Mayor's Corner - Jan. 6, 2021
Shining the Light on the Pandemic - 2020 In Review – Jan. 6, 2021
Dear Citizens,
As we are Shining the Light on the Pandemic and Reviewing 2020, we are celebrating a Better New Year in 2021. Woodcreek has been blessed with a total confirmed Covid-19 case number of 2, and 2 recovered since March 2020. A Woodcreek Winning Way.
Shining the Light on 2020, we see our Citizens fought the battle of the Covid-19 Viral attack by compassionate community spirit and cooperation, despite social and political distractions both nationally and locally. There was and continues to be demonstration of the highest level of personal responsibility for safeguarding our families and neighbors. A Woodcreek Winning Way.
Shining the Light on 2020, your Mayor and City Council faced the duty to exercise governance to provide for the Health, Welfare and Safety of our citizens, in the unprecedented Pandemic. We at City Hall were challenged with extraordinary circumstances each day in the battle. We made every effort to keep our citizens safe while continuing to do the business of the city. A Woodcreek Winning Way.
Shining the Light on 2020, we are reminded that in the past, citizens and elected officials reached consensus with civility in disagreement. This value sadly was lost. As we celebrate moving into 2021, we must strive once again to take off our partisan hats and put on our thinking caps. Let's vow to renew our resolve to honor differences of opinion, debate fairly and observe freedom of speech without fear. A Woodcreek Winning Way.
Shining the Light on 2020, there was much suffering through loss of lives, isolation as we socially distanced, depression as normal everyday life ceased, and the resultant FEAR caught hold. As we celebrate 2021, there is opportunity to embrace a Better Year Without FEAR. FEAR is contagious and so is COURAGE. We choose COURAGE. A Woodcreek Winning Way.
Shining the Light on 2020, much was accomplished, and much is in progress in our city. Below we list accomplishments to applaud and projects that are launching. We look forward to continued and increased citizen participation. We are encouraged by renewed interest in serving the city in many volunteer positions opening in 2021. Fresh new voices from all areas of the city and all ages, have been coming forward to volunteer. A Woodcreek Winning Way.
Wishing All A Healthy And Happy New Year.
Mayor Whitehead
2020 in Review
1. First Coffee With the Mayor Series - Monthly informal meetings with the Mayor: Let's Talk
2. First Health Directive, Response to the Pandemic in Hays County. Mayor's Declaration of Health Disaster. Mayor's Protective Order - Stay In Stay Safe - For Protection of over 65 Demographic and vulnerable citizens
3. First City Deer Mascot Program - To promote CDC guidelines for masks when distancing not possible.
4. First City Health Communications, daily eblasts and web page entries. Notifications of Hays County, and city’s COVID-19 statistics. City Staff has communicated data to citizens via eblast and website every day that Hays County has reported for over 10 months. Health Alerts via Radar Signs.
5. First Respite Program for First Responders in partnership with CYJ. Inspired by former Councilmember Vicki Alvord, Administrator of the Program. Volunteer Coordinator Judy Brizendine lead a group of over 30 volunteers to feed and house responders. A humanitarian and health and safety initiative.
6. First Honor the American Flag Project. Mayor's Community Morale Boosting project. Staff and Golf Course volunteers distributed flags to every residence in the city.
7. First Traffic Data Study Commissioned. Purchased Radar Traffic Data Collection devices. Council voted to gather and analyze data for study of volume and traffic patterns and vehicle cut through – both pre- and post - Blue Hole School opening. City Planner and City Engineer to review data and report.
8. First City in Hays County to avoid Business Lockdown. Our Golf Course, Liquor Store and Construction projects continued operations with modified health directives. Our Community benefited by increased revenues as well as offering recreational health benefits.
9. First time hire of a City Planner, the Pegasus Group. The City Council approved the development of the First City Comprehensive Plan. This project is launching in 2021. Pegasus will conduct a city survey, make recommendations of parks and recreation properties, economic growth potentials and review building codes, permits and ordinances.
10. Hired City Engineer. Essential component of 2021 plans to begin road repairs and construction.
11. First enhanced communication program. City has launched a new website with meeting recordings, which will include live streaming of city meetings, better interactive tools etc.
12. The City has significantly enhanced its relationships with its economic partners in 2020. We have reached out to Aqua Texas for better customer service options. We have entered into an agreement with CYJ to provide meeting facilities for the City as the Pandemic continues. We need to continue meeting CDC requirements for social distancing and limited numbers for in-person meetings. City Hall will remain closed to drop in traffic.
13. Upcoming 2021 programs and funding include determination of Code Enforcement priorities and staffing.
14. The Mayor will be making recommendations for several Boards, Commission and Mayor Citizen Committees in the near future. Notices of applications are posted on the website.
