Common Council

WEEKLY UPDATE

DISTRICT UPDATES

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MADISON WEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

HELD THEIR OFFICIAL ORGANIZATION MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Hard work by a group of very dedicated residents. You will be hearing more about the benefits of joining. Membership open to home owner associations, renters and businesses. Membership gives you a stronger voice and a shared vision for what happens in DISTRICT 1! MORE TO COME.

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1.
WEST FEST - FIRST ANNUAL Westside COMMUNITY DAY AT ELVER PARK
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

The all-day lineup of activities and entertainment will encourage the area's diverse and intergenerational neighbors to gather with a day of festivities. This free, Westside event will take place on Saturday, August 27, 2016.
 
The day of activities and entertainment begins at 7:00am with yoga and boot camp classes, nature-based learning activities and an early morning start for the splash park. Throughout the day other activities include: A senior zone featuring bingo with prizes and other table games, a neighbor to neighbor craft & gift market with a variety of handmade arts and crafts available for purchase, a resource tent providing key neighborhood information from local organizations and businesses, a performance stage with on-going entertainment, a kids zone with a bouncy house, games and prizes, a teen zone scheduled with a DJ spinning the latest beats, and a dunk tank with a chance to soak a few police and fire volunteers, plus a visit from the MPD Mounted Police and a MFD fire truck to explore.
 
"I am proud to help launch this first West Fest Community Day"
 
Visit West Fest for activity times and latest event details plus volunteer, vendor and sponsorship opportunities. Elver Park is located at 1250 McKenna Boulevard, 53719.

Contacts: 
Event Coordinator: Tracey Hartley, thartley@cityofmadison.com
Media Contact: Ann Shea, ashea@cityofmadison.com

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2.

Griff's / PEPR Employment and Training Center
Update meeting planned with Urban League this week. 

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3.

Two Community Meetings planned:
-Hawks Landing Neighborhood
-A Hope and A Future expansion

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4.

MPD Midtown District Station
The Conditional Use for the Madison Police Department Midtown District Station will be considered at a Public Hearing before the Plan Commission on Monday, August 8, 5:45 pm. The hearing had been scheduled for July 25, but due to proper notice not being published in the newspaper it has been delayed to August 8.
 
Plans and the staff report can be accessed on the City's Legislative Information Center by searching file number 43063 and clicking on the attachments:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/cityhall/legislativeinformation/
https://madison.legistar.com/Legislation.aspx

Comments for the Plan Commission can be sent to Tim Parks, tparks@cityofmadison.com.

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5.
In preparation for the distribution of school supplies, the Annual Backpacks for Success Stuffing Party will be held on 18 August 2016, at the Wisconsin National Guard Armory in Madison.
WHEN
Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM (CDT)
WHERE
National Guard Armory 
1954 Pearson St
Madison, WI 53704 

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6.
LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS
Below is a message from Lt. Mike Hanson, Head of Patrol, West District 

We believe there are multiple juveniles sifting through cars EVERY night looking to either take items or take cars.  In fact three cars were taken from the same street the other night.  How does this happen?  Car owners are leaving their keys in their car. . . and the doors unlocked.  There are several victims each night in which police are called the following morning to take a report that items were stolen overnight.  What are those items in unlocked cars?  We have seen laptops, money, purses, clothing, guns and the like stolen from cars in which the car owner leaves the doors unlocked.  There are 85,000 residents in our District and even more cars.  We cannot guard your cars; so please HELP US out and lock your cars.   Officers at night are working hard to provide extra patrol and resources, but this is widespread and unpredictable.  However, it is predictable to rest more soundly when your doors are locked. 
 
Mike Hanson
Lieutenant-West District
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7.
RE: HIGH POINT ROAD AND VELVET LEAF

Included in the 2017 Engineering Major Streets Capital Budget are funds to widen High Point Road at Velvet Leaf.  The improvement will build an additional southbound lane which will help resolve some of the issues that exist today.

Christi Bachman
Traffic Engineering 
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8.
PLAYGROUND AT WALDORF PARK

There is playground equipment planned for Waldorf Park.  Parks began the master plan process back in October of 2015, meeting with approximately 40 residents of the neighborhood to discuss the master plan, which for a neighborhood park of Waldorf's size, typically includes a playground, open field / playfield area, accessible walking path and ½ court basketball.  :  www.cityofmadison/parks/projectst parking ramp was built in 1957.
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9. 
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Petition: "We Support Our Madison Police" - submitted by Paula Fitzsimmons
 This petition was submitted to the Clerk's Office and was considered by the Council on 7/19 with over 40 citizens making very passionate public comments both for and against the resolution. The resolution  was referred to Mayor's Office.

Become Involved in the City Council 
1. Attend a Council Meeting, first and third Tuesday's at 6:30 p.m., 210 MLK, Jr. Blvd, Room 201, City County Bldg. Anyone can register to speak on any agenda item at the Public Hearing. 

2. Watch in real time the Council proceedings on the City Channel.

3.Watch when convenient the proceedings on the City Channel.

4. Join a committee.
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10.
Panhandling Ordinance 
There has been an increase in panhandlers positioned at traffic intersections throughout our community. A resolution through the Pubic Safety and Review Committee related to panhandlers moving into traffic soliciting was referred to Public  Safety Review Committee. Is not on  this week's agenda. 
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11.
Chief Koval's Blog
Next Week: Our Very Own National Night Out - August 11

August 3, 2016 2:35 PM

Next Thursday night, August 11th, from 5:30pm-8pm, Madison will be celebrating our National Night Out event at Penn Park.  This event is for all city residents and we hope to see as many Madisonians as possible attend! There will be a number of activities for children (including a bounce house and dunk tank), public speakers, free food, community booths, police and fire vehicles on display, police horses, a bike rodeo and a candlelight vigil in remembrance of recent victims of violence.  Next Thursday is truly shaping up to be a great night out with the community and the police coming together. 

National Night Out (NNO) was first established in Philadelphia in 1984 by a man named Matt Peskin.  Peskin launched NNO as an event for people and families to gather against crime and violence and to begin taking back their streets and neighborhoods.  NNO has grown considerably since that first year and now annually boasts over 16,000 participating communities, with all 50 US states represented!  While NNO is typically held on the first Tuesday in August nationally (many of our neighboring communities celebrated last night), some communities choose to celebrate NNO on their own night.  Madison is one of those communities.

We are hoping to accomplish a few things next Thursday night...Take a united stance against violence in our community.
Take pause and recognize the victims of violence in Madison and those from recent tragic incidents around the nation.
Give residents and police an opportunity to recommit to working together. Remember - the police are the public and the public are the police.
Start to improve communication lines between residents and police.
Build upon our relationships of trust among residents, police, city leaders and community partners.
Provide an opportunity for us all to meet one another!
Encourage neighbors to take an active role in reducing crime.We (the police) can't do this kind of work alone.
Give us all an opportunity to reflect on the positive gains that we have made so far in Madison and to energize us all to keep building on those gains!
Special thanks to Alder Sheri Carter, Isadore Knox and Neighborhood Officer Mike Alvarez for all of their National Night Out planning and coordination efforts. 

Please consider joining us next Thursday night at Penn Park!

The bracelet POLICE + COMMUNITY will be giving away to everyone who attends.

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12.

Resurfacing Roads - MidTown Commons

A lot of with chip sealing the pavement is a little rough after the initial sealing and over time with traffic loading and a little wear the chip sealing will smooth itself out.  That is why we are giving it some time (30 days) to try and correct itself.  If this doesn't work we will require the contractor to reseal the roadways.

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Construction update for August 8-12
All lane restrictions and work operations are weather dependent and subject to change.
Access remains open to area businesses and neighborhoods in the project area. Please continue to patronize the area businesses!
Westbound and eastbound Beltline, Whitney Way to Seminole Highway
Updated: Delays and backups are anticipated on the westbound Beltline ramp due upcoming turn lane closures.
Only one right turn lane will be open to Midvale Boulevard from the westbound ramp. (August 5-8)
Only two left turn lanes will be open to Verona Road from the westbound ramp. (August 5-8)
Updated: No nightly ramp closures are anticipated next week.
Updated: No nighttime lane closures on the westbound Beltline, between Seminole Highway and Whitney Way are anticipated next week.
Updated: Temporary concrete barrier wall removal will take place Monday and Tuesday night (August 8-9) on the westbound Beltline exit ramp to Verona Road between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. No lane closures required for this work. Some noise is anticipated.
Read the westbound Beltline construction activities, including the new westbound Beltline Bridge.
NEW RAMP MOVEMENTS: Learn about the temporary ramp exit locations from the westbound Beltline to Verona Road and to Whitney Way.
Westbound Beltline traffic to Verona Road shifted to the north side of the Beltline on temporary pavement.
The lane closures on northbound and southbound Verona Road near the Beltline interchange are anticipated this week.
Concrete paving ongoing at the following locations:
Updated: Various areas within the new Verona Road Interchange.
Westbound Beltline ramp area (in front of Dorn True Value Hardware).
Updated: Grading, storm sewer, and aggregate work in miscellaneous areas within the new Verona Road Interchange this week.
Pedestrian Accommodations
Updated: Pedestrian tunnel under Verona Road is CLOSED for two more weeks. Alternate routes are required. Crews to install new sky light in median area.
Pedestrians are encouraged to use the pedestrian overpasses east and west of Verona Road.
Pedestrians should use temporary walkways and permanent sidewalks.
View the pedestrian accommodations along Midvale Boulevard, Nakoma Road and Verona Road.
Plan Ahead: Two week look-ahead
Week of August 15-19
Updated: Read about construction activities for week of August 15-19.
For more information, contact:
Steven Theisen
Verona Road Project Communications Manager
(608) 884-1230 | steven.theisen@dot.wi.gov
WisDOT and the Verona Road Project Team
www.VeronaRoadProject.wi.gov

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The Prairie Hill to Cross Country project extends from Valley View Road to Cross Country Road. The project is scheduled for design from 2011-2016 with construction in 2017-18. The project includes reconstructing CTH M to divided roadway with a median and curb & gutter.

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Last Updated 07/08/2016

McKenna Blvd & S Gammon Rd Assessment District - 2016
Gammon Rd & McKenna Blvd (Schroeder – Jacobs Way):  The contractor restoring the south side and has started work on the north side of the road.

Limits
Gammon/McKenna from Schroeder Rd to Jacobs Way

Details

S. Gammon Rd. will be resurfaced from north of Schroeder Rd. to McKenna Blvd., and this portion of the project will only include some minor utility work.
 
McKenna Blvd. will be widened to the north and a new median will be installed from west of Gammon Ln. to east of Hammersley Rd.  The new median will provide for safer pedestrian crossings to Elver Park, and dedicated left turn lanes will be installed along with the new medians.  McKenna Blvd. will also be widened between Hammersley Rd. and Jacobs Way so that dedicate d bike lanes can be marked.  The existing islands at the intersection of McKenna Blvd. and Morraine View will be made larger to provide better pedestrian refuges, and the street will be widened slightly around the islands to provide for adequate lane widths, including the bike lane.  The pedestrian flashers at Morraine View and at Hammersley Rd. will be reinstalled.  A new 8' wide sidewalk will also be installed along Elver Park (the south side of McKenna Blvd) from the main entrance to the park to the existing sidewalk near the police station.
 
The water main around Hammersley Rd. and Jacobs Way will be replaced with the project, and the storm sewer will also be replaced as needed to properly drain the new street.  The street lights along the widened portion of McKenna Blvd. will also be relocated.
 
During construction, traffic on Gammon & McKenna will be reduced to a single lane in either direction.

Schedule
May 23, 2016 through September, 2016.