Redistricting, budget, events, etc.

Hello neighbors,

Whew! Things have been really busy for the Common Council these days.

Last Tuesday, we passed the updated redistricting maps. District 5 will largely remain the same, with a slight extension of the western boundary to Midvale Blvd., shifting District 11's boundaries also westward. These changes were necessitated by growing population on the far west, east and central areas of Madison over the past decade, making all Alders need to represent more residents.

On Friday, we received amendments to the Capital and Operating budgets for 2022. I've been reviewing the amendments, speaking with staff, colleagues and community members, and doing my best to understand the intended and unintended consequences of accepting or denying each amendment. You should feel free to email me with questions or concerns, and/or join the public meeting on the budget on Tuesday evening.

I have heard from folks that it's really challenging to register without speaking on these broad items, when you have specific concerns about certain elements of them, in this case, you might not wish to register for or against the entire budget, but a specific amendment or two. In those instances, it's best to email All Alders to get your point across. The budget ultimately impacts our entire city, and no decisions on any of these amendments are made in a vacuum. My colleague, Alder Fuhrman, has developed an outstanding overview of the budget process, including a link to the Wisconsin Policy Board's analysis.

Because BRT/metro routes is a big item, which will likely invoke a lot of public comment, with much discussion among Alders, I encourage everyone to review the following resources:

• City page on downtown routes – here you can find links to multiple reports that have reviewed potential alternate routes, engaged community members who ride Metro on their wants and needs, and assessed the pros and cons of various attributes.
  • You might not know:
    • The downtown route was originally proposed under Mayor Soglin, in 2013.
    • There was significant community engagement of riders who have mobility challenges.
    • The network redesign process, which will determine where local routes will run once BRT is in place, is independent from, but collaborative with, the BRT plan process. The network redesign process is far from complete, and is continuing to engage residents and businesses.
• The Wisconsin State Journal ran a story today providing some high level perspective on the issue.

Events & Announcements:

• The Madison Senior Center invites all veterans, friends, family and public officials to attend a Veterans Day Tribute on Thursday, November 11, at 10am. Special guests include Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Representative Francesca Hong, and Senator Kelda Roys.
• Also on Veterans Day, the Madison Children's Museum is offering free admission. If the active-duty family member is currently deployed, the free admission can be enjoyed by another family member.
• Gallery Night is Friday November 12 from 5-9pm. There are participating sites all over town! 
• The City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division and Madison Public Libraries are kicking off their second Be Bright at Night Campaign. The Be Bright at Night campaign aims to encourage safety and lower the barriers to having lights while walking and biking. Beginning November 3, if you walk or bike to the library to pick up books or other materials during the month of November, you will have the opportunity to pick up lights and reflective armbands, free of charge and while supplies last.
• On November 5, Face Covering Emergency Order #4 went into effect. This order will be in effect until November 27.
• On November 1, the City of Madison announced that it will extend the deadline for nominations for the annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award until 5pm on November 12. The Erlanger Award was created to "recognize individuals or organizations who share Jeff Erlanger's dedication to and compassion for public policy development, politeness, civility, individual and human rights, and who conduct their daily life consistent with these values." Nomination forms are available online. Nominations must be returned to the Mayor's Office by mail (Room 403, City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Blvd.) or email.
• Between now and November 15, families who are not required to file taxes can sign-up for the federal Child Tax Credit.
• Streets Division crews will collect pumpkins along with other yard waste when crews pick up leaves in your neighborhood. This includes other compostable decorations like corn stalks and hay. Remove any non-compostable items like wire, tea candles, or electric lights from these items and then please set them on top of your leaf pile or leaf bags.
• The Madison Marathon races will take place Sunday, November 14, starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Capitol. Runners will go through the UW Arboretum, UW Campus, Warner Park, and back to the Capitol, with the last runners finishing around 1:30 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead if traveling around the race route as crossing the route will only be permitted when there are sufficient gaps in the runners.
• Madison Schools and Community Recreation (MSCR) is seeking your feedback through a community input survey to ask Madison community members how MSCR can serve them better. In this survey, people can share their thoughts about MSCR's program offerings in their neighborhood through November 15.
• Blessed Sacrament's Outdoor Christmas Market will be held December 3-4.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver