June Office Hours, Metro Network Redesign and Highlights for the Week of June 6, 2022

I will be hosting office hours on Thursday (June 16) from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. I will be using Zoom (with video): REGISTER

Please use the registration above to get the Zoom link. When you register, you'll also get an e-mail reminder on the day of Office Hours. You can register in advance or the day of.

Note: I have set it up so I can only meet one person at a time. If I'm meeting with someone else, there will be a small waiting period in a meeting lobby. If you don't want to use Zoom, I will be answering calls (608-912-0000) during this time as long as I'm not speaking with someone else. 

If you have a question, concern, or topic of interest that you would like to discuss, but the date above doesn't work for you, you can e-mail me.

For the past year, Metro Transit staff have been working on a complete redesign of Metro's service to make it more equitable, more efficient, and more effective at getting people where they need to go. It also prepares Metro service for the implementation of a bus rapid transit system (BRT) in 2024.

In addition, the redesign aims to address a number of concerns and complaints of Metro's current service that have been relayed through the years including:

• Travel times and time spent waiting for a bus are too long
• People of color transfer more than 2.5 times more than others, with trips twice as likely to take more than 45 minutes
• Need for improved access to jobs

Metro has put forward a draft plan and has been collecting community input since February on what works and what might need to be changed.

• Complete Details
• Draft Plan
• Proposed Amendments
• Watch Previous Community Meetings

Complete information on the redesign can be found here.

Metro staff presented an update on the proposed Metro Transit Network Redesign at Transportation Policy and Planning Board on Monday, May 16th and a Community Public Hearing on Thursday, May 19th. You can watch both [similar] videos here: Community Engagement.

Of note to District 19 residents is the proposed Amendment 6a. 

The Transportation Policy and Planning Board will meet virtually on Monday, June 6, at 5pm. Items on their agenda include the Metro Network Redesign. Please note that the Metro Network Redesign item will be for Board deliberation and action only. No public comment will be taken. Item was adjourned after May 31 Public Hearing.

• Meeting details
• Meeting agenda
• Watch online

The Common Council will meet virtually at 6:30pm on Tuesday, June 7. Items on the agenda include the Metro Network Redesign.

• Meeting details
• Meeting agenda
• Watch online

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

• Know Before You Go: Check Water Conditions Before Swimming

• This week is Bike Week - check out the events here!

• June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Madison Public Libraries are hosting a Teen Book Club, Pride Film Fest, Pride Prom, and more.

• Kids Summer Programming at Madison Public Library Kicks-Off in June

• Trashy McTrashface? Compressica Simpson? Or Something Else? - Deadline for City Trash Compactor Naming Suggestions is June 7

  Safety Saturday on the Square is June 11, 8am-1pm! Join the Madison Fire Department, MGE, and other community partners for fun activities and information about fire safety, bike safety, car safety, water safety, and much more!

  The Pulse - A monthly newsletter from Public Health

  From the Mayor:

  • Madison Flies Progress Flag for Pride Month
  • Mayor Rhodes-Conway Reacts to Latest Court Decision Approving City's Use of Election Grants

• Juneteenth Parade and Celebration will be June 18. Parade begins at 11am at Fountain of Life Church, and ends at Penn Park. | Volunteer opportunities for the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration are now open. More information and the sign-up sheet can be found here.

• Vilas Park Drive will be closed June 13-June 17. Learn more by viewing the Vilas Park Drive Changes video.

• Keep updated on the University Avenue project

• Make Music Madison, an event about bringing our community together to celebrate the power of live music, happens on June 21. More details and event listings can be found here.

• The Kujichagulia Madison Center for Self-Determination's 33rd Annual Outdoor Celebration of Juneteenth Celebration will be held both virtually and in person Tuesday, June 14, through Saturday, June 19. This year's theme is "Black Resilience: Embracing Our Past to Define Our Future." Learn more here.

• Opera in the Park is coming to Garner Park, 333 S. Rosa Road, on July 23 at 8pm. Read more here.

• Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a free community celebration on Saturday, July 23, from 6:30pm-9:45pm at its William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens. The event will feature local and regional bands, dance performances, and conclude with a spectacular drone show over Lake Monona. More details here.

• The City of Madison Engineering Division will hold an online public information meeting to provide information on proposed dredging at the public Spring Harbor Park Boat launch on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm. [More details] 

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

-Keith F