Further, ALL the cruise ships now carrying passengers in US waters (roughly 100 ships) have reported enough Covid-19 cases to trigger CDC investigation.
In Texas, the current positivity test rate is a record shattering 36%, up from 26% as of 2 weeks ago. In the last 2 weeks, cases have increased 314%, hospitalizations rose 114%, and deaths are up 80%. We are averaging 62,000 new cases and 96 deaths daily. As of now, there are 12,000 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19.
Texas’ previous high positivity rate was 25%, back in early 2021. The state is on track to shatter very soon the hospitalization record, set on Jan. 11, 2021, at 14,218 hospitalizations.
On Jan. 6, Austin Public Health shifted the area to Stage 5, the most severe Covid situation with the strictest guidelines. Anyone NOT fully vaccinated and boosted should avoid indoor and outdoor gatherings and travel, and only participate in takeaway and curbside dining and in curbside shopping. Those who ARE fully vaccinated and boosted should wear a mask for all indoor and outdoor gatherings, when shopping and traveling, and when dining outdoors; further, they should only dine indoors with a mask at places that require vaccinations and masks. Those fully vaccinated and boosted but at high risk for severe disease should avoid all indoor and outdoor gatherings and non-essential travel, wear a mask when dining outdoors, dine indoors with a mask only at places that require vaccinations and masks, and avoid all shopping except for takeaway and curbside.
University of Texas suspended in-person classes for the first 2 weeks of the spring semester. Instead, remote classes may resume Jan. 18. Austin Community College announced on Jan. 6 that all classes that can operate remotely will do so, for at least 2 weeks.
For the entire week ending Jan. 14, the Austin area set new records for hospitalization rate, exceeding any other period in the pandemic.
Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity
Worldwide, 9.3 billion shots have been given, with nearly 50% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated.
Israel offered a second booster shot to medical workers and people age 60 and over. Experts there claim the 4th shot gives a 5-fold increase in antibodies.
The UK decided against pushing a second booster to vulnerable people and instead is concentrating on getting all adults to take the first booster.
The latest studies on Omicron from the UK show that people with 2 Pfizer shots are 65% less likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated people. Add a booster shot, and you are 81% less likely to be hospitalized. So, just like Delta, Omicron proves vaccines work to minimize hospitalization and death.
In Italy, vaccination is now mandatory for those 50 and older.
Germany is requiring unvaccinated people AND those just missing a booster to provide a negative test before entering restaurants, cafes and similar establishments.
Qatar has banned unvaccinated people from entering shopping malls and restaurants and returned to distance learning for schools through January.
Greece has banned unvaccinated people from indoor spaces (restaurants, cinemas, museums, gyms, etc.) even with a negative test. That will be expanded to include unboosted people as of Feb. 1.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s stated policy is to “irritate the unvaccinated by making their lives so difficult they get the jab.” Also in France, anti-vaxxers pelted a French MP with seaweed after he supported Health Pass legislation.
Pope Francis urged Catholics to ignore vaccine misinformation and get the shots, declaring “health care is a moral obligation.”
In Canada, the province of Quebec saw shot appointments surge when it was announced that proof of vaccination would be required to enter liquor stores and pot shops. In addition, Quebec will be assessing a fine on unvaccinated residents, designed to help compensate for additional expenses caused to the health system.
In the US, 63% of the entire population is fully vaccinated; 74% of adults are fully vaccinated. Average shots administered per day increased to 1.3 million. About 79 million booster shots have been given.
The CDC has been busy. On Jan. 4, the CDC recommended a booster shot 5 months after the 2nd Pfizer shot, instead of waiting 6 months. (It is still 6 months after Moderna and 2 months after J&J.) On Jan. 5, the CDC authorized kids age 12 and older to get a Pfizer booster. Booster shots brought the definition of “fully vaccinated” into question; the CDC left that as meaning you got the 2 original shots, while being boosted means you are “up to date.”
The Mayo Clinic dismissed about 700 workers (a mere 1% of its staff) for failing to get vaccinated by the stated deadline. As the world-renown health system with facilities in MN, FL and AZ stated: “The needs of the patient come first.”
New York state is requiring health care workers to get boosters.
On Jan. 13, the Supreme Court upheld the Biden administration’s rule that medical facilities receiving federal funds (Medicare/Medicaid) require health care workers be vaccinated. However, the Supreme Court at the same time struck down OSHA’s requirement that businesses employing 100 or more workers be vaccinated or tested weekly.
The benefit of vaccine mandates is demonstrated by United Airlines’ recent announcement that, in the 8 weeks since requiring workers be vaccinated, ZERO WORKERS DIED FROM COVID, despite Omicron’s surge. Pre-mandate, United average 1 worker death per week.
In Texas, only 58% of all residents and 68% of adults are fully vaccinated.
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
How to Find a Quality Mask (and Avoid Counterfeits) 1/14/22 https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-masks.html
Is your at-home COVID-19 test real? Know how to spot the fakes and where to find tests 1/13/22 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2022/01/13/your-home-covid-test-real-where-find-tests-and-spot-fakes/6510755001/
Is Omicron Peaking? 1/13/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/briefing/omicron-peak-us-northeast.html
Disruption, Dismay, Dissent: Americans Grapple With Omicron’s Rise 1/9/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/09/us/united-states-covid-pandemic-omicron.html
Austin has officially returned to Stage 5 of COVID guidelines 1/6/22 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/01/06/austin-shifts-back-stage-5-guidelines-what-change-you/9114944002/
Lifesaving Covid Treatments Face Rationing as Virus Surges Again 1/6/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/business/covid-paxlovid-antibodies-omicron.html
Why Omicron is Counterintuitive 1/3/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/podcasts/the-daily/omicron-variant-hospitalizations-cdc-isolation.html
