Capital Budget, Redistricting, South Madison Plan Update and more

Happy Labor Day and Happy Rosh Hashanah.

Due to these two holidays, there are fewer City meetings this week than usual.  City administrative offices are closed today for Labor Day and there will be no garbage collection. Madison Metro will operate on its holiday schedule. You may use Report a Problem for non-emergencies.

2022 Executive Capital Budget

Last week, Mayor Rhodes-Conway released her 2022 Executive Capital Budget and 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), focusing on buildings, infrastructure, and other capital investments for Madison. The Finance Committee will hold hearings on the Capital Budget next week (9/13 & 9/14). In order to get a better grasp of the City's full budget process, please click here. 

Redistricting Update

Planning staff has released multiple concept plans for Aldermanic redistricting on the City's Redistricting website. Due to growth in the City's population since the last census, as well as the anticipated addition of the Town of Madison in October 2022, changes in each of the twenty districts are anticipated. You can view the estimated timeline for the City's redistricting process here. View an online map with background information and Alder District Concepts here.

The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee is this Thursday, September 9, at 4pm.

Encampments Update

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) will be meeting on Thursday, September 9 at 5pm to discuss encampments. In particular, the agenda includes a Substitute Amendment: Updating Temporary Permissible Encampments (TPE) criteria and permitting the continued use of Reindahl Park until a suitable alternative site is established.

Note: This item has been on the back burner since early June and was recommended unanimously for approval by the Joint City-County Homeless Issues Committee while the Board of Parks Commissioners voted to "place on file without prejudice" due to parallel efforts that were just starting up. Although the City is now moving forward with the establishment of a Mission Camp at the Dairy Drive location, it is important that those houseless folks who are living in Reindahl be able to stay there until the infrastructure at the new location is completed and other accommodations are made for any remaining Reindahl campers. The text of the resolution for Agenda Item 2 can be found here and the text for the resolution passed by Council last week dealing with the new location and the Reindahl encampment is here. The resolution that passed Council included amendments related to city staff creating a safety plan for the encampment and a requirement that the safety plan be provided to Common Council at the time of our next meeting on September 21.

South Madison Plan Update

There will be three opportunities to hear about the latest concepts for the South Madison Plan this Thursday, September 9th.  The same information will be shared at all meetings. You only need to attend one meeting that works best for your schedule. There will be two online discussions and one in-person discussion.

• Meeting #1 - Revised Focus Area Concepts: Thursday, September 9th | 12-1PM | register for this meeting by clicking here.
• Meeting #2 - Revised Focus Area Concepts: Thursday, September 9th | 6:30-7:30PM | register for this meeting by clicking here.
• Meeting #3 - In-Person Discussion Plaza las Americas (Penn Park), Thursday September 9 from 4pm - 7pm

Madison Bike Week 

Madison Bike Week is Sept 12-18, and the non-profit organization Madison Bikes will be throwing a big party at the shelter in Brittingham Park on Friday, Sept 17, 5:00-8:00 pm. There will be food trucks (through the Carts in the Parks Vending Program), beverages of various kinds, music and lots of family friendly activities. Community groups have been invited to set up tables, bicycle safety checks and adjustment stations, small demonstration courses for youth mountain bikers, bicycle themed games and example bikes designed to allow people of different physical needs from Madison Adaptive Cycling, a new organization.

Good Neighbor Gathering - September 25th

The District 13 Neighborhood Alliance invites you to a free, safe, outdoor, alcohol-free, family-friendly event--the 2nd annual Madison Good Neighbor Gathering on Saturday, September 25th from 12noon to 5PM at Brittingham Park!

• Madison's Panchromatic Steel drum band & DJ Andre
• Inflatable slide
• Monroe Street Art Center activities
• MSCR Fit2Go van
• Madison West Poms team, Reggie the Regent, 
• Bike parade, food carts, free beverages, and more!

To keep this event free and open to all, the Alliance is seeking donations from local businesses and residents--please visit their website to support it. Contact the Alliance at district13cares@gmail.com to learn more.

District 13 is made up of the Dudgeon-Monroe, Vilas, Greenbush, Bay Creek, Bayview, Triangle, and Monona Bay neighborhoods, and the Alliance works to increase a sense of community and mutual support across all our neighborhoods.

Other Events Worth Noting

The next MadLit festival is September 10, 8pm-11pm, on State Street.  This free event is a D.J. Block Party featuring Bruce Blaq, D.J. Fusion, D.J. Pain 1, Nick Nice w/ Hitterz Collective, and The Dynamic Badgerettes.  Learn more about the MadLit festival and upcoming acts here.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a free outdoor movie with Madison Parks this fall!

• Saturday, September 11, 2pm, Warner Park (2930 N. Sherman Avenue): Soul
• Friday, September 17, 6pm, Galaxy Park (132 Milky Way): Tom & Jerry
• Saturday, September 18, High Point Park (7499 Watts Road): Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
• Tuesday, September 21, 6pm, McGinnis Park (9 Crystal Lane): Toy Story 4
• Friday, September 24, 7pm, Peace Park (452 State Street): Spaceball

Several streets in and around downtown will be closed for the Ironman Triathlon on Sunday, September 12.  Read about the hours, route closures, and Metro Transit detours here.

Afghan Refugees

As refugees from Afghanistan arrive in Wisconsin, many Madisonians are interested in helping to welcome and assist them.  Learn about ways to help here.

That's all for now. 

Take care, stay safe, and enjoy the cooler weather.

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