Meetings and Updates Week of September 18th

Meetings and Updates Week of September 18th, 2023

• City Meetings: Plan Commission 9/18, Common Council 9/19
• Dream Bus Visits North Grandview Fall 2023 on Thursdays
• Stoughton Road North Corridor Study: WisDOT Public Information Meeting 9/27
• Sycamore Park Proposed Singletrack Bike Improvements – Information Meeting 10/5
• Four More Safe Streets Madison Improvements in District 3 approved!
• CARES to Offer Weekend Service Starting Saturday, September 16th
• Dane County Grants for Older People and Those with Disabilities to Stay in Their Homes
• Events (including 9/23 bus event with Eastside Alders!)

City Meetings

Common Council

The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 in hybrid format at 6:30 PM. Agenda items include:

• A public hearing (but not a vote) on the 2024 Executive Capital Budget
• Supporting limitations on city purchases from nuclear weapons producers
• Supporting initiatives that improve access to high-quality, affordable child care for all families in Madison (I’m a cosponsor)
• An ordinance change that would allow pet miniature pigs to be kept as pets in Madison. The changes add requirements that mirror those of dog ownership like waste pick-up, microchip implants, and applicable vaccines. The ordinance has a size limit of 24 inches at the shoulder and 300 lbs, both certified by a letter from a veterinarian. Unlike for dogs, pet pigs will be required to be neutered within six months of birth. The Board of Public Health recommended approval of this change in their 9/6 meeting. I advocated for the neuter requirement (to avoid boars) and I also initially asked for a list of livestock breeds to prohibit, or miniature pig breeds to allow, but staff helped me understand that they don’t know and can’t realistically enforce pig breeds, and the American Miniature Pig Association’s website describes a quickly-changing landscape of new breeds that would quickly render a list obsolete. If you have feedback on this ordinance change please let me know.
• Accepting US DOT grant award money to support Metro Transit service expansion, including BRT (I’m being added as a cosponsor)
• An ordinance repeal of Madison General Ordinance (MGO) 24.12 and amending MGO 1.08(3) to remove references prohibiting panhandling. Here’s the Legistar item. The City Attorney’s Office analysis states: “This ordinance repeals 24.12 entitled “Panhandling Prohibited” of the Madison General Ordinances. In Reed v. Town of Gilbert, the United States Supreme Court recognized that most panhandling activity is protected by the First Amendment, therefore, this Section is generally unenforceable.” Because of this, panhandling, solicitation, or begging are protected speech under the First Amendment, read more about this on this ACLU resource. NOTE that MGO Section 12.32 prohibits standing on certain roads across the city and centers on street, pedestrian and driver's safety by prohibiting loitering -  and MGO 12.32 is not affected by this Common Council agenda item.
• An appeal of the Plan Commission’s decision not to approve Club Car Wash’s conditional use permit for a car wash at 3909 and 3913 Lien Rd here in District 3. The appeal is being introduced in the 9/19 meeting and will be voted on in the 10/3 meeting. An appeal to reverse the Plan Commission’s decision will require a 2/3rds vote by Common Council to succeed.

Meeting Agenda

Register for Public Comment

Watch Online

Plan Commission

The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, September 18, 2023 in virtual format at 5:30 PM. Agenda items include the creation of a housing taskforce addressing Madison’s affordable housing shortage and other related housing issues, development related requests in various parts of the City (none in District 3), and a continued discussion about amendments to the Generalized Future Land Use Map. For those following along, staff recommended not taking action on the amendment I asked to consider, which would change parcels along Milwaukee Street from LR to LMR. Staff cited next year’s Area Planning Process for this area as a more appropriate venue for that request, which I do understand. The continued discussion about this item in the 9/18 Plan Commission meeting will focus on land use amendments covering parts of downtown near south campus and regent street.

Meeting Agenda

Register for Public Comment

Watch Online

Dream Bus Visits North Grandview in Fall 2023 on Thursdays 

I have exciting news: the Dream Bus mobile library program will be stopping in the North Grandview area at 116 Milky Way drive (outside of Harmony Apartments) this fall! The service stop will take place on Thursdays from 5:00-5:30 PM and will be an excellent chance for anyone in the surrounding neighborhood to browse the library catalog and pick up/return library books. Thank you very much to the team at Dane County Library Services for being open to my request and bringing this service to the neighborhood!
 

Stoughton Road North Corridor Study: WisDOT Public Information Meeting

Wednesday, 9/27 at 5:00PM, Madison College Truax

This one is important for those who drive north on Stoughton Road or who cross Stoughton Road at Hwy 30, Commercial, or East Washington Ave! WisDOT is conducting a corridor study that will determine how the Stoughton Road corridor and its intersections/interchanges are redesigned between Hwy 30 and I-39/90/94 to the north of the City. Note that this project is in a planning phase and no construction activity is currently scheduled, but eventual construction is going to look like what gets into the plans determined by this process. Here’s the project webpage.  

WisDOT is now ready to show the public their intersection/interchange design alternatives, and I’m asking folks to consider those design alternatives with neighborhood connectivity in mind. My worry is that WisDOT’s chosen designs will favor high-speed, high-volume pass-through vehicle capacity at the expense of neighborhood connectedness and the safety of other modes that cross, like bikers and pedestrians. That’s especially the case for District 3 residents in the Mayfair Park and Burke Heights neighborhoods north of Hwy 30. This area of town is already so segmented by highway infrastructure. If you’re concerned about this too, or have other general opinions, please consider attending the meeting on 9/27 or submitting your feedback to:

Jeff Berens, P.E.
WisDOT Project Manager
(608) 245-2656
jeff.berens@dot.wi.gov

Michael Bie
WisDOT Southwest Region Communications Manager
(608) 246-7928
michael.bie@dot.wi.gov

Sycamore Park Proposed Singletrack Bicycling Improvements – Public Meeting 10/5

Madison Parks is proposing to construct approximately 1.5 miles of natural surface, bike optimized singletrack trail at Sycamore Park here in District 3 in 2024. The trail would be open to bikes and other non- motorized uses such as hiking, walking, and snow shoeing. Parks is hosting a public meeting and listening session on Oct 5th from 5pm-7pm. Learn More and Register for Meeting

The proposed schedule for the project is as follows:

• Fall 2023- Planning and Design
• Winter 2023- Bidding and award
• Spring 2024- Construction start
• Fall 2024- Construction complete and open for riding

Four More Safe Streets Madison Improvements in District 3 Approved!

In their 9/13 meeting, the Transportation Commission reviewed Safe Streets Madison Phase 3 project recommendations from Traffic Engineering staff including four here in District three, which were all approved in the meeting. They include:

• A Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) for pedestrians crossing Milwaukee Street at Swanton Road to give pedestrians a safer way to cross in traffic.
• A RRFB for pedestrians crossing Milwaukee Street at Meadowlark Drive. This one is especially important for Hiestand kids crossing Milwaukee on their way to Kennedy Elementary.
• A RRFB for pedestrians crossing Milwaukee Street at Portland Parkway. This one will help pedestrian and bike traffic cross the busy road at the new connection for the forthcoming Autumn Ridge Path.
• Speed bumps at Martha Lane between Vernon Ave and Topaz Lane to address speeding.

Traffic Engineering thinks most of this work will take place next year, 2024, though there’s a chance they can install the RRFB’s yet this fall depending on weather and staff workload. Here’s the Safe Streets Madison webpage if you want to read more about the program or look at other project waiting to be scored or approved.
 

CARES to Offer Weekend Service Starting Saturday, September 16th

The Madison Fire Department announces the expansion of the Madison Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) program to include weekend service. Effective Saturday, September 16, Madison CARES will respond to non-violent behavioral health emergencies on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Madison CARES teams consist of a Madison Fire Department Community Paramedic and a Journey Mental Health Crisis Worker responding to calls dispatched through the Dane County Public Safety 911 Communications Center. Designed as an alternative approach to dispatching law enforcement, the teams provide patient-centered care to people experiencing behavioral health emergencies with a goal of connecting them with the resources they need.
 

Dane County Grants for Older People and Those with Disabilities to Stay in Their Homes

Over 1,100 residents of Dane County are now eligible for grant dollars to help them stay in their own homes under a new statewide independent living initiative . Dane County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center is now accepting applications for the program. Those who qualify for the program will each receive up to $7,200. The dollars will be able to help with everything from purchasing special medical equipment to helping with home care.

Events

• East Side Farmers' Market, Tuesday, September 21, 2023: The Eastside Farmers' Market is Madison Wisconsin’s finest weekday farmers' market. Our goal is to bring the freshest Wisconsin grown food direct to the heart of the East side. Our vendor members are agricultural producers and food artisans who make value added products from Wisconsin's agricultural bounty.

• Fall Financial Empowerment Series with ULGM Part 1 of 4 (Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, and Oct. 10), Tuesday, September 19, 2023: Part 1 of 4 in the Fall Financial Empowerment Series. Empower Your Path to Financial Success: Elevate Your Understanding of Key Financial Concepts like budgeting, navigating debt, credit and saving for the future. Sign up HERE!

  • Part 1 of 4: Budget Basics with ULGM
  • Part 2 of 4: Navigating Debt with Johnson Bank
  • Part 3 of 4: Improving and Building Credit with UW Credit Union
  • Part 4 of 4: Retirement and Homebuying with Thrivent

• The Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, September 20, 2023: The Capitol View Farmers Market is returning to the North Star Neighborhood! Join us each Wednesday (May 31-October 11, 2023) from 3:00-7:00pm to support local farmers and vendors, enjoy live music and food carts, and make the most of summer in Madison!

• Cyclocross Practice Ride | Olbrich Park, Wednesday, September 20, 2023: We've partnered with Capital Off-Road Pathfinders in offering a free, temporary cyclocross course to practice your biking skills. Each event is open from 5-7pm at the designated location. You will need a bike with knobby tires, such as a mountain bike style and a good-fitting helmet. Some parks do not have restrooms, please plan accordingly. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing similar to cross country running but on a bicycle. Courses feature wooded trails, grass, pavement, steep hills, and obstacles. See Cyclocross for more information.

• EASTSIDE NEIGHBORS: LET'S BUS TO THE FARMER'S MARKET!, Saturday, September 23, 2023: Driving to and parking for popular downtown events can be a hassle. Have you checked the new bus route and schedule? Join your Eastside Alders (D3, D15, D16 & D17) on a little adventure exploring the new bus routes and learning more about the Metro resources available to help you with planning your trips! The meet up spot will be at the Dane County Farmer's Market at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and W Main St. at 10am! Attendees must have a Madison Metro bus pass or will need $2.00 for bus fare.