Sidewalk assessments, Recycling Recovery Charge, Listening sessions, Announcements and events

Hello neighbors,

It was lovely to see so many of you at the polls at Blessed Sacrament the other day. I appreciate everyone who came out to vote in this election, as I know it wasn’t “high stakes”. The more people participate, the stronger our democracy. So, thank you again for voting!

Here are this week’s updates:

Sidewalks:

• I have been getting a number of questions about folks’ assessments for sidewalk repairs. It turns out that there was only a single bid for the sidewalk work, and it was significantly higher than in the past, likely due to increases in costs of materials and labor.
• Please come to the neighborhood meeting on this topic on Wednesday April 13 at 5:30pm to learn more.
• If you believe your assessment is inappropriate, you may contact the Sidewalk Program Supervisor, Bill McGlynn to ask for a review.
• Payments for sidewalk assessments can be extended over 5 years if you wish to have them incorporated into your property tax bill.
• There is also a special assessment loan program that property owners can apply for, depending on income.
• You do have the option of hiring your own contractor to perform the repairs. If a group of neighbors wanted to go in on the hiring together, it’s possible a smaller company might be interested in taking on a limited job. If you decide to go this route, please let me know!

Recycling charge:

You may have seen the news that this evening the Finance Committee voted to move forward with a recycling resource recovery fee. It’s important to note the following:

• Individual properties will be charged between $4.10-$4.30/month ($49.20-$51.60/year).
• These charges had already been approved in the 2022 budget (this vote just codified the charges).
• If this fee is not approved by the Common Council, we will have to make up the $1.5M difference in this year’s operating budget (and $3M next year) through another mechanism.

I am incredibly sympathetic to the fact that our property taxes and fees continue to rise. Because the state legislature has tied the hands of municipalities by significantly reducing state aid and instituting “levy limits”, there is only so much room in our budget. If this fee is not approved and we need to make up the budget difference elsewhere, I would appreciate hearing from you regarding what City services you are willing to see reduced or eliminated, understanding that will also likely lead to people losing their jobs.

Madison Police Department:

• Please join our Midtown focus group meeting tomorrow, April 12, at 6:30pm to help inform MPD’s strategic planning.

Beltline Reconstruction:

Public involvement meetings for the Madison Beltline Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) study are being held:

• Tuesday, April 12, 5 - 6:30 p.m. (Presentation at 5:30 p.m.), Memorial High School Commons, 201 S. Gammon Road
• Wednesday, April 13, 5 - 6:30 p.m. (Presentation at 5:30 p.m.) The Village on Park Community Room, 2300 South Park Street

 Development:

• Demolition has begun for the affordable housing complex at Don the Car Care Man on University.
• West High reconstruction has begun.
  • If anyone would be willing to provide space in their driveway for teachers to park during the reconstruction, as the West High parking lot will be unavailable for a significant period of time, please let me know.
• The redevelopment at the Smoky’s property has been approved by the Urban Design Commission. There is a lawsuit from Bagels Forever to try to halt the project.
• Neighbors submitted an appeal of the Plan Commission’s Conditional Use approval for the redevelopment at the former Stop-n-Go/Kwik Trip on Speedway. The appeal will be introduced at the April 19 Common Council meeting, and public comment and voting will occur at the May 10 meeting.

Announcements:

• Water main flushing is starting for the spring.
• Madison’s second Vision Zero newsletter is available. This month’s newsletter includes:
  • Vision Zero Action Plan
  • Implementing Vision Zero
  • Mapping for a Safer Future - Madison's High Injury Network
  • Capital Projects for 2022
  • John Nolen Drive - Implementing Vision Zero
  • Making Madison Streets Safe for All

Events:

• Downtown wine walk, Thursday, April 21 starting at 5pm.
• Madison College Pow-Wow, Saturday, April 23, 1pm-9pm.
• Sigma Phi Neighborhood and Faculty Tea at the Harold C. Bradley house, Sunday, April 24, 2-5pm. Please RSVP by April 12.
• Interfaith Iftar celebration, Saturday, April 30, 7:15pm, Lakeview Park.
• Madison Public Schools Foundation Circle of Friends, Tuesday, May 17, 11:30am-1:30pm, Alliant Energy Center. RSVP by April 29.
• Picnic in the Park, May 21, 4-10:30pm, Olin Park.
• Run MadTown Half Marathon and 5K will be on May 29, beginning at 7am.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver