Ace Apartments Proposal, Visions Complaint Filed, Orton Park Festival - D15 Update 8/18/19

F-35s

I continue to receive many concerns from residents about the proposal to bring the F-35s to Madison. Many of those most impacted live in District 15 and are concerned that they will be displaced from their homes. You can read more details about the Environmental Impact Statement and how to provide public comment in last week's blog post here. City staff from various departments are also working on a review of the EIS, including impacts of noise, stormwater and other issues. The end result will likely be a response to the EIS from the Mayor's office.

Visions

In June, the city renewed the alcohol and adult entertainment licenses for Visions nightclub. As I shared in this blog post, the city attorney's office was actively working on a complaint at the time, but was not ready to file at the time of renewal hearings in May.

This week, Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Zilavy filed the complaint against Visions and a summons to appear was issued. The complaint states that Visions has 'continued to violate various provisions of Chapter 38 MGO' including: A. Expanding or Changing the Licensed Premises without Common Council Approval; B. No Licensed Operator on Premises; C. Illegally Procuring Alcohol Beverages; and D. Keeps or Maintains a Disorderly or Riotous, Indecent or Improper House.

While Visions will be appearing at this week's ALRC meeting, this will not be the actual hearing for the complaint; a hearing date will be set for a future meeting. In addition to the complaint, a second Visions related item will be on the agenda: Item 5 - Change of Officers. This application seeks to add three new officers to the business entity. These new officers own and operate four Silk Exotic Gentlemen's Clubs and propose several renovations to Visions. I will be asking ALRC to defer consideration of this item until the revocation hearing has been held.

Anyone concerned with the complaint or proposed change in officers should send me your concerns and I will forward to the ALRC. I will provide further updates once a date for hearing is set.

In the news:

• The most effective ways to curb climate change might surprise you
• Vilas Park Master Plan
• Commitment to Alliant Energy Center vision remains steadfast
• MADISON PUBLIC MARKET QUARTERLY UPDATE
• Another deluge like 2018 would bring 'deep trouble' to area
• Gov. Tony Evers signs executive order calling again for carbon-free electricity by 2050

This week's highlights:

Monday, August 19, 2019

4:30 pm - Committee on the Environment: I will be joining Sustainability Coordinator, Stacie Reece, to talk about Small Engine Tool Emissions and the feasibility of creating a Lawn Tool Exchange Program

5:30 pm - Affordable Housing Design Strategies for Downtown Madison: The event panelists will discuss practical and innovative design solutions, highlight local affordable housing policies and zoning rules, and provide their insights for the future of affordability in downtown Madison.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

6:30 pm - Ace Apartments Meeting: Hear updates to the Ace Apartments proposal from Movin' Out planned for 4602 Cottage Grove Road.

7:00 pm - Edible Landscaping at Richard/Starkweather: Glendale resident, Emily Steinwehe, is interested in planting an edible landscape in the spring of 2020 on the vacant city-owned land at Richard St. and Starkweather Drive: trees and shrubs like pears, juneberries, aronia, etc. for everyone to harvest. She will be available to meet with people at the site and answer questions on Sunday from 3-4 pm and again on Tuesday from 7-8 pm.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

5:30 pm - Alcohol License Review Committee: Visions (see above) Item 5 - Change of Officers & Item 21 - Summons to Answer to Complaint for Revocation Action

6:00 pm - Summer Container Walk: Learn the basics of planning, planting, and pruning to keep them thriving throughout the season. Designing sun and shade containers, hanging baskets, succulent combinations, and incorporating herbs, tropical plants, and more will be shared.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

4:30 pm - Housing Strategy Committee: Two action items on this agenda including Accepting the 2019 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) study & Accepting the white paper titled "Equitable Development in Madison: An assessment of factors contributing to displacement and gentrification"

5:30 pm - Orton Park Festival: The Orton Park Festival returns for its 54th year with four days of music, food and fun in the heart of Madison's east side. 5:30 Pizza & ice cream social, 7:30 Cycropia Aerial Dance - through Sunday.

Friday, August 23, 2019

5:30 pm - Dane Dances: Eddie Butts Band & Orquesta SalSoul Del Mad: Dane Dances! is a family friendly event on the stunning Monona Terrace rooftop every Friday evening in August.

8:00 pm - Samba on the Terrace! Handphibians, Ótimo, and Grupo Balança: A slice of Brazil at the Memorial Union Terrace.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

8:00 am - Glendale Playground Work Day: We will be working together to build a walking path on the Glendale playground! We are looking for volunteers who will be able to move and lay sod, and haul and spread wood chips. Sign up to help here.

9:00 am - Momentum Urban Arts Fest: The Momentum Urban Arts Fest will feature 50-60 street artists performing live painting on buildings up and down Monona Drive and on the east side of Madison. Event headquarters is Momentum Art Tech's parking lot and will feature numerous artists painting in Burner Alley, a DJ, and refreshments. An informational table will also be available and will provide event goers with a mural map for self guided tours. Biking to the mural locations is encouraged!

6:00 pm - Peace and the Environment: Safe Skies Clean Water Coalition will hold a meeting to plan direct action regarding the pollution at Truax and its planned expansion to accommodate the addition of F-35 nuclear capable stealth fighter jets. Please plan to attend to learn more about each and help us develop our plan of action for September. The event begins with a potluck dinner at 6 PM.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

10:30 am - Pollinator Garden Planting: Please join us for a planting event at Washington Manor Park's Native Pollinator Garden. We plan to plant over 150 additional plants in our pollinator garden! Gloves, shovels, and light refreshments will be provided! Come ready to get your hands dirty!

1:00 pm - 11th Black Latino Unity Picnic / undecimo Picnic por la Unidad: An event for the whole community focused on the common struggle of Black and Latino Workers for better working, housing, employment and living conditions in our neighborhoods.

3:30 pm - Connecting with Community: Party in the Park!: Join Goodman Community Center for an afternoon to connect and celebrate community in the Darbo-Worthington Neighborhood! All are invited!

Click on 'details' in the events below for links to additional details and meeting agendas. You can find a full list of city meetings here.

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