Updates & Week of April 17 Meetings of Interest for District 2

This is my last Alder Update because I chose not to run on April 4.

Newly elected District 2 Alder Juliana Bennett will be seated on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 18. Alder Bennett will then take over the district2@cityofmadison email address, as well as this blog space. Also on April 18, Alder Bennett will no longer be available via her District 8 email address.

Four years of writing these weekly updates has been one of many aspects of being an alder that I have enjoyed. Not only was I able to keep folks aware of city happenings via these updates, but they also forced me to make sure I was aware of goings on in District 2, citywide, and on the agendas of our boards, committees, and commissions.

I have enjoyed getting to know so many residents, businesses owners, and other stakeholders. While after redistricting I did miss representing my neighbors in Tenney-Lapham, I also enjoyed the challenges in the new parts of District 2. Learning about the State Street area and the concerns of students, businesses, and commercial landlords, as well as downtown-focused public safety issues, turned out to be educational and even fun.

I can't sufficiently thank city staff across all agencies for their support and hard work during my two alder terms; they make the job of being an alder doable. City staff are some of the most dedicated and intelligent people I've known and without exception they genuinely strive to make Madison a great place to live and work for all. We owe them our gratitude.

While I won't be an alder after Tuesday, I do plan to stay involved. I also will continue being a resource for any alders who need advice in the areas of city government that I've become versed in. I'd also be happy to continue helping neighbors understand city processes and learn how they can help us continue to move forward.

I hope to see all of you around District 2 and District 6, hopefully on foot, on the bus, or on a bike so we can chat.

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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

 

 

• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Central/Downtown Construction Meeting - A Public Information Meeting for downtown-area BRT construction is scheduled for Thursday, April 20 from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm. Impacts and construction schedules for the area between University Bay Drove and Blair Street will be discussed. The registration link for this virtual meeting and more information is available here.

• From MPD: NOTICE - Public Meeting Regarding Mifflin Street Block Party. On Thursday, April 20 at 7:00pm, there will be a community meeting at the Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., regarding the upcoming Mifflin Street Block Party. MPD representatives will be present to address any questions or concerns you may have. All are welcome to attend.

• White House Boosts John Nolen Drive Bridge Reconstruction with $15M Funding

• Spring Yard Waste Set-Out Dates Now Available; Collection Begins Week of April 16, 2023 

• Madison Parks Earth Day Challenge, Saturday, April 22, 2023: Join Madison Parks for this year's Earth Day Challenge and volunteer to help clean up your neighborhood park on Saturday, April 22!

• From the Mayor:

  • Library Writing Contest Lifts Up Youth Voices

  • Celebrating National Community Development Week

 

• Mayor Visits City-Supported Child Care Center to Celebrate National Community Development Week

• From Public Health: Maternal Deaths Increased in 2021. Here's What You Should Know

• From Public Health: Any Dog Can Bite. Will Yours?

• From MFD: New Classes Added: Free Community CPR

• From Parks: News and Events - Earth Day Challenge on Saturday, April 22; Bird & Nature Festival 2023 at Warner Park on Sunday, April 23; Park Projects, and more.

• Voices of Color with Host Melvin Hinton, Thursday, April 20, 2023: In April, we welcome Lourdes Shanjani, to Voices of Color. Lourdes is a bicultural public health professional driven by a passion for centering Health Equity and advancing Social Justice. She has been with Public Health Madison & Dane County for almost 3 years, and she has over 15 years of extensive experience working with diverse populations in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Both her professional and personal journey as an immigrant Afro Latina help her to keep a health and racial equity focus. Our community is a rich mix of many different cultures. Being an inclusive community means learning about and appreciating our differences.

• Library Takeover Event Gives Parents the Opportunity to Network, Share and Connect

• City of Madison Announces 2023-24 Youth Poet Laureate Opportunity - Applications close April 30, 2023

• Metro Updating All Routes! - Starting June 11!

• Madison Metro Recruiting: Madison Metro is recruiting for Metro Transit Ride Guides to be stationed at busy bus stop areas, employment centers, and various community centers to point people in the direction of the most appropriate stop, hand out schedule materials, and teach people how to ride the bus. On-the-job training will be provided during first week of employment.

• Dane CORE 2.0 Rental Assistance Program Applications to Close May 31 - services to renters and landlords that provide legal representation and mediation through the Eviction Diversion and Defense Partnership (EDDP) will continue.

• The City of Madison, in partnership with the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, will host their next HUD Approved Homebuyer Education class of 2023 for the month of April! 2023 class schedule is up and you can find it here.

• Save the Date: Thursday, May 11, First Downtown Madison Night Market of 2023

 

Annual Crazy Legs Classic to Impact District 2 on April 29

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, the annual Crazy Legs Traffic will disrupt car and bike traffic in District 2 and in surrounding areas. Streets will be closed along the route. The race starts on UW's Library Mall with as many as 10,000 runners and walkers heading down State Street beginning at 9:50am.

The route will turn left onto West Gilman Street with runners then turning left on N. Carroll Street. They will be on N. Carroll St. for one block, turn left onto Langdon Street and then head down Langdon past the Memorial Union. As usual the running and walking routes end at Camp Randall Stadium, but the only portion of the routes impacting District are at the beginning. Organizers expect all streets to be open by noon, but those along the beginning of the route will likely open sooner.

 

From Madison Police Department

During the month of April, the Madison Police Department, in partnership with the Dane County Sheriff's Office, will be conducting extra patrols that will focus on enforcing Wisconsin's alcohol and seatbelt laws.  These additional enforcement efforts are made possible through traffic overtime grants provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. 

The goal of these extra patrols is not only to enhance public safety, but to prevent needless tragedies.  Someone is injured or killed in an impaired driving crash every two hours in Wisconsin and thousands of unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants are killed every year in crashes throughout the United States.

The Madison Police Department needs your help to make our roads safer in 2023.  Please put your cell phone down, buckle up, slow down and drive sober.  If you have been drinking, please call a sober friend, a cab or a ride-share service to get you home safely.

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2. COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION

From Public Health Madison & Dane County:

• Our COVID testing site is closing, but you still have lots of options
• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is offering two FREE COVID test kits per month. Order yours today.
• COVID-19 vaccine webpage
• 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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Common Council: Details

12:00pm, Tuesday, April 18, 2023

 

Noon and 6:30 pm meeting

 

HONORING RESOLUTIONS

 

Agenda Item 1

Commending and thanking Alder Patrick Heck for his dedicated service to the constituents in District 2 and to the City of Madison.

Agenda Item 2

Commending and thanking Alder Erik Paulson for his dedicated service to the constituents in District 3 and to the City of Madison.

 

Agenda Item 3

Commending and thanking Alder Barbara Vedder for her dedicated service to the constituents in District 12 and to the City of Madison.

 

Agenda Item 4

Commending and thanking Alder Sheri Carter for her dedicated service to the constituents in District 14 and to the City of Madison.

 

Agenda Item 5

Commending and thanking Alder Grant Foster for his dedicated service to the constituents in District 15 and to the City of Madison.

 

Agenda Item 6

Commending and thanking Alder Keith Furman for his dedicated service to the constituents in District 19 and to the City of Madison.

 

Agenda Item 7

Commending and thanking Alder Matt Phair for his dedicated service to the constituents in District 20 and to the City of Madison.

 

REFER ALL UNFINISHED BUSINESS TO THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

 

ADJOURN SINE DIE

 

SWEARING IN OF RE-ELECTED MAYOR

 

SWEARING IN OF NEWLY-ELECTED AND RE-ELECTED ALDERPERSONS

 

CONVENE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING - APRIL 18, 2023

 

ROLL CALL

 

Agenda Item 8

Election of Common Council President

 

Agenda Item 9

Election of Common Council Vice President

 

RECESS MEETING TO 6:30 PM, APRIL 18, 2023

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Common Council: Details

6:30pm, Tuesday, April 18, 2023

 

Noon and 6:30 pm meeting

 

APRIL 18, 2023, 6:30 PM RECESSED COMMON COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

 

Agenda Item 10

Proclaiming April 24, 2023 through April 28, 2023 as Arbor Week

 

PRESENTATION OF CONSENT AGENDA

 

Agenda Item 11

Consent Agenda document (4/18/23)

Legislative History

4/12/23 Council Office    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ACCEPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

At this time, a consent agenda will be moved with the recommended action listed for each item EXCEPT:

1) items which have registrants wishing to speak. 2) items which alderperson(s) have separated out for discussion/debate purposes.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Public comments will not be taken on items which are listed on the consent agenda for referral and the Council adopts the referral as part of the consent agenda OR when the Council has heard public comments on an item at a previous meeting and the item is on this agenda for discussion and action only. The Council may allow public comments in either instance by a majority vote.

 

BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR

 

Agenda Item 23

Report of the Mayor submitting alder committee appointments.

Legislative History

4/10/23 Mayor's Office    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO CONFIRM

Confirm 4/18/23; 2/3 vote required for Plan Commission

NOTE: Appointments will be made available no later than Tuesday (4/18/2023).

 

BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL

 

Agenda Item 24

Confirming the Madison Common Council meeting formats through June 20, 2023:

4/25/23 - Hybrid (Virtual & CCB 201)

5/2/23 - Hybrid (Virtual & CCB 201)

5/16/23 - Hybrid (Virtual & CCB 201)

6/6/23 - Hybrid (Virtual & CCB 201)

6/20/23 - Hybrid (Virtual & CCB 201)

Legislative History

4/12/23 Council Office    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ACCEPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS

 

REPORT OF ALCOHOL LICENSE REVIEW COMMITTEE

 

Agenda Item 28

Business Name Change

Delicacies of Asia LLC • Current dba: Delicacies of Asia

506 State St Class B Beer, Class C Wine

Alder District 2 (Alder Bennett)

New dba: Hot Pot 608 All You Can Eat

3/15/23 ALCOHOL LICENSE REVIEW COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO GRANT - REPORT OF OFFICER

 

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

Agenda Item 56

Accepting additional Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the U.S. Treasury Department, to be awarded to the City of Madison under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319), to help prevent evictions and promote housing stability for eligible households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, amending the Community Development Division's 2023 Operating Budget to reflect the receipt and proposed uses of those funds, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to amend agreements with the Community Action Coalition for South-Central Wisconsin and Benevate, Inc. (a/k/a Neighborly Software) to implement Dane CORE 2.0 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and, additionally, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the City's agreement with the Institute for Community Alliances for administering the Dane CoC Coordinated Entry system to expand housing services for households identified on the Coordinated Entry list. 

Recent Legislative History

3/27/23 FINANCE COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT    (15 VOTES REQUIRED) - REPORT OF OFFICER

Fiscal Note

The proposed Resolution amends the 2023 Adopted Operating Budget for the Community Development Division (CDD) - Affordable Housing and authorizes the City to accept up to $4.1 million from the U.S. Treasury and increase corresponding expenses for services that prevent evictions, promote housing stability among eligible households through direct rental assistance, and provide eligible housing stability services. CDD's 2023 adopted operating budget includes $30.9 million in funding from the U.S. Treasury for the Emergency Rental Assistance 2 program, which was added via Common Council Operating Budget Amendment #4. The City has received notice that the actual grant award is higher than the amount authorized in the budget, and a budget amendment is needed to accept the remaining funds.

 

Agenda Item 57

A Resolution authorizing the Finance Director or their Designee to execute an amendment to the non-competitive purchase of services contract with Sustain Dane to provide additional weeks of staffing for the food scraps recycling drop-off sites at two neighborhood farmer's markets in 2023.

Recent Legislative History

3/27/23 FINANCE COMMITTEE    RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER

Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes an amendment to an existing non-competitive purchase of services contract with Sustain Dane. The current contract provides for Sustain Dane to administer a program to collect food scraps for recycling at two farmers' markets during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and is funded by a US Department of Agriculture grant to the city. The remaining grant funds will cover eight weeks of staffing at the two markets in 2023. The proposed contract amendment will extend the program for the full 2023 farmers' market season at a cost of $20,000. The extension will be funded by the existing Sustainability Improvements capital budget. No appropriation is required.

 

ITEMS REFERRED TO THIS MEETING

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

Agenda Item 77

Authorizing a contract with LanguageLine Solutions for the provision of interpretation and translation services for the City of Madison, WI.

Recent Legislative History

3/21/23 COMMON COUNCIL   Refer to a future Meeting to Adopt to the COMMON COUNCIL

Adopt 4/18/23

Agenda Note: Recommended action is re-refer to Finance Committee (4/24/23), Common Council (4/25/23).

 

INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

Agenda Item 85

Providing the Latino Chamber of Commerce (LCC) of Dane County a $35,745 grant for their business development initiatives using Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SBER) funds and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement with the Latino Chamber of Commerce (LCC) of Dane County or their fiscal sponsor for that purpose.

Legislative History

3/27/23 Economic Development Division    Referred for Introduction

Finance Committee (4/24/23), Common Council (4/25/23)

 

Agenda Item 89

Providing Urban Community Arts Network, Ltd. (UCAN) a $30,000 grant for a "MadLit" program on the 100 Block of State Street using Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SBER) funds and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement with UCAN for that purpose. (4th AD)

Legislative History

4/6/23 Economic Development Division    Referred for Introduction

Finance Committee (4/24/23), Economic Development Committee (4/19/23), Common Council (4/25/23)

 

Agenda Item 92

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute a non-competitive on-call service contract with EOTO, LLC for Community Outreach Services.

Legislative History

4/10/23 Metro Transit   Referred for Introduction

Finance Committee (4/24/23), Common Council (4/25/23)

 

Agenda Item 103

Related to the approval of Madtown GEM's application for a Low-speed vehicle service license and two Low-speed vehicle permits.

Legislative History

4/12/23 Traffic Engineering Division    Referred for Introduction

Transportation Commission (4/26/23), Common Council (5/2/23)

Note: This application relates to a low-speed vehicle service in the downtown area.

 

Agenda Item 104

Amending the 2023 Operating Budget and Setting the 2023 Rates for the Sewer Utility, Stormwater Utility and Landfill Remediation (citywide)

Legislative History

4/12/23 Engineering Division    Referred for Introduction

Finance Committee (4/24/23), Board of Public Works (4/19/23) and Common Council (4/25/23) 

 

Agenda Item 106

Authorizing the City of Madison Fire Department to accept up to $12,000 in donations for a 50th anniversary recognition event for paramedic service in the City of Madison and amending the Madison Fire Department's 2023 adopted operating budget to include the $12,000 as agency revenue and increasing supplies expense authority by the same amount.

Legislative History

4/12/23 Fire Department    Referred for Introduction

Finance Committee (4/24/23), Common Council (4/25/23)

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & INTRODUCTION OF ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR

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Board of Public Works: Details

4:30pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

 

ITEMS REFERRED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL

 

Agenda Item 7

Amending the 2023 Operating Budget and Setting the 2023 Rates for the Sewer Utility, Stormwater Utility and Landfill Remediation (citywide) 

Lead agency is Finance Committee (4/24/23) with additional referral of the Board of Public Works (4/19/23)

REPORT BY CITY ENGINEERING

RECOMMEND TO ADOPT

 

RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS

 

Agenda Item 24

Approving plans and specifications and authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for 2023 Parking Garage Maintenance. ( 2nd, 4th and 6th ADs)

On going maintenance of Capitol Square North, State Street Capitol, Overture Center, Wilson Street, South Livingston Street, State Street Campus (Lake), and State Street Campus (Frances) parking garages. Work includes concrete repair of slabs, columns and beams, joint repairs, pour strip replacement, CMU crack repair, brick masonry repair and sealing, silane sealer, sealant replacement at slab cracks and joints, full-system membrane repair installation or replacement, epoxy injection crack repair, expansion joint replacement, powerwash, prime, grit-blast and paint steel and concrete, repair cracked stair treads, and new floor drain installation. The estimated project cost is $439,671.00

REPORT BY PARKING UTILITY

RECOMMEND TO ADOPT

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Economic Development Committee: Details

5:00pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

 

NEW BUSINESS / DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 2

Providing Urban Community Arts Network, Ltd. (UCAN) a $30,000 grant for a "MadLit" program on the 100 Block of State Street using Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SBER) funds and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement with UCAN for that purpose. (4th AD)

Agenda Item 3

Cooperative Enterprise Development Program 

 

Agenda Item 4

Office of Business Resources Financial Assistance Programs

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Alcohol License Review Committee: Details

5:30pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

 

21+ Entertainment License

 

Agenda Item 14

21+ Entertainment License

Serrato Entertainment Inc • dba The Capital • Capacity: 250

430 W Gilman St • Agent: Luis Serrato

Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 70% alcohol, 30% food

Aldermanic District 2 (Alder Heck) • Police Sector 403

Recent Legislative History

3/15/23 ALCOHOL LICENSE REVIEW COMMITTEE   Table

Note: This item was on the ALRC agenda for their March meeting, but the applicant did not appear so the item was tabled. See Agenda Item 20 below for more information.

 

Recessed Public Hearing

 

Agenda Item 20

21+ Entertainment License

Serrato Entertainment Inc • dba The Capital • Capacity: 250

430 W Gilman St • Agent: Luis Serrato

Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 70% alcohol, 30% food

Aldermanic District 2 (Alder Heck) • Police Sector 403

Recent Legislative History

3/15/23 ALCOHOL LICENSE REVIEW COMMITTEE   RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO RE-REFER - PUBLIC HEARING to the ALCOHOL LICENSE REVIEW COMMITTEE

Note: This item was on the ALRC agenda for their March meeting, but the applicant did not appear so as is typical practice, the item was referred to the April 19 meeting to give the applicant a second opportunity to appear. The applicant proposes to open a nightclub with DJs at the former location of Blue Velvet Lounge with a proposed capacity of 250. They estimate that 30% of revenue will come from food and 70% from alcohol sales. In March, the applicant presumably held an information meeting as required, but I do not believe that the Campus Area Neighborhood Association or MPD was able to attend given the short notice, nor was I. I have not heard from the applicant since then so remain skeptical that their business and security plans are adequate. Their application can be found here. See Agenda Item 14 above for more information.

 

Public Hearing

 

New License - Public Hearing

 

Agenda Item 23

Public Hearing - New License

Classy Glass Inc • dba Frances Street Market

438 N Frances St • Agent: Adrian Holtzman • Estimated Capacity (in/out): 7/20

Class B Beer, Class C Wine • 30% alcohol, 70% food

Alder District 2 (Alder Bennett) • Police Sector 403

Legislative History

4/10/23 Clerk's Office    Referred for Introduction

Note: As mentioned in earlier Alder Updates, the applicant held an informational meeting on April 9. The Campus Area Neighborhood Association attended, as did I. Several aspects of the business and security plan assured us that the business' objective was not to become an alcohol-focused business so both CANA and I are generally supportive of the application. The application can be found here.

 

Disciplinary Matter

 

Agenda Item 29

Disciplinary Matter - Demerit Point Assessment

ZAPL, LLC • dba City Bar

636 State St. • Agent: Adam Greenberg • Capacity (in/out): 160/40

Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 90% alcohol, 10% food

Aldermanic District 2 (Alder Bennett) • Police Sector 403

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Board of Park Commissioners: Details

6:30pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

 

Agenda Item 6 Superintendent of Parks

 

Agenda Item 7

April 2023 Superintendent's Report

RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE OF THE REPORT

 

Agenda Item 9 NEW BUSINESS

 

At this time, a consent agenda will be moved with the recommended action listed for each item EXCEPT:

1) items which have registrants wishing to speak.

2) items which require an extraordinary (roll call) vote and are not included on the consent agenda by unanimous consent.

3) items which Board Members have separated out for discussion/debate purposes.

Those numbers with an asterisk are consent agenda items.

 

Agenda Item 11*

Board of Park Commissioners Proclaiming Commitment to Supporting Pollinator Health

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

Agenda Item 14*

Request from staff to approve 2023 Qualifying Discounts Program pilot

RECOMMEND APPROVAL FROM THE FACILITIES, PROGRAMS AND FEES MARCH 20, 2023 MEETING

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Downtown Coordinating Committee: Details

5:30pm, Thursday, April 20, 2023

 

Note: The Agenda for this meeting was not available as of publication, but should later be available at "Details" above.

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Community Development Block Grant Committee: Details

5:30pm, Thursday, April 20, 2023

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Agenda Item 5

2022 Housing Resources and Homeless Services Overview

 

REPORTS

 

Agenda Item 6

Staff Report

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