Common Council

Budget, Golf, Hawthorne Tunnel - D15 Update 10/20/19

Hawthorne Tunnel

On Tuesday of last week, I was honored to join the staff and students of Hawthorne Elementary and East Madison Community Center to celebrate the ribbon cutting on the Hawthorne Tunnel Mural. This project was the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning and was highlighted in an initiative led by Wanda Fullmore interns this summer. Emida Roller, Executive Director of Dane Arts Mural Arts, produced this 5 minute video highlighting the mural creation process. If you have the opportunity, you should take a trip out to the tunnel and see all the beautiful art for yourself.

Budget

This week, Finance Committee will consider amendments to the Executive Operating Budget. You can see the list of proposed amendments here.

I have cosponsored three of the proposed amendments with a focus on improving traffic safety. This was one of the primary themes I heard from District 15 residents during my campaign and it continues to be the primary concern shared with me by constituents since starting my work as alder in April.

One amendment restores $50K to maintain crosswalk markings across the city, a second provides $65K to continue snow and ice control on our arterial shared use paths on weekends and holidays (currently only performed M-F), and a third allocates $160K to implement safety improvements at four of the most dangerous intersections in the city.

These amendments (along with 22 others) will be considered and debated at Monday's Finance meeting. Following that meeting, the proposed budget as amended will be forwarded to the full Common Council for debate. This year's budget session will occur over the course of three days from November 12-14.

Approval of the proposed $40 Vehicle Registration Fee (wheel tax) is also on Monday's Finance agenda. No budget amendments were proposed to reduce or eliminate the $7.9M of revenue associated with this fee.

In the news:

• Madison Police Department Policy and Procedure Ad Hoc Committee Releases Final Report
• "PFAS" compounds detected in Madison's four seasonal wells
• Wisconsin Policy Forum report: Managing growth a critical question in Madison budget process
• Improving bus service isn't regressive -- Harald Kliems
• Watch Rep. Jimmy Anderson's Full Comments on the Assembly Floor about Disability Access
• Madison-based Schoep's Ice Cream files for receivership, an alternative to bankruptcy
• Madison Kanifing Sister City Announces Collaboration on New Library for Kanifing, The Gambia
• Eric Adjetey Anang Chosen for Community-Based Artist Residency in Thurber Park
• Access Denied: eBook Embargo Unfair to Library Readers
• Five Applicants Received for Vacant District 8 City Council Seat
• Buckeye Road Construction Update
• Davidson St, Drexel Ave, Lake Edge Blvd Construction Update
• Safe and Effective, Now is the Time for Flu Vaccination

This week's highlights:

Monday, October 21, 2019

10:00 am - Covering Wisconsin Healthcare Enrollment Assistance: Healthcare Navigators provide free in-person help to enroll in health insurance and education on how to use your health insurance.

4:30 pm - Finance Committee: As mentioned above, Finance Committee will consider amendments to the 2020 Executive Operating Budget and will vote on the proposed Vehicle Registration Fee. In addition, they will receive an update from the Judge Doyle Square negotiating team

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

10:00 am - Meeting of Minds: Meeting of the Minds is a memory enhancement program for those with memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer's, or other dementia to help maximize cognitive function and sustain quality of life. Activities includes: Tai Chi-based exercise for balance, gentle strengthening, breathing, and stress reduction; creative expression, and mindfulness techniques.

6:00 pm - The Future of La Follette High School: Community Input Session: The Madison School Board is considering putting two referenda on the ballot in 2020. One would be a facilities referendum that would seek to significantly renovate La Follette High School. Check out mmsd.org/future-ready-Lancers to get a sneak peek into what some of the proposed renovations could look like and consider joining us for all or part of this family and community input session.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

3:00 pm - Downtown Madison Family Halloween: An afternoon of Halloween family fun and free/low cost activities for kids 12 and under! Trick-or-Treat at nearly 70 Downtown Locations and spend time visiting YOUR City. Madison Parks will be offering hayrides as part of the festivities.

6:00 pm - The Future of East High School: Community Input Session: The Madison School Board is considering putting two referenda on the ballot in 2020. One would be a facilities referendum that would seek to significantly renovate East High School. Check out mmsd.org/future-ready-Purgolders to get a sneak peek into what some of the proposed renovations could look like and consider joining us for all or part of this family and community input session.

6:00 pm - Task Force on Municipal Golf in Madison Parks: The first meeting of the task force will look at the History, Core Purpose, Timeline, and Key Responsibilities of the group and will include a Presentation of Current Operations of Golf Courses.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

6:00 pm - Disabilities Rights Commission: Commissioners will consider a revised ordinance change that would prohibit bars and restaurants from preparind drinks with plastic straws for customers that do not want them. I am a cosponsor on this proposed ordinance along with Alders Abbas, Lemmer, and Heck.

6:30 pm - Family Memoir Writing Workshop with Jen Rubin: In this 90 minute workshop, Jen Rubin will discuss her process of writing a family memoir that centered around the small business her family owned for 80 years. Jen will talk about how to balance 3 generations, deal with thorny family issues, and how to include enough history and sociology to inform the story but not so much that the central story is overwhelmed. This will be an interactive workshop with a mixture of presentation, storytelling, Q & A, and small group work.

Friday, October 25, 2019

4:00 pm - Transportation Policy & Planning Board: The board will receive a presentation on Vision Zero, a project that aims to achieve a highway system with no fatalities or serious injuries involving road traffic.

4:30 pm - Madison Circus Space Grand Opening: We invite you to join us in our brand new built-for-circus space at 2082 Winnebago Street! Experience mini shows happening on top of every hour, where a variety of circus disciplines will be performed by our very own MCS students and members! Inspired by what you watched? Sample circus activities for FREE after each show! Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available by donation.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

2:00 pm - Grand Opening Red Lion: The newest business in the Lake Edge and Eastmorland neighborhoods will celebrate its grand opening with "Lion Dancers" performing a cultural dance and fireworks.

3:00 pm - Reception for 'Immigrant Journeys from South of the Border': "Immigrant Journeys from South of the Border ¡Mi travesía hasta Wisconsin!" is a traveling exhibit that invites you to meet eight people from Colombia, Honduras, Mexico and Uruguay who live and work in Wisconsin today. Their personal stories remind us of our shared humanity, no matter where our journey began.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

9:30 am - BOO! at the ZOO: Join us for a free, family-friendly Halloween event! Enjoy 15-candy stations throughout the zoo. Come for the trick-or-treating, stay for a haunted train ride. Who will have the best costume this year? There will be a costume parade at noon, face painting throughout the day, and of course animals with pumpkins!

1:00 pm - Touring the Lost City: In the 1920s, developers planned a "Venice of the North," to be called Lake Forest. That land is now part of the Arboretum. Join our naturalists on a free hike to the site of the failed subdivision, discovering construction remnants along the way. 

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.