Updates and Highlights for the Week of January 24, 2022

Greetings friends and neighbors,

It's truly amazing how fast time flies – we are already in the last full week of January, WOW! I have been so proud to receive and see messages about neighbors helping each other with shoveling/plowing and other care for one another during the recent cold streak and snowfalls. An example of this was the opening of the "Below Zero Emergency Shelter" by the Iglesia Restauracion y Vida Church nearby in Monona. Keep up the great work friends – as Coretta Scott King stated, "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members."

I'd also like to acknowledge residents who are new to District 16 (by way of redistricting) and warmly welcome you! I've received some emails requesting I add individuals to my email list. While I do not maintain this list, I can enter your email but due to question about privacy, would highly encourage folks to sign up themselves. Below are instructions on how to subscribe to my (or any other alders) email updates:

• Visit https://cityofmadison.com/council/district16/blog
• On the top right side of the screen you'll see a blue box in large font titled "subscribe to email list"
• Enter your email in the box
• A message about your information and privacy preferences (in lieu of WI Public Record Law) will be displayed
• Select yes or no, then select "subscribe"

...and that's it! You will receive an email notification whenever a blog or update is published.

Snow Emergency & Street Plowing

The City of Madison declared a snow emergency yesterday which will continue throughout tonight, with another possible extension. A snow emergency means alternate side (street) parking restrictions will be enforced for the entire city, including the snow emergency zone. If possible, please choose off-street parking options and avoid placing trash & recycling carts in the street. These all create barriers/obstructions to successful plowing to make roads as safe as possible for traffic.

As a reminder, the Streets Division posts information and sends out frequent notifications that you can subscribe to and/or read on your own time. The link for this webpage is https://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/winter/

2022 Office Hours Update

At the end of 2021 I announced that I would start hosting virtual office hours this year. I thought I was more tech savvy than I apparently am! I anticipate having everything set up to be able to offer slots beginning next month and will make sure to share information on my blog when office hours are available. My desire with office hours is to offer consistent additional opportunities to connect with me in a more personal manner. Office hour appointments can be attended as an individual or as a group with common interests. I plan to be able to flex the schedule as much as possible to be able to meet scheduling needs.

Dairy Drive Sheltered Campground

Please join me, MachOne Health, City Community Development Division and Madison Police Dept representatives for a virtual meeting this Thursday January 27th, beginning at 6:30pm. The meeting serves to provide an update from City staff and support service providers of the campground after its first months of operation. Please use the following link to register to attend - once you complete registration, the meeting link will be emailed to you: http://www.cityofmadison.com/MeetingJanuary27DairyDrive

Save the Date - Community Events

MLK Symposium: A Night w/Nikole Hannah-Jones; January 25th, 6:30pm

Join in community for an evening with Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project, staff writer at The New York Times Magazine, and co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. Hannah-Jones will reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through the lens of her award-winning work investigating racial injustice and the consequences of slavery in American history. Learn more about this free event here.

Challenges to Reentry Housing Panel; February 10th, 12pm

Please join Nehemiah staff for a panel discussion looking at the unique challenges that formerly incarcerated individuals face in seeking housing. The panel will feature Rebecca Barber (Reentry Housing Program Coordinator) and Laura Berger (Eviction Court Observation Program Coordinator), and be facilitated by Aaron Hicks (Nehemiah's Reentry Coordinator). Click Here to register to attend or watch the live stream on the Justified Anger YouTube Channel.

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of January 24, 2022

Announcements

• The Dane County Land and Water Resources Dept. has a limited supply of free native plants that are available for use in school or community projects within Dane County that benefit water quality and education. Plants for the fall cycle are grown by volunteers. Plants will be available for pick up in late summer. To find out more about the program please visit the program website.
• The City of Madison is seeking to fund proposals in 2022 that support community partners in their work delivering direct assistance to undocumented individuals and families as they cope with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are due by 12:00 noon on January 28, 2022. Learn more here.
• Remember that the deadline to contact staff for the 2022 Neighborhood Grant Program pre-app meeting has been extended to January 31, 2022. Do not miss this opportunity and meet with us to discuss ideas! Final deadline to apply for a grant is February 7, 2022, 4:30pm.

• Madison Arts Commission annual grants of up to $3,000 to support art projects and a new special grant program called "Artists at Work" in the amount of $15,000 - $29,000 to support job creation for the creative sector will soon be open. Stay tuned! Opportunities will come to this webpage in February.
• The City of Madison Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee (LORC) has proposed revisions to Madison's Historic Preservation Ordinance for local historic districts. These ordinance changes will apply to all properties in the Mansion Hill, Third Lake Ridge, Marquette Bungalows, University Heights, and First Settlement local historic districts. The Common Council-appointed Committee is now seeking additional public input before finalizing the draft ordinance. Three public meetings have been scheduled to provide an overview of the proposed changes and an opportunity to comment on the draft ordinance. The scheduled public meetings and their respective topics are listed below:
  • All Districts / General Public Meeting: Thursday, February 3 - 6:30 pm
  • Development Professionals + Contractors Meeting: Monday, February 7 - noon
  • New Construction Meeting: Thursday, February 10 - 6:30 pm

These will be virtual meetings and the public is invited to attend any of them. Participants will need to register in advance using instructions posted on the project website.