District 20 Update

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

QUICK REMINDER! Upcoming Virtual Session on YWCA & Restorative Justice

Public Health’s Violence Prevention Unit is hosting a virtual session on Restorative Justice. The session takes place on Wednesday, May 31, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The virtual session is free but registration is required: https://bit.ly/vp_webinar10 . The session will be recorded and made available on Public Health’s Violence Prevention Unit webpage.
 

CITY MEETINGS OF INTEREST TO DISTRICT 20

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Public Market Development Committee: The PMDC will be meeting on Thursday June 1,2023 at 5:00pm. Here is a link to the Agenda.

Community Development Block Grant Committee: The Community Development Block Grant Committee takes place in-person on Thursday, June 1, 2023 in Room 215 in the Madison Municipal Building. Agenda items include authorizing an amendment of the contract between the City of Madison and Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin (CAC) to provide housing stability services, approving a loan to YWCA Madison, Inc. from the Community Facilities Loan Program to help finance the rehabilitation of programming space at the Empowerment Center located at 2040 S. Park Street, and more!

SUBSTITUTE: Authorizing an amendment of the contract between the City of Madison and Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin (CAC) to provide Housing Stability Services, using Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds, and providing up to $530,000 in additional ERA funds to CAC for use in providing housing navigation and support services to Community Development Authority clients, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract amendment with CAC to providing those services.

Approving a loan of up to $87,000 to YWCA Madison, Inc. from the Community Facilities Loan Program to help finance the rehabilitation of programming space at the Empowerment Center located at 2040 S. Park Street, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement for that purpose.

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Metro Ride Guides Help Navigate June 11 Schedule/Route Changes
Madison Metro is completely updating its service starting on Sunday, June 11. The changes are due to the Metro Transit Network Redesign process that was completed last year and approved by the Common Council after 80 public meetings and 17 amendments taking into account comments from the public. The new system will allow most Madison residents to access significantly more destinations within a 45-minute trip as compared to today, and sometimes dramatically more, with even greater benefit for people of color and those with lower incomes.

Madison Metro’s new “Ride Guide” staff who will help guide the public through the transition. Over 50 Ride Guides will fan out around the City to help the public navigate the route and scheduling changes. You can always help plan your ride here using google maps or on the transit app.

The Metro Transit Network Redesign will go into effect Sunday, June 11. It has been 20 years since the last redesign, all routes, schedules and bus numbers will change to letters. Below are a couple resources to help you navigate the changes!

o Plan your trip with Metro Staff! Visit with Metro staff at the following events and plan your new bus trip! See a full list of dates and locations HERE!

o Frequently Asked Questions on New Service

RESIDENT SAFETY CONCERNS

RE: [D20] Panhandling at Westside Intersections: Specifically Individuals at Intersection of Watts Road/Gammon. Observed safety concerns.

RESIDENT INQUIRY:

I drive through the Watts/Gammon intersection daily and there are often people on three to four medians asking for money. Can you tell me if the city has decided not to enforce the 2017 ordinance prohibiting panhandling at intersections? With such fast-moving traffic this seems like a dangerous situation especially for those outside of a vehicle.

Any thoughts or insight you have would be appreciated.

(NAME WITHHELD/CONFIDENTIALITY)

RESPONSE FROM WEST DISTRICT CAPTAIN:

There was a Supreme Court decision handed down that indicated that panhandling is protected by the 1st Amendment. As a result, the common council came up with a new median safety ordinance, which has been around for I believe a couple of years at this point.

Initially, we were not strictly enforcing this ordinance because as you can imagine, other citizens of Madison sometimes say that we are criminalizing homelessness and it can become quite the scene. It puts police officers in a difficult position.

Recently, however, we have instructed officers in the West district to begin enforcing the ordinance. First by way of education and then, if necessary, issuing citations. We certainly hope that they just move along to other places but they have the right to ask for money, just not in the medians.

I've attached a copy of the ordinance brochure we are handing out to them. This becomes difficult to enforce when they move with the walk signs to a different corner. Many of them know this ordinance and how to operate within it.

That said, we will do our best to clear people because I agree that it is a safety hazard. Please keep me posted if it seems to be working (or not working). Obviously, we can't be out there all the time, so hopefully we'll make enough contacts to get the word out to others.

--Kelly

Captain Kelly Beckett (she/her)
West Police DistrictMadison Police Department
1710 McKenna BlvdMadison WI 53711
Office: (608) 243-0503Cell: (608) 640-9282

The Ordinance Language

MEDIAN SAFETY ORDINANCE

MGO Sec. 12.325 Entering or Staying upon Highways Restricted

All covered highways are listed within the ordinance. The ordinance covers the first 200 feet of intersecting roads.

Pedestrians must NOT:

» Be on a covered highway or median and approach any vehicle that is not legally parked.

» Stand in the median without crossing the covered highway in a crosswalk or safety zone.

Drivers must NOT:

» Park, stop or leave standing your vehicle on a covered highway where it is prohibited.

» Suddenly decrease your vehicle’s speed to respond to someone illegally on the covered highway.

» Suddenly deviate from traffic to respond to someone illegally on the covered highway.

If you violate this ordinance you could receive a citation for up to $439.00. Fine amounts for multiple offenses within a year:

1st......$ 92.50

2nd.....$ 187.00

3rd....$ 313.00

4th....$ 439.00

Educational Resources Police Officers Distribute to those on the medium:

Homeless... and don’t know where to start?

Are you at risk of losing your current residence, or having difficulty navigating the various housing programs that are available? Do you need to request financial assistance for rent?

Contact the Dane County Housing Resource Line: » Call: 855-510-2323

» Email: help@danecountyhomeless.org» Visit:www.danecountyhomeless.org
 

Announcements

WESTFEST@ELVER PARK
Saturday, August 26, 2023
CO-CHAIRS:
Joe Ryan & Ryan Theune
Interested? Join the planning committee. district20@cityofmadison.com 

• Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market, Wednesday, May 31, 2023: The Wednesday Dane County Farmers’ Market is located on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in between theMadison Municipal Building and the City County Building. While more intimate than the Saturday Market, you will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a fullarray of fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, bakery items, cut flowers, plants, and many specialty items.
• Take Kids Fishing, Saturday, June 3, 2023 : Register today for our annual Take Kids Fishing event! Every kid gets a free fishing pole, T-shirt, and we will be serving a picnic lunch!
• Kids Fishing Day, Saturday, June 3, 2023: Every year the Yahara Fishing Club sponsors this event, which is on the same weekend that an adult fishing license is not required. It has been at the Warner Park Lagoon from 9:00 am to noon. A lot of fish are usually caught, including a couple good-sized large mouth bass and a lot of decent blue gills.
• Cars on State, Saturday, June 3, 2023: One of Madison's finest downtown summer traditions, the 14th Annual Classic Car Show will be held Saturday, June 3rd. This free show spans six blocks of State Street in Downtown Madison. This family-friendly event offers a perfect day for everyone to come downtown, take a stroll around the Farmers Market on the Square and see a wonderful array of vintage cars. You can talk to the owners, grab a bite to eat, and shop at locally owned downtown businesses. Car enthusiasts can explore the history and unique characteristics of classic cars and trucks.
• Beaches and Splash Parks Opening for the Season: As warmer temperatures creep into the Madison area, splash parks and beaches officially open for the season on Saturday, May 27.
• Overdose Spike Alert: Risk of Drug Overdose Increased in Dane County : Public Health Madison & Dane County is issuing a public health alert due to an increase, or spike, in drug overdoses in our community.
• City of Madison Seeks Short Poems for 2023 Bus Lines Program: The Madison Poet Laureate is seeking short poems from Madison residents to be considered for the annual Bus Lines poetry project.
• New Artist-in-Residence at Central Library: MADISON, WI -- The Bubbler at Madison Public Library is welcoming a new Artist-in-Residence at Central Library.
• Pride Ride, Saturday, June 3, 2023: "Let’s ride for Pride": Trek and Forward Madison FC are teaming up once again to celebrate Pride Month and Bike Week with the 2023 Pride Ride! Meet us at Breese Stevens Field where we’ll head out on a 9-mile no-drop group ride to Olin Park and back. Stick around after the ride to enjoy some block party vibes at the field before Forward Madison takes on the Central Valley Fuego later that evening.

IN COMMUNITY

• Resourceful
• Welcoming and friendly
• Inclusive and comfortable
• Understanding and accepting
• Concerned about personal well-being

alterdementia.com
 

YWCA MADISON'S
48TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF DISTINCTION 
June 21, 2023

CELEBRATING THE LIVES OF WOMEN. CREATING NEW POSSIBILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WOMEN OF DISTINCTION LEADERSHIP AWARDSJUNE 21, 2023 | 5:30 - 7:30 P.M
GARVER FEED MILL | 3241 GARVER.PURCHASE TICKETS AT:
YWCAMADISON.ORG/DISTINCTION

Additional information or signup for the District 20 updates.

Alder Harrington-McKinney