D6 Items of Interest Week of June 5, 2023
postedThe upcoming Council meeting on Tuesday has quite a few items of interest including the adoption of the Task Force on Farmland Preservation and the Comp Plan Progress Update and public participation plan on the Comp Plan Interim Update. In addition, I hope there will be a policy discussion about the proposed extension of the sunset to the billboard ‘cap and replace’ program, see my comments under agenda item 98. There are also items of new business for referral regarding updates to the Tourist Rooming House ordinance, funds for maintenance repairs for non-profit housing providers, !00% of costs paid for 239 low-income households in Dane County for PFAS testing for private wells, and a resolution encouraging local employers to adopt Juneteenth as a paid holiday. As always, send comments to allalders@cityofmadison.com (and include your address or district #).
On Monday June 12, I am holding a neighborhood meeting along with District 15 Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford at 6:30p regarding the request by The Atwood bar to open a rear yard patio. This blog will be updated soon to add the link for the meeting.
District 3 Alder Derek Field’s blog this week, Recap of Interstate Design Neighborhood Meetings with WisDOT and City of Madison Transportation and Planning staff provides a really useful overview of the status of planning for several interchanges.Last week, approximately 30 people attended the neighborhood meeting with Chris Houden of Willow Partners and his team regarding 702 E Washington. The meeting was recorded on the city's YouTube channel, I will post the link when I find it. Stay tuned for another meeting.
Tuesday June 6 - Common Council - 6:30p - CC Agenda June 6, 2023
1.78019 Presentation: Poetry recitation by Ron Czerwien - "Sorry"
Ron is my neighbor and friend; I am excited that he will be leading off the meeting with a poem.
2. 78151 Recognizing and commemorating June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in Madison, Wisconsin
16. 77907 Separated Liquor License Renewal MKS Petroleum LLc • dba Williamson Mini Mart 1130 Williamson St • Agent: Amanprit Dhanoa Class A Beer Alder District 6 (Alder Rummel) • Police Sector 408 Separation requested by City Attorney's Office for conviction.
Amanprit Dhanoa will be purchasing the gas station and after the sale, they will submit a new application.
92. 77441 Adopting the Final Report of the Task Force on Farmland Preservation
Task Force on Farmland Preservation Final Report
93. 77479 Accepting the report titled “Comprehensive Plan - 2023 Progress Update”
94. 77810 A resolution adopting a Public Participation Plan for the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan Interim Update (2023) and authorizing the Planning Division to draft amendments to the text and maps in the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
98. 77467 Amending Section 31.112 of the Madison General Ordinances, Advertising Sign Bank and Replacement Advertising Signs, to extend the sunset date for 8 years and make minor procedural clarifications to the sign bank process for advertising signs.
Should we extend the sunset 8 more years to allow billboards which are prohibited by ordinance?
Billboard cap and replace history 1977-2023
Replacement Advertising Sign staff presentation
Here is my read:
Currently existing advertising signs are nonconforming and permitted to remain only in certain zoning districts. New, relocated and replacement advertising signs are prohibited, except for signs that are “realigned” per this sunset provision, MGO 31.05 and Wis Statute (MGO 31.11)
Per MGO 31.112 (1):” If the owner of an existing advertising sign permanently removes a lawfully existing advertising sign eligible for replacement under sub. (2) below, the net area of each sign face removed may, at the owner's request, be added to an "Advertising Sign Bank" for that owner. The net area banked by the owner will be available to construct a Replacement Advertising Sign ("RAS") that may be displayed for up to fifty (50) years, as set forth in this section.”
In 2015 the council approved the sign bank ordinance with a sunset of 6/24/2023. But the reality is the signs, if realigned, can stay for up to an additional 50 years. This hardly seems like billboards are going away, after 40+ years of policy maker intentions to discontinue them.
The rationale is this ordinance and its proposed extension, removes a barrier to development when a sign owner will not agree to end lease /remove an existing billboard. How many other businesses in Madison are allowed to utilize a lease to create the ability to continue uses that are not permitted and are allowed to impose delays for the redevelopment of property?
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE
103. 78146 Amending Sections 9.29 and 28.151 of the Madison General Ordinances to update regulations for Tourist Rooming Houses Legistar 78146 Plan Commission (6/26/23), Common Council (7/11/23)
Drafter’s Analysis: This proposed ordinance amends MGO Secs. 9.29 “Regulation of Tourist Rooming Houses” and 28.151 “Supplemental Regulations for Tourist Rooming Houses.” The proposed changes for Tourist Rooming Houses (“TRH”) clarify and fine-tune the regulations already in place but do not substantively change the TRH license and enforcement process. First, the change states that TRH operators must submit their mailing address and phone number in their applications. TRH operators, as well as the property owner, must also submit a valid photo identification alongside their application. Second, the proposed amendment requires that if the TRH is also the operator’s primary residence, it must have been their primary residence for twelve (12) consecutive months prior to operation. Finally, the change clarifies what is required for compliance with existing TRH Reports and Guest Registries so operators better understand their responsibilities.
111. 78111 Awarding up to $1.85 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through Community Development Division’s (CDD) Capital Improvements for Non-profit Housing (CINH) Program to six different non-profit housing providers (Common Wealth Development, Madison Area Community Land Trust, Madison Development Corporation, Movin’ Out, Porchlight and Project Home) and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into agreements with those agencies to implement the specified rehabilitation projects.
Background: The Community Development Division (CDD) has heard from nonprofit agencies that own and operate properties that provide housing to low-to moderate-income households that the COVID-19 pandemic has had impacts to their maintenance reserves. Some of their tenants experienced financial hardship during the pandemic and struggled to pay for housing. That deprived the non-profits, who already operate on a tight margin, of funds needed for routine repairs and building maintenance.
119. 78148 Amending the Public Health budget and authorizing a contract with Pace Analytical Services LLC for the analysis of PFAS in private drinking water samples
Fiscal Note: The proposed resolution amends the Public Health Madison Dane County (PHMDC) budget by $104,500 and authorizes a contract with Pace Analytical Services LLC in the amount of $204,500 for the analysis of PFAS in private drinking water samples. PHMDC received $100,000 from Dane County in the Department’s 2023 operating budget to test for PFAS in private drinking water wells from low-income households which will be used to pay 100% of the analysis cost for samples collected from up to 239 low-income households. PHMDC’s water quality laboratory does not have the equipment, capacity, or expertise to perform this analysis. As a result, a competitive bidding process was completed, and Pace Analytical Services LLC was selected to provide these services. In addition, PHMDC plans to offer PFAS testing at cost to households and other private well owners that are not considered low-income. The cost for PFAS testing under this contract will be approximately $100 less than tests available from other labs. With this price, PHMDC expects to offer PFAS testing for up to another 250 homes by the end of 2023. This would result in an additional $104,500 in revenue collected that would be paid to the contractor in addition to the budgeted amount for low-income households.
124. 78154 Encouraging employers to honor Juneteenth as a paid holiday Sponsors: Amani Latimer Burris and Marsha A. Rummel Legislative History 5/31/23 Council Office Referred for Introduction Economic Development Committee (6/21/23), Common Council (7/11/23)
125. 78172 Supporting and approving the City of Madison’s application to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) by the Vision Zero team for a Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation grant, the acceptance of the grant, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a grant agreement with USDOT or its designee, if awarded the grant.
Upcoming Neighborhood Meeting- Monday, June 12, 2023, at 6:30p
The Atwood, 2116 Atwood Avenue, has applied for a Change of Premise to allow them to have outdoor seating for 20. The outdoor seating would consist of four tables with five seats at each table, four 10’x10’ shade tents at times, and a perimeter fence. Three of the tables would be behind The Atwood and the fourth table would be behind Talbot Gallery.
The Alcohol License Review Committee will consider the application at its June 21 meeting. Marsha Rummel District 6 Alder and Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford Alder, District 15 Alder are co-sponsoring a virtual neighborhood meeting to hear more about this proposal. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 12, 2023, at 6:30pm. Neighbors received a postcard notification.
You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone, or tablet, or you can listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering at link to be added.
Alder Marsha A. Rummel
District 6
Contact Alder Rummel