Updates & Week of August 19 Meetings of Interest for District 2

District 2 Updates & Meetings of Interest

Madison Mini-Marathon & 5K to Affect Traffic Aug. 17

Madison is hosting the 11th Annual Madison Mini-Marathon & 5K on Saturday, August 17. The event starts at 7:00am will wrap up by 11:00am. Expected road closures and times are listed here. The route maps for the 5k race (Park Street and points west/south) and the Mini-Marathon (Wisconsin Avenue and points west/south) are also available. A field of over 4,000 participants is expected.

Trial of Residential Parking Permit Program on Langdon Street

Now through Nov. 11, the City's Parking Utility is conducting a trial on Langdon Street between Wisconsin Ave. and W. Lakelawn. Parking meters have been removed and signs installed that indicate 2-hour parking only on the days and times indicated by new signage. Vehicles that have paid for a Residential Parking Permit Program sticker from the Parking Utility are allowed to park longer than 2 hours in those spots, as long as other restrictions do not override that (RP3 details and sticker info here). The relative shortage of RP3 parking spots in this area in part prompted the city to conduct this trial. There will be public engagement process to determine the trial's success before deciding to make the change permanent. Details on that process and how to weigh in are forthcoming; I will be sure to publicize those.

Temporary Ban on Alcohol in Reynolds Park

At the request of TLNA Council and me, the Parks Division has enacted another temporary 90-day ban on alcohol consumption at Reynolds Park. This was due primarily to an increase in reports of illegal behavior often associated with the over-consumption of alcohol. MPD and Park Rangers have started an approximately one-week educational period when they will inform park users that no alcohol is allowed. After that period they will be able to issue citations to those in violation, although education is their primary focus.

Note that many of those who may be experiencing homelessness or are housing-stressed typically have very low incomes, so citations can be quite regressive and may not be a deterrent. However, those park visitors that have been the most disruptive are not necessarily homeless and are thought to often have additional incentives to avoid police contact, so illegal behavior is expected to substantially decrease as it did last year when a first temporary ban was in effect.

Over the winter TLNA and other stakeholders, including neighbors, MPD, the Parks Division, and park users, are expected to continue evaluating the situation, explore a permanent alcohol ban, and consider other issues, e.g., the placement of picnic tables.

Aug. 18: OutReach Magic Festival and LGBTQ Pride Celebration

OutReach Magic Festival pride event for 2019 at Warner Park will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall and the 30th Anniversary of Madison's first pride parade. The afternoon of Aug. 18 there will be activities for all ages, entertainment, food and merchant vendors, information booths, and more! The event will focus on bringing the community together for celebration, healing, and rejuvenation. Information on the event Facebook page and here where there is also list of other Pride events.

F35s

Below you will find information and important dates related to the review of the F35 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Executive Summary of the EIS is here and the full report can be accessed here.

You are more than welcome to contact me and other elected officials with your thoughts on the proposed stationing of F35s at Truax Field, but I also encourage you to submit comments via the Air National Guard's official public comment channels as this is a decision being made by the federal government, not the City of Madison. Those comments can be made through September 27th and can be made online or by mail. The link for public comments can be accessed here.

The Air National Guard has scheduled a public open house on September 12, from 5-8pm at the Alliant Energy Center, and comments can also be made in person there. A final decision will be made early next year. 

City staff from various departments are working on a review of the EIS, including impacts of noise, stormwater and other issues. The end result will likely be a response to the EIS from the Mayor's office, but the staff analysis will be shared when complete.

Salvation Army Redevelopment Proposal Update

As anticipated, the Salvation Army has filed their application for demolition and for conditional uses for their site and adjacent parcels on the 600 block of E. Washington. The earliest dates that city committees will consider the proposal are:

• Oct. 2 - Urban Design Commission
• Oct. 14 - Plan Commission
• Nov. 5 - Common Council

Note that these dates are tentative. The Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association Steering Committee has not completed their evaluation of the proposal, nor has TLNA Council voted on any measure of support or opposition. Generally, the neighborhood evaluation process is completed before or just as a proposal enters the city committee process, but the Salvation Army has not yet reached out to schedule more steering committee meetings. I have encouraged their team to further engage with the neighborhood so that neighbor input on the proposal can be completed, synthesized, sent to TLNA Council, and eventually to city committees. Visit the TLNA Development website to stay up to speed.

Tenney Park Trees Damaged by Flooding and Cold

Due to last year's flooding and our harsh winter, the Madison Parks Division has found numerous dead or declining trees in Tenney Park. They believe that of those trees only seven are not flood related. Due to concerns for safety, they will need to start removing as many as 30 dead trees.

 

Parks anticipate the work to start within the next few weeks. Any trees that are declining will be inspected for safety issues and dead wood will be removed. Parks Planning and staff will work on a plan to replant trees where appropriate. They will be looking for desirable locations and species, now that they know what did not survive in the flooding.

Parks Planning is working through the FEMA grant process and will be working with the contractor to replant and restore the bioengineered shoreline and replace the material  from the shoreline improvement plan. Trees lost to flooding are not eligible for reimbursement through FEMA. They will check with the State Historical Society regarding approvals for this site as it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Parks Division hopes to restore Tenney to its previous beauty for all of the residents of Madison to enjoy.

 

Public Hearing for 2020 Street Reconstruction on N. Ingersoll & Elizabeth Streets

City Engineering is currently mailing assessment and project notices to property owners on the 400 North block of Ingersoll Street and the 1100 block of Elizabeth Street for the street reconstruction project scheduled for April to July 2020. The Board of Public Works will also hold a public hearing on August 21 at 5:30pm, in Room 108 of the City-County Building, 210 MLK, Jr., Blvd. where input will be heard and any objections filed. Project details are also open to inspection in the office of the City Engineer, Room 115, City-County Building, between 7:30am and 4:00pm through August 19. For more info visit the project website.

• DOGS AND PARKS - The online survey is open through 12pm Monday, August 19. LEARN MORE 
• LAW PARK - Next workshop Wednesday, August 21. We need your vision. Your voice to imagine a new Law Park. Attend, share, take the online survey and LEARN MORE

Get Current Info on Public Beach and Lake Water Quality

Although summer is winding down, many folks want to take a dip in our lakes. Unfortunately, many of our beaches have been closed off and on due the presence of blue-green algae. Be to sure to check Public Health Madison & Dane County's page for water quality information and beach closures. Your pets can also be impacted by water quality and algal blooms, so be sure to keep them out of the water as needed.

Parking Enforcement For August 25 Breese Stevens Concert

Attendance at the August 25 Hall & Oates concert at Breese Stevens is expected to be similar to that of large concerts earlier this summer. City Parking Enforcement Officers will again be conducting proactive patrol operations in the vicinity of the stadium and in parking ramps such as Festival Foods. Note that the Parking Enforcement Officers will be patrolling, but it is very important to call the non-emergency MPD number (608-255-2345) to report blocked driveways and similar infractions. The PEOs will issue citations, but infractions that require towing should always be phoned in.

 

E. Johnson Reconstruction Update

The East Johnson and First Streets reconstruction project continues into mid-November. Please visit the project website to stay up to date. Jeremy Nash at City Traffic Engineering continues to address issues related to signage and traffic calming measures during reconstruction while MPD continues to do spot enforcement to discourage cut-through drivers and to encourage them to slow down and stick to the main arterials. Please contact the Traffic Enforcement Safety Team if you have particular concerns about speeding and driver behavior. As we get closer to school starting, I'll pass on the pedestrian and bike routes that will be available for getting to and from schools.

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City Meetings of Interest to District 2

Below are some pertinent agenda items from various city committees that are meeting this week.

The city meeting agenda items are open for testimony from the public should you be interested in weighing in. I also appreciate hearing from you on any items on which you have a particular interest or concern so please send me an email or give me a call.

Also, committees and commissions have an opportunity at the beginning of each agenda for Public Comment on items not on the agenda. If you have something you want to share with a committee or commission, you can use the Public Comment time to do so.

Note: Several committee agendas were not yet available at publication of this update. Check here for updates.
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Water Quality Technical Advisory Committee: Agenda

5:00pm, Monday, August 19, 2019
Water Utility, 119 E Olin Ave, Room Conference Room B

 

Agenda Item 4

EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES FOR WELL 15 OPERATIONS

Agenda Item 5
PFAS TESTING REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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Building Code, Fire Code, Conveyance Code and Licensing Appeals Board Finance Committee: Agenda

12:15pm, Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Rm 13 Madison Municipal Building

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item 1

Creating Section 29.22 of the Madison General Ordinances to include exits from basements and ground floors used for sleeping.

Note: The Uniform Dwelling Code currently requires that basements and ground floors used for sleeping must be provided with at least two exits. Builders and homeowners would be able to choose to install fire sprinklers throughout their home in lieu of a second exit from sleeping areas in basements if this proposed ordinance change is enacted.

 

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Committee on the Environment: Agenda

4:30pm, Monday, August 19, 2019

Rm 108 City-County Building

 

NEW BUSINESS

Agenda Item 1
SUBSTITUTE - Accepting the final report and recommendations from the Urban Forestry Task Force.

 

Agenda Item 3
Follow Up Discussion on Salt Issues

REPORTS

Update from Stacie Reece, City of Madison Sustainability Coordinator, on the City water softener tracking and processes moving forward.

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Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee (Parks): Agenda

4:30pm, Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Goodman Maintenance Facility 1402 Wingra Creek Parkway

 

NEW BUSINESS

Statement of Policies and Guidelines for a Maintenance Plan for Burial Mounds in Madison Parks

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL TO THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

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Ad Hoc Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee: Agenda

5:30pm, Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Rm 206 Madison Municipal Building

 

Agenda Item 1

Draft Historic Preservation Ordinance

- Standards for Maintenance

- Standards for Repairs
- Standards for Alterations
- Standards for Additions

- Standards for New Structures

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Street Use Staff Commission: Agenda

10:00am, Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Rm 108 City-County Building

 

STREET USE PERMITS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Agenda Item 4

MADISON EAST HIGH HOMECOMING PARADE 2019 Friday, September 20, 2019 / 4:30pm - 7:00pm Staging: 100 block N Dickinson
Parade: 1300 - 900 blocks of E Mifflin

Parking: 900 block of E. Washington Ave. (north side) Homecoming Parade
MMSD / Alyssa Paolocci

 

Agenda Item 5

UW HOMECOMING PARADE
Fri, Oct. 11, 2019 / 3:30-9:30pm
Set Up/Staging: between Langdon & Lake and Langdon & Wisconsin Parade Route: Wisconsin & Gilman, west to Gilman & State, west to State & Lake, north to Lake & Langdon
Discuss location, route, schedule, and set up
Wisconsin Alumni Association / Kate Darling

 

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Board of Public Works: Agenda

4:30pm, Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Rm 108 City-County Building

 

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS

Agenda Item 5

Approving Plans, Specifications, And Schedule Of Assessments For N. Ingersoll Street, Elizabeth Street, and Jean Street Assessment District - 2019. (2nd AD

The Board of Public Works is scheduled to hold a Public Hearing in Room 108 (Parks Conference Room), of the City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at 5:30 p.m.

Note: See more info on this item above in my alder updates.

 

PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT - PUBLIC CONTRACTS

Agenda Item 19

Assessing Benefits - North Blair Street Reconstruction Assessment District - 2017. (2nd AD)

RECOMMEND TO ADOPT

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Economic Development Committee: Agenda

5:00pm, Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Rm 206 Madison Municipal Building

 

Agenda Item 2

Creating Section 23.61and amending Section 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to regulate the distribution of plastic straws in the City of Madison and establish a bail deposit for violation thereof.

 

Agenda Item 3

Accepting the white paper titled "Equitable Development in Madison: An assessment of factors contributing to displacement and gentrification"

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Historic Preservation Plan Advisory Committee: Agenda

 

5:00pm, Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Rm 153 Madison Municipal Building

 

Agenda Item 1

Draft Historic Preservation Plan

-Chapter 4 (Goals, Objectives, & Strategies) and Chapter 5 (Implementation)

-Chapter 1 (Introduction), Chapter 2 (Community Engagement), and Chapter 3 (Underrepresented Communities Summary)

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Alcohol License Review Committee: Agenda

 

5:30pm, Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Rm 201 City-County Building

New License - Public Hearing

 

Agenda Item 17

Public Hearing - New License
Laura Garden LLC • dba Koi Sushi
502 State St • Agent: Xi Wang Filion • Estimated Capacity (in/out): 98/12 Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 12% alcohol, 88% food Aldermanic District 2 (Alder Heck) • Police Sector 403

Note: This application would add liquor to the existing capability of selling wine and beer. I support that change. It also would extend the hours of alcohol sales from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 11pm to 2am on Friday/Saturday. I oppose that aspect of the application because all other restaurants in the Alcohol Overlay District (roughly between Gilman/Broom and Lake Streets between State St. and University Ave.) who have recently been granted alcohol licenses must adhere to the earlier hours. MPD, Alder Verveer and I agree that alcohol over consumption in the overlay district comes at too great a cost to the public and the city to warrant extending sales hours for newly licensed restaurants. New licenses in this district for nightclubs and taverns are also not supported.

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Housing Strategy Committee: Agenda

 

4:30pm, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Rm 302 Madison Municipal Building

 

6. ACTION ITEM(S)

Agenda Item 6a

Accepting the 2019 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) study

Agenda Item 6b

Accepting the white paper titled "Equitable Development in Madison: An assessment of factors contributing to displacement and gentrification"

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