District 13 Updates

Committee Updates

I was recently appointed to the Sustainable Madison Committee.  I received that appointment as a member of the Board of Public Works -- one member of BPW gets assigned to Sustainable Madison and that assignment was just approved at the most recent Council meeting.

My first meeting with the committee is tomorrow at 4:30 pm at the Madison Municipal Bldg.  One catch, however, is Plan Commission meets at 5:30 across the street at the City-County Building, and the Triangle Monona Bay Neighborhood Plan is on Plan Commission's agenda.  This plan was introduced to Council on April 30 and has been going to various committees for approval.  Given the importance of the Triangle Redevelopment, I've been attending as many of these committee meetings as possible to help ensure the Plan's approval. 

Yes, there's a bit of juggling that goes with on being on Council.  

I've also been appointed to the Common Council Executive Committee.  This important committee deals with Council rules and procedures.  Together, we set goals and agenda items and work with the Mayor directly on shared priorities.

Vilas Master Plan Neighborhood Engagement

The Parks Dept is hosting the first Community Input Meeting for the Vilas Park Master Plan this Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at 6PM at the Vilas Park Shelter (1602 Vilas Park Drive).

At this meeting and throughout the master plan process, which is expected to continue through fall 2020, Parks will be asking for input on questions such as, "What do you love most about Vilas Park?", "What would you change?" and, "How can the park best serve our whole community as Madison grows?"

The Vilas Park Master Plan will be a framework plan that will help to inform improvements at the park over the next 15-20 years.  It will be a starting point for the development of future capital improvement projects that could add to, replace or improve amenities at the park including sport courts, playgrounds, fields, lagoons, beaches, parking, roadways, pedestrian paths and more. The plan document, along with a master plan report, will go through several stages of design driven by community input that will be reviewed by other city and county agency staff, working groups comprised of neighborhood, community and environmental affiliates, and eventually go to the Board of Park Commissioners for approval prior to being implemented.

We hope to see you there!  If you would like to provide input on the meeting but are unable to attend in person, please send your comments to VilasMasterPlan@cityofmadison.com. 

Wingra Watershed Management Plan

During the campaign, I made a promise to push for full implementation of the Lake Wingra Watershed Plan.  This week I'm meeting with Engineering staff to get an update on the status of the Plan's recommendations. 

My take is the Plan is solid, with due emphasis in the three critical areas of A) chlorides due to road salt, B) phosphorous due to leaves and urban debris, and C) infiltration challenges due to impervious surfaces.  But a good plan does us no good if it's not being implemented.  

My meeting with Engineering staff precedes a meeting later in the week with Friends of Lake Wingra to determine priorities for the next City Budget.  It's imperative we move forward.  Already there have been two major algae blooms on Wingra this year and we're still early in the summer season.

Grocery Update

The city received seven notices of intent in response to the new Truman Olson RFP.  You no doubt have heard that SSM has decided not to build their clinic at the Pick N' Save site, but we still have much work ahead of us.  Alder Sheri Carter and I will be holding a listening session to provide residents with an opportunity to hear brief presentations from the development teams and for these teams to get a sense as to what the neighborhood priorities are for a new grocery store.  As soon as a date is set, I'll let you know.

SRO Contract

On July 2nd, Council will be voting on the SRO contract recently approved by the School Board.  I'm seeking input from various sources in the community.  Students, parents, teachers, community leaders...your opinions matter.

I welcome your input.  Please email me at district13@cityofmadison.com.  

That's all for now.  Stay tuned for more updates.