Olbrich Path, Encampments, Library Reopening - D15 Update 5/24/21

Last Week 

Encampments

On Tuesday, the Common Council voted to halt any further action around removing campers from Reindahl Park and referred the resolution aimed at identifying an alternative location to various city committees. I strongly support taking the steps needed to identify and create a legal space for unhoused people to sleep outdoors and am actively working on the needed steps to make this happen. While the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and exposed the needs of those that are unsheltered in our community, the need to accommodate and provide basic support services to these individuals will not disappear as our public health orders related to COVID are lifted. Providing a legal and safe location for individuals to sleep outside needs to be a part of the solution as we continue to focus on creating a permanent men's shelter and expand other housing support services. The resolution will be reviewed at the Board of Public Health, Plan Commission, Board of Parks Commissioners, Equal Opportunities Commission, and the City-County Homeless Issues Committee before returning to the Common Council for action.

The Dive Inn

The Alcohol License Review Committee recommended approval of a new liquor license for "The Dive Inn" at the former Jo Beck's bar on Cottage Grove Road. They also recommended a condition requiring that a fence be installed along the back of the lot and that outdoor hours be limited to 10p on weekdays and midnight on weekends based on feedback by the neighborhood association. A final decision on the license will be at the June 2nd Common Council meeting.

In the news:

• Public Health Will Lift All Dane County Orders June 2
• City to Resume All On-Street Parking Restrictions June 1
• City of Madison Launches Multilingual Complaint Portal for Discrimination Cases
• Survey Open: City Engineering Works to Prioritize Flood Projects
• Grow Your Green Thumb This Season
• Madison Commons, Media Digest

This Week

Madison Public Libraries reopening

Madison public libraries are reopening for select services! Click here for more details.

East Towne planning concepts

The City will unveil a draft concept at two virtual meetings: May 24 at 5:30pm and May 26 at noon.  Learn more and register for the meetings here.

Alternate day water conservation 

On Tuesday, the Water Utility will discuss a memo on water supply needs and another outlining demand reduction strategies prompted in part by the loss of capacity from Well 15. The recommendations include implementing a 'Voluntary Alternate Day Watering' schedule from June-September of this year. You can find more details and links to register for comment here.

Olbrich Park path alignment

On Wednesday, the Transportation Commission will consider a recommendation to shift the Lake Loop path alignment within Olbrich Park as part of the planned Atwood reconstruction project. The proposed alignment would follow the existing paved path along the lakeshore and include a new paved segment up Starkweather Creek where a dirt path has already been established. This alternative would allow path users to go through the park along the lakefront instead of alongside cars on Atwood and, importantly, would allow the area at the bottom of the sledding hill to be restored to grass. Without this change to the alignment, the new proposed path would be in direct conflict with sledding during the winter. The rest of the Atwood geometry has already been approved and is not planned for discussion. This project is awaiting federal funding and not currently scheduled.

The Transportation Commission will also be receiving an update on the City's bike registration program and an annual report on winter bike facilities maintenance at its meeting on Wednesday. You can find all the details including a link to provide comment or register to speak here.

New large item collection system goes live on Friday 

Beginning on May 28, you will be able to schedule your large item pickup for June and beyond by submitting a work order.  If you have an item that requires a fee but you are taking it to a drop-off site, you will also use the new system to purchase the recycling fee sticker(s) you need.  Additional details about how this new system will work can be found on the Streets Division website.

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

• 2nd Annual Eastmorland Art Walk - June 4–6 - Display art in your yard or window for all to enjoy! Fill out form to get your art on the map! 
• Ride the Drive - June 6 - Ride the Drive 2021 – In Your Neighborhood
• Eastmorland Neighborhood Meet-up - June 6, 2 pm - Walter St. Picnic Shelter, Olbrich Park
• ECA meeting - June 8 - meet the new board members and join a conversation about committee projects and events for 2021-2022
• Eastmorland & Lake Edge Garage Sale - June 18–19 - various locations throughout the neighborhood Sign up here to participate in the shared Eastmorland and Lake Edge Neighborhood Garage Sale.
• Make Music Madison - June 21 - (Deadline for New Registrations – Midnight on Tuesday, May 25th) More info at https://www.makemusicmadison.org/ 
• Lake Edge Neighborhood Picnic - Aug 8 late afternoon
• Eastmorland Little Free Library Tour - June 25–27 - Eastmorland has 20 (or more?) Little Free Libraries. Can you find them all? Stroll the neighborhood on this self-guided tour and stock up on summer reads. 
• Lake Edge Neighborhood Picnic - August 8
• TBD: Eastmorland Farmers/Makers Market (learn more and fill out a vendor interest form here)

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