Common Council

Updates April 27, 2020

1. DSI's Grandview Commons Mixed-Use Proposal: Virtual Public Meeting

2. Dogs now allowed on-leash in most Madison parks

3. Golf courses are open

4. Alcohol license approved for Twisted Grounds

5. Traffic Circle approved for the intersection of North Star Drive and Orion Trail

6. Streets drop-off sites reopened

7.  Limited amounts of mulch available

8. Some roads closed to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety

9. Build a rain garden

10. COVID-19 data dashboard improvements

11. Library services

12. Covid-19 updates 

13. Ticks are now active

14. City meetings schedule

1. DSI's Grandview Commons Mixed-Use Proposal: Virtual Public Meeting
 

You are invited to a virtual meeting to see and provide feedback on DSI's plans for a mixed-use development on the Grandview Commons block that's bordered by North Star Drive, Gemini Drive, Sharpsburg Drive and Cottage Grove Road. The building would include 7,000 square feet of commercial space, 157 units, and both underground and surface parking.

DSI's Grandview Commons Mixed-Use Proposal: Public Meeting
Thursday, May 14, 6:30-7:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81462117458?pwd=Qy9nTSttemlkcWY2R29RWTd5aGxvQT09

Meeting ID: 814 6211 7458
Password: 003295
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2. On-leash dogs now allowed in most Madison parks, rules still apply

In early 2020, Madison Common Council approved the revised dog ordinances (MGO 8.19  and 23.32 , File 59294) which took effect on Friday, March 13.

• Dogs must be on a leash, held by a person at all times. Leashes can't be more than 6 feet long. Retractable leashes are not allowed. 

• Dogs must be under the immediate physical control of a person at all times.

• Dog handlers are required to pick up the waste and have bags or scoops when in the park.

• Dogs must not dig, chase or harm wildlife, damage park property, or interfere with other park users

• Dogs must have a dog park permit.

• Dogs must be licensed (purchased through the City of Madison Treasurer's Office)

• Dogs must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination.

Violators may be reported by contacting a Park Ranger (608) 235-0448.

Where are dogs prohibited?

Keeping in mind, not everyone has a dog or wants to be around dogs, there are designated Dog Free Parks for a place to recreate and relax without the presence of dogs. 

In our area, dog-free parks include Heritage Heights Park, Honeysuckle Park, the future Galaxy Park, and Reston Heights Park.

Violators are subject to a fine and park users are encouraged to report violators to Park Rangers (608) 235-0448.

How can I purchase a dog permit?

A daily or annual dog park permit may be purchased online. 

3. Golf courses are open

On Friday, golf courses throughout the state of Wisconsin opened, with safety-related restrictions in order to provide a safe golfing experience.   

Rules

•  Maintain social distancing of at least 6' at all times

•  Consider wearing a face covering as recommended by the CDC

•  Give a nod or a thumbs up to your fellow golfer and refrain from a handshake or high five

• Stay home if you are sick

• Practice good hygiene and always cover your cough and sneeze

• Carts are not permitted

• Clubhouses are closed

• No food and beverage service

• No scorecards or pencils will be supplied

• Flagsticks must remain in holes and are not to be removed

Tee times – must be made in advance

To help maintain social distancing, tee times intervals are now at 12 minutes. Tee times must be reserved by credit card in advance, either online or by calling the specific course directly to reserve by advance credit card payment.

Glenway – 608-266-4737

Monona – 608-266-4736

Odana Hills – 608-266-4724

Yahara Hills – 608-229-8250

Rangers are patrolling the course. If you have questions or see an issue, call the course number.

4. Alcohol license approved for Twisted Grounds

On April 22, Twisted Grounds' alcohol license application was approved at the Alcohol License Review Committee. Twisted Grounds is the cafe that will be opening this spring at 6067 Gemini Dr. They sought an alcohol license in order to be able to serve wine.

5. Traffic Circle approved for the intersection of North Star Drive and Orion Trail

This traffic circle was approved at Transportation Commission earlier this year, and residents near this intersection voted overwhelmingly in favor of it following the meeting. The circle will be installed in late summer of this year.

6. Streets drop-off sites reopened

Drop-off sites have reopened with new restrictions and new hours to help keep residents and staff safe. 

7. Limited amounts of mulch available

Mulch is available at six City of Madison parks. Check mulch availability and locations before you head to the mulch site.

8. Some roads closed to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety

Pedestrians and bicyclists now have more, safer options in Madison to bike and travel safely while social distancing. There are shared streets marked with signs and closed to vehicle traffic. Read a full list of shared streets, closures, conversion details. There are also improvements underway for the Capital City Path, which is Madison's busiest path and critical link through the Isthmus. Some improvements include widening of path shoulders to make it easier for social distancing when walking and biking. When using popular paths, please walk, run or ride at less popular times. Plan your ride with the Low Stress Bicycle Route Finder.

Map and more information.

9. Build a rain garden

The Engineering Division invites all residents to take part in reaching its renewed 1,000 rain garden goal. When at home planning, planting and maintaining a rain garden, all residents should practice proper social distancing, per the Safer at Home Order. Building a rain garden can be easy with some planning. Read more about benefits, method and materials, how to build a rain garden under $100 and see the new City map that shows the latest rain garden count. Send in your photos and information to engineer@cityofmadison.com to add your rain garden to the map.

10. COVID-19 data dashboard improvements

Public Health Madison and Dane County has launched an updated version of their data dashboard. The new dashboard will be updated at 9:30 every morning. In addition to information available in V1, users can see new cases by date, tests by date, stratified cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and more.
 

11. Library services

Library Telephone Service

Madison Public Library is now offering centralized telephone reference service. To speak with library staff, call 608-315-5151 between 11 am and 7 pm, seven days a week, for as long as the library remains closed. Library staff can help with questions about your library card, online collection access, ebook and downloadable audiobook support, social services referrals, reference and homework questions, and more. 

Madison Internet Access Information Line

For those who need help finding access to the internet, library staff can assist in locating nearby public wi-fi, or provide information about free or low-cost internet access plan options and contact information to request internet access from private companies or public assistance programs. Call 608-315-5151 between 11 am and 7 pm daily.

Curbside Service

Library staff are working with partner libraries in the South Central Library System and with Public Health Madison & Dane County to explore options for curbside service as allowed under Executive Order #28 (text and FAQ). Additional information about the possibility of curbside service at Madison Public Library will be announced by the library by May 1. 

12. COVID-19 updates

Alder Heck provided this handy compilation of COVID-19 resources in his latest blog, which I'm resharing:

Where to Get COVID-19 Information

• For information on the city's responses and services visit the City's Coronavirus Website. On the right side menu of that page are links to City Service Updates, Resources for Businesses, and much more.
• Another key site is Public Health Madison and Dane County and their Data Dashboard. New capabilities have been added to the Data Dashboard, including new cases by date, tests by date, stratified cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, and more. It is updated at 9:30 every morning.
• Public Health also is publishing a weekly COVID-19 data snapshot and a weekly COVID-19 newsletter. 
• The City has started a weekly COVID-19 newsletter. See the latest issue here.
• Subscribe to the City's COVID-19 email and/or text alerts here.

Links to Other COVID-19 Resources

From Governor Evers: Governor Evers Announces Badger Bounce Back - a Path to a Safer Recovery.

From the Mayor: Statement in Support of First Responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

From Public Health: Public Health Tips for Properly Re-Opening Your Business

From Public Health: Supporting Businesses During Safer at Home

From Parks Division: Golf Set to Open Friday with Adjustments

From Madison Public Library: Resources Available From Home

All City of Madison news releases are here.

From Dane Buy Local: Dane County Small Business Pandemic Support Program.

13. Ticks are now active

Daily ticks check recommended after being outdoors

Spring is the beginning of peak tick season, and in the past few years, numbers of deer ticks in our area have increased significantly. A bite from an infected deer tick can transmit Lyme disease and other diseases, which are becoming more common.

Preventing tick bites is the best defense from getting a tick-borne disease.

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass, and walk in the center of trails when hiking.

• Due to the increase in ticks in our area, make tick checks part of a daily routine, even if you've only been in urban parks or backyards.

• Use repellents containing 20-30% DEET on both exposed skin and clothing, carefully following product instructions. CDC's website also lists natural tick repellents and pesticides.

• Use products that contain permethrin on clothing, carefully following product instructions.

• Do a full-body tick check using a mirror and shower or bathe as soon as possible after coming indoors.

• Tumble clothing you've worn on high heat in a dryer, to kill any ticks on clothing.

14. City meetings schedule

City weekly meeting schedule

The Mayor's meeting schedule

The County weekly meeting schedule

District Reports