Updates & Week of Feb. 13 Meetings of Interest for District 2

District 2 Updates and Meetings of Interest

 

City meetings continue to be mostly virtual with details listed in City Meetings of Interest below. Common Council meetings are hybrid so the public can attend in person or via Zoom.

 

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

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There are three sections to this week's update:

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

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1. DISTRICT 2 UPDATES

 

 

• Campus Area Neighborhood Association is hosting a District 2 Alder Candidate Debate Forum on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Details:

Zoom and at Hillel's auditorium (611 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53703) 

Join CANA to learn what District 2 Alder candidates Colin Barushok, Juliana Bennett, and Evan McSorley care about and envision for the future of Downtown Madison!

 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88358065025? pwd=czMzQUZzTkhDMHRkOXBKVGs5K2hCdz09 

Meeting ID: 883 5806 5025 

Passcode: 557337

(A recording will be available after the event!)

 

• Mayor and Alders Introduce Legislation to Encourage Affordable Housing Development Downtown

• Celebrate Black History Month at Madison Public Library: February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements by African Americans and a time to honor the central role of black Americans throughout history and in the present day. For a full list of events, displays and activities, visit the Madison Public Library's Black History Month page.

• Voices of Color: A virtual presentation hosted by Melvin Hinton and sponsored by the Madison Senior Center. On Feb. 16 at 10am, we welcome Dr. Linda Vakunta, Deputy Mayor.

• ePantry: Food Pantry: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 - 8:00am to 4:30pm. The Madison Senior Center is now a pick-up location for orders placed through the River Food Pantry ePantry. 

• City Launches Bilingual Community Connector Program for Increased Language Access and Equity

• HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education Class (2-Part Class) (February 15 and 22): 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.

• Madison Fire Celebrates Four Sprinkler Saves During Month of January

• Concerned about crime? Watch Madison Police Chief deliver the State of Public Safety Address on Friday - recording available.

• Interested in a career in law enforcement? Come to our recruitment fair! - Feb. 16

• From Public Health: What It's Like To Be On WIC, and How To Support Families Who Need It

• From the Mayor:

  • Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Remarks at President Biden's Feb 8th Visit to Madison

  • Celebrate Black History in February and Every Month

 

• News and Events From Madison Parks: Skate Cinema is ON! New Location

• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Urges Working Families to Claim Their Earned Income Tax Credit

• The 2023 Neighborhood Grant Program is Open! The guidelines and application are now on the City's webpage! See the News Story for more info. Applications are due Feb. 20 by 4:30 p.m.

• Report a Problem! Please use this service to report non-emergency issues only. In an emergency, please call 911.

• A reminder to those of you that are looking for assistance with graffiti removal, the City of Madison has a Graffiti Removal Program that helps residents and businesses remove vandalism as quickly as possible. A property owner may contract with the City for removal of graffiti on his/her property. The cost to the owner of the property will be a $100 flat fee per removal and the City will cover the rest of the contract's costs.

 

Information About Tuesday, Feb. 21, Spring Primary Election

• 2023 Spring Primary Election - Several offices on the ballot this spring require a primary election on Feb. 21. District 2 has three candidates running for Alder, so there will be a Feb. 21 primary for that election, as well as citywide in the Mayoral and State Supreme Court elections. The City Assessor's Office website allows you to find out which Aldermanic district you live in. Search by your address on the Property Look-up page. If you live in Aldermanic districts 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, or 20, you will see the primary races for your district on your ballot. Candidates' answers to the League of Women Voters questionnaire are available at their website. The Spring General Election will be held Tuesday, April 4.

• In-Person Absentee Voting in Madison: In-person absentee voting for the Spring Primary Election in ongoing at several locations throughout the City of Madison. What will you need to bring with you if you're voting absentee in person?

• Mail It Back Monday: Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 - 8:00am to 5:00pm. Voters who have yet to return their absentee ballot are encouraged to put the ballot in the mail no later than today.

• Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot by Mail: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, 5:00pm. For most voters, today is the deadline for the Clerk's Office to receive your request that an absentee ballot be sent to you.  The Clerk's Office must receive your absentee ballot by Election Day in order for your ballot to be counted.

• Deadline to Register in Municipal Clerk's Office - Voters may register in-person in their municipal clerk's office during the clerk's business hours until 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2023.  Find your Municipal Clerk's Contact Information here. Mail-in and online voter registration deadline for the Feb. 21 Spring Primary Election has passed.

 

Plan Commission to Consider "Family Definition" on Monday

On Plan Commission agenda for our meeting on Monday, Feb. 13, is what is being referred to as a revision of the "Family Definition" in our zoning code. This is somewhat of a misnomer since the proposed changes are addressing unequal treatment of renters and home owners, but the proposed changes do indeed involve sections of our ordinances related to families. Here is the analysis of the proposed changes by city staff:

DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS:    This proposed ordinance amends several sections of MGO Chapter 28 in order to change the current definition of "family" in the zoning code. The family definition restricts the number of people who can live in an apartment or house together based on the zoning district, their ownership status or their relational status. The original intent of the family definition was to protect single family neighborhoods from college student renter households and was added to Madison's zoning code in 1966. Today, the restrictive family definition negatively impacts Madison's goals of increasing housing supply and equity. This proposed ordinance change expands the definition of family in order to expand housing options and equity.

Currently, over one third of land area in Madison is zoned to prohibit more than two unrelated renters from living together. In these same areas, owner-occupied housing units can house up to five unrelated individuals. These zoning districts are primarily lower density districts with single family houses. Other zoning districts allow a maximum of five unrelated individuals. A family could also be related individuals with up to four unrelated roommates. People of color and lower income residents are disproportionately affected by the current zoning definition of "family" because they are more likely to be renters and more likely to need to share a housing unit to afford rent.

This proposed ordinance change removes the distinction between owner-occupied households and renter-occupied households; allows two related families with children/dependents to live together as one household; removes the distinction between some zoning districts and others by creating the same occupancy standard for all zoning districts which allow housing; and updates the family language discussing people with disabilities. Finally, references to "Dependency Living Arrangement" are removed throughout Chapter 28 since they are no longer needed with the change to the family definition. Dependency Living Arrangement allowed for two kitchens in a dwelling unit if not owner-occupied, but that carve-out is no longer needed as it will now be allowed.

You can read an even more detailed analysis of the proposed changes by Building Inspection and Zoning staff here and find additional materials and public comment here. Building Inspection has also created a webpage with information on the proposal, including recordings of two community informational meetings that were held earlier this month.

As a co-sponsor of these proposed changes, I agree with the analysis provided by Building Inspection and Zoning Staff in their memo. Last year, Plan Commission discussed these changes at one of our special meetings and commissioners were supportive of moving forward with addressing the inequities that are apparent in our existing ordinance. When Plan Commission considers the proposed changes, I can imagine that there will be much public comment, questions from commissioners, and discussion.

Some are calling for additional studies of the potential impacts of the changes, while others oppose them altogether. I am skeptical that the lack of useful and available data, as well as the many variables that impact any predictions of future housing markets, will shed additional light on potential negative impacts of the proposed changes, but it is important to discuss those matters as best we can.

If these proposed changes are recommended by Plan Commission to Common Council, either in their current form or amended, they are likely to considered by Common Council at our subsequent meeting.

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2. COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION

From Public Health Madison & Dane County:

• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is offering two FREE COVID test kits per month. That's a total of ten tests, sent to your doorstep, each month. Order yours today.
• COVID-19 vaccine webpage
• Learn about the many testing sites in Dane County (in Spanish)
• COVID-19 Data Dashboard
• The latest Data Notes

Dane CORE - for rental and utility assistance.

Visit the City's Coronavirus Website for Madison's COVID updates, responses and resources.

Dane County Food Pantry Network from Community Action Coalition.

State of Wisconsin COVID-19 resources and information from state agencies, including the State Dept. Public Health

Info on UW-Madison's response to the pandemic.

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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 an item from within an agenda, you will see all documents that relate to that item.
 
I appreciate hearing from you on any agenda items on which you have a particular interest or concern.

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Finance Committee: Details

4:30pm, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Agenda Item 2

Submitting the appointment of Charles J. Romines for confirmation of a five-year term as both Streets Superintendent and Public Works Team Leader.

 

Agenda Item 4

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a service contract with RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. to administer the three annual MadiSUN solar programs for residential, business, nonprofit, and affordable housing solar installations, through 2025.

 

Agenda Item 18

Amending the 2023 Adopted Operating Budget to allocate an additional $82,000 to the Fire Department for the purpose of expanding funding for the CARES program, funded through a corresponding reduction in the Common Council budget.

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Plan Commission: Details

5:30pm, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

Tax Incremental Finance Districts

 

Agenda Item 3

Approving the Amendment to the Project Plan for Tax Incremental District (TID) #36 (Capitol Gateway), City of Madison.

Note: This resolution includes the following clause - 
9. TID 36 (Capitol Gateway) has sufficient surplus tax increments to donate $2,800,000 to TID 42 (Wingra) and $47,200,000 to TID 51 (South Madison), the Recipient TIDs.

 

Zoning Text Amendment

 

Agenda Item 10

Amending Supplemental Regulations within Section 28.151 MGO and Definitions within Section 28.211 of the Madison General Ordinances to Update Definitions of "Family".

Note: See more on this item above in "District 2 Updates".

 

SECRETARY'S REPORT

 

- Upcoming Matters – February 27, 2023

Other Items:

- Zoning Text Amendment - Amending Sections 28.078 and 28.079 to eliminate the Residential Point System for Downtown Residential 1 (DR1) and Downtown Residential 2 (DR2) districts.

- Zoning Text Amendment - Amending Sections 28.071 and 28.134 to clarify the maximum stories and feet in the Downtown Height Map.

 

- Upcoming Matters – March 13, 2023

- Zoning Text Amendment - Amending Subsections (a) and (b) of Supplemental Regulations related to Keeping of Chickens within MGO Section 28.151 to increase the number of chickens allowed as an accessory use

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Police and Fire Commission: Details

5:30pm, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 3

Status update on 2023 Firefighter Recruitment/Hiring Process

 

Agenda Item 4

Status update on 2023 Fire Lieutenants Promotional Process

 

Agenda Item 5

Status update on Fire Department retirements and resignations

 

Agenda Item 6

General status report on Fire Department disciplinary matters

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 9

General status update regarding probationary extension

 

Agenda Item 11

Status update regarding 2022-23 Police Department Hiring Process

 

Agenda Item 12

Status update regarding 2023-24 Pre-Service Academy Hiring Process Timeline

 

Agenda Item 13

General status report on Police Department disciplinary matters

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Madison Arts Commission: Details

5:30pm, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023

 

Agenda Item 2

BLINK Proposal Review

-Cheryl DeWelt

Note: This proposal is for an art installation at N. Hamilton and E. Dayton Streets. The application can be found here.

 

Agenda Item 6

MAC Administrative Reports

-Annual Grants Review reminder/ save dates (Wednesday, March 29, 2023; Thursday, March 30, 2023; and Monday, April 3, 2023)

-Downtown music performance flyer

-Dick Wagner Portrait unveiling Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 6:30– 7 pm outside the County Board Council Chambers on the 2nd floor City County Building

-Tom Jones Mural update on potential location

-Black Women Artist Speak update

-Artist in Resident at Thurber Park update

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Economic Development Committee: Details

5:00pm, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item 2

Creating Section 29.40 and amending Section 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to establish a building energy savings code, and to update the bond schedule accordingly.

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Alcohol License Review Committee: Details

5:30pm, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

 

Recessed Public Hearing

 

Agenda Item 28

Public Hearing - New License

Ian's Pizza Frances, LLC • dba Ian's Pizza

Frances 319 N Frances St • Agent: Rose Mohan • Estimated Capacity (in/out): 49/0

Class B Beer, Class C Wine • 5% alcohol, 95% food

Alder District 2 (Alder Heck) • Police Sector 400

Note: This license was approved by the ALRC at their previous meeting, but the applicant has asked for the license to be reconsidered because they neglected to include their request to serve wine along with beer that was approved earlier.

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Early Childhood Care and Education Committee: Details

2:30pm, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item 3

Child Care Unit Hiring Update

 

Agenda Item 4

Tuition Assistance Program Update

 

Agenda Item 5

Early Care and Youth Programming RFP

 

Agenda Item 7

CSC Report - Rebecca Murray

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Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee: Details

5:00pm, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023

 

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 5

BY TITLE ONLY: Repealing Sections 32.03 and 33.34 and amending Section 33.09(3) of the Madison General Ordinances to combine the City-County Homeless Issues Committee, Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee, and Housing Strategy Committee.

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Downtown Coordinating Committee: Details

5:30pm, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023

 

REPORTS

 

Agenda Item 2

Report of Mall Concourse Maintenance and Special Events 2023

 

Agenda Item 3

Future of State Street Discussion

-Greater State Street Business Association -Amy Moore, Vice President and owner of Little Luxuries

-Madison's Central Business Improvement District -Vic Villacrez, Chair

-TID 50

-Summary discussion

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