South Madison Plan, Edgewood HS Commons, Independent Police Monitor

Hi Everyone.

Here are the meeting and event highlights for this week.

Plan Commission Tonight

The Plan Commission will be discussing the South Madison Plan at its meeting this evening:

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

Regarding the Plan...I have concerns about the recommendations for the Thorstad Concept Area that in my mind do not comport with the direction the City is going with Transit-Oriented Development. I understand the need for home ownership as a means of community wealth-building, but am not of the opinion a neighborhood of single-family homes close to the future BRT line on South Park represents good planning. Staff have prepared an alternate plan for this concept in response to concerns that have been raised at various committees in the review process. The alternative allows for an increase in density, but sill embraces the single-family home concept. I look forward to a robust discussion before Plan Commission.

Also on the Plan Commission agenda, Edgewood High School has applied for a conditional use permit to build a new Commons. EHS representatives met with DMNA last week to discuss their proposal. I raised questions about sustainable design and the lighting plan, and believe there is room for improvement along these lines. However, there are limits to what can be required due to the State building code, which preempts the City's ability to impose stricter standards. Still, these are questions worth raising.

Independent Police Monitor Hiring Decision

The Police Civilian Oversight Board will make a hiring decision in the Independent Police Monitor search in closed session at its meeting on Thursday.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

For information about additional meetings scheduled for this week, please consult the City Meeting Schedule online here.

Events, activities, seminars, etc.

On Tuesday, 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.

Announcements, press releases, press conferences, etc.

• In advance of deliberation and hiring decision at its December 16 meeting, the Police Civilian Oversight Board is releasing two interviews with the final candidate for the Independent Monitor position. Find links to view the interviews here.
• The City of Madison placed 8th in the 250,000-499,999 population category of the Digital Cities Survey conducted by the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute focused on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Read more here.
• Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center has achieved Platinum level certification status by the U.S. Green Building Council as LEED-EB: O&M (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Existing Building Operations and Maintenance). The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. Read more here.
• 2020 and 2021 Alix Olson Award for the Promotion of a Tolerant and Just Community winners are Oscar Mireles and the Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Inclusion and Equity of Dane County. Read more here.

That's all for now.

Take care and be safe out there.

Tag