Updates & Week of March 29 Meetings of Interest for District 2

Special Note: Due to determination by the WI Elections Commission, alders running for reelection in the April 2021 election are advised not to use city resources to communicate with constituents using mass emails and posts. For that reason, I am sending this update from my personal email and via non-city social media. Until this interpretation of the rules change or I am re-elected, I'll be sending mass communications via these means. Please continue to use district2@cityofmadison.com to contact me with input and questions on city issues.  

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District 2 Updates and Meetings of Interest

 

City meetings remain online only with details listed in City Meetings of Interest below; all have virtual public participation options.

 

Stay in touch with your neighbors through either Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc., Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association, or Campus Area Neighborhood Assoc.

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There are three sections to this week's update:

1. COVID-19 Resources & Information
2. Other District 2 Updates
3. City Meetings of Interest to District 2

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1. COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION

 

From Public Health Madison & Dane County:

 

• Public Health Madison & Dane County will be hosting a virtual town hall on COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, April 8th, 2021
• Unpacking Gathering Requirements and How They Apply to Businesses
• What's Allowed in Emergency Order #14 Amendment?
• Which Vaccine Should I Get? The One You're Offered!
• COVID-19 Data Dashboard
• COVID-19 vaccine webpage
• The latest Data Notes
• Current and Past Public Health Orders

• Public Health's Mask page

• Testing Sites and Info
• Español: COVID-19 and Hmoob: COVID-19

Dane CORE Rental Assistance Program 

From Alder Prestigiacomo: COVID-19 Campus Resources, including Housing & Eviction Protection and Financial Resources.

Read about the temporary halt in residential evictions from the Tenant Resource Center. The moratorium will expire March 31 unless President Biden extends it or changes it.

Free hotline to be connected with a "Financial Navigator".

COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard that tracks Madison's long-term community and economic recovery from COVID-19.

For information on Madison's responses visit the City's Coronavirus Website. There you will find links to City Service Updates, Resources for Businesses.

From MMSD: Neighborhood Food Sites and from Community Action Coalition: Dane County Food Pantry Network

From the City: Community Resources Section on the city's COVID website, including housing and eviction information

The Governor's Office compilation of all COVID-19 resources and information from state agencies, including the State Dept. Public Health

From the Downtown Madison Business Improvement District: Ways to Support Downtown Madison 

Info on UW-Madison's response to the pandemic at this site

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2. OTHER DISTRICT 2 UPDATES

 

 

• All About Voting, Absentee Voting, and Voter Registration

• For leaf and yard waste and brush collection information, visit the Streets Division's website

• Madison Police Department is now posting their traffic enforcements efforts on the Traffic Enforcement and Safety Blotter

• From the Mayor: The American Rescue Plan Act is an economic lifeline and a bridge to our future

• Share Your Thoughts on the Metro Transit Network Redesign Project

• The Madison Police Department Pledges to Advance Women in Policing

• From the Mayor: Be Informed: Check Out Advisory Referendum Questions on the April 6 Ballot

• Voters to Weigh In on Size and Shape of Common Council on the April 6, 20021 Spring Ballot

• Secure Drop Boxes Now Open

• Earth Day Challenge Volunteers Needed in Madison Parks

Voting Location Changes, Absentee Ballot & Voter Registration for April 6 General Election

Note that many Tuesday, April 6 voting locations have changed due to the pandemic:

Ward 44 - remains at Tenney Park Shelter

Ward 45 - moved from Lapham School to American Family Dream Bank, 821 E Washington Ave

Ward 46 - moved from Gates of Heaven to Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave.
Ward 47 - UW Hillel, 611 Langdon
Ward 48 - UW Hillel, 611 Langdon

 

Absentee ballots for the April 6 General Election were mailed starting on March 16, so if you do not plan to vote in-person on April 6 or vote in-person at the Clerk's Office, please request your ballot asap! Absentee ballots can be requested at https://myvote.wi.gov, and you can register to vote there too.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5:00pm on Thursday, April 1, but the City Clerk recommends making your request as early as possible so there is adequate time to mail the ballot back to the Clerk's Office. More info on Voting Absentee and Registration.

For Madison voters, this election will include their Common Council Alder, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction election, MMSD School Board, Dane County Executive, several judgeships, and an advisory referendum on the structure of Common Council (see more on that below).

Information and Resources for Families Who Have Fallen Behind on MG&E Bills

• For information regarding personalized payment arrangements for outstanding balances, visit MGE online. Information is available in three languages: English, Spanish and Hmong. Residential customers can call on weekdays at (608) 252-7144 (English), (608) 252-7120 (Spanish) or (608) 252-7033 (Hmong) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to set up a personalized payment arrangement.
• Residential customers may be eligible for additional financial support from MGE's partner, Energy Services, Inc. (ESI). You can visit http://esiwi.com/ to verify your eligibility, schedule an appointment to speak with an ESI representative and apply for funds online. You also can call ESI at (800) 506-5596.
• A list of resources available at mge.com/resources.

Proposed Changes to Zoning Code at Common Council on Monday

As detailed in previous Alder Updates, the city is considering a set of changes to our zoning ordinances that would impact some residential, mixed-use, and commercial zoning districts. These proposed changes may be considered at the Tuesday, March 30, Common Council meeting (participation and methods for giving input listed in "City Meetings of Interest" and the meeting agenda below). 

It is not clear yet if this item will be voted upon on Tuesday or delayed due to Council Leadership requesting a referral to a future meeting; if it will be referred to a future meeting by action of the Common Council at the March 30 meeting, or if it will be fully considered on March 30. The meeting agenda should be updated if there are any changes to the recommenced action (See "City Meetings of Interest" below), although which action actually occurs may not be known until the item is taken up by Council on March 30. This is a confusing situation for all, so I hope Council's consideration options will clarify soon. Regardless, public comment will be accepted at Tuesday's meeting.

As a cosponsor of these changes, I am supportive, but do appreciate the input received on all sides of these complex changes and issues. For additional information on the changes, you can watch a Community Q & A Session regarding the proposed changes here.

• The proposed changes as amended by Plan Commission, staff reports, public comment received via email, and recently proposed amendment are here
• Explore the city's zoning map here, including the ability to see the parcels where the changes are proposed.

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3. CITY MEETINGS OF INTEREST TO DISTRICT 2

 

Below are some pertinent agenda items from city committees that are meeting this week. If you click on meeting "Details" below, you will find participation and viewing options, and a link to the full meeting agenda. If you click on a item from within an agenda, you will see all documents that relate to that item.

 

I appreciate hearing from you on any items on which you have a particular interest or concern.

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Common Council Executive Committee: Details

4:30 Tuesday, March 30, 2021

 

UPDATES

 

Agenda Item 5

Update: Equal Opportunities Division 2020 Annual Report & Trend Analysis 2016-2020 - Byron Bishop, EOD Manager & Norm Davis, DCR Director

 

Agenda Item 6

Update: 311 Feasibility Report Findings, Proposed Next Steps & Timeline - Sarah Edgerton, IT Director & Dave Faust, IT Applications Development Manager

Note: This item is feasibility update on the establishment of a 311 system for residents to obtain information about city services and other city matters, analogous to a 911 system, but for non-emergencies.

 

Agenda Item 7

Update: City's Response to PFAS Contamination & Remediation Plans - Christine Baumel, Deputy Mayor

REFERRALS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL

 

Agenda Item 8

Creating the Task Force on Digital Inclusion Strategic Priorities.

Finance Committee recommended to adopt 3/22/21

CCEC will report from the floor at the 3/30/21 Council meeting.

 

Agenda Item 9

SUBSTITUTE - Amending the 2021 Adopted Capital Budget for the Community Development Division's Men's Homeless Shelter capital project to accept and appropriate $3 million from Dane County and Authorizing the City's execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Madison and BIP Enterprises, LLC, or their successors and assigns, for the purchase of the property located at 2002 Zeier Road in the City of Madison for homeless shelter purposes. (17th AD)

City-County Homeless Committee recommended approval 3/1/21.

CDBG Committee made no recommendation 3/4/21. Motion to refer failed. Motion to approve failed.

Finance Committee (Lead) recommended to adopt 3/22/21.

CCEC will report from the floor at the 3/30/21 Council meeting

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Common Council: Details

6:30 pm, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

 

HONORING RESOLUTIONS

 

Agenda Item 1

Congratulating Lisa Veldran on her retirement and thanking her for 36 ½ years of dedicated and exemplary service to the City of Madison.

 

Agenda Item 2

Proclaiming Sunday, April 25, 2021 as World Migratory Bird Day in the City of Madison.

Agenda Item 3
To commemorate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2021, to proclaim April 24, 2021 as Earth Day Challenge Day, and to endorse and encourage citizen participation in the clean-up events at City of Madison Parks.

Agenda Item 4
Proclaiming April 18-24, 2021 as National Infertility Awareness Week in the City of Madison.

 

RECESSED PUBLIC HEARINGS - BEGIN AT 6:45 PM

 

REPORT OF PLAN COMMISSION

 

Agenda Item 8

SUBSTITUTE - Amending various sections of Subchapters 28C and 28D of Madison General Ordinances in order to increase allowable densities and decrease conditional use thresholds in certain multi-family residential, mixed-use, and commercial districts.

Sponsors: Satya V. Rhodes-Conway, Keith Furman, Patrick W. Heck, Lindsay Lemmer and Tag Evers

Recent Legislative History:

3/22/21 PLAN COMMISSION    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT WITH CONDITIONS - RECESSED PUBLIC HEARING

On a motion by Cantrell, seconded by Sundquist, the Plan Commission to recommended to Council to adopt the ordinances amending various sections of Subchapters 28C and 28D contained within Legistar ID 63902 with the following conditions:

- That purely-residential multifamily buildings of up to 12 units be permitted uses in the NMX district,

- That purely-residential multifamily buildings of 13 to 24 units be conditional uses in the NMX district,

- That purely-residential multifamily buildings of up to 24 units be permitted uses in the TSS district,

- That purely-residential multifamily buildings of greater than 24 units be conditional uses in the TSS district,

- That purely-residential multifamily buildings of up to 36 units be permitted uses in the CC-T district,

- That purely-residential multifamily buildings of greater than 36 units be conditional uses in the CC-T district, and

- That in the CC-T district, at least 50% of the ground-floor frontage facing the primary street shall be nonresidential and that less non-residential frontage requires conditional use approval.

The motion passed by voice vote/other.

Recommended Action: Recess Public Hearing and Refer to 4/20/21 Common Council meeting at request of Council Leadership.

Note: See more details in "Other District 2 Updates" above. It is not clear yet if this item will be referred to a future meeting due to the Recommended Action requested by Council Leadership; if it will be referred to a future meeting by action of the Common Council at the March 30 meeting, or if it will be fully considered on March 30. The meeting agenda should be updated if there are any changes to the recommenced action, although which action actually occurs may not be known until the item is taken up by Council on March 30.

 

Agenda Item 9
Amending portions of Madison General Ordinances Sections 28.063, 28.064, 28.065, 28.066, 28.067, 28.068, 28.074, 28.076, 28.084, 28.085, 28.087, 28.088, 28.089, and 28.097 to change the front yard setback, if it is less than 15 feet, from 0 feet to 5 feet to support a street tree canopy, and creating Madison General Ordinance 28.071(2)(e) to establish a Downtown Setback Exceptions Map.

Sponsors: Marsha A. Rummel, Patrick W. Heck, Keith Furman, Michael E. Verveer, Satya V. Rhodes-Conway and Syed Abbas

Recent Legislative History:

3/22/21 PLAN COMMISSION    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - RECESSED PUBLIC HEARING

DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS:  In zoning districts for which there is currently a 0' front of front yard setback required, this amendment increases the required setback to 5' in some cases. In instances where the distance between the curb and property line is greater than 15', the 0' required setback remains, but in instances where the distance between the curb and property line is less than 15 feet, buildings will need to be set back 5'. Thus, this amendment essentially eliminates 0' setbacks in places where there isn't sufficient space to support a street tree canopy, and will allow space for a wider variety of tree species, in many of the downtown and mixed-use districts where redevelopment is occurring.  These districts are:

LMX, NMX, TSS, MXC, CC-T, CC (all of the Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
DC, UMX (some Downtown Districts)
TE, SE, EC, IL, IG (most of the Employment Districts)
CI

END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT

 

Agenda Item 18

Condemning anti-Asian hate and affirming commitment to Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander residents.

Legislative History:

3/23/21 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 COMMON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

Agenda Item 50

Creating the Task Force on Digital Inclusion Strategic Priorities.

Recent Legislative History:

3/22/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE    Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the COMMON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Agenda Note: CCEC will be meeting on 3/30/21 on Legislative File No. 64709 and a report will be made from the floor.

 

REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

Agenda Item 51

Approving a Certified Survey Map of property owned by Occupy Madison, Inc. located at 2046 E Johnson Street; 12th Ald. Dist.

Legislative History

3/23/21 Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

REPORT OF DOWNTOWN COORDINATING COMMITTEE

 

Agenda Item 53

Amending the 2021 Operating Plan for Madison's Central Business Improvement District.

Recent Legislative History

3/18/21 DOWNTOWN COORDINATING COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

Agenda Item 54

SUBSTITUTE - Amending the 2021 Adopted Capital Budget for the Community Development Division's Men's Homeless Shelter capital project to accept and appropriate $3 million from Dane County and Authorizing the City's execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Madison and BIP Enterprises, LLC, or their successors and assigns, for the purchase of the property located at 2002 Zeier Road in the City of Madison for homeless shelter purposes. (17th AD)

Recent Legislative History
3/22/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT (15 VOTES REQUIRED) - REPORT OF OFFICER

Roll Call Vote: 4:2:1 - Ayes: Kemble, Bidar, Furman, Verveer; Abstentions: Carter, Harrington-McKinney; Non-Voting: Rhodes-Conway

Agenda Note: CCEC will be meeting on 3/30/21 on Legislative File No. 63902 and a report will be made from the floor.

 

Agenda Item 60

Authorizing a five-year agreement with Dane County for the reimbursement of costs and placement of staff for the Crisis Response Team.

Recent Legislative History

3/22/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

Additional Recommendation: Discharge referral to Public Safety Review Committee at request of Ald. Foster

 

Agenda Item 61

Amending the 2021 Operating Budget and Setting the 2021 Rates for the Sewer, Stormwater and Landfill.

Recent Legislative History
3/22/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT (15 VOTES REQUIRED) - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

Agenda Item 62

Authorizing a $75,550 contract with Madison's Central Business Improvement District (BID) for $75,550 to fund the continuation of the Downtown Activities Program focused on existing plazas around the Capitol Square and State Street (2nd, 4th and 8th AD), and to support the administration of a Downtown BLINK temporary art program.

Recent Legislative History
3/22/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

REPORT OF PLAN COMMISSION

 

Agenda Item 65

Percent for Art Ordinance Annual Report 2020

Legislative History

3/18/21 Planning Division    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ACCEPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

REPORT OF POLICE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD

 

Agenda Item 66

Amending 5.20(6) of the Madison General Ordinances related to the Police Civilian Oversight Board Executive Subcommittee

Recent Legislative History
3/4/21 POLICE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

Fiscal Note
The proposed ordinance amendment expands the Police Civilian Oversight Board's Executive Subcommittee from three to five members, designates the Vice Chair as a member of the Subcommittee, and clarifies that the Board's Chair and Vice Chair serve as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Subcommittee, respectively. The 2021 Office of the Independent Monitor budget includes funding for Board stipends including $25 per month for members of the Executive Committee. Expanding the Committee will increase this amount by $600 per year. The increase can be absorbed within the existing budget.

 

REPORT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

 

Agenda Item 70

SUBSTITUTE - Repealing Subsection 5.01(4) and Creating Subdivision 3.14(3) (a)3 of the Madison General Ordinances to Formally Move the Crossing Guard Program from the Police Department to the Traffic Engineering Division.

Recent Legislative History
3/15/21 TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND PLANNING BOARD    Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

 

INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE

 

ORDINANCES

 

Agenda Item 73

Amending Sections 33.24(15)(e)3 and 33.24(15)(c) to add block 5.c. to the Urban Design District 8 Building Height, Location, and Setback table.

Sponsors: Patrick W. Heck

Legislative History 3/23/21 Assessor's Office    Referred for Introduction Urban Design Commission

DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS:    This ordinance creates a new block (5.c.) in Urban Design District 8 and sets regulations with regard to height and setbacks. This ordinance also incorporates the new block on the UDD 8 Map contained in the ordinance.

Note: This change to UDD-8 required setbacks (distance between the interior sidewalk edge and a new building) would apply to an approximately 80 feet of Curtis Court starting at the corner of N. Few Street. It would allow setbacks ranging between 5' and 20' rather than the current 15' minimum. Required minimum setbacks for the remainder of Curtis Court in UDD-8 would remain at 15 feet. This change in setbacks could help a accommodate a proposed redevelopment for this corner. The Urban Design Commission is expected to consider the proposed redevelopment at their April 24 meeting. I will be sure to publish meeting details and participation options once those agendas are set.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

Agenda Item 78

Approving Facade Improvement Grant to Phil Parhamovich for a project located at 1254 E. Washington Avenue. (2nd AD)

Sponsors: Patrick W. Heck

Legislative History

3/15/21 Economic Development Division    Referred for Introduction

Finance Committee (4/5/21)

Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes up to $10,000 for a façade improvement grant. This grant will be funded by the Economic Development Division's 2020 Façade Improvement Grants capital program, which will have approximately $53,000 of remaining budget authority following this grant. No additional City appropriation is required. The Façade Improvement Grant capital program was folded into EDD's Small Business Equity and Recovery capital program for the 2021 Adopted Capital Budget with the expectation that façade improvement grants will continue through this new program once the remaining budget authority from the 2020 Façade Improvement Grants capital program is disbursed.

Note: This grant would partially subsidize a new front facade for the former Smart Studios building that was damaged when hit by a car in the 1990s.

 

Agenda Item 84

Establishing a Glass-Free Zone for the West Mifflin Street area from 6:00 a.m. on April 24, 2021 through 6:00 a.m. on April 25, 2021.

Legislative History

3/24/21 Attorney's Office    Referred for Introduction

Public Safety Review Committee, Common Council (4/20/21)

Note: This is an annual item that provides some measure of safety for the weekend of the Mifflin Street Block Party. From what I understand and despite the pandemic, the party is likely to occur in some form (hopefully much reduced) since UW and the City cannot prevent it entirely.

 

Agenda Item 89

Amending the 2021 Capital Budget to transfer $80,000 of existing GO borrowing authority from Reconstruction Streets (Major 10226) to E Johnson (Project 10287) and McKenna Blvd Flood Mitigation Phase 2 (Project 12746) in the Engineering-Major Streets Capital Budget. (2nd AD)

Sponsors: Patrick W. Heck

Legislative History

3/24/21 Engineering Division    Referred for Introduction

Finance Committee (4/5/21), Common Council (4/20/21)

Partial Fiscal Note

The proposed resolution amends the 2021 Adopted Capital Budget for Engineering-Major Streets by authorizing a net-neutral transfer of $80,000 of existing budget authority. Under the proposed resolution, $80,000 of GO borrowing authority from the Reconstruction Streets program (major 10226) will be transferred to the McKenna Blvd Flood Mitigation Phase 2 (Munis 12746) and the East Johnson St Reconstruction Phase 2 (Munis 10287) projects.

 

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE INTRODUCED FROM THE FLOOR AT THE LAST COMMON COUNCIL MEETING AND ARE ON THIS AGENDA PURSUANT TO SEC. 2.05(1) (B), MGO, SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING ADDITIONAL REFERRALS.

 

Agenda Item 99

Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin et.al., enforcement of MGO §28.129, amount to be determined.

Legislative History

3/12/21 Attorney's Office    Referred for Introduction City Attorney

3/16/21 COMMON COUNCIL    Referred to the CITY ATTORNEY

Note: This item is a legal challenge to the city's Bird-Safe Glass Requirements Ordinance.

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Street Use Staff Commission: Details

10:00am, Wednesday, March 31, 2021

 

STREET USE PERMITS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Agenda Item 3

BREESE STEVENS CONCERT SERIES

W, 5/5, 6am,- F, 5/7, 4am (concert - 5/6/21)

F, 5/21, 6am - Su, 5/23, 4am (concert - 5/22/21)

900 E Washington Ave., 900 E. Mifflin, 100 block Patterson, 100 block Brearly

See attached for parking and street closure details

Concert staging and parking areas.

Discuss location and schedule.

Big Top Events LLC / Trygve Chinander

 

ONGOING BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item 7

COVID EVENT CHECKLIST 

 

Agenda Item 8

2021 EVENT CALENDAR - DRAFT

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Urban Design Commission: Details

4:30pm, Wednesday, March 31, 2021

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item 10

849 E. Washington Avenue - New Development in UDD No. 8. 6th Ald. Dist.

Owner: Bakers Place, LLC

Applicant: Jeff Davis, Angus Young

Informational Presentation 

Note: This item is in regard to a redevelopment proposed behind the current location of Bos Meadery in Alder Rummel's district.

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Madison Public Library Board: Details

5:00pm, Thursday, April 1, 2021

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 2

Director's Report March 2021 Attachments: Director Report March 2021.docx

Note: In this item and the item below are details about a proposed reopening plan for some libraries.

 

Agenda Item 3

Adoption of the Service Expansion Plan (SEP) Attachments: SEP Resolution.docx

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