MLK Day, LMD, Canoe, and Highlights for the Week of January 17, 2022

Lake Mendota Drive Reconstruction

Last week, the Engineering department held a public information meeting to discuss the upcoming Lake Mendota Drive reconstruction project. As a reminder, this work will be completed over several years, with work being completed on several blocks each year.  In 2022, work is planned for the western most blocks, in 2023, the eastern blocks, and the middle blocks in 2024.

The presentation and recording of last week's public information is available for review:

• Jan. 11, 2022 Public Information Meeting Recording
• Jan. 11, 2022 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

Thank you to all those who have sent notes to the project's engineer and myself. The feedback will help contribute to the design of this project. The project is being designed using a variety of the City's policies, plans, reports and organizations guide street designs, results of the City's watershed studies, and feedback from residents. Stormwater management, safety, accessibility, and equity will be important aspects of the design Engineering is developing and will presented late next month or in early March. Additionally, tree protection will be an incredibly important goal of the project. The tree canopy on Lake Mendota Drive provides important benefits to the area and the design is expected to preserve that important feature.

The schedule of the project will be updated on the project's site, but anticipated project schedule is:

• Late Feb. or Early March: Second Public Information Meeting (held virtually)
  • Post card to be mailed prior, and registration link will be on project page
• 3/9/2022: Street Design for LMD to Transportation Commission (estimated date)
• 3/16/2022: Street Design for LMD to Board of Public Works (estimated date)
• 4/8/2022: Mail Estimated Assessments, Public Hearing Notice for 2022 Project (estimated date)
• 4/20/2022: BPW Public Hearing on 2022 Project (estimated date)
• 5/10/2022: Common Council Hearing on 2022 Project (estimated date)
• 8/1/2022: Begin Construction on 2022 Project (estimated date)
• Winter 2022: Start public meetings for 2023 reconstruction project

More details in the presentation and recording linked above.

We're in the process of discussing sending out an additional survey about some aspects of the project. Stay tuned and please keep the feedback coming. Thanks!

What's Canoe With You? A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Recovery of a 1,200-Year-Old Canoe from Lake Mendota, Wisconsin

Last week the Archaeology Program staff of the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Charles E. Brown Chapter of the Wisconsin Archeological Society hosted a webcast where they pulled back the curtain and gave a behind the scenes look at the recent discovery and raising of a Late Woodland dugout canoe from Lake Mendota.  It included strange rocks, gushing hoses, wild weather, drones, peach pits, and curious neighbors! I found the presentation to be incredibly educational and enjoyable. I can't recommend it enough. It was about an hour and 45 minutes and an archive is available at: https://wihist.org/canoe-webinar.

Body Worn Cameras

The council was supposed to consider a resolution this Tuesday for a body worn camera pilot, but that item is expected to get referred to a Council meeting in April to allow time for the Madison Police Department to hold a required public hearing. My colleague, Alder Bennett, posted a detailed blog post last week that outlined concerns I share about the proposed resolution. If you are interested in the topic, I recommend reviewing.

Greater East Towne Plan

The Economic Development Committee will be discussing adoption of the Greater East Towne Plan as a supplement to the Comprehensive Plan at its meeting on Wednesday.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

Rent Abatement

The Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee is discussing rent abatement at its meeting on Thursday.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

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

• The King Coalition welcomes Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, as keynote speaker for the 37th Annual Madison & Dane County King Holiday Observance on January 17th.  The program, which starts at 6pm, will also include performances by the MLK Community Choir and presentation of the MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and County Executive Joe Parisi. Access the broadcast here. The program will also be livestreamed on Facebook live and on radio at WORT-FM 89.9.

• You are invited to see preliminary designs for the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, 6-8 p.m., January 27, 2022, via Zoom. Registration prior is required to receive the Zoom link in advance. Community members are invited to share comments, ask questions and engage fully with the City on the proposed preliminary designs. Learn more and register here.

• On Thursday, January 20, 2022, all are invited to a virtual screening of the short documentary "Not Homeless Enough" hosted by Madison Public Library, and presented by the Doubled Up Work Group (Homeless Services Consortium). The 10-minute film will be introduced by filmmaker Diane Nilan and Senator Melissa Agard, and the screening will be followed by a community conversation. Following the film, learn ways you can support these families in the community. Learn more and register to attend here.

• City administrative offices are closed on Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Emergency services will be open; please call 911. Use Report a Problem for non-emergencies.

• Metro operates Saturday schedules on Monday, January 17, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The Metro call center is open 8am-4:30pm on the holiday. The Metro Administration Office will be closed. All standing paratransit rides will be canceled on Monday, January 17. Paratransit passengers must schedule casual rides to travel on this date. Rides are eligible according to Saturday schedules.

• There will be no trash or recycling collection by the Streets Division on Monday, January 17, 2022 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday. The drop-off sites will also be closed. Read more here.

• The City of Madison Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee (LORC), for which I am the Chair, has proposed revisions to Madison's Historic Preservation Ordinance for local historic districts. These ordinance changes will apply to all properties in the Mansion Hill, Third Lake Ridge, Marquette Bungalows, University Heights, and First Settlement local historic districts. Three public meetings have been scheduled to provide an overview of the proposed changes and an opportunity to comment on the draft ordinance. LORC will consider input received in finalizing the draft ordinance before forwarding it to the Common Council for adoption, which is anticipated in late March. Read the press release here. To  see the schedule of public meetings, view the draft ordinance, learn more about the process and additional input opportunities, complete a survey on the revisions, and more, please visit the project website.

• Medic 14 is now in service and responding to emergency medical calls on Madison's southeast side, bringing additional advanced life support (ALS) emergency services to the area. The City's ninth ambulance went into service at 7:00 a.m. Sunday, January 9. Read the press release here.

• The First issue of the Vision Zero Quarterly Newsletter is now available. This first issue covers the broad topic of Vision Zero and how the City is integrating safety measures and practices into Madison's communities, visitors and businesses daily lives.

• The second and final round of Christmas Tree collection starts this week on the 18th! More details.

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If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., feel free to reach out: district19@cityofmadison.com

-Keith F