D6 Items of Interest Week of October 16, 2023

A decade ago, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, now Kids Forward, released the first Race To Equity Report which elevated the community discussion around the intense magnitude of racial inequality experienced by Black, Brown and Indigenous residents in Dane County. This week, Kids Forward, now an explicitly anti-racist organization with a multi-racial leadership team, released the Race To Equity 10-Year Report with a focus on three areas: economic well-being, health and education and a commitment to a root cause analysis of why the persistent and profound Black-white disparities continue to exist in Dane County. Over the last decade, the City of Madison has adopted a racial justice lens and has implemented new programs and initiatives to address racial and economic disparities in housing, implemented a pilot guaranteed income program, funded a small business development and assistance program for BIPOC entrepreneurs, and provided youth employment opportunities for example. The work to dismantle the racialized legacy of Two Madisons will continue. I am committed to the work and will do my best to ensure the voices of people with lived experience are elevated and heard and shape city policy.  

The two budget amendments to fund the Madison Public Market are on the Council agenda Tuesday. I support the Public Market. I am a co-sponsor of Version 2, more details below. Please send an email to allalders@cityofmadison.com with your address or district # or you can register to speak on agenda item 37 Meeting Registration. At Council, the proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan are being introduced and referred to 13 committees before coming back to the Council January 9, 2024.

Monday October 16 – Sustainable Madison Committee- 4:30p SMC Agenda 10.16.23

2 79519 Presentation from Ian Brown, City of Madison - Forester

3 79516 Presentation from Melanie Askay, Climate Specialist at Dane County on the Tree Canopy Collective

Monday October 16 – Landmarks Commission – 5p LC Agenda 10.16.23

3. 79099 3701 Council Crest - New Construction on a Designated Madison Landmark site (District 10) Note: Agenda item 3 will be referred to the November 6 meeting to comply with public noticing requirements.

Monday October 16 - City-County Homeless Issues Committee – 5:30p CCHIC Agenda 10.16.23

2. 80375 Affordable housing development funds updates Linette Rhodes and Jenna Wuthrich

Tuesday October 17 – Common Council Executive Committee – 4:30p CCEC Agenda 10.17.23

2. 80299 CARES Program Update

3. 79974 Amending Section 2.13 of the Madison General Ordinances to reduce the time allotted to each Alder for discussion and debate.  Amendment -and- alternate.

DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS:” Currently an alder may not speak more than twice nor more than ten minutes at any one time regarding any motion without a two-thirds vote of the members present. This ordinance would reduce the amount of time allowed for an alder to speak to six minutes at any one time. This ordinance retains the rule that alders may not speak more than twice on any motion without a supermajority vote of the Council. The alternate reduces the amount of time allowed for an alder to speak to three minutes at any one time.”

Alders are limited by open meetings law and must limit discussing public business in private to avoid violations of walking quorums. Alders can attend committee meetings as appointed members or as ex officio members and speak on policy matters as items come before committee, there isn’t usually a time limit. But each week, several recurring committees meet on the same day. At the end of the process, the business of the city lands on the biweekly Council agendas where alders can discuss any item that is pulled from the consent agenda and speak for up to 10 minutes at a time. Should that be reduced from 10 minutes to 6 minutes or 3 minutes? If so, why?

My experience is that alders rarely speak for 10 minutes on most items pulled from the consent agenda. The exceptions are a controversial item in their district, or a policy item that has generated a lot of public comment, etc.

This item is also #29 on the CC agenda Tuesday.

4.80298 Determining Proposed Amount of 2025 Alder Pay Increase

The Council can only increase their base pay amount through the budget process adopted before the next term begins.

Tuesday October 17 – Common Council – 6:30p CC Agenda 10.17.23

1. 80274 Consent Agenda (10/17/23) By noon on Tuesday, this link should be live with a list of items alders or the public via registration wish to take off the consent agenda for discussion.

4. 79918 2024 Executive Operating Budget

The Finance Committee has the opportunity to amend the Executive Operating Budget. Amendments are due this week and will be voted on at the October 23 Finance Committee meeting. Then the operating budget as amended and the capital budget as previously amended will be forwarded to the whole Council for the final round of amendments and action on November 14-15.

Agency budget highlights presented to last week's Finance Committee

Operating budget overview

2024 Executive Operating budget -all the details

7. 79845 Amending Section 33.24(15)(e)12. of the Madison General Ordinances to Update Development Standards within Block 2b of Urban Design District No. 8. (District 6) Sponsors: Marsha A. Rummel

Staff memo “This amendment proposes changes to the Urban Design District 8 (UDD 8) - MGO 33.24 (15) and specifically, the “Upper Level Development Standards.” The amendments would be necessary to facilitate the development of a specific project within the 700 block of East Washington Avenue, and more specifically, “Block 2b” of UDD 8. As a reference, the UDC received an informational presentation on that development on August 16, 2023, under Legislative File 79239. That request has not been submitted and is not before the Plan Commission at this time.”

The memo goes on to say the text amendment adds a new affordability component to the list of smaller elements that a developer can choose from for bonus stories. There is an existing and more significant affordability component in the list of larger elements. My goal is to encourage developers who don’t specialize in low-income tax credits and wouldn’t otherwise propose any affordable units to use this new option.

I blogged about the amendment and why I support it D6 Blog 10.02.23. By adding additional requirements to meet the standard of “sufficient public benefit” for 6 additional bonus stories, I believe this amendment provides community benefits that could justify the additional stories.

9. 80365 Report of the Mayor submitting resident committee appointments (introduction 10-17-2023; action 11-7-2023).

I rarely highlight resident appointments to city committees but this one caught my eye. Will Ochowicz also serves on the TLNA Council. I’m sure the Housing Strategy Committee and the city will benefit from Will’s service.

HOUSING STRATEGY COMMITTEE  WILLIAM R. OCHOWICZ (6th A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a three-year term to the position of Resident Member succeeding Tracey Caradine. William Ochowicz is the founder/lead of Madison is for People - a group that advocates for more affordable and sustainable housing. He works as a software developer for Genus PLC.TERM EXPIRES: 4-30-2026

21. 80078 Approving plans and specifications for public improvements necessary for the project known as 838 Williamson St & 306 S Paterson St and authorizing construction to be undertaken by the Developer, Private Contract No. 9344 (District 6)

23. 80108 Authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute Amendment No. 1 to the existing Purchase of Services contract between the City of Madison and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for engineering services for the Starkweather Creek/Olbrich Gardens Watershed Study. (District 3, District 6, District 12, District 15, District 16, District 17, and District 18)

29. 79974 Amending Section 2.13 of the Madison General Ordinances to reduce the time allotted to each Alder for discussion and debate.

AGENDA NOTE: Common Council Executive Committee will meet 10/17/23 and a recommendation will be made from the floor.

30. 79408 SUBSTITUTE: 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)

AGENDA NOTE: Madison Arts Commission did not meet on 10/11/23. Recommended action is to re-refer to Madison Arts Commission (11/9/23), Common Council (11/21/23).

This is the second time a city project has triggered the Percent for Art process. The first time was at the Metro bus facility on E Washington at Ingersoll.

31. 80039 Amending the Police Department’s 2023 Operating Budget; and authorizing the Mayor and Chief of Police to accept a Oscar Rennebohm Foundation grant award of $40,000 for leadership development and training

Fiscal Note The proposed resolution amends the Police Department’s 2023 Operating Budget and authorizes the acceptance of an Oscar Rennebohm Foundation grant award of $40,000 for leadership development and training over two years. There is no city match or impact on the levy.

37. 80106 Amending the 2023 Adopted Capital Budget of the Economic Development Division and Awarding Public Works Contract No. 8595, Madison Public Market (District 12)

Staff memo “There are two versions of the resolution (Legistar #80106) before the Common Council for consideration. Both would enable the project to move forward by funding the base construction bid, both include Solar PV funded through the City Engineering budget, and both contemplate a $1 million contribution from Dane County. Version #1 authorizes an amendment to the Economic Development Division Budget of $2,279,755. Version #2 authorizes an amendment to the Economic Development Division Budget of $1,641,071. “

I wrote about the Madison Public Market last week D6 Blog 10.09.23. As I stated: 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.

Two weeks ago, the Board of Public Works and the Public Market Development Committee both recommended Version 2. Finance, which is the lead committee, voted last week for Version 1.

If 6 alders vote against both Version 1 and Version 2, we will lose the bid and the Public Market will face an uncertain path.

45. 79337 Approving a Certified Survey Map of property owned by LLS Enterprises, LLC located at 3100 E Washington Avenue (District 12).

The Plan Commission approved the conditional use for this project at their 10.02.23 meeting. The Council’s only decision is to approve the CSM map.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE

57. 80281 Adopting an amendment to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan.

The City of Madison is currently working on an Interim Update of its 2018 Comprehensive Plan. The Interim Update is focused on the Generalized Future Land Use (GFLU) map. The Goals, Strategies, and Actions as adopted within the original six Elements of the Comprehensive Plan will not be revised. The City is updating the GFLU map to reflect land use recommendations from neighborhood, area, and neighborhood development plans adopted between summer 2018 and summer 2023.

Based on initial directions from the Plan Commission at their September meetings, a final draft of the proposed revisions to the Comprehensive Plan is now available. The Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on November 13, 2023.

Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for mailing list. Legistar 79621 has PC materials.

List of Comp Plan proposed revisions 10.11.23

Draft GFLU Generalized Future Land Use Map

Proposed GFLU map notes #1, #4 and #9 affect District 6.

Detailed Draft Revisions Interim Comp Plan Update

Lots of referrals: Plan Commission (12/7/23), Finance Committee (10/23/23), Board of Park Commissioners (11/8/23), Public Safety Review Committee (11/8/23), Urban Design Commission (11/1/23), Community Development Authority (11/9/23), Board of Health for Madison and Dane County (11/1/23), Economic Development Committee (10/18/23), Board of Public Works (11/8/23), Sustainable Madison Committee (11/27/23), Housing Strategy Committee (11/9/23), Community Development Block Grant Committee (11/2/23), Landmarks Commission (11/6/23), Common Council (1/9/24)

58. 80307 Amending map in Section 28.071(2)(a) related to downtown height limits of the Madison General Ordinances to update the Downtown Height Map in the Brayton Lot area. (District 6) Sponsors: Juliana R. Bennett, Derek Field And MGR Govindarajan

Plan Commission (10/30/23), Common Council (11/7/23)

DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: “This amendment amends the downtown height map in MGO 28.071(2)(a) to increase the allowed height limit for the Brayton Lot from four (4) stories and sixty (60) feet to ten (10) stories and one hundred and forty-four (144) feet. The Brayton Lot is located on East Main Street between South Butler Street and South Hancock Street. Currently, part of the Brayton lot is allowed to be 10 (ten) stories and another portion is allowed to be four (4) stories. The amendment is to change the portion that is currently an allowable four (4) stories and sixty (60) feet to be ten (10) stories and one hundred and forty-four (144) feet. With that change, the entirety of the lot would be the same allowable height limit.”

80307 proposed revision to the downtown map

Two of the sponsors shared their intent with me to amend the downtown height map for the Brayton Lot to allow 10 stories. I asked them to consider more of a transition on the 4 story portion, like the approach in UDD 8 that steps down at an angle from allowable 8-12 stories along E Washington to the adjacent residential neighborhood on Mifflin St, but the sponsors choose changing the the full block to 10 stories. The city owns the Brayton Lot, and it is seen as an opportunity to create more affordable housing and possibly owner-occupied housing. The city wants to issue an RFP for a master developer soon, so this amendment is on the fast track.

Please let me know your thoughts. I will work with Capital Neighborhoods Inc and First Settlement to schedule a neighborhood meeting.

65. 80342 Amending Section 2.29(3) related to Alder question and answer following public comments of the Madison General Ordinances to impose a time limit for each Alder questioning public comment registrants. Sponsors: Juliana R. Bennett, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, Regina M. Vidaver And John W. Duncan

DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: “Currently, alders may question individuals who provide public comments with no time limit. This ordinance establishes a “five-minute rule” similar to that used by the committees of the U. S. House of Representatives. Under the ordinance, each alder has up to five minutes to ask questions and receive answers from each speaker offering public comments. After the alder has finished their question period, regardless of whether they have used their entire five minutes, their opportunity for asking questions of the same speaker is completed. The amendment allows alders to extend their questioning beyond five minutes upon a two-thirds vote of the Common Council.”

66. 80362 Amending Section 8.15(1) and Creating Subsection 37.05(11) of the Madison General Ordinances to allow for certain greenway encroachments and the creation of a greenway privilege.

DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: Under existing ordinances, most encroachments into City greenways and park lands are not authorized, even if similar encroachments may be approved on other City owned lands. This ordinance would amend Sec. 8.15(1) to create a limited exception to this prohibition and allow for some encroachments into greenways that are solely managed by the Engineering Division, including lands managed by the Stormwater Utility (such as ponds and other detention basins). While gardens and temporary fencing may be allowed with notification and approval of the City Engineer, more extensive encroachments, including permanent fencing, retaining walls, stairs, outbuildings, hardscape and parking areas would require the granting of a greenway privilege under the newly created 37.05(11). A greenway privilege would be similar to a privilege in street under Sec. 10.31, and would be within the discretion of the City Engineer to grant. The City will retain the ability to remove any greenway encroachment that interferes with City operations or that presents a risk to the public health, safety and welfare.

79. 80348 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the 2023 Capital Budget and execute Amendment No. 1 to the existing Purchase of Services contract between the City of Madison and Sasaki for consultant services for the Lake Monona Waterfront (District 4, District 6, District 13, District 14).

Wednesday October 18 – Board of Public Works – 4:30p BPW Agenda 10.18.23

23. 80372 BRT overview to BPW East West BRT Budget and Finances

Wednesday October 18 – Alcohol License Review Committee – 5:30p ALRC Agenda 10.18.23

13. 80088 Public Hearing - New License Lhotse LLC • dba Ama Restaurant 809 Williamson St • Agent: Rajan Pradhan Estimated Capacity (in/out): 40/30 Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 20% alcohol, 80% food Police Sector 408 (District 6)

Wednesday October 18 – Madison Food Policy Council – 5:30p MFPC Agenda 10.18.23

1. 80325 A resolution to update File No. 38465 regarding the Healthy Retail Access Program to authorize a one-time increase in the maximum award amount for Luna's Groceries (Luna's Groceries, LLC) project in the amount of $210,000. (District 10)

2. 80323 A resolution to update File No. 38465 regarding the Healthy Retail Access Program to authorize a one-time increase in the maximum award amount for Gooh Groceries (Gooh Groceries, LLC) project in the amount of $136,800. (District 12)

Thursday October 19 – Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee – 5p LTIC Agenda 10.19.23

5. 75926 BY TITLE ONLY: Repealing Sections 32.03 and 33.34 and amending Section 33.09(3) of the Madison General Ordinances to combine the City-County Homeless Issues Committee, Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee, and Housing Strategy Committee.