Common Council

Redistricting, Sidewalks, Fall Events - D15 Update 10/25/21

Redistricting

As I shared in a previous post, the Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee recommended a new alder district plan that will make a number of changes to the borders of District 15. This proposed redistricting map will be in front of the Common Council on November 2nd for adoption.

I have proposed two amendments that would impact current D15 residents. The first is to shift the proposed D3/D17 boundary so that all of the Ridgewood neighborhood is in D17 while the Mayfair Park neighborhood shifts to D3. The second is a shift in the proposed ward division for the Eastmorland neighborhood. Currently, all of Eastmorland is within one ward, but the population has grown enough that staff is recommending splitting it into two wards in order to improve election administration. My amendment shifts the ward division line to the railroad track as a more logical dividing line.

Madison City Channel's "District Reports" has also produced a special program on redistricting that can help provide the background and details around the redistricting effort. You can watch on the City Channel Website or on YouTube.

Vision Zero Speed Reduction on Cottage Grove Road

The final Vision Zero speed reduction for the year will go into effect on Monday on Cottage Grove Road. Drexel to Highway 51 will be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph and Highway 51 to Flora will be lowered from 35 mph to 30 mph. You can find more details on Vision Zero and speed reductions here. While these reductions are not expected to eliminate all dangerous speeding, there is significant evidence that they do improve safety and are a small step towards accomplishing our goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our city streets.

2022 Operating Budget

The Finance Committee will be discussing amendments to the 2022 Executive Operating Budget at its meeting on Monday. I am cosponsoring an amendment to add a Community Engagement Specialist to the Common Council Office. Improving our community engagement capacities was one of the key recommendations of the Task Force on Government Structure report and this would be a small step in that direction. You can find all the details for the Finance meeting inlcuding a link to register here.

Bikes and Bus Rapid Transit

Also on Monday, Metro will host a meeting looking at how biking and BRT will go together. You can find more details and register for the event here. 

Stop the Shootings: End Gun Violence in Madison

On Tuesday, you're invited to join Focused Interruption Coalition Founder and CEO Anthony Cooper Sr. as he hosts a virtual community event with David Muhammed, to discuss the Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, which has reduced gun violence by up to 60% in cities across the country since 1996. Register here.

Eastmorland Sidewalk Project

On Wednesday, the Transportation Commission will consider a recommendation to close a number of gaps in the sidewalk network in Eastmorland. City staff evaluated a number of possible projects over the last year and shared their findings at last month's Eastmorland Community Association meeting. Based on that feedback, staff is recommending the projects shown above. You can find the details for the original project here (including the presentation to the ECA) and a link to the final proposed projects here. Meeting details including a link to register for public comment can be found here. 

Eastmorland Fall Outdoor Market at Lansing Food Forest

Join Eastmorland neighbors on Thursday for another Outdoor Market at the Lansing Food Forest. Shop for holiday gifts, produce, baked goods and more at this fall market. You can find all the details here. 

Friends of Pinney Book Sale

On Saturday beginning at 10a, Friends of Pinney will be hosting a book sale in the atrium. Find more details here.

Starkweather Halloween Flotilla

Also on Saturday, join a Halloween Flotilla on the Starkweather Creek beginning at noon. More details here.

Ridgeway Trunk-or-Treat

Ridgeway Church will be hosting a community Trunk-or-Treat event in their parking lot on Saturday, October 30th, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This is a community event, and all are welcome. Please contact Annah, at annah.bartz@ridgeway.church with any questions about this event.

In the news

• "CommuniTree" Illuminated in Memory of Artist Aaron Howard
• Office Building and Restaurant at 131 West Wilson Gets Green Light to Reopen
• Fire Chief Steven Davis Announces Retirement
• Fall 2021 Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Begins
• Get Your Flu Vaccine Before Halloween
• Rehabilitation Loan Program now accepting applications
• Madison Commons, Media Digest
• City of Madison Complete Meeting Schedule

District 15 Public Works Projects

(You can find a list of all engineering projects in District 15 here.)

• Atwood Avenue - Updated 9/16/21
• Dean Ave., East and Allis Ave. Project Update - Updated 10/22/21
• Starkweather Drive/Garver Path - Starkweather Creek Bridges Complete & Adjacent Path work:  Nov 2021, Wetland Bridge Complete & Adjacent Path work: Jul 2022
• Davies St., Dempsey Rd., Maher Ave. Reconstruction - Staff is working on alternative designs for Maher Avenue. Another public information meeting should be scheduled sometime this fall.
• Starkweather Creek Watershed Flood Study 

Save the date

• November 6: ECA Leaf Raking
• November 9-11: City budget at Common Council

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.