Transit Changes, Referendum Update - D15 Update 3/8/21

Last Week

Transit network redesign

In conjunction with our plans to bring Bus Rapid Transit to Madison in 2024, we are undertaking a system-wide network analysis and redesign. The public engagement around this effort began last week with a presentation at the Transportation Policy & Planning Board (TPPB) on Monday and a public meeting on Wednesday. You can find the presentation from Wednesday's meeting here and a link to the video presentation at TPPB here. You can find more details at the project webpage here. Stay tuned for additional information on this initiative and opportunities to provide feedback.

Spring election & Referendum

The spring election is coming up on April 6. If you need to register or request an absentee ballot ahead of election day, you can do that at myvote.wi.gov. You can also read more about what will be on the ballot in this news release from the Clerk's office.

This spring ballot will include several referendum questions in addition to the normal nonpartisan candidate races. These questions are advisory to the Common Council to learn about voters' thoughts and preferences on the size and shape of the Common Council in the future.

In an effort to share more background and information about these referendum questions, the city has created a webpage with links to information. You can access that here.

In addition to that resource, Assistant City Attorney John Strange sat down with Eve Galanter on City Channel last week to talk about the issues. You can watch a recording of that discussion here: District Reports: April Referendum Questions Regarding the Common Council. 

In the news: 

• Street Sweepers Working Overnight Hours Starting March 7
• Women in Construction Week 2021
• Wisconsin Book Festival free events
• Bus Lines Poetry Contest 2021 - due March 15
• 2021 Grants to Beautify Your Neighborhood or Build Capacity! - due March 15
• Madison Commons, Media Digest

This Week

Go-oh Groceries 

On Tuesday, the Food Policy Council will consider approval of funding for a planned neighborhood grocery store to be located at 3554 E. Washington Avenue (formerly Visions). This is an exciting opportunity to bring better food access to the Truax, Hawthorne, and Carpenter-Ridgeway neighborhoods. You can find more information about their proposal here and a link to the Food Policy Council here. The Wisconsin State Journal also recently published a story on this project here. 

Metro service and stop changes

On Wednesday at the Transportation Commission, there will be a public hearing on proposed route and stop changes for Metro transit. You can find more information on the route changes here and on the stop changes here. Among the proposed changes is a recommendation to restore the route 38 in the Eastmorland and Lake Edge neighborhoods.

Body-Worn Cameras and Restorative Justice Programs

The Public Safety Review Committee will discuss the final report and model policy of the Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee, a resolution on restorative justice programs, and receive a presentation from the Black Officer Coalition at its meeting on Wednesday. Find meeting details here.

The People's Maps Commission

The People's Maps Commission will hold a public hearing for 2nd Congressional District residents on Thursday at 5:30 pm. Members of the public are encouraged to provide testimony at the public hearing by registering to testify. Members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments in advance of their congressional district's public hearing. You can find more information 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

• Capitol Neighborhoods Forum on Restructuring Madison City Government - March 16 at 7:00 p.m. (more info here)
• Spring Election - April 6

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