Alder Patrick W. Heck
Contact Information
Home Address:
123 N. Blount St. #303Madison , WI 53703
- Phone: 608-286-2260
- district2@cityofmadison.com
- Contact Alder Patrick W. Heck
- Contact Council
Council Office
210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Room 417
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-4071
Fax: (608) 267-8669
WI Relay Service
Alder Heck’s Updates
Updates & Week of March 30 Meetings of Interest for District 2
District 2 Updates and Meetings of Interest
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause many canceled or postponed events and meetings. In the coming week a few city entities will be holding virtual meetings while others are on hiatus until the city's virtual meeting capabilities expand. During virtual meetings there are likely be some technology hiccups for alders, committee members, and members of the public who wish to participate, but city staff has been hard at work to enable public participation. Your patience will be appreciated. Meeting participation details are listed on agendas (see below).
In the near future, I plan to work together with area neighborhood associations, development steering committees, and other groups to assist them in obtaining videoconferencing and teleconferencing capabilities. Not all city functions and processes have ground to a halt, so the voices of residents need to be heard in regard to both COVID-19 and ongoing city matters. I'll be sure to post updates when pertinent virtual meetings, neighborhood or otherwise, are scheduled.
A note of thanks to the many District 2 residents who have reached out with ideas and concerns related to COVID-19. While city services are mostly continuing (thanks to the dedication of our city employees), reactions to input and concerns will sometimes be slow. Some city departments are understaffed due to safety and health concerns and because some staff have been temporarily reassigned to other departments that are particularly busy with COVID-19 workloads and responses.
Stay healthy, stay home, and stay in touch.
There are three sections to this week's update
- COVID-19 Updates
- Other District 2 Updates
- City Meetings of Interest to District 2
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1. COVID-19 UPDATES
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Where to Get COVID-19 Information
An update from Madison Parks, Trails are Open: COVID-19 Update for Madison Parks.
My earlier update: How To Register and Vote Absentee & Poll Workers Needed.
Water Main Flushing Begins Monday, March 30th
The Madison Water Utility will be doing water main flushing in parts of District 2 beginning on March 30. Flushing should take place during daytime hours between E. Washington Avenue to Lake Mendota between Blair Street and the Yahara River. More information can be found at this page.
Final Construction To Resume Along East Johnson the Week of March 30
Final construction will resume along East Johnson and North First Streets the week of March 30. The contractor has warranty work (curb and sidewalk repairs) to complete, Yahara River bridge block repairs, Thornton Avenue cul-de-sac final paving, and bicycle and pedestrian pavement marking. The streets will remain open to through traffic but periodic lane closures will be required for the contractor to complete the work. Work should be complete by May 24. More info here.
Engineering Division Announces Sustainable Approach to Mowing
In past years, city crews mowed each greenway and/or pond area twice a year. This year, crews will mow once a year, or every three years, depending on the greenway or pond area's needs. Read more here. While District 2 has no city land that is officially designated as a greenway or pond, you may notice the impacts elsewhere, including increased protection for pollinators.
District 2 Housing Construction Projects and COVID-19
You may have noticed that housing construction projects have continued since Governor Evers issued his "Safer at Home" order. The order allows for construction on housing-related projects to continue because they are designated as "Essential Infrastructure" projects. Just after the Governor's order was issued, I communicated with both Stevens Construction Corp, contractor for The Arden, a mixed-use apartment building going up at E. Washington and N. Ingersoll, and with Gorman and Company, the developer of Valor in the 1300 block of E. Washington. Both indicated that they were promoting social distancing in the workplace and had various rules in place as additional measures. Stevens included this information in our correspondence:
We have sought clarification on when people might need to be closer than 6 feet for short periods of time and have researched on what the requirements are for these situations. Below are the steps we are taking at all of our projects to address the COVID-19 concerns:
- Mandating that anyone who is sick stay off the jobsite and follow CDC guidelines regarding when it is appropriate to return
- We are in the process of implementing daily screening at the job site for COVID-19 symptoms and restrict those having symptoms from entering the site. This involves a series of short questions and as equipment becomes available non-contact body temperature screening. These procedures shall apply to every person looking to enter our site.
- Requiring everyone to maintain job site social distancing techniques whenever possible
- Elimination of group meetings and gatherings on site
- Enhancing our cleaning operations of the site, trailers and breakrooms
- We have developed procedures on how the job site will react to when workers either test positive for COVID-19 or having had contact with someone who has tested positive.
- We have developed tool box talks specific to COVID-19 and are requiring our subcontractors on site to do the same
- All job meetings have been switched to a remote; call-in format. Suspension of project tours or visits not essential to construction activities
Gorman indicated that at this early stage in their project, most of the workers onsite right now are operating large machinery so they are isolated within the cabs of the machinery which helps to keep everyone at a safe distance.
Reynolds Park Alcohol Ban Update
Per my request and per the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association Council's desire, on March 17 the Common Council began the process of adopting an ordinance change that would officially ban alcohol at Reynolds Park and on the adjacent Water Utility property, other than by permit. The requested city ordinance change was referred to the Board of Parks Commissioners for their consideration, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Parks Commission may not meet until May at the earliest, hence the ordinance change may not be enacted until early summer. The no alcohol permitted signs are still posted, but if behavior problems reoccur similar to last summer, the Parks Division assures me that a temporary ban can be enacted again until the permanent ban is in place. Behaviors and locations of some of the folks responsible for past problems have changed as a result of the pandemic, so it may be that the situation is temporarily alleviated, but if not, Parks can enact a temporary ban. Thanks for your patience.
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Some or all of the members of the body, or members of the public, may participate in the meeting remotely by teleconference or videoconference.
Note: Virtual attendance instructions in the agenda linked above.
Agenda Item 6
COVID-19 Transportation Update
ii. street closings to promote social distancing
iii. Message campaign about 6' etiquette on shared use paths
The City of Madison is holding the Common Council Executive Committee meeting virtually to help protect our community from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Note: Virtual attendance instructions in the agenda linked above.
REFERRALS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL
3/11/20 Public Safety Review Committee recommended approval with request for clarification from Council on what the PSRC process will be moving forward.
1/16/20 Final Report of President's Work Group to Develop City-Wide Surveillance.pdf
3/12/20 Equal Opportunities recommended approval
3/11/20 Public Safety Review Committee rereferred (no meeting scheduled)
Agenda Item 8
3/11/20 Public Safety Review Committee rereferred to April (no meeting scheduled)
Digital Technology Committee (no meeting scheduled)
BRIEFING
DISCUSSION ITEM
The City of Madison is holding the Common Council meeting virtually to help protect our community from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Note: Virtual attendance instructions in the agenda linked above.
HONORING RESOLUTIONS
RECESSED PUBLIC HEARINGS - BEGIN AT 6:45 PM
REPORT OF PLAN COMMISSION
Agenda Item 8
Digital Technology Committee (no meeting scheduled)
Agenda Item 10
Appeal of Plan Commission action concerning 3630 Milwaukee Street, Legistar File 58787
Legislative History:
3/17/20 COMMON COUNCIL Re-refer for Recessed Public Hearing to the COMMON COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARINGS - BEGIN AT 6:45 PM
BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Submitting the appointment of Connie R. Thompson for confirmation of a five-year term as the Monona Terrace Director
3/9/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
Submitting the appointment of George C. Hank III for confirmation of a five-year term as the Building Inspection Division Director.
3/23/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
ORDINANCES
Amending Secs. 13.12, 35.02(8)(d), 35.025(5) and 37.05(4)(h) of the Madison General Ordinances to Allow for the Suspension of Utility and Municipal Service Late Charges
RESOLUTIONS
Allowing the Madison City Council to ratify all actions taken by the Mayor and City Attorneys related to elections law and allow the Mayor to exercise her sound judgment to make future decisions and to authorize the City Attorney to take further actions in litigation as may be necessary to fulfill the City's obligations to protect the voting rights of Madison's citizens.
3/24/20 Mayor's Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS
Agenda Item 18
Declaring that a state of emergency is hereby in existence for the City of Madison pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 323.11 and Madison General Ordinances Section 3.19.
Sponsors: Satya V. Rhodes-Conway
Legislative History
3/24/20 Mayor's Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS
Suspending late charges for the Sewer and Stormwater Utilities and the Landfill Remediation Charge during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
RESOLUTIONS
Approving plans and specifications and authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for 2020 Parking Garage Maintenance (2nd and 4th ADs)
REPORT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SUBSTITUTE. Repealing Section 33.11 and amending Section 33.31 of the Madison General Ordinances to eliminate the Committee on the Environment
Amending the Police Department's operating budget, and authorizing the Mayor and Chief of Police to accept a Project Safe Neighborhoods grant award from the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice in the amount of $15,642 and a Dane County Narcotics Task Force subaward of $20,000 for overtime to address violence
A RESOLUTION authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a three (3) year, competitively selected service contract with the option for one (1) additional two (2) year term with Galls, LLC for the uniform management program for Fire and Police.
3/23/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
The proposed resolution authorizes the reallocation of up to $110,738, of funds awarded to the City of Madison by the U.S. Department of Justice under an "Our Neighborhood - A Safe and Beautiful Place" grant, to seven community agency contracts to support the goals of the grant to provide youth mentoring, safe passages and support to families programming on Madison's South West side.
3/23/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
Amending the 2020 Operating Budget and Setting the 2020 Rates for the Sewer, Stormwater and Landfill. (City Wide ADs)
3/25/20 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the FINANCE COMMITTEE
Agenda Item 69
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 and a Backyard solar installations, through 2022 Recent Legislative History
3/23/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
Approving Madison Metro's application for Wisconsin's Volkswagen Mitigation Program/Transit Capital Assistance Grant Program funding.
3/23/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
Supporting Madison Metro's 5339b Grant Application to Federal Transit Administration for articulated buses and bus priority measures.
3/23/20 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
REPORT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Establishing a Glass-Free Zone for the West Mifflin Street area from 6:00 a.m. on April 25, 2020 through 6:00 a.m. on April 26, 2020.
3/11/20 PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
REPORT OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
SUBSTITUTE - Amending the 2020 Adopted Operating Budget to appropriate $40,000 $50,000 from private donation to create Madison's LGBTQ+ Rainbow Murals and Crossings Art Pilot Program ("RMCAPP") authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract between the City of Madison and a vendor to install decorative rainbow markings at specific pedestrian and roadway locations.
3/19/20 DOWNTOWN COORDINATING COMMITTEE Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
ITEMS REFERRED TO THIS MEETING
RESOLUTIONS
Responding to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Air National Guard F-35A Operational Beddown.
3/17/20 COMMON COUNCIL Refer to a future Meeting to Adopt to the COMMON COUNCIL
RECONSIDERATION
Reconsideration of Legislative File No. 59710 requested by Ald. Paul Skidmore, District 9
Authorizing the Mayor, Police Chief and the City Clerk to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Milwaukee to provide law enforcement services during the 2020 Democratic National Convention for a 10 day term, beginning July 10, 2020 through July 20, 2020
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE
ORDINANCES
Amending Section 4.21(3) of the Madison General Ordinances to defer room taxes imposed for January, February and March, 2020 to no later than July 31, 2020, at the discretion of the City Treasurer
3/26/20 Attorney's Office Referred for Introduction
RESOLUTIONS
Agenda Item 88
3/25/20 Attorney's Office Referred for Introduction
Agenda Item 89
Waiving late fees and penalties associated with licenses and permits issued by the Madison City Clerk's office, including late fees for alcohol beverage renewal applications
Authorizing the suspension of late fees for parking violations
Extending the licensure expiration date to August 31, 2020 of all City licenses issued pursuant to MGO Sec. 9.02
Authorizing the execution of real Estate documents for the occupancy of buildings for the purpose of quarantine.
Sponsors: Satya V. Rhodes-Conway
Legislative History
Extending time periods for conveyance permits issued under Madison General Ordinance Section 40.08(3).
3/26/20 Mayor's Office Referred for Introduction
Authorizing Public Health to reduce fees for numerous licensed establishments to the 2019 rate, and authorizing waiving late fees and offer renewal fee deferment where permitted
3/26/20 Mayor's Office Referred for Introduction
Extending time periods for work permits for fire protection systems
Authorize the Office of Business Resources the discretion to refund banner permit fees under Madison General Ordinance Section 31.075(2)(a)
Allow for refund of certain Street Use Permits granted or issued, and waive deadline for street use permit decision-making under Madison General Ordinance Section 10.056
Authorizes Departments to accept an appropriate donations to the City for response to the COVID-19 emergency without prior approval, subject to Council ratification
3/26/20 Mayor's Office Referred for Introduction
Permitting Director Of Planning, with Alder input, to approve an extension of conditional use and demolition approvals for an additional 12 months under Madison General Ordinance Sections 28.183(9) & 28.185(9)(b) Sponsors: Satya V. Rhodes-Conway
Establishing procedures to negotiate and execute emergency leases, contracts and contract amendments during the emergency situation.
Waive all Street Vending License fees under MGO 9.13 for the 2020-2021 vending season, except Camp Randall High Density Vending and UW Game Day Vending licenses, and authorize refunds for fees already paid for the 2020-2021 vending season.
3/26/20 Mayor's Office Referred for Introduction
Authorizing the Director of the Department of Civil Rights to suspend application of any rule in the Rules of the Equal Opportunities Commission
Temporarily suspend the enforcement of Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5) to allow the Director of Transportation, Transit Manager, Traffic Engineer, and Parking Manager to take actions related to transportation issues identified in Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5)(a)-(c)
Suspend the requirement that developers hold a pre-application presentation with the Urban Design Commission pursuant to Madison General Ordinance Section 28.098(5)(a)2.
Waive the sixty(60) day requirement in Madison General Ordinance Section 31.043(1) that mandates the Urban Design Commission make a final decision on an appeal from the Zoning Administrator under the sign code, and authorize the Secretary of the Urban Design Commission to refer or defer sign code matters that must be reviewed by the Urban Design Commission under Madison General Ordinance Sections 31 and 33.24, until a meeting of the Urban Design Commission can be scheduled pursuant to Madison General Ordinance Section 33.01(10) (c).
3/26/20 Mayor's Office Referred for Introduction
Waiving the requirement to conduct an annual RFP for the Emerging Opportunities Program under MGO 3.12(11)(c) for 2020 and reallocating the 2020 EOP funding to other contracts or programs.
BY TITLE ONLY - Defining the Common Council's Policy-Making and Oversight Responsibilities During Officially Declared Emergencies.
Authorizing departments to transfer to other departments up to $50,000 from the operating budget and up to $250,000 from the capital budget in response to the COVID-19 emergency
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