Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of February 13, 2023

posted February 12, 2023 - 11:13pm

Highlights for this week include a request by the Mayor to delay a decision to update the definition of "Family" for zoning purposes, establish a building energy savings code, deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for the 2023 spring primary, and a second virtual West Area Plan Kickoff Meeting on 2/13/23.

West Area Plan Kickoff Meeting (Virtual ): Monday, February 13, 2023 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm. The City of Madison invites you to attend the second virtual public meeting to kick off the West Area Plan! This virtual meeting will include the same content and opportunities for questions and feedback as the other public kickoff meetings hosted for this plan.

Plan Commission: The Plan Commission will meet in hybrid format, Monday, February 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM. Agenda items include amending supplemental regulations within Section 28.151 MGO and definitions within Section 28.211 of the Madison General Ordinances to update definitions of "Family." On 2/10/23, Mayor Rhodes-Conway requested the Plan Commission delay their decision on this issue, "recent conversations with the Madison community raise a question worth investigating in my mind. They flag a concern that the change being contemplated will induce a wave of real estate speculation from outside investors. I don't know if this is a realistic risk or not. But I do believe speculative investment from outside investors would be a further risk to affordability in Madison. I think it is worth taking the time to investigate this question and learn more about the risk."

Economic Development Committee: The Economic Development Committee will meet in virtual format, Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM. Agenda items include creating Section 29.40 and amending Section 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to establish a building energy savings code, and to update the bond schedule accordingly.

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Other Events and Meetings

Mail It Back Monday: Monday, February 13, 2023 - 8:00am to 5:00pm. Voters who have yet to return their absentee ballot are encouraged to put the ballot in the mail no later than Monday, February 13, 2023.

Food: A Cultural Culinary History: Monday, February 13, 2023 - 1:30pm to 3:30pm. This course explores the history of how humans have produced, cooked and consumed food through the ages. It covers the cultures of the world and the foods that have affected history.

ePantry: Food Pantry: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 8:00am to 4:30pm. The Madison Senior Center is now a pick-up location for orders placed through the River Food Pantry ePantry.

Hospitalized Absentee Voting Begins Today: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 8:00am to 4:30pm. Voters who are hospitalized may appoint an agent to to pick up their ballot from the City Clerk's Office, beginning today.

HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education Class (2-Part Class) (February 15 and 22): Your Path to Homeownership is provided by La Casa de Esperanza, a Non-Profit HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to assisting individuals and families to increase income, build savings and gain assets.

Digital Scams: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 - 10:00am to 11:00am. Swindlers and scammers have always been around, but our digital world seems to provide them even more opportunities. Stay alert and know what to watch for.

Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot by Mail: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 8:00am to 5:00pm. For most voters, today is the deadline for the Clerk's Office to receive your request that an absentee ballot be sent to you. The Clerk's Office must receive your absentee ballot by Election Day in order for your ballot to be counted.

Voices of Color: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 10:00am to 11:00am. February is Black history month, and we are excited to introduce Dr. Linda Vakunta, Deputy Mayor of Madison. Dr. Vakunta works with housing and human service issues for the City, and she was recently named as one of Wisconsin's 52 Most Influential Black Leaders in 2022.

Public Information Meeting - Country Grove Park: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The City of Madison Parks Division is undertaking a master planning effort for Country Grove Park. In 2020 the Parks Division acquired approximately 12 acres of additional land on the southeast side of the park along Rockstream Drive.

Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Area agencies are always searching for compassionate people who are considering a career in law enforcement. Officers will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about their profession and community policing.

Announcements

City Launches Bilingual Community Connector Program for Increased Language Access and Equity: Enoch Melgarejo and Holly Chen have joined the Department of Civil Rights as Bilingual Community Connectors in the City of Madison's new Community Connector Program, one of the few government programs of this kind in the country.
Mayor Rhodes-Conway Statement on Chief Barnes' State of Public Safety Address: I want to thank Chief Barnes for his work to make our community even safer than it already is. He and I both understand that seeing the effects of violence on our neighborhoods or in the news makes us feel unsafe.
Public Test of Election Equipment This Saturday: The City of Madison Clerk's Office invites the public to observe its public test of election equipment this weekend.
Madison Declares Snow Emergency; Overnight Alternate Side Parking Rules In Effect Citywide: A snow emergency has also been declared for the evening of February 9, 2023. Alternate side parking rules will be in effect for the entire City of Madison for the next two evenings to assist with clearing the roads.
Concerned about crime? Watch Madison Police Chief deliver the State of Public Safety Address on Friday: The Madison Police Department remains committed to providing the highest level of service to the Madison community.
Interested in a career in law enforcement? Come to our recruitment fair!: The Madison Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies and higher education institutions, is hosting a law enforcement recruitment fair Feb. 16.
Mayor and Alders Introduce Legislation to Encourage Affordable Housing Development Downtown: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, along with Alders Patrick Heck, Erik Paulson, Mike Verveer and Jael Currie, will introduce legislation to the Madison Common Council Tuesday that would encourage the development of more affordable housing downtown.
Media Kit Available for 2023 Spring Primary: The 2023 Spring Primary Media Kit prepared by the Madison City Clerk's Office is now available to help answer questions about statistics, processes and procedures for the upcoming primary election.
Madison Fire Celebrates Four Sprinkler Saves During Month of January: The Madison Fire Department rang in the new year celebrating four "sprinkler saves," where automatic fire sprinklers were credited with catching and containing fires that occurred in our community.
Mayor Rhodes-Conway Urges Working Families to Claim Their Earned Income Tax Credit: Mayor Satya-Rhodes Conway is reminding Madison residents who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to take the steps necessary to claim their benefits.