Common Council

Updates & Meetings, Events and Highlights for the Week of September 20th

Greetings friends and neighbors,

I hope you and yours have enjoyed the past couple days of summer weather as we head into fall. Please take a minute to review information of interest(s) in addition to meetings, events and highlights for the week of September 20th. 

Be well and take care,

Jael

Neighborhood Safety, Violence Prevention and MPD Presence

I am extremely concerned about the recent incidents of shots fired/gun violence and increased police presence in D16 neighborhoods and the east side. While crime rates are trending downward in comparison to other years, the frequency of shots fired and gun violence are serious issues citywide that need immediate solutions. I look forward to continuing to work with a collaborative of community and government leaders focused on preventing violence in our community. For instance, I am part of the Violence Prevention Coalition's Coordination Workgroup which brings city and county stakeholders together to coordinate violence prevention efforts. I am also looking forward to working with MMSD leadership and staff, (Madison) Board of Education members and community leaders to discuss and put forth solutions that address the intersectionalities of school and community safety for students and their families.

2022 Budget Preparation

The 2022 Capital Executive Budget is now available online - https://www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budget. Capital budget hearings took place Monday 9/13 and Tuesday 9/14. Soon to follow will be the Operating Budget and hearings, beginning on Monday 9/27. The above mentioned webpage contains a lot of information about the process. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me and I will try my best to answer them - I am still in the learning process as well! Below is an image I have found helpful to reminding me about the difference between the capital and operating budgets. 

Local Redistricting  

Local redistricting is happening now! Local redistricting is the process of redrawing the City's wards and alder districts based on population changes that have occurred over the last decade. Redistricting determines which communities and neighborhoods are assembled into alder districts and other voting districts. Wards and polling places will also be adjusted to align with the redrawn boundaries. The Redistricting Committee is seeking feedback on two Alder District Concepts. I encourage you to get involved in the city's redistricting efforts - there are many! 

• Join us for one of our virtual City of Madison Redistricting Informational Meetings on Wednesday, September 22nd, 12-1pm or 6-7pm, in-person opportunities where concept maps will be available for feedback.

• Visit a City of Madison library near you from September 20-26th, or Redistricting Committee meetings. Community members can also provide feedback on concepts through the online public comment map.  ?

• Visit cityofmadison.com/Redistricting for more information and subscribe to updates. 

Public Library News 

Madison BCycle Launches Community Pass Program

Madison BCycle is proud to launch its Community Pass Program to bring equitable access to its bike share system starting Monday, September 13. The program, in partnership with the Madison Public Library Foundation, will enable riders to use their Madison Public Library card to access one of over 300 electric bikes.

Madison Public Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, Madison Public Library will highlight the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrate Hispanic and Latino American culture through book lists and events. 

Library Takeover: Taking Applications September 1 - October 1?

Library Takeover is a program created to support communities to make their idea happen at the library! Teams of 3-4 people can pitch their idea via our online application. If accepted, they could receive a $2,000 event budget, free space at the library, a $400 stipend for each member of the team, a 4-workshop event-planning course and help from an influential local mentor! We're looking for first-time event organizers, diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities, etc. If you have a group or know an individual who could anchor a team for Library Takeover, please share this opportunity with them! APPLY HERE

Madison Public Library Celebrates Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month and Madison Public Library is celebrating with a number of activities and celebrations throughout the month. There are some new ways to sign up for a card - Madison residents can apply for a library card online and kids who attend Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) schools can apply for their own library card for the first time using just their student ID online. ?During Library Card Sign-Up Month, large library cards will be available at each library location, as well as the Dream Bus, for new and first-time card holders to take photos with. Apply for a Library Card 

Meetings this Week 

Wonder Bar Landmark Status 

The Landmarks Commission is holding a public hearing on the Wonder Bar landmark nomination at its meeting this evening. 

Meeting Details

Agenda

Register for Public Comment

Capital Budget Housing Strategy Updates

The Housing Strategy Committee will be receiving an update about housing strategies in the 2021 Executive Capital Budget at its meeting this Thursday. 

Meeting Details

Agenda

Register for Public Comment

Public Health Updates

You can find details and see a map of all upcoming public clinics on the Public Health website (in Spanish). We also have regular vaccine hours at our South Madison and East Washington offices. Upcoming, public-facing COVID-19 mobile vaccine clinics, as organized by Public Health Madison & Dane County:

· Tuesday 9/21: Northside Town Center, 11 am- 1 pm

· Tuesday 9/21: Warner Park Recreation Center, 3-6 pm

· Wednesday 9/22: Hmong Legacy Market on Fish Hatchery Rd, 11 am- 1pm

· Wednesday 9/22: Dane County Job Center, 2-4 pm

· Thursday 9/23: The Beacon, 9-11:30 am

· Thursday 9/23: Hwy 30 encampment & Reindahl Park encampment, 12:30-7:30 pm

People who need to get tested can learn more about the more than 45 testing sites in Dane County - English and Spanish

Transit Network Redesign Public Meeting

Virtual Public Information Meeting - Phase 2

Thursday, September 23rd 6pm

The meeting will discuss two hypothetical transit networks:

• One focusing on coverage which extends transit service to as many people as possible regardless of frequency, and

• One focusing on ridership which concentrates transit service onto fewer routes with more frequent service, ultimately increasing ridership. 

Project staff would like to understand where on this coverage-ridership spectrum the redesigned transit system should fall. City staff will be joined by international transit planning consultants Jarrett Walker and Associates and Urban Assets, a local community engagement firm.

Join the Meeting Here  A link to the meeting  is also posted on the project website: http://www.mymetrobus.com/redesign.

City of Madison Energy Saving Fair

In partnership with Focus on Energy, the City of Madison's Energy Saving Fair kicks off today.  You can benefit from Focus on Energy's energy efficiency offerings.  This not only will reduce your energy footprint but will also lead to savings on utility bills – more important than ever with increased energy use in homes during the pandemic.

Also – If you haven't yet signed up for the original Focus on Energy 'Free Box' – you can do so here.  Learn more at https://techniartpopup.com/focusonenergy_cityofmadison