Correction: BRT Downtown Meeting, Ho-Chunk Storyteller, Monroe Street Library and more

The Public Information Meeting to discuss the Downtown portion of the East-West BRT line has been changed to October 28 at 6pm.  Click here for the Zoom link.

Hi Everyone.

Here is a brief update about various items of interest and meetings you may wish to check out.

Bus Rapid Transit Survey and Infomational Meetings

Give Feedback on BRT Effects on Madison Parks - The City's planned East-West Bus Rapid Transit Project along Mineral Point Rd. and East Washington Ave. is expected to involve minor changes in three public parks. See project images, read the impact description for each park, and submit your comments on these proposed changes here. Comments accepted through Oct. 31, 2021.

BRT Discussion on Downtown -- City staff will be discussing the East-West BRT line and station locations at an Oct 28 public information meeting (edited for correct date). This meeting will focus on a specific section of the line – downtown. The Eastside Line was discussed on Oct. 7 and the Westside Line was discussed on Oct. 14. Find Zoom links, meeting details and project materials at MadisonBRT.com or their Community Engagement Site.

Would your group or business like to provide more information on Metro's network redesign or bus rapid transit efforts to members and customers? Project staff would be glad to answer questions at your next virtual meeting or set up a table to answer questions at your in-person event. Learn more here.

Ho-Chunk Nation Storyteller

From October through December, join Ho-Chunk Nation storyteller and tribal member AJ (Andi) Cloud for a variety of interactive storytelling and creative learning opportunities for all ages. With art workshops, activity kits, outdoor story walks, digital stories, exhibits, and more across the city, there are lots of ways to participate, celebrate, and learn. More details here.

2022 City Budget & Monroe Street Library

Mayor Rhodes-Conway released her 2022 Executive Operating Budget on Oct. 5. At their Oct. 25 meeting, the Finance Committee will consider amendments to the Operating Budget offered by committee members. both the Executive Operating and Capital Budgets, as amended by the Finance Committee, will be considered, amended and voted on by Common Council during deliberations scheduled for Nov 9 - 11.

I am working on several amendments, including one going to Finance next Monday, and that's an amendment to expand the days of operation for Monroe Street Library from three to five days. The rationale for this amendment is as follows: 

• Monroe Street Library is the sole library in the Madison system with only three days of service.
• A recent week-long survey showed this library recently received more visits per day than Goodman South Madison, Hawthorne, or Lakeview libraries, despite its small size.  It also saw more library materials checked out per month than Goodman South Madison despite being open less than half the hours in May, June and July of 2022.
• Library Board and staff have received many comments from library visitors in support of expanded service hours; the Board received over 80 comments in 2020 in support of the library.  
• Library Board and staff have received considerable feedback from seniors and older caregivers of neighborhood children that the walkability of the Monroe Street Library is important to them and they are unable to easily visit other libraries by car.
• $70,000 in operating funding would restore a .7 FTE Library Assistant and 20 hours per week of Library Page time, allowing sufficient staffing for 16 additional service hours per week.  Due to staffing/hiring considerations, adding one day of service is not a viable option – we cannot hire a new position to work one day.
• Strong library service benefits our entire community.  

If you wish to offer feedback regarding this amendment before Monday's budget hearing, you may email the Finance Committee at financecommittee@cityofmadison.com.

(See the City's full budget process, along with detailed budget information, by clicking here.)

Gun Violence Reduction Strategy

Join Focused Interruption Coalition (FIC) Founder and CEO Anthony Cooper Sr as he hosts David Muhammed, Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, for a conversation about the Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, which has reduced gun violence by up to 60% in cities across the country since 1996. "Stop the Shootings" will take place on Tuesday, October 26, at 6:30pm virtually via Zoom. Register in advance here.

Fall Yard Waste Collection

Fall yard waste collection has begun. You can get the dates when you should set out your yard waste by entering your address into the form found here. All neighborhoods will receive three curbside collection opportunities. Full details can be found here.

I have four more of these signs to distribute regarding keeping leaves out of the street for homes near Lake Wingra. Email me, please, at district13@cityofmadison.com if you would like one.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag