Last Chance Leaf Collection, Lots of City Meetings - D15 Update 12/4/21

After a couple of quiet weeks, this week is filled to the brim with city meetings and other events. You can check the City of Madison Complete Meeting Schedule for all publicly noticed meetings and I always appreciate hearing your thoughts on policy items that are up for consideration. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email at district15@cityofmadison.com.

Staff Reports on Reindahl Park and the Men's Shelter

The City-County Homeless Issues Committee will receive staff updates on Reindahl Park and the men's shelter at its meeting on Monday. You can find more details here.

ADU, Meeting Format, Spring 2021 Advisory Referendum Result Discussion at Common Council

Tuesday's Common Council meeting looks like it could be a long one. See below for a few items that may be of particular interest to D15 residents. You can find links to the agenda and to register to speak here. 

17 - Accessory Dwelling Unit changes: I am a sponsor of these proposed changes that were recommended for approval by Plan Commission and will make it easier to build ADUs.

22 - Common Council meeting formats: This item proposes shifting from virtual to in-person Common Council meetings beginning on February 1. I have some concerns with this plan given the current state of COVID in the community and the impact it would have on public participation.

43 - Prohibit removing or disabling a cat's claws by performing a declawing procedure: I support this proposed ordinance and appreciate Alder Lemmer's efforts to bring it forward.

83 - Discuss the results of the Spring 2021 advisory referendum election and determine whether a binding referendum election shall be authorized related to the structure of the Common Council: This will be the first time the council discusses the results from last spring's advisory referendum on the size and shape of the Common Council (size, term length and limits, part-time vs full-time).

104 - Implementing Body-Worn Camera Pilot Program: Several alders are introducing a resolution to implement a body-worn camera pilot program. I continue to have concerns with the ongoing costs of such a program as well as with the introduction of more surveillance infrastructure. This item is on the agenda for introduction only on Tuesday and will be taken up by council no sooner than January 4, depending on referrals. No public comment is allowed on items at the time of introduction.

Friends of Pinney Annual Meeting

Also on Tuesday, the Friends of Pinney Library will be holding their annual meeting with featured speaker, Maria Amalia Wood - Pinney Artist in Residence. You can find more details here.

Safe Streets Madison, Annual Traffic Crash Report, St. Paul/Ohio/Talmadge/Jackson/Lafollette Project  

On Wednesday, the Transportation Commission will review the newly created Safe Streets Madison program, receive the annual traffic crash report, and will review the proposed design for the St. Paul Avenue, Ohio Avenue, Talmadge Street, Jackson Street, Lafollette Avenue Reconstruction project. Staff has made some modifications to the proposal based on public feedback at last week's public meetings, including the addition of speed humps on St. Paul. You can find all the details on these items as well as links to register for the meeting here. 

MPD Strategic Plan Proposal, OIR Recommendations Progress Report, MMSD Safety

The Public Safety Review Committee is discussing several items of note regarding the Madison Police Department and policing in Madison at its meeting on Wednesday. You can find all the details here. 

Proposed storm sewer installation through Lake Edge Park  

Also on Wednesday, the Board of Parks Commissioners will be asked to approve a proposed storm sewer installation through Lake Edge Park. My understanding is that this is a request by the Engineering division in order to move forward with the planned Dempsey/Davies reconstruction project without needing to include Maher Avenue at this time. I will be meeting with staff this week to learn more details on the proposal to better understand its impact to the park, the proposed street projects, and our stormwater system. You can find details on the proposal as well as a link to register for comments here.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Framework 

On Thursday, the Plan Commission will hold a special meeting to hear about development of a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Framework. This would likely impact potential developments within the planned BRT corridors. You can find details here.

SASYNA

I will be attending my first SASY Neighborhood Association meeting this Thursday. The meeting begins at 6:30p and will be held via Zoom. Check the website for a link once posted.

Seventh Generation Earth Ethics

Also on Thursday, as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival, author Patty Loew will appear live on Crowdcast to discuss her book, Seventh Generation Earth Ethics, and the increasing pressures to turn Indigenous lands into "sacrifice zones"--geographic areas that are permanently affected by environmental damage. Details here. 

Santa Cycle Rampage

The most wonderful ride of the year is back! The Santa Cycle Rampage is a fun family friendly slow roll style costumed group ride taking place on Saturday. Find the details here. 

In the news

• Recycle Your Paper Cups 

• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award Winner is Lisa Peyton-Caire

• John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Survey

• Madison Commons, Media Digest

• City of Madison Complete Meeting Schedule

District 15 Public Works Projects

(You can find a list of all engineering projects in District 15 here.)

• Starkweather Drive/Garver Path

• St. Paul Avenue, Ohio Avenue, Talmadge Street, Jackson Street, Lafollette Avenue Reconstruction

• Eastmorland Sidewalk Installation

• Davies St., Dempsey Rd., Maher Ave.

• Starkweather Creek Watershed Flood Study

• Atwood Avenue

Save the date

• December 14 - Andi Cloud wraps up her Storyteller Residency by getting personal! The virtual event, Being Hinu: Growing Up Ho-Chunk in the 20th Century, will provide a look into Andi's life, including pivotal moments where she learned her tribe's ways and started to define what the Ho-Chunk life means to her. Register here.

• All potential applicants for the Neighborhood Grant Program must meet with city staff by January 17. Applications will be due February 7. Please send an email to neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com to request your pre-application meeting, and check the city's webpage in mid-December for 2022 program materials.

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.