Common Council

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 .

There are three sections to this week's update:

1. Link to Joint-statement regarding the recent racist video circulated at UW-Madison
2. Downtown Updates
3. City Meetings of Interest

Joint Statement regarding the recent racist video circulated at UW-Madison. 

Recently, there was a video showing a UW-Madison student using racial slurs and describing her hatred of Black people, with others laughing in the background. This video is yet another manifestation of the overflowing racism, hatred, and exclusion that Black students face on a daily basis. Myself, District 8 Alder MGR Govindarajan, and Representative Francesca Hong wrote a statement condemning these actions and calling on the university to do better. Please check out the statement here.
 

Downtown Updates

Mifflin Street Block Party: Operated pretty much similar to block parties in former years. Over 10,000 people gathered on Mifflin Street. There were  44 arrests, including a Badger’s wide receiver. MPD issued a statement that they are “very serious” about quashing the Mifflin Street block party for good. This is something that I will have a conversation with MPD’s Captain with and will report more on it over time. 

REMEMBER Dane Core 2.0 Program Application Closes May 31st: The deadline to submit applications is growing closer. If you or someone you know needs rental assistance, please follow the link and/or contact the Community Action Coalition for rental assistance. 

Save the Date, Madison Night Market: I personally am super excited for the night market to return and get the lovely sugar cookies from one of the downtown vendors. Don’t forget to come!
Dates: 5/11, 6/8, 8/10, 9/14, 10/19
Save the Date, Maxwell Street Days Summer Sidewalk Sale: Final planning for Maxwell Street Days is underway. 
The event is July 13-July 16. 

Free Night, Gallery Night at MCM with a live band: Who doesn’t love free live music and museums! 
The free night is May 5th 4p-8p. 

Project Updates on Blair Street South:  If you live and/or work around E Washington or Blair St, I am sure that you have noticed the change in traffic flow due to construction. Please read Engineer’s blog about project updates. 

Public Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Meeting Follow-up: The City of Madison recently held an informational meeting about the upcoming BRT station construction, including project details and timelines. 
PDF of the presentation here
Video of the presentation here
 

City of Madison Updates

Meetings
Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in hybrid format at 6:30 PM. Agenda items include proclaiming May 2023 to be Jewish American Heritage Month and recognizing May 2023 as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month in the City of Madison. Other agenda items include authorizing the use of up to $123,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to implement a neighborhood improvement project identified in the South Madison Neighborhood Plan; and amending Section 33.09(3) of the Madison General Ordinances to combine the City-County Homeless Issues Committee, Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee.
Meeting Details
Meeting Agenda

Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works will take place on Tuesday, May 3, 2023 in virtual format at 4:30 PM. Agenda items include amending the City of Madison Official Map to establish mapped reservations for future Streets and Highways in the City of Madison consistent with recommendations in the adopted the Greater East Towne Area Plan.
Meeting Details
Meeting Agenda 

District 12 Sidewalk Replacement Program: The District 12 Sidewalk Replacement Program will take place on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The public information meeting for District 12 Sidewalk Replacement Program has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m., May 3, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.  

Events

Strategies to Prevent Basement Flooding, Thursday, May 4, 2023: Ever had water in your basement?  Whether it’s a reoccurring issue or has only happened during extreme weather conditions, in most cases, it can be avoided.  With some planning, a few rules and basic landscaping tools, most homeowners can address this problem on their own.  Sponsored by MG&E.

SpringFest Arts & Crafts Fair, Saturday, May 6, 2023: Join us for the 18th annual SpringFest Arts & Crafts Fair. Over 80 crafters from the Midwest will be selling their handmade goods. You can expect to see a variety of jewelry, baskets, garden art, cards, pottery, woodwork, baby gifts, soaps, balms, lotions, knitwear, paintings, home décor and more! It's the perfect place to find a unique gift for that special someone (or for yourself).Save the Date!

The Run Madtown Twilight 5K will be held on Saturday May 27th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm

The Run Madtown Half Marathon & 10K will be held on Sunday May 28th from 6:30am –11:00am

Announcements
Urban Forestry Spring Planting Adds Trees to Long Vacant Planting Sites: The City of Madison Streets Division’s Urban Forestry section plants thousands of trees each year in the right of way space along the road edge.

Get Involved: City’s First Purpose-Built Shelter Engagement Process Kicks Off: The City of Madison invites the community to get involved in the public engagement process for the City’s first, purpose-built shelter.

Peak Hour Lane Closure--West Johnson Street: Beginning Friday, April 28 at 7:00 a.m. JH Findorff will be reducing the 300 block of West Johnson Street to two lanes at all times (N Broom Street to State Street). 

Open House for Upcoming Plans in West Area: The City of Madison Planning Division is excited to announce an Open House for upcoming plans, projects, and initiatives in the West Area. 

Accessible Taxi Grants Will Help Fill Transit Gaps: People who use wheelchairs face barriers to daily living activities, social outings, and fully participating in what the City has to offer, because of inadequate accessible transportation options.

Jornada Abierta para los Proyectos y Planes Futuros en el Área Oeste: The City of Madison Planning Division is excited to announce an Open House for upcoming plans, projects, and initiatives in the West Area.