Bayview Welcome Baskets, UW Nurses, and more updates

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

School starts this week for many of our youngsters and next week for UW students. Meanwhile, the pleasant weather continues, a nice respite from the hot days we endured earlier in the summer. I had a very relaxing time up north, so much so I plan to do it again soon. Hope you, too, have had your share of relaxing times this summer sufficient to bolster you as we move forward into the fall.

Here are this week's updates:

Bayview Welcome Baskets

I'm sure you've noticed the structure going up at the corner of Regent and West Wash, the striking new 48-unit apartment building which will be ready for occupancy in September. Community-minded volunteers have organized a Welcome Basket supply drive to gather up household items to assist those Bayview families who will be moving into their new homes next month.

Alexis London, Bayview's Executive Director, recently sent out a note indicating they still are in need of the following items:

• shower curtain liners and curtains
• toilet bowl brushes
• laundry baskets
• kitchen trash bags
• rubber gloves 
• plunger
• dishwasher detergent 
• toilet bowl cleaner 

You may drop off supplies at Bayview's front desk, 601 Bayview,  Monday - Friday (9am-5pm), on or before Sept. 6. 

Support UW Nurses

As you may have heard, UW Health nurses have made the difficult and brave decision to strike for quality patient care and recognition of their union. UW Hospital administrators claim they lack the legal authority to recognize the union due to Act 10. However, Attorney General Josh Kaul, who incidentally is a District 13 resident, has issued his own opinion that the hospital can in fact voluntarily recognize and bargain with the union.

A big rally and march has been scheduled for the first day of the strike on Tuesday, September 13; the rally begins at 4:30 pm at First Unitarian Society and the march starts at 6 pm.

Meetings

Many committees meet the week of August 29, including the Finance Committee, Landmarks Commission, Plan Commission, and Madison Public Library Board. To see the full list of City meetings scheduled for the week, please consult the City meeting schedule.

Events

Virtual session on school safety: In partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District's Office of School Safety, Public Health Madison & Dane County's Violence Prevention Unit is hosting a virtual session on school safety on Wednesday, August 31, 5pm - 6pm. The virtual session is free but registration is required. The session will be recorded and made available on PHMDC's Violence Prevention Unit's webpage. This is the third installment in the "Violence Prevention & Intervention Speaker Series". The series will be sharing the latest violence prevention and intervention strategies, methodologies, and theories. It is open to everyone in the community

Madison Parks: As summer draws to a close, there are still many events happening around the city in Madison's beautiful parks. Check out all the activities on the Parks Division's calendar.

Announcements

Career opportunity: The Common Council Office is hiring a Community Engagement Specialist. If you have a passion for communications and public service, you might be just who we're looking for! Learn more about this exciting opportunity. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on August 29.

Police Civilian Oversight Board: The application process for at-large nominations for two (2) seats on the City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board is now open. The deadline for submitting nominations or self-nominations is Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Learn more and find the link to the application here.

'Since 2018' blog: The City of Madison Engineering Division will share about specific projects and progress since the August 2018 flood in a new blog series, 'Since 2018,' on its website. In the last days of August, the Engineering Division will focus on specific changes or projects the Engineering Division stormwater section has produced since the 2018 floods that devastated the City's west and southwest side. The flood caused an estimated $30M in public and private damage. Since then, the City of Madison has strengthened its commitment to stormwater, even increasing the budget toward projects and resources into ways to improve the stormwater system. Read the news release for more information.

Energy Efficiency Excellence Award: The City of Madison is proud to be one of the state's 2022 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award Recipients. During an August 18, 2022, press conference at City of Madison Fire Station 14,  Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program, recognized the City of Madison for designing with energy-efficient features in its buildings. To learn more, read the news release and watch the press conference.

Naturalist-in-Residence: Madison Public Library is launching a new residency all about nature! Local naturalist John C. Newman has been named the first Naturalist-in-Residence at Madison Public Library and will lead a series of events, walks and workshops throughout September and into October. The goal of the Naturalist-in-Residence project is to encourage the Madison community to explore, learn, and reflect upon the natural world and their place in it, through the guiding vision of an experienced local naturalist. Those who participate will get to enjoy Madison Parks, as well as the many green and urban spaces around the city and at libraries. Learn more here.

Public notice to all customers of Madison Water Utility: Madison Water Utility has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to increase water rates. The increase is necessary due to a 5.8 percent increase in gross plant investment and a 3.2 percent increase in operating expenses since the last water rate case was completed in 2020. The total increase in water revenues requested is $8,498,655, which will result in an estimated overall rate increase of 18.12 percent over the water utility's present revenues. If the request is granted, the water charge for an average residential customer with a ?-inch or ¾-inch meter who uses 4,000 gallons of water per month will increase from $29.92 to $34.92, or 16.71%. This increase only applies to the Water charges on your bill. Charges for Sewer, Storm Water, Landfill, Resource Recovery, and Urban Forestry are not a part of this rate application. A virtual public hearing on the application has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. To learn more about the rate increase application and to register for the virtual public hearing, please read the Water Utility's news release.

Share your stories: Madison Public Library is looking for a few good stories through an open call for submissions to the Madison Living History Project. Submissions should include a focus on historical moments or changes over time and elevate an underrepresented group or lesser-known chapter of Madison's history. For example, collections might revolve around changes to neighborhood hangouts or locally owned businesses, the history of a Madison event or initiative, or the experiences of refugee or immigrant groups who've made Madison their home.  Learn more about the project at Madison Living History Project, find some example project ideas, and apply at madisonlivinghistory.org. Read the Public Library's news release here.

Speed reduction on Mineral Point Road: The next 2022 roadway improvement scheduled through the Vision Zero initiative takes place on Monday, August 29, to a section of Mineral Point Road, from S. Whitney Way to the Beltline. This speed reduction from 40 mph to 35 mph should not affect travel times on this stretch of roadway. Along with the previous speed changes occurring earlier this year on E. Washington Avenue and John Nolen Drive, this newest reduction will continue to work towards the goal of making Madison safer. Lowering the speed limit just 5 mph on this thoroughfare will not only decrease the likelihood of a serious or fatal crash but also increase the safety for all roadway users. Additional streets scheduled for speed limit reductions in 2022 include:

• Old Sauk Road, from the Beltline to Westfield Road (reduced to 30 mph from 35mph)
• Portage Road, from E. Washington Avenue to Hanson Road (reduced to 25 mph from 30 mph)
• Segoe Road, from University Avenue to Odana Road (reduced to 25 mph from 30 mph)

For each of these changes, along with updated permanent signs, staff will place temporary digital signboards in the area to remind drivers of the speed limit changes. Find more information in the news release.

That's all for now. 

Take care and stay safe,

Tag