MLK, Salt Use, MMSD Building Projects - D15 Update 1/18/21

Last Week

What does Grant Foster do?

Last week, Ron from Lake Edge asked me what I and other city alders actually do. I tried to answer his questions in this blog post here.

La Follette, East HS, & Allis Elementary Facility Projects

Last week, MMSD held a virtual listening session to get feedback on the major facility renovation project planned for La Follette HS in the coming years. You can check out a recording of that session here. The district is interested in hearing your best ideas and feedback on the new facilities referendum projects including the LAF project as well as major projects at East High School and a new Allis Elementary to be constructed next to Badger Rock. For more information about these projects and to share your feedback, take the MMSD Post Referendum Facilities Survey . 

Sand not salt awareness week

Last week was Salt Awareness Week and there was a lot of good information shared about reducing the use of salt. Salt is something that many of us rely on for water softening and deicing, but overuse is leading to significant contamination issues of our surface and ground waters. Check out these resources to learn more.

Other city updates

• Madison Public Library Telephone Service Hour Changes Beginning January 19
• Request Absentee Ballots for 2021
• The American Indian Library Association has created the "Read Native 2021" challenge.  You can find more information, including a reading list, through the Madison Public Library.
• Monona Terrace is offering free virtual mindfulness and meditation sessions

This Week

36th Annual Madison-Dane County King Holiday Observance 

Join the King Coalition during their MLK Day Observance on Monday, January 18, at 6:00 p.m.

Common Council

You can find a link to the agenda for the next Common Council meeting here. Please note that the mapping and zoning items related to the Milwaukee Street Special Area Plan were referred to the February 2nd meeting.

Other city meetings

There are a number of city meetings not highlighted in this update. You can find a full schedule of city meetings here.

Save the Date

• UW-Madison Division of Diversity, Equity, & Educational Achievement and UW-Madison Student Affairs are hosting the MLK Symposium on Monday, January 25, at 6:00 p.m.
• On Wednesday, February 10, at 6 p.m., Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a virtual public hearing to review and discuss proposed Metro service adjustments proposed for later in the year.  Passengers are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal. Consideration will be given to views and comments expressed at the public hearing as well as to all phone and written comments received.

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.