Office Hours, Men's Shelter, Zoning Ordinance Town Hall

Hi Everyone.

Office Hours

Bring your questions and concerns to office hours this Friday, May 7, at 8am.  Here is the invite:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://cityofmadison.zoom.us/j/94444141231?pwd=eVVWNDJRK3NrZytPTXJkZXRTTWMxdz09

Mens’s Homeless Shelter

Last night, Common Council voted down the option of establishing a purpose-built men’s homeless shelter on Zeier Rd, an outcome I found to be profoundly troubling.  I voted in favor of the shelter, doing so in response to the universal support expressed by service providers, the local experts working with the unhoused in our community. 

(There remains a possibility that the matter may be reconsidered at our next meeting on May 18, as District 7 Alder Nasra Wehelie was an excused absence from last night’s meeting.  Excused absentees and those voting no retain the right to move for reconsideration.)

Last night was a classic example of the “perfect being the enemy of the good.”  When it comes to siting this shelter, time is of the essence. Delaying progress in hopes of a better solution disregards the old adage about a “bird in the hand.”  Holding out for a superior option runs the considerable risk that we run aground, void of acceptable solutions.

The current shelter on First Street was meant to be a temporary option as it is the site of the future Public Market. It remains to be seen what happens next. In the meantime, we’re left with evidence that we as a city, like many cities across the country, struggle with what it means to be compassionate in service of those most vulnerable in our midst.  We have made strides in the last year, but I’m afraid we took a big step backwards last night.

Link to D13 Town Hall on Proposed Zoning Changes

Here is the link to the Town Hall held Monday night on the proposed zoning changes.  Special thanks to Heather Stouder, Matt Tucker and John Strange from city staff who did an excellent job clarifying how these proposed changes would impact District 13.

Recognizing National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Day

(from City press release)

The City of Madison will be recognizing National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Day for the first time today, Wednesday May 5. The US Senate first recognized this day in 2018, to shine a light on the very high rate of homicides and gender-based violence among Native American and Alaska Natives throughout the United States and Canada. The Madison Municipal Building will be lit red the week of May 5 to bring awareness to this issue, and to honor the victims and their families throughout the country. There will be a candlelight vigil at the building at 7:00 p.m. prior to the lighting.

“This crisis impacts girls, women and two spirit people from across the country,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “It’s difficult to track these crimes, both across the nation and here in Madison, but we know that indigenous women are disproportionally targets of gender-based violence. This needs to be recognized and stopped. Hopefully National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Day will shine a spotlight on the issue.”

“In Wisconsin over the past year, the WI Attorney General Josh Kaul has created the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force. At the federal level Interior Secretary Debra Haaland started the Missing and Murdered Unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, both to study the problems surrounding this issue, and to find policy solutions, as well as to create ways to work across jurisdictions to help stop this crisis,” said District 11 Alder and Ho-Chunk tribal member Arvina Martin. “In Madison we will be paying attention to this work so that we can learn and implement best practices they find.”

Common Council passed a resolution recognizing the day at our meeting last night.

Take care and stay safe.

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