D6 Items of Interest Week of October 9, 2023

Thanks for all the emails that overwhelmingly support a budget amendment for the Madison Public Market. I am a sponsor of the Version 2 alternate with District 12 Alder Amani Latimer Burris to amend the adopted 2023 budget to cover the $1.64M gap in the lowest bid. On Monday, Finance Committee takes up regular items including the two versions of a 2023 budget amendment to cover the gap for the Madison Public Market construction bid, and then a dive into the 2024 Executive Operating budget that continues Tuesday with agency presentations. Wednesday @ Transportation Committee- there is a public hearing to remove RP3 parking on N Baldwin as part of the Safe Streets recommendations for the Baldwin corridor, proposed Metro Redesign refinements, street platting of the Voit Farm, and review of 2024 transportation projects. Also Wednesday @ Parks – a request by Big Top Events for additional concerts at Breese Stevens next year. TLNA Council in collaboration with Big Top Events sent out a postcard mailer with a link to neighborhood survey to gather input. You can send comments to Parks Commissioners  at pacommission@cityofmadison.com or attend the in-person meeting (details below).

Monday October 9 – Finance Committee – 4:30p Finance Committee Agenda 10.09.23

2. 80062 Submitting the appointment of Yang Tao for confirmation of a five-year term as Director of Traffic Engineering.

5. 80099 Authorizing the Purchase of the Property Located at 305 S. Bedford from Dane County for Future Assemblage with Brittingham Park. (District 4).

Fiscal Note
“The proposed resolution authorizes the purchase of a tax deeded parcel located at 305 S. Bedford Street from Dane County for purposes of expanding Brittingham Park. The land and improvements on the property are assessed in the amount of $627,000.00, and have an estimated fair market value, according to the City Assessor, of $654,762. The total purchase price approved by Dane County Tax Deed Subcommittee is $654,762 for 5,455 square feet of land and the existing improvements. Total costs are anticipated to be approximately $700,000 for the transaction, miscellaneous title and closing costs and staff time will be funded by impact fees in the Land Acquisition project (Munis project #17128). No additional appropriation is required.”

This proposal caused some buzz initially. Here is an update shared with me from Alder Mike Verveer:  The parkland acquisition funds do not cover the cost of the rehabilitation of 305 S Bedford, the c1914 former home of the Gallagher Tent and Awning factory.  After the purchase is finalized, the next step will be for the Parks Division to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the building for structural integrity and safety. Parks staff reported at an August meeting with adjacent Bedford Square commercial neighbors that they will contract to have a report of the condition of the building done within 6 months of ownership. The structure report will provide vital information about potential re-uses. The Parks Division is not planning to demolish the building if it can be avoided and there is no desire to eliminate the parking easements with Bedford Square tenants, although design of a proposed underpass at John Nolen between North Shore and Broom St could require the alteration of the easement in future years.

This item is also #29 on Wednesday’s Board of Park Commissioners agenda.

8. 80200 Authorizing the execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement between Lincoln Capital Acquisition LLC, or their successors and assigns (“Seller”) and the City of Madison (“Purchaser”) for the acquisition of a portion of the property located at 2007 Roth Street (“Property”) for the Parks Division. (District 12)

The resolution is for the city to purchase the wetland and open space identified in the Hartmeyer planning area. This item is also #31 on Wednesday’s Board of Park Commissioners agenda.

12. 79408 Authorizing a process for the Percent for Art projects for the State Street Campus Garage/Hawthorne Court redevelopment, including establishing the Ad Hoc State Street Campus Garage/Hawthorne Court Public Art Committee (District 2)

Fiscal Note

The proposed resolution approves the processes by which the public art for the State Street Campus Garage project is chosen and approved. Funding for the public art is calculated as an additional 1% of the eligible project budget as called for in the Percent for Art ordinance (MGO 4.30). Construction estimates in the schematic design phase are $47,706,876; an additional 1% for art is $477,069.

This item is also item #4 on Wednesday’s Madison Arts Commission agenda

18. 80106 Amending the 2023 Adopted Capital Budget of the Economic Development Division and Awarding Public Works Contract No. 8595, Madison Public Market (District 12)

Version 1

Version 2

I am a sponsor of the Version 2 alternate with District 12 Alder Amani Latimer Burris. Version 2 would amend Economic Development Divisions’ 2023 capital budget by $1.64M and award the public works contract to the lowest bidder. In addition, it directs EDD staff to seek an amendment to TID 36 to replace $1.64M in General Obligation borrowing with TIF funds and would use $1M in county funds, if awarded, for furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

The public works bid expires October 24th and either we do nothing and lose the bid, or we amend the 2023 Capital budget. Amending the adopted 2023 budget requires a 15-vote item by the Council and I decided to be cautious, knowing alders are concerned about borrowing and the city is potentially faced with other 2023 public projects that are awaiting bid results that could be higher than budgeted (Metro bus facility remodel at Hanson Rd and the State St Campus garage are both out for bid currently). The Council recently delayed the CDA Village on Park garage and site improvements until 2024/2025 and split the project into two phases after it came in 40% over bid.

Alder Amani and I offered the alternate Version 2 amendment for $1.64M that reflects the base bid but not the additions of doors and windows that are included in Version 1 for a total of $2.28M.

After years of delay due to COVID, the construction market has changed dramatically. Unfortunately, on September 14, we came up short in our bid estimate, despite having a professionally developed construction cost estimate completed in July. The construction market is very volatile with inflation, supply chain limitations, and competition among projects. A September 18 staff memo to all alders from Economic Development Division Director Matt Mikolajewski indicated that an amendment to the 2023 budget for $1.64M could cover the gap and still provide for a viable project.

I have served as an alder on the Public Market Development Committee since it was created. In 2016, the Council asked the PMDC to apply an equity lens to the project. In collaboration with our partners at the Northside Planning Council, the PMDC came up with the Market Ready program which was a gamechanger and has elevated the vision and goals of the Public Market to where it is today: supporting food-based entrepreneurship, especially among historically disadvantaged business owners; providing affordable, healthy food options; and providing a public, year-round gathering place for all Madisonians. I asked to be appointed by Mayor Satya this term and Alder Amani was also appointed to the PMDC since the Public Market is in her district. We are both dedicated to getting the Public Market finished.

Before the bid was let, Staff worked with the Public Market Foundation to make cuts to the furniture, fixture, and equipment (F/F/E) budget and as a team, they collectively decided that two south garage doors (Alternate #1) and the south facing window system (Alternate #2) should be treated as additional additives to the base budget. They agreed the base bid was a means to achieve a viable project in a rapidly inflationary construction market.  The existing doors and windows are functional but not aesthetic. Per the staff memo, the lowest construction bid we received is about $15.2 million, which is about $1.5 million higher than our Construction Budget Dollar Value, even with all of the cuts noted above. When adding in the required 8% construction contingency, the lowest bid is $1,641,071 higher than the Construction Budget Dollar Value we allocated.

Since the city will be obligated to maintain and reinvest in the Fleet building because we own it, I felt the south garage doors and window system could wait for a future year to be replaced. I understand it is disappointing, but I believe funding tenant improvements and other non-construction elements of the F/F/E budget is more crucial.

Alder Sabrina Madison and Alder Regina Vidaver, sponsors of Version 1, reached out to County Board Chair Patrick Miles to request $1M in county funding for the Public Market. Last week the County’s Personnel and Finance Committee approved the request, and it moves forward to the County Board’s final budget deliberations. I appreciate the Alders’ efforts and the County’s continued commitment to the Public Market.

Version 1 includes the base bid and the alternative bid amounts for doors and windows for a total of $2.28M while Version 2 proposes to cover the base bid gap of $1.64M only, for a difference of $639K. 

Both Version 1 and 2 include the Solar PV (Alternative #3) to be funded via existing budget authority of the Engineering Facilities Management’s Energy Improvement program. Both versions direct staff to seek an amendment to the TID 36 project plan from the TIF Joint Review Board to replace General Obligation borrowing with TID 36 funding. And both versions would use County funds of $1M, if awarded, to replenish cuts of $1.26M made to the F/F/E budget (tenant improvements and build out).  

Last week the Board of Public Works and the Public Market Development Committee both recommended Version 2. After Monday’s vote at Finance, which is the lead committee, the budget amendment will be back at the Council on October 17.  I believe that Version 2 is the most viable path to getting the Public Market over the finish line.

19. 79918 2024 Executive Operating Budget

2024 Executive Operating Budget Summaries, Special Fund Statements, and Agency Requests

Finance will have two days of budget overviews and agency presentations. The Mayor's Executive Summary offers an overview. The operating budget provides basic services, investments in community programs and organizations, funding for four elections, some new positions, pay equity for city employees, and debt service to name a few highlights.

Tuesday October 10 – Finance Committee – 4:30p Finance Committee Agenda 10.10.23

Tuesday will be the continuation of 2024 Executive Operating Budget presentations. Agency schedule of presentations for Monday and Tuesday

Wednesday October 11 – Transportation Committee – 5p TC Agenda 10.11.23

6. 80280 Public hearing to remove RP3 parking from N. Baldwin St. (E. Johnson St. to E. Dayton St.) will be held at 6:00 p.m.

The public hearing will include a presentation from the Parking Manager regarding their recommendation to the Transportation Commission, followed by public testimony. Then there will be discussion, deliberation, and a vote on this item by the Transportation Commission. Should this item be adjourned to the next Transportation Commission for discussion, deliberation and vote, there would be no additional public testimony on this item at that next Transportation Commission meeting.

You can send comments on agenda items to transportationcommission@cityofmadison.com or if you wish to speak, you must register. The agenda link has registration info.

7. 80012 Approval of the Metro Transit Network Redesign Refinements.

THIS ITEM WAS ADJOURNED FROM THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSION DISCUSSION, DELIBERATION AND VOTE ONLY - NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC TESTIMONY AT THE OCTOBER 11, 2023 TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING ON THIS ITEM.

9. 80278 Public Works Transportation Projects Review and Feedback - Starkweather Plat

Staff memo

Plat exhibits

From the staff memo “The applicant, Starkweather, LLC, is requesting zoning and preliminary plat approvals to allow five parcels at 3420-3614 Milwaukee Street to be developed with a variety of mixed-use and multi-family buildings. The approximately 67 acres of land are generally located on north side of Milwaukee Street between Starkweather Creek and Walter Street.

The Starkweather Plat proposes 13 lots and a total of 10 outlots. Three of the proposed lots will be zoned CC-T (Commercial Corridor–Transitional District), six will be zoned TR-U2 (Traditional Residential–Urban 2 District), and four lots will be zoned TR-V2 (Traditional Residential–Varied 2 District). The letter of intent suggests that the 13 lots could support the future construction of up to 1,100 dwelling units, including townhouses and “flats” (multi-family dwelling units); the amount of future non-residential (commercial, service, etc.) space is unknown. The Starkweather Plat also proposes ten outlots, including five that will be dedicated to the City (three for stormwater management and two for parkland) and five outlots that will be reserved for private use, including for private open spaces and community gardens. Separate land use approvals will be required for the future development on Lots 1-13 following approval and recording of a final plat of the subdivision.

Access to the proposed subdivision will be provided by three streets that will extend north from Milwaukee Street opposite three streets that serve the Eastmorland neighborhood to the south. From west to east, the applicant proposes the northward extension of Leon Street as a 76-foot wide right of way, which they indicate is intended to be a “Community Main Street” under the Complete Green Streets typology adopted by the Common Council earlier this year. Near the center of the development frontage along Milwaukee Street, the plat includes the extension of Harding Street as a 60-foot wide “Neighborhood Yield Street” right of way, while Walter Street will be extended north from its existing signalized intersection with Milwaukee Street as a 66-foot wide “Neighborhood Street” right of way. All three streets will terminate at the eastward extension of Chicago Avenue, which is proposed as a 66-foot wide “Neighborhood Street” right of way to be located approximately 900 feet north of Milwaukee Street. Chicago Avenue is planned to extend in the future from its current terminus at N Fair Oaks Avenue west of Starkweather Creek across the site before continuing east to West Corporate Drive. Both Walter Street and Chicago Avenue are officially mapped across the subject property.”

If you have been following the Voit Farm redevelopment, adopting the plat will be a key decision that will shape the street grid and the development of the new neighborhood.

10. 80279 2024 List of Public Works Transportation Projects

2024 TC Project List

All proposed for reconstruction in 2024:

Rutledge from Riverside to Division St.

East Wilson from MLK Blvd to Franklin.

East Doty from MLK Blvd to Webster.

2024 Transportation Improvement Plan

Wednesday October 11 - City County Schools Collaborative Committee – 5:30p City County Schools Agenda 10.11.23

2. 80237 Update and discussion regarding the status of MMSD Driver’s Education Program

3. 80244 Discuss and potentially make recommendations regarding the 2024 City, County and MMSD proposed budgets as related to the CCSCC priorities (Child and Youth Homelessness, Digital Equity, Transportation, Mental Health, and Youth Employment) and other relevant budget items

Wednesday October 11 – Madison Arts Commission – 5:30 MAC Agenda 10.11.23

5. 21297 BLINK Proposal Review -Review and vote on Jakob Heinemann "(Sub)Community Resonance" proposal

From the application: The project will include a kick-off performance by myself and my own musical ensemble at the tunnel underneath East Washington Ave, along the Yahara River Bike Path. This tunnel has excellent acoustics and has space for both the performing ensemble and an audience across the river. I have received preliminary permission from Renee Callaway, Pedestrian Bicycle Administrator at City of Madison Traffic Engineering. ...

Wednesday October 11 – Board of Park Commissioners – 6:30p BPC Agenda 10.11.23

In person meeting: 330 E Lakeside St.

28 80226 Request from Big Top Events for additional concerts at Breese Stevens Field

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Agenda note: Big Top Events is contractually allowed seven concerts per year at Breese Stevens Field. Market conditions for the 2024 concert season have created a unique situation where the opportunity may exist to source more concerts than a normal year. Big Top Events is requesting approval to host up to five additional concerts in 2024, for a total of up to 12 concerts. None of the additional concerts will be on MMSD school nights. Fifty cents from every concert ticket sold will continue to be donated to the Madison Parks Foundation. In 2023, more than $27,000 was donated. Big Top Events has notified the Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association (TLNA) of the plans for additional concerts at their September meeting and the TLNA, in partnership with Big Top, has surveyed the neighborhood to receive feedback on the possibility of more concerts at Breese in 2024. Results of this survey will be shared with the Commission at the meeting.