04/24/20

DISTRICT UPDATE 04/24/20

COVID-19 has placed an enormous burden on our community, specifically for students still on campus and young people at home. For my first blog post as an Alder, I'll list resources for students and young people, address Mifflin concerns, highlight the District 8 legislative agenda, and other university-related topics. Please feel free to email me at district8@cityofmadison.com for anything.

COVID RESOURCES & UPDATES

• Under no circumstances should disinfectants such as Lysol be injected or administered into the human body. Fighting misinformation is crucial in this crisis; to find accurate, evidence-based COVID-19 data and information visit: https://publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus

• The University has assembled a page with resources specifically catered to students, find that here: https://covid19.wisc.edu/for-students/
• Find accurate up to date COVID-19 Data here: https://bit.ly/danecountycovid
• If you need food assistance, here is a comprehensive list put together by madison.com: https://bit.ly/freefoodmadison
• UW-Health COVID Line: 1-608-720-5300
• Finally, a group of volunteers has compiled a master list of mutual aid community resources for those in need. In it, you'll find: important up-to-date information, mutual aid, rent support & housing, emergency financial resources, utility resources, food security, baby, pet, hygiene, & home care resources, mental health support, and more. Access it at www.madisoncovid.com

MIFFLIN STREET BLOCK PARTY

As much as I want to take part in a badger tradition as a freshman at UW, it's too dangerous to do so. Let's be clear: a gathering of any amount of people is not just a risk for yourself; it's a risk for this community. We're going to have to set aside our annual traditions just like everyone else for the safety and health of everyone. I've attached two documents to this post; the first is a Memorandum from Public Health Dane County & Madison delineating how non-residents on Mifflin Street would violate Governor's Evers Emergency Order #12 Safer at Home Order. The second is a letter from Acting Chief Vic Wahl to Mifflin Street residents highlighting the potential citations violators would face, including an immediate $376 citation for a health nuisance. 

• Public Health Madison & Dane County Memorandum
• Acting Chief of MPD Vic Wahl's letter to Mifflin Street residents

STARSHIP ROBOTS EXPANSION

Thanks to efforts by former Alder Sally Rohrer and myself, our favorite little robot friends will soon be reaching student populations that aren't in dorms for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. 

Expect these changes to go into effect late next weekend (tentatively May 2). See below for expanded robot service areas.

126 LANGDON DEVELOPMENT

The proposed "Hub II" Development has been submitted in a new proposal to the Plan Commission. Unfortunately, the systematic disenfranchisement of young people has taken us out of the equation. Several institutions have either refused to see empowering youth voices as essential or have actively sought to split our collective power by organizing us into controlled deliberative bodies with confined authorities. Other student leaders and I are working to create an organized body through a Neighborhood Association that would adequately provide representation in these development discussions. A Neighborhood Association can also act as an authority in itself to advocate for students and young people, though, we likely won't have any functioning body by the time this proposal comes to a Public Hearing. I'll be working with others to organize as much of a student presence as we can get at this Public Hearing--sign up for email alerts and stay tuned to find out how you can help. Below are some helpful resources related to the 126 Langdon Development.

• 126 Langdon New Plan Commission Proposal
• Urban Design Commission Memo & Recommendations
• Legistar Link: Old Langdon Development Proposal 

DISTRICT 8 AGENDA

The COVID-19 crisis has shifted both the needs of District 8 residents and the legislative authority of the Common Council. I'll be working over the next few weeks and months to respond to the crisis and meet the needs of those in District 8; while also preparing to rebuild our community with sustainability, equity, and justice as guiding principles. With enough institutional barriers already in place preventing students and young people from voting, it's only fair that the city does its part to supplement outreach efforts to student voters and young people. A moratorium on evictions has protected tenants from being unjustly removed from their homes in the middle of a pandemic, but a time will come when the small claims court resumes its work. This is particularly applicable to our student population so, please contact me for anything. While we're focusing on dealing with the crisis at hand, it's equally important to remember the crisis we've been facing and has worsened from COVID-19. If there's one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it's that we can mobilize to meet the moment of a crisis. I'll be working with the city and community members to incorporate green recovery plans into our response. These are just a few focus areas of District 8--contact me to speak on any other legislative items.

Thanks for reading my first blog post, and please continue to check back for more. Always feel free to reach out through email and Ramadan Mubarak to those celebrating!

Be sure to follow District 8 on social media: Instagram: @d8alder, Facebook: @d8alder, Twitter: @MadisonDist8