Near West Watershed Study PIM, Virtual Session on the Budget, Check Your Polling Place

Greetings friends and neighbors,

Here are this week's updates:

Common Council

The Common Council meets tomorrow, October 25, at 6:30 pm. We are continuing to meet in a hybrid format. There are two items in particular worth noting. The first, Legistar 73638, amends the Madison General Ordinance to limit the use of salt and melting agents on city sidewalks. This change, in my view, is in keeping with good stewardship of our lakes and drinking water. Lake Wingra, in particular, is negatively impacted by chloride contamination, and it's incumbent upon businessess and residents to cut back on salt use during the winter months.

Secondly, Legistar 74079 would amend the MGO to change the special assessment procedures for new sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Many of the parcels coming into the City with the Town of Madison attachment lack sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Often, when streets are reconstructed in the City, these elements get added where they are lacking, often at signficant cost to the resident. The proposed ordinance chance would adopt a more equitable means of financing these infrastructure improvements.

Near West Watershed Study Public Information Meeting

The City of Madison is completing a watershed study in the Near West watershed, an area that includes much of District 13. The watershed drains to the lakes through storm sewers. The watershed study will identify causes of existing flooding and look at potential solutions to try to reduce flooding.

Flood mitigation solutions will be implemented in future years, including additional stormwater capacity in flood prone areas.

The Madison Engineering Division seeks community input on the study. The public is encouraged to give feedback during a virtual public information meeting today, Monday, October 24 at 6:00 p.m.

You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone or tablet, or you can listen in via telephone. Here is the to register.

City staff will share information about the watershed study process, the existing conditions flooding, and initial proposed solutions for the watershed.

More information is available on the project website.

Virtual Community Sessions on the 2023 Budget

The City's budget for 2023 will be debated and adopted by the Common Council in November. In addition to public comment opportunities at Finance Committee and Council meetings over the next six weeks, there will be two virtual community sessions on the budget. City Finance staff will provide background information on the City's capital and operating budget process, including highlights of the 2023 executive budget.  This is a great opportunity for residents to learn more about our city's budget.  Electronic copies of budget information can be found at https://www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budget/2023

The first virtual session was recorded on October 13. The second virtual session will cover the same presentation and will take place today, Monday, October 24. The meeting will start at 5:30 PM and end at 7:00 PM. 

• Join the October 24 virtual community session (joining with this link will allow you to participate in live Q&A)
• Live stream the October 24 virtual community session

Polling Place Listings

Several polling locations in the City of Madison have changed since the last election. The City Clerk's Office encourages voters to confirm their polling place before Election Day (November 8). You can look up your polling place address using the MyVote Wisconsin website or go to www.cityofmadison.com/WhereDoIVote. See a list of polling places here.

Madison Fire Department Now Hiring 

For the first time since 2019, the Madison Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of fulltime firefighter/EMT. Becoming a firefighter/EMT is a unique opportunity to make a difference in a person's life – and a direct impact in our community – every single day. No previous fire or EMS experience is necessary to apply. Learn more about this opportunity here.

Electric Compactors Names Announced

The Streets Division would like to introduce you to their newly named compactors – Rosie the Rubbisher and Stone Cold Squeeze Often. To learn how the names were picked and see a breakdown of the voting, read the news release.

In-person Absentee Voting Starts Tuesday 

In-person absentee voting will begin Tuesday, October 25, at several locations throughout the City of Madison. Click here to find out what you need to bring with you and where you can vote in-person absentee.

Lake Water Quality Improved This Summer

Great news! A lot fewer beaches were closed for swimming this summer. Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) took a total of 430 water samples this summer from 23 beaches, looking for E. Coli bacteria and blue-green algae, which can make people sick. The total number of beach closures for swimming and recreation was 124, down significantly from last summer's total of 345. There are many factors that contribute to the water quality of our lakes. PHMDC's microbiologist helped explain the role of weather, pollutants, and clean water corridors in an interview on WORT-FM. Take a listen!

Lastly...

Your vote counts. Don't let the barrage of negative ads and the predictions of pundits discourage you from voting. The threats to democracy are manifold, but are most indidious in the way they erode public trust in the efficacy of the ballot box. Don't lose faith, remember to vote!

Take care and stay safe,

Tag