District 20 Updates - Week of September 16, 2024

Madison CDA breaks ground - new "Missing Middle".

Here's a rundown of media coverage from yesterday's Theresa Terrace event, if you haven't seen these yet:

Media Coverage - Missing Middle - 

9/17/2024	WISC News 3 Now	Kyle Pozorski	Madison CDA breaks ground on new 'missing middle' housing
9/17/2024	WMTV 15	Marcus Aarsvold	Madison targets ‘missing middle’ in new west side affordable housing project
9/17/2024	WKOW 27	Caroline Bach	City breaks ground on Theresa Terrace 'missing middle' townhomes

Additionally, I added the video of the event and a new photo of the groundbreaking to the press release on the City website yesterday afternoon: https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2024-09-17/city-of-madison-celebrates-groundbreaking-for-theresa-terrace-townhomesThanks again for your time!James Langrehr, Public Information Officer, Dept. Planning, Community & Economic Development

Alder Guequierre, District 19 - Budget Education Session   

Three educational sessions with accessibility and inclusivity at the heart of these sessions. The first two in-person sessions are in the ample Oakwood Village auditorium,  I've invited every resident of District 19, but these are public meetings and everyone is invited.

The first session, Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 6pm-8pm, in person at Oakwood Village Auditorium, 6209 Mineral Point Road. Surface parking available at 6209 Mineral Point Road and underground parking available at the Heritage Oaks building, 6205 Mineral Point Road (press button at garage entrance to be let in). This session will feature a deeper dive into Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and its impact on the Capital and Operating Budgets. You may register for any of the sessions at  www.cityofmadison.com/D19ExploretheBudget.

I'm inviting residents to think critically about what is needed to create and sustain an environment in which all residents can realize their full potential. Residents will have the opportunity to speak personally at the first two sessions, which will be in-person at the Oakwood Village Auditorium, and through the chat at the last session which will be virtual.

I'm committed to make education on the city budget accessible to all of Madison residents. The purpose of this series is to explore the reason for and details of two long-range budget plans. Whether or not the referendum passes, we will need to consider service reductions. I want to collect resident input on the best places to make those difficult decisions.

These sessions will provide residents with an in-depth look at the City of Madison budget. Topics at each session will include a brief overview of the budget deficit and need for multi-year plans, a deeper dive into a few complicated issues, initial five-year plans with and without a successful referendum, and agency proposals for cuts. Since service reductions may ultimately be required regardless of referendum results, I'm seeking your input on cuts. Residents can also take an online survey which was designed to have a process for thinking about a painful subject – what is expendable and what must be preserved? You can take the survey at the following link:  www.cityofmadison.com/D19ServiceReductionSurvey.

John Guequierredistrict19@cityofmadison.com

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of September 16, 2024

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the  Meeting Schedule page.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, September 16, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include briefings on the 2025 executive capital budget.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 17, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. This Finance Committee meeting is a budget hearing.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 18, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include crossing guards at middle schools, a working session on the Complete Green Streets Guide, and a presentation on the 2025 operating budget.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit  the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

• City of Madison Adopts Sustainability Plan : The Common Council voted unanimously to adopt the plan on August 6, 2024. This update is a continuation of City of Madison’s dedication and ongoing efforts to improve climate equity and environmental justice. [posted September 12, 2024]
• Southbound Intersection Closure: Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Doty Street: Starting Monday, September 16, R.G Huston will begin concrete pavement restoration within the Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Doty Street intersection. During this time:… [posted September 12, 2024]
• Voter Registration Drive Precautions: The Madison City Clerk’s Office urges voters to check their registration online at https://MyVote.wi.gov, especially if they completed a voter registration form with someone who approached them on the street. The City Clerk’s Office is receiving an… [posted September 11, 2024]
• West Area, Northeast Area Plans pass Common Council; work on Southwest, Southeast Area Plans begins this fall: The City of Madison Common Council approved the first two Area Plans under the City’s new Planning Framework Tuesday night with few changes beyond what had already been proposed by City boards, committees, and commissions. [posted September 11, 2024]
• Common Council approves change to allow more affordable student housing: The City of Madison Common Council approved a change to the city’s zoning code Tuesday night to expand the existing downtown affordable housing incentive so it can be used to create more affordable housing specifically for college students. [posted September 11, 2024]
• Alder Nasra Wehelie of District 7 Hosts Lunch and Learn featuring the City of Madison Community Development Division: Alder Nasra Wehelie is excited to resume her monthly Lunch and Learns starting Thursday, September 19, from 12 – 1 p.m. This Lunch and Learn will feature staff from the Community Development Division (CDD), who will discuss how the 2025 budget… [posted September 11, 2024]
• 2025 Executive Capital Budget to Support Growing City : Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway released her 2025 Executive Capital Budget and 6-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). [posted September 10, 2024]
• Explore the Night Sky at Moon Over Monona Terrace This Friday : Bring the family to the rooftop of Monona Terrace this Friday, September 13, from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. [posted September 10, 2024]
• Sample Ballots Now Available: The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. You can find a sample ballot for your address at https://MyVote.wi.gov.This is what Madison voters will see on their November ballot: [posted September 10, 2024]
• Celebrate Disability Voting Rights Week: The City Clerk’s Office is celebrating Disability Voting Rights Week by highlighting accessible options for exercising your right to vote. “It’s important for all residents to feel confident that their voices are heard at the polls,” said Mayor… [posted September 9, 2024]
• Common Council to make final review of West Area Plan and Northeast Area Plan on September 10: After eight weeks of review from several City of Madison Boards, Commissions, and Committees, the first two Area Plans from the City’s new planning framework are up for a final vote at the September 10, 2024 meeting of the Common Council. [posted September 9, 2024]
• Events
• Westmorland Neighborhood Association: Summer Nights Concert at Westmorland Park, September 21 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, September 18: The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and schedules!
• D19 Exploring the 2025 Budget Series - Session 1: BRT and its Impact on the City Budget, Wednesday, September 18: Join District 19 Alder John Guequierre as he leads a series of three educational sessions to provide residents with an in-depth look at the City of Madison budget. Topics at each session will include a brief overview of the budget deficit and need for multi-year plans, a deeper dive into a few complicated issues, initial 5-year plans with and without a successful referendum, and agency proposals for cuts. Since service reductions may ultimately be required regardless of referendum results, Alder Guequierre is seeking your input on cuts. Residents will have the opportunity to speak personally at the two in-person sessions, through chat at the virtual session, and via an on-line survey at all sessions.
• City Clerk's Office begins mailing absentee ballots to voters with requests on file, Thursday, September 19: Track the status of your absentee at  My Vote.
• BRT Station Open House – Downtown, Thursday, September 19: Stop by to preview the station, ask questions and  Pick up a Fast Fare card!
• D7 Lunch and Learn featuring the City of Madison Community Development Division, Thursday, September 19: Alder Nasra Wehelie is excited to resume her monthly Lunch and Learns, starting on Thursday, September 19, from 12 – 1 p.m. This Lunch and Learn will feature staff from the  Community Development Division, who will talk about the 2025 budget deficit and how this might affect the organizations the City of Madison supports.
• Lakefront Porch Park Ribbon Cutting, Thursday, September 19: The  Lakefront Porch Park culminates nearly 15 years of work by neighborhood volunteers, District 4 alder, city leaders, and professional organizations that donated their expertise.
• Trucks and Treasures, Saturday, September 21: Kids of all ages (adults too!) are welcome to see, climb and explore the featured public service machinery and equipment and meet the City employees who operate each.
• Madison Fire Department Zoo Takeover, Saturday, September 21: The Madison Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division and your Vilas neighborhood firefighters are taking over the Henry Vilas Zoo! Stop by to learn about home fire safety and fire prevention while visiting your favorite zoo animals.
• Firefighter Fun Day at Fire Station 9, Saturday, September 21: Firefighter Fun Day returns to Fire Station 9! The firefighter/EMTs of Fire Station 9 open their doors for an afternoon of fun for the whole family! Stop by for free food, drinks, music, games, fire truck and ambulance tours, fire station tours, and more! All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Metro Transit - Fast Fare Pick Up! Pick up a Fast Fare card and get help from City of Madison staff. To learn more about Fast Fares, please visit the  Fast Fares webpage.

• Fast Fare Pick Up at Lakeview Library: September 16, September 19 & September 25
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Alicia Ashman Library: September 16
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Sequoya Library: September 17 & September 26
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Meadowridge Library: September 18 & September 26
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Central Library: September 19, & September 25
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Pinney Library: September 23

For the full list of upcoming events, please visit the  City events calendar.