Meeting Highlights, Transit-Oriented Development, Neighborhood Grants Program

Hi Everyone,

There are lots city meetings and other events this week. You can check the City of Madison Complete Meeting Schedule for all publicly noticed meetings. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on policy items that are up for consideration. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email at district13@cityofmadison.com.

Here are some of this week's highlights:

Staff Reports on Reindahl Park and the Men's Shelter

The City-County Homeless Issues Committee will receive staff updates on Reindahl Park and the men's shelter at its meeting on Monday. You can find more details here.

ADUs, Council Meeting Format, Spring 2021 Advisory Referendum Result Discussion 

Tuesday's Common Council meeting has several items that may be of interest, some of which are listed below. You can find links to the agenda and to register to speak here. 

17 - Accessory Dwelling Unit changes: I am one of the original sponsors of these proposed changes to make it less onerous to build ADUs. These changes were recommended for approval by Plan Commission at their last meeting.

22 - Common Council meeting formats: This item proposes shifting from virtual to in-person Common Council meetings beginning on February 1. I have serious concerns with this plan given the current state of COVID in the community.

43 - Prohibit removing or disabling a cat's claws by performing a declawing procedure: I support this proposed ordinance and appreciate Alder Lemmer's efforts to bring it forward.

83 - Discuss the results of the Spring 2021 advisory referendum election and determine whether a binding referendum election shall be authorized related to the structure of the Common Council: This will be the first time the council discusses the results from last spring's advisory referendum on the size and shape of the Common Council (size, term length and limits, part-time vs full-time).

104 - Implementing Body-Worn Camera Pilot Program: Several alders are introducing a resolution to implement a body-worn camera pilot program. This item is on the agenda for introduction only on Tuesday and will be taken up by council in January, the precise date pending possible referrals. No public comment is allowed on items at the time of introduction.

Transporation Commission Meets this Wednesay

On Wednesday, the Transportation Commission will review the newly created Safe Streets Madison program, receive the annual traffic crash report, and review the Traffic Signal Priority List. You can find all the details on these items as well as links to register for the meeting here. 

Public Safety Review Committee Also Meets this Wednesday

The Public Safety Review Committee is discussing several items of note regarding the Madison Police Department at its meeting on Wednesday. MPD Strategic Plan Proposal, OIR Recommendations Progress Report, and a discussion about Madison Metropolitan School District Safety are all on the agenda. You can find all the details here. 

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Framework 

On Thursday, the Plan Commission will hold a special informational meeting to discuss development of a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Framework. This would likely impact potential developments within the planned BRT corridors. You can find details here.

In the news

• Recycle Your Paper Cups 
• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award Winner is Lisa Peyton-Caire
• John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Survey
• Madison Commons, Media Digest

Save the date

This Thursday, December 9, as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival, author Patty Loew will appear live on Crowdcast to discuss her new book, Seventh Generation Earth Ethics, and the increasing pressures to turn Indigenous lands into "sacrifice zones"--geographic areas that are permanently affected by environmental damage. Details here. 

December 14 - Andi Cloud wraps up her Storyteller Residency by getting personal! The virtual event, Being Hinu: Growing Up Ho-Chunk in the 20th Century, will provide a look into Andi's life, including pivotal moments where she learned her tribe's ways and started to define what the Ho-Chunk life means to her. Register here.

All potential applicants for the Neighborhood Grant Program must meet with city staff by January 17. Applications will be due February 7. Please send an email to neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com to request your pre-application meeting, and check the city's webpage in mid-December for 2022 program materials.

Do you want to receive up to $3,000 for your youth group? If so, you should apply for a grant from By Youth For Youth, a youth-led grant program offering up to $3,000 for student-led projects, clubs, and ideas that will better Dane County. More information can be found here. Apply for a grant here. Applications are due by January 9, 2022.

That's all for now.

Take care, stay safe, and get boosted!

Tag