Snow emergency TONIGHT through Thursday, Neighborhood meetings on housing developments, New district lines, Announcements and Events

Hello neighbors,

The end of a calendar year is often a time for reflection. We look back on our accomplishments and our stumbles, good times and bad. And we always hope for a better year to come.

It’s been an eventful year for me, taking the reins as your new Alder, under the expert tutelage of my predecessor, Shiva Bidar-Sielaff. I have so appreciated the opportunity to get to know our City and pressing issues better, and learn from all of you what’s important to you in our community. It is definitely still a learning process, though, so I just ask for your grace. And if you send me an email and I don’t respond within a week or so, please ping me again – there is a lot coming through my inbox, and I occasionally stumble in missing a message.

The end of this year is certainly not how I envisioned it, with the extension of our county mask mandate yet again amidst the rise of the Omicron variant and the resultant stresses on our healthcare system. But I’m grateful our children were able to return to school in person, and many of our amazing restaurants were able to weather the effects of the pandemic. Your support of local businesses, schools, and nonprofits is what keeps this community going – and thriving – in spite of all of the challenges. Thank you.

Snow Emergency and Removal

The City of Madison has declared a snow emergency from tonight (12/28) through Thursday morning (12/30). This means cars parked on the street should be on the ODD side of the street between 1am and 7am on 12/29, and on the EVEN side of the street the morning of 12/30. Remember that plows will work through the night, so you may hear them rumbling down the streets.

You also must clear your walks by noon tomorrow (12/29), or you will be subject to ticketing. If after removing all the snow and ice accumulated there is any ice on the sidewalk that cannot be removed, keep the sidewalk sprinkled with sand or another suitable substance to prevent the ice from being dangerous. Sand is provided throughout our neighborhoods.

Housing Developments

We have set the dates for online neighborhood meetings for the two new housing developments proposed in District 5:

• 3734 Speedway (former Stop-N-Go): Thursday, January 6, 5:30pm
• 3005 University Ave. (Smoky’s restaurant): Thursday, January 13, 6:30pm

After registering using the hyperlinks above, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Whether or not you can attend, the meetings will be recorded. You may submit questions to me in advance, or join the sessions and ask questions in real time. We will strive to keep the meetings to under 75 minutes.

New District Lines & Polling Places

Our District is expanding! District 5 will include voting ward 67 as of January 1, 2022, stretching to Midvale Blvd. And a note on voting wards – MMSD schools will not be available as polling places during the school year to reduce COVID transmission risk. So, please understand if you may need to vote in the spring election at a site different than the one you’re used to. Also remember that the County Board Districts will be changing. Previously, our Alder district was represented by County Board Supervisor Levin (District 10), and Supervisor Andrae (District 11). Under the new maps, our district will be under three Dane County Districts, 5, 11, and 13. Supervisor Andrae is running for reelection for District 11.

Christmas Tree Art Installation

You could be ordinary, and just set your Christmas tree out on your curb for collection beginning January 3, or you could contribute to public art by bringing your tree to 3527 Atwood Ave (the Olbrich Park beach parking lot) for it to be used in a public art installation. A local artist will be using the trees to construct a labyrinth within the park. Trees can be brought to Olbrich Park beach between January 2 and 29.

Community Grants

The Jewish Federation of Madison is currently accepting proposals for up to $10,000 to support projects that connect Jewish youth and adults with diverse members of the general Madison community to advance social justice, build community partnerships and improve the well-being of all community members. Grant proposals are due January 15, 2022.
 

Share Your Voice

To help combat hate in our community, our Jewish Madison community wrote a song together, Just One Light. It turned out amazing and now you can be a part of the song and video recording that will be promoted and distributed publically to help bring awareness and educate on antisemitism. Even if you don't think you are musical, you can record something - you being a part of the video is what will make it special. Recording/Video Submissions are Due by January 17, 2022.

Madison Library Foundation

Many of you wrote to me during the budget process to re-open our Monroe Street Library to five days/week service. This increase in operating hours was made possible because of the Madison Library Foundation. I encourage you to consider them in your year-end donation plans!

Also from our libraries, on Thursday, January 20 at 6pm there will be a screening of a short film, “Not Homeless Enough”, which features the story of four families in Dane County who experienced homelessness. This film highlights the struggle of living in doubled-up situations, or self-paying to live in a hotel and how it disqualifies these families for federal HUD homeless programs.  

Madison Metro Holiday Schedule

If you’re planning to travel by bus on Saturday, January 1, please note the holiday schedule.