Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of March 7th

Greetings friends and neighbors! 

Just when we thought spring was here - SNOW! The City's Streets Division is plowing all City of Madison streets today.  There will not be a snow emergency declared. If you are signed up for the snowplow update emails, you probably already received that. But, just in case, here’s the link to the plow update information: https://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/winter/SnowIce/snowPlowUpdates.cfm

This is also an opportunity to provide an important reminder - PLEASE do not place your trash and recycling carts in the street. Carts are an obstruction to plowing, just like parked cars.  

I'd like to bring your attention to two meetings occurring this week, which will both take place Thursday: 

1. The Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables and the Village of McFarland will be hosting an evening workshop to learn more about the proposed Sustainability Campus and landfill for Dane County. There will be stations to learn about various components of the project, a 30 minute presentation provided by Dane County staff, and a live Q&A session.

When: Thursday March 10th; 5:30pm for the in person workshop and 6:00pm for the virtual workshop

Where:The in-person event will be held at the McFarland Municipal Center (5915 Milwaukee St, McFarland, WI 53558). Face coverings are encouraged for in person attendance.

The virtual event will begin at 6 pm. Registration for the virtual option is required. Link to register for workshop

Prior to the meeting, anyone can submit questions by sending them to waste.renewables@countyofdane.com. Dane County staff will respond to questions during the presentation and in the Q&A session. The meeting will also be recorded and posted on the County’s website for individuals who are unable to attend. For more information on the project visit:  https://landfill.countyofdane.com/projects/WastandRenewableProjects/Sustainability-Campus

2. The Madison Police Department will be hosting an official public meeting to share their proposal for the Body Worn Camera Pilot Program.  

When: Thursday March 10th, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Virtually via Zoom. The meeting notice requires interested attendees to register in advance.  The link to register can be found here.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Attendees will have the opportunity to make a statement at the meeting or they can prepare and email written statements to the MPD via MPDPIO@cityofmadison.com as well.  Public comment will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker and will be recorded.  

I will be out of city and state March 12th-15th to attend the National League of Cities  (NLC) Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. This conference provides local leaders the tools and connections to build brighter futures for America’s cities, towns and villages. This will be my first time attending the conference. Some of the sessions I am most excited about include: 

• Leading Through Disruption

• Transportation and Infrastructure Services

• Energy, Environment and Natural Resources

• The National Black Caucus Meeting 

• Closing the Digital Divide 

I am also excited to be attending the conference with my peers, Alders Wehelie, Myadze and Bennett and am looking forward to sharing what we learned and that knowledge leading to policy creation and/or influence!

I will also be on vacation March 28th - April 2nd and as such, will not be holding office hours in March but will resume in April. 

Be safe and well! 

Jael

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of March 7, 2022

Plan to End Homelessness

The City-County Homeless Issues Committee will be receiving a presentation on the development of Madison/Dane County’s Plan to End Homelessness, as well as updates on Housing Forward and the men’s shelter at its meeting on Monday March 7th.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Watch Online

CARES Unit and Vision Zero

The Public Safety Review Committee will receive an update on the CARES unit from the Madison Fire Department, as well as a discussion on adopting the Vision Zero Action Plan, at its meeting on Wednesday March 9th.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

Transit Network Redesign, Truth and Reconciliation, and Housing Issues

The Equal Opportunities Commission will be receiving a presentation on the transit network redesign process, discussing a proposed truth and reconciliation process, and discussing housing issues at its meeting on Thursday March 10th.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

Madison Fire Chief Hiring Process

The Police and Fire Commission is meeting on Friday March 14th to discuss and possibly make recommendations on the MFD Chief hiring process.

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Watch Online

The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners (PFC) for the City of Madison, Wisconsin is soliciting input from the public regarding the hiring of a new Fire Chief. Public input is welcome either at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Police and Fire Commission or via email to pfc@cityofmadison.com. The above mentioned PFC meeting will be the final opportunity to speak to the commission before it makes a decision. Find information on the four finalists here.

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

Events

• The Latino Academy of Workforce Development announces free Google certification courses for online learning. Requirements: Must be 13 years or older, intermediate level of English, 10 hour/week commitment. Space is limited. You must register by Friday, March 11, 2022.
  • Project Management: Prepare for an entry-level job as a project manager. In this program, you will learn how project managers successfully start, plan, and execute a project using both traditional and agile project management approaches. This is for you if you enjoy solving problems, working with people, and value organization. Register here.
  • Google IT Support: Prepare for an entry-level job as an IT support specialist. In this program, you will learn the fundamentals of operating systems and networking, and how to troubleshoot problems using code to ensure computers run correctly. This is for you if you enjoy solving problems, learning new tools, and helping others. Register here.
• Angela Trudell Vasquez will serve as Madison Public Library’s Poet-in-Residence from March-May 2022 and will offer a number of programs for all ages. During the residency, Vasquez will provide workshops catering to different age groups, including adults, teens, and youth and families. These workshops go beyond just words in bringing poetry to life. At each workshop, Vasquez will pair up with an artist, dancer or nature educator to provide an interactive exploration that broadens the ways we experience poetry. Workshops will be hosted at various library locations across the city. Learn more here.

Announcements

• Please remember that despite the local health order expiring, masks still must be worn on Metro buses due to federal requirements. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended its Order requiring all passengers and employees to wear face masks while utilizing all forms of public transit, including Metro Transit buses and paratransit vehicles. The federal order remains in effect until March 18, 2022. This continues to make it a federal law for masks to be worn when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel. Masks are also required at all transfer points and shelters. Learn more here.
• Spring cleanup begins! Starting the evening of March 6, 2022, Streets Division street sweepers will operating on Madison roadways 16-hours a day collecting the sand, salt, and other accumulated grit from the roads. Read more here.
• Did you know that, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up 10.9% of the U.S. construction workforce? The Engineering Division, in partnership with the Parks Division, Water Utility and Traffic Engineering Division, is proud to join the nationally-recognized Women in Construction Week, March 6-12, 2022. Starting March 7, 2022, each agency will highlight a woman’s work and journey in the construction industry with social media posts, written article and video feature. Learn more here.