7/18/2017 Update

Meeting Dates – Park Street Planning and Monroe Street Final Design Corridor. See below.

Park Street Development Update Neighborhood Meeting         

Tuesday, July 25, 2017 6:30 p.m.

Goodman Maintenance Facility, 1402 Wingra Creek Parkway

Meeting Parameters:

• The meeting will provide updates on proposed and anticipated developments in the Park St / Fish Hatchery (Wingra Build Plan) triangle area.
• Each agenda item below relates to a project or potential project.
• Time has been allocated for each project. We will strictly follow the time allocations, to ensure we get to all projects. If there are additional questions after, please either submit them in writing or follow-up with appropriate staff/development team members in the room.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Final Corridor Design Presentation & Open House

When:   Wednesday, August 16, 6:00-8:00 PM (previously scheduled for July 20th). Presentation will begin at 6:00PM.

Where:  Wingra School Gymnasium, 718 Gilmore Street, Madison, WI 53711

RSVP:     https://finalcorridordesignopenhouse.eventbrite.com.

Goals:

1. Present final corridor design plans for the Monroe Street reconstruction, including streetscaping and traffic calming enhancements.
2. Share next steps in preparing for the Monroe Street reconstruction that will begin in spring 2018.

7/10/2017 Update

Please see below for updates on the Park/Fish Hatchery Development Proposal, Monroe Street, and Park Street Planning Meeting Save the Date. This is an update from the update a few days ago – so please review! :)

The Peloton (1004 &1032 South Park Street)

Plan Commission – Referred to at least the July 24 Plan Commission Meeting

Monday, July 24 at 5:30pm, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Room 201 (City County Building)

This project was reviewed this evening at the Plan Commission. I have shared these comments for the Commission, and we worked through additional conditions and concerns that need to be addressed. The Plan Commission referred this project for at least two weeks, to see more details regarding the proposed conditions, setbacks and pedestrian/bike accommodations, shared parking, and undergrounding of utilities. As soon as I have updated plans related to these concerns and conditions I will share them out.

If you have further input, please do not hesitate to reach-out to me directly, or share comments with the assigned city planner Tim Parks (tparks@cityofmadison.com) to have them entered into the formal record.

2017 Monroe Street Reconstruction Meetings Reminder

Bus Stops

If you are particularly interested in bus stop locations on Monroe, please attend the Transit and Parking Commission public hearing on Wednesday, July 12 at 6pm in Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street, Room 302. You can learn more on the website.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Final Corridor Design Open House – Postponed!

In order to accommodate time for staff to fully incorporate neighborhood feedback (thank you all!), the meeting is being postponed.

When: TBD

RSVP here: https://finalcorridordesignopenhouse.eventbrite.com

Open House Goals:

1. View and learn about final plans for the reconstruction of Monroe Street, including streetscaping and traffic calming designs.

2. Discuss ideas with City of Madison engineering, planning and Metro staff.

3. Learn about next steps in preparing for the Monroe Street reconstruction to begin in spring 2018.

Park Street Development Update Meeting

Please hold the evening of Tuesday, July 25 for a meeting to provide updates on the various development proposals in the South Park Street area of the Bay Creek neighborhood. Details forthcoming.

7/8/2017 Update

Hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th and is enjoying this weekend! Please see below for updates on the Park/Fish Hatchery Development Proposal, Monroe Street, and Park Street Planning Meeting Save the Date.

The Peloton (1004 &1032 South Park Street)

Plan Commission

Monday, July 10 at 5:30pm, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Room 201 (City County Building)

This project will be before the Plan Commission on Monday evening. I have drafted these comments for the Commission. If you have further input, please do not hesitate to reach-out to me directly, or share comments with the assigned city planner Tim Parks (tparks@cityofmadison.com) to have them entered into the formal record.

2017 Monroe Street Reconstruction Meetings Reminder

Bus Stops

If you are particularly interested in bus stop locations on Monroe, please attend the Transit and Parking Commission public hearing on Wednesday, July 12 at 6pm in Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street, Room 302. You can learn more on the website.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Final Corridor Design Open House

When: July 20, 2017 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Edgewood College Washburn Heritage Room 1000 Edgewood College Drive Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://finalcorridordesignopenhouse.eventbrite.com

Open House Goals:

1. View and learn about final plans for the reconstruction of Monroe Street, including streetscaping and traffic calming designs.

2. Discuss ideas with City of Madison engineering, planning and Metro staff.

3. Learn about next steps in preparing for the Monroe Street reconstruction to begin in spring 2018.

Park Street Development Update Meeting

Please hold the evening of Tuesday, July 25 for a meeting to provide updates on the various development proposals in the South Park Street area of the Bay Creek neighborhood. Details forthcoming.

6/24/2017 Update

Please see below for updates on the Park/Fish Hatchery Development Proposal and Monroe Street Reconstruction. Thanks!

The Peloton (1004 &1032 South Park Street)

Urban Design Commission

Wednesday, June 28 at 4:30pm, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Room 351 (City County Building)

This project will be before the Urban Design Commission on Wednesday evening. Please monitor the link to see any changes in designs/plans submitted for the committee to review. At this time, I have not been provided updated plans. This table highlights the comparison to the plans approved in 2015.

I have drafted these comments for the Commission. If you have further input, please do not hesitate to reach-out to me directly, or share comments with the assigned city planner Tim Parks (tparks@cityofmadison.com) to have them entered into the formal record.

The project is scheduled for Plan Commission on July 10.

2017 Monroe Street Reconstruction Meetings Reminder

Bus Stops

The preliminary corridor design workshop and final design open house (info below) will provide information on new bus stop proposed locations. However, if you are particularly interested in this topic, please attend the Transit and Parking Commission public hearing on Wednesday, July 13 at 6pm in the City Council Chambers (210 MLK, rm 201). You can learn more on the flyer and website.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Preliminary Corridor Design Workshop

When: July 5, 2017 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Edgewood College Washburn Heritage Room 1000 Edgewood College Drive Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://preliminarycorridordesignworkshop.eventbrite.com

Workshop Goals:

1. Share detailed preliminary plans for the future design of Monroe Street.

2. Gather community input on potential placemaking and traffic calming enhancements along the length of Monroe Street.

3. Explore ideas and questions in a creative, hands-on setting.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Final Corridor Design Open House

When: July 20, 2017 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Edgewood College Washburn Heritage Room 1000 Edgewood College Drive Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://finalcorridordesignopenhouse.eventbrite.com

Open House Goals:

1. View and learn about final plans for the reconstruction of Monroe Street, including streetscaping and traffic calming designs.

2. Discuss ideas with City of Madison engineering, planning and Metro staff.

3. Learn about next steps in preparing for the Monroe Street reconstruction to begin in spring 2018.

Bay Creek Neighborhood Association Meeting

June 29, 2017  6:30-8:30 PM

VFW Hall

133 East Lakeside St.

PURPOSE:

To invite neighbors to give input on ways to improve communication and encourage greater participation in the work of the neighborhood association.  The City of Madison is providing a facilitator to help us determine issues and to help us create an action plan for moving forward.

AGENDA

Introductions and welcome

Review of current neighborhood meeting format

Establishing meeting ground rules

Purpose of this meeting

Gathering insights activity

        Individual insights

        Small group activity to find themes

        Large group discussion of themes

Action Plan

        Short and long-term improvement ideas

        Next Steps

Adjournment

Happy Summer, Neighbors! See below for more information on HotelRED's updated plans, Monroe Street reconstruction final meeting reminders, Jazz in the Park and the Duck Dash, weekly food cart dinners in Vilas Park, MadiSUN Solar Group Buy, and organics program expansion.

HotelRED Updated Plans

When: Thursday, June 15, 7-7:30pm (10min project overview, 20min Q&A)

Where: HotelRED, as part of the Vilas Neighborhood Association Council Meeting

Please join us for a neighborhood discussion on the proposed revitalization of HotelRED.  The new projects involves a two plus story vertical addition to the existing structure.  The addition will include two floors of new guests rooms and a rooftop lounge, patio, meeting space and green roof.  After carefully listening to our neighbors and the City, this proposed revitalization will enhance a local amenity and resource, while still continuing to serve as a strong community focused member of the neighborhood. 

2017 Monroe Street Reconstruction Meetings Reminder

Bus Stops

The preliminary corridor design workshop and final design open house (info below) will provide information on new bus stop proposed locations. However, if you are particularly interested in this topic, please attend the Transit and Parking Commission public hearing on Wednesday, July 13 at 6pm in the City Council Chambers (210 MLK, rm 201). You can learn more on the flyer and website.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Preliminary Corridor Design Workshop

When: July 5, 2017 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Edgewood College Washburn Heritage Room 1000 Edgewood College Drive Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://preliminarycorridordesignworkshop.eventbrite.com

Workshop Goals:

1. Share detailed preliminary plans for the future design of Monroe Street.

2. Gather community input on potential placemaking and traffic calming enhancements along the length of Monroe Street.

3. Explore ideas and questions in a creative, hands-on setting.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Final Corridor Design Open House

When: July 20, 2017 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Edgewood College Washburn Heritage Room 1000 Edgewood College Drive Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://finalcorridordesignopenhouse.eventbrite.com

Open House Goals:

1. View and learn about final plans for the reconstruction of Monroe Street, including streetscaping and traffic calming designs.

2. Discuss ideas with City of Madison engineering, planning and Metro staff.

3. Learn about next steps in preparing for the Monroe Street reconstruction to begin in spring 2018.

Duck Dash and Jazz in the Park

Saturday, June 17

Participants can choose between a canoe, a single or tandem kayak, or stand up paddleboard to race out and back from Wingra Boats. Once on shore, they will choose between a 10K course around the Arboretum or a family-friendly fun run (around 3K) out and back from the park through the beautiful Monroe Street neighborhood. Registration starts at 8:30am, race begins in the water at 9:00am. Registration costs $15-40. Learn more at http://www.wingraboats.com/events. 

The DMNA Social Justice Committee will be collecting non-perishable food and healthy snacks for school food pantries and children who are food insecure in our neighboring schools. Please bring donations to Jazz in the Park on June 17. Thank you! 

Pack a family picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets so you and your family can enjoy live music all afternoon and evening at Wingra Park, including:

3:30 - 5:00pm Edgewood College Jazz Band
5:30 - 7:00pm The Red Hot Horn Dawgs
7:30 - 9:00pm The Big Payback

Event Date: 
Saturday, June 17, 2017 (All day)
Location: 
Wingra Boats and Wingra Park

Food Cart Dinners @ Vilas

Weekly neighborhood food cart dinners will begin June 20 and will be at Vilas Park on Wednesdays this summer, from 5:30-7:30pm. Learn more at: http://www.letseatoutwi.org/.

MadiSUN program: opportunity to save money on installing solar panels

Good news about a great opportunity for affordable rooftop solar electricity for Madison families. We know that our neighborhood cares about sustainability and energy from clean sources, so we're excited to be part of spreading the word.

This summer, the City's MadiSUN program is offering a special Solar Group Buy program to help residents save money and install rooftop solar panels together. The group buy simplifies the installation process and lowers costs by working with a pre-qualified, vetted solar company that offers a competitive group price.

Plus, MadiSUN is offering a Solar Energy Loan with a low, fixed interest rate and flexible repayment terms on solar loans up to $20,000.

Visit Madisunsolar.com to learn more.

Putting solar panels on a home is a great way to lower household energy costs. In 2017, the price of installing solar has never been lower: homeowners can receive a Federal Tax Credit for 30% of the cost of their system, and Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program offers up to $2,000 in additional rebates. And installing solar means switching to a clean, renewable energy source that is great for the community.

Visit Madisunsolar.com and sign up for more information. The Group Buy program is recruiting interested households from now through August.

Select Bay Creek and Greenbush Neighbors: Organics Recycling!

Please pay attention to the exciting invitation letter you may have received from the city streets division. Organics recycling may be available! 

This is an exciting program, and we continue to work towards city-wide expansion. In the meantime, I'm very glad it will be able to serve a few more of you.?

It's only just a small piece because we're picking up elsewhere on Thursdays, and this piece made the most sense for us to add while the collection vehicle is on its way back to dump at our transfer station on Olin Ave.

Every single-family home in the yellow-shaded polygon on the map will receive an invitation letter to join.  We're just doing volunteers to help control against contamination concerns.  And our online sign up only functions with single-family homes, so that's why we're avoiding multi-unit buildings for the time being.  Plus, we've found that resident changeover is a pretty common cause for contamination, so apartments might be tough for the program right now.

There will be a couple community meetings over the next two weeks for residents if they have any questions. The meetings will be at the Goodman South Madison Library.  The first one will be on June 7th at 6pm.  The second one will be on June 14th at 6pm.  The meeting will probably take an hour, give or take.    

Here's the map of the folks that got invitation letters:

Greetings Neighbors –

This update has information on events, developments, and policy. Please review and let me know if you have questions or comments.

Meetings/Events

Lucky's 1313 Regent St

This proposal is no longer on the Plan Commission agenda for Monday, May

May 26-29 Brat Fest

Please see the letter from Tim Metcalfe to neighbors regarding this year's event.

Development Updates

Wingra Point II / Peloton (1004 and 1032 S. Park Street)

The project plans have been re-submitted for approval. The proposed approval process schedule is:

• Urban Design Commission, June 28
• Plan Commission, July 10
• Common Council, July 18

Each of these meetings includes a public hearing opportunity.

Please review the plans on my development page and linked here. The summary table below (linked here) highlights the changes from the approved version and the new plans:

Please send me your thoughts on this project.

1202 South Park Street Permanent Supportive Housing Project

This project did not receive WHEDA tax credits. Heartland Housing is currently reviewing options and deciding on next steps. I will share more when I have additional information.

Overall, the city did not fare well in receipt of tax credits for affordable housing this round. City support is provided to projects to help them leverage WHEDA tax credits as a funding source. This is critical to our affordable housing strategy and helped fund Rethke Terrace and Tree Lane projects (among many others). We will work to improve projects to hopefully be more successful in the future.

Council Policy Work

On Tuesday night, the Council passed 13 action items based on the recommendation of the President's Work Group on Police and Community Relations. This impressive work is summarized in a report well worth reading. Please find it here. We should all be proud of this city and police department supported legislative work.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you for a second term on the Common Council! It is such a privilege. I look forward to being sworn in again on Tuesday.

See below for more information on the Greenbush Housing Renovation Program, Madison Policy Survey, Regent and Randall Sewer Project and road impacts, Camp Randall Events, Monroe Street Reconstruction Meetings, Waste/Brush Collection, and the new Recyclopedia!

Greenbush Housing Renovation Program Open House

Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. at HotelRED, 1501 Monroe Street

Please join us on April 19 to learn more about the Greenbush Housing Renovation

Program. The program is designed to help pay for the cost of purchasing/renovating and converting current rental properties to owner-occupied housing through a forgivable loan. The program runs through the end of 2017.

For more information about program eligibility, contact Terri Goldbin at the City of Madison at 266-4223. You can also learn more about the program's history and successful loans here.

Madison Policy Department Policy and Procedural Review Study Survey

The City of Madison Madison Police Department Policy and Procedure Review is an outgrowth of the work and recommendations of the MPD Ad Hoc Review Committee, which is itself a body of volunteers and residents appointed by the City to address issues of concern regarding police-community relations.

The committee was also tasked by the Mayor and City Council to participate in the process of hiring experts to conduct a comprehensive outside review of MPD as a constructive means of identifying strengths and areas of potential improvement. The City Council agreed and authorized the review.

Throughout 2017, OIR Group will perform a multi-faceted review of MPD that will culminate in a public report of findings and recommendations. This includes a survey of your perceptions of the Madison Police Department – please participate! http://www.cityofmadison.com/mpdstudy/

MADISON METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT--NORTH RANDALL AVENUE & REGENT STREET SEWER LINING PROJECT

Beginning Monday, April 10th, Michels Corporation will set up traffic control to line the existing Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) sanitary sewer that runs underneath North Randall Street from West Dayton Street to Regent Street, and on Regent Street from North Randall Street to East Campus Mall.  

This project will rehabilitate the existing sanitary sewer with a new lining to extend the life of the sewer.  The alternative to this process is to install new sanitary sewer, which would require an open-trench and excavation of the entire length of the sewer. 

Parking will be removed from much of North Randall Street and Regent Street in these areas.  Both North Randall Street and Regent Street will have one lane of traffic in each direction at all times (see the attached map).  The exact location of the parking removal will depend on where the contractor is actively working. 

Much of the work will occur within intersections and will necessitate closing traffic on side streets leading into Regent Street. Again, the side streets that will be closed will depend on the location the contractor is actively working.

Delays on Regent Street are expected during the morning and afternoon peak traffic periods. 

Information about street projects can be found on the city of Madison website.

The MMSD Sewer Lining Project is expected to last until approximately June 30th, 2017. 

Upcoming Camp Randall Events

Spring Football Game

Scheduled for Friday, April 21st with a start time of 6:30pm.  We are expecting a crowd of 10,000 people.

In addition to the Spring Football Game, we are also hosting a Kids Fair in the McClain Center with all kinds of interactive activities for kids.  This will run from 5:00pm-6:30pm.

More information can be found at the following links: http://www.uwbadgers.com/news/2017/2/6/wisconsin-football-spring-game-set-for-april-21.aspx and http://www.uwbadgers.com/index.aspx?path=football

Crazylegs

This event is scheduled for April 29th.  We are expecting 20,000 people for the event.  More details can be found at the following link: http://www.crazylegsclassic.com/

Engineering Expo

This event is scheduled for April 7-8 from 9am-2pm each day.  This is not an athletic department event, however, just wanted to make you aware since the event does often times involve a large number of buses on Breese Terrace.  Some more information about the event can be found at the following link: http://engineeringexpo.wisc.edu/

2017 Monroe Street Reconstruction Meetings Reminder

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Wingra Park Entrance Workshop

When: April 27, 2017 at 5:30

Where: Temple Beth El 2702 Arbor Drive Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://wingraparkentranceworkshop.eventbrite.com

Workshop goals:

1. Share opportunities and gather community input on desired placemaking and traffic calming enhancements at the Wingra Park entrance and adjacent intersection (Commonwealth and Monroe).

2. Explore community ideas and questions in a creative, hands-on setting.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Preliminary Corridor Design Workshop

When: June 21, 2017 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Wingra School Gymnasium 718 Gilmore Street Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://preliminarycorridordesignworkshop.eventbrite.com

Workshop Goals:

1. Share detailed preliminary plans for the future design of Monroe Street.

2. Gather community input on potential placemaking and traffic calming enhancements along the length of Monroe Street.

3. Explore ideas and questions in a creative, hands-on setting.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Final Corridor Design Open House

When: July 20, 2017 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Edgewood College Washburn Heritage Room 1000 Edgewood College Drive Madison, WI 53711

RSVP here: https://finalcorridordesignopenhouse.eventbrite.com

Open House Goals:

1. View and learn about final plans for the reconstruction of Monroe Street, including streetscaping and traffic calming designs.

2. Discuss ideas with City of Madison engineering, planning and Metro staff.

3. Learn about next steps in preparing for the Monroe Street reconstruction to begin in spring 2018.

Curb Side Yard Waste and Brush Collection Begins April 3, 2017

Finally, Madison, the weather and the calendar both show that it's spring.  And it's time to get outside and reclaim our yards from winter.  Starting on Monday, April 3, the Streets Division will begin our curbside brush and spring yard waste collection services.

Please note that as in years past there are only two guaranteed collection opportunities for curbside yard waste collection in the spring.  Upon completion of the second collection round, curbside yard waste services cease until the start of the fall leaf collection season.  Curbside brush collection will continue through the spring and summer before ending later in the fall.

As in years past, crews will not follow a set schedule for these collections.  On April 3, brush and spring yard waste crews will begin collecting in the areas of the city that has a Monday refuse collection day.  Once crews have finished collecting from each street in that area, they will move into the area of the city that has a Tuesday refuse collection day.  Upon the completion of the Tuesday district, crews move into the Wednesday district. Crews will continue to rotate through the city in this manner for the duration of the collection seasons.

What Is Yard Waste?

Yard waste is considered leafy plant material.  Examples include pulled weeds, fallen leaves, and garden debris.  It also includes pumpkins, crabapples, black walnuts, pine cones, and even twigs that are less than 18 inches long.  For a full list of restrictions, visit the Leaf and Yard Waste section of the Streets Division website (www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste).

Yard Waste Collection

Crews will complete two official rounds of curbside collection of yard waste before ending for the season.  Material set out after the second round of collection will not be collected until the start of the fall leaf collection in late September. 

Residents wishing to utilize this service are encouraged to set material out prior to crews arriving into their refuse collection area.  For daily updates on where the crews are collecting, residents should visit the Leaf and Yard Waste section of the Streets Division website and use the Collection District Maps.  Directions on how to use the maps are found on the website.  Residents can also call the leaf and yard waste hotline at 608-267-2088 for weekly updates and estimates on collection times.

How Should People Pile Yard Waste for Collection?

When setting out yard waste, residents can pile the material loose on the terrace or curbside.  Do not place it in the street directly.

Residents can also place yard waste into open compostable paper bags, or in open plastic bags.  If bags are used, they must remain open at the top.  Do not cinch, tie, or otherwise close the yard waste bags.

Also, do not mix yard waste and brush together into a single pile.  Brush and yard waste are processed differently, and are collected by different crews, so they must be kept separate.  Piles that have yard waste and brush mixed together will not be collected.

What is Brush?

Brush is woody material likely trimmed from trees or bushes that is longer than 18 inches, but shorter than 8 feet long.

Brush Collection

Crews will pick brush continuously throughout the spring, summer, and early fall.  Brush collection will end in late September when the personnel is needed for the fall leaf collection.  The actual end of brush collection and the start of fall leaf collection is weather dependent.  Future updates will be provided to announce the end of brush collection later this year.

Residents wishing to utilize this service are encouraged to set material out prior to crews arriving into their collection area.  For daily updates on where the crews are working, residents should visit the Leaf and Yard Waste section of the Streets Division website to utilize the Collection District Maps.  Directions on how to use the maps are found on the website.  Residents can also call the brush hotline at 267-2088 for weekly updates and estimates on collection times.

How Should People Set Brush to the Curb for Collection?

Brush should be set out with the cut ends facing the same direction.  And please take care to pile the brush neatly so workers can collect the material quickly without risk of cutting their hands or arms.

Do not place brush into containers or bags.   Please do not tie brush together wires, or mix other material with it, such are rocks or metal.  For other restrictions, please visit the Brush section of the Streets Division website (www.cityofmadison.com/brushcollection).

Residents are again reminded not to comingle brush and yard waste.  Piles of mixed brush and yard waste will not be collected.

Special Note About Contractors

Brush will be collected if it is cut and set out by homeowners or residents only.  Brush created by contractors need to be disposed of by the contractor.  Contractors are also barred from using the resident & taxpayer only drop off facilities to dispose of the brush.  Contractors can use the brush processing facility at 121 E. Olin Ave. to dispose of the brush they create.  The website for the processing site is www.cityofmadison.com/streets/yardWaste/brushprocessing.cfm.

Drop-Off Sites

Residents and taxpayers can also use the city of Madison drop off facilities.  Brush and yard waste can be brought to 1501 W. Badger Rd. or 4602 Sycamore Ave.  The drop-off site at 402 South Point Rd. can only accept yard waste.

All three drop off sites are currently open seven days a week.  On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays the sites are open 8:30am to 4:30pm.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the sites are open 8:30am to 8:00pm.  These hours will remain in place until December 3, 2017.

Residents and taxpayers are restricted to one load a day.  The load should be the equivalent of one pickup truck full, or an 8 foot by 4 foot trailer.   Residents and taxpayers attempting to bring in more than this during one trip will be denied access and directed to the brush processing facility at 121 E. Olin Ave.

All users of the drop off site are expected to show proof of residency or taxpayer status to use the site.

Again, contractors are barred from using the drop off sites to dispose of material.

For more information regarding the drop off facilities, please visit the Drop-Off Site section of the Streets Division website (www.cityofmadison.com/streets/yardWaste/dropoffsites.cfm)

For more information for all Streets Division services, visit www.cityofmadison.com/streets.

New Recyclopedias from the Streets Division

We have a new Recyclopedia.  There's a very handy and searchable PDF on our website that can be found on the main Streets Division website (see the below screen shot).   You can follow this link to give it a look: http://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/documents/Recyclopedia2017-web.pdf

3.20.17 Updates

Please see below for more information about HotelRED, Lucky's 1313, Rockhound Brewery, and 1603 Monroe:

HotelRED

HotelRED will be before the Plan Commission tonight at 5:30pm to review their proposed 4 story expansion. Please share comments with the Plan Commission by emailing staff Tim Parks (tparks@cityofmadison.com). You can view my memo on the project here.

Lucky's 1313

Lucky's 1313 is applying to expand their outdoor patio capacity and add volleyball courts. The letter of intent is on my website and I will post more details as they become available. We will be holding a neighborhood meeting to give them the ability to share more information and answer questions. Please join us or email me directly with feedback.

• Wednesday, March 22 at 7pm at 1313 Regent Event Room

Rockhound Brewery

Rockhound Brewery at 444 S. Park Street is applying for an outdoor patio and indoor entertainment license for indoor live music. You can find more details, including copies of their application forms, on my development website. Please share any feedback you have with me.

1603 Monroe Street Update

We had a very productive neighborhood meeting on Thursday night. Due to great feedback, the developer is proposing to work to physically re-route traffic from the building to Oakland, rather than down the alley. Proposed updates to the plan are here.

Two neighborhood meetings of interest on Thursday evening:

1603 Monroe Street Conditional Use for Drive-Through

Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at HotelRED (in conjunction with the Vilas Neighborhood Association Council Meeting)

This project is proposing a conditional use for a drive-thru lane bank lane, to move Associated Bank from up the street. Plans can be found here. Please join us at the meeting on Thursday night to learn more, ask questions, and share your opinion. Also feel free to email me directly.

Additional Information:

• Traffic Study, with additional attachment regarding bank drive-thru - correction to the additional attachment, Associated Bank had their drive-thru numbers reversed - 20% of total traffic at the bank per month are drive through, or 1,000 total over 20-24 week days and all Saturdays are half days. Less than the projections of the traffic study. 
• Drive Up Plans, Rear View, Exit View, Associated Bank Corner View

Plan Commission is expected to review this proposal at their April 3rd meeting. 

Forest Hill Cemetery Improvements Public Meeting

Thursday, March 16 from 6:30-7:30 pm at Randall Elementary School Cafeteria, 1802 Regent St. 

The City of Madison Parks Division will hold a public input meeting regarding improvements to Forest Hill Cemetery including storm sewer installation, irrigation main replacement, and roadway resurfacing. At this meeting, Parks will discuss and seek input on the proposed improvements.

If you have questions or comments but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Corey Stelljes at (608) 266-6518 or cstelljes@cityofmadison.com.

For more information please visit: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects/forest-hill-cemetery-improvements

District 13 Development Update

Please read on for updates regarding HotelRED, 1603 Monroe, Wingra Creek, and Monroe Street Reconstruction.

HotelRED, 1501 Monroe Street

As presented at a neighborhood meeting last November, HotelRED is proposing an additional four stories with a rooftop small restaurant and event space. You can find their plans and more details in their conditional use application, linked here.

• Plan Commission, Monday, March 20 at 5:30pm

Back in the fall, I received many emails both in support and in opposition to this addition. Please continue to share your thoughts with me, as it will inform the eventual position I will take on this proposal. If you would also like to contact the Plan Commission, the decision-making body, please cc or also email Tim Parks (tparks@cityofmadison.com).  

1603 Monroe Street

The four story project, approved this spring, has a website where you can follow developments - http://www.1605monroe.com/. The developer is proposing to fill much of the commercial space by moving Associated Bank from their current Monroe Street location to this site. However, this requires a drive-through window. A drive through is a conditional use in the zoning district. The developer intends to submit plans for this reconfiguration of the enclosed parking to include a drive-through bank window. They hope to go before the Plan Commission for approval of the conditional use on April 3. I will post more information, including a traffic impact study, to my website as soon as it is available.

Wingra Point II (Wingra Creek Residences), 1004 and 1032 South Park Street

There has been a lot of neighborhood information and discussion about redesigns of this project. I want to reiterate – nothing has been submitted to the city for approval at this time. I take positions on projects once plans have been submitted, we have reviewed them with the neighborhood and city staff, and the approvals are before the appropriate city bodies.

Monroe Street Reconstruction

I am excited to share an update on the Monroe Street Reconstruction project and public engagement process, which will continue through summer/fall 2017 to prepare us for reconstruction in 2018. On January 3rd, the Common Council unanimously approved the future cross section (dimensions) for Monroe Street proposed by city staff with neighborhood input. With the cross section approved, we can now move forward with more detailed design and planning around the specific type and placement of streetscaping, traffic calming and sustainability improvements. The redesign of Crazy Legs Triangle with a placemaking focus will be a major opportunity as part of this next phase.

Below you will find dates and times for three public workshops and meetings planned for 2017. In addition to these meetings, city staff will be coordinating with businesses and meeting with green infrastructure experts to explore opportunities that will be shared and discussed at the public workshops.

The goal of these final meetings is to ensure that the future design of Monroe Street reflects and benefits the broadest cross-section of our diverse community. I hope that we can count on your participation!

• Monroe Street East Segment Placemaking Workshop

April 27, 6:00-8:00 PM, HotelRED

Geographic scope: Monroe Street corridor from Crazy Legs Triangle to Edgewood Avenue. NOTE: This workshop will begin outside at Crazy Legs Triangle at 6:00 PM. Facilitators will lead a 50-minute walk-and-talk discussion that includes Crazy Legs Triangle and the east end business district. The group will arrive at HotelRED for the indoor portion of the workshop at 6:50 PM. The total length of the walk will be approximately one half mile.

RSVP here: https://monroeeastsegmentworkshop.eventbrite.com

• Monroe Street West Segment Placemaking Workshop

May 24, 6:00-8:00 PM, Wingra School Gymnasium

Geographic scope: Monroe Street corridor from Edgewood Avenue to Odana Avenue.

NOTE: This workshop will begin outside at the Wingra Park entrance (where the path meets Monroe Street by Commonwealth) at 6:00 PM. Facilitators will lead a 50-minute walk-and-talk discussion that includes areas adjacent to Wingra Park, Edgewood College and the Knickerbocker business district. The group will arrive at Wingra School for the indoor portion of the workshop at 6:50 PM. The total length of the walk will be approximately 1.3 miles.

RSVP here: https://monroestreetwestsegmentworkshop.eventbrite.com

• Monroe Street Corridor Design Open House

July 20, 6:00-8:00 PM

Edgewood College Washburn Heritage Room

Goals of the east and west segment placemaking workshops:

1. Share and gather community input on specific placemaking and traffic calming opportunities planned for each half of the Monroe Street corridor;
2. Visualize and discuss larger-scale placemaking opportunities at Crazy Legs Triangle (east end workshop) and the Wingra Park entrance (west end workshop), including public art, green infrastructure, community gathering spaces and corridor design themes; and,
3. Explore community ideas and questions in a more hands-on setting.

These meetings will be highly interactive. Please note that each meeting will begin with an outdoor walking portion, so if you prefer to meet the group inside afterward, feel free to do so.

Please watch for invitations as these meetings are scheduled and share with your family, friends, coworkers and fellow community members. You can ensure that you receive notice for these meetings by signing up for my email updates here: http://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/updates/. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at a workshop this spring!

Upcoming Vilas Parks Projects for 2017

The City is proposing several projects in Vilas Park scheduled in 2017!  Information will be provided as it becomes available. To stay up to date on these projects and other Parks projects please visit https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects.

Vilas Park Accessible Fishing Pier

The  Parks Division is proposing the installation of an accessible fishing pier at Vilas Park on Lake Wingra. The pier would be located near the existing parking lot on Vilas Park Drive and extend out into Lake Wingra.  This would be a joint project between City of Madison Parks Division and Building and Construction Trades Council Of South Central Wisconsin.

• Public Informational Meeting: January 19, 2017 at 7:30 pm. Please visit https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects/vilas-park-fishing-pier for more information on the project and upcoming public informational meeting.

Vilas Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacements

The City is planning replacement of the two existing pedestrian bridges to the island in Vilas Park.  The proposed bridges will be roughly located in the same location. A Public Informational Meeting is tentatively scheduled for March or April of 2017.  Watch for more information in the upcoming months.

Vilas Park Master Plan

The Parks Division will be kicking off  the Master Plan for Vilas Park in late summer or fall of 2017 with several public informational and visioning meetings.  Watch for more information in the upcoming months to learn how you can get involved.

Upcoming Meetings: 1202 South Park Street; Vilas Fishing Pier; Goodman Ice Rink; Edgewood HS Athletics. Please join us!

Goodman Ice Rink

• Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30pm at the Goodman Maintenance Facility (1402 Wingra Creek Parkway)

Proposed 2017 work includes:

• Lining and rehabilitation of the existing ice rink storm sewer discharge pipe: The existing pipe used to drain the water from the ice rink is metal and in poor condition and the City will be completing maintenance work in the summer of 2017.  A new PVC plastic storm sewer pipe will be used to line the existing metal pipe.  Additionally a new control valve will be installed in the existing access structure near the bike path.  New apron endwalls will be placed at either end of the pipe.  This has been designed and the City has selected RP Cattell Inc to complete the work.  Work is expected to take place between June 5th and June 30th.  A temporary closure (and detour) of the Capitol City Bike Path at this location is anticipated for up to 5 business days to allow completion of the work.
• Replacement of the existing rink lighting system: The existing lighting system at the Goodman Ice Rink will be removed and replaced.  The existing 6 light poles and concrete bases will be removed and a proposed 2 pole system will be installed.   The new lighting will be an LED system and provide targeted lighting sufficient for open skating and hockey.  The new lights will be more energy efficient and provide more targeted lighting with less spill-over compared to the existing system.
• Removal of the existing warming shelter: The City is proposing to remove the existing warming shelter as part of the changes to the Goodman Ice Rink. Unfortunately this shelter has been closed for the last few years; it's in poor condition with a non-functional sanitary sewer lateral that makes the shelter unusable.  A hazardous materials inspection was completed and it was determined that the shelter has lead and asbestos contamination which will need to be remediated.  Demolition is proposed to occur in the summer of 2017. At this time we will not be replacing the warming shelter at this location. In the past, this building has been problematic from an operations standpoint and has had problems related to encampment issues and drug use.

Vilas Park Fishing Pier

• Thursday, January 19 at 7:30pm, Edgewood College, Predolin Humanities Center, Room 306

The Building Trades would like to donate an accessible fishing pier on Lake Wingra, near the beach. Please save the date and attend the meeting or reach-out to Parks staffer Corey Stelljes (CStelljes@cityofmadison.com) for more information.

1202 South Park Street Permanent Supportive Housing Proposal

• Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30pm, Goodman Maintenance Facility, 1402 Wingra Creek Parkway
  • This meeting will be focused on planning issues related to land use and the proposed site.
• Early February meeting TBD (likely at Rethke Terrace)
  • This meeting will be focused on services provided (safety, quality of life concerns for this particular housing type).

Edgewood High School Athletics

• Monday, January 30 at 6:30 in the HS Commons

Edgewood High School will be hosting an informational meeting January 30th at 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the school Commons.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide information to our neighbors regarding Edgewood's desire and necessity to host night sporting events on their new field.

Information will be shared about field usage, parking, traffic management, expanded seating and storage, field lighting and outdoor sound.

This meeting is intended to provide information and receive feedback. Questions will be addressed, or noted for follow up if additional information is needed to provide answers.

Parking will be available in the Commons lot located to the left of Edgewood Drive. The Commons doors are located on the far right side of the building as you face the school.

We hope you can attend this informational meeting. You can find some initial information in this briefing sheet prepared by Edgewood.

Neighbors - It's obviously another snow emergency outside. I do not send email or forward updates every time the city sends a snow alert, as not to clutter your inbox. If you want to be updated regarding snow plowing, snow emergencies, and when sidewalks need to be cleared, please sign-up for email updates here: http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/winter/

Thanks! Stay warm!

December 12, 2016 Update

See below for updates on the status of development and project approvals, winter reminders, meetings, and more. Stay safe and warm on this beautiful snow day!

Snow Emergency Declared 12/11/2016

The City of Madison has declared a snow emergency.  This means alternate side parking restrictions will be in effect for the downtown/isthmus snow emergency zone and the rest of the city of Madison. The snow emergency will remain in effect until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13.

Madison residents are asked to remove all vehicles from the street if possible.  All residents who must park on the street tonight (the evening of December 11 into early morning of December 12) need to have their vehicles on the EVEN house-numbered side of the street between the hours of 1am and 7am.   

Vehicles parked on the tomorrow night (the evening of December 12 into early morning of December 13) should have their vehicles on the ODD house-numbered side of the street between the hours of 1am and 7am.

Violations of the alternate side parking rules are punishable by a fine of $60 throughout the entire City of Madison.  Violators could also be towed.

Residents are reminded that all daytime parking restrictions will be enforced. That includes restrictions that ban parking on selected blocks in the downtown/isthmus area and on the near east and west sides. Parkers should pay close attention to all parking signs.

Parking is available in the cashiered sections of city-owned ramps in the downtown area. During a declared snow emergency, you can park for no charge at the City ramps from 9pm until 7am. If you enter before pm or leave after 7am, you are liable for any parking charges before 9pm and from 7am until the time you leave.

When parking in the ramps overnight, do not park on the top level so this area can be plowed. Be aware that vehicles stored in city ramps longer than 48 hours are subject to being ticketed and towed. Meters in lots and ramps are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Parking is also available at the Brittingham Park Shelter parking lot off W. Washington Ave.

Madison residents can get complete snow emergency information at www.cityofmadison.com/winter or by calling 261-9111.

Be Salt Wise!

You kept the leaves out of the lake, now it is time to keep the salt out!

We all rely on salt to help keep us safe. However, you only need a little. You can help change the amount of salt used on our side walks, parking lots, and streets. The most efficient amount of salt is one coffee mug for 60 feet or 10 sidewalk squares! Any more than that and you unnecessarily harm plants and animals, pollute lakes and groundwater, and damage vehicles, roads and bridges.

This winter, help protect our lakes and groundwater:

• Shovel Early: Clear walkways before the snow turns to ice.
• Use Less: Use one coffee mug per 10 sidewalk squares.
• Switch: Salt Doesn't work under 15 degrees; instead use sand or a low temp ice melter.
• Hire contractors that are a trained Salt Wise applicator!
• Share: Remind stores & businesses to be Salt Wise.
• Be Salt Wise all year: The salt from your water softener ends up in local freshwater streams so switch to new, efficient softeners.

Want more? Learn more on how to be Wisconsin Salt Wise at www.wisaltwise.com.

Campus Master Plan Update

Monday, December 12 at 7pm

Gordon Dining and Event Center, 770 W. Dayton

Current Campus Master Plan Newsletter here.

1603 Monroe Street

This project was approved in June, but recently the project team determined the project was not economically feasible based on the approved design. They will be submitting a revised plan for approval at the January 9 Plan Commission.

The team will be overviewing the new project and design to the Vilas Neighborhood Board on Wednesday, December 14 at their 7:00 pm meeting at Hotel Red. You are all invited to attend and ask questions or provide input at that meeting. Given for the most part this is a reduction in size of the project, we will not be holding another neighborhood meeting. If you have feedback on the new proposal, please feel free to contact me directly and ask any questions of Gregg Shimanski (gregg@madrent.com).

The updated project has the following components (as described by the developer, Gregg Shimanski):

• Four stories, down from five stories;
  • Dropped off the top floor  condominium component of the project:
  • Sq. Ft. of building now down from 47,001 gross square feet to 39,965 gross square feet
• Eliminate the lowest level of parking;
  • Parking goes from 14 public space to 16 public spaces; and residential tenant parking goes from 48  spaces to 27 spaces:
  • Bike parking goes from 70 combined public and residents to 58 total;
  • Included some moped parking and moved some public bike spaces into the terrace for easier access to retail/commercial uses;
• Residential unit count goes from 48 to 44 with no change in the apartment unit type or mix:
• Commercial/Retail space goes from  5,020 sq. ft. to about 5,353 sq. ft.
  • My office will take up about 1,300 sq. ft. of this and we are working with a financial institution who we hope will take the signature corner space of about 2,200-2,500 sq. ft., with 1,300-1,500 yet to be discussed with any user;
• The "footprint" of the building stays the same;
• Vehicle access points goes from 3 to only 1;
• We have taken City Planning Department comments on elevations and made the Oakland/Monroe Corner more predominant and sharp. Commercial access to building is now flush off the sidewalk.
• Demolition start date of 4/1/17 with completion late winter/early spring, 2018
• Contractor will be Krupp Construction

1202 South Park Street

We had a productive neighborhood meeting on Thursday evening. I will post the information from that meeting on my website when I get copies.

We anticipate two meetings in January: 1. Focused on planning and zoning considerations for the site, and 2. Focused on services, hopefully hosted at Rethke Terrace (the recently opened permanent supportive housing project managed by Heartland on the east-side).

Stay tuned for more information.

Monroe Street Cross Section

The Monroe Street proposed cross section continues to move through the city approval process. If you want to learn more about the proposal and alternatives, there's a great overview handout here. The public engagement process so far is well outlined here. Additional information can be found on the website. The committee reviews are public meetings with the opportunity for public comment. Feel free to attend in person or email input to city engineering (cbachmann@cityofmadison.com).

• December 14, 2016 at 4:30pm - Board of Public Works
• January 3, 2017 at 6:30pm - Common Council

1004 & 1032 PARK STREET

The project team is proposing changes to their original approval. This will require a full re-approval process. I cannot support the current version of the plans, due mainly to the lack of commercial space. Park Street is in need of pedestrian and street-level activation for the long-term health of our community. Though leases may take time to rent out on Park Street, with increased infill in the area, the commercial space will eventually be rented and bring many assets. This is what is called for in the neighborhood and corridor plans. Developers must submit projects that align with our approved plans whenever possible.

If the plans change significantly, I will call a neighborhood meeting on this project. At this time, city staff and I have expressed that the changes proposed do not conform to plans. If that changes, we will need to brief the neighborhood and gather feedback.

In the meantime, the development team has a right to move through the land use process. At this time, they intend to follow this schedule:

• Urban Design Commission, TBD (before Plan Commission)
• Plan Commission, January 23, 2017
• Common Council, February 7, 2017

New Options Available to Pay Your City of Madison Property Tax Bill

It is that time of year again, along with holiday decorations, gatherings with friends and family and even snow, it is time to expect your City of Madison property tax bill. There are however a couple of new methods of payment this year that will make the process easier.

Consider Enrolled Payments. Using this method, you may pay online using your Checking/Savings account. You can view activity, edit your profile, or add/delete accounts. Select from a variety of email notifications to help manage your payments. There is not a fee for using eBilling. Residents who pay their bills in installments using the enrolled payments can easily set up their accounts to get the added benefit of electronic reminders as a due date approaches.

Another new payment option is payment by phone. This service offers both the option of English and Spanish via an automated service operating 24 hours per day. You will be able to enter your checking/savings account or credit/debit card privately by phone by calling 877-899-4281.

Individuals using this service are asked to have their parcel and bill numbers ready. There is a fee for using a credit/debit card. There is not a fee for using a checking or savings account.

In addition, as always, property owners are able to make a onetime payment by credit or debit card or accessing a checking or savings account. There is a fee for using a credit or debit card but none for using a checking or savings account. Residents are still able to submit their payments by mail to the City Treasurer's office. All mailing information is included in the tax bill. You may also pay in person at the City Treasurer's office in the City County Building.

All tax payments postmarked on or before December 31, 2016 will be processed as having been paid in 2016.

Protect Your Home From Rats: New Public Health Video

Got rats? They aren't just a problem in big cities. Get rid of sources of food and shelter in your yard for a #ratfreeMadison. Public Health Madison & Dane County explains how:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSCGWu2vFX8&t

Madison Is Now A 'Class 1' Fire Protection Community

Property Owners May Be Entitled To Lower Insurance Rates

The nation's leading supplier of data and analytics for the property/casualty insurance industry has named Madison "Wisconsin's newest Class 1 fire protection community." It's a distinction shared by only three other cities in the state.

The Insurance Service Organization (ISO), through its Public Protection Classification program, examined three areas: Emergency Communications, Fire Department, and Water Supply. Out of 105.50 possible credits in the ISO's scoring metric, Madison received 91.48 credits, placing the city among an elite group of 204 municipalities (out of 47,000) in the country that carry this honor (see: "Points of Pride" document.pdf). The new classification takes effect Thursday, December 1.

The public's ongoing investment in a progressive fire department, a robust and reliable water utility, and a responsive, technologically-advanced emergency communications center is now paying off by way of lower property insurance rates.

Most insurers use the ISO's Public Protection Classification Program when underwriting and calculating premiums for residential, commercial, and industrial properties; therefore, property owners in the City of Madison, Village of Shorewood Hills, and Town of Blooming Grove may be entitled to decreased rates.

Individuals can take advantage of this new classification by contacting their insurance agent and letting them know their community was just upgraded to an "ISO Class 1" ranking. Because each insurer uses ISO rankings differently, actual savings may vary.

Dear Neighbors,

With the recent passage of capital and operating budgets for the City, Monroe Street reconstruction is on track to be complete in 2018.

Thank you all for your involvement and feedback in the process thus far. The proposed cross section designed based on community input will be approved by City committees in the coming weeks. If you want to learn more about the proposal and alternatives, there's a great overview handout here. Additional information can be found on the website. The committee reviews are public meetings with the opportunity for public comment. Feel free to attend in person or email input to city engineering (cbachmann@cityofmadison.com). 

• November 29, 2016 at 5pm - Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission
• December 14, 2016 at 4:30pm - Board of Public Works
• January 3, 2017 at 6:30pm - Common Council

I know some are disappointed with the proposed cross section. We will not find a cross section design that pleases everyone. In my assessment of all the feedback received throughout this process, the proposed cross section best addresses the key priorities of the most people, within the confines of the width of the street. I appreciated the participation of so many people via the survey, emails, phone calls, and meetings that allowed us to collectively evaluate a wide variety of options.

Once the cross section is approved, we can move on to planning other key elements of the project, including green infrastructure, placemaking enhancements, lighting, finalizing pedestrian island/beacons/raised and painted intersections locations, trash/recycle locations, bus stop enhancements, and more. I look forward to continue working with you all.

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

All my best,

Sara

Thank you all for your interest and participation in our discussion on Sunday. I, personally, was encouraged by the insights and ideas shared. I look forward to carrying them forward together.

Linked here is a summary of the "Local Next Steps in the Context of the National Election (in District 13)" meeting held on Sunday, November 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m., at the Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 South Mills Street. The purpose of the meeting was to develop short and long-term action items and priorities for the city, and share with the wider community by Monday afternoon (November 14) on your website. This summary has parts: 
 
Part A – Event and Results: (1) Event Summary, (2) Participant Reactions to the Election Results, (3) Group Consensus on "Top 3 High Impact Recommendations," (4) Group Consensus on "Top 3 Easy to Do Recommendations", (5) An Individual Chose Recommendation as "Top 3 High Impact Recommendations," (6) An Individual Chose Recommendation as "Top 3 Easy to Do Recommendations", (7) An Individual Provided Recommendation as "Something Interesting to Consider", and (8) Concluding Comments. 
 
Part B – Replicating the Event: (1) A one-hour meeting agenda, (2) Detailed meeting process that generated the recommendations contained in this report, (3) Civil discussion ground rules, (4) Your individual feelings and recommendations, and (5) Your group/table's recommendations. 
 
The 14 participants, within one hour, developed and prioritized a list of 60 local action recommendations. Many arrived feeling somewhat hopeless, and left feeling hopeful. Their list of local action recommendations, and the steps suggested in the "Concluding Comments" section of this report, should be shared widely, develop roots quickly, and blossom throughout Madison and other locations.  

Local Next Steps in the Context of the National Election (in District 13)

Sunday, November 13 from 4-5pm

Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 South Mills Street

Please join me on Sunday for an opportunity to process together the next steps for our local community, in light of the recent election. All are welcome to this discussion, which will be a safe space facilitated by Denis Collins, professor at Edgewood College.

I realize this is very short notice, and not everyone who would like will be able to join. Those who attend will develop short and long-term action items and priorities for the city, which will be generated into a report to be shared out with the wider community by Monday afternoon (November 14) on my website. This will provide more individuals the opportunity to read, react, and share their thoughts and priorities with me electronically. All this work will provide me with short-term information for budget deliberations at Council on Monday and Tuesday evening, as well as the ongoing work of serving our diverse constituency.

Agenda for Sunday, November 13

• 4:00 - 4:10 Welcome and Process Overview
• 4:10-4:15 Divide into interest group tables (depending on who attends) and review rules and guidelines for civil discourse
• 4:15-4:35 Interest groups will work to generate ideas and prioritize
• 4:35-4:45 Report out
• 4:45-4:55 Prioritize as a large group
• 4:55-5:00 and ongoing, Participants can organize on their own regarding the activity

I hope this will be an opportunity for those who desire to start (and continue) working together in our local community on city issues. The Council will be passing the following resolution on Monday evening, which I hope sets the tone for how we will continue to engage as a city:

Title

Reaffirming the city of Madison's values of inclusion, equity and justice.

Body

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Madison Common Council believe in and stand for the values of

inclusion, equity and justice; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Madison Common Council condemn Islamophobia, racism, sexism,

xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia in rhetoric and action; and,

WHEREAS, the city of Madison welcomes all people and recognizes the rights of individuals to

live their lives with dignity, free from discrimination and targeting because of their faith, race,

national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation and/or gender identity; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Madison Common Council will continue to work on making the city of

Madison's services and programs accessible and open to all individuals; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Madison Common Council believe in the public sector working for

the public good, advancing racial equity and inclusion to be critical to the success of our

community and our nation,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Madison Common Council reaffirm

the values of inclusion, equity and justice in the city of Madison.

Vote!

You can find your polling place and more information on wisconsinvote.org. Thanks to our city clerk and her staff for their amazing work ensuring early voting was available at all city public libraries, on UW and Edgewood campuses and at the clerk's office.

Pumpkin Composting and Leaf Pickup

City of Madison residents should place their pumpkins at the curb along with their leaves for collection this fall.  Leaves should be placed in piles at the street edge for collection with the pumpkins on top.  Do not place your leaves in the street or gutter. Residents who elect bag their leaves should place their pumpkins on the ground next to their bagged leaves. Those who bag their leaves are reminded to leave the bags open at the top so crews can identify what is inside the bag.

 Alternatively, your pumpkins could surrender their nutrients and join the choir invisible in residents' very own back yard compost bin.  Pumpkins are a great source of nitrogen for the backyard piles.

In addition to collecting pumpkins, City of Madison crews will also collect other organic Halloween/Fall decorations such as other decorative gourds, corn stalks, and straw as part of the leaf collection. You may also bring this material to our yard waste drop off sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd., 4602 Sycamore Ave, or 402 South Point Rd.   The sites are presently open from 8:30am to 4:30pm seven days a week and until 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  These hours will remain in effect until Sunday, December 4.

Residents can get complete information on fall leaf collection, including estimates on when crews will be collecting from your neighborhood at http://www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste  or by calling 267-2088.

HotelRED Neighborhood Meeting

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at HotelRED (1501 Monroe Street)

Please join us for a neighborhood meeting where we will hear about the proposed revitalization of the existing HotelRED at the corner of Regent and Monroe Streets. This project involves a four-story addition to the existing structure that includes additional guest rooms and parking, as well as a rooftop garden and top floor community event space.

Monona Bay Public Meeting

November 15th at 7:00pm at the Madison Water Utility (119 E. Olin Avenue)

The City of Madison is proposing a project to dredge approximately 1000 cubic yards of material from Monona Bay, near the intersection of Parr Street, West Shore Drive, and South Shore Drive.  The purpose of the project is to provide a secondary off-loading location for Dane County weed cutters.  This area has historically been used for off-loading weedcutters, but accumulated sediment now prevents this.  The shoreline in this location will not be altered.  Sediment will be removed to provide a minimum water depth of approximately 5 feet. 

If you have questions or concerns related to this project, please contact Sally Swenson of the Engineering Division at (608) 266-4862 or sswenson@cityofmadison.com.

Wingra Point II Update

The project originally approved last year, commonly called Wingra Point II, at the intersection of Park Street and Fish Hatch, has been resubmitted for approval due to significant plan alterations. This means the project needs to go through full review again--including the Urban Design Commission, Plan Commission, and Common Council. The plans and dates are on my development website here.

The Urban Design Commission meeting is Wednesday, November 9 at 4:30pm.

I am very concerned about the significant decrease in commercial space for this project. From a planning perspective, it is important to have mixed-use projects that activate the street.

Monroe Street Reconstruction

Thank you for joining us at the Monroe Street Cross Section Open House at Edgewood College Thursday the 27th.  Please find meeting notes, briefing sheets and presentation, all of which are posted on the City's project website: http://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/monroe-street

As a reminder, upcoming public meetings for review and approval of the recommended cross section are:

November 22: Introduce to the Common Council (for referral only)

November 29: Ped/Bike/Motor Vehicle Commission

December 14: Board of Public Works (Lead Agency)

January 3, 2017: Common Council (final vote)

If you have additional comments or questions that you would like to submit, please direct these to Christy Bachmann (cbachmann@cityofmadison.com) in the city engineering department and Alder Sara Eskrich (district13@cityofmadison.com).

We thank you for your continued participation in the Monroe Street Reconstruction planning process and we look forward to seeing you again in early 2017, when we will discuss placemaking, green infrastructure and streetscape improvements.

Imagine Madison – Comprehensive Plan

Mark your calendars for the first round of community meetings related to "Imagine Madison", the process to update our Comprehensive Plan.  The main objectives of these meetings, which will both have the same program, are to provide background information on city data and issues and to review major goals that have been synthesized from the 2006 Comprehensive Plan and subsequent City plans.  Snacks and childcare opportunities will be provided.

Monday, December 5th

5:30-8:00PM (6:15-7:15 Presentation)

Central Library, 3rd Floor

201 W. Mifflin St.

Madison, WI 53703

Wednesday, December 7th

5:30-8:00PM (6:15-7:15 Presentation)

The Atrium at Village on Park

2600 S. Park St.

Madison, WI 53713

Regent Street Visioning Open House

Tuesday, October 25, 2016      6:00-7:00PM

HotelRED

For the past several months Vandewalle & Associates has been working with the Greenbush-Vilas Partnership and its Community Advisory Committee to consider opportunities that could advance implementation of the adopted Regent Street South Campus Neighborhood Plan. We've met with numerous property and business owners and community stakeholders and collected their ideas.

 With the Regent Street South Campus Plan as our guide and the stakeholder comments informing next steps, Vandewalle has worked with the CAC to put together rough ideas and potential next steps.

 Now it's time to open the discussion to the broader community. The open house will give neighbors and any interested community members the chance to view and react to the early framework before we move ahead. Consultants and stakeholders will be on site to hear comments and answer questions. ?

UW Campus Master Plan Meeting

Wednesday, October 26, 2016     4:45PM

WARF Building, Room 132

610 Walnut Street

Join the Joint West Campus Area Committee for a meeting including Local Agency Updates, Neighborhood Association Updates, a review of the UW-Madison Campus Master Plan and treats.  Come share your ideas and comments with the Committee.

Here is the Campus Master Plan Website with more information.

Brittingham Park Community Garden Playground Replacement

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Bayview International Center for Education and the Arts

Upstairs Meeting Room

601 Bayview

Madison, WI 53715

The neighborhood has spoken and the City of Madison Parks Division will be holding a follow-up public input meeting to choose the playground equipment type, age range, colors, and type of surfacing to be installed at the community garden playground location in 2017!

You are invited to attend this meeting to provide comments or input on the proposed project.  If you have questions or comments but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Kate Kane at 608-261-9671 or kkane@cityofmadison.com

Monroe Street Reconstruction Open House

Thursday, October 27, 2016           6-7:30PM

Edgewood College, Washburn Heritage Room 1000

Edgewood College Dr. Madison, WI 53711

Please join us on Thursday, October 27 for the Monroe Street Cross Section Open House, the sixth meeting in the Monroe Street Reconstruction community engagement process.  Come to learn about the outcomes of the Cross Section Workshop; results of city traffic modeling and analysis; and the final proposed cross section and design opportunities for Monroe Street.  Short presentations by City Staff will take place 6-6:45 followed by an open house viewing and discussion of the proposed cross section and associated design opportunities.

Referendum Vote for Madison Public Schools

Thursday, October 27, 2016      6:30PM

Memorial High School

This is a great opportunity for community members to hear more about the referendum and have questions answered.  A presentation will begin at 6:30PM followed by question and answer from attendees, as well as questions submitted through social media.  Questions will be answered by a panel of district representatives, board members, and district staff.  Light refreshments will be provided

Community members are welcome to submit questions to referendum@madison.k12.wi.us or through the district's Facebook or Twitter accounts.   To request childcare, interpretation or translation, email referendum@madison.k12.wi.us

More information is available at www.mms.org/referendum

UW Campus Master Plan Meeting

Monday, October 31, 2016        6:00PM

215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Room 300 (Madison Municipal Building)

Join the Joint Southeast Area Campus Committee to talk about Project Updates including: Memorial Union & Alumni Park; Hamel Music Performance Center; Witte Hall; ROTC Facility; UW PD Addition; and SERF Plan.  Also to discuss: Chemistry Building (action item); and UW Master Plan project update.

Here is the 2015 Campus Master Plan Update Newsletter

Join the Greenbush-Vilas Partnership for an Open House to discuss the future of the Regent Street corridor.  

Tuesday, October 25th   6:00PM-7:30PM   at HotelRED

Vandewalle & Associates has been working with the Greenbush-Vilas Partnership and its Community Advisory Committee to consider what could be done to advance the Regent Street South Campus Neighborhood Plan.  Rough ideas and potentional next steps have been put together, and now it's time to open the discussion to the community.  The Open House will give neighbors and community members a chance to view and react to the early framework.  Consultants and stakeholders will be there to answer questions and listen to feedback from the community.   

Upcoming Meetings:

Budget Listening Sessions

Please join me, along with Alders Shiva Bidar, District 5, and Denise DeMarb, District 16, for one of two upcoming joint public listening sessions on the 2017 city budget. Residents are encouraged to come learn more about how our city tax dollars are spent, and share their thoughts and suggestions for priorities. There will be a presentation on the Mayor's proposed budget in order to help facilitate discussion.

Monday, October 3

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

La Follette High School, Room C17, 702 Pflaum Rd.

Wednesday, October 5

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

West High School, Room 2031, 30 Ash Street

Common Council Meeting

Capital budget hearing--come testify and share your opinion on capital projects with the full Council.

Tuesday, October 4 at 7pm

City-County Building

210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Room 201

Jade Garden Update

The development team was scheduled to go before the Urban Design Commission on Wednesday evening, but staff provided the following update:

Based on the recent Informational Presentation to Urban Design Commission (UDC) on September 21, the applicant has requested to reschedule the public hearings with UDC and Plan Commission (PC). The intent of the application is to revise the plan set materials to address the UDC's and staff's initial comments. I have included a link to the UDC materials below for your reference. After meeting with the applicant this afternoon we were able to revise the public hearing schedule to include a formal public hearing and recommendation from UDC on October 26 and PC on November 7. 

September 21 UDC Materials

https://madison.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2703477&GUID=9230ADEB-A65F-4A6F-A513-391554FEEFA2&Options=&Search=

Madison Neighborhood Conference

The 2016 Neighborhood Conference People-Places-Possibilities is just around the corner! Join the growing list of people who have already signed up ... 180 and counting! Don't miss out – register today for this dynamic city-wide event scheduled for Saturday, October 8th from 8 am to 5 pm at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI.  Your $15 registration fee includes - Early Bird Tours, Inspiring Keynote Speaker, 12 Workshops & 20 Peer-to-Peer Conversations, and informal reception.  Fee waivers, childcare assistance, and interpretation services available.  

Conference at a Glance

8-9am | Registration, Networking, Early Bird Tours, Organizational Displays

9-9:30am | Mayor's Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:45 -12| Workshops and Neighborhood Conversations

12-1:30pm | Keynote, Lunch, & Awards/Recognitions

1:30-2:45pm | Workshops – Demographics, Economic, and Mass Transit

3:00-4:00pm | Workshops – Housing, Business, Pedestrian/Bicycle System

4:00-5:00pm | Networking Reception (Cash Bar

Website/Registration - www.cityofmadison.com/neighborhoods/NeighborhoodConference

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/1697456843909845/

Regional Transportation Plan

You will have the opportunity to:

·              Review draft plan goals and policies

·              Provide feedback on draft plan chapters

·              Examine existing conditions analysis of the transportation system

·              Weigh in on recommended solutions for important issues, needs, and opportunities facing the region's transportation system

·              Provide ideas for improving the transportation system

·              Talk with MPO staff about current plans and planning activities

The Regional Transportation Plan is the region's blueprint for future transportation investments, strategies, and actions covering all modes. It provides the policy direction and framework, which is refined through corridor, mode specific, and strategic studies and plans. 

We need to hear from you!  Our transportation system affects all of us every day in many ways. It has a major impact on the regional economy, supports and influences patterns of growth, and affects our quality of life. Join us in this important planning process.

For more information about the Regional Transportation Plan, please visit www.MadisonAreaRTP.com.

For more information about MATPB, please visit www.MadisonAreaMPO.org.

If you are only going to come to one meeting on Monroe Street reconstruction designthis is the one!

The Community Input Summary and Cross Section Workshop is the fourth meeting in the Monroe Street Reconstruction community engagement process. A street's "cross section" refers to how many feet of space are allocated within the public right-of-way for uses such as sidewalks, terraces, driving lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, etc. The future cross section for Monroe Street must be determined before detailed design and engineering commences in 2017.
 
This workshop will provide community members with an opportunity to participate in exploring and generating cross section options that will inform the final cross section prepared by City staff
 
What: Monroe Street Reconstruction Cross Section Workshop
When: Thursday, September 29, 2016   6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Wingra School Gymnasium 718 Gilmore Street, Madison, WI 53711
RSVP: To help us plan accordingly, please register/RSVP for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monroe-st-reconstruction-community-input-summary-cross-section-workshop-tickets-27604805717 Those who are unable to RSVP are still welcome to attend.
 
The workshop will include:

• Priority results from the summer's targeted public engagement on business enhancement, multi-modal infrastructure and green infrastructure.
• Technical parameters, opportunities and tradeoffs involved in potential cross section configurations.
• Hands-on small-group exercise with scaled infrastructure modeling pieces to create and share a preferred cross section for Monroe Street.
• Discussion of next steps toward determining the final cross section for Monroe Street.
   

The Community Input Summary and Cross Section Workshop is the fourth meeting in the Monroe Street Reconstruction community engagement process. A street's "cross section" refers to how many feet of space are allocated within the public right-of-way for uses such as sidewalks, terraces, driving lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, etc. The future cross section for Monroe Street must be determined before detailed design and engineering commences in 2017.

This workshop will provide community members with an opportunity to participate in exploring and generating cross section options that will inform the final cross section prepared by City staff

What: Monroe Street Reconstruction Cross Section Workshop

When: Thursday, September 29, 2016   6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Wingra School Gymnasium 718 Gilmore Street, Madison, WI 53711

RSVP: To help us plan accordingly, please register/RSVP for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monroe-st-reconstruction-community-input-summary-cross-section-workshop-tickets-27604805717 Those who are unable to RSVP are still welcome to attend.

The workshop will include:

Priority results from the summer's targeted public engagement on business enhancement, multi-modal infrastructure and green infrastructure.
Technical parameters, opportunities and tradeoffs involved in potential cross section configurations.
Hands-on small-group exercise with scaled infrastructure modeling pieces to create and share a preferred cross section for Monroe Street.
Discussion of next steps toward determining the final cross section for Monroe Street.

Please join Madison Alders Shiva Bidar, District 5, Denise DeMarb, District 16, and Sara Eskrich, District 13, for one of two upcoming joint public listening sessions on the 2017 city budget. Residents are encouraged to come learn more about how our city tax dollars are spent, and share their thoughts and suggestions for priorities. There will be a presentation on the Mayor's proposed budget in order to help facilitate discussion. 
 

Monday, October 3

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

La Follette High School, Room C17, 702 Phlaum Rd.

Wednesday, October 5

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

West High School, Room 2031, 30 Ash Street

Upcoming Meetings - Please attend or email me to share your thoughts!

Plan Commission (Infusion Chocolates) – August 29

The request for outdoor seating and limited production and processing for Infusion Chocolates will be heard before the Plan Commission on Monday, August 29 at 5:30pm. Please find my comments in support here. The agenda item with more details on their proposal can be found here.

Monroe Street – September 1

The next meeting in the Monroe Street Reconstruction public engagement process is the Green Infrastructure World Café (see attached meeting agenda). The purpose of this world café-style meeting will be to learn about green infrastructure and sustainable design opportunities as part of the Monroe Street reconstruction, including the Envision Rating System that will be used to guide the project design. Participants will hear from city staff and discuss ideas and opportunities in large and small groups. Input from this meeting will be used to inform the Cross Section Workshop (on September 29th), where participants will discuss how space within the public right-of-way should be allocated.

What: Green Infrastructure World Café

When: Thursday September 1st, 2016 6:00-7:30 PM

Where: HotelRED 1501 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711

RSVP: To help us plan accordingly, please register/RSVP for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monroe-street-reconstruction-green-infrastructure-world-cafe-tickets-27136084760 Those who are unable to RSVP are still welcome to attend.

Below are two resources that will be discussed in greater detail during the world café:

1. Envision, a rating system for sustainable infrastructure that will be used to evaluate decisions during the Monroe Street Reconstruction. See attached points table for a breakdown of the elements on which a project may be evaluated.
2. Lake Wingra Watershed Plan, developed by the City of Madison and Friends of Lake Wingra, which describes four goals and related objective for the watershed. Ideas associated with the Monroe Street reconstruction are discussed in Section 3 – Infiltration, p. 3-22. Note that the Monroe Street boundaries described in the plan are different from the boundaries of the existing reconstruction project; however, the plan provides perspective on the possible opportunities associated with the project.

Jade Garden – September 8

2nd NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING: PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF JADE GARDEN SITE

Thursday, September 8, 2016 - 7:00 pm

Water Utility - 119 E. Olin Avenue

The meeting will focus on the revised redevelopment plans for the Jade Garden site at 1109 S. Park Street.  Representatives from Shulfer Architects will outline the proposal they will be submitting to the city's Plan and Urban Design Commissions. You can view the plans here: http://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/development/.  The meeting will include time for Q&A and neighborhood feedback.

UW Master Plan – September 13

'Revised Draft Master Plan' Open House:

September 13, 2016 7-9 PM

Union South, Varsity Hall

*refreshments will be provided

The August 2016 UW-Madison Campus Master Plan Update newsletter is available here:

http://www.masterplan.wisc.edu/documents/Newsletter%20August%202016-CMP.pdf

Update for Bay Creek and Monona Bay Neighbors on Barriques Coffee Roasting

As you all may know, at the request of the Bay Creek Neighborhood Association, Barriques requested referral of their Plan Commission hearing regarding their Conditional Use application to continue roasting coffee onsite, until September. Their current status update can be found below. Please contact me if you notice any changes in the condition.

Barriques will be back before the Plan Commission on September 19th.

From Barriques - Here is where we are at with our work on the roaster.

 - We are finalizing the contract with Environmental Tech & Engineering out of Elm Grove to do some before and after stack testing of the emissions from our roasting operation. They were recommended to us by a number of the DNR approved clean air consultants we talked to.  The contract will be done this week and testing & reporting will all be concluded before the end of August. The before and after testing in this case refers to checking the emissions before and after the catalyst as I understand it. We are finalizing what will be tested for but it will primarily be for volatile organics and aldehydes.  We had discussed the option of testing the system before we made our planned improvements and after but the combination of it doubling the already very expensive price tag AND the fact that the neighborhood was unwilling to commit to supporting us if certain benchmarks were hit led us to just opt to test the system after our improvements are completed.  This will give us good scientific data on what is actually coming out of our exhaust stack that we can compare to standards set by agencies like the DNR, EPA and comparable to other 'familiar' exhaust sources(fireplaces, cars etc...).

 - About two weeks ago we had the afterburner unit inspected and adjusted by a burner technician.  He completely took apart the unit, cleaned it, made some adjustments to things like airflow and pitch of the burner and recommended a few other 'fixes'. The fixes generally deal w/ adding things like increased lengths of the cabling that the probes are attached to to allow us easy access to the burner unit itself so that cleaning etc... can be done w/ less trouble.  The report back so far from the roasting crew is that during the final minutes of the darkest roasts they are getting better temperature stability and, thus theoretically performance, from the afterburner.   

- The new catalyst should arrive in the shop later this week/early next.  This is the larger unit that we had custom engineered to fit in the existing housing.  It too should give us better performance at the times when we have the largest possibility to produce noticeable emissions.  That should be installed next week prior to the stack testing.

 - The only other thing we are still chasing right now is some kind of system that would be placed on top of our exhaust stack to force the exhaust higher into the air using high-speed blowers/diffusers.  We are chasing our tail here a bit as each system has it's own downsides (for example high noise levels) which also need solutions. Time frame is up in the air at this point.  

From Bay Creek Planning & Economic Development Committee:

On May 23, 2016, the Plan Department granted Barriques an extension on its conditional use permit (CUP) review until September 19, 2016. Bay Creek neighbors had lobbied Barriques to request the referral so that Barriques and Bay Creek's Planning & Economic Development (P&ED) committee could work together to test out whether new roasting machinery would sufficiently lessen or eliminate the problematic exhaust fumes that neighbors were reporting.

Members of P&ED met with Barriques' owner, Matt Weygandt, in early June to share results from a questionnaire that they had circulated among Bay Creek neighbors living within nine blocks of the coffee roaster. Of the 32 individuals who responded, 31 noticed the odor of Barriques' exhaust and 24 minded it; 18 noticed smoke and 17 minded it. Those who minded it reported coughing, difficulty breathing, and other negative impacts.

P&ED members asked Barriques to share dates for baseline emissions testing, installation of new/retooled equipment, and follow-up testing so that P&ED could keep neighbors informed of Barriques' plan for updating and improving its roasting machinery and so that P&ED could plan and implement a follow-up questionnaire. 

During the last week of July, Matt Weygandt emailed Alder Eskrich, explaining that Barriques: 1) had inspected, cleaned, and adjusted its afterburner unit in early July; 2) will install a new catalyst before the end of July; 3) has contracted with a consultant to test for volatile organics and aldehydes before the end of August, and 4) is considering installing a high-speed (and potentially noisy) blower on its smokestack. (See above for the full text of Weygandt's message.)

Weygandt's message included the misstatement that: "The neighborhood was unwilling to commit to support us if certain benchmarks were hit." No benchmarks have yet been offered to neighbors regarding diminishment of Barriques' fumes. P&ED did request both before and after testing in order to identify benchmarks, reasoning that by determining the causes of the negative impact of roasting fumes on neighbors, Barriques might make appropriate changes to its operations (including establishing benchmarks). Nonetheless neighbors remain hopeful that the changes Barriques plans will be effective.

P&ED still awaits a reply from Weygandt stating the exact dates for installation of the catalyst and blower. Neighbors will need several weeks to observe potential changes in Barriques' exhaust and to provide feedback because: 1) shifting winds take the fumes to different addresses from day to day; 2) air conditioning may filter some of the impact of the fumes, skewing the actual results; and 3) it takes considerable time for P&ED to circulate and collate neighbors' responses. 

PUBLIC MEETING: W. MAIN, S./W. SHORE CONTINUED BIKE BOULEVARD

Monday, August 1, 2016 - 5:30 p.m.

Water Utility - 119 E. Olin Avenue

Please join me to hear from  city Traffic Engineering staff to learn more about the proposed bike route system enhancements along West Main Street, South Shore Drive, West Shore Drive, and Gilson Street. We will discuss bike/ motorist signing and pavement markings to enhance the bike route system, including the "Bike Boulevard" designation and its associated signing and marking. Please attend this meeting or email me to ask questions or share your thoughts.?

Please join us for the next step in the Monroe Street Reconstruction community engagement process. At this meeting we aim to understand the community's perspective on issues and opportunities related to pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure design on Monroe Street, including how these different uses will interact following reconstruction. Participants will hear from City of Madison staff about reconstruction plans, multimodal design concepts and considerations, and have the opportunity to discuss in small groups the complex opportunities and tradeoffs involved in multimodal planning on Monroe Street.  

What: Monroe Street Reconstruction Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Infrastructure World Café

When: Thursday, August 11th, 2016 from 6:00-9:00 PM

Where: The Washburn Room @ Edgewood College  1000 Edgewood College Dr., Madison, WI 53711

RSVP: To help us plan accordingly, please register/RSVP for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monroe-street-pedestrian-bicycle-and-transit-infrastructure-world-cafe-tickets-26566505132. Those who are unable to RSVP are still welcome to attend.

*Note that some surface parking lot space may be unavailable at Edgewood College at this time due to resurfacing, so please allocate an additional five minutes for parking. If you have limited mobility, please contact Zia Brucaya at zia@urbanassetsconsulting.com to inquire about special accommodations.

For more information about the Monroe Street Reconstruction, please refer to the City of Madison Engineering project website:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/monroe-street

Alcohol License Review Committee Items

Wednesday, July 20 at 5:30pm

21. 43457 Public Hearing - New License Lomo TRC LLC • dba Roman Candle Pizza

We had a very productive neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, July 12th with The Roman Candle regarding their request for alcohol licenses at Knickerbocker Place. Neighbors shared concerns regarding alcohol density, hours of operation, and parking, but also shared support for the new restaurant at this location, particularly focusing on the family-friendly nature of The Roman Candle. Please see The Roman Candle's info sheet here.

After the meeting, I shared with neighbors that to ease concerns about the impact of the restaurant, I would ask ALRC to limit the hours of operation to 10pm weekdays and 12pm Fridays and Saturdays. The applicant has noted he will agree to these hours.

I have sent this memo to the ALRC to indicate my support of the alcohol license with the limited hours. Some neighbors have also expressed concerns about outdoor seating. Though you will see a proposal in the materials from The Roman Candle, this will move through a separate process at the Plan Commission. City staff have begun working with The Roman Candle to help determine what may be permissible on the site (as I don't think the current drawings will work), pending a formal proposal and approvals at Plan Commission. I will keep the neighborhood in the loop about that separate process.

Wednesday, August 17 at 5:30pm Alcohol License Review Committee

Double SS BBQ is requesting removal of one of their Alcohol License Conditions – no outdoor smoker. Please note - we are not "re-litigating" (for lack of a better word) the use of an outdoor smoker at Double S. They are applying to have the condition of no outdoor smoker removed from their liquor license, as it is not germane to the liquor license and requires separate conditional use approvals (which they do not have). They are not currently requesting a conditional use to smoke on-site regularly. 

The removal of the condition on the alcohol license will not allow Double S to smoke outdoor onsite. 

A neighborhood meeting on this request will be held:

• Sunday, July 31st at 7pm at HotelRED

Please see this note below from the owner:

As we indicated, we plan to Petition for a license restriction removal for our beer/wine license. Our intent is to file for the change this month with the intent being that we would appear, if necessary, before the ALRC in August (August 17).

We will be asking for the deletion of the "No Outdoor Smoker" restriction on our license. Our attorney has discussed this with the City Attorney's office and the Mayor's Food and Alcohol Policy Advisor.  All agree that the restriction is not germane to our beer and wine license. In our discussion, you also agreed that the restriction does not have anything to do with alcohol, beer or wine. 

Here is our rationale:

• State Law allows all bars/restaurants to cook outdoors 14 times per year regardless of proximity to residences, without any special permitting required. Food Code Reference: Chapter 1-201.10(62). 
• No other business in your District has this liquor license restriction.
• No other business anywhere in the City has this liquor license restriction.
• All other restaurants/bars in your Aldermanic district are allowed to cook outdoors, on similar grills/smokers on football game days and other special events but Double S is not. This puts us at a competitive disadvantage.
• This restriction places us at a distinct business disadvantage to other businesses in this district as well as in the City.
• The use of an outdoor grill/smoker/bbq pit has no direct relationship to a liquor license, and is simply not germane. It is overbroad and unfair.
• The entire concept behind Double S is based on smoked meat/bbq and this restriction really inhibits our ability to operate effectively and efficiently as a business.
• As you know our grill/smoker/bbq pit as well as all of our cooking methods have met or exceeded all State and County Food Codes and Health Codes as well as ALL Federal Air Quality Guidelines.
• We have signature of over 2000 individuals in support of this effort.

We have complied with all restrictions on our license. Our hours are less than permitted, our alcohol to food ratios are all within guidelines and we have not installed a permanent outdoor smoker. We have not been a problem for the neighborhood or the City. We have been good citizens and business owners.

The petition for a license restriction change will allow us the opportunity, like other businesses – like neighborhood businesses in this neighborhood and others throughout the City, to cook outdoors on 14 days per year. As the football season is upon us and with our business in the shadow of Camp Randall, the need to move forward with this change is imminent. Time is of the essence.

We understand that granting this license change will not allow for the permanent installation of an outdoor smoker. We understand that if we decide to move forward on that front, we will need to follow a different process – one that would result in our being granted a conditional use permit. That is an issue for future consideration.

Infusion Chocolates is moving forward with formally submitting their plans to the city for Plan Commission approval of their outdoor seating and limited food production and processing proposal at 2503 Monroe Street. We had a productive and positive neighborhood meeting with them on Wednesday, July 6th and both the neighborhood association and I look forward to supporting their proposal once submitted and reviewed by staff.

West Main, West and South Shore Bike Boulevard Meeting

• Monday, August 1 at 5:30pm at the Water Utility
• Come get questions asked of Traffic Engineering about the proposed extension of the bike boulevard from West Main Street around Monona Bay.

Reminder: this meeting is tomorrow night and at Edgewood. Please spread the word, as postcards mailed had the incorrect meeting location. Thanks!

INFUSION CHOCOLATES CONDITIONAL USE MTG (In coordination with the DMNA Council meeting)

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - 6:45 p.m. Edgewood College Library Boardroom 

Infusion Chocolates, a small artisan chocolate shop that has been operating at Hilldale Shopping Center since 2008, is interested in relocating to the property at 2503 Monroe Street. They have submitted a letter of intent for a lease at this location and wish to apply to the city for a Conditional Use Permit in order to produce chocolates and confectionary products and for an outdoor seating area to accommodate no more than 16 people.

Please attend this meeting or email me to ask questions or share thoughts on this proposal.  

INFUSION CHOCOLATES CONDITIONAL USE MTG (In coordination with the DMNA Council meeting)

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - 6:45 p.m. Edgewood College Library Boardroom 

Infusion Chocolates, a small artisan chocolate shop that has been operating at Hilldale Shopping Center since 2008, is interested in relocating to the property at 2503 Monroe Street. They have submitted a letter of intent for a lease at this location and wish to apply to the city for a Conditional Use Permit in order to produce chocolates and confectionary products and for an outdoor seating area to accommodate no more than 16 people.

Please attend this meeting or email me to ask questions or share thoughts on this proposal.  

ROMAN CANDLE ALCOHOL LICENSE MTG

Tuesday, July 12, 2016 - 5:30 p.m. Former MadCat Space next to Victor Allens

The Roman Candle, a local pizza restaurant is looking to open their third Madison-area location at 2623 Monroe Street (in the Victor Allens and former MadCat spaces). Please find a copy of their liquor license application here. 

Please attend this meeting or email me to ask questions or share thoughts on this proposal.  

Meetings of Interest to District 13 this Week – Plan Commission, Monroe Street Reconstruction, and ALRC

Monday, 6/13

• Plan Commission, 5:30pm in Rm 201 City County Building (210 MLK Blvd)
  • 6. 42303 Consideration of a demolition permit to demolish a single-family residence and construct a new single-family residence at 3303 Gregory Street; 13th Ald. Dist.
  • 8. 42307 Consideration of a conditional use to construct an outdoor recreation area, expand the parking area, increase the capacity and modify the floorplan for approved outdoor eating area, and approve a parking reduction, all for a restaurant-tavern at 1313 Regent Street and 7 S. Randall Avenue; 13th Ald. Dist.
  • 12. 42745 Consideration of a conditional use for an outdoor eating area for a restaurant-tavern at 2701 Monroe Street; 13th Ald. Dist.
  • Unfortunately, I have two conflicting meetings on Monday night, so I will not be able to attend the Plan Commission. Please view my memo to Commissioners here.
• Monroe Street Reconstruction (Re)Kick-Off Meeting, 7pm at Wingra School
  • The City of Madison is holding a Monroe Street Reconstruction Kickoff Meeting on June 13, 2016 from 7:00 -9:00 PM in the Wingra School Gymnasium (2nd floor).  At this meeting you will have the opportunity to:
    • Review a summary of the Monroe Street Reconstruction Project and community input to-date
    • Learn about the public engagement and planning process timeline through 2017
    • Engage in community visioning for the future of Monroe Street
    • Discuss current project plans, issues and opportunities with City of Madison staff
  • Please see the attached letter I sent with more details on the reconstruction process.  letter RSVP encouraged but not necessary

Wednesday, 6/15

• Alcohol License Review Committee, 5:30pm in Rm 354 City County Building (210 MLK Blvd)
  • 69. 43115 Separated Entertainment Renewal Lucky's Madison LLC • dba Lucky's Bar 1421 Regent St 21+ Entertainment Aldermanic District 13 (Alder Eskrich) • Police Sector 303 Separation requested by Alder Eskrich
    • Update on this item: I requested separation of these licenses due to the neighborhood feedback and complaints regarding noise from the premises. The ALRC made clear at the separation meeting a couple weeks ago that they will not be re-granting this entertainment license for this operator in this location, and this is not expected to be contested by the applicant. The alcohol license renewal went through Council last week with a condition prohibiting live entertainment.
  • 80. 42992 Public Hearing - New License Knickerbocker Restaurant LLC • dba Verdant & Miko Poke 2701 Monroe St • Agent: Caitlin Suemnicht • Estimated Capacity: 155 Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 25% alcohol, 75% food Aldermanic District 13 (Alder Eskrich) • Police Sector 302
    • This is the tandem item to Plan Commission Agenda Item 12. Please view my memo to the ALRC here.

PUBLIC MEETING: VERDANT & MIKO POKE

LIQUOR LICENSE AND CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATIONS

Monday, June - 7:00 p.m.

2701 Monroe Street (former Bluephies)

Knickerbocker Restaurant LLC, dba Verdant & Miko Poke, has applied for a Class B Combination Liquor & Beer license and a conditional use permit for the construction of an outdoor eating area at 2701 Monroe, site of the former Bluephies.

Please attend this meeting or email me to ask questions or share thoughts on these applications with the owner. You can find their applicaiton and plans here.

The Monroe Street Reconstruction Kickoff Meeting will be held on Monday, June 13th, 2016 from 7:00–9:00 PM in the Wingra School Gymnasium (2nd floor).

Please click here for more information and to RSVP: https://monroestreconstructionkickoffmeeting.eventbrite.com

Light refreshments will be provided. To help us plan accordingly, please register/RSVP for free using the link above. Those who are unable to RSVP are still welcome to attend. At this meeting you will have the opportunity to:

• Review a summary of the Monroe Street Reconstruction Project and community input to-date
• Learn about the public engagement and planning process timeline through 2017
• Engage in community visioning for the future of Monroe Street
• Discuss current project plans, issues and opportunities with City of Madison staff

To stay updated on this project, visit the City of Madison Engineering website:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/monroe-street.

Please join me for a meeting to learn about the proposed redevelopment of the Jade Garden site at 1109 South Park Street. The development team will outline their plans for the site, to accommodate the new City of Madison zoning code to comply with the City's Comprehensive Plan, as well as attempt to incorporate the desires and feedback from the immediate neighbors. The meeting will include time for Q&A and neighborhood feedback.

Tuesday, May 31st at 7:30pm

Madison Water Utility Conference Room

119 E. Olin Street

I will post the plans on the District 13 website when they are available. 

Thanks,
Sara

Meetings of Interest to District 13 this Week – Plan Commission and ALRC

Monday, 5/23

• Plan Commission, 5:30pm in Rm 201 City County Building (210 MLK Blvd)
  • 11. 41731 Consideration of a conditional use for limited production and processing at an existing coffeehouse in TSS (Traditional Shopping Street District) zoning at 961 S. Park Street; Urban Design Dist. 7; 13th Ald. Dist.
    • This item will be referred to September 19 at the request of the applicant and the neighborhood. Barriques will be installing new equipment to help mitigate impacts of roasting on surrounding homes. If you have feedback about these improvements (over the next few months – once implemented), please reach-out to me directly.
  • 15. 42307 Consideration of a conditional use alteration to construct an outdoor recreation area and expanded parking area for a restaurant-tavern and increase the capacity for a previously approved outdoor eating area at 1313 Regent Street and 7 S. Randall Avenue; 13th Ald. Dist.
    • This item will be referred to the June 13 Plan Commission meeting. If you have feedback in advance of that meeting, please email me. Note: the applicant is requesting outdoor volleyball courts.
  • 21. 42565 Consideration of a demolition permit and conditional uses to allow demolition of a multi-tenant commercial building and single-family residence and construction of a mixed-use building with approximately 5,000 square feet of commercial space and 48 dwelling units at 1603-1609 Monroe Street; 13th Ald. Dist.
    • This item will be heard before the Plan Commission tomorrow night. My comments on the project are linked here.

Tuesday, 5/24

• Alcohol License Annual Renewal Separations, 5:30pm in Rm 354 City County Building (210 MLK Blvd)
  • 14. 43114 Separated Liquor License Renewal Lucky's Madison LLC • dba Lucky's Bar • Capacity: 160 1421 Regent St • Agent: Rodney Ripley Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 66% alcohol, 33% food Aldermanic District 13 (Alder Eskrich) • Police Sector 303 Separation requested by Alder Eskrich
  • 15. 43115 Separated Entertainment Renewal Lucky's Madison LLC • dba Lucky's Bar 1421 Regent St 21+ Entertainment Aldermanic District 13 (Alder Eskrich) • Police Sector 303 Separation requested by Alder Eskrich
    • I requested separation of these licenses due to the neighborhood feedback and complaints regarding noise from the premises. I hope to limit live entertainment in line with the recently approved new license (Sconnie Bar), which is limited to 4 nights per month (as well as football Saturdays).

Barriques Conditional Use at Plan Commission – Referral until September

At the request of the applicant and the neighborhood association Planning and Economic Development Committee, the Plan Commission hearing on the conditional use request for Barriques' coffee roasting on-site (at 961 S. Park St.) will be referred until September 19. It was scheduled for this coming Monday, May 23. This referral will allow time to install a new, larger catalyst in the existing afterburner and pursue modifications to the exhaust stack to further mitigate impacts on neighbors. The conditional use request to continue roasting will be evaluated and formally either permitted or denied in September.

Please feel free to continue to send me any comments on this conditional use request directly (district13@cityofmadison.com) and indicate if you would like me to share your comments with the Plan Commission. All feedback that has already been submitted will be shared with the Plan Commission in September. 

MONROE STREET PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 @ 7:00 PM HotelRED, 1501 Monroe Street Madison, WI 53711

The City of Madison is proposing to reconstruct Monroe Street in 2018. Funding is included in the 2016 budget for improvements to pedestrian crossings within the Monroe Street corridor. Presentations will be made followed by discussion on the following two topics:

1. Proposed 2016 pedestrian crossing improvements along Monroe Street
2. Presentation of upcoming planning and engagement process for the proposed 2018 Monroe Street reconstruction project

The meeting will include representatives from City of Madison Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Planning and Metro Transit.

If you have questions or concerns related to this project, you may contact Christy Bachmann, of the City of Madison Engineering Division. Christy Bachmann ? (608)266?4095 ? cbachmann@cityofmadison.com

DOGS IN CITY PARKS SURVEY

Please find out more information on Madison Parks pilot program to allow dogs on-leash in certain parks and take the Dogs in Parks Survey here.

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete.

Wingrat Park in District 13 is part of the Dogs in Parks Pilot Program.

In August 2015, Madison Common Council approved the Dogs in Parks Pilot Program allowing licensed and permitted dogs, on-leash (6' or less), on paths in the following parks:

Acewood Park, Baxter Park, Blackhawk Park, Door Creek Park, Garner Park, Greentree - Chapel Hills Park, High Point Park, James Madison Park, Norman Clayton Park, North Star Park, Richmond Hill Park, Walnut Grove Park and Wingra Park.

Barriques Public Information Meeting

Wednesday, March 30 at 7pm
Water Utility Conference Room, 119 E Olin Ave

Barriques is applying for a conditional use permit to continue coffee roasting operations on-site. You can find their application and information here. Please note the Plan Commission review date has been moved to April 18 to accommodate this public information meeting.

Here is some background information, as well as the formal channels for providing input to the Plan Commission (the decision making body for this application):

• In the city's zoning codes, there are certain "permitted uses" and "conditional uses" of property based on the type of zoning district. Permitted uses may occur without special permission. Conditional uses require approval from the city's Plan Commission.
• When the city adopted new zoning codes in 2012, much of Park Street, including Barriques, was zoned as a Traditional Shopping Street (TSS) district. This zoning did not include limited production and processing of food as either a permitted or conditional use. This oversight put many operating businesses in the TSS out of compliance with the zoning code. Barriques has been roasting on-site since they opened in April 2011.
• In 2015, the city amended the code to allow for conditional small scale food production permits in the TSS. The information on this change can be found here.
• In December 2015, Barriques notified me and the neighborhood association that they intended to file for such a conditional use permit to come into compliance with the zoning code. You can find their application and information on the city approval process here.
  • Comments to be included in the staff report should be sent to Tim Parks.
  • There will be a public hearing at the Plan Commission on April 18 prior to their deliberations on the application. Please attend and share your thoughts directly with the decision-makers.
• I will continue to review feedback from neighbors until the April 18 Plan Commission meeting to ensure all relevant feedback is taken into consideration by the Plan Commission.

Please feel free to send me any comments on this conditional use request directly (district13@cityofmadison.com) and indicate if you would like me to share your comments with the Plan Commission.

Neighbors –

Please see below for updates relevant to our district.

Events

ZuZu Café Expanded Liquor License                     

Neighborhood Public Information Meeting: Tuesday, March 15, 7pm at ZuZu

• I will not be able to attend the neighborhood meeting, as I have a Council meeting on Tuesday night. However, if you have thoughts on this request, please feel free to email me directly (district13@cityofmadison.com).

City Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC) Public Hearing and Recommendation to Council: Wednesday, March 16, 5:30pm at 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Room 201 (City-County Building)

• ZuZu is requesting a change of liquor license conditions to remove conditions prohibiting sale of beer or alcohol on-site. You can find their application and meeting information here.
• Letter from the Applicant:

Dear Neighbors,

When ZuZu opened almost 11 years ago, we aimed to promote neighborhood happiness through unique, local, fresh food, made from scratch, and served in a homey, welcoming environment. We wanted a place where friends, neighbors, and colleagues could gather for both inspired thought as well as to relax and enjoy each other's company.  At the time, we self-restricted our liquor license and only offered beer and wine.  Our experience serving beer and wine has been entirely positive, and we have never had any alcohol-related disturbance.

Over the last 11 years, while our goals have remained the same, our menu has expanded to include special breakfasts, tapas, and dinner specials.  To complement this, we have now decided to change our license to offer a well-defined menu that includes other types of alcohol. For example, we want to offer Mimosas and bloody Marys with weekend brunches, hot toddies on chilly afternoons, and specialty treat drinks drawn from local distilleries to accompany dinner and tapas.  In fact, we would love your creative ideas for yummy drink concoctions, and we'd like names drawn from neighborhood characters and lore.

ZuZu will never turn into a loud sports bar or crazy drinking bar, or stay open too late.  We only hope to improve upon what we have built.

Thank you as always for your support.
Sincerely,

Bobby, Kate and Sabri

There are other events on the events tab.

Updates

Emerald Ash Borer: I am sad to report that further infestations of EAB have been confirmed in neighborhoods previously not impacted – it is clear that we need to assume now the entire city is impacted. See the press release, infestation map, and mitigation plan here.

South District MPD: Captain John Patterson, our new South District Police Captain, has been doing a great job of providing updates through their email list. You can sign-up here. The linked update provides incident data for our area.

Wingra School Construction Update: The summary of work in February and update for March can be found here.

UW Master Plan: The updated Master Plan newsletter can be found here. The next public open house to present the 'Revised Preliminary Master Plan' is scheduled for April 13, 2106 in the Signe Skott Cooper Hall (School of Nursing) auditorium.

Spruce Street Reconstruction: This work is scheduled to begin in late March. The letter to affected property owners, linked here, provides information on project scope and project contacts.

That's all for now. Please stay in touch!

Best,

Sara

PUBLIC MEETING: SCONNIE BAR LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION

Thursday, March 10 - 7:00 p.m. Big 10 Pub (back room) - 1330 Regent Street

Sconnie Bar LLC, dba Sconnie Bar, is applying for a Class B Combination Liquor and Beer License and Entertainment License at 1421 Regent Street. This license will eventually replace the current Class B Combination Liquor and Beer License and Entertainment License No. 76559-88479 held by Lucky's Madison LLC, dba Lucky's Bar & Grille.

Please join me to hear from the applicants, ask questions, and share thoughts/concerns. Thanks!

Neighbors –

As always, there is a lot happening in the city. Please see below for updates relevant to our district.

Events

1603 – 1609 Monroe Street Redevelopment Meeting

Wednesday, February 10, 7pm at HotelRED

• The proposed 1603-1609 Monroe Street redevelopment project will consist of demolition of the current office building at 1603-1605 Monroe Street and a residential rental house at 1609 Monroe Street. The proposed structure will include first floor retail/office/ commercial use; three floors of upscale residential apartment homes; and top floor of owner-occupied condominiums. Parking will be underground and consist of 1:1 ratio of parking for apartments, 2:1 parking condominiums, and 14 stalls of public parking. The anticipated time frame is to begin demolition and construction in early summer 2016 with completion in spring/summer 2017.

Alcohol License Review Committee, Tobacco Plus

Wednesday, February 17, 5:30pm at the City-County Building rm 201

• As I have shared on the listserves, the owners of Tobacco Plus have applied for a license to sell beer and cider. You can view their application here. Please note that the application makes it seem that there will be a restaurant on premise, but they are not proposing food. The ALRC is a public hearing. Please feel free to come in person to share your feedback with the committee or share it with me directly and I will convey it to the commission.

There are other events on the events tab.

Updates

Polling Location Change: Remember that there is an election on February 16, 2016. If you live in Dudgeon-Monroe and usually vote at Wingra School, you will be across the street at the Glenwood Moravian Community Church, 725 Gilmore. This change is due to construction at the school.

Neighborhood Grants: Madison is now accepting applications for 2016 neighborhood grants. Find out more here.

More updates another time. Please stay in-touch and stay warm!

Best,

Sara

Neighbors - There have been many reports of thefts from automobiles throughout District 13 over the past few weeks - in almost every neighborhood (most recently Dudgeon-Monroe). Please remember to lock your cars and hide/remove valuables. Here are some tips from our South District Captain on how to prevent this from happening - they will also be increasing patrols through the neighborhoods overnight as possible:

Theft from Auto Prevention

January 26, 2016 4:34 PM

There have recently been a number of overnight thefts from autos in the South District and a majority of the incidents have involved cars that were left unlocked.  Crime prevention requires a team approach with efforts from both the police and the community.  Please consider the following:

• Always lock your car doors and keep the windows closed.
• Never leave your vehicle running if unattended.
• Limit the amount of personal information kept in the glove box or console to avoid identity theft.
• Remove, or at a minimum, conceal anything of value in your car.  Popular items stolen are – purses, wallets, loose change/money, CD's, radar detectors, portable GPS units.  Please - never leave valuables in plain sight.
• Never leave your keys in your car.
• If you park outside of your house and garage, don't leave a garage door opener in your car (this is essentially a key to your home).
• Back into a parking space if possible.
• Lighting in general may help deter people.  Motion lights are a good deterrent.
• Keep your garage door closed even when you are home.

Please report all thefts, attempted thefts and suspicious behavior. This type of information can really help guide our efforts and it gives our officers more ability to be "surgical" with their patrols.  People can never overload us with information on what is occurring and what they are seeing!

Thefts from cars are difficult to investigate.  Often our best opportunities emerge with tracking stolen goods.  Please record your model numbers and serial numbers of valuable items.  We use LeadsOnline to track pawned items and have had success with locating stolen goods.  Citizens can enter information about their property to the database as well, which can assist police with recovery efforts.  Please take a look at the link here: https://www.reportit.leadsonline.com/

Neighbors - many in the Gregory Street area have asked about reconstruction timeline. The image below details the current plans from City Engineering. As always, residents are informed prior to street reconstructions and there are multiple opportunities to learn more and have questions answered.

Neighbors – A couple meetings regarding proposals for Monroe Street are coming up. Please attend to share your input or feel free to email it to me directly if you are not able to attend.

1935 Monroe Street Alcohol License Application for Tobacco Plus

Tuesday, January 26, 7pm at HotelRED

• The applicants are applying for an off-premise consumption license for beer and cider. You can find their application in the city file here. At the meeting they will be able to describe their application and answer any questions. I am also looking for neighborhood feedback at this meeting.

1603 – 1609 Monroe Street Redevelopment Meeting

Wednesday, February 10, 7pm at HotelRED

• The proposed 1603-1609 Monroe Street redevelopment project will consist of demolition of the current office building at 1603-1605 Monroe Street and a residential rental house at 1609 Monroe Street. The proposed structure will include first floor retail/office/ commercial use; three floors of upscale residential apartment homes; and top floor of owner-occupied condominiums. Parking will be underground and consist of 1:1 ratio of parking for apartments, 2:1 parking condominiums, and 14 stalls of public parking. The anticipated time frame is to begin demolition and construction in early summer 2016 with completion in spring/summer 2017.

Neighbors – Happy New Year! I hope your 2016 is starting out well!

As always, there is a lot happening in the city. Please see below for updates relevant to our district.

Events

8Twenty Park

Wednesday, 1/13, 4:30pm: Urban Design Commission

• Seeking Final Design Approval

Tuesday, 1/19, 6:45pm: Common Council

• Seeking Final Approval

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Observance

City-County Observance, 5:00pm Sing-Along, 6:00pm Event

• Rotunda and Overture Center's Capital Theater

1603 – 1609 Monroe Street Redevelopment Meeting

DATE CHANGE: Wednesday, February 10 at 7pm at HotelRED

• The proposed 1603-1609 Monroe Street redevelopment project will consist of demolition of the current office building at 1603-1605 Monroe Street and a residential rental house at 1609 Monroe Street. The proposed structure will include first floor retail/office/ commercial use; three floors of upscale residential apartment homes; and top floor of owner-occupied condominiums. Parking will be underground and consist of 1:1 ratio of parking for apartments, 2:1 parking condominiums, and 14 stalls of public parking. The anticipated time frame is to begin demolition and construction in early summer 2016 with completion in spring/summer 2017.

There are other events on the events tab.

Updates

Snow: It's always a challenge to predict snow and the city street crews do their best to keep up. Learn more about our plowing, salting, and sanding policies here.

We can all do our part for our lakes this winter as well - use less salt!  Most people use five times the amount of salt needed to be effective.  Using more salt doesn't make your sidewalks safer.  Once used, salt doesn't go away it accumulates in our freshwater.  One 12-ounce container, like a coffee cup, is all you need.  That amount is sufficient to salt 60 to 70 feet of sidewalk. Wisconsin Salt Wise Partnership, which is a new coalition of cities, including Madison, county agencies, educators and environmental groups, is working to get the word out about responsible salt use.  For helpful tips on reducing sidewalk salt and strategies for combating slippery walkways, residents are encouraged to check out the Homeowners Handout on Wisconsin Salt Wise's web site, Wi.SaltWise.com. 

Public Safety: Many of you may have heard about an armed robery that happened over the holidays on Emerald Street. This was initally reported in the media as a random act, but Madison Police confirmed that it was a targeted, drug related robbery. You can stay informed from the Madison Police Department by signing up for the south district alerts and reporting any non-emergency crime information on their website. Additionally, welcome to our new South District Police Captain John Patterson! And happy next stage in retirement Captain Joe!

Neighborhood Grants: Madison is now accepting applications for 2016 neighborhood grants. Find out more here.

Capital Region Values Survey: Please take this survey from the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission to share your opinion about growth and priorities for our region.

Smart Transportation: Madison is competing for a $50 million smart transportation prize – find out more and share ideas here.

Green Madison Multifamily Energy Audits: 4+ units are being offered free energy audits through 2016 by Green Madison, flyer and info sheet linked.

Alder Chris Schmidt Resigns, District 11 Vacancy: I am very sad to report that my colleague has resigned, effective January 31. He has served the city for the past six years as a strong, smart, and talented leader. We will miss him greatly. We will need to fill his seat and more information on the vacancy and appointment process will be made available soon. Here is the council press release. If you have friends in the 11th district who would be interested in serving, please encourage them to apply.

General City Highlights

• Last week, the Council approved a family-supportive housing project on Tree Lane that will provide housing and supportive services for homeless and formerly homeless families, by Heartland Housing and the YWCA. I'm proud that we continue to support this needed housing development in our city.
• Congratulations to everyone – Madison's annual water usage was below 10 billion gallons for the first time in 47 years! Here is the press release. Keep up the conservation work.
• I am proud to serve on the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District as a new commissioner. We are moving forward on adaptive management, which is a collaborative, watershed-based approach that allows phosphorus sources to work together to achieve the phosphorus water quality criteria in the most economically efficient manner, taking into consideration the contributions of phosphorus from point and nonpoint sources in a watershed. The city and other parties are now signing a memorandum of understanding with the Sewerage District. See the resolution here and a Powerpoint outlining the strategy here.

More updates another time. Please stay in-touch and stay warm!

Best,

Sara

The city uses Legistar, a legislative records management system for committees, agenda, legislation, and more. You can sign-up for alerts if you are interested in particular actions. Find out how through this step-by-step guide.

Neighbors –

This past week we passed the city budget. As you know, city budgets are tight. My priorities were: 1. passing a budget that maintains basic city services, including public safety and infrastructure, and 2. ensuring that the budgetary road forward is realistic, sustainable, and accountable.

I serve on the Board of Estimates (BOE), the city budget committee, and was privileged to be a part of a comprehensive budget process led by our Council President Denise DeMarb. Over the summer, the BOE took a "deep dive" into our capital budget (Capital Improvement Plan, CIP) to ensure that we have a five-year plan for capital projects that is achievable and spreads out the costs-impacts to taxpayers. The projects prioritized by this process were part of the final adopted budget.

The final $290.1 million budget requires a tax increase on the average value home in Madison of 3.49 percent. There are items in this budget that I did not vote for, urging my colleagues to lessen the impact on taxpayers, but overall I believe that the passed budget represents many compromises and is likely the best outcome I could work for in my first year on BOE.

Here is an update on some of the key projects in the budget:

• Monroe Street: Back into the CIP, scheduled for reconstruction in 2018 and pedestrian improvements in 2016.
  • The Mayor's proposed budget moved Monroe Street reconstruction from the scheduled 2017 out of the five year CIP, with only $200,000 for patchwork in 2016. I am committed to a path forward for Monroe Street that can be achieved, providing residents and businesses the opportunity to plan for the impacts of reconstructing the major artery of our neighborhood. This meant proposing pedestrian improvements in 2016 and reconstruction in 2018. I also passed a resolution calling for the planning process to start now for the "Greening of Monroe Street." This directs staff to work with the many stakeholders, including neighbors, on planning so that we do not continue to push the schedule for this critical project. This CIP and resolution was passed unanimously by Council. I will be in-touch in early 2016 with more on this planning process – please stay tuned!
• Midtown Police Station: Back on-schedule for construction in 2016 and 2017. The final amendment shifted out some operating costs to save money in the 2017 budget. This station will help with capacity to adequately meet the demands of our growing city. It will be located on Mineral Point Road, right outside of District 13.
• Neighborhood Traffic Management: The Council restored this funding to just above the 2015 level. This is important funding for neighborhood-driven traffic calming investments and major street improvement's for enhancements of pedestrian infrastructure and safety. Learn more about this program here.
• Pinney Library: This relocation of the Pinney Branch library in the Royster Corners development is back on-schedule for 2016 and 2017 construction.
• Downtown Park: The funding for land acquisition for a downtown park on Mifflin Street was originally in the BOE budget, but was removed due to potential alternatives for land acquisition. I voted against this proposal to condemn apartments for a new park downtown. We have ample open space downtown for public enjoyment, so this was not a use of city funds that I could support.
• Judge Doyle Square: The Council is back to RFP responses on Judge Doyle Square, due to Exact Sciences' decision to expand at Research Park. The funding for a development, including the reconstruction (underground) of Government East Parking Ramp and a hotel, at this location remains in the 2016 capital budget. I will keep you informed as this project progresses.
• Public Market: With the Mayor's urging, the Council voted to move the public market back into the budget, after the Mayor excluded it from the CIP in his original executive budget proposal. This project includes moving city fleet services, fire maintenance, and the radio shop from First Street in 2017 and 2018, with design work in 2016. The $14 million public market funding includes both city and anticipated other funding sources. The Council passed an amendment on the floor making city funding contingent on receipt of other funding sources. I voted against the proposal to put the public market and other associated project expenses back into the early years of the CIP. Though I am generally supportive of the idea behind a public market, this funding is not essential to city services and I do not believe that it is a project that the city can afford.

The operating budget also included key decisions, including:

• City Staff Pay Increase: 1.15 percent pay increase for all city employees (except the bargaining units) effective July 1, 2016. City employees are critical to city operations, and they overwhelmingly do an exemplary job serving our city. Though this raise is small, considering general costs of living and health care increases, it is important to support the work of our city staff.
• Day Resource Center Support: The city has committed $80,000 annually to support the operations of the County Day Resource Center. Prior to opening the center, the funding will be used for gap services for homeless residents in our city.
• Youth Jobs: The Council added $125,000 to the youth jobs program, bringing the city support to $200,000. This is an evidence-based strategy to engage youth in productive summer employment, particularly targeting youth from the Neighborhood Intervention Program of Dane County.
• Various Community Services Contracts: The Council funded additional "B List" contracts as recommended by the Community Development summer funding process. One agency, the Tenant Resource Center, came to us at Council for an additional $50,000. This particular request was not one I could support because it was outside the city process for funding. It failed. The Tenant Resource Center receives funding from the city for their critical services, and I believe that adding to their funding outside of our process would be unfair and inequitable.
• Housing First Street Team: This initiative passed the Council. I did not support this item, as I believe that that the services as outlined by the Mayor in the funding proposal are duplicative. As a city, we have limited resources and have to leverage funding from other sources, including county and federal funds. Housing First is a successful program because it focuses on housing, knowing that individuals often cannot take advantage of services until they are stabilized in housing. It is housing that Madison is struggling with and we need to continue to fund and build housing as a city, not more services with city-specific funding at this time.

There were many other important decisions, projects, and programs funded in the 2016 budget. However, this update was long enough, and I hope it provided you with some helpful additional information.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have further questions. I do my best to balance the challenges inherent in budget decisions that impact us so directly.

Thanks again for the opportunity to represent you on the Council. I am privileged to serve.

Best,
Sara

Neighbors –

There are many items of interest on the city calendar this week. Please note the selected district-related items below:

Monday, Plan Commission at 5:30pm

• Double SS BBQ Conditional Use: Please find my comments to Plan Commission here. The city staff report and the Public Health memo are also in the record and hyperlinked in this update.
• The Green Project, 1906 Monroe Street: This project, as previously proposed, has been cancelled. The application for conditional use on the Plan Commission agenda will be placed on file without prejudice at the request of the applicant. This means that it will not be discussed on Monday night.

Tuesday, Common Council Meeting at 6:30pm

• Please note that the 11/10/15 Council meeting will include a public hearing on both the Capital and Operating Budgets. The Council will be voting on the budget the evening of 11/10, or 11/11 and 11/12 if needed.

Thursday, 820 South Park Street Neighborhood Meeting at 6:30pm at Neighborhood House (29 South Mills Street)

• If possible, please review the revised submitted plans, linked on my development website prior to the meeting. This will allow us more time for Q&A and feedback.

There are other events on the events tab.

Greetings Neighbors –

This week has many potential meetings of interest to residents of District 13. Here are my notes and updates on items that I believe are particularly relevant:

Monday: Plan Commission, 5:30pm

• 8. 40231 Creating Section 12.138(14) of the Madison General Ordinances to reduce commuter parking impact and promote the use of off-street parking.
  • I am happy to be sponsoring this ordinance change that would update the parking standards such that multi-family units would not be eligible for residential parking stickers. This has been a condition of approval of many projects in our district, due to the parking impact and need to ensure that multi-family building residents are making use of provided on-site parking to mitigate the impact on the street parking.
• 10. 39089 REVISED - Consideration of a conditional use to allow an auto repair shop at 1313 Regent Street; 13th Ald. Dist. to be converted into a restaurant-brewpub and reception hall with outdoor eating area and a conditional use parking reduction.
  • I have been working with staff and the applicant to draft conditions of approval that address many concerns regarding the use of this facility. Please see the full description in the staff report. They include:
  • • Parking facilities must be available at all times, and shall not be shut down for any events. • Limit the hours of operations of the reception hall/room to closing at midnight. • Maximum capacities to be approved by the Director of Building inspection but shall not exceed: - 208 for brewpub (number of available seats, plus staff, plus a reasonable number of people waiting for seats) - 58 for patio (chairs & tables-drive capacity number) - 155 for reception hall/room when furniture, tables and chairs are present (fixed-seat capacity) - 450 for reception hall/room when no tables or chairs present (general assembly capacity) • The reception hall/room may be used with the general assembly capacity for Wisconsin Badger Home Football games, capacity will be limited to 155 all other days/events (fixed-seat capacity). • The reception hall space shall not be used as expanded capacity for the brewpub. In no event shall the reception hall be used as a music venue other than music provided in conjunction with private events such as weddings, receptions, private parties (retirement, birthday, holiday, reunion, or other special occasions including private events hosted related to Kohl Center and Camp Randall sporting events and concerts). The doors are required to be closed and locked to reception hall space but for when it is being used for separate events.
• 14. 40042 Consideration of a demolition permit and conditional use to allow demolition of offices in a converted residence and construction of a mixed-use building with 6,500 square feet of commercial space and 2 apartments at 1906 Monroe Street; 13th Ald. Dist.
  • The project architect will be making slight adjustments to the building to meet the requirement for the "rear yard height transition" to the residential property behind the site. With a reconfiguration of the square footage of the building, expected changes will include the loss of one parking stall, a slightly smaller third floor, and a smaller fourth floor resulting in a change in one of the apartment units from a two-bedroom to a one-bedroom unit. Staff anticipates receiving revised plans on October 19, and will make the plans available at this link: http://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/1906-monroe-street/1717/. The proposal is now scheduled to be heard by the Plan Commission on Monday, November 2.

Tuesday: Common Council, 6:30pm

• Operating Budget Public Hearing

5pm Tennant Association Voting

• Residents of the Triangle Neighborhood, 755 Braxton Place

Wednesday: Alcohol License Review Committee, 5:30pm

• New Alcohol and Entertainment License for Lucky's 1313 Brewpub
  • Based on the conditions approved at the Plan Commission on Monday, I will recommend that appropriate and associated conditions of use are applied to these licenses.
• Three of the applications for alcohol licenses in my district on Wednesday night have not reached out to discuss their application with me or hold a neighborhood meeting for public input. Due to this process issue, I have requested referral of these applicants until such outreach has happened. They include:
  • 40244 Hong Kong Chili
  • 40245 Tobacco Plus
  • 40250 Ramen Station

Thursday: Double SS BBQ Demonstration and Public Neighborhood Meeting, 7:30pm

• The applicants will be demonstrating use of their BBQ Pit in the alley behind their restaurant at 1835 Monroe Street. They will be cooking meat all day and neighbors are welcome to walk by to view the smoker in action. However, please note that the operators will be cooking meat for consumption, so they will not be able to talk with neighbors at the smoker during the day. Please bring questions to the meeting at 7:30pm.
• Meeting Agenda
  • Welcome: Objectives and Ground Rules
  • Applicants Outline Proposal
  • City Staff Outline Process, Zoning, Public Health Impacts
  • Q&A: Clarifying Questions First, Issues/Concerns/Support Second
  • Next Steps/Timeline
• This proposal will be before the Plan Commission on 11/2.

Neighbors –

Happy fall! Budget season has hit the city. Below you will find an update on the budget and on development projects in the district.

Capital Budget

• Monroe Street: The Mayor's proposed budget cut Monroe Street reconstruction from the capital improvement plan (CIP), and instead includes $200,000 in 2017 for patchwork to give the street an estimated 6 more years of life in fair shape, according to the City Engineer. I proposed an amendment at the Board of Estimates that was supported by my colleagues to move Monroe Street back on scheduled for 2017 full reconstruction. I also proposed two back-up amendments that would improve key pedestrian crossings and move full reconstruction of the Leonard to Regent portion (the section in worse shape) of Monroe to 2019.
  • Road reconstruction is a basic city function that you should be able to count on the city to fund with our tax dollars.
  • Please email the Mayor and All Alders to share your opinions on the budget decision.
• Operating Budget: The Mayor's proposed operating budget will be released this week. The Board of Estimates will review it on 10/12.
• At the Capital Budget deliberations of the Board of Estimates, I stated that as a Council I do not believe that we have fully done our work on the budget. The city addresses the capital and operating budgets sequentially in committee, rather than finding savings and addressing the budgets together. Therefore I consider my votes on Capital Budget amendments at the Board of Estimates to be priorities for funding in the CIP, knowing that my votes may change when we get to the Council vote.  I look forward to working with my colleagues and Council leadership to have a comprehensive budget plan prior to that Council vote in November, one that considers the need to put back in the five year Capital Budget key infrastructure projects, like Monroe Street and the Mid-Town Police Station, while balancing the overarching debt load of the city.

Development Projects

• Wingra School: The school is proposing a new entrance and renovation, which requires an amendment to their current Planned Development Zoning. They will be before the Plan Commission on 10/5 and the Common Council on 10/20.
• The Green Project, 1906 Monroe Street: The project proposes a four story building that steps back from Monroe Street on the fourth floor. It includes an Underground Food Collective concept, The Fit, The Knight Foundation, and apartments. The public neighborhood meeting on the project generally displayed support, though concerns about four stories on Monroe were also expressed. The Plan Commission public hearing and decision on approval of this project will take place on 10/19.
• Lucky's 1313 Regent Street: The project has changed from the original proposal. It sill includes renovation of the Foreign Car Specialist building into a brew pub and banquet hall space, but at this time no longer includes apartments on Bowen Court. The Plan Commission will be reviewing outdoor patio space and a parking waiver on 10/19 and the Alcohol License Review Committee will be reviewing the liquor license proposal on 10/21. I have concerns about the large space and capacity, and will be proposing conditions of approval that will limit the capacity and hours and total days of operation of the banquet facility.
• Double SS BBQ: This restaurant has proposed use of an outdoor cooking smoker behind their restaurant at 1835 Monroe Street. There will be a public meeting and demonstration of the cooking operation on 10/22. The applicants will be smoking meat during the day, welcoming neighbors to come by and experience the cooking, and the public meeting will begin at 7:30pm in their restaurant. The Vilas Neighborhood Association will be promoting an online survey to help provide feedback on this proposal. They will be before the Plan Commission for a public hearing and requesting approval on 11/2.
• JTK Affordable Housing Project (820 South Park Street), Next Neighborhood Meeting: Thursday, November 5th from 6:30-8:30pm
  • The current development proposal has been amended from the original proposal. You can view the new plans on my development website. It includes:
    • A 5-story affordable housing property on the church supply store site and extending back along Delaplaine Ct.;
    • A 4-story affordable housing property along Haywood St. behind the auto repair shop;
    • The 5 single-family homes along the 800-block of S. Brooks will remain, though the current homes on Delaplaine and perhaps Haywood will replace 2-4 of the homes to preserve the highest quality homes, and an alley with surface parking will be constructed behind those homes;
• The developer is aiming to submit applications this week in hopes of having the project approved before the end of January to submit for affordable housing tax credits.
• Judge Doyle Square: On September 29, the City Council voted 12 to 6 to invest in the proposed Judge Doyle Square development project, which includes a headquarter office building for Exact Sciences, a replacement public parking ramp for Government East, and a new hotel. After lengthy and informative debate, I voted for this project because previous investments of this kind have demonstrated success in increasing our tax base to stem the tide of increasing residential property taxes, rejuvenated our downtown, and brought well-paying jobs to Madisonians who need them. This project will do the same.
  
  Some argue that the funding that we are reinvesting from the healthy Tax Increment District should be used to pay for immediate needs. While that may bring some short-term relief, this project looks strategically to the future to correct the root causes of those more immediate needs and resolve them for future generations.
  
  I appreciate all the information and opinions you shared with me on this project. We are better by being an active and engaged city with diverse opinions. This project will continue to move through the city land entitlement process over the next few months.

Events

I have a new intern from UW helping me to populate an events tab on my site that will keep you informed as city permits are granted for events impacting our district. Thanks in advance to Kara and the UW for this partnership! In the meantime...

• Play Cool Choices! It's an easy way to play a game online that helps promote sustainability and further Madison's chances of winning the Georgetown Energy Challenge. GreenMadison.org
• Attend the Monroe Street Festival on Saturday 10/10
• Fall Leaf Collection begins today

Thanks!

Neighbors –

Happy fall! Budget season has hit the city. Below you will find an update on the budget and on development projects in the district.

Capital Budget

• Monroe Street: The Mayor's proposed budget cut Monroe Street reconstruction from the capital improvement plan (CIP), and instead includes $200,000 in 2017 for patchwork to give the street an estimated 6 more years of life in fair shape, according to the City Engineer. I proposed an amendment at the Board of Estimates that was supported by my colleagues to move Monroe Street back on scheduled for 2017 full reconstruction. I also proposed two back-up amendments that would improve key pedestrian crossings and move full reconstruction of the Leonard to Regent portion (the section in worse shape) of Monroe to 2019.
  • Road reconstruction is a basic city function that you should be able to count on the city to fund with our tax dollars.
  • Please email the Mayor and All Alders to share your opinions on the budget decision.
• Operating Budget: The Mayor's proposed operating budget will be released this week. The Board of Estimates will review it on 10/12.
• At the Capital Budget deliberations of the Board of Estimates, I stated that as a Council I do not believe that we have fully done our work on the budget. The city addresses the capital and operating budgets sequentially in committee, rather than finding savings and addressing the budgets together. Therefore I consider my votes on Capital Budget amendments at the Board of Estimates to be priorities for funding in the CIP, knowing that my votes may change when we get to the Council vote.  I look forward to working with my colleagues and Council leadership to have a comprehensive budget plan prior to that Council vote in November, one that considers the need to put back in the five year Capital Budget key infrastructure projects, like Monroe Street and the Mid-Town Police Station, while balancing the overarching debt load of the city.

Development Projects

• Wingra School: The school is proposing a new entrance and renovation, which requires an amendment to their current Planned Development Zoning. They will be before the Plan Commission on 10/5 and the Common Council on 10/20.
• The Green Project, 1906 Monroe Street: The project proposes a four story building that steps back from Monroe Street on the fourth floor. It includes an Underground Food Collective concept, The Fit, The Knight Foundation, and apartments. The public neighborhood meeting on the project generally displayed support, though concerns about four stories on Monroe were also expressed. The Plan Commission public hearing and decision on approval of this project will take place on 10/19.
• Lucky's 1313 Regent Street: The project has changed from the original proposal. It sill includes renovation of the Foreign Car Specialist building into a brew pub and banquet hall space, but at this time no longer includes apartments on Bowen Court. The Plan Commission will be reviewing outdoor patio space and a parking waiver on 10/19 and the Alcohol License Review Committee will be reviewing the liquor license proposal on 10/21. I have concerns about the large space and capacity, and will be proposing conditions of approval that will limit the capacity and hours and total days of operation of the banquet facility.
• Double SS BBQ: This restaurant has proposed use of an outdoor cooking smoker behind their restaurant at 1835 Monroe Street. There will be a public meeting and demonstration of the cooking operation on 10/22. The applicants will be smoking meat during the day, welcoming neighbors to come by and experience the cooking, and the public meeting will begin at 7:30pm in their restaurant. The Vilas Neighborhood Association will be promoting an online survey to help provide feedback on this proposal. They will be before the Plan Commission for a public hearing and requesting approval on 11/2.
• JTK Affordable Housing Project (820 South Park Street), Next Neighborhood Meeting: Thursday, November 5th from 6:30-8:30pm
  • The current development proposal has been amended from the original proposal. You can view the new plans on my development website. It includes:
    • A 5-story affordable housing property on the church supply store site and extending back along Delaplaine Ct.;
    • A 4-story affordable housing property along Haywood St. behind the auto repair shop;
    • The 5 single-family homes along the 800-block of S. Brooks will remain, though the current homes on Delaplaine and perhaps Haywood will replace 2-4 of the homes to preserve the highest quality homes, and an alley with surface parking will be constructed behind those homes;
• The developer is aiming to submit applications this week in hopes of having the project approved before the end of January to submit for affordable housing tax credits.
• Judge Doyle Square: On September 29, the City Council voted 12 to 6 to invest in the proposed Judge Doyle Square development project, which includes a headquarter office building for Exact Sciences, a replacement public parking ramp for Government East, and a new hotel. After lengthy and informative debate, I voted for this project because previous investments of this kind have demonstrated success in increasing our tax base to stem the tide of increasing residential property taxes, rejuvenated our downtown, and brought well-paying jobs to Madisonians who need them. This project will do the same.
  
  Some argue that the funding that we are reinvesting from the healthy Tax Increment District should be used to pay for immediate needs. While that may bring some short-term relief, this project looks strategically to the future to correct the root causes of those more immediate needs and resolve them for future generations.
  
  I appreciate all the information and opinions you shared with me on this project. We are better by being an active and engaged city with diverse opinions. This project will continue to move through the city land entitlement process over the next few months.

Events

I have a new intern from UW helping me to populate an events tab on my site that will keep you informed as city permits are granted for events impacting our district. Thanks in advance to Kara and the UW for this partnership! In the meantime...

• Play Cool Choices! It's an easy way to play a game online that helps promote sustainability and further Madison's chances of winning the Georgetown Energy Challenge. GreenMadison.org
• Attend the Monroe Street Festival on Saturday 10/10
• Fall Leaf Collection begins today

Thanks!

Neighbors –

A special update on the Mayor's Proposed Capital Budget and a development meeting this week:

Capital Budget

• Monroe Street: The Mayor's proposed budget cut Monroe Street reconstruction from the capital improvement plan (CIP), and instead includes $200,000 in 2017 for patchwork to give the street an estimated 6 more years of life in fair shape, according to the City Engineer.
  • Road reconstruction is a basic city function that you should be able to count on the city to fund with our tax dollars. I will question this decision and look for funding that can be trimmed to keep the CIP sustainable, while funding commitments that neighbors and businesses have been counting on – like Monroe Street reconstruction in 2017.
  • Please email the Mayor and All Alders to share your opinion on this decision.
• Timing of other key projects has been pushed, both to trim the high-cost plan in past year budgets and to account for project timelines changing. You can read more about the proposed budget here. There will be many questions and discussions about what we need to prioritize and where we can account for needed savings.
• Board of Estimates Meetings: The city's finance committee, on which I serve, will be meeting at 4:30pm Tuesday and Wednesday evening to review the entire capital budget with staff from departments. You are welcome to attend, send me your questions to ask, and/or watch online/on City Channel. There will be public hearings on the capital budget on 9/15 at the Council. The calendar can be found here.

JTK Low-Income/Senior Housing Project (820 South Park Street)

• Neighborhood Meeting: Thursday, September 10th from 6:30-8:30pm, Bolz Auditorium, across Brooks Street from Meriter Hospital's Main Entrance
• The current development proposal calls for two buildings on the site:
  • A 5-story affordable family housing property, 76 units, on the church supply store site and extending back along Delaplaine Ct.
  • A 5-story affordable senior housing property, around 40 units, along Haywood St. behind the auto repair shop
  • 5 single-family homes along the 800-block of S. Brooks will remain; an alley with surface parking will be constructed behind those homes
• The developer is aiming to submit applications within the next month or so in hopes of having the project approved before the end of January.
• Please join us to have your questions answered and share your thoughts!

Tonight's discussion about Judge Doyle Square/Madison Municipal Building/Exact Science/Government East Parking Ramp is anticipated to be delayed until September 15 (the next Council Meeting).

From Denise DeMarb, Council President:

At tonight's council meeting, I will ask for direct referral of items # 43 and 60 for JDS.  Direct referral is without debate or testimony.  We still have moving parts.  The 5 items that BOE ask for substance/clarification have not been fully vetted.  These are important items and we can't debate what we don't know. 

I understand there will be residents who intend to come to tonight's meeting to speak on this issue.

Please let people know about the referral to 9/15.  I am very sensitive to the public and those who show up to help us make good decisions.  I want to reach as many of them ahead of time.
 

Memo from the Judge Doyle Square Negotiation Team to the Common Council:

As of 3 pm on Monday, August 31st, agreement hasn't been reached by the parties to all of the items included in the August 24, 2015 Board of Estimates motion. While agreement has been reached by the parties on Issues (3) and (4) below, Items (1), (2) and (5) below remain open. Since these matters are not satisfactorily resolved and consistent with the Board of Estimates adopted motion, the Mayor has recommended referral of the matter to the September 15, 2015 meeting.
_____________________________________________________________
On Monday, August 24, 2015, the Board of Estimates considered the Report of the Judge Doyle Square Negotiating Team, the draft Amended and Restated Development Agreement and a Common Council Resolution, Legistar No. 39800. The Board of Estimates recommended approval of the resolution with the addition of the following language:
"The BOE recommends approval of the resolution, subject to satisfactory resolution of these issues prior to September 1:

Language on a Labor Peace Agreement;
Language on the timing and nature of reacquisition by the City of the hotel condominium unit and the future office expansion condominium unit;
Completion of the Real Estate Purchase Agreement;
Removal of the Developer's right of first refusal on leasing of parking utility spaces; and
More information on the TIF jobs grant and the other questions of the TIF Coordinator.

If these matters are not satisfactorily resolved, the BOE recommends referral of the resolution to the Council's September 15 meeting."

Subsequent to the Board of Estimates meeting, the City Negotiating Team conducted an additional negotiating session on Wednesday, August 26 to address the five areas identified in the motion.

A brief summary of the items is provided below.

(1) Labor Peace Agreement
The Developer has engaged in discussions to enter into a Labor Peace Agreement (LPA) with Unite Here, a labor union representing hotel employees. Due to both legal and practical issues, the Developer must negotiate directly with Unite Here in coming to the final terms of the agreement. Unite Here is the only interested union in representing hotel employees and have negotiated LPAs with developers and hotel operators around the country.

While the Developer has provided a workforce development agreement which asserts that it will enter into a LPA with hotel employees, as of 3 pm on August 31st, Unite Here does not find the agreement to be adequate. The agreement permits the Developer to enter into a LPA after the Project Commencement closing. However, this leaves the City with limited ability to enforce the agreement since the City's financing will have already been spent on the Project. Normally, the City could withhold its financing in order to enforce the agreement, but that will not be possible here.

(2) Reacquisition of Block 105 Condominium Units

Hotel Unit
One of the City's high priorities in pursuing the Judge Doyle Square development is to add additional hotel rooms adjacent to Monona Terrace with a room-block agreement to support Monona Terrace. The City and the JDS Development LLC agree that construction on the hotel must commence by May 1, 2017. It is the most efficient timing for the hotel since the construction team will already be mobilized on site and the hotel tower construction can continue without interruption or re-mobilization at a later date. Further, the developer will have posted approximately $17.5 million in equity capital with the commercial lender at the Project Commencement closing in December, 2015. That equity capital isn't in a productive use until the hotel is completed and is operating, which is a significant motivation for JDS Development to move forward on the project in a timely manner.

To the extent that market or financial conditions prevent the hotel project from proceeding by May 1, 2017, there will be an agreement between the parties to permit the developer to extend its deadline and for the City to reacquire the hotel unit in order to complete the hotel if the developer does not.
As of 3 pm on August 31st, there wasn't satisfactory resolution of the preceding provision.
The cost for reacquiring the Hotel Unit is $232,000 which is the proportionate share of the actual price the Developer will pay for the land.

Exact Sciences Office Expansion Unit
The Exact Sciences office expansion site is the third and final phase of the Judge Doyle Square development. Based on the underwriting analysis, the completion of the office building is targeted for 2023 with the property tax payments on the completed facility commencing in 2024. The Amended and Restated Development Agreement provides that in addition to expansion space for Exact Sciences, the site could also include another office tenant, additional hotel capacity or residential use (Section 5.4 (a) of the Amended and Restated Agreement). Given the development schedule to start construction in 2022, the multiple land uses that can be developed on the site and the fact that the site will have the authorized zoning and approvals in place and available parking to support those uses, the City Negotiating Team did not seek a reacquisition option for this development site.

(3) Real Estate Purchase Agreement
At the time the Negotiating Team Report was submitted to the Board of Estimates on August 21, 2015, the Real Estate Purchase Agreement wasn't finalized. That has now been completed and is provided as Exhibit B to the Amended and Restated Development Agreement.

(4) Developer's Right of First Refusal on Leasing Parking Utility Spaces
The Lease Term Sheet included a provision to give JDS Development a right of first refusal (ROFR) on any blocks of spaces in the Public Ramp that the City may wish to make available to any third parties on a long-term basis (e.g. for a year or longer) along with an option to acquire any stalls in the public portion of the ramp that may become available during the lease term in the event the City constructs or secures other stalls for public use in the downtown and no longer desires to maintain all 600 stalls within the ramp.

This provision has been removed from the Lease Term Sheet.

(5) Additional TIF Jobs Grant and Related TIF Questions
JDS Development forwarded additional financial information to the Negotiating Team and City's TIF Coordinator on Thursday, August 27th. One piece of new information presented to the City was an enumeration of the extraordinary costs of locating Exact Sciences at this downtown location. The information provided note that these costs total $12.1 million.

JDS Development also provided revised financial information for the parking structure, office building, and hotel. Of note is a budget of $14,126,000 for Tenant Improvements by Exact Sciences. This is in excess of the $12 million negotiated for Exact Sciences Tenant Improvements. The Negotiating Team wants to insure that the $12 million TIF investment to Exact Sciences is only used for their Tenant Improvements, and as such, is recommending a change within the Restated Development Agreement to protect the City's interest in this regard.

As of 3 pm on August 31st, additional analysis is still being completed.

TIF Grant
There has been debate about the jobs–based TIF grant to Exact Sciences. TIF policy and state TIF law interpretation defines the TIF support as a grant where the property tax increment generated by the project, and by the increment guarantee, will be insufficient during the life of the TID to recover that cost.

Due to the fact that TID 25, the source of the funds, will close in 2023 or 2024 (prior to the recovery of the cost) renders the Exact Sciences financial support a grant. Regarding the guarantee of the property tax increment, the Amended and Restated Development Agreement seeks to address this issue in three ways:

By requiring a corporate jobs guarantee for the Jobs TIF subsidy, rather than a personal/corporate guarantee on the property tax increment (the developer would not agree to the latter).
By requiring a modified corporate property tax guarantee for the $20.8 million TIF subsidy provided for the private accessory parking. That guarantee is a $6.8 million net worth requirement of the JDS LLC along with a property tax increment test in 2032, with any shortfall either being made up by the developer through a cash payment or through assignment of all of the revenues from the private accessory parking to make up the shortfall.
By requiring a $115,000 annual lease payment for the private accessory parking, and a $4 million acquisition payment after 27 years, which offsets some of the $20.8 million in TIF subsidy.

The estimated property taxes generated by the project are projected to cover the entire $42.8 million contribution from TID 25, within approximately 20 years. Those taxes are being paid directly to the taxing jurisdictions rather than TID 25, because TID 25, similar to a sinking fund concept, paid those amounts in advance in lieu of issuing debt and repaying with interest through a new TID. The end result is the same; the project recovers the subsidy within the usual maximum statutory lifespan of a TID. The net effect on the taxing jurisdictions is a net positive – the property value is placed on the tax rolls in 2023/2024 rather than 2037 (or later), interest costs are avoided, and a portion of the parking revenues, including sale of the ramp, are returned to the City.

Greetings Neighbors –

Please link to the read the full update on projects, events, and Council business.

Updates on in-district projects:

• Project at 820 Park Street: J.T. Klein Company is proposing an affordable housing development on the block bounded by Delaplaine, S. Brooks, Haywood, and South Park Streets – including market rate, low-income, and senior housing.
  • Neighborhood Meeting: Thursday, September 10, from 6:30-8:30pm at Bolz Auditorium, Meriter Hospital Education Center (McConnell Building) at 124 S. Brooks Street.
  • The development team hopes to submit their application to the city on October 7, to trigger the formal city review process and meet the January 31 deadline for the WHEDA tax credit application.

• Double S BBQ: The owners of the Double S BBQ at 1835 Monroe Street have notified me, city staff, and the neighborhood association of their intent to file an application for conditional use to approve an outdoor smoker/BBQ pit behind their restaurant. The soonest they could formally file an application with the city is September 2, which correlates to an October 19 Plan Commission meeting for formal city review and approval/disapproval.
  • I will be helping to organize a demonstration of the smoker/pit in the location that they hope to operate. We have gained city permission for a one-day demo, however, we need to wait until their kitchen is completed – so the date is still TBD. There will be formal, written notice of this public meeting/demonstration mailed to immediate neighbors and I will send the date in my update as soon as it is scheduled. It will be an opportunity to see what the owners are proposing and provide feedback.

• 1906 Monroe Street/The Green Project: The development team intends to submit their proposal for a four story building this week. The updated plans are on my developments page.

• Lucky's 1313 Brew Pub and Banquet Facility: I held a public meeting on this 25-unit apartment development project and proposed alcohol license for the Brew Pub in June. The applicant, Rod Ripper (current manager of Lucky's Bar and Grille), intends to appear for approval of the class B liquor license at the Alcohol License Review Committee meeting on September 16 and has submitted plans for the conditional use approvals to go before the Plan Commission on September 21. Please email me any questions or concerns.

• Wingra Point II: Will be before the Urban Design Commission for final approvals on Wednesday, September 2nd.

• Weeds in Monona Bay: Apologies to all regarding the weed cutting situation in Monona Bay. The City and County staff are working together to try to resolve the access issues for the weed cutters in the main part of Monona Bay – as to not block the bike path when loading/unloading weeds. I am working with County Supervisors and staff to be sure that access is planned and complete well-before the weed cutting is needed again next season.

Highlighted City Business:

• Judge Doyle Square: Many of you have contacted about the current negotiations and final development agreement with JDS Development for their proposal with Exact Sciences at Judge Doyle Square. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The Council will be voting on this item at our Tuesday evening meeting. This is a public hearing, where you are welcome to come testify. At the Board of Estimates meeting, I voted to recommend approval of the development agreement pending satisfactory resolution of five important issues, including more information on the TIF jobs grant and other questions presented by our city TIF coordinator. While I believe that the opportunity to bring a biotech firm like Exact Sciences downtown is a great opportunity for our city, I still need to be convinced that the investments of our city funding is necessary and setting appropriate policy precedent before I can vote to support the agreement on Tuesday night. I will keep you informed about my final vote and rationale after Tuesday's Council meeting.  
  • This website provides updates and includes a link to all proposals.

Other in-district events:

• Alliant Energy Center Events
• The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board's draft Bicycle Transportation Plan for the Madison Metropolitan Area & Dane County and draft Public Participation Plan, are now available for review and comment. Click here for more information on the bicycle plan, including ways to provide feedback, and to view the draft plan report. Click here to view the draft public participation plan. A public hearing on the draft public participation plan is scheduled for the Board's Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 354.
• 9/7 Safe Harbor's Labor Day Dash at Vilas Park
• 9/13 Dog Paddle

• 9/15 and 9/16 UW Master Plan Public Open Houses: The consultant team will be presenting their analysis information as well as the framework plan which will guide alternative development of the 2015 Master Plan Update. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions of the consultant team.  Refreshments will be provided.
  • September 15, 2015 7-9PM, Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC) Room 1325
  • September 16, 2015 7-9PM, Gordon Commons, Sonata Room
• 9/19 Edgewood Hosting Game Day Tailgate from 11am-2pm (same day as Badger Game)
• 9/29 - 10/3 World Dairy Expo at Alliant Energy Center
• 10/7 at 5pm: Madison Policy Department Community Corral (Police Horses) at Midland Park, 1005 Midland Street
• 10/10 Monroe Street Festival
• 10/10: Aruna 5K Run for their Freedom at Vilas Park
• 10/24 from 8am-12pm: Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable, Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive
• MG&E Community Conversations: Please check out their webpage and take part in our community's energy future!

Congrats to St. James School on the opening of their new Early Care and Education program. They had a great ribbon cutting event this past week. And best wishes for a great school year to all students, parents, and teachers in Madison!

It's a pleasure to serve you! Please stay in touch.

Thanks,

Sara

Greetings Neighbors –

Please link to the read the full update on projects, events, and Council business.

Updates on in-district projects:

• Project at 820 Park Street: J.T. Klein Company is proposing an affordable housing development on the block bounded by Delaplaine, S. Brooks, Haywood, and South Park Streets – including market rate, low-income, and senior housing. There will be robust opportunities for public input in coming months. A project steering committee of neighborhood residents has been convened to help guide the process and provide feedback. This will not replace the public meetings related to the project, but Urban Assets has been hired to convene this group for more robust feedback from the Greenbush and Bay Creek Neighborhood Association. If anyone wants to attend these meetings, as they are open to anyone, please contact Zia at Urban Assets.  I will be participating in this Steering Committee.
  • The development team hopes to submit their application to the city on October 7, to trigger the formal city review process and meet the January 31 deadline for the WHEDA tax credit application.

• Double S BBQ: The owners of the Double S BBQ at 1835 Monroe Street have notified me, city staff, and the neighborhood association of their intent to file an application for conditional use to approve an outdoor smoker/BBQ pit behind their restaurant. The soonest they could formally file an application with the city is September 2, which correlates to an October 19 Plan Commission meeting for formal city review and approval/disapproval.
  • I will be helping to organize a demonstration of the smoker/pit in the location that they hope to operate. We have gained city permission for a one-day demo that will take place in September. There will be formal, written notice of this public meeting/demonstration mailed to immediate neighbors and I will send the date in my update as soon as it is scheduled. It will be an opportunity to see what the owners are proposing and provide feedback.

• 1906 Monroe Street/The Green Project: The development team is currently working on their proposal and they will keep me updated on the plans. I will share when they are updated. The overall concept remains the same, in terms of participating businesses, as originally proposed.

• 101 South Mills: This project was approved by the Plan Commission on 7/27. In response to neighborhood and city Traffic Engineering concerns, tenants will not be eligible for RP3 permits for on-street parking.

• Lucky's 1313 Brew Pub and Banquet Facility: I held a public meeting on this 25-unit apartment development project and proposed alcohol license for the Brew Pub in June. The applicant, Rod Ripper (current manager of Lucky's Bar and Grille), intends to appear for approval of the class B liquor license at the Alcohol License Review Committee meeting on August 19. Please email me any questions or concerns for the applicant.

Highlighted City Business:

• Judge Doyle Square: The Common Council authorized the city team to begin negotiations with JDS Development/Exact Sciences regarding their proposal for Judge Doyle Square. A development agreement has been signed. It will come to the council for approval after further issues are worked out by September 1. This website provides updates and includes a link to all proposals.

• Homelessness and the Downtown: Many of you may have seen news reports regarding the Mayor's proposal to limit time spent on city benches/sidewalks in the downtown. A group of Alders and some business representatives had a productive conversation with the Mayor about this proposal on Friday afternoon. We discussed one key concern I have at this meeting; that this ordinance does not address the root cause of the Mayor and many resident's concerns regarding some behaviors downtown. The ordinance does not provide housing or supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse issues. This is an issue that we must work collaboratively with Dane County on addressing- we cannot have wait lists for human services and opening day shelter is only part of the solution. I am in favor of expecting and enforcing respectful, lawful, and safe behavior in our city. However, I am not in favor of penalizing individuals for being on the streets when we do not have alternatives to offer them, in the form of supportive services to help them get back on their feet. We need to call on all partners, including the city, county, business community, and service providers, to come together to solve the root causes - and we must do so with haste. It's already been far too long. I'm getting involved in ensuring that this collaboration happens.

Other in-district events:

• Alliant Energy Center Events
• 8/3 – 8/13 Community Walks, 12-1pm: Meet at the South Madison Public Library (Goodman) to take an informational lunchtime walk around Park Street to discuss the history and talk about the future. Questions can be sent to Tom Pearce.

• 8/5 Our Lady Queen of Peace, 6-7:30pm: Community Meeting on the Design of the Midtown Police Station
• 8/8 South Campus Madison College Open House, 10am-2pm
• August Moving Days: City Streets has information on this annual event on their website, with great resources for donation stations.
• 8/16/15 DMNA Nature and History Trail Event, 6-8pm: Start at either Dudgeon Monroe Prairie at Odana or Prospect Ramp Gardens
• 9/13 Dog Paddle
• The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board's draft Bicycle Transportation Plan for the Madison Metropolitan Area & Dane County and draft Public Participation Plan, are now available for review and comment. Click here for more information on the bicycle plan, including ways to provide feedback, and to view the draft plan report. Click here to view the draft public participation plan. A public hearing on the draft bicycle plan is scheduled for the MPO Board's Wednesday, August 5 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Madison Water Utility, 119 E. Olin Avenue, Room A-B. Depending upon comments received prior to and at the August 5 hearing, the MPO Board may take action on the plan at the August meeting. A public hearing on the draft public participation plan is scheduled for the Board's Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 354. Depending upon comments received prior to and at the September 2 hearing, the MPO Board may take action on the public participation plan at the September meeting.

It's a pleasure to serve you! Please stay in touch.

Thanks,

Sara

Greetings Neighbors –

Please link to the read the full update on projects, events, and Council business.

Updates on in-district projects:

• Project at 820 Park Street: There will be a new development proposal for the blocks of Delaplaine, Brooks, Haywood, and South Park Streets – including low-income and senior housing. There will be robust opportunities for public input in coming months. A project steering committee of neighborhood residents is being convened. Please let me know if you are interested in serving.

• Street Reconstruction Update: I have been receiving questions from neighbors in the Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood about pavement marking on streets. I met with City Engineering staff this week to get an update on their process. The areas that are being considered for reconstruction in future years are being surveyed now – that's the marking you're seeing. You can find the DMNA schedule map here.
  • When this construction season winds down, engineering staff will look at street survey results and make a recommended plan for reconstruction for streets scheduled in 2016. Those plans will be reviewed with residents for feedback in a neighborhood public information meeting – I will notify you of those here and you will receive a mailing if you live on an affected street. If you have particular questions about streets affected, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Christy Bachmann in engineering.
  • Spruce Street residents should have been notified by mail, but reconstruction has been pushed back to spring 2016 due to bidding timelines and contractor schedules. Here is a copy of the notice.

• 101 South Mills: This project will be before the Plan Commission on Monday, July 27th. The updated plans are on my development website. The development team is looking for support of RP3 permits for this location – this means that tenants would be eligible for residential parking stickers. Please let me know if you have reactions to this project generally or to this specific request for residential parking permits. I have also asked City Traffic Engineering make a recommendation regarding RP3 permits.

• 1906 Monroe Street/The Green Project: A neighborhood meeting was held with about 30 people on Thursday evening. The development team plans will be on my site ASAP. This project includes: 1st floor Underground Food Collective, 2nd floor The Fit, 3rd floor The Fit/The Knight Foundation, and 4th floor set-back apartments. They are aiming for a Plan Commission date the week of September 19th. Please email me your questions/concerns and I will share them with the development team.

• Brittingham Park: Parks staff provided this lengthy update:
• The Brittingham Park playground replacement project has included a lengthy public meeting process beginning back in November with our first meeting at the city's Water Utility Building.  This meeting had just 4 attendees, which was surprising given that we worked with both Alder Verveer and Alder Dailey to schedule and promote the meeting in addition to mailing over 4300 postcards to residents within a 1-mile radius of the park.   At that meeting, we presented information regarding the proposed improvements at Brittingham Park playgrounds – to expand the play area at Brittingham Beach (where the boat rental operation is located) and provide what would be Madison's first fully accessible playground in the main park area.  At this meeting we discussed what would be our standard playground options for the Beach Park location and explained how the fully accessible playground would differ in both equipment type and surfacing.  Feedback that we received from attendees at this meeting included a strong preference for holding subsequent meetings at a location within the Triangle Neighborhood so that residents there would have easier access to the meetings, providing interpretive services in Hmong and Spanish languages and expanding our meeting notification outreach to attract more attendees.
• Our second meeting, in January 2015, was held at the Bayview Center and had at least 27 people attend per the sign-in sheet.  We worked with the Bayview Center to help promote the meeting and met in advance with Andy Heidt, who recommended physical flyer locations within the Triangle and also recommended contacting Officer Kim Alan and Sally Spaeni to assist with posting them in the lobbies of surrounding buildings.  Additionally, we worked with Jason Glozier, the city's Disability Rights Specialist, to conduct a site visit to the park and discuss the Disability Pride event at Brittingham and gaps in accessible playground offerings in the area.  At this meeting a vote was held for the equipment to be installed at the Brittingham Beach location and the concept for the accessible playground area was presented.  Following the meeting discussion and subsequent communications we received via email and phone, Parks staff recognized that the attendees were interested in seeing a revised concept at the next meeting to discuss the project – particularly one which addressed the concerns of keeping the playground area away from the bike path and shoreline.  Additionally, it seemed that there was concern that a plan for the area where the main playground is currently located was called for – attendees did not want to see this area vacated after the playground equipment was removed.
• At the 3rd meeting on April 20th, also held at the Bayview Center, we utilized the same approach for promoting the meeting but had just 8 attendees– although many more "regrets" from folks who knew that they would be unable to attend were very interested in receiving updates.  Several families associated with the Disability Pride event typically held at Brittingham Park were able to attend and they provided valuable insight on what works and what doesn't in accessible equipment. We also had many of the attendees from the original meeting at this last session so it was nice to see that continuity and ongoing commitment to the project from the neighborhood.  At this meeting, staff presented a revised concept for the accessible playground including a new location proximate to the parking lot off of W. Washington Avenue.  This concept (which is attached for your reference) includes significant changes to the layout of the current lot, offering the opportunity to open access between the east and west sides of the park while creating a space for the playground that provides visibility from the existing shelter in response to interest expressed at previous meetings to establishing site lines between the shelter and play area.  The revised concept also keeps the playground off of the commuter bike path and away from the shoreline.  We also presented a concept for the future of the current playground area next to the community gardens after the equipment is removed that will include earthen mounds, pea gravel, boulders and low-mow turf, offering an addition to the park landscape that would provide a different opportunity for play.  We received very positive feedback on the concepts at the meeting including requested changes and additions to the accessible equipment shown to the group (also attached) – primarily to make the offerings even more universally accessible, which we are working with the manufacturer on now.  The information from this meeting and the others that we have held to-date is up on our Parks website at: http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/parks/park.cfm?id=1139.
• After the third public meeting the Parks Division was contacted by representatives of Freedom Inc. regarding the proposed park improvements. The group's primary concern is the project's potential impact on minority families that live adjacent to the park. The Parks Division is currently working with the Department of Civil Rights and the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiatives Team to begin the equity analysis process of this project as a whole.  More information regarding the project's next steps will be provided as the process continues; improvements to the playgrounds at Brittingham Park are on hold pending the outcome of this process.

Upcoming in-district meetings:

• South Madison Planning Council: Monday 7/20 at 6pm: Village on Park St Community Room: Our presenter for Monday's meeting is Mary Solinger and Greg Banks. They will update us on Nehemiah's Field of Dream project located on the former car wash property. Bring your questions and comments regarding this project to the meeting. 

Highlighted City Business:

• Judge Doyle Square: The Common Council authorized the city team to begin negotiations with JDS Development/Exact Sciences regarding their proposal for Judge Doyle Square. A development agreement has been signed. It will come to the council for approval after further issues are worked out by September 1. This website provides updates and includes a link to all proposals.

• Capital Budget: The Board of Estimates (the City's finance committee on which I serve) has taken the time in a series of extra meetings to deep dive into the capital budget.  We understood at the end of 2014 the capital budget was inflated, too many projects that couldn't be completed because of time and money constraints.  The charge of the BOE was to unravel the budget by large projects and then make recommendations to the Mayor based on the BOE priorities on what to move out in years and/or taken beyond the years of the capital budget.  The capital budget is the plan for City spending on projects from streets to fire stations; it looks out 5 years. The BOE has finished our special meetings and has prioritized recommendations for continuing basic city services to the Mayor. There is more work to do this fall.  The Council is scheduled to receive the Mayor's capital budget for 2016 on September 1st. The work also positions the BOE to take on a new way of budgeting.  In January we are scheduled to start working on Priority Based Budgeting.  I am excited to begin this work. More to come on this update item!

• Greenbush Vilas Partnership: The first loan of our Small Cap TIF program in the Greenbush neighborhood is being utilized! See information on the program here, and the loan resolution here.

Other in-district events:

• Alliant Energy Center Events
• 7/25 Brittingham Park: Disability Pride Festival
• 7/25 Capital Square to Goodman Park for Pool Party, 6:30-9PM: Capital City 5K for Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation 
• 8/5 Our Lady Queen of Peace, 6-7:30pm: Community Meeting on the Design of the Midtown Police Station
• The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board's draft Bicycle Transportation Plan for the Madison Metropolitan Area & Dane County and draft Public Participation Plan, are now available for review and comment. Click here for more information on the bicycle plan, including ways to provide feedback, and to view the draft plan report. Click here to view the draft public participation plan. A public hearing on the draft bicycle plan is scheduled for the MPO Board's Wednesday, August 5 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Madison Water Utility, 119 E. Olin Avenue, Room A-B. Depending upon comments received prior to and at the August 5 hearing, the MPO Board may take action on the plan at the August meeting. A public hearing on the draft public participation plan is scheduled for the Board's Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 354. Depending upon comments received prior to and at the September 2 hearing, the MPO Board may take action on the public participation plan at the September meeting.

It's a pleasure to serve you! Please stay in touch.

Thanks,

Sara

Neighborhood Meeting

Thursday, July 16th at 7pm at HotelRED 

From the development team, "It is the intention of The Green Project to build a state of the art construction at 1906 Monroe Street.  The project will combine the best of current green technology, materials reclaimed from the deconstruction of the current building and an innovative schematic design into a building that houses two great business, a foundation with a sustainability mission and three high-end neighborhood residences.  Although the footprint will be small and the building will only encompass 12,000 square ft., we plan to replace what is currently an easy to miss building and plot of land with a more noticeable and appropriate building for the location. The building will have commercial space for current Monroe Street entities, the Knight Foundation, and The Fit.  It will also house a lunch counter/ butcher / bakery proposed by the underground food collective.   The apartments will be comfortable fourth floor dwelling with sett backs that overlook Monroe St. and the adjacent commercial space."

Please join us tomorrow night to learn more.

Greetings Neighbors –

Please link to the read the full update on projects, events, and Council business.

Updates on in-district projects:

• Regent Street Road Work: Capitol Underground will replace mainline sanitary sewer on Regent Street between Monroe Street and Randall Street.  The work will be completed between 7:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6th, and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12th. 
  • During this time, both directions of traffic will be in the existing westbound lanes of Regent Street.  As this will cause significant travel time delays especially during the morning and afternoon rush hours, drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes.
• Wingra Point II: The Council approved this project with a multitude of conditions. You can find detailed comments on the ways that the conditions accommodated requests and concerns of the neighborhood on my development page, along with a copy of my email to Bay Creek post-approval.
• Rockhound Brewing Company: The city approved a liquor license for the commercial space in the former Lane's Bakery building on South Park Street. This brewpub is anticipated to open in early 2016.
• Olin Park and Brittingham Park: Parks staff have not had the capacity to initiate future planning this year for Olin Park. I will post updates as we have them on this comprehensive process as it begins. Brittingham play structure improvements have been put on hold while an equity analysis is done about uses in the park – including the current play structures by the community gardens and the desire to locate a fully-accessible playground in the downtown.
• Project at 820 Park Street: There will be a new development proposal for the blocks of Delaplaine, Brooks, Haywood, and South Park Streets – including low-income and senior housing. There will be robust opportunities for public input in coming months.
• Pilot Dogs in Wingra Park Program: City Parks Staff is moving forward a pilot program until April 15, 2016, to evaluate and inform future policy decisions about policy around dogs in city parks. Wingra is the only D13 park on the pilot list (survey results showed that 82% of people who took the survey selected Wingra as a park most of interest for the pilot). Dogs will only be allowed on-leash in designated areas (paved trails or within six feet of them). There will be a communications, signing, and monitoring plan from the Parks operations staff team prior to implementation.
  • The plan is to have the pilot program introduced at the Council meeting on 7/7, reviewed at the Board of Parks Commissioners meeting on 7/15, and then come back to Council with a recommendation on 7/21.  If you have comments, please share them with me and let me know if you would like me to share them with the Board of Parks Commissioners.
• Edgewood High School Parking Lot: The Edgewood Liaison committee has been discussing parking concerns in the Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood, brought by residents on Keyes Ave. The High Schools has responded with a plan to add 50-60 spaces (about half of which are currently approved in their master plan). Further developed plans will be reviewed by the liaison committee and then go to the neighborhoods and city for approval of a master plan amendment to build the extra spots. We are hopeful that this process will be resolved this summer while construction is already happening at Edgewood. (Updates on that work at edgewood.edu/construction.)  
• Street Reconstruction Update DMNA: I have been receiving questions from neighbors in the Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood about pavement marking on streets. I will be meeting with Traffic Engineering for a full update on street reconstruction planning in D13 in the next few weeks and will provide further updates or neighborhood meetings as needed. For now, you can find the DMNA schedule map here.

Upcoming in-district meetings:

• Upcoming Public Meetings on Water Quality Improvement Initiatives for Lake Wingra Watershed: The Lake Wingra Watershed in collaboration with Friends of Lake Wingra have developed initiatives to improve water quality in Lake Wingra. Efforts include: reducing the amount of phosphorus reaching the lake; reducing road salt reaching the lake; and increasing opportunities for rainwater infiltration. Public meetings will be held to discuss the initiatives and solicit feedback. Info here.
  • Tuesday, 7/14, 6:30 to 8 p.m., UW-Madison Arboretum, Visitor Center-Auditorium
• The Green Project: July 16th at 7pm at HotelRED: From the team, "It is the intention of The Green Project to build a state of the art construction at 1906 Monroe Street.  The project will combine the best of current green technology, materials reclaimed from the deconstruction of the current building and an innovative schematic design into a building that houses two great business, a foundation with a sustainability mission and three high-end neighborhood residences.  Although the footprint will be small and the building will only encompass 12,000 square ft., we plan to replace what is currently an easy to miss building and plot of land with a more noticeable and appropriate building for the location. The building will have commercial space for current Monroe Street entities, the Knight Foundation, and The Fit.  It will also house a lunch counter/ butcher / bakery proposed by the underground food collective.   The apartments will be comfortable fourth floor dwelling with sett backs that overlook Monroe St. and the adjacent commercial space." Please join us in July to learn more.

Highlighted City Business:

• Billboards: After much discussion last session, the Mayor and Alder Schmidt have introduced a revised billboard "cap and replace" ordinance to allow existing billboards to be removed for the purposes of redevelopment and replaced on another site. New advertising signs are still prohibited by ordinance in the city of Madison.
• Judge Doyle Square: The Common Council authorized the city team to begin negotiations with JDS Development/Exact Sciences regarding their proposal for Judge Doyle Square. This website provides updates and includes a link to all proposals.
• Capital Budget: As a member of the Board of Estimates (the city budget committee), our board is undergoing a comprehensive review of the Capital Improvement Plan to work on sustainability and realistic expectations for our capital budget into the future. We will be formulating recommendations to the Mayor and city staff prior to the normal BOE and Council approval process in the fall.
• Metro Audible Alerts: Will be discontinued as staff identify alternative methods to ensure safety. Their press release explains in more detail.

Other in-district events:

• 7/4 Michaels to Wingra Park, 9:30-12:30pm: DMNA 4th of July Neighborhood Parade and Celebration
• 7/18 Olin Park, Isthmus Paddle and Portage, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• 7/25 Brittingham Park: Disability Pride Festival
• 7/25 Capital Square to Goodman Park for Pool Party, 6:30-9PM: Capital City 5K for Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation

It's a pleasure to serve you! Please stay in touch and have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!

Thanks,

Sara

Greetings Neighbors –

Please link to the read the full update on projects, events, and Council business.

A few updates on in-district projects:

• Wingra Point II: The most updated plans are now on the Development page of the District 13 website. These were updated and presented to the Urban Design Commission on 5/20, where they received initial approval. They will have to return to UDC for final approval. The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of this project to the Council, with conditions. My comments for the Plan Commission can be found here, and my comments to colleagues on the Council can be found here, along with the survey results summary and neighborhood advisory paper. Then the final approval vote will take place at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday evening 6/16. Public comment will be accepted, but are limited to 3 minutes. You can send comments to all alders in advance at allalders@cityofmadison.com
• Rockhound Brewing Company: A public information meeting was held for Rockhound Brewing Company at 444 South Park Street (Lane's Bakery Site) on 6/4 with many neighbors present. The applicant anticipates opening in December or January. They will be before the ALRC on 6/17, where there will be a public hearing on the new alcohol license. You can send comments to licensing@cityofmadison.com for inclusion in the ALRC packet. The applicant has provided this information sheet for your reference.

Upcoming in-district meetings:

• 1313 Regent Street: Monday, June 15th at 6:30pm at 1313 Regent Street, Foreign Car Specialists site: This public meeting will introduce plans to redevelop the current Foreign Car Specialists site into Lucky's 1313 Brew Pub and banquet facility. The applicant is also proposing to redevelop the parking lot into a 25 unit apartment building facing Bowen Court. This is an early meeting on these plans, as they will require multiple city permit, including conditional use approvals and a liquor license. Please join us to learn more.
• Upcoming Public Meetings on Water Quality Improvement Initiatives for Lake Wingra Watershed: The Lake Wingra Watershed in collaboration with Friends of Lake Wingra have developed initiatives to improve water quality in Lake Wingra. Efforts include: reducing the amount of phosphorus reaching the lake; reducing road salt reaching the lake; and increasing opportunities for rainwater infiltration. Two public meetings will be held to discuss the initiatives and solicit feedback. Info here.
  • Wednesday, 6/24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sequoya Library, Rooms A&B
  • Tuesday, 7/14, 6:30 to 8 p.m., UW-Madison Arboretum, Visitor Center-Auditorium
• The Green Project: July 17th at 7pm at HotelRED: From the team, "It is the intention of The Green Project to build a state of the art construction at 1906 Monroe Street.  The project will combine the best of current green technology, materials reclaimed from the deconstruction of the current building and an innovative schematic design into a building that houses two great business, a foundation with a sustainability mission and three high-end neighborhood residences.  Although the footprint will be small and the building will only encompass 12,000 square ft., we plan to replace what is currently an easy to miss building and plot of land with a more noticeable and appropriate building for the location. The building will have commercial space for current Monroe Street entities, the Knight Foundation, and The Fit.  It will also house a lunch counter/ butcher / bakery proposed by the underground food collective.   The apartments will be comfortable fourth floor dwelling with sett backs that overlook Monroe St. and the adjacent commercial space." Please join us in July to learn more.

Highlighted City Business:

• Billboards: After much discussion last session, the Mayor and Alder Schmidt have introduced a revised billboard "cap and replace" ordinance to allow existing billboards to be removed for the purposes of redevelopment and replaced on another site. New advertising signs are still prohibited by ordinance in the city of Madison.
• Judge Doyle Square: The Common Council authorized the city team to begin negotiations with JDS Development/Exact Sciences regarding their proposal for Judge Doyle Square. This website provides updates and includes a link to all proposals.

Announcements:

• Common Council Presentation on the Transportation Improvement Plan: Tuesday 6/16 at 5:30pm in Council Chambers (Rm 201 City-County Building). Agenda here.
• Bicycle Transportation Plan: The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board is updating the bicycling transportation plan. The survey and dates for meetings can be found here.
• Madison Economic Strategy: Public input meetings on 6/10 at the Villager on Park Street and 6/15 at the Warner Park Community Center. Info here.
• Chief Koval Community Forums: June quarterly forums. Info here.
• Romnes: Congratulations to the residents of Romnes for being recognized by the CDA as an official resident association, providing access to HUD Resident Participation funds.

Other in-district events:

• Sundays from 9am-1pm Edgewood High School: Dudgeon Monroe Farmer's Market (So successful in the first week that you had to get there early for full pickings!)
• 6/20 Wingra Park: Jazz in the Park
• 6/20 Brittingham Park and Olin Turville Park: Juneteenth Celebration
• 6/20 Lake Wingra – Vilas Park: Capital Lakes DragonFest
• 6/21 All Over Madison: Make Music Madison
• 6/27 Lake Monona/John Nolen Drive Area: Shake the Lake
• 6/27 Vilas Park: Take Kids Fishing Day
• 7/25 Brittingham Park: Disability Pride Festival
• 7/25 Capital Square to Goodman Park for Pool Party, 6:30-9PM: Capital City 5K for Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation

It's a pleasure to serve you! Please stay in touch.

Thanks,

Sara

Greetings Neighbors –

A few updates on in-district projects:

• Double S BBQ: As mentioned in my last update, the ALRC approved a beer and wine license for Double S BBQ at 1835 Monroe Street. Due to the great concerns of neighbors concerning the original intent of the restaurant to cook outdoors behind the restaurant with a smoker, the approval at ALRC included a condition that prohibits outdoor smoking on the premises. Note that the process for outdoor cooking requires a conditional use zoning amendment, regardless of the action at ALRC. The applicant has not initiated this process at this point, if that happens we will hold subsequent meetings and I will notify the email lists right away.
  • The applicants have agreed to hold a neighborhood meeting to check-in on operations three months after opening. I will work with them to arrange this. They currently expect to open in mid-July.
• Wingra Point II: The most updated plans are now on the Development page of the District 13 website. These were updated and presented to the Urban Design Commission on 5/20, where they received initial approval. They will have to return to UDC for final approval. Meanwhile, Plan Commission will review this project on 6/8 at 5:30pm in Room 201 of the City-County Building. My comments for the Plan Commission can be found here, along with the survey results summary and neighborhood advisory paper. Then the final approval will take place at the Common Council meeting on 6/16.
• Rockhound Brewing Company: A public information meeting was held for Rockhound Brewing Company at 444 South Park Street (Lane's Bakery Site) on 6/4 with many neighbors present. The applicant anticipates opening in December or January. They will be before the ALRC on 6/17, where there will be a public hearing on the new alcohol license. You can send comments to licensing@cityofmadison.com for inclusion in the ALRC packet. The applicant has provided this information sheet for your reference.

Upcoming in-district meetings:

• 101 S. Mills: Thursday, June 11th at 7pm at Arboretum Co-Housing at 1137 Erin Street: The public meeting on the plans for a proposed four-unit multi-family building will be reviewed. As soon as I have updated plans, I'll post them on the development page of the District 13 website.
• 1313 Regent Street: Monday, June 15th at 6:30pm at 1313 Regent Street, Foreign Car Specialists site: This public meeting will introduce plans to redevelop the current Foreign Car Specialists site into Lucky's 1313 Brew Pub and banquet facility. The applicant is also proposing to redevelop the parking lot into a 25 unit apartment building facing Bowen Court. This is an early meeting on these plans, as they will require multiple city permit, including conditional use approvals and a liquor license. Please join us to learn more.

Highlighted City Business:

• Homelessness as a Protected Class: After review by the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Council unanimously passed a resolution that added homelessness as a protected class in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations.
• Billboards: After much discussion last session, the Mayor and Alder Schmidt have introduced a revised billboard "cap and replace" ordinance to allow existing billboards to be removed for the purposes of redevelopment and replaced on another site. New advertising signs are still prohibited by ordinance in the city of Madison.
• Officer Involved Shooting: The Common Council passed a resolution "declaring intent to review policies, procedures, culture and training of the Madison Police Department..." I was a sponsor of this resolution because I believe that it is important that the city does what it can to continuously be sure that we are the best city we can be – this includes this first step in response to the tragic death of Tony Robinson. The resolution includes the appointment of an ad-hoc citizen committee. If you are interested, please review the resolution regarding membership of this ad-hoc committee and let me know directly if you have suggestions of individuals who would be well-situated to serve our city in this capacity.
• Judge Doyle Square: The Common Council authorized the city team to begin negotiations with JDS Development/Exact Sciences regarding their proposal for Judge Doyle Square. This website provides updates and includes a link to all proposals.

Announcements:

• Bus Audible Alerts: 6/10 at 5pm, Transit and Parking Committee: The committee will be taking up an item I have heard about from residents – the noise alerts/beeping of the Madison Metro Busses. The agenda is here, and the committee will be taking public comment. Please feel free to email me directly if you have any feedback on this item that I can share with members.
• Bicycle Transportation Plan: The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board is updating the bicycling transportation plan. The survey and dates for meetings can be found here.
• Madison Recycling Program Expanded: Now including cardboard sided cans and metal bottle caps. Details here.
• Madison Economic Strategy: Public input meetings on 6/10 at the Villager on Park Street and 6/15 at the Warner Park Community Center. Info here.
• Chief Koval Community Forums: June quarterly forums. Info here.

Other in-district events:

• Wisconsin Bike Week: 6/8-6/12: Details here.
• Sundays from 9am-1pm Edgewood High School: Dudgeon Monroe Farmer's Market (So successful in the first week that you had to get there early for full pickings!)
• 6/13 Wingra Boats: Duck Dash
• 6/20 Brittingham Park and Olin Turville Park: Juneteenth Celebration
• 6/20 Lake Wingra – Vilas Park: Capital Lakes DragonFest
• 6/21 All Over Madison: Make Music Madison
• 6/27 Lake Monona/John Nolen Drive Area: Shake the Lake
• 7/25 Brittingham Park: Disability Pride Festival

It's a pleasure to serve you! Please stay in touch.

Thanks,

Sara

Greetings Neighbors –

It has been a busy past few weeks on the Common Council.

A few updates on in-district projects:

• Double S BBQ: The ALRC approved a beer and wine license for Double S BBQ at 1835 Monroe Street. Due to the great concerns of neighbors concerning the original intent of the restaurant to cook outdoors behind the restaurant with a smoker, the approval at ALRC included a condition that prohibits outdoor smoking on the premises. Note that the process for outdoor cooking requires a conditional use zoning amendment, regardless of the action at ALRC. The applicant has not initiated this process at this point, if that happens we will hold subsequent meetings and I will notify the email lists right away. The beer/wine license approval also included the following conditions: limit hours of operations to closing at 9pm Sunday-Thursday and 10pm Fri/Sat.; food will be served during all hours of operation; parking plan should include promotion via social media and business internal signage of off-street public parking structures; deliveries will abide by city standards; and no outdoor smoker.
  • The applicants have agreed to hold a neighborhood meeting to check-in on operations three months after opening. I will work with them to arrange this. They currently expect to open in mid-July.
• Wingra Point II: The most updated plans are now on the Development page of the District 13 website. These were updated and presented to the Urban Design Commission on 5/20, where they received initial approval. They will have to return to UDC for final approval. Meanwhile, Plan Commission will review this project on 6/8 at 5:30pm in Room 201 of the City-County Building.
• Bernies Beach Playground Improvements: New play equipment will be installed starting in late July, with completion around 10/15/2015. Non-construction areas will still be available for resident usage.

Upcoming in-district meetings:

• Edgewood Regina Hall Expansion: Wednesday, May 27th at 6pm in Edgewood's Predolin Humanities Center in Room 115A: The college will preview their upcoming construction in Regina Residence Hall. They will also maintain a construction e-newsletter at www.edgewood.edu/construction.
• Open House Greenbush Housing Renovation Program: Thursday, May 28th from 7-9pm at HotelRED: Come hear and ask questions about a program that helps people buy and renovate homes in the Greenbush Neighborhood. More on the website here.
• Rockhound Brewing Company: Thursday, June 4th at 6:30pm at Arboretum Co-Housing at 1137 Erin Street: A proposed brewpub at 444 S Park St - the corner of Park and Drake formerly occupied by Lane's Bakery - is applying for a class B beer and liquor alcohol license. The owner, Greenbush neighborhood resident Nate Warnke, will be on hand to discuss the proposed business and answer questions. The applicant goes before the Alcohol License Review Committee on June 17th, at 5:30 pm, rm 201 in the City-County Building.
• 101 S. Mills: Thursday, June 11th at 7pm at the Village Co-Housing at the corner of Mound and Mills: The public meeting on the plans for a proposed four-unit multi-family building will be reviewed. As soon as I have updated plans, I'll post them on the development page of the District 13 website.

Highlighted City Business:

• Officer Involved Shooting: The Common Council passed a resolution "declaring intent to review policies, procedures, culture and training of the Madison Police Department..." I was a sponsor of this resolution because I believe that it is important that the city does what it can to continuously be sure that we are the best city we can be – this includes this first step in response to the tragic death of Tony Robinson. The resolution includes the appointment of an ad-hoc citizen committee. If you are interested, please review the resolution regarding membership of this ad-hoc committee and let me know directly if you have suggestions of individuals who would be well-situated to serve our city in this capacity.
• Judge Doyle Square: The Common Council authorized the city team to begin negotiations with JDS Development/Exact Sciences regarding their proposal for Judge Doyle Square. This website provides updates and includes a link to all proposals.
• TID 33 Affordable Housing: A closer to home project, the Tax Increment District (TID) that contains Trader Joe's is expected to fully repay the increment to the city in 2015. Due to an option, the city will continue to collect increments for one additional year to dedicate that funding to affordable housing. The Community Development Division considers this to be a very successful TID for the city.

Other in-district events:

• 5/30 Willow Island: Race for the Cure
• 6/7 Ride the Drive Downtown
• 6/20 Brittingham Park and Olin Turville Park: Juneteenth Celebration
• 6/27 Lake Monona/John Nolen Drive Area: Shake the Lake
• 7/25 Brittingham Park: Disability Pride Festival

It's a pleasure to serve you! Please stay in touch.

Thanks,

Sara

Neighbors –

A few quick updates:

• Small Cap TIF Open House Date Updated: Now Thursday, May 28th from 7-9pm at HotelRED.
• Mattress and Box Spring Recycling is back. Details linked here.
• Flower Pot Recycling and On Line Plant Exchange. Details linked here.
• FYI – Planning & Community & Economic Development Newsletter.
• Last May FOOT Free Concert at Olin-Turville Park May 26th at 6pm.
• Please take the 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment survey.

Thanks!

Sara

Neighbors –

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the new BBQ restaurant on Monroe Street. Please see below for updates on process:

• Alcohol License: As noted in my previous email, the applicants will be going before the Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC) to request a beer and wine license on Wednesday, May 20 at 5:30pm in room 201 of the City-County Building. This will include a formal public hearing with 3 minutes for comment. You can also send written comments to the committee at licensing@cityofmadison.com.
  • The purview of the ALRC is: Madison General Ordinance Sec. 33.02 - Guiding Values: Fair, Consistent, Proactive, Balanced, Cooperative, Efficient, Preventative, Inclusive, Deliberative. Mission: Serve city's residents, businesses & visitors by thoroughly & conscientiously reviewing license applications, establishing & maintaining standards, addressing violations, developing alcohol-related policies & making recommendations to the Common Council. Goals: Promote responsible alcohol-selling -serving practices; enhance public safety & quality of life; consistently apply pertinent laws & conditions; educate citizenry/business community about the ALRC mission & processes; modernize existing business & governmental systems and reduce expenditures on alcohol-related issues; improve overall service delivery.
  • The applicant could open and operate after health department approval of their restaurant operations, as they are zoned TSS. However, they will not be able to cook outside without a conditional use permit or serve alcohol without a license.

• Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Cooking Smoker: Much of the concerns being raised have to do with the applicant's plan to smoke meat in the alley behind the restaurant space in a ~20ft traditional Texas BBQ wood-fired smoker. The video showing this in operation is linked here. City staff has advised that this will require further permitting and approval through a conditional use zoning process.
  • The applicant will need to provide 30 day notice to myself and the neighborhood association president of their intent to pursue a conditional use. They intend to do this soon.
  • I will help the applicant to organize a demonstration of the smoker, hopefully in the alley behind Monroe Street as a publicly noticed meeting. Neighbors will be able to come see this in action and ask questions/share any concerns.
  • The Plan Commission will have to review the conditional use permit request. This will include a formal public hearing with 3 minutes for individual public comments. Neighbors within 200 feet of the restaurant will be noticed with postcards. I'll send reminder emails as well when this date is set.
    • City staff will review the applicant's plans and advise the Plan Commission on their options: approval, approval with conditions of use, or rejection of the conditional use. They will consider many factors when making their recommendation and have many departments review factors including quality of life from impacts like potential smoke and smell, safety concerns, and more.
    • If the applicant notices the alder and neighborhood soon, this Plan Commission review could take place as soon as mid-August.

More information will be coming on this process and timeline as formal requests are filed. Please know that I will keep you informed and I take your comments and feedback very seriously. You have many opportunities to formally share feedback, particularly at the time of committee and commission reviews.

The applicants can be reached at doublesbbq@gmail.com and you can reach me at district13@cityofmadison.com.

Thanks,

Sara  

Open House 
Greenbush Housing Renovation Program

UPDATED DATE: Thursday, May 28th from 7-9pm
HotelRED

Come hear about and ask questions regarding an exciting new program to help people buy and renovate homes in the Greenbush Neighborhood. The city of Madison's Greenbush Housing Renovation Program offers $80,000 to $100,000 to potential home owners who will buy and restore a rental property and live in the home. Representatives from the city, the Greenbush-Vilas Partnership, contractors and those who have already used the program will be available to answer your questions. 
 

Neighbors –

Double S BBQ has applied for a beer and wine license for 1835 Monroe Street (the J. Kinney space). There was a public hearing at HotelRED on Wednesday evening, May 12. Many neighbors came to ask questions and express their opinions. The applicants will be going before the Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC) on Wednesday, May 20 at 5:30pm in room 201 of the City-County Building. This will include a formal public hearing with 3 minutes for comment. You can also send written comments to the committee.

The restaurant will likely require further city review through a conditional use zoning process. This is triggered by their intention to smoke meat in an outdoor smoker behind the restaurant. There will be further public meeting and comment opportunities with regard to this request. I will be in touch as I learn more. Here is some information provided by the applicant:

• Video of smoker operating (https://youtu.be/yfVKH-5k9MA)
• We are also working to provide neighbors with a demonstration of the smoker in operation in the alley.

You had requested that we follow up with further information that may have not come out in the meeting and address some comments that were made in meeting. I have listed below several issues that were raised:

1. One person brought up that Austin was having ordinances put in place due to BBQ smoke? Here is a link to google maps that shows every BBQ establishment in the Austin area which are indicated in red dots. As you can see there are well over 25 BBQ establishments in the downtown area and way more if you include the outskirts. So we do not believe this is a reasonable comparison as we would be the only one in our vicinity. https://www.google.com/maps/search/bbq+austin/@30.4064123,-97.7523714,10z
2. Concern over meat waste: We use Sanimax as our grease disposal. We also put all meat waste in a 55 gallon drum sealed with a lid to eliminate odors and pests. I would like to add that Sanimax recycles all of our waste for bio diesel and animal feed. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me or the applicant (Sarah and Shon) with further questions or comments. Again, more information and process will be coming with regard to this restaurant.

Best,

Sara

Greetings Neighbors –

I am honored to serve as your alder here in District 13. I know that we all appreciated the positive local election with many residents engaging deeply in the electoral process. Thank you.

Please stay in touch with me through my alder email account (district13@cityofmadison.com) and at the district webpage (www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13). As you all know, since you're on the list, you can sign up for my email updates, which I plan to send regularly, at that website. Please forward this on to your friends and neighbors so that they can sign-up. Also, remember that you can use "Report a Problem" to get assistance from city departmental staff on specific issues.

There are many upcoming events and meetings regarding District 13. Please find highlights below:

• Monday 5/11, 6:30pm, Baha'i Center: Bay Creek Neighborhood Association Meeting, Wingra Point II development project will be on the agenda
  • If you are a neighbor, and have not yet taken the survey regarding this development, please do so here.
  • Revised dates for Wingra Point II project city review process: 5/20 Urban Design, 6/8 Plan Commission, 6/16 Common Council
• Tuesday 5/12, 7:00pm, HotelRED: Public Meeting on Double S BBQ, proposed alcohol license applicant at 1835 Monroe Street
  • Double S BBQ intends to go before the ALRC on 5/20, application here
• Spring 2015 Dogs in Parks Pilot Program Survey: please share your thoughts via this brief survey

Other updates and events:

• Brittingham Playground Replacement Meeting highlights from 4/20 meeting
• 6/7 Ride the Drive Downtown
• 6/27 Lake Monona/John Nolen Drive Area: Shake the Lake
• 7/25 Brittingham Park: Disability Pride Festival

Thanks,

Sara

by Alder Lucas Dailey

It's that time of year when each of the Madison Police Department districts seeks feedback from residents. Below is a link to this year's online survey. Please take a moments to click on the below link and let us know how you feel about the quality of life in your neighborhood.

Read More or Take Survey

Today the city announced its ability to allow residents to pay their property taxes in four installments. You can learn more about the program at http://www.cityofmadison.com/treasurer/propertytax/fourInstallment/

Gang,

I've submitted an amendment to the capital budget reinstating the reconstruction of Monroe for 2016. We all know the many reasons for the reconstruction: create safer crossings, fix the gaping holes in the roadway (the pavement rating is 3.69 out of 10; under 5 triggers resurfacing), fix the failing sections of water and sewer main, improve the lighting, and improve the overall pedestrian experience.

The move to change the date to 2017, as I'm told, is primarily to prevent the compounding of city-wide traffic problems that will be caused by the reconstruction of monroe at the same time as the reconstruction of the beltline and Verona road which is slated to be complete in 2016. Apparently this is based on a lesson city engineers learned from the the reconstruction of Johnson/Gorham. I certainly don't doubt that there will be some compounded traffic but I'm not yet persuaded that it will be sufficient to justify pushing back this important project.

I asked the city engineer to provide data to back the claim, ideally with some traffic modelling. If the data make a strong case for very significant additional city-wide traffic disruption I will most likely withdraw the motion and let the 2017 date stand. But until then I believe the best direction for the area and city is to move forward with an amendment to restore the 2016 date.

This mirrors the feedback I've received from residents but if you think I'm off-base let me know!

cheers,
Lucas
district13@cityofmadison.com