Local & Highlights for the Week of October 24, 2022

Local D-10 & Important Engagement opportunities

In-person absentee voting starts Tuesday in Madison: 

• In-person absentee voting will begin Tuesday, October 25, at several locations throughout the City of Madison. Click here to find out what you need to bring with you and where you can vote in-person absentee.
• City of Madison polling place listing: Several polling locations in the City of Madison have changed since the last election. The City Clerk's Office encourages voters to confirm their polling place before Election Day (November 8). You can look up your polling place address using the MyVote Wisconsin website or go to www.cityofmadison.com/WhereDoIVote. See a list of polling places here.

2109 Prairie Road – Trenchless Repairs

The 2022 Healthy Communities Fund application period is now open

• $14,000 is available to be awarded to local projects in Madison and Dane County that make an effort to address health inequity in our communities, check our website.
• Applications are due by November 11 - Direct link to the application fund here

Engaging Human Rights to Organize for Reproductive Justice

• October 24, 12:00 – 1:30 PM (US CT) Zoom – Register here

The City of Madison Department of Civil Rights is hosting a Know Your Rights (Arrest and Conviction Record) webinar

• Tuesday, October 25 from 12pm-1:30pm -  Register here

Did you know community members with arrest and conviction records are part of a "protected class" - meaning it can be unlawful to discriminate against them based upon their criminal record?

This training, for employees, employers, and service providers alike, covers how people with a criminal history are protected from discrimination in employment and best practices for employers when evaluating an employee's criminal history.

Additionally, they also offer FREE monthly Community Partner training. This training is geared toward community members and organizations who want to learn about discrimination; Civil Rights protections afforded to the public through the Equal Opportunities Ordinance in the areas of Employment, Housing, and Public Accommodations; and how to file a complaint. Register to attend one of those FREE training here

For other training opportunities through DCR, visit our website

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 24, 2022

Meetings

• The Common Council will meet in hybrid format at 6:30pm on Tuesday, October 25.
  • Meeting details
  • Meeting agenda 
  • Watch online
• Many other committees meet the week of October 24, including Sustainable Madison Committee, Plan Commission, Water Utility Board, Transportation Commission, and more. To see the full list of City meetings scheduled for the week, please consult the City meeting schedule.

Events

• Halloween on State Street: The City of Madison will once again be working to make State Street and downtown Madison a safe and enjoyable space for celebrating Halloween. Events that will be occurring, include:
  • Wednesday, October 26
    • Downtown Madison Family Halloween State Street and Capitol Square trick-or-treating for young children and their families from 3:00 – 6:00 PM sponsored by Madison's Central Business Improvement District.
    • Hayrides around the Capitol Square from 3:00 – 6:00 PM sponsored by Madison Parks.
    • Movies with Madison Parks showing Hocus Pocus from 6:00 – 8:00 PM near the top of State Street.
    • See Halloween Activities for more information.
    • Saturday, October 29
    • Wisconsin Union Directorate Film Committee's viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at 10:00 PM in Shannon Hall.
    • Claudio Simonetti's Goblin Performing Suspiria at the Orpheum Theater starting at 8:00 PM.
    • Other opportunities for spooky fun all around Dane County can be found here.
    • Monday, October 31: No planned events

In the past few years, the City has moved away from a formal/sanctioned event for Halloween, also known as Freakfest, and again there will be no formal event this year. There is also no UW football game or homecoming planned for Halloween weekend this year. To facilitate physical safety, a glass ban has been instituted on State Street for Halloween weekend, and Streateries will be closed at 6:00 p.m.

• Nurses 4 Black Wellbeing: Research participants are needed for an anonymous survey. The goal of the study is to learn more about the ways wellbeing, physical activity and life stress can affect blood pressure. Participants must racially identify as Black, cultural and ethnic diversity welcomed, age 18 or older, read/speak English, living in the greater Madison area. The research survey takes 20-30 minutes to complete. PPE will be provided. The research survey is one walking test (10-feet), one questionnaire on a laptop computer (with or without assistance), one blood pressure check, and one interview question about inner strength. Research participants receive one $25 Target gift card as a thank you for their time. This is a UW-Madison research survey. There is no connection with any community service. Questions? Concerns? Need additional information? Please contact Dr. Linda Oakley, black.wellbeing.study@nursing.wisc.edu,   608-263-5866.
  • Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 
  • Hours: Walk-in hours from 3pm to 6pm  
  • Where: Badger Building, 818 W. Badger Road (2 blocks off S. Park Street)
  • Virtual community sessions on the 2023 budget: The city's budget for 2023 will be debated and adopted by the Common Council in November. In addition to public comment opportunities at Finance Committee and Council meetings over the next six weeks, there will be two virtual community sessions on the budget. City Finance staff will provide background information on the city's capital and operating budget process, including highlights of the 2023 executive budget.  This is a great opportunity for residents to learn more about our city's budget.  Electronic copies of budget information can be found at https://www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budget/2023

The first virtual session was recorded on October 13. The second virtual session will cover the same presentation and will take place on Monday, October 24. The meeting will start at 5:30 PM and end at 7:00 PM. 

• Join the October 24 virtual community session (joining with this link will allow you to participate in live Q&A)
• Live stream the October 24 virtual community session
• Intervention speaker series: Public Health Madison & Dane County continues to work with community partners to implement their Roadmap to Reducing Violence. To support the Roadmap, they co-hosted their violence prevention and intervention speaker series. Recent topics included:
• Internet crimes against children
• Back to school safety

The next speaker series webinar will be:

• Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence "101"
  Thursday, October 27, 12pm - 1pm
  Register now

Announcements

• Madison Fire now hiring firefighters/EMTs: For the first time since 2019, the Madison Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of fulltime firefighter/EMT. Becoming a firefighter/EMT is a unique opportunity to make a difference in a person's life – and a direct impact in our community – every single day. No previous fire or EMS experience is necessary to apply. Learn more about this opportunity here.
• Electric compactors names announced: The Streets Division would like to introduce you to their newly named compactors – Rosie the Rubbisher and Stone Cold Squeeze Often. To learn how the names were picked and see a breakdown of the voting, read the news release.
• Lake water quality improved this summer: Great news! A lot fewer beaches were closed for swimming this summer. Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) took a total of 430 water samples this summer from 23 beaches, looking for E. Coli bacteria and blue-green algae, which can make people sick. The total number of beach closures for swimming and recreation was 124, down significantly from last summer's total of 345. There are many factors that contribute to the water quality of our lakes. PHMDC's microbiologist helped explain the role of weather, pollutants, and clean water corridors in an interview on WORT-FM. Take a listen!