District 13 Updates: Office Hours, Truman Olson, Healthy Food Access Grants, Vilas Park Master Plan

Hi Everyone,

Here are my updates at the tail end of a busy and challenging week:

Office Hours

I’ll be holding virtual office hours on Friday, January 15 at 9 AM. If you cannot attend, but have a concern or question, please contact me at district13@cityofmadison.com or 608.424.2580. 

Here is the invite:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://cityofmadison.zoom.us/j/97983703968?pwd=TGZHYnZTQ2UrY2ZQQmo0OFFrUHZsZz09

Meeting ID: 979 8370 3968

Passcode: 938517

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,97983703968# US (Chicago)

Truman Olson Passes Unanimously

I’m pleased to announce the Truman Olson project at 1402 S. Park received unanimous approval this week from Plan Commission and Urban Design Commission. This keeps us on pace to avoid a gap in grocery services for the south side. You may read my testimony to Plan Commission here.

Healthy Food Access Grants Program

Because of the extraordinary circumstances created by COVID-19 in 2020, which will continue into 2021, Mayor Rhodes-Conway, members of the Madison Common Council and City staff collaborated to re-think ways that currently allocated funds could be re-purposed and mobilized to serve community food needs. Those conversations led to legislation creating the Healthy Community Food Systems Fund, which includes the Community Food Access - Competitive Grants Program.

The City of Madison's 2021 Budget includes $150,000 in grant funds to be distributed by the Madison Food Policy Council, with individual grants capped at $25,000. The Madison Food Policy Council is encouraging community groups to apply for Community Food Access - Competitive Grants. Any proposal that improves the local food system and makes food more accessible for City of Madison residents will be considered. Applications that focus on COVID-19 food security/access response will be prioritized during the review process.

Deadline for the grant application is Friday, January 29. For more information, click here.

Vilas Park Master Plan Community Meeting

You are invited to the fourth (and final) Community Input Meeting for the Vilas Park Master Plan on Thursday, February 4 at 6 PM.  Please register for the meeting at https://tinyurl.com/VilasPark4

The final Master Plan will be presented and discussed, including recommendations for Vilas Park Drive.

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.

There is much to like about the Master Plan recommendations, but several areas of concern remain, including changes to the park entrance, consolidation of the three playgrounds, and loss of greenspace for parking to name a few.  A Master Plan is not set in stone, but it does create momentum around proposed changes. Please show up to make sure your voices are heard.

Lastly

These are trying times in so many ways. Recent events should convince us that the root of our problems goes beyond who sits in the Oval Office. Impeaching Trump and banning him from running again is necessary. But let’s not fool ourselves. We can lance this boil from the body politic but if we don’t address the underlying conditions, the sickness will continue.

Be sure to take care of yourselves. Check in with friends and family. Look after your neighbors and be mindful of those in our midst who are struggling. This parlous moment is to be faced with courage and hope. It will not last nor will the forces of hate prevail.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag