Alder Patrick Heck
Contact Information
Home Address:
123 N. Blount St #303- Phone: (608) 286-2260
- district2@cityofmadison.com
- Contact Alder Patrick 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 15 Meetings of Interest for District 2
There are three sections to this week's update:
- COVID-19 Resources & Information
- Other District 2 Updates
- City Meetings of Interest to District 2

- Why are We Opening Up When Not Everyone is Vaccinated?
- What's Allowed in Emergency Order #14?
- Which Vaccine Should I Get? The One You're Offered!
- COVID-19 Data Dashboard
- COVID-19 vaccine webpage
- The latest Data Notes that include:
- 22.6% of the Dane County population has at least one dose of vaccine.
- There was a significant decrease in cases associated with UW-Madison during this 14-day period, and no significant change in non-UW cases.
- We continue to see few cases among people in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.
- The rate of COVID-19 deaths among confirmed cases in Dane County is significantly lower than the rate for Wisconsin overall.
- Testing Sites and Info
- Español: COVID-19 and Hmoob: COVID-19
Dane CORE Rental Assistance Program
From Alder Prestigiacomo: COVID-19 Campus Resources, including Housing & Eviction Protection and Financial Resources.
Read about the temporary halt in residential evictions from the Tenant Resource Center.
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
Info on UW-Madison's response to the pandemic at this site

-
Madison K-12 Students are Heading Back to School – Watch Out for Crossing Guards and Pedestrians
-
Learn When to Set Your Trimmed Tree Limbs Out for Collection
-
From the Mayor: A Big Step Forward for Madison's Homeless Services
- City of Madison Parking Division Adjustments to Current Garage Reduced Pricing on March 15th
-
From the Mayor: Metro Should Deliver Front Door Transit Service
-
March 15 deadline: 2021 grants to beautify your neighborhood or build capacity!
-
Get Involved with the Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County (includes how to donate)



Plan Commission Rejects 126 Langdon Proposal
At our March 8 meeting and by a 6-1 vote, Plan Commission "placed on file without prejudice" Core Spaces' new proposal for the Hub II development at 126 Langdon St. After lengthy public comment and much questioning of both the developer and city staff, I made a motion to approve the proposal. This was a difficult motion for me to offer as I do not believe this project would be a good addition to the Langdon neighborhood, but I also agreed with city staff that it could meet the Plan Commission's Standards of Approval. Per Plan Commission procedure, commissioners do not discuss their opinions and rationale for supporting or opposing a proposal until after a motion is made. Putting my motion on the floor enabled commissioners to voice their full opinions and consequently my opinion changed as I listened to the opposition's solid reasoning. When it came time for me to vote on the motion, I decided not to support the proposal. I had been convinced by the thoughtful remarks of the five other commissioners in opposition. The rejection was based primarily on the proposal not meeting a particular Standard of Approval that includes a requirement that "the project creates an environment of sustained aesthetic desirability compatible with the existing or intended character of the area...".
Most commissioners mentioned that they fully understood that a large building is likely to be built on this lot, but that this proposal was not appropriate. There is no indication yet if Core Spaces will appeal the decision to Common Council, will come back for a third try, or will move on. If you have not yet seen the proposal details and other materials, they can be found here, including the Campus Area Neighborhood Association's steering committee report. Many thanks to CANA and Mansion Hill neighbors who gave impassioned and insightful public comment. They worked together on the steering committee for the proposal and produced a valuable report that could serve as a model for future development proposal considerations.
Prescribed Burning Planned for Tenney Park Rain Gardens Along Marston Ave.
This year, the City's Parks Division and Engineering Division will be conducting prescribed burns on areas of existing native vegetation. Prescribed burns are an important management tool for Wisconsin's native plant communities. Prescribed burns are the intentional use of fire, under specific environmental conditions, to manage and suppress invasive vegetation, and promote native vegetation.
This year's burns will include the Tenney Park Rain Gardens (see image above).
The prescribed burn Project Manager will mail postcards to residents in the coming days to remind them to anticipate a prescribed burn in their neighborhood. As in the past, the Dane County Emergency Management automated phone call system will be used to notify relevant neighbors on mornings when we will be burning.
These burns will be conducted by certified professionals with a permit from the Madison Fire Department. The burns will only take place under specific weather conditions in order to manage smoke and minimize impacts to neighbors. In addition, burn professionals will install appropriate road signage on the day of the burn.
A list of project contacts and more information is at this website.
Absentee Ballot and Voter Registration Info for April 6 General Election
Absentee ballots for the Tuesday, April 6 General Election will be mailed starting on March 16, so if you do not plan to vote in-person on April 6 or vote in-person at the Clerk's Office, please request your ballot asap! Absentee ballots can be requested at https://myvote.wi.gov, and you can registration to vote there too.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5:00pm the Thursday before the election, but the City Clerk recommends making your request as early as possible so there is adequate time to mail the ballot back to the Clerk's Office. More info on Voting Absentee and 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 (see CNI Forum below for an opportunity to learn more about the advisory referendum).
CNI Community Engagement Forum on Restructuring City Government
You are invited to the Capitol Neighborhoods Community Engagement Forum on Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 p.m. City of Madison voters will be presented with questions on the spring election ballot regarding the restructuring of city government. Eileen Harrington, who chaired the Task Force on the Structure of City Government (TFOGS), will provide a presentation on the structure of city government.
The TFOGS, a City of Madison ad hoc committee, was created by the Common Council and former Mayor Paul Soglin. The committee met for two years to study the city's government structures and processes. Its report, which makes forty-four separate recommendations for modifications to the structure of Madison's city government, can be found here.

A great workshop "Pay It Forward: Generational Wealth, Homeownership, and You" is coming your way, hosted by the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association, on March 27 (Saturday) from 10:30 am-noon. This workshop is a great opportunity to learn about and join in a growing effort to make the Madison community more equitable for all. Attendees will learn from our guest presenter about how generational weight accumulates, and how laws and policies have systematically boosted wealth-building for white people, while blocking opportunities for wealth-building among people of color.
Save the Date: April 29, Minority Business Certifications Demystified
Are you a minority business owner looking to expand the reach of your business to government opportunities in the City of Madison, Dane County, WisDOT State Highways, and/or the State of Wisconsin? Do the acronyms DBE, MBE and TBE sound like alphabet soup? If so, the "Minority Business Certifications Demystified" virtual event is for you! Join the free, virtual event on Thursday, April 29, 4pm-6pm, to learn more about each government program's unique certification requirements and tips for successfully bidding on government contracts. Register here.
The 2021 operating budget moved the Crossing Guard program from the Police Department to Traffic Engineering. This move was done for both budgeting and organizational purposes. The proposed ordinance change is needed to reflect the Crossing Guard's move to Traffic Engineering and does not require any change to the 2021 adopted budget.
LMX, NMX, TSS, MXC, CC-T, CC (all of the Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
DC, UMX (some Downtown Districts)
TE, SE, EC, IL, IG (most of the Employment Districts)
CI
Note: This item is expected to be considered at the Plan Commission meeting of March 22 and the Common Council meeting of March 30. No action is expected on this at the March 16 Common Council meeting.
This amendment to the zoning ordinance creates a unique new trigger: In zoning districts with 0' setbacks, the ordinance will apply a new "if, then" setback requirement. If distance between curb and property line is less than 15', then buildings shall be set back from the property line by 5'. Otherwise, 0' setback is still allowable. 0' is also allowable on downtown "flatiron" blocks. The ordinance change, of which I am a sponsor, is inspired by recommendations in the Urban Forestry Task Force Report. When the ordinance was introduced on Feb. 23, the Council received an email from the Executive Director of Smart Growth Greater Madison Inc. asking for additional committee referrals and sharing concerns about the potential to create an adverse impact on the values of property and discourage future redevelopment projects along commercial corridors. If you are interested in canopy trees and the impacts of changing front yard setbacks, please let me and the Plan Commission know at pccomments@cityofmadison.com know your thoughts.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
REPORTS OF OFFICERS
REPORT OF BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a Donation Agreement and a Developer's Agreement with the Madison Parks Foundation and Michael and Jocelyn Keiser for the Privately Funded Improvement of Glenway Golf Course.
3/10/21 BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/3/21 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/3/21 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/3/21 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/3/21 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/10/21 Attorney's Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO DENY - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/10/21 Attorney's Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO DENY - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/10/21 Attorney's Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO DENY - REPORT OF OFFICER
- Center for Community Stewardship - Up to $71,467 in administration funds for compensation, training and fiscal sponsor fees for the HSC Lived Experience board seats, Lived Experience Committee, and Youth Action Board
- Legal Action of Wisconsin - Up to $48,811 for homelessness prevention legal services
- Lutheran Social Services - Up to $71,683 for rapid rehousing program for single adults
- MACH OneHealth - Up to $83,938 for street outreach
- Madison-Area Urban Ministry (d.b.a. Just Dane) - Up to $14,797 for rapid rehousing program for justice involved individuals
- Porchlight - Up to 162,046 for men's shelter
- Sankofa Educational Leadership United - Up to $373,262 for rapid rehousing program and up to $571,132 for non-congregate hotel-based emergency shelter for individuals or families
- The Salvation Army Dane County - Up to $87,504 for rapid rehousing program for singles and families
- YWCA Madison - Up to $15,360 for family shelter
3/8/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a Third Project Plan Amendment for Tax Incremental District (TID) 36 (Capitol Gateway). This amendment highlights two projects, $7 million for the Public Market and $5 million for developer loans, which were included in the 2020 and 2019 Adopted Capital Budgets, respectively. No additional City appropriation is required with the adoption of this resolution.
Note: The below is from the Project Plan Amendments.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES
Public Market Amendment: In 2021, the City of Madison intends to begin construction of a Public Market at the corner of First Street and East Johnson Street. The City intends to provide a portion of the funding required to construct the Madison Public Market.
Total Public Market $7,000,000
Public / Private / Non-Profit Development Partnerships and Assistance 2021 Amendment: Where necessary and appropriate, the City may enter into partnerships with private or non-profit entities to provide assistance to development projects in compliance with the City's TIF policy, or the City may work with non-profit partners to provide assistance with land acquisition.
Total Public / Private / Non-Profit Development Partnerships and Assistance $5,000,000
3/8/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/8/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
3/8/21 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
The proposed resolution would waive license and permit fees for Public Passenger Services through December 31, 2021. Public Passenger Service fees include a license for the business ($1,750 for a 2-year renewal), vehicle fees ($65 per vehicle), and driver's permits ($25 per driver). The anticipated revenue loss from waiving the business and vehicle fees is $5,000 and $11,000 respectively.
Fees from driver's permits averaged $19,000 per year in 2018 and 2019. However, 2020 saw fewer driver's permit applicants with fee revenues around $11,000. Assuming driver's permit application numbers similar to 2020, the estimated revenue loss from waiving all Public Passenger Service fees in 2021 is $27,000. These fees represent a general fund revenue source.
Additionally, the Madison Police Department conducts background checks on applicants for driver's permits, which includes an in-state check and an out-of-state check for any state the applicant has lived. Police is charged $7 for each in-state and out-of-state check. These costs will continue to be incurred to administer the driver's permit applications.
The proposed resolution accepts the Final Anaerobic Digester Feasibility Study from EcoEngineers. The report identifies and evaluates food waste sources, digester system design, revenues, capital and operating costs, and a potential site. No appropriation is required to accept the report. Should the City decide to proceed with an anaerobic digester, significant capital and operating costs will need to be included in future budgets. These costs are outlined in detail in the report (attached to this file).
Recent Legislative Action:
2/22/21 SUSTAINABLE MADISON COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER
The proposed resolution authorizes a memorandum of understanding between the City of Madison and Journey Mental Health Center, Inc. (Journey) for one year, with additional one-year extensions if agreed to by both parties. The Crisis Response Team is a pilot program to respond to behavioral health emergencies with a combination of Community Paramedics and Crisis Workers. All costs associated with the crisis workers will be borne by Journey, with the exception of providing space which will be provided by the City with existing resources. There is no financial impact.
Legislative History
3/8/21 Fire Department Referred for Introduction
Finance Committee
Task Force on Structure of City Government Ad Hoc Final Report Implementation Work Group: Details
Create Recruitment Process Taskforce
Note: See Common Council agenda item #90 above for more information.
