Advisory Referendum, Spring Election, Violence Prevention - D15 Update 1/11/21

Last Week

New email list for blog updates

Just one last reminder that if you would like to receive an email notification for new blog posts during campaign season, please send me an email to district15@cityofmadison.com and I will get you added.

Request absentee ballot now for spring election on April 6

With the fall election barely in the rearview mirror, preparations are already underway for the spring nonpartisan election on April 6. You can find the list of candidates that filed ahead of last week's deadline here. The election will include common council, school board, and judicial seats, as well as an advisory referendum with questions related to the structure of the common council (see more on the referendum below and a link to request your ballot here). 

Common Council

Last week's Common Council meeting covered a lot of ground and lasted nearly 7½ hours, ending at 2 a.m. One outcome worth highlighting is the decision to place a series of advisory referendum questions related to the structure of city government on the Spring 2021 ballot. The city will be working to get additional background information out to voters on this referendum over the next several months. The 4 questions on the ballot will be as follows: 

1. Madison currently has a part-time Common Council who are paid approximately thirteen-thousand seven hundred ($13,700) per year.

Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, SHOULD the City of Madison transition to a full-time Common Council with each Common Council Member earning between fifty percent (50%) to eighty percent (80%) of the Adjusted Median Income for Dane County for a single parent with two children (approximately $45,000 to $71,000) per year?

1. Madison currently has a part-time Common Council comprised of twenty (20) alderpersons, one from each alderperson district.

Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, SHOULD the size of the City of Madison Common Council be reduced?

Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, SHOULD the size of the City of Madison Common Council be increased?

SHOULD the size of the City of Madison Common Council remain the same?

1. Madison alderpersons are currently elected to two (2) year terms. The Madison Mayor is currently elected to four (4) year terms.

Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, SHOULD City of Madison alderpersons be elected to four (4) year terms?                     

1. Madison alderpersons are currently not subject to term limits.

Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, if the City transitions to a full-time Common Council SHOULD the City of Madison alderpersons be subject to term limits of twelve (12) consecutive years?

Other city updates:

• Less Salty: Don't Miss Out on Salt Awareness Week 2021
• Patience and diligence are essential, as broad availability of COVID-19 vaccines is still months away
• City Adopts New Requirements for Electric Vehicle Charging
• Metro Transit Service Reduced on Monday, January 18
• The City of Madison has created an exciting new grant program: the Community Food Access-Competitive Grants Program.  This replaces the SEED Grants for 2021. Check out the grants website for more information, a grant walk-through video, and application materials.

This Week

ECA Meeting

The Eastmorland Community Association will hold its monthly meeting virtually on Tuesday at 7pm. You can join the meeting here.

Discussion on Gun Violence and Tear Gas Usage

The Public Safety Review Committee will be discussing a report on gun violence, along with several other related items of interest, at its meeting on Wednesday. Meeting details online here.

Proposed Body-Worn Camera Recommendations

The Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee will be continuing its discussion of, and possible action on, recommendations related to body-worn cameras at its meetings on Monday and Friday. Meeting details here.

Violence Prevention Update

On Wednesday, at the Board of Public Health meeting, the Violence Prevention Unit will give an update on their work. You can find meeting details here.

Other city meetings

There are a number of city meetings not highlighted in this update. You can find a full schedule of city meetings here.

Subscribe to the District 15 blog via the sidebar above to receive email notification when new updates are published. If you have any questions or thoughts you can reach me at district15@cityofmadison.com.