Common Council

Buckeye Oak, Dogs in Parks, Golf Task Force, SRO Contract - D15 Update 6/29/19

10 days ago I wrote a blog post about a mature oak tree that was slated for removal as part of the Buckeye Road reconstruction project. At that time, I had asked city staff to look into all options to save this tree. I'm very happy to share that an alternative has been determined to save the tree. The proposal includes installing a solder pile wall along the tree for 40'. While there are still a number of design details that need to be determined, it looks like this tree will have the opportunity to stay in the neighborhood for another 100+ years. Thank you to everyone that reached out with concern and also a big thanks to city staff in the Engineering and Forestry divisions for working hard to come up with this solution! 

Yesterday, Captain Snyder wrote his final blog post for MPD. While I only had the opportunity to work with Captian Snyder for a few short months, I really appreciated all his help and support. Thank you for your decades of service to Madison and all the best in retirement, Captain Snyder! 

As I have shared in the past, the Parks Division has been working on a public engagement process to review our current rules around dogs in parks. Our existing ordinance (originally created in 1973) essentially prohibits dogs in most parks and public spaces. Currently, the City of Madison offers 8 off-leash dog parks and 26 parks where dogs, on-leash and on path are allowed. The majority of the more than 270 parks do not allow dogs. Five public input meetings are scheduled during July at locations throughout the city. A survey will also open on July 15 and continue through mid-August. Information gathered at the community engagement meetings and through the public survey will be the first step in a process of potentially updating or changing the current ordinance.
 

The resolution to create a Municipal Golf Task Force was approved at the June 18th Common Council meeting. The task force will be comprised of one alderperson, one current or former member of the Board of Park Commissioners, one member of the Golf Subcommittee, and six residents to include representation of golfers, parks users, non-golfers, potentially impacted neighbors, and youth residents. If you are interested in serving on this task force, please send me an email and I will forward on to the mayor for consideration. This is a priority issue for many living in the Lake Edge and Glendale neighborhoods in particular and serving on the task force is a good opportunity to help represent the neighborhood perspective.

On Tuesday, the Common Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting. One topic that has generated significant interest is the School Resource Officer contract. This is a very complex issue and I've heard a wide range of opinions from many residents, teachers, police officers, and others that have been working on this for years. Please share any thoughts and opinions that you have on this matter with me prior to Tuesday's meeting.
 

Also, a quick reminder that Shake the Lake kicks off at 5p today and includes several street closures downtown including the Capital City Path from Broom St to Blair St between 4pm and 11pm.

And tomorrow (Sunday), newly elected District 17 County Supervisor Kristen Audet will hold her first meet and greet at Java Cat. You can also sign up for her email updates here. (If you're not sure who your county supervisor is, you can find that here.)

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.