District 13 Updates

Hi Everyone.

Now that the spring election is over, alders who had opposition in their re-election campaigns are again able to use city resources to disseminate information to constituents.

Let me start by saying I am humbled and profoundly grateful to be elected to another term representing District 13 on Madison's City Council. We have complicated and challenging issues before us, and a tight budget with which to take them on. I remain steadfast in my commitments to racial equity, affordable housing and climate justice, and look forward to working collaboratively in pursuit of solutions consistent with our shared values. I am deeply honored to be your Alder, to continue the work we started two years ago with an open mind and a full heart.

There are a lot of issues I’m working on that I look forward to sharing. However, today I'm providing various updates that have backlogged a bit, some of which you may already know about.

Water Pipe Flushing has Begun

Madison Water Utility's pipe cleaning program started on April 5. Where crews are working, people may temporarily have discolored water or low pressure.  Want to know when flushing crews will be in your area? Visit the Water Main Flushing webpage for a map, this week's schedule, and to sign up for the Water Utility's flushing email list. You can also call the flushing hotline at (608) 261-9178 to hear a recording of where crews will be this week. Read more here.

COVID Vaccine Appointments

Dane County residents age 16 and older can sign up for COVID vaccine appointments at the Alliant Energy Center and other locations.  Transportation is available for those who need it. You will be given more information about this service is after you make an appointment.  Find more information click here.

Plastic Bag Recycling

The Streets Division's plastic bag recycling program is ending. Residents should no longer place plastic film and plastic bags into their recycling carts. Residents should not bring plastic film to the Streets Division drop-off sites, either.  Instead, residents who accumulate plastic bag and film should return them to the retailers that offer plastic bag and film recycling programs. Read more here.

Need Help Finding Local Financial Resources? 

Madison residents seeking help with financial concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic can contact a new, free hotline to be connected with a “Financial Navigator” – a person they can talk to about their financial concerns.

Financial Navigators are available at no cost to provide guidance, over the phone, to help residents access available programs and services to manage income loss and other financial concerns they may be experiencing. With one-on-one discussions, they will help to address personal financial issues, identify immediate steps to manage expenses and maximize income, and make referrals to other services such as bill paying assistance, government benefits and other programs that may come from future stimulus packages.

For more information, click here.

Yard and Brush Collection has Begun

Like last fall, residents have assigned dates on when they should set out yard waste to the curb.  They get their dates by going to www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste. Put your address into the form, and you get the dates yard waste should be put out.

The dates are all Sundays because collection crews will be working through the assigned neighborhoods sometime during the work week. In the spring, residents get two collection chances.  The City does not pickup during the summer months so staff can be used for other priorities.   Curbside pickup resumes in the fall. I’ll announce the start date for the fall pickup season when that date is known.

It’s important to know that brush is a separate collection service from yard waste.  Brush is woody material cut from trees & shrubs. Yard waste is weeds & leaves raked or pulled from your lawns or gardens.   Brush collection will use assigned set-out dates.  Residents can get the set-out dates for their home for brush pickup at www.cityofmadison.com/brushcollection.

These dates are also all on Sundays as brush crews will be working through assigned neighborhoods sometime during the work week following the set-out Sunday. Residents will get 6 brush collection chances with the final one coming in September. Brush collection ends in September so that personnel can help with the big fall leaf collection push.

Drop-off site hours transitioned from winter hours to summer hours on April 5. The Badger Rd and Sycamore Ave locations have expanded hours. And the yard waste only site at 402 South Point Rd will open for the season.  Here are what the hours will be for all three sites until December 4:

·  Monday - 7:30am to 2:45pm

·  Tuesday - 7:30am to 7:00pm

·  Wednesday CLOSED

·  Thursday - 7:30am to 7:00pm

·  Friday - 7:30am to 2:45pm

·  Saturday - 9:00am to 4:00pm

·  Sunday CLOSED

New Property Assessments Arriving Soon

According to the City Assessor, new property assessments will be mailed on Friday, April 16, 2021. As you may remember, assessments for last year were delayed due to the pandemic's impact on city staff's work hours and because housing inspectors were not comfortable entering people's residences when a property's details needed to be updated. The new assessments, which value property as of Jan. 1, 2021, will provide the basis for property taxes that will be due beginning in January 2022. The amount of taxes will not be determined until the various taxing entities, including the city, complete their 2022 budgeting processes later this year.

I’ll be posting more soon.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag