February 16: Country Grove Park Master Plan Public Meeting, Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of February 13, 2023

February 16: Country Grove Park Master Plan Public Meeting

The City of Madison Parks Division is undertaking a master planning effort for Country Grove Park. The master planning process will evaluate existing park uses, identify a location for a new shelter, and identify uses for the recently acquired land. Parks Division staff will hold a second virtual public meeting on Thursday, February 16, at 6pm to present a revised master plan for public comment.

• Register in advance for the February 16 public meeting
• Community survey for Country Grove Park (survey closes on February 12)
• Find more details on the Country Grove Park Master Plan project website

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of February 13, 2023

Winter Weather Updates & Alerts

• As winter weather worsens, make sure to sign up for Winter Weather Alerts!
• Report a Problem! Please use this service to report non-emergency issues only. In an emergency, please call 911.

Meetings

Plan Commission: The Plan Commission will meet in hybrid format, Monday, February 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM. Agenda items include amending supplemental regulations within Section 28.151 MGO and definitions within Section 28.211 of the Madison General Ordinances to update definitions of “Family”.

• Meeting details
• Meeting agenda
• Register for public comment
• Watch online

Economic Development Committee: The Economic Development Committee will meet in virtual format, Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM. Agenda items include creating Section 29.40 and amending Section 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to establish a building energy savings code, and to update the bond schedule accordingly.

• Meeting details
• Meeting agenda
• Register for public comment
• Watch online

Events

Mail It Back Monday: Monday, February 13, 2023 - 8:00am to 5:00pm. Voters who have yet to return their absentee ballot are encouraged to put the ballot in the mail no later than today.

Food: A Cultural Culinary History: Monday, February 13, 2023 - 1:30pm to 3:30pm. This course explores the history of how humans have produced, cooked and consumed food through the ages. It covers the cultures of the world and the foods that have affected history.

West Area Plan Kickoff Meeting #3 (Virtual ): Monday, February 13, 2023 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm. The City of Madison invites you to join us for the third public meeting to kick off the West Area Plan! This virtual meeting will include the same content and opportunities for questions and feedback as the first two public kickoff meetings hosted for this plan. 

ePantry: Food Pantry: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 8:00am to 4:30pm. The Madison Senior Center is now a pick-up location for orders placed through the River Food Pantry ePantry. 

Hospitalized Absentee Voting Begins Today: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 8:00am to 4:30pm. Voters who are hospitalized may appoint an agent to to pick up their ballot from the City Clerk’s Office, beginning today.

HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education Class (2-Part Class) (February 15 and 22): Your Path to Homeownership is provided by La Casa de Esperanza, a Non-Profit HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to assisting individuals and families to increase income, build savings and gain assets. 

Digital Scams: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 - 10:00am to 11:00am. Swindlers and scammers have always been around, but our digital world seems to provide them even more opportunities. Stay alert and know what to watch for.

Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot by Mail: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 8:00am to 5:00pm. For most voters, today is the deadline for the Clerk's Office to receive your request that an absentee ballot be sent to you.  The Clerk's Office must receive your absentee ballot by Election Day in order for your ballot to be counted.

Voices of Color: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 10:00am to 11:00am. February is Black history month, and we are excited to introduce Dr. Linda Vakunta, Deputy Mayor of Madison. Dr. Vakunta works with housing and human service issues for the City, and she was recently named as one of Wisconsin’s 52 Most Influential Black Leaders in 2022.

Public Information Meeting - Country Grove Park: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The City of Madison Parks Division is undertaking a master planning effort for Country Grove Park. In 2020 the Parks Division acquired approximately 12 acres of additional land on the southeast side of the park along Rockstream Drive. 

Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Area agencies are always searching for compassionate people who are considering a career in law enforcement. Officers will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about their profession and community policing.

Announcements

• City Launches Bilingual Community Connector Program for Increased Language Access and Equity: Enoch Melgarejo and Holly Chen have joined the Department of Civil Rights as Bilingual Community Connectors in the City of Madison’s new Community Connector Program, one of the few government programs of this kind in the country.
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Statement on Chief Barnes' State of Public Safety Address: I want to thank Chief Barnes for his work to make our community even safer than it already is. He and I both understand that seeing the effects of violence on our neighborhoods or in the news makes us feel unsafe.
• Public Test of Election Equipment This Saturday: The City of Madison Clerk’s Office invites the public to observe its public test of election equipment this weekend.
• Madison Declares Snow Emergency; Overnight Alternate Side Parking Rules In Effect Citywide: A snow emergency has also been declared for the evening of February 9, 2023. Alternate side parking rules will be in effect for the entire City of Madison for the next two evenings to assist with clearing the roads.
• Trash and Recycling Suspended Due to Weather; Drop-off Sites Closing at 11:00am: The Streets Division is suspending curbside trash and recycling collection operations due to the slick road conditions.
• Concerned about crime? Watch Madison Police Chief deliver the State of Public Safety Address on Friday: The Madison Police Department remains committed to providing the highest level of service to the Madison community.
• Interested in a career in law enforcement? Come to our recruitment fair!: The Madison Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies and higher education institutions, is hosting a law enforcement recruitment fair Feb. 16.
• Mayor and Alders Introduce Legislation to Encourage Affordable Housing Development Downtown: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, along with Alders Patrick Heck, Erik Paulson, Mike Verveer and Jael Currie, will introduce legislation to the Madison Common Council Tuesday that would encourage the development of more affordable housing downtown.
• Media Kit Available for 2023 Spring Primary: The 2023 Spring Primary Media Kit prepared by the Madison City Clerk's Office is now available to help answer questions about statistics, processes and procedures for the upcoming primary election.
• Madison Fire Celebrates Four Sprinkler Saves During Month of January: The Madison Fire Department rang in the new year celebrating four "sprinkler saves," where automatic fire sprinklers were credited with catching and containing fires that occurred in our community.
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Urges Working Families to Claim Their Earned Income Tax Credit: Mayor Satya-Rhodes Conway is reminding Madison residents who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to take the steps necessary to claim their benefits.