Updates June 7, 2020

1. Phase 1 reopening underway in Dane County

2. Grandview Commons B-Block proposal

3. City of Madison no longer pursuing leasing Karmenta

4. AT&T fiber optic construction

5. Tree pruning in Grandview Commons and Door Creek

6. Parking Division temporarily reduces city-owned garage rates

7. Being good neighbors

8. Madison Public Libraries now accepting returns

9. Goats in parks

10. City meetings schedule

Phase 1 reopening underway in Dane County

Public Health Madison and Dane County's Forward Dane plan is underway with businesses allowed to open with 25 percent capacity and an increase in people allowed at gatherings.

All residents should practice face covering, social distancing and responsible hygiene behavior. Read the full order.

Phase 1 includes:

• Reopening all businesses--such as restaurants, gyms, and retail establishments--to 25% capacity with certain public health requirements and physical distancing.

• Salons, tattoo parlors, and spas can open by appointment only.

• Indoor gatherings at commercial facilities of 50 people or fewer are allowed, with physical distancing

• Indoor gatherings at private residence of 10 people or fewer are allowed, with physical distancing.

• Outdoor gatherings of 50 or fewer are allowed, with physical distancing.

• Park courts and fields are open, individuals must maintain physical distancing

With each step in reopening, certain data criteria must be met. Dane County will remain in Phase 1 for a minimum of 14 days, which is one incubation period for COVID-19. If criteria are met, Public Health will issue a Phase 2 order. If criteria are not met, they will be reassessed at regular intervals.

Public Health Madison and Dane County is the primary source for the latest health information about COVID-19 in Dane County. 

Grandview Commons B-Block Proposal

Project developer DSI has submitted their Land Use Application to the City for this project. It is expected to be reviewed at Urban Design Commission on July 29, Plan Commission on August 10, and Common Council on Sept 1. 

This project is bordered by North Star Drive, Gemini Drive, Sharpsburg Drive and Cottage Grove Road. The proposal currently includes 5,800 square feet of commercial space, 153 units, 198 covered parking stalls and 90 surface stalls.

You can see a video presentation of the proposal and designs here.

City of Madison no longer pursuing leasing Karmenta

The City of Madison is no longer pursuing leasing Karmenta and the matter was officially tabled at the June 2 Common Council meeting. 

AT&T fiber optic construction

AT&T is laying fiber in Grandview Commons. The streets in the area of the project include:

• Milky Way
• Carter Moon Pass
• Orion Trail
• Hercules Trail
• Aries Way
• Saturn Drive
• Caldera Street
• Lyda Woods Lane

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jeff Seidl at (920) 309-0687 or Mark Luchini at 

ML4218@att.com.

Tree pruning in Grandview Commons and Door Creek

Forestry crews have begun pruning operations in Grandview Commons and Door Creek.  Their work plan focuses on pruning small/newly planted trees.  More information on this can be found here.

If you have questions about this work, please contact Craig Klinke, City Forestry Operations Supervisor, at 608-266-4891 or cklinke@cityofmadison.com.

Parking Division temporarily reduces city-owned garage rates

The Parking Division has made some temporary rate changes for City-owned public parking garages to reduce the cost to park.

There is a $5 daily maximum fee in all City-owned public parking garages, and the first hour of parking is free on Saturdays.

Specifics regarding the temporary $5 daily rate and 1 Hour Free Saturday Parking:

• If the parking session is less than $5, then that lower amount of the time parked at the hourly rate would be charged.

• The maximum rate goes into effect once the amount owed reaches or exceeds $5, halting any additional hourly fees for that day.

• The rate accrues for each parking session, daily. If a person exits and re-enters the same day, a new session is started, and the hourly rate would again accrue up to a maximum of $5 for the day.

• On Saturdays, the first hour of parking is free. Any time stayed beyond 1 hour would be charged at the regular hourly rate, up to the daily $5 maximum.

• The rates will be in effect until the next meeting of the Transportation Commission, currently planned for June 24, 2020, at which time the Parking Division will present options and recommendations for any changes or extension of the temporary rate reduction for their consideration.

Being good neighbors

I've received some complaints in the last few weeks about dogs going into private lawns. Please keep your pups leashed per city ordinance and be considerate of private property.

Madison Public Library now accepting returns

All Madison Public Libraries are accepting returns of library materials. Items checked out on or before March 17 are due on August 1. The details are here. 

Goats in Parks: Prescribed grazing at Acewood Conservation Park

Fighting invasive plants is an ongoing challenge for Parks staff and volunteers. Management is not only time-consuming; it can also include the application of herbicides in an effort to win the battle. This year, Madison Parks is utilizing a new invasive plant management technique. Goats! Goats will be grazing at Acewood Conservation Park this spring and fall.

City meetings schedule

City weekly meeting schedule

The Mayor's meeting schedule

The County weekly meeting schedule

District Reports

You may have noticed you are no longer receiving emails from me sharing this blog or other city news. As an elected official who is now a candidate for a state office, I am following state ethics guidelines that prohibit me from sending more than 49 identical messages using public resources. You will have to come find my blog on my alder website under Updates.