2023 Capital Budget, Forest Hill Cemetery, Fall Yard Waste Pick-Up Schedule

Hi Everyone,

Sadly, today's Good Neighbor Gathering was rained out. So much work went into this; it's really unfortunate the weather gods were not smiling this year. Special thanks to this year's co-chairs, Jan O'Neil and Janet Stockhausen, who led a team of devoted volunteers to produce what no doubt would have been the best GNG yet. And a special shout out to the sponsors whose donations make GNG possible. 

GNG has always been about brining people together. District 13 has a lot of diversity, people from all different economic backgrounds, some very wealthy folks and some folks who are among our city's most vulnerable. Planning has already started for next year, so soon there will be an announcement regarding the 2023 date. Thanks again to those who are working hard to take the spirit of mutual support that gave birth to the D13 Neighborhood Alliance to the next level!

Here are this week's updates: 

2023 Capital Budget

On September 6, Mayor Rhodes-Conway released her 2023 Executive Capital Budget and 6-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which detailed her funding proposals for buildings, infrastructure and other capital investments in Madison. The Capital Budget is one major piece of the City's budget. In a month, she will introduce her 2023 Executive Operating Budget, which focuses on services, staffing and programs. Learn more here.

The Finance Committee, which I sit on, will have 2023 Capital Budget briefings at our meetings Monday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 13. Both meetings are virtual and begin at 4:30pm.

Watch the September 12 meeting online
Watch the September 13 meeting online

Dogs in Forest Hill Cemetery

Here's an important reminder that dogs are to remained leashed and on the paved surfaces at Forest Hill Cemetery. The Parks Dept has received complaints of unleashed dogs. One resident contacted the Parks Dept with the following message: 

"A request to retract the policy of allowing dogs in the cemetery. People abuse their right and let the dog roam free or have the dog on a very long leash as it trots on the grass, poops, and barks at / chases squirrels. Please, admit this was a mistake and disallow animals at this sanctuary. I will also contact alders with this request."

I am the one responsible for the ordinance change that allows leashed dogs in Forest Hill Cemetery. Before that change, dogs were not allowed at all in the cemetery. I am publicly asking everyone to abide by the rules. I walk my dog Bella frequently in the cemetery, always on a leash. In the past two years, I've only seen two people there with unleashed dogs. What I explained to them I will explain to you. If you abuse this privilege and unleash your dog in the cemetery, you risk having this rule changed and dogs will not be allowed under any circumstance. 

This is one of Bella's favorite places. Please don't ruin this for her.

Announcements

Birding Backpacks: Madison Public Library is now offering Birding Backpacks thanks to a generous donation from the Feminist Bird Club-Madison Chapter and the Madison Public Library Foundation. Each backpack includes one pair of adult binoculars, one pair of kid binoculars, one Sibley's field guide for adults, one youth field guide donated by Madison Audubon and one birding location guide to help you explore potential birding spots near each library. Each Madison Public Library location has two backpacks available for checkout. A Madison Public Library card is required. More information can be found here.

Police Civilian Oversight Board: The application process for nominations and self-nominations for two Common Council appointed seats and one Mayoral appointed seat on the City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board has now been extended. The deadline for submitting nominations or self-nominations is now Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5pm. Read the news release for more information. If you have any questions about the application process, please email pcob@cityofmadison.com, with Civilian Oversight Board Application Questions in the subject line, or call the Office of the Independent Monitor at 608-261-7161.

Old Sauk Road speed reduction: The next 2022 roadway improvement scheduled through the Vision Zero initiative takes place on Monday, September 12, to a section of Old Sauk Road, from Westfield Road to the Beltline. Along with the previous speed changes occurring earlier this year on East Washington Avenue, John Nolen Drive and Mineral Point Road, this speed reduction is another step forward towards the goal of zero deaths. For more information, see the news release.

Fall leaf and yard waste pickup: The dates when Madison residents should set out their leaves and yard waste for curbside collection this upcoming fall are now available on the Streets Division's website. As a reminder, during the fall collection period residents receive three curbside pickup opportunities. To get the dates when you should set out your yard waste for curbside pickup, go to www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste and enter your address into the form. You will see three set-out dates. These are the dates when you should put out yard waste for pickup.

Take care and stay safe,

Tag