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Updates, Meeting & Event Highlights for the Week of October 16, 2022

posted 

Greetings friends & neighbors,

Happy Fall! It's a very busy time of the year with many things happening within the city as well as the community.  Last week I provided a blog/update about the 2023 Budget and invitation to public information meetings (PIM). There's still one remaining opportunity to attend a PIM live, next week, Monday October 24, 5:30-7:30pm.

Since the Council is into the thick of budget preparations, I will be offering a couple virtual office hours.

Wishing you and yours a great week ahead!

Jael

CARES Program Updates

The CARES Program has 2 units that provide service citywide, 8am-8pm Monday-Friday. This level of service has been available since July 25, 2022. The team is averaging 86 responses per month since launching the program. The lowest response was 21 in November 2021 and the highest at 183, was just last month (September 2022).

  • Many patients have their immediate concerns resolved by phone (13%) or in person (68%).
    • Among the 68% of patients CARES helped in person, the CARES team drove 30% to other services or destinations (ie: shelters, psychiatric facility, home address, etc) for additional support
  • Smaller percentages of patients decline help from the CARES team (12%) or necessitate care from another EMS agency (3%).
  • A central aim of the CARES Program is diverting patients from law enforcement, when appropriate. CARES is meeting that objective, with 3% of patients necessitating their care being transferred to law enforcement.

2022 General Election

The following offices are up for this election, which will take place on Tuesday November 8, 2022:

  • Governor/Lieutenant Governor
  • Attorney General
  • Secretary of State
  • State Treasurer
  • U.S. Senator
  • U.S. Congressional Representative – District 2
  • State Senator – District 27
    • Voters who reside in District 27 will see this office on their ballot
  • Representative to State Assembly – Districts 46, 47, 48, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80
    • Voters who reside in each district will see that district's race on their ballot
  • Dane County Sheriff
  • Dane County Clerk of Circuit Court

All Dane County voters will see three referendum questions on their ballots.

Register to Vote/Check Your Voter Registration

  • Online at MyVote.wi.gov
    - You must have a WI driver license or DMV ID to use this option
    - If you need to update the address on your driver license or DMV ID go to the DMV website.
  • Name changes must be made in person at the DMV before updating your voter registration information

    For those without computer/internet access, you can complete a paper registration form. Mailed forms must include a copy of proof of residence/address. Mail or deliver it to the clerk's office: City Clerks Office
    210 MLK Jr Blvd Rm 103, Madison, WI 53703-3342

OCTOBER 19th IS THE DEADLINE for mailed and online registrations!

Additional Registration Options:

  • Register at the clerk's office or at an in-person absentee polling place between October 25th - November 6th
  • Register on Election Day at your polling place
  • You will need to bring: proof of residence (ex: WI driver's license or DMV issued ID, bank statement, utility bill, pay stub, government document, or lease)

Voting Options:

You do not need a reason to choose to vote absentee. 

People who are indefinitely confined (unable to leave their residence) due to age, illness, or disability do not need to provide a photo ID with their absentee ballot application.

Urban League Seeking Volunteers to Turn Out the Vote

The Urban League of Greater Madison is proud to join the National Urban League and several other partners in a nonpartisan effort to register more voters, educate voters on their rights, and motivate more voters to get out to the polls. We are seeking volunteers for the following variety of roles:

Neighborhood Canvassing

Volunteer to help at one of our neighborhood canvassing events, where we will provide information and help answer questions about where to vote, voter ID requirements, early and absentee voting rules, and more. Training and snacks will be provided.

Option 1 is Sunday, October 30, 12:30 to 3:30 PM; @Urban League, 2222 S. Park St.

Option 2 is Sunday, November 6, 12:30 to 3:30 PM; @Southwest Employment Center, 1233 McKenna Blvd.

Phone Banking & Texting Campaign

Volunteer to join the National Urban League in a phone banking campaign. 

Roll to the Poll Drivers

Volunteers are needed on Election Day in various locations and time slots to help drive individuals to and from the polls who may have transportation access or mobility challenges. Volunteer drivers will be available Urban League (2222 S. Park St) Register here.

School Volunteer Opportunity

The Schools of Hope (SOH) Middle School Tutoring Program strives to support the success of students through academic tutoring, focusing on the areas of math and literacy skills. Every year, we work with hundreds of individuals who volunteer their time in service to our youth. The SOH Program is thrilled to be inviting volunteers back for in-person tutoring. For more information about the SOH Middle School Tutoring Program, please click here or contact Quentin at 608.729.1226 / qcotton@ulgm.org.

Street Assessment Policy Update

The Engineering Division has been working for over a year with a multi-agency staff and alder group to work on updating the current assessment policy. One of the major differences is now assessing for the street pavement rather than curb & gutter and sidewalk previously. This helps staff work towards developing streets with great pedestrian facilities as well as improved drainage. Another improvement is staff's proposal to use a 3 year weighted average on costs, so that any projects with outliers in bidding can be averaged out, and property owners can have a sense of confidence with the proposed estimates. The policy works towards achieving the following goals:

  1. Make Rural to Urban projects less costly to property owners;
  2. Reduce opposition to installation of new sidewalks;
  3. Make assessments more uniform whether a street has existing curb & gutter and sidewalk or not;
  4. Preserve existing development requirements;
  5. Preserve a similar amount of assessment revenues;
  6. Provide a more reliable estimate for property owners; and,
  7. Fairly and equitably apportion assessments among property owners in comparable positions

Engineering staff performed informational check-ins with the Board of Public Works (BPW) & Transportation Planning & Policy Board (TPPB) and received positive feedback. They also had a staff group use the RESJI tool to analyze the equity of the new policy. Staff introduced the policy update at last week's Common Council meeting. It will be referred to Finance, TPPB & BPW as lead before going back to the Council for final vote. Asst Engineer (Chris) Petykowski can be contacted for any feedback and/or questions.

Chris Petykowski, P.E.

Assistant City Engineer

CPetykowski@cityofmadison.com; 608-267-8678

Calling all Neighborhood Leaders!

Madison's neighborhoods are the building blocks that make our community strong. The City of Madison values all the work that neighborhood organizations do in the community, and we would like to continue helping you bring people together to form a collective, united voice. Please share any profile and contact updates by November 14!  

The City has formally recognized many neighborhood organizations based on a few different criteria, as described on the City website. If your organization has been formally recognized, it will be listed with a descriptive profile that neighbors, businesses, community based organizations, and educational institutions use to find out about your group. Please find your group on our City website, review the information, and if you would like any changes, you can update your information here. If you have any questions, please send an email to Neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com

Vision Zero Final Reduction & Updates

The final 2022 Vision Zero speed reduction took place last week on Segoe Rd, from University Ave to Odana Rd. The speed limit on Segoe Rd was reduced to 25 mph from 30 mph on the entire length of the road. This area was selected for a reduced speed limit due to the presence of schools, parks and the many stores and restaurants at Hilldale Shopping Mall. These destinations are popular walking and biking destinations for people from the surrounding residential neighborhood, large apartment buildings and office buildings.

Along with the previous speed changes occurring earlier this year on East Washington Avenue, John Nolen Drive, Mineral Point Rd, Old Sauk Rd DOCX , and Portage Rd, this speed reduction is another step forward towards the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries. People walking and biking are a high priority on this roadway, as this route serves as a key bicycle route for travel on the west side of Madison and serves as a walking route for families to reach Van Hise Elementary and Hamilton Middle Schools.

For each of these changes, along with updated permanent signs, staff will place temporary digital signboards in the area to remind drivers of the speed limit changes from 30 mph to 25 mph.

Segoe Rd has seen 8 injury crashes since 2017 including 3 involving people biking or walking. These are not just numbers; these are members of our community hurt on our city streets. Reducing the speed limit and making physical roadway improvements to our streets ensures the safety of all roadway users. Through the Vision Zero Initiative, the City will continue to make these vital improvements and reductions to City streets in the coming years and continue to make strides towards our goal of zero deaths and serious injuries by 2035.

What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is a data driven strategy intended to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on City streets by 2035 while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. For more information about the City of Madison's Vision Zero initiative and to sign up for Vision Zero news updates, please visit the City of Madison's Vision Zero Website.

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 17, 2022

Meetings

Events

  • Dick Wagner honored in park dedication: In December 2021, Madison lost R. Richard Wagner, a public servant and community leader. On Friday, October 21, 1:30pm, the community is invited to join U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Alder Mike Verveer and friends as we honor the legacy of Dick Wagner in a park dedication ceremony. We will honor his legacy in a park dedication ceremony, renaming Kerr-McGee Triangle Park, 728 Jenifer Street, to R. Richard Wagner Park. More details here.
  • Halloween on State Street: The City of Madison will once again be working to make State Street and downtown Madison a safe and enjoyable space for celebrating Halloween. Events that will be occurring, include:
    • Wednesday, October 26
      • Downtown Madison Family Halloween State Street and Capitol Square trick-or-treating for young children and their families from 3:00 – 6:00 PM sponsored by Madison's Central Business Improvement District.
      • Hayrides around the Capitol Square from 3:00 – 6:00 PM sponsored by Madison Parks.
      • Movies with Madison Parks showing Hocus Pocus from 6:00 – 8:00 PM near the top of State Street.
      • See Halloween Activities for more information.
      • Saturday, October 29
      • Wisconsin Union Directorate Film Committee's viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at 10:00 PM in Shannon Hall.
      • Claudio Simonetti's Goblin Performing Suspiria at the Orpheum Theater starting at 8:00 PM.
      • Other opportunities for spooky fun all around Dane County can be found here.
      • Monday, October 31: No planned events

In the past few years, the City has moved away from a formal/sanctioned event for Halloween, also known as Freakfest, and again there will be no formal event this year. There is also no UW football game or homecoming planned for Halloween weekend this year. To facilitate physical safety, a glass ban has been instituted on State Street for Halloween weekend, and Streateries will be closed at 6:00 p.m.

  • Homebuyer education class: The City of Madison, in partnership with the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, want to share with you these HUD Approved Homebuyer Education classes occurring monthly through the rest of 2022! Find all the events by following here. The next class for October is open! Learn more about what it takes to buy your first home, securing a mortgage, and down payment assistance programs. Hear from content experts like realtors, lenders, insurance agents, home inspectors, and housing counselors.
  • Food scraps recycling: Food scraps recycling for 2022 ends on October 25 at two farmer's market drop-off sites:
    • Market Site 1: South Madison Farmer's Market (1602 S. Park Street, Labor Temple)
      • Hours: 2:00pm to 6:00pm.
      • Dates open: Only Tuesday markets
    • Market Site 2: Eastside Farmer's Market (202 S. Ingersoll Street, McPike Park)
      • Hours: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
      • Dates open: Only Tuesday evenings

Also, consider composting your food scraps in your own backyard. News release

  • Violence prevention: Public Health Madison & Dane County Violence Prevention Unit is hosting two violence prevention speaker series events during the month of October:
    • Speaker Series Event #4 – Panel Discussion "The importance of youth engagement and connection in violence prevention efforts"
    • Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 12pm-1pm; Registration required
    • Speaker Series Event #5 – DAIS Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence 101
    • Thursday, October 27, 2022, 12pm-1pm; Registration required

Announcements

  • Celebrating native nations: Madison Public Library - in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison - is bringing back a popular program from last year that centers the experiences, traditions and lifeways of Native people in and around Madison. Native presenters from different nations will lead programs highlighting both traditional and contemporary practices, stories, and community relationships. Programs kick off in October following Indigenous Peoples' Day, and include art workshops, cooking and crop demonstrations, storytelling, presentations on traditional skills and customs, and more! Find all the details here.
  • Spotlight on Cherokee Marsh: As we conclude the celebration of 50 years of conservation parks in Madison, we focus your attention on Madison's largest conservation park. So large, the more than 1,300 acres of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park are divided into three unique units – Mendota, North and South. Cherokee Marsh – North Unit was designated a conservation park in 1971 when the Parks Division first created the Conservation Park program. Read more about this natural wonder here.
  • October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: One out of every eight women in the United States are at risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. In 2022, The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 5,380 new cases of breast cancer in Wisconsin. Early diagnosis is key to helping create better outcomes. Access to screening can be limited among people with lower incomes and who lack health insurance. To bridge this gap, the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) offers free breast exams, mammograms and other diagnostic tests for women ages 45-64 (or under 45, for those with a current breast concern), who have limited income and insurance. Learn more here.
  • Electric compactors to be named: Finally, the Streets Division will be revealing the names of the trash and recycling electric compactors used at the drop-off site located at 4602 Sycamore Avenue. Earlier this year, a ranked-choice style election was held to choose the names from a list of finalists. Over 2,200 votes were received during the election and two names received the highest number of total points were selected. On October 21, 2022 the names of the compactors will be revealed along with the breakdown of the voting totals. See the full list of very creative finalist names here.
  • Madison Forward Fund: The Madison Forward Fund, a year-long guaranteed income experimental program, has distributed the first of twelve monthly payments to low-income families. The guaranteed income is a monthly payment of $500 given directly to 155 households for 12 months. It is unconditional, with no strings attached and no work requirements. The program is founded on the belief that Madison families deserve a basic level of income to support fundamental needs, and that people experiencing financial scarcity are best positioned to make decisions regarding their household needs. Read more here.
  • October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Domestic Violence Awareness Month is held throughout the month of October as a way to bring advocates across the nation together to end domestic violence.? Throughout the month of October, the City of Madison, along with communities across the country, will mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years, and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence.

If you or someone you know feels unsafe in a relationship, help is available 24 hours a day by calling (608) 251-4445 or texting (608) 420-4638.  In an emergency, please call 911. For more resources, please visit https://abuseintervention.org/

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District 16 - Alder Currie

Alder Jael Currie

Alder Jael Currie

District 16
Contact Alder Currie