Construction plans changing, public meetings, announcements, and events

Hello neighbors,

Well, the construction plans for our district continue to change. At last week’s meeting on the Franklin/Stevens St. reconstruction project, we learned that the sewer repair project that was to impact the Highland & University intersection for most of the summer of 2024 has just been pushed to 2025. It’s unclear if that will be better or worse for our area, as that will then mean that Franklin from Regent to University will be impacted at the same time as the Highland & University intersection. All I can ask is that you stay tuned for any changes to the plans that may be coming, as change seems to be the only constant we can rely on! At that same meting, we learned that S Franklin, from Regent to Speedway is now on the schedule for reconstruction in 2027. 

In other news, I received an update on the remaining Clean Streets Clean Lakes signage scheduled to be installed – these are the no parking signs for a certain number of hours each week that have been added to ensure our street sweepers and snow plows can clear detritus to keep it from going into our lakes. City staff are hoping to have sign installations completed on Stevens Street by February 9, and on Lynn Terrace, Mason Street, and Van Hise completed by the end of March.

Public Information Meetings & Sessions

• Pheasant Branch Enhancement, Monday, February 5: The City of Madison, like many communities, has seen a recent increase in extreme flood events. This increase has occurred most notably in Madison since 2016, when a large and intense rain event in late July caused extensive flooding of public and private property on Madison’s west side. Large events in July 2017 and June 2018 caused similar flooding, again largely focused on Madison’s west side. A public information meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Feb. 5, 2024, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
• Passenger Rail Station Study - Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, February 6: Learn more and share your feedback about the draft results of the corridor evaluation and learn more about several potential station sites under consideration at the upcoming virtual public meeting.
• Community Conversation: Pedestrian Safety, Wednesday, February 7: This is an opportunity for community members with disabilities and allies to gather and discuss how we can work together to reduce pedestrian crashes and deaths and engage with existing efforts in the City of Madison.  For this conversation, we use the word “pedestrian” to describe anyone who walks, rolls, or rides to get to where they need to go.

Announcements & News Releases

• Affordable Connectivity Program – ACP Winddown: In 2021, Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, appropriating $14.2 billion. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was tasked to develop and implement the ACP as well as ACP outreach and awareness activities. As of January 2024, over 22 million households are enrolled and receiving the ACP monthly benefit. Without additional funding from Congress, the allotted $14.2 billion to fund the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024 (this date is an estimate and may change). As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down. This includes:
  • ACP applications and enrollments will not be processed after February 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET. 
  • Households who have applied, been approved, and are receiving the monthly internet discount before February 8, 2024, will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out, as long as the household remains enrolled in the program.   
  • After the ACP funds run out (projected in April 2024), households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.
  • We’re hearing from community partners that some ISPs are telling customer the program isn’t running anymore; this is inaccurate—if households are enrolled (not just have applied) by February 7, they can still benefit until the funds run out.
• City of Madison Recertified as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community: The City of Madison has been recertified as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Every four years, the City is required to apply to continue to be designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community.
• How to Watch: 2024 State of Public Safety: The Madison Police Department remains committed to providing the highest level of service to the Madison community. Chief Barnes presented his report on Thursday, February 1.
• Spring Primary Absentee Ballots are in the Mail: The City of Madison Clerk’s Office has mailed absentee ballots to 553 voters for the February 20 primary election. Most Madison residents do not have a February Primary. NOTE: there will be a primary on February 20 for Dane County Board Supervisor for District 13, which covers a portion of this Madison Alder District.
• Madison Arts Commission and Monona Terrace Announce Call for Artist Entries for Rooftop and Olin Terrace Sculptures: The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison is soliciting submissions from artists for its 2024 sculpture exhibition on the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens and Olin Terrace. 
• The City of Madison's Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program, Launched February 1st, 2024!: As part of a broader strategy to foster stable and sustainable communities in the City of Madison, the Community Development Division is now offering low -interest loans ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, depending on property size, to owners of rental properties to improve their housing stock. With these loans, property owners can make major repairs, implement energy-efficiency upgrades, and take steps needed to comply with building codes and regulations. These updates will help improve the health, safety, and welfare of tenants who live in these buildings. 
• Check out the latest Vison Zero newsletter, highlighting the efforts underway to improve traffic safety in our City.

Events 

• Monroe Street Library offers Storytime for kids ages 5 and under on Tuesday mornings at 10:30. Sibs and daycare groups are welcome to join Jennifer for stories, songs, and play. 
• City In-Person Absentee Voting Begins, Tuesday, February 6: Check our In-Person Absentee Voting website for locations and hours. 
• MPD: Recruitment Open House, Wednesday, February 7: Come learn about our agency, its mission to public service and the various careers available within the Madison Police Department. Our recruiting officer will talk attendees through our application and the hiring process.
• Meditation At Monona Terrace, Thursdays: Life can be stressful, meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. All experience levels and drop-ins welcome. 
• Inspired by Wright: Galentine's Edition, Thursday, February 8: Our tour will launch with a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. Then we're off to discover Frank Lloyd Wright's inspirations from geometry and the building site in his design of Monona Terrace. Following the tour, create your own Wright-inspired glass piece of art.  
• Northside Community Resource Fair, Thursday, February 8: Come to the Northside Community Resource Fair to learn about valuable City of Madison resources and programs available to Northside residents! Enjoy free pizza slices, while supplies last!
• Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, February 9: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo! 
• Groove & Glide, Friday, February 9: Make the most of winter at a Groove and Glide event! Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the lights with fun music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Grab your friends, a date, or the whole family, and come have some fun on the ice. 
• West District Saturday Family Reading Project: Information Sessions for Families and Students, Saturday, February 10: Join Westside leaders, including Common Council Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney of District 20, for the West District Saturday Family Reading Project! This is an information session on building and improving the reading capacity of Madison students. These sessions will take place at the Southwest Employment & Training Center, 1233 McKenna Boulevard (across from Elver Park), on Saturday, February 3 and Saturday, February 10, at 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• FREE Homebuyer Education Class (In Person) –Saturday, February 10 – registration deadline February 5. The City of Madison, in partnership with the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, are hosting a Homebuyer Education workshop on February 10 from 8:30am-3:30pm at the Southwest Employment Center (1233 McKenna Blvd)! HBRT offers monthly homebuyer education classes. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures at Owen Conservation Park, Saturday, February 10: Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Badgerland Bird Alliance, Madison Audubon Society,  and the Friends of Owen Conservation Park . Free, family-friendly guided nature walks at Owen Conservation Park are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, year-round 2:30-4pm. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Skate Cinema | Cool Runnings, Saturday, February 10: Join us for an evening of ice skating and a movie at Skate Cinema! Bring a lawn chair and a blanket and make it an evening. This event is free to attend and no advanced registration is required. Ice skating will be allowed while the movie is playing - just not in front of the screen! A limited number of loaner skates will be available or bring your own skates. We’ll have an outdoor fire pit for warming up and Travelin' Tom's Coffee for purchase. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures at Turville Point Conservation Park, Sunday, February 11: Follow rolling hiking paths through the Turville Point Conservation Park woodlands and prairie with beautiful vistas of Lake Monona and Monona Bay. Walks at Turville Point held on the 2nd Sunday every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners, Madison Parks, Badgerland Bird Alliance, Friends of Olin Turville, and Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Turville Point parking lot, entrance at the E. Olin Ave. stoplight from John Nolen Drive at the railroad tracks, south of Olin Park (not at the boat launch). No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Metro Transit Info Sessions: Learn how to get around the city with help from Metro Transit! Whether you're looking to navigate the bus system or find alternative options, these helpful information sessions led by Metro employees will connect you to the services that are right for you. Several sessions are planned in library locations between January and April 2024. Metro employees will be available for one-on-one conversations in English and Spanish. No registration required; all are welcome!
• February 8, 10am - 1pm | Central Library
• February 13, 3-5pm | Pinney Library
• March 14, 3-5pm | Alicia Ashman Library
• March 16, 10am - 12pm | Pinney Library
• April 23, 10am - 12pm | Lakeview Library

Be well,

Regina Vidaver