District 13 Updates

Bayview Essentials Drive a Big Success!

A special thanks to all who participated in the Saturday's effort to donate much-needed items to meet the needs of Bayview residents. We get through difficult times by helping each other. Thanks to the organizers and thanks to all who donated.

Truman Olson

Monday Sept 14 will be the 4th Truman Olson Steering Committee Meeting.  You may join the Zoom meeting with the following info:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8190380497?pwd=UUFQV2J3MHlTQ3I2T2ZCNTFmcENKQT09

Meeting ID: 819 038 0497

Passcode: 774489

One tap mobile

+19292056099,,8190380497#

Plan Commission Sept 14

Also, this Monday evening, Plan Commission will be taking up the Lucky's proposal to add three stories of housing above their existing building at 1313 Regent St.

Residents from Vilas and Greenbush have offered generally positive feedback. Regent St is in dire need of a facelift, and I'm hopeful this project serves to jumpstart that process.

Common Council Sept 15

At Tuesday's Common Council meeting, we will be voting to amend the Economic Development Division's 2020 Adopted Capital Budget and Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a development agreement to fund a $200,000 grant to the Urban League of Greater Madison to assist lower income households to acquire homes within the geographic areas of Tax Incremental Financing District #42 (Wingra) and within a half mile of TID 42. 

I support using TIF in this manner, to further our social goals, not just to finance construction. In this instance, we're using funds in TID 42 in District 13 to advance racial equity through home ownership. Home ownership builds wealth, and this program is among the many steps we must take as a City to address the racist policies of our past, including redlining and restrictive covenants.

On Tuesday evening at Council we'll be dedicating the City Engineering Rain Garden Program in honor of Roger Bannerman and naming it "The Roger Bannerman Rain Garden Initiative."

Roger has been a strong advocate on stormwater quality issues over the course of his career and has faithfully served as a Board Member for The Friends of Lake Wingra since 2011. Roger was instrumental in helping to implement the Adams Street Rain Garden Garden pilot project in 2005 that eventually became the current Engineering Rain Garden program.  Roger is also a local expert in the importance of keeping leaves out of our streets to reduce the phosphorous load in our lakes.

On Tues night we will be taking the next step in exploring uses for the Medical Building the city acquired at 330 E. Lakeside St in Olin Park. Council will be voting to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract for Purchase of Services to provide professional architectural and engineering consultant design services and construction administrative services for the existing building.

Additional Items:

Monday, September 14 is the deadline to register for the YWCA Racial Justice Summit.

Madison Bike Week, Sept. 12–20: Calendar of events here.

The City announced a contract expansion for Fall 2020 Youth Employment Opportunities, allowing the excellent Bayview Giving Garden and Community Arts Program to extend to the end of 2020.

Madison Maintains Aaa Bond Rating, an important consideration as we make budget decisions. 

2020 Progress Update City of Madison Comprehensive Plan

From the City Clerk's Office: Common Election Misconceptions

Democracy in the Park Event Planned for September 26 & October 3. These events include absentee ballot drop-off sites that will be at the following District 13 parks: Bernie's Beach, Brittingham, Vilas, Olin, Wingra, Dudgeon School, and Glenwood Children's Park. Note these events are all subject to change, depending on the resolution of Thursday's State Supreme Court decision.

From the Parking Division: Some Parking Restrictions Remain Suspended

Reminder: Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Truckload Sale Oct. 10\

3 Steps You Can Do Now to Make Sure You're Ready for the Nov. 3 Election

1. Check your voter registration at myvote.wi.gov. If you've moved – even to a different unit in the same building – you'll need to update your registration. You can register online if your address is up-to-date with the Wisconsin DMV, or you can register by mail or in-person at the City Clerk's Office
2. Make sure you have the ID you need to vote. Voters in Wisconsin have to present photo ID for their vote to count. Election officials look at the name, expiration date, and ID type when they check a voter's ID; they do not look at the address on the ID. Need help getting an ID? The Dane County Voter ID Coalition assists voters fill out the necessary paperwork for free and can help arrange free transportation to the DMV. Call (608) 285-2141 for assistance getting an ID you can use for voting. The Coalition is a partnership between the Dane County NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Dane County.
3. 'Act now to vote absentee! Are you planning to vote absentee (also known as vote-by-mail)? Get your application for an absentee ballot in as soon as you can. You can request your absentee ballot at myvote.wi.gov, email the Clerk's Office, or send a letter via mail to the Clerk's Office. If you have never voted absentee by mail before, you will need to provide a copy of the photo ID you use for voting when you make your request.

There's Still Time to Complete Your 2020 Census!

• Complete the 2020 Census online or by phone.
• If you have not completed the census for your household, expect a Census Bureau worker to knock on your door to do the survey in person. Workers carry an ID and follow public health guidelines.  Please work with them to complete your census.
• Census responses are confidential and protected by law – no personal information can be shared with anyone outside of the Census Bureau. 
• There are no questions about citizenship or immigration status on the 2020 Census. 
• Census data informs the drawing of electoral districts and the distribution of hundreds of billions in Federal funding every year.  For example, census data was recently used to distribute funds to state and local governments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.  Having a complete count will be critical for the next 10 years.  

Budget Season

We are in the thick of budget season, starting with the Capital Budget.  One 2021 project impacting D13 residents calls for repairing deteriorated pavement joints on South Park Street.  Northbound lanes were repaired in 2019, as you'll recall, which caused traffic backups and made nobody happy.  This project's scope targets southbound lanes and includes South Park from Badger Rd to the Union Pacific Railroad and, more pointedly, Olin to West Wash.

Last year was my first trip down the budget lane.  In that freshman year, Alder Heck and I were able to pass a Capital Budget amendment that added $500,000 to the Affordable Housing Fund, and adjusted language in the budget that had previously tied the Fund to WHEDA tax credits. This adjustment allows for more participation by non-profit developers, community land trusts, and co-housing projects.

I'm presently considering amendments this year to make our affordable housing strategy even more robust, targeting permanent affordable housing for those who need it most.

I'll keep you posted as the budget season progresses.  Feel free to reach out to me with your questions or concerns by emailing district13@cityofmadison.com or 608.424.2580.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag