Common Council

Week of Sept 12: Interstate Corridor Study public meetings, budget season starts, and other meetings/events/announcements

September means the budget debate starts, the I39/90/94 Traffic Corridor study open houses are this week, the rainbow crosswalk opens on State St, and other city meetings, events, and announcements!

• Rainbow Crosswalks - with special guest Lindsay Lemmer!
• I39/90/94 Corridor Study public meetings - Tuesday in DeForest, Wednesday in the Dells
• Capital Budget released, Operating Budget to follow in October. 
• Events - Arboretum Adventure, Job Fair at Centro Hispano, and 'Trucks and Treasure'
• Announcements - Birding Backpacks available at the library, street closures for Ironman on Sunday the 11th

Rainbow Crosswalk opens at the top of State St - with special guest Lindsay Lemmer!

We were very happy to welcome back former Alder Lindsay Lemmer to cut the ribbon on the new rainbow crosswalk at the top of State St on Thursday. She, along with the other giant-scissor-holder Alder Patrick Heck, were instrumental in working through the logistical and bureaucratic issues involved, and it was only through her hard work that this happened. The project was entirely funded though private donations, with a lot of help from the Friends of the Madison Arts Commission. There are a few more good things that Alder Lemmer arranged and set in motion before she wrapped up that you'll see coming to the district over the next few months, and I continue to thank her for everything and was so happy she could be there on Thursday.  

I39/90/94 Corridor Study Public Meetings this week

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) invites you to a public involvement meeting introducing the environmental study of the 67 miles of I-39/90/94 in Dane, Columbia, Sauk and Juneau counties between Madison and Wisconsin Dells. There are two opportunities to participate, and both meetings will be an open-house format and provide participants with the same information. You may attend any time between 4 and 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Location:
Yahara Elementary School
(Gymnasium)
234 N. Lexington Parkway
DeForest, WI 53532

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Location:
Clarion Hotel & Suites
(Wintergreen Conference Center)
60 N. Gasser Road
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The meetings will provide overview information about the study and gather public input that will help WisDOT develop the following:

• Study purpose and need
• Range of transportation alternatives
• Proposed study schedule

If you have questions or are unable to attend but would like to learn about the study, please contact I-39/90/94
Study Project Manager Frank Pritzlaff via email at DOTSWRInterstateStudy@dot.wi.gov or call (608) 246-3803.

Both meeting facilities are ADA-compliant and wheelchair-accessible. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may request an interpreter by contacting the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System (dial 711) at least three working days prior to the meeting date. If you require a Spanish- or Hmong-speaking translator at the meeting, please contact Michael Bie (email Michael.Bie@dot.wi.gov or call 608-246-7928) at least three working days prior to the meeting date.

View study information, submit comments and sign up for email updates by visiting our website at bit.ly/ InterstateStudyPIM

2023 Capital Budget Released!

On September 6, Mayor Rhodes-Conway released her 2023 Executive Capital Budget and 6-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which detail her funding proposals for buildings, infrastructure and other capital investments in Madison. The Capital Budget is one major piece of the City's budget. In a month, she will introduce her 2023 Executive Operating Budget, which focuses on services, staffing and programs. You can read the introduced capital budget on the City's budget website. I expect to introduce an amendment to increase accessible transportation and housing options, though I am not sure if I will do that in September or in November.

Meetings 

• The Common Council does not meet again until September 20, but many other City committees meet the week of September 12, including the Public Safety Review Committee, Transportation Commission, Downtown Coordinating Committee and Common Council Executive Committee. To see the full list of City meetings scheduled for the week, please consult the City meeting schedule.
• The Finance Committee will have 2023 Capital Budget briefings at its meeting on September 12 and 2023 Capital Budget discussion at its meeting on September 13. Both meetings are virtual and begin at 4:30pm.
  • Watch the September 12 meeting online
  • Watch the September 13 meeting online
• The City of Madison will hold a Final Public Information Meeting for the Town of Madison Attachment on October 20, 2022, at 6pm. This public meeting will be conducted virtually and prior registration is required. This is an opportunity to meet City of Madison staff and learn about the Town of Madison attachment.

Events

• Arboretum Adventure! On Sunday, September 11, 9:30am-12pm, you are invited to work on a land restoration project at the Arboretum, and then go on a short hike to explore this natural gem. All ages are welcome, and all participants will be entered to win a prize. Snacks will be provided. Meet at the Arbor Drive parking lot off of Monroe Street. If you are interested, please contact laura@cmcmadison.org to register.
• Job fair: Centro Hispano of Dane County will be having a Community Connection Day on Thursday, September 15, 4pm-7pm, 810 Badger Road, El Mercadito. Industries represented will include health care, finance, biotech/manufacturing, customer service and hospitality. The goal is that anyone seeking employment can connect with potential employers in a community-centered environment. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.
• Trucks & Treasure: See, climb, and explore the big rigs! Sell or shop the gently used toys, games, books, and more at the kids-to-kids garage sale. Join Madison Parks at Trucks & Treasures on Saturday, September 17, 9am-12pm, at Reindahl Park.

Announcements

• Birding Backpacks: Madison Public Library is now offering Birding Backpacks thanks to a generous donation from the Feminist Bird Club-Madison Chapter and the Madison Public Library Foundation. Each backpack includes one pair of adult binoculars, one pair of kid binoculars, one Sibley's field guide for adults, one youth field guide donated by Madison Audubon and one birding location guide to help you explore potential birding spots near each library. Each Madison Public Library location has two backpacks available for checkout. A Madison Public Library card is required. More information can be found here.
• Police Civilian Oversight Board: The application process for nominations and self-nominations for two Common Council appointed seats and one Mayoral appointed seat on the City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board has now been extended. The deadline for submitting nominations or self-nominations is now Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5pm. Read the news release for more information. If you have any questions about the application process, please email pcob@cityofmadison.com, with Civilian Oversight Board Application Questions in the subject line, or call the Office of the Independent Monitor at 608-261-7161.
• Old Sauk Road speed reduction: The next 2022 roadway improvement scheduled through the Vision Zero initiative takes place on Monday, September 12, to a section of Old Sauk Road, from Westfield Road to the Beltline. Along with the previous speed changes occurring earlier this year on East Washington Avenue, John Nolen Drive and Mineral Point Road, this speed reduction is another step forward towards the goal of zero deaths. For more information, see the news release.
• Fall leaf and yard waste pickup: The dates when Madison residents should set out their leaves and yard waste for curbside collection this upcoming fall are now available on the Streets Division's website. As a reminder, during the fall collection period residents receive three curbside pickup opportunities. To get the dates when you should set out your yard waste for curbside pickup, go to www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste and enter your address into the form. You will see three set-out dates. These are the dates when you should put out yard waste for pickup.
• Downtown street closures: Several streets in and around downtown will be closed for the Ironman Triathlon on Sunday, September 11. The race starts at 6:45am and lasts until approximately midnight.  Police will maintain local access across the route only when possible during gaps in the runners/bicyclists.  Thru-traffic driving across the route will not be permitted. For more information, see the Ironman Street Closure Map, and read Traffic Engineering's news release. There will also be downtown street closures for the Half Ironman on Saturday, September 10, between 9am and 5pm. See which streets will be affected here.