D16 Projects & Public Meetings, Sustainability News Plus Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of August 2, 2021

Greetings friends and neighbors,

I can't believe today is August 1st, summer is really flying by. I've received some calls and emails regarding Wednesday nights' thunderstorms and tornado warning and what the city does to alert its residents. I learned sirens are designed to alert those who are outdoors/traveling, not those who are indoor and/or sleeping. Alder Martin (D11) wrote a blog (with tips) about the topic earlier in the week that I'd encourage you to read here.

I also want to share some news about D16 projects that are currently working their way through city processes. The former Knuckle Down Saloon, located on Seiferth Road has been acquired by new owners and is seeking to continue offering live music, entertainment, food and drink under a new  name and building improvements. Young Blood Beer Company is looking to expand its brewery operations to the east and settle into the former Sani-Matic building on S. Stoughton Road. Odilon Ford Winery is seeking to expand its services to offer direct sales from its winery located on Femrite Drive.

• Jerrold Robaidek, owner of the Odilon Ford Winery will be hosting a public information session about his winery and desire to expand operations to include selling his wine on site. The session will be held Wednesday August 4th 6-7pm at the winery located at 4614 Femrite Drive. Please be advised masks will be required inside the winery. 
• Save the Date: Young Blood Beer Company along with Chris Wells of the city's planning division will be hosting a virtual meeting regarding their anticipated business plans at 1915 S. Stoughton Rd on Thursday August 12th, 6-8pm. Postcards will be mailed this week with more information. I will also provide a registration link in next week's update/blog.

Residents in the Glendale Neigbhorhood and/or avid parkgoers will likely notice some changes this week at the Edna Taylor Conservation Park. Starting tomorrow (8/2/21) TransCanada is going to be digging at the park to perform pipeline maintenance. They are within their rights based on an easement they hold. Please see the picture (below) showing the pipeline, as well as the general area that will be worked on this summer. They will also be having an environmental crew out to inspect the location which involves a walking survey of the site. This maintenance is expected to occur between 8/2/2021 and 8/10/2021. Please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns about this.

I hope by now you are all aware of PHMDC (Public Health Madison Dane County) has issued new recommendations regarding the use of masks, in light of new guidance from the CDC.  Read the news release here. If you, a friend or family member who is 12 or older still needs to get vaccinated, you can find information about public-facing COVID-19 mobile vaccine clinics, organized by PHMDC, below in the "events, activities, seminars, etc." header.

As always, here's to wishing you and yours a safe and successful week!

- Jael

Are You an Artist With a Disability and Living in Wisconsin?

If so, Access to Independence is inviting you to submit up to two works of art to our Artists Beyond Boundaries event! Enter for your chance to win one of thirteen $200 awards, and have your artwork featured in our 2022 Artists Beyond Boundaries Calendar! The Call for Art ends September 1st, so enter your artwork soon! Submit My Art

Artists Beyond Boundaries is an art event which celebrates the talents of artists with disabilities across the state of Wisconsin.

• Artists complete the entry form to enter the event
• We work with a panel of jurors to determine the top 12 works
• We'll host a virtual event featuring all of the artwork submitted and announce the top 12 works of art
• The top twelve artists receive an award of $200 AND have their artwork featured in the 2022 Artists Beyond Boundaries Calendar
• Support Artists Beyond Boundaries

Sustainability News

Greater Madison Telework Survey 2021 is out now

We invite you to share your feedback on a second regional survey to gather input on working from home trends and attitudes in the greater Madison region. This survey is for all employees, managers and executives who worked from home or continue to work from home part- or full-time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results will expand upon the findings of the Madison Region Remote Work Survey from June 2020. Dane County has a goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled by 15% by 2030. Is working from home an option to help reach this goal? We offer this survey in English and Spanish and it should take 8-10 minutes.
All participants are entered into a drawing for one of ten $25 VISA gift cards.

New MGE Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Hub

A new MGE electric vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Hub is under construction at South Livingston and East Washington Ave. With transportation a leading contributor of GHG emissions and the electrification of transportation a key deep decarbonization strategy, MGE's EV Fast Charging Hub will serve to help enable the growth of EVs in our community through fast, convenient charging, including for fleet vehicles (and for downtown residents, commuters, rideshare drivers, taxis, etc.). With charging power levels up to 350 kilowatts, the hub will feature some of the most powerful EV chargers in the Midwest. When complete, the MGE Fast Charging Hub will be able to accommodate 8 Tesla EVs and 8 non-Tesla EVs at the same time! 

Live Forward Awards - Nominations Closing Soon

We are seeking nominations for the 2021 Live Forward Awards. Help us recognize the innovation and impact happening in our own neighborhoods. The Live Forward Awards acknowledge changemakers and inclusive leaders who are promoting local sustainability and community well-being. Awardees receieve a recognition of $250. View previous Live Forward Award Winners here. Nominations consist of 5 short questions and take less thn 10 minutes to complete. Nominations are due Monday August 9 at 11:59pm. Nomination Form 

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of August 2, 2021

Metro Fare Study

The Transportation Policy and Planning Board will be hearing public comment on the Metro fare study at its meeting on Monday.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

Reindahl Park and Men's Shelter Updates

The City-County Homeless Issues Committee will be receiving staff updates on the Reindahl Park encampment and the men's shelter at its meeting on Monday August 2nd.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

Truth and Reconciliation and Housing

The Equal Opportunities Commission Executive Committee is discussing truth and reconciliation processes and housing issues at its meeting on Monday August 2nd.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

Recycling and Large Item Pick-Up and Alternative Emergency Sheltering

The Common Council Executive Committee will be receiving an update on recycling and large item pick-up and discussing an alternative emergency sheltering proposal at its meeting on Tuesday August 3rd.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

For additional information about additional meetings scheduled for this week, please consult the City Meeting Schedule online here

Events, activities, seminars, etc.

• Friends of Madison Public Library will host a warehouse clearance book sale on August 7.  Learn more here.
• Don't miss Mercadito de las Americas, a multicultural farmers market, at Penn Park, 2101 Fisher Street.  The market will feature food carts, fun activities, music, and much more.  The market takes place from 4pm-7pm on August 12, August 26, and September 9; and from 10am-3pm every Sunday until September 5.
• Dane Dances! kicks off the 2021 season on Friday, August 6, at 5:30pm. This free, family-friendly event takes place on the Monona Terrace rooftop every Friday evening in August.  Learn more here.
• Upcoming, public-facing COVID-19 mobile vaccine clinics, as organized by Public Health Madison & Dane County:
  • Sunday, August 1: MFD by Holy Redeemer Church, 9 am-1 pm
  • Sunday, August 1: Cambridge Winery, CamRock/Glacial Drumlin Trail Groundbreaking, 2:30pm-4:30 pm
  • Monday, August 2: Mercado Merimar, 11am-1 pm
  • Thursday, August 5: Lussier Community Center, 2pm-4 pm (with African American Health Network)
  • Thursday, August 5: BYAYA Teen Nights at Aldo Leopold Park, 4pm-8 pm

You can find details and see a map of all upcoming public clinics on the Public Health website. Public Health also has regular vaccine hours at their South Madison and East Washington offices.  Public Health Madison & Dane County's COVID-19 Data Snapshot is released every Thursday. You can read their weekly blog post for a summary of the week's data. For a weekly summary of talking points around COVID-19 in Dane County, please check out their hot topics document in their Google Drive.

Announcements, press releases, press conferences, etc.

• Metro is holding a public hearing on Monday, August 2, at 6:00 pm in front of the Transportation Policy and Planning Board to discuss replacing their current fare collection system in the coming years.  Learn more and register to speak here.
• It has been just over a year since the Vision Zero initiative officially launched, and there has been growth and setbacks when it comes to driving behaviors and safety on our roadways. There is an active survey for the Let's Talk Streets program, designed as a data gathering initiative to inform change in a variety of programs including Vision Zero, Complete Green Streets and our traffic calming and pedestrian/bicycle improvements.  Please check out the links and participate in the survey.
• The Airport Commission will host a community information session about the airport remediation process on Wednesday, August 4, at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Dane County residents can hear presentations from the airport director, Dane County Corporation Counsel, and staff from the Wisconsin 115th Fighter Wing. The commission will then take public comment after the presentations.  Find the agenda and more information about the meeting here.  Register to give public comment here.  The press release sent out by the airport is here.  You may submit questions in advance that you hope will be addressed during the presentations to airinfo@msnairport.com by Monday, August 2.
• Urban Forestry reminds residents to water newly-planted trees.  Right now, Madison remains below our normal precipitation, and these young trees need our help.  Read more here.

Save the Date

• The 6th Annual Madison Black Restaurant Week is coming up August 8-15, featuring 40 participating vendors.  Learn more here.
• The Wisconsin Science Festival is seeking partners throughout Wisconsin to host fun, unique science events October 21-24.  Anything from a brewpub demonstrating how beer is fermented to a nature center showing how bees make honey. Learn more here.