Updates & Week of April 20 Meetings of Interest for District 2

posted April 18, 2020 - 10:05am

District 2 Updates and Meetings of Interest

Many committees remain on hiatus until the city's meeting capabilities expand both in terms of technology and availability of city staff, but some virtual meetings are occurring. Common Council is working with the Mayor's office to identify those committees that are most needed for maintaining city services and projects, as well as those that can contribute to the COVID-19 response and eventual recovery efforts.

Meeting details are listed on agendas below, but all should have virtual public participation options.

Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. will launch their first virtual Executive Committee meeting on April 28 and Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association held a successful virtual TLNA Council meeting on April 9. Our new reality does allow for neighborhood decision-making, information sharing, and providing input to the city. Check out the TLNA and CNI websites and their email listservs for details.

Stay healthy, stay home, stay in touch, and please practice physical distancing whenever outside your home, in the grocery story, in parks, on sidewalks, and on bike paths.
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There are three sections to this week's update:

COVID-19 Updates
Other District 2 Updates
City Meetings of Interest to District 2

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1. COVID-19 UPDATES

Where to Get COVID-19 Information

- For information on the city's responses and services visit the City's Coronavirus Website. On the right side menu of that page are links to City Service Updates, Resources for Businesses, and many other important resources.

- Another key site is Public Health Madison and Dane County and their Data Dashboard.

- The City has started a weekly COVID-19 newsletter. See the latest issue here.

- Subscribe to the City's COVID-19 email and/or text alerts here.

Links to Other COVID-19 Information

Safer at Home Extended: Governor Evers Extends Order to May 26 with Some Changes.

From the Mayor: COVID-19 Update from Mayor Rhodes-Conway.

From MPD Chief Wahl: Daily Blog and Protecting Our First Responders.

From the Mayor: Homeless Services – Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

From Madison Public Library: Resources Available From Home

From Madison Water Utility: Staying at home is changing the way Madison uses water.

All City of Madison news releases are here.

From Dane Buy Local: Dane County Small Business Pandemic Support Program.

TLNA list of some area restaurants that are offering to-go or delivery.

Information about Downtown Madison's businesses during the pandemic can be found here.

Information on UW's response to the pandemic at this site.

Madison Metropolitan School District says that thousands of families not taking advantage of free lunch offerings. For more information on where residents can access free lunches visit this site.

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2. OTHER DISTRICT 2 UPDATES

East Mifflin Temporarily Closed - Local Car Traffic Allowed

The City of Madison is launching several new initiatives to assist community members in having safe, healthy spaces for walking and biking during the COVID-19 Safer at Home order. Some initial locations designated as "shared streets" have already been signed by City workers, including on E. Mifflin between N. Blair and N. Dickinson. These street closures will widen the distance for pedestrians and bikers to safely travel with enough social distancing. People with destinations along these shared streets such as residents, delivery providers, emergency service personnel and City services will continue to have vehicle access. More details and a higher resolution map here.

Other nearby accommodations for pedestrians and bikes include closing one lane of traffic on Atwood Avenue near Olbrich Gardens and next week a temporary widening of the bike/walking path along Lake Monona in Law Park where it is particularly narrow. Under consideration for future temporary ped/bike accommodations in District 2 are portions of Sherman Avenue and Gilman Street, but Traffic Engineering will evaluate the success of this first round of closures before implementing more.

Final Stormwater Ordinance Changes Meeting to be Offered Virtually

The Engineering Division will be hosting a final public information meeting about changes to the City's stormwater ordinance at 3 p.m., April 23, 2020, virtually. During the April 23 meeting, City Engineering staff will share final proposed language for the City's stormwater ordinance based on feedback thus far in the public input process. The March 24 meeting was canceled because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, but two earlier in-person public meetings were held as scheduled.

Virtual Meeting Format
The April 23 meeting will be held virtually online via Zoom. It will include a presentation and question and answer portion for attendees. Details on participating and registering for the meeting are here.

Why Change the Stormwater Ordinance?

The City is updating the Madison General Ordinance Chapter 37 Stormwater Ordinance because of extreme storm events in Madison during the last several years and because of research on climate change and rainfall patterns for southcentral Wisconsin. The amount of rainwater from extreme storms causes flash flooding and elevated lake levels, which puts pressure on the City's stormwater pipe system. When the stormwater system is overloaded with too much storm or rainwater, either in heavy rainstorms or multiple heavy rainstorms in a short amount of time, flooding occurs. Madison General Ordinance Chapter 37 includes requirements for water quality, water quantity and erosion control design standards for anyone who wants to build in the City of Madison.

Air Force Disregards Health of Madison Residents in F-35 Basing

In a statement issued this week, Madison alders who represent the districts that will be most heavily impacted by the Air Force's decision to station F-35 jets at Truax issued this statement. District 2 will also be impacted by the expected noise of the F-35s, which are expected to arrive in 2023, perhaps to a lesser degree than areas nearer typical flight paths. I, however, agree with Alders Abbas, Rummel, Kemble, and Foster when they write "These impacts are contrary to the City of Madison's values of equity, sustainability, health and adaptability as codified in our Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2018, the City's Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative, and undermine multiple long-term goals of City policy makers."

Stay up to date on the continuing opposition efforts, including likely legal challenges, at Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin.

Water Main Flushing Begins Monday, April 20 in Part of Tenney-Lapham

The Madison Water Utility will again be doing water main flushing in parts of District 2 beginning on Monday, April 20. Flushing should take place during daytime hours between E. Washington Avenue to Lake Mendota between N. Paterson Street and Marston Avenue. Flushing can cause temporarily low water pressure or discoloration - more information can be found at this page.

City Property Assessments Delayed & Tax Penalty Waivers

City of Madison Assessor Michelle Drea has announced that property assessment notices will be delayed for at least two months due to COVID-19. While the start of the assessment process is delayed, the taxation process remains unchanged. Property owners have the same rights and responsibilities for review of their notice. Communication with the Assessor's Office during the open book period, and the formal objection process duties remain unchanged. Tax bills will be sent and payments due at the same time as prior years. The full press release is here.

As part of the State's recently enacted COVID-19 response legislation, cities are now allowed to waive property tax late payment penalties and interest for taxes due and payable after April 1, 2020. Several pieces have to fall into place before cities can enact this waiver, but I anticipate that Madison will do so. As this new state law is written quarterly property tax payments that were due on March 31, and were or will be paid late, unfortunately will not qualify for the waiver. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities has prepared a detailed FAQ on the waiver.

More on Gardening Season and COVID-19

As mentioned in last week's Alder Update, many neighbors are out of work or wanting to lower their food expenses while other are interested in minimizing food shopping to decrease potential exposure to COVID-19. Mayor Rhodes-Conway wrote about community gardening opportunities and gave detailed information in her Statement Regarding Community Gardens and COVID-19. Information about planting gardens in the street terrace can be found here.

Dane County Farmers' Market Starts Local Food Pickups at Alliant Energy Center

The weekly Dane County Farmers' Markets are canceled for the foreseeable future, so starting April 22nd, the DCFM will be hosting Local Food Pick Ups on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center for the foreseeable future. Patrons pre-order via our WhatsGood online farmers' market store and during the pick-up, drive-thru and our farmers place your orders in your vehicles. Details here.

Complete the 2020 Census As Soon As Possible

As of April 16, here is how we are doing in comparison to other states, counties and cities in terms of completing the 2020 census:

- Wisconsin is ranked #4 with the second-most completed census forms at 55.9% (54.4% and #2 on 4/10, so we are dropping in the completion rankings).

- Dane County is ranked #8 Wisconsin counties at 63.5% (61.8% and #8 on 4/10).

- Madison is ranked #193 of Wisconsin cities at 60.8% (59.2% and #195 on 4/10).

- District 2 completion rates are consistently lower than the city average, as low as 32.5% in western parts of the district. A map of Madison completion rates is here.

We can do better! It remains critical that everyone who lives in Madison and Dane County completes the census and is counted. Ask your friends and coworkers if they have completed their census form. It can be filled out online at my2020census.gov, by phone, or by mail. Filling out the census is an easy thing you can do right now to help everyone in our community. Follow the Census 2020 completion rankings.

400 Block E. Washington Steering Committee Tentatively Scheduled for April 29

The James Madison Park District Steering Committee that has been reviewing the LZ Ventures redevelopment proposal for the north side of 400 block of E. Washington Ave has tentatively scheduled a virtual meeting for Wednesday, April 29, 7pm. Once the date is confirmed, email notices will be sent to all who have signed up to participate in the Steering Committee process and will also be noticed in my next Alder Update.

If you'd like to participate and/or stay informed contact Eli at president@capitolneighborhoods.org or Joe at jmartino@isi360.com.

The developer has submitted a formal application to the city; those materials can be found here. In addition to further neighborhood input, the proposed demolitions will need review by the Landmarks Commission and/or the city's Preservation Planner, the Urban Design Commission will need to weigh in, and Plan Commission will consider various aspects of the proposal. The Landmarks Commission and UDC have been on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but UDC is expected to start meeting virtually later this month, so the proposal could be heard by UDC in late May with Plan Commission in June. I'll be sure to publicize those meetings.

126 Langdon St. Redevelopment Proposal Expected at Plan Commission on May 18

Core Spaces, the developers of the proposed apartment building at 126 Langdon St., has asked that their application be considered at the Plan Commission's expected May 18 virtual meeting. Note that Core Spaces has made some design modifications in response to UDC and neighbor input. That latest proposal version can be found here. The neighborhood steering committee, organized by the Mansion Hill District of Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc., will contact committee members in the near future seeking any additional input. If you would like to be on the steering committee email list, contact Bob at bob.klebba@gmail.com.

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3. City Meetings of Interest to District 2

Below are some pertinent agenda items from the two city committees that are meeting this week. If you click on a meeting agenda below, then click on an agenda item of interest, you will see all documents that have been submitted on that item.

The city meeting agenda items are open for testimony from the public should you be interested in weighing in via teleconferencing (details included on agendas). Also, committees and commissions have an opportunity at the beginning of each agenda for Public Comment on items not on the agenda. I also appreciate hearing from you on any items on which you have a particular interest or concern.

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Common Council Executive Committee: Agenda

4:30pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Virtual Meeting

The City of Madison is holding the Common Council Executive Committee meeting virtually to help protect our community from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Note: Virtual attendance instructions in the agenda linked above.

DISCUSSION WITH THE MAYOR

Agenda Item 5

Discussion with Mayor Rhodes-Conway (4/16/20):

1. Service expansions following new state orders

2. Resources from national groups
3. COVID-19 newsletter

REFERRALS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL

Agenda Item 6

Accepting the Final Report of the President's Work Group to Develop City-wide Surveillance Equipment and Data Management Policies.

2/10/20 Finance Committee recommended approval
3/12/20 Equal Opportunities recommended approval
3/11/20 Public Safety Review Committee rereferred (no meeting scheduled) Digital Technology Committee (no meeting scheduled)

Agenda Item 7

Creating Section 23.63 of the Madison General Ordinances to establish Surveillance Technology guidelines for Departments

3/11/20 Public Safety Review Committee rereferred to April (no meeting scheduled)

Equal Opportunities Committee (no meeting scheduled)
Digital Technology Committee (no meeting scheduled)

COUNCIL PRESIDENT UPDATES

Agenda Item 8

Council President Updates (4/21/20) - Ald. Shiva Bidar

1. BCC Chairs' Survey
2. CCEC Meeting Frequency
3. Agenda Items for next CCEC meeting

a.Continued Discussion on Council's role, process and structure in regards to COVID-19 recovery

b.Virtual meetings and equity

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Common Council: Agenda

6:30pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Virtual Meeting

The City of Madison is holding the Common Council meeting virtually to help protect our community from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Note: Virtual attendance instructions in the agenda linked above.

SWEARING IN OF NEWLY-ELECTED DISTRICT 8 ALDERPERSON - MAX PRESTIGIACOMO

CONVENE AS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Agenda Item 1

Election of Common Council President, 2020.

Agenda Item 2

Election of Common Council Vice President, 2020.

ADJOURN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND ADOPT THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

HONORING RESOLUTIONS

Agenda Item 3

Recognizing and commending Craig Wilson for his professional and personal dedication to the City of Madison, and congratulating him on the occasion of his retirement.

Legislative History

4/14/20 Community Development Division RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS

Agenda Item 4

Recognizing and commending the City Clerks' office, City Staff, volunteers, and organizations for their commitment to ensure that the City of Madison preserved the voting process.

Legislative History

4/16/20 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS

Agenda Item 5
Commending and thanking Alderperson Sally Rohrer for her dedicated service to her constituents in District 8 and the City of Madison.

Legislative History

4/14/20 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS

Agenda Item 6
Commending and thanking Alderperson Barbara Harrington-McKinney for her dedicated and conscientious service during her tenure as Common Council Vice-President.

4/14/20 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS

Agenda Item 7
Commending and thanking Alderperson Shiva Bidar for her dedicated and conscientious service during her tenure as President of the Madison Common Council.

4/14/20 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS

RECESSED PUBLIC HEARINGS - BEGIN AT 6:45 PM

REPORT OF PLAN COMMISSION

Agenda Item 9
Creating Section 28.022 -- 00419 of the Madison General Ordinances to change the zoning of property located at 935 West Johnson Street, 8th Aldermanic District, from TR-U2 Traditional Residential - Urban District 2) District to CI (Campus Institutional) District.

Recent Legislative History

4/13/20 PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO RE-REFER - RECESSED PUBLIC HEARING to the PLAN COMMISSION

BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR

APPOINTMENTS

Agenda Item 13

Report of the Mayor submitting alder committee appointments.

Legislative History

4/14/20 Mayor's Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO CONFIRM Confirm 4/21/20

Note: This item includes

MADISON AREA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING BOARD (MPO)

ALD. PATRICK HECK, District 2 - reappoint to a two-year term to the position of Elected Official.

TERM EXPIRES: 4-30-2022

RESOLUTION

Agenda Item 15
Approving the allocation of $50,000 in previously authorized funds from Miscellaneous Appropriations to fund proposals received during the 2020 Madison Food Policy Council "SEED" Grants funding process, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into agreements with the associated agencies, organizations, groups, and individuals to implement the designated projects or programs.

Recent Legislative History

3/17/20 COMMON COUNCIL Refer to the MADISON FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

Agenda Note: Mayor requests adoption of Legislative File No. 59896

BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL

RESOLUTIONS

Agenda Item 16
Extending the deadline to July 31, 2020 for the report and recommendations from the Task Force on Municipal Golf in Madison Parks to the Mayor, Common Council and the Board of Park Commissioners regarding the future of the City's Municipal Golf Courses.

Legislative History

4/6/20 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES

Agenda Item 17
Recognizing, supporting and honoring the heroic work and sacrifices of our city's frontline health care workers.

Legislative History
4/16/20 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS

REPORTS OF OFFICERS

REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY

Agenda Item 26
Amending Section 33.13(1) of the Madison General Ordinances to provide that, if the Common Council President serves less than a full year, the new Common Council President may appoint a new Common Council Executive Committee.

Legislative History
4/15/20 Attorney's Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS

REPORT OF COMMON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Agenda Item 28
Establishing a Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee as recommended by the Madison Police Department Policy and Procedure Review Ad Hoc Committee.

Recent Legislative History

3/31/20 COMMON COUNCIL RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT OF OFFICER

Agenda Item 29
Requesting that the Madison Police Department create a summary document of MPD Policy and Procedure Review Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations.

Recent Legislative History

3/31/20 COMMON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

Agenda Item 34
Approving $900,000 in Federal HOME funds to provide additional support for the City's Deferred Payment Loan (DPL) homeowner rehab program and the "Home Buy the American Dream" (HBAD) down payment assistance program.

Recent Legislative History

4/6/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

Agenda Item 35
Authorizing an allocation of up to $300,000 in Federal Community Development Block Grant Program funds to acquire and rehabilitate a site for childcare services by the Dane County Parent Council, Inc.

Recent Legislative History
4/6/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

Note: Items 36, 37, 43, 44, and 47 through 63 are related to the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Common Council earlier empowered the Mayor to make such changes at her will, but they must be ratified at the next meeting of the Common Council. These items are currently in effect and will be up for ratification at this meeting.

Agenda Item 36
SUBSTITUTE - Authorizing departments to transfer to other departments up to $50,000 from the operating budget and up to $250,000 from the capital budget in response to the COVID-19 emergency

Recent Legislative History
4/6/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

Agenda Item 37
SUBSTITUTE - Amending Section 4.21(3) of the Madison General Ordinances to defer room taxes imposed for January, February and March, 2020 to no later than July 31, 2020.

Recent Legislative History
4/6/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

REPORT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Agenda Item 42
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into agreements with Abby Vans, Inc., Badger Bus Lines, Inc., and Transit Solutions, Inc. for the purpose of providing Paratransit Services to Metro Transit for a term of three (3) years from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 with two one-year options, exercisable by the City, to extend the term. If so exercised, option year one would be from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, and option year two would be from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Each option shall be exercised in writing by the Metro Transit General Manager at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the original contract term.

Recent Legislative History
4/15/20 TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

Agenda Item 43
Temporarily suspend the enforcement of Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5) to allow the Director of Transportation, Transit Manager, Traffic Engineer, and Parking Manager to take actions related to transportation issues identified in Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5)(a)-(c)

Recent Legislative History
4/15/20 TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL WITH THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS - REPORT OF OFFICER

Agenda Item 44
SUBSTITUTE - Temporarily suspend parking regulations under Madison General Ordinance Section 12.122(1)(a), to support curbside pickup from grocery stores and restaurants, compliance with orders to remain home, continued business operations through remote work, or to serve other purposes to mitigate COVID-19-related community and public health impacts that the Department of Transportation Parking Division Manager or Traffic Engineer deems appropriate.

Recent Legislative History
4/15/20 TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

ITEMS REFERRED TO THIS MEETING

RESOLUTIONS

Agenda Item 47
Authorizing the suspension of CDA late lease payment fees.

Recent Legislative History
3/31/20 COMMON COUNCIL Refer to a future Meeting to Adopt to the COMMON COUNCIL

Adopt 4/21/20

Agenda Item 48
Waiving late fees and penalties associated with licenses and permits issued by the Madison City Clerk's office, including late fees for alcohol beverage renewal applications