Common Council

COVID, Garver Amplified, Golf Task Force Video - D15 Update 7/6/20

Last Week

• COVID Update - On Wednesday, PHMDC issued a new public health order limiting indoor gatherings to 10 persons, outdoor gatherings to 25, bringing maximum capacity for indoor dining at restaurants back down to 25%, and once again prohibiting indoor service at bars. You can read the details here. 

Meanwhile, the 7-day average of new cases continues above 100/day with a test positivity rate over 11%. Long lines with wait times over 3 hours is preventing many from getting tested and worsens community spread. 

I have asked our Director of Public Health if she intends to put forward a mandatory face covering order. If she will not, I plan to introduce such a requirement by ordinance at our next common council meeting. Please wear a face covering if you enter a confined space shared by others or if you will be within 6' of others outdoors.

• Shots Fired on Spaanam - There were shots fired on Spaanam Avenue on Saturday & Sunday nights. You can read more details here. The Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the investigation. If you have information on this incident please contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014 or P3Tips.com.

• Municipal Golf Task Force Video - I heard from several residents that they were unable to connect to the June 29th Golf Task Force meeting. You can watch a recording of the meeting here (and the 5/18 meeting here). If you have feedback you'd like to send to the task force, you can send to me and I'll forward on. They're next scheduled meeting is on 7/15.

• Primary Election Info - Here are a few links to information on the upcoming primary elections for state seats representing District 15 residents:

  • https://www.lwvdanecounty.org/

  • https://wiseye.org/category/campaign/?refinementList%5Btaxonomies.districts%5D%5B0%5D=District%2048

  • https://madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/four-democrats-running-for-north-madison-assembly-seat-to-debate-in-cap-times-forum/article_ac23eb7d-41da-515a-80a0-63fcb022377c.html

• Lake Edge Newsletter - Here's a copy of the latest Lake Edge Neighborhood Association's newsletter. 

This Week

• Garver Events Amplification - Garver Events is asking to modify its alcohol license conditions to allow for amplified sound on their north patio. This change would:

1. Allow for background "ambient" sound to be played at 70 decibels or less at the source from open until closing time.

2. Provide live amplified programming 90 decibels or less at the source until 30 minutes before closing

3. Extend outdoor area closing time from 10pm to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

Garver will be performing a sound test of the 90 decibel limit for neighbors living in the Starkweather Drive area at 5:30pm on Tuesday, July 7th. Meet at the corner of Richards St. and Starkweather Dr. to listen. The change in license will be on the ALRC agenda on 7/15.

• Public Safety Review Committee - On Wednesday, the PSRC will meet and review a number of public safety related items. This would be a good meeting to watch for those of you that are interested in police reform. You can find all the details on the agenda here.

• Cap Times Candidate Forum - On Wednesday at 7p, the Cap Times will be hosting a virtual candidate forum for candidates for the 48th Assembly District. You can watch live on their Facebook feed here.

• Task Force on Government Structure - In November of last year, the Task Force on Government Structure completed it's report with a number of recommendations to improve local government. Those recommendations included improving equity on the city's boards, committees, and commissions and recommended moving to a full-time Common Council. I've been selected along with several colleagues to work on implementation of the report recommendations and we will begin that work this Friday. The agenda is not yet posted, but you can find it here once it's published. 

• Call for Proposals for a Mural - More details here.

• Other city meetings: There are a number of other city meetings of possible interest this week including: Madison Arts Commission, Board of Public Works, Madison Food Policy Council, Board of Park Commissioners, Equal Opportunities Commission, and more: https://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/meeting-schedule

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