District 13 Updates: Monroe Street Library, Operating Budget, Vilas Park Master Plan

Hi Everyone.

Here are today's updates:

Monroe Street Library

Many of you expressed concerns about the possible closing of the Monroe Street Branch for 2021. I have good news to report. The Mayor released her Executive Operating Budget this week which included funding to allow the Branch to be open three days per week, down from six. This reduction makes sense in that the service area for Monroe Street is arguably more resilient and therefore able to assume a greater share of the burden compared to other branches which serve more vulnerable populations. I asked Mayor Satya to explore funding sources that would allow this historic neighborhood library to stay open with reduced hours, sharing the concern that if the branch were to close altogether that it may never reopen.

I'm grateful the Mayor was able to find a solution to keep this vital neighborhood asset open and available to residents.

Operating Budget

The Mayor's operating budget can be found here. (To review the Mayor's summary, please click here.) Among the highlights is a first phase mental health ambulance service along the lines of the CAHOOTS program in Eugene OR.  Additionally, the Mayor's budget calls for increased investment in violence prevention, centering this work in Public Health and working collaboratively with Dane County to address this area of growing concern. 

The Finance Committee begins deliberations on the Operating Budget next week, and the complete Budget, both Operating and Capital, will be voted on by Common Council Nov 10 – 12.

If you have questions, please reach out to me, either by email (district13@cityofmadison.com) or by phone (608.424.2580).

Vilas Park Master Plan

The draft for the final Vilas Park Master Plan has been unveiled and can be accessed here. 

Documents (PDF) Included:

·         Meeting Agenda for the 10/15 joint meeting of the Resident Resource Group and the Community Partners Advisory Group

·         Meeting Presentation

·         Draft Master Plan

·         Decision Matrix

·         Before and After (Existing Conditions and Draft Plan)

·         Concept Plans (A,B, and C)

Notable among the draft Plan's recommendations is the elimination of through motor traffic along Vilas Park Drive.

The Vilas Park Project Website will be updated with all current documentation as well in the coming days.

Badger Football Update

I spoke with Chancellor Becky Blank last week about neighborhood concerns regarding Badger home football games. I'm encouraged by Chancellor Blank's statement asking fans to regard this season to be one of "all away games."

I'm also grateful for the decision made just yesterday to limit Camp Randall attendance to essential personnel only. In other words, there will be no fans in the stands.  Tailgating will not be permitted, beer gardens will be required to seat their patrons with strict capacity limits, and house parties found to be in violation of the Public Health order will face consequences.  

In short, everyone is encouraged to stay home and watch the game on TV.  Go Badgers!

(For those within earshot of the stadium, testing of the Camp Randall sound system is slated next week for Tuesday, October 13 between the hours of 12:30-2:30pm.)

Public Safety Conversation

We have set a tentative date of Oct 22 for an online conversation on public safety with community leaders, elected officials and MPD. More details to follow.

Clean Lakes Alliance to Hold Leaf-free Streets Seminar

Online next Wednesday, October 14, from 8:00 - 9:00 am, learn about how leaf-free streets benefit our lakes.  Join Clean Lakes Alliance to hear about the most prominent source of phosphorus in the urban landscape: leaves.

From the CLA press release:

Trees have long been a valued feature of the urban landscape. They provide a host of benefits such as habitat, aesthetics, energy savings, and noise reduction. Trees are also an important part of the urban hydrologic cycle. The functions and value of trees have recently gained attention as viable tools in the management of urban stormwater.

Research on the interactions between urban trees and stormwater quantity and quality has revealed a double-edged sword. A community with dense overhead tree canopy may benefit from reduced stormwater runoff volume through interception, transpiration, and infiltration but may also suffer from excess nutrients leached to nearby receiving waters from leaf litter. This presentation will highlight ongoing research that will help environmental managers assess how municipal leaf collection and street cleaning programs can limit the amount of phosphorus in stormwater runoff.

For more information, including how to register for this informative, free event, click here.

Brush Collection Over for 2021

Streets Division crews have completed the final round of guaranteed brush collection for the year of 2020. Residents should not place brush out for pickup again for this year. Streets Division crews will resume brush collection in 2021. The official start date for brush pickup in 2021 will be announced when that date is known.

If you set out brush after September 21, and it remains on the terrace, then you likely set the brush out too late for curbside pickup. Since collection is not guaranteed to occur again this year, residents should take brush to a drop-off site.

Drive-Thru Flu Clinic for People Without Insurance

Getting sick with the flu can mean missing a week or more of school or work, and make you more susceptible to other illnesses like COVID-19, increasing the likelihood of being hospitalized. There is concern that the flu season overlapping with the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a "twindemic," causing many people to get very sick, and overwhelming our hospitals.
 
If you do not have health insurance, Public Health Madison & Dane County is now offering a drive-thru flu shot clinic.  The clinic, which opened October 6 at Alliant Energy Center, is for Dane County adults who do not have health insurance and children who have BadgerCare or Medicaid.

For more information, please click here.

Lastly

Australian singer/songwriter Nick Cave recently posted his thoughts about how the concept of mercy functions in "cancel culture." Our fractious and polarized political climate is one which ad hominin attacks are increasingly the norm.  I find his comments compelling, and in reading them I'm reminded of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's now famous quote:

"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

That's all for now. I hope you are finding time to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather!

Take care and stay safe.

Tag

P.S. Check in for office hours, next Friday October 16 at 8am. More details to follow.