Updates & Week of April 5 Meetings of Interest for District 2

Special Note: Due to determination by the WI Elections Commission, alders running for reelection in the April 2021 election are advised not to use city resources to communicate with constituents using mass emails and posts. For that reason, I am sending this update from my personal email and via non-city social media. Until this interpretation of the rules change or I am re-elected, I'll be sending mass communications via these means. Please continue to use district2@cityofmadison.com to contact me with input and questions on city issues.  

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District 2 Updates and Meetings of Interest

 

City meetings remain online only with details listed in City Meetings of Interest below; all have virtual public participation options.

 

Stay in touch with your neighbors through either Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc., Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association, or Campus Area Neighborhood Assoc.

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There are three sections to this week's update:

1. COVID-19 Resources & Information
2. Other District 2 Updates
3. City Meetings of Interest to District 2

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1. COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION

 

From Public Health Madison & Dane County:

 

• Dane County Public Health Requirements Starting April 7, 2021

• Indoor Mask Requirement Remains in Place, Public Health Order #15 Released

• Public Health Releases New Measures for Assessing Progress, New Public Health Order

• Dane County COVID-19 Data Continues to Improve

• Public Health Madison & Dane County will be hosting a virtual town hall on COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, April 8th, 2021

• Navigating Alliant Energy Center

• Which Vaccine Should I Get? The One You're Offered!

• COVID-19 vaccine webpage

• COVID-19 Data Dashboard

• The latest Data Notes

• Current and Past Public Health Orders

• Public Health's Mask page

• Testing Sites and Info

• Español: COVID-19 and Hmoob: COVID-19

Dane CORE Rental Assistance Program 

Read about the temporary halt in residential evictions from the Tenant Resource Center - extended through June 30, 2021.

Free hotline to be connected with a "Financial Navigator".

COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard that tracks Madison's long-term community and economic recovery from COVID-19.

For information on Madison's responses visit the City's Coronavirus Website. There you will find links to City Service Updates, Resources for Businesses.

From MMSD: Neighborhood Food Sites and from Community Action Coalition: Dane County Food Pantry Network

From the City: Community Resources Section on the city's COVID website, including housing and eviction information

The Governor's Office compilation of all COVID-19 resources and information from state agencies, including the State Dept. Public Health

From the Downtown Madison Business Improvement District: Ways to Support Downtown Madison 

From Alder Prestigiacomo: COVID-19 Campus Resources, including Housing & Eviction Protection and Financial Resources.

Info on UW-Madison's response to the pandemic at this site

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2. OTHER DISTRICT 2 UPDATES

 

 

• Register to Vote at the Polls on Tuesday

• Ballot Drop Boxes Open Until 5pm, Monday, April 5

• City of Madison Polling Place Listing

• Voters to Weigh In on Size and Shape of Common Council on the April 6, 20021 Spring Ballot

• Spring Election 2021 Accessibility

• Overdose Spike in Dane County

• Madison Public Library Board Delays Decision to Expand In-Person Library Service until May 6 Board Meeting

• From the Mayor: Get Green with the City this Spring

• From Madison Parks: Golf Leagues

• From the Streets Division: Expanded Drop-off Site Hours Begin on April 5, 2021

• For leaf and yard waste and brush collection information, visit the Streets Division's website

• Share Your Thoughts on the Metro Transit Network Redesign Project.

• Earth Day Challenge Volunteers Needed in Madison Parks

Voting Location Changes, Absentee Ballot & Voter Registration for April 6 General Election

Note that many Tuesday, April 6, voting locations have changed due to the pandemic:

Ward 44 - remains at Tenney Park Shelter

Ward 45 - moved from Lapham School to American Family Dream Bank, 821 E Washington Ave

Ward 46 - moved from Gates of Heaven to Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave.
Ward 47 - UW Hillel, 611 Langdon
Ward 48 - UW Hillel, 611 Langdon

 

The deadline for requesting absentee ballots has passed. Also, if you mail an absentee ballot this close to the election, it will not arrive in time to be counted, so you must drop your absentee ballot at an absentee ballot drop box by 5pm on Monday or at your polling place on April 6, or vote in-person (polls are open from 7am to 8pm). More info on Voter Registration.

For Madison voters, this election will include their Common Council Alder, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction election, MMSD School Board, Dane County Executive, several judgeships, and an advisory referendum on the structure of Common Council.

East Gorham Resurfacing Project Draft Schedule

According to City Engineering, the work associated with the E. Gorham Resurfacing Project is anticipated to follow the schedule in the table below. 

The schedule could change due to weather and other factors, but I'll be sure to publish updated information if I learn of changes. The project will run from N. Baldwin to N. Butler with the majority of full lane closures taking place in the last stages - milling and paving from June 7 to June 17. Get more information at the project's website where you can also sign up for email updates.

Tenney Beach Shelter at Landmarks Commission on April 5

On Monday, the Landmarks Commission will consider approval of the demolition of the current 1970s-era Tenney Park beach shelter and its replacement, both expected after this summer's beach season. Because Tenney Park is a Local Landmark, which provides protections for historic buildings, landscaping, bridges, etc., the project requires that Landmarks approve a Certificate of Appropriateness. See "City Meetings of Interest" below for participation options and the meeting agenda.

The proposed replacement shelter will include a pump room as part of the Clean Beach system, a joint project between the City of Madison and Dane County. Several options for the shelter were discussed at an earlier Public Information Meeting - the slide presentation for that meeting, including info on the proposed beach exclosure system, can be found the Parks Division's website for the project.

April 14 TLNA Virtual Meet & Greet for Youth Arts Center

From Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association - Have you been curious about what's happening across from Lapham School? Join us for a virtual meet and greet April 14th at 6:30pm to learn more about Madison's Youth Arts Center and see a sneak peek inside the building. The Center leaders will take neighbors on a guided virtual tour of the building and answer your questions about the neighborhood's newest community space. You'll also see the designs for the exterior murals on the building along Ingersoll, creating a vibrant gateway to the neighborhood.

Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Virtual Tour

April 14, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Register here to obtain a Zoom link

 

Eviction Moratorium Extended

This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the federal eviction moratorium, which was set to expire on March 31, 2021. The moratorium will remain in effect through June 30, 2021. The latest order specifies that individuals who have already submitted a signed declaration are not required to submit a new declaration. It also modifies and clarifies language around applicability of the moratorium. The portion of the order that describes who is protected by the moratorium is attached.  

The White House coupled the announcement from CDC with a fact sheet on how the Biden-Harris Administration continues to support renters and landlords during the coronavirus pandemic. Namely, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2) provides an additional funding for jurisdictions to administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), locally known as the Dane CORE. Property owners and renters are able to apply, attached are flyers with information on how to apply and how to schedule an appointment for in person assistance. Reviewing federal requirements for each application does add additional processing time, please check your email after applying for status updates.

Renters should review the fact sheet which also announced how other agencies, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), will support the moratorium by monitoring evictions, conducting investigations, and enforcing the law. For example Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is now offering:

• Tenants can learn about their eviction and debt collection rights and how to get help with housing costs at www.consumerfinance.gov/renters
• The CFPB is taking complaints from tenants about problems with debt collectors, including attorneys seeking to evict tenants in violation of the CDC eviction moratorium. Consumers can submit a complaint at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ or by calling (855) 411-2372
• The CFPB will monitor and investigate eviction practices to ensure that companies are complying with the law. Evicting tenants in violation of the CDC, state, or local moratoria, or threatening to evict them without apprising them of their legal rights under such moratoria, may violate the law.

Proposed Changes to Zoning Code Referred to May

The proposed changes to the city's zoning code related to allowing more housing density and permitting some small to mid-scale multi-family developments "by right", was considered at the March 30 Common Council meeting. Council voted to postpone full consideration of the proposed changes until our May 18 meeting.

As detailed in previous Alder Updates, the changes would impact some residential, mixed-use, and commercial zoning districts. As a cosponsor of these changes, I am supportive, but do appreciate the input received on all sides of these complex changes and issues. For additional information on the changes, you can watch a Community Q & A Session regarding the proposed changes here.

• The proposed changes as amended by Plan Commission, staff reports, public comment received via email, and recently proposed amendment are here
• Explore the city's zoning map here, including the ability to see the parcels where the changes are proposed.

As alders and other stakeholders weigh any improvements to the changes, I'll continue to keep you posted.

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3. CITY MEETINGS OF INTEREST TO DISTRICT 2

 

Below are some pertinent agenda items from city committees that are meeting this week. If you click on meeting "Details" below, you will find participation and viewing options, and a link to the full meeting agenda. If you click on a item from within an agenda, you will see all documents that relate to that item.

 

I appreciate hearing from you on any items on which you have a particular interest or concern.

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Finance Committee: Details

4:30pm, Monday, April 5, 2021

 

ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED

 

Agenda Item 2

Approving Facade Improvement Grant to Phil Parhamovich for a project located at 1254 E. Washington Avenue. (2nd AD)

Sponsors: Patrick W. Heck

From the Resolution Text:

The scope of the exterior work will include:

E. Washington Avenue side of building:

a. Improve building façade by creating wood architectural detailing with panels and faux windows 

b. Removal of paint on brick 

Total project cost (E Washington Ave side) is estimated at $20,000.  Façade Improvement Grant not to exceed $10,000.

Baldwin Street side of building:

a. Replace two (2) doors and one (1) panel

b. Removal of paint on brick. Sealing of brick

c. Other (see Attachments for all specifications)

Total project cost (Baldwin St side) is estimated at $20,000.  Façade Improvement Grant not to exceed $10,000.

Note: This grant would partially subsidize a new front facade for the former Smart Studios building that was damaged when hit by a car in the 1990s.

 

Agenda Item 5

Amending the 2020 Capital Budget to transfer $170,000 of existing borrowing authority between major program for Wayfinding Signage and major program for the Monona Terrace/John Nolen Drive Lighting Study project, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a competitively-selected contract for Purchase of Services (Engineering) with KL Engineering to provide professional traffic engineering consultant design services for the Monona Terrace/John Nolen Drive Lighting Study project.

Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a contract to conduct a feasibility study for improved lighting under Monona Terrace on John Nolen Drive. The contract cost is not to exceed $215,500. Traffic Engineering's 2020 capital budget included $75,000 in general obligation borrowing for the Monona Terrace/John Nolen Drive lighting study.
To fund the remaining costs, the proposed resolution transfers existing authority from Traffic Engineering's Wayfinding Signage project, which received $250,000 in general obligation borrowing authority in 2016. To date, only $3,000 of this authority has been utilized. This resolution transfers $170,000 in budget authority from the Wayfinding Signage capital project to the Monona Terrace/John Nolen Drive Lighting Study project. The total budget for the Monona Terrace/John Nolan Drive Lighting Study project will be $245,000 ($75,000 of existing 2020 borrowing authority and $170,000 in borrowing authority transferred from the 2016 appropriation for signage).

 

Agenda Item 9

Amending the 2021 Capital Budget to transfer $80,000 of existing GO borrowing authority from Reconstruction Streets (Major 10226) to E Johnson (Project 10287) and McKenna Blvd Flood Mitigation Phase 2 (Project 12746) in the Engineering-Major Streets Capital Budget. (2nd AD)

Sponsors: Patrick W. Heck

Partial Fiscal Note

The proposed resolution amends the 2021 Adopted Capital Budget for Engineering-Major Streets by authorizing a net-neutral transfer of $80,000 of existing budget authority. Under the proposed resolution, $80,000 of GO borrowing authority from the Reconstruction Streets program (major 10226) will be transferred to the McKenna Blvd Flood Mitigation Phase 2 (Munis 12746) and the East Johnson St Reconstruction Phase 2 (Munis 10287) projects. Funding is available in the Reconstruction Streets major program for this transfer.

Note: Due the these two street reconstruction projects, including the 2021 E. Gorham resurfacing project, expected to cost more than originally anticipated, a budget-neutral transfer of funds is proposed.

 

Agenda Item 10

SUBSTITUTE - Approving the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of 415 N. Lake St., the State Street Campus Garage, (the "Property") and establishing a process for the review of responses to the RFP and selection of a development team for the Property.

 

Agenda Item 11

Briefing on Federal American Rescue Plan Act

Note: Presentation is here. This is a very important assessment of what funding is expected from the federal government in the Rescue Plan, current guidance on how it can be used, and where it might be applied given the City's current financial situation.

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Landmarks Commission: Details

5:00 pm, Monday, April 5, 2021

 

PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS

 

Agenda Item 2

1330 Sherman Ave - Demolition of an existing beach shelter and construction of a new beach shelter on a Designated Madison Landmark site (Tenney Park); 2nd Ald. Dist.

From Staff Report:

Staff believes the standards for granting a Certificate of Appropriateness could be met and recommends that the Landmarks Commission approve the project with the following conditions:

1. Specify the siting of the proposed new structure

2. Specify the Tarrytown Green or the Timber Bark Hardieboard smooth siding

Note: See "Other District 2 Updates" above for more details.

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Public Safety Review Committee Budget Subcommittee: Details

5:00pm, Monday, April 5, 2021

 

NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION ITEM

 

Agenda Item 1

Debrief 2020 Budget Process

a. How can we improve outreach?

b. Was the report comprehensive enough?

c. Ways to improve for next year? 

 

Agenda Item 2

Capital Budget Priorities 

 

Agenda Item 3

Review goals of subcommittee, particularly with providing input on the budget in addition to materials for the public, Common Council, and Mayor's Office.

 

Agenda Item 4

Timeline for Police Budget Subcommittee moving forward.

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Transportation Policy and Planning Board: Details

5:00pm, Monday, April 5, 2021

 

Agenda Item 3

Interim Vision Zero High Injury Network and UW High Injury Network Proposal

 

Agenda Item 4

Bus Rapid Transit - Federal Transit Administration Shared Development Opportunity

 

Agenda Item 5

Bus Rapid Transit - West Terminal, East Terminal

 

Agenda Item 6

Review Toole's Downtown Bike Parking Report Status

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City-County Homeless Issues Committee: Details

5:30pm, Monday, April 5, 2021

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Agenda Item 2

Updates from the Homeless Services Consortium (HSC) Shelter Provider's Committee

---Presenters: Preston Patterson and Joel Girard 

 

Agenda Item 3

Updates from the HSC Committee to End Youth Homelessness
---Presenters: Gloria Reyes and Allie Grant

 

Agenda Item 4

Updates from the HSC Doubled Up Workgroup

---Presenter: Jani Koester

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 5

Discussion and possible recommendations regarding the updates from the HSC Shelter Provider's Committee

 

Agenda Item 6

Discussion and possible recommendation regarding the updates from the HSC Committee to End Youth Homelessness

 

Agenda Item 7

Discussion and possible recommendation regarding the updates from the HSC Doubled Up Workgroup

 

STAFF REPORT

 

Agenda Item 9

COVID-19 response updates

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Tuesday, April 6 - No Meetings due to General Election
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Board of Health for Madison and Dane County: Details

5:00pm, Wednesday, April 7, 2021

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Agenda Item 3

Response Update for April 7, 2021

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Board of Health Resolutions

 

Agenda Item 4

Authorization to Accept Funds from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to Support the Implementation of Breastfeeding Buddy and Facebook Program Pilots as part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

 

REPORTS TO COMMITTEE

 

Chair - Jerry Halverson

Director - Janel Heinrich

 

Agenda Item 5

Violence Prevention Unit Update April 7, 2021

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Community Development Authority: Details

4:30pm, Thursday, April 8, 2021

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 3

CDA Resolution #4435 - Extending the suspension of late lease payment fees for residential tenants through the end of the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) eviction moratorium.

From the Resolution text:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the CDA Board of Commissioners authorizes the extended suspension of late lease payment fees for residential housing tenants effective November 25, 2020 through the end of the CDC mandated eviction moratorium.

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Board of Canvassers for the City of Madison and for the Madison Metropolitan School District: Details

4:00pm, Friday, April 9, 2021

 

Agenda Item 1

Tally results of any provisional ballots for which voters provided missing information by 4 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2021

 

Agenda Item 2

Review Inspectors' Statement documentation from each polling location

 

Agenda Item 3

Review documentation for rejected absentees, and count any absentees that were erroneously rejected 

 

Agenda Item 4

Certify the results of the April 6, 2021, aldermanic contests

 

Agenda Item 5

Certify the results of the April 6, 2021, municipal judge contest

 

Agenda Item 6

Certify the results of the April 6, 2021, City of Madison referenda questions

 

Agenda Item 7

Certify the results of the April 6, 2021, Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education contests

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