Common Council

Disability Pride, AtwoodFest, Metro Tour - D15 Update 7/20/19

On Monday, I attended a tour of Madison Metro Transit Building with colleagues from the Common Council and Transportation Commission. It was impressive to see the highly coordinated operations needed in order to house over 200 buses in a facility that was designed for far fewer. Work is in progress now on a new Service Land Addition, with HVAC Replacement scheduled for 2020, and remodeling of maintenance bays in 2021. Negotiations are also continuing on the purchase of land at the former Oscar Mayer site for a Satellite Bus Facility that will be required to expand our fleet and prepare for BRT.

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of meeting our new East District Captain, Cory Nelson. Captain Nelson was most recently captain of the South District and is excited to take the helm on the Eastside. While I was out there I appreciated the beautiful landscaping around the precinct's building and Capt. Nelson mentioned that they were looking for help with some weeding and mulching on the grounds. If anyone is available to help, you can reach out via phone or online here.

On Thursday, city staff and KL Engineering presented information on a proposed shared use path connecting the Capital City Path along the new Garver site and across Starkweather Creek to OB Sherry Park. This is the first phase of a trail extension that will ultimately connect the Hawthorne, Hiestand Park, and Burke Heights neighborhoods to the city's existing trail network. Comments or questions on the project can be directed to Reid Stiteley at rstiteley@cityofmadison.com.

On Friday, I joined Mayor Satya at Java Cat for a conversation about priorities from eastside residents. It was a great conversation about the need to focus on affordable housing, racial equity, sustainability, and transportation. Thanks to all that attended and to Java Cat for hosting!

And lastly, don't forget that Madison Parks is looking for your input on potential changes to our dogs in parks policy. You can find more information on the Dogs & Parks project page and the survey is open through mid-August.

In the news:

• Madisonians Step Up!
• Top of State Street Issues Can't Be Ignored
• Madison School Board floats new operating referendum, finds no conflict in president's vote
• Madison School Board receives pool of 26 applicants for vacant seat
• Two top Madison School District officials to step down at the end of summer
• Dane County effort lists next steps to battle black infant mortality
• Institute on Transformative Community Engagement Application Open
• Two Artists Selected for Public Art Pieces for Pinney Library
• Madison College Professor Kou Her Remembered For His Kindness
• Fire Hazard Bulletin: Dehumidifier Safety
• Woodman's at 100: Janesville grocer focuses on methodical growth, low prices
• Edible Madison: SUMAC!

This week's highlights:

Monday, July 22, 2019

4:30 pm - Sustainable Madison Committee: Green Urbanism Course Final Report; Carbon Disclosure Project Disclosure; Accepting the final report and recommendations from the Urban Forestry Task Force; Possible LaFollette Capstone Project

6:00 pm - Mark Croft Band at Maple Bluff Beach Park: Bring your family, neighbors and friends for this fun evening of great music, great views of the WI State Capitol, food and beverages. The event is free with the exception of Food Carts and Beverages.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

4:30 pm - Water Utility Board: Consideration of Audit Reports; Update and Discussion of State Proposed Groundwater Standards (including PFAS); Financial Update including Rate Case

5:00 pm - Public Market Development Committee: Public Market Discussion

7:00 pm - Proud Parents at Olbrich Summer Concerts: Enjoy Tuesday evening summer concerts on the Great Lawn! $2 suggested donation. Held indoors in case of bad weather.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

5:00 pm - Madison Beltline Expansion Public Input Meeting: WisDOT is proposing a beltline expansion project that would use the center median as an additional lane during rush hour. 

6:00 pm - Community Conversation: Africans & the Diaspora: Please join us as we host the UW African Studies Mandela Fellows 2019 cohort for this crucial conversation.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

4:00 pm - Housing Strategy Committee: Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in the City of Madison

7:00 pm - Back Porch Concerts at the Dean House: Middleton Jazz performs on the back porch and back lawn of the Dean House at 4718 Monona Drive.

Friday, July 26, 2019

10:00 am - Olbrich's Blooming Butterflies:Experience the magnificence of free-flying butterflies while strolling through the tropical Bolz Conservatory. Live butterflies emerge from chrysalises daily in the Conservatory.

7:00 pm - Puzzle (feature film) at Hawthorne Library: PUZZLE is a closely observed portrait of Agnes, who has reached her early 40s without ever venturing far from home, family or the tight-knit immigrant community in which she was raised by her widowed father.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

10:00 am - Wisconsin Governor's Mansion Open House: If you're craving a free scoop of Babcock's best ice cream, come to the Governor's Mansion Open House on Saturday, July 27th! Randall M. Scoops and the #GetTheScoopWI team will be there, dishing out ice cream while supplies last.

12:00 pm - Madison Disability Pride Festival!: Join us for music and other performances, artists' and makers' exhibitions, and good times with friends. People of all dis/abilities are welcome to attend, and the festival is free of charge.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

12:00 pm - AtwoodFest 2019: AtwoodFest is the pinnacle of summer on the East Side of Madison. Live music, local food and beer, and a little something for everyone. (Begins Saturday)

12:00 pm - 2019 Greek Fest Plus: Food, Fun, Music, Community  (Begins Saturday)

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.