Voit Farm, Office Hours, LENA - D15 Update 1/25/21

Getting outside and staying active is important every winter, but perhaps even more so in times of COVID. Madison Bikes shares some tips on how to keep riding during the winter in Madison Bikes Winter TV, Episode 2: Staying Warm. And don't forget to check out Madison Parks recent post on other winter recreational opportunities here.

Last Week

What does Grant Foster do?

Last week, I shared a bit about my experience as alder and how I spend my time. If you missed that post, you can find it here. The original question came up in the context of the spring advisory referendum questions about the future size and shape of the Madison Common Council. I'll share more detailed information on those questions in a future post.

Spring election season

The spring primary election will be held on February 16th and will include the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. You can preview your ballot here. In the last election, 71% of District 15 votes were cast by absentee ballot. If you haven't done so already, you can find all the information you need to Request Absentee Ballots for 2021. The Clerk's office has also compiled information about Voter ID Requirements and has announced that the Secure Drop Boxes Will Open January 26th.

Voit Farm listed for sale

There has been speculation for many years about how and when the Voit Farm might be sold and developed. Last week the property was officially put on the market. You can read more about that here, including efforts by the Save The Farm! group and their vision for this unique part of Madison.

This area is covered under the Milwaukee Street Special Area Plan, which was adopted by the common council in 2018. Two legislative items related to that plan will be in front of the Common Council in February, including a change to the zoning and an official mapping of the streets consistent with the adopted plan. I'll share out more details about those items in next week's update.

Other city updates:

• The Recycling Truck Fire: Why You Need to Follow Recycling Rules
• New COVID-19 Data Dashboard Released
• Madison Public Library Telephone Service Hour Changes Beginning January 19
• Free book on racial justice street art!  See the Channel 3000 story to learn about the book, and go to the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact webpage to access the form for ordering a book.
• The deadline for the Community Food Access Grants is January 29. Check out the grants website for application materials and to look over the press release for more information.

This Week

MLK Symposium -- an evening with Isabel Wilkerson

While we celebrated the life of Dr. King last week, you're invited to join UW-Madison Division of Diversity, Equity, & Educational Achievement & UW-Madison Student Affairs for the MLK Symposium this Monday, at 6:00 p.m.

LENA meeting

Lake Edge residents are invited to this month's LENA meeting on Monday. The meeting will include a discussion with MMSD representatives about the recently passed referendum and a discussion with City of Madison Forestry staff about street trees.

Proposed Body-Worn Camera recommendations

The Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee will be continuing its discussion of, and possible action on, recommendations related to body-worn cameras at its meetings on Monday and plan to finish its work on Tuesday.

Police Civilian Oversight Board to discuss relation between itself, the PSRC, and the PFC

The PCOB will discuss its relation to the Public Safety Review Committee and the Police & Fire Commission, along with a number of other items, at its meeting on Thursday. Meeting details here

City Land Banking proposal

The Housing Strategy Committee will be taking action on the City's land banking proposal at its meeting on Thursday. Meeting details here

Alder Foster office hours

One area that wasn't represented in my current alder activities is office hours. Last January, I sent out a survey to help determine the best days/times to start holding regular office hours where residents could ask me questions and share their thoughts on a variety of topics.

I had planned to start holding them following the opening of the new Pinney library in March, but then..COVID. Rather than waiting for the library to reopen, I plan to start holding virtual office hours via zoom. The first session will be this coming Sunday at 3pm. You can find the details and register here.

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

• Public hearing to review and discuss proposed Metro service adjustments - February 10
• Spring Primary Election - February 16
• Spring Election - April 6

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