Highlights for the Week of October 9, 2023

IMPORTANT UPDATES

Update on the Sustainable Madison Community Survey:  The City has released a survey on environmental issues that will inform the next Sustainable Madison Plan. It will also be able to help alders and other City leaders understand what is most important to their constituents and how environmental concerns vary by different segments of the population. City staff agreed to many of the changes I requested, which I reviewed in a recent blog post. There is still a leading question and some omissions but I am very happy with the survey and am asking you to please complete it. Please also encourage your Madison networks to take it. Push it out on your email lists and post on your social media channels. 

Update on Mineral Point Road Tree Removals: Thanks to the emails and phone calls to me, Alder Bill Tishler, and City staff from all of you, I was informed that there are plans to significantly reduce the number of trees removed along Mineral Point Road between Whitney Way and the Beltline. I was promised that there will also be a community meeting about efforts to harmonize the existing mature tree canopy and the planned multi-use path where the sidewalk before anything happens. Here is a link to my initial response upon learning about that plan so you can understand my thought process related to projects that are planned without enough serious consideration of the critical benefits of a healthy tree canopy for a healthy community and for our own health.

Mayor’s Operating Budget Release: On October 3, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway released her proposed 2024 Executive Operating Budget at the Madison Central Library. The City of Madison’s operating budget funds the numerous services, programs, and skilled staff that sustain high-quality City services and keep Madison a strong and vibrant community. The operating budget released on October 3rd complements the 2024 Executive Capital Budget, released in September, which funds City infrastructure, buildings, and other capital investments. See the executive summary HERE.

MEETINGS

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 9, 2023 in virtual format at 4:30 PM. Agenda items include the 2024 Executive Operating Budget, the appointments of various City employees, matters impacting properties in Districts  2, 4, 12, 13, 14, and 15, and more.

I’ll be putting out some blog posts about the budget in the coming weeks. My main take, though, is that we are spending beyond our means and heavily borrowing against our future ability to take on new projects that we want in the future. In a period of high interest rates, high construction costs, and likely cost overruns on select projects, we can’t make perfect the enemy of still pretty great while we are facing such serious budgetary pressures. Every dollar we borrow from you adds to our debt load in the operating budget. As that percentage continues to grow, the things that will be cut in the operating budget are staff positions and city services (despite a growing population), and we will need to consider fee increases for various services.

The Common Council owes it to you to be extremely careful with our spending in this budget, because the next budget cycle will lose the boost we’ve been getting from some federal funds coming out of the pandemic and our debt service levels are irresponsible. We alders need to engage in efforts to compromise and come together around the many critical needs that require our attention. It’s going to get extremely tough next year, so we need to be very disciplined in this cycle. ​​​​​​​Meeting Details

• Police and Fire Commission: The Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 9, 2023 in virtual format at 5:30 PM. Agenda items include status updates from both the Fire Department and the Police Department on the hiring process, disciplinary matters, and more. Meeting Details
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 in virtual format at 4:30 PM. This meeting will discuss the 2024 Executive Operating Budget. Meeting Details
• Public Safety Review Committee: The Public Safety Review Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in virtual format at 5:00 PM. Agenda items include Chief Barnes’ Quarterly Report, a report from the Madison Police Department that includes an update on the strategic plan and recent gun violence, and a report from the Madison Fire Department with an update on CAREs, and more. Meeting Details
• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in virtual format at 5:00 PM. Agenda items include transferring parking enforcement and supervision from the Madison Police Department to the Madison Department of Transportation’s Parking Division, review and feedback on the Harvey Street Sidewalk Extension project and the Starkweather Plat project, and more. Meeting Details
• Madison Arts Commission: The Madison Arts Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in virtual format at 5:30 PM. Agenda items include the poet laureate program, a review on guidelines for annual grants, administrative reports, and more. Meeting Details
• Community Development Authority: The Community Development Authority meeting will take place on Thursday, October 12, 2023 in virtual format at 4:30 PM. Agenda items include a report on housing operations, authorizing the Community Development Authority to act as Master Developer for properties in District 14, and more. Meeting Details
• Burr Jones Shoreline Steel Seawall Removal, Thursday, October 12, 2023: A public information meeting has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Oct. 12, 2023, via Zoom. Prior registration is required.
  Project Overview: This project will remove the two deteriorating steel seawalls located along the Yahara River at Burr Jones Park. The seawalls shall be replaced with stepped stone access to the river along with glacial till and native vegetation stabilizing the river’s edge. This property is part of the Tenney Park Yahara River Historic Parkway. Design requires approval from the Landmarks Commission, the Wisconsin State Historical Society, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

EVENTS

• Because I missed sending out the weekly highlights last week (sorry), you did not receive this notification: Listening Session: West Area Park Development Plans, Wednesday, October 4, 2023: The City is creating a Park Development Plan for each park. The planning process will result in a one-page plan that will guide the improvements to the park for the next 10 to 12 years. The parks involved with this planning process are all fully developed and range in size from 0.1 acres to 15.13 acres. This planning process should provide transparency regarding the City’s  future plans for each park and allow park users to weigh in on existing and potential recreation opportunities. As funding is allocated for any individual park improvements, additional public engagement will take place. I will see if I can find a link to a recording of this listening session, but know that there will be more opportunities to weigh in.

• Learn to Stargaze, Monday, October 9, 2023: Do you know how to find the Big and Little Dippers in the night sky? How about Orion the hunter or the queen Cassiopeia? Join Madison Parks and UW Space Place and learn about the night sky. The evening begins with a short program on what is visible in the current sky presented by UW Space Place followed by, weather permitting, a view of the constellations and planets with the use of provided telescopes.

• East Side Farmers' Market, Tuesday, October 10, 2023: The Eastside Farmers' Market is Madison Wisconsin’s finest weekday farmers' market. Our goal is to bring the freshest Wisconsin grown food direct to the heart of the East side. Our vendor members are agricultural producers and food artisans who make value added products from Wisconsin's agricultural bounty.

• Understand & Maintain Your Furnace, Tuesday, October 10, 2023: Learn about what you can do to help maintain your heating system and what to ask for when your furnace is serviced by a heating professional. Plus we will have our training furnace on hand to review the components of a forced air furnace. And as always, bring your questions! Sponsored by MG & E. For more information or questions about this event contact Project Home at (608)246-3737 or contact them by filling us this form at https://www.projecthomewi.org/about/contact.html . You can also visit their website to learn more about the agency at: https://www.projecthomewi.org/ Be sure to re-confirm date and time of this workshop with agency.

• Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market, Wednesday, October 11, 2023: The Wednesday Dane County Farmers’ Market is located on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in between the Madison Municipal Building and the City County Building. While more intimate than the Saturday Market, you will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, bakery items, cut flowers, plants, and many specialty items.

• The Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, October 11, 2023: The Capitol View Farmers Market is returning to the North Star Neighborhood! Join us each Wednesday (May 31-October 11, 2023) from 3:00-7:00pm to support local farmers and vendors, enjoy live music and food carts, and make the most of summer in Madison!

• Conservation Park Tour | Sandburg Woods, Wednesday, October 11, 2023: This 30-acre tract is extremely valuable to resident wildlife and migratory birds.  Renewed management efforts aim to restore and maintain herbaceous plant species while guiding forest succession. MEETING LOCATION: Sandburg Park sign, 3151 Sunbrook Road (east of Sandburg Elementary School).
• HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education "Your Path to Homeownership" Three Part Hybrid Class) 2 of 3 (Oct. 5, 12, and 19), Thursday, October 12, 2023: Your Path to Homeownership is provided by La Casa de Esperanza, a Non-Profit HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to assisting individuals and families to increase income, build savings and gain assets. Our focus on financial wellness is supported by the Center’s programs and services which include; home buyer education and counseling, free tax services, employment coaching, financial coaching and access to financial workshops. Our people-centered approach supports our belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to work on their financial wellness.
• Meditation at Monona Terrace, 12 pm on Thursday, September 7, 2023 -  Thursday, December 14, 2023. Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Anyone can practice; it’s simple, inexpensive and doesn’t require any special equipment. Join us virtually every Thursday, September 7 - December 14, for this free 45 minute program welcome to all levels. Advance registration for Zoom webinar is required.

• Yoga Core, Friday, October 13, 2023: Want to build your strength and increase body awareness? Yoga Core is great way to do it! This class incorporates a wide variety of seated, standing, balancing, and mat-based yoga poses focusing on strength, stability, and mobility. Core-based practices can help enhance balance and stability and prevent falls and injuries as we age. All levels are welcome!

• Acewood Conservation Volunteer Workday, Saturday, October 14, 2023: Madison Parks is seeking volunteers in conservation to assist in removing invasive buckthorn in Acewood Conservation Park. Participants will learn invasive plant identification and removal methods, as well as park history. Gloves and shovels will be provided, or bring your own. Bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. No restrooms onsite.

• Clase de Educacion para compradores de vivienda "Su camino hacia la propiedad de vivienda" (2 PARTES, En persona y virtual) Parte 1 de 2, Saturday, October 14, 2023: Acerca de este evento: Your Path to Homeownership es proporcionado por La Casa de Esperanza, una agencia de asesoramiento de vivienda sin fines de lucro aprobada por HUD dedicada a ayudar a las personas y familias a aumentar sus ingresos, generar ahorros y obtener activos. Nuestro enfoque en el bienestar financiero está respaldado por los programas y servicios del Centro que incluyen; educación y asesoramiento para compradores de vivienda, servicios de impuestos gratuitos, asesoramiento laboral, asesoramiento financiero y acceso a talleres financieros. Nuestro enfoque centrado en las personas respalda nuestra creencia de que todos merecen la oportunidad de trabajar en su bienestar financiero.

• Leaf Magic, Saturday, October 14, 2023: Join Get Kids Outside as we explore the trees and leaves of Warner Park. What makes leaves turn color? What does an oak tree leaf look like? What about a maple? What colors do they turn in fall? We will explore and collect fall leaves as we hike up to the sledding hill. Kids will be able to run the hill too!  Back at the shelter, kids will be able to preserve a few special leaves in wax! A light snack will be served and everyone will go home with a free gift. Free event but registration is required. Meet at the Rainbow Shelter which is located right behind the Madison Mallards ball diamond.

• West Side Community Market – Saturday, October 14, 2023: The market is located at 505 S. Rosa Rd. in Research Park and is open every Saturday from 7:30 am – 12:30 pm through November 4, 2023. Food Share is accepted, free parking, and accessible by bus.

(NOTE: for a more complete list of Madison farmers’ markets, follow this link.)

• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, October 14, 2023: Insect Superpowers with Marjorie Rhine ~ Join Master Naturalist Marjorie Rhine for a free guided walk or take a healthy nature walk on your own any day in October to look for and learn about fascinating insects you see on plants along the trails. Discover how insects play starring roles in samurai helmet design and Japanese art, textiles, haiku and anime (Japanese animation). Explore the superpowers of insects all around us on an insect safari. Learn about the special way dragonflies see, how honeybees communicate, how insects are crucial to our food supply and much more!

• Learn to Orienteer, Sunday, October 15, 2023: Often described as the “thinking sport,” orienteering is an outdoor navigation game that takes place in parks, cities, and wilderness areas all over the world. Using a highly detailed map and a compass, individuals or small groups navigate the course and attempt to locate pre-marked checkpoints, in the order shown on the map. This class is free to attend, with advanced registration requested. Maps and loaner compasses are provided. Participants may bring their own compass.

• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, October 15, 2023: Reflections & Changes with Lynn Persson and Eva Roos ~ Join Master Naturalist Lynn Persson and Eva Russ for a free family-friendly guided nature walk or take a walk on your own any day in October on easy paths along the Warner Lagoon and quiet trails through Warner Woods and up the bike path to sledding hill for a beautiful view of the Wild Side of Warner Park! Enjoy the honking of geese, native plants going to seed, and the colors changing in the trees. October is a time of seasonal change and transformation. What do you remember from previous years about colors changing, migrating birds, native wildflowers, seed harvests, warm days, cool nights and more?  Bring those memories and make some new ones as you explore how this year compares with the past.  Will we find dragonflies, late wildflowers blooming, Sandhill Cranes, or tracks in the snow?

• Movie at The Glen | Hotel Transylvania – Transformania, Sunday, October 15, 2023: Grab a blanket or bring a lawn chair and head over to The Glen for yard games, kids' golf and Halloween activities with First Tee - South Central Wisconsin followed by a movie! All are welcome!
• First Tee - South Central Wisconsin is partnering with the City of Madison Golf Courses to host a fun, fall-themed kids' afternoon with golf and Halloween activities. Join us on Sunday, October 15 from 3pm-5pm with a Halloween movie beginning at 5pm at The Glen Golf Park. There will be a putting course, chipping game, and fun activity station.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Brush Collection Over for 2023: Scheduled brush collection from the curb is over for 2023. Madison residents should not place brush out along the road for pickup at this time.
• Fall Leaves and Yard Waste Collection Begins Week of October 8, 2023: The Streets Division’s fall yard waste and leaves collection begins the week of October 8, 2023. All residents will receive three collection opportunities this fall, weather permitting.
• A New Way to Get Your Collection Schedules from the Streets Division: The City of Madison Streets Division is happy to share we are testing a new map-based lookup for learning your collection schedules.
• Madison Police Department- Public Records Presentation and Discussion, Monday, October 23rd, 5:30pm-7:00pm: There will be a presentation on law enforcement public records and the laws that govern their release. Additional presentation on what to expect when you make a public records request from the Madison Police Depart-ment. There will be time for discussion and questions. Former Town of Madison residents encouraged to attend. Presentation and Q&A from: Julie Laundrie, Madison Police Department Public Records Custodian
  • Date: Monday, October 23rd
  • Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
  • Location: Madison Public Library, Goodman South Madison, 2222 S Park Street, Madison, WI 53713
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Remarks on Retirement of County Executive Joe Parisi: I want to thank County Executive Joe Parisi for his many decades of public service. From his years as an aide in the State Capitol, to his tenure as County Clerk, to his many years of service as County Executive, Joe has stayed true to his progressive values and love of community.
• Statement of Mayor Rhodes-Conway and Madison Alders on Proposed State Legislation Attacking Trans Youth: Madison is, and has been for a long time, a welcoming and supportive place for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1975 Madison became the first place in Wisconsin, and one of the earliest in the country, to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The City also created the State’s first domestic partnership registry in 1990 and became the first place in Wisconsin to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. More recently, the Common Council voted to declare Madison a sanctuary for trans- and non-binary individuals.
• Statement of Mayor Rhodes-Conway on how the child care crisis is impacting local economic growth and prosperity.
• Path Closure--Capital City Trail along John Nolen Drive Causeway: The Capital City Trail will be closed along the John Nolen Drive causeway for two consecutive weeks for bridge repairs. The path will reopen for weekends. The closure periods will be:
• Mayor Releases Operating Budget that Works to Maintain Quality Services in the Face of Insufficient Support from the State Legislature: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway released her proposed 2024 Executive Operating Budget at the Madison Central Library.
• Food Scraps Recycling Ends October 31, 2023. As you may recall, this year’s food scraps efforts was dubbed “Operation Double Hippopotamus” because we are on pace to reach 16,000 pounds of scraps composted at our two farmer’s market sites. And that’s about the weight of two adult hippos. We are on target to hit that weight, and quite likely to surpass it, if we keep showing up to the market drop-off sites during the final few week. Remember that the market information and the list of appropriate scraps can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/FoodScraps.
• Digital Inclusion: To build more connected communities, everyone needs internet. The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been a monumental tool offering a $30 monthly discount (among other benefits) to lower-income households. The program has enrolled over 20 million American households, with 16,000 in Madison alone. However, without action to continue funding for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, experts warn the ACP could be out of money by the spring of 2024. This means thousands of Madisonians may lose this vital benefit that keeps them connected.

The City of Madison is dedicated to bridging gaps in access to and adoption of digital devices and internet connectivity. The Affordable Connectivity Program is central to this endeavor. I encourage you to reach out to your congressional representative, asking them to support continuing to fund the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. I also encourage you to share this program with others who might be eligible. Together with Madison Public Library and all our community partners, we can help preserve internet access so all residents can live, learn, work, and thrive.

ACP participants receive up to $30/month discount on internet service and a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying tribal lands. Participants can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50).

Participants qualify based on household income; if you, your child, or a dependent participate in certain government assistance* programs; if you, your child, or a dependent already receive a Lifeline benefit; or if you qualify through a participating internet provider’s existing low-income program.

Enroll today at www.affordableconnectivity.gov.

Don’t currently have email, computer or Wi-Fi access to enroll?

You can contact the ACP Support Center by phone at (877) 384-2575.

The Madison Public Library offers free computer and Wi-Fi access. Call (608) 266-6300 for a list of library locations and computer use hours.

Need bilingual support?

You can contact the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

* If you or someone in your household participates in one of the following programs, you are automatically eligible for ACP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools, or if you received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by USAC with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission.

STREETS

• University Avenue Project Update: University Avenue. Estimated Schedule: 05/01/2022 to 05/15/2024. Click this link to read more.
• Lane Closures--Packers Avenue Railroad Crossing Repair: Starting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10, the southbound lanes of Packers Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane for repairs to the railroad track crossing within the street. The northbound side of Packers Avenue will not be affected.
• Street Closure--West Beltline Highway Frontage Road (South Side of Beltline): Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, October 9, the West Beltline Highway Frontage Road will be closed to eastbound traffic between Todd Drive and Coho Street for asphalt repaving operations (see map). Eastbound traffic will follow detour signs to use the frontage road on the north side of the Beltline Highway. Westbound traffic between Coho Street and Todd Drive will remain open through the work zone. The entrance ramp to the Eastbound Beltline will be open and accessible from the westbound direction only.

A REQUEST FROM ME

One thing that can be difficult for an alder to keep up with in light of LOTS of other things to attend to and the fact that there are LOTS of you is the individual requests from residents about a problem or issue. Whenever it makes sense to do so, I’d appreciate it if you could start by reporting problems as described below. If you don’t get a response within three business days, please let me know and I'll jump in to help.

Report a Problem: Report non-emergency issues to City staff. Please use this service to report non-emergency issues only.

Emergencies: In an emergency, please call 911.
Water Emergencies: Please call Madison Water Utility 24/7 at (608) 266-4665.