Updates & Week of Nov. 25 Meetings of Interest for District 2

District 2 Updates and Meetings of Interest

 

Curbside Leaf and Yard Waste Collection Ending for 2019

The Streets Division's curbside collection for yard waste and leaves is ending for 2019. Residents should not place additional leaves and yard waste on the terrace for collection. Instead, residents should use a Streets Division drop-off site. 

The Streets Division cannot guarantee that residents will receive another curbside leaf collection, considering the lateness of the year and the likelihood of a winter event occurring before everyone receives another collection. Any leaves placed on the terrace at this time are subject to being left until spring of 2020 when curbside collection resumes.  

If and when the weather allows, the Streets Division will assign crews to perform curbside leaf and yard waste collection. However, collection of curbside piles of yard waste and leaves this season is no longer guaranteed. 

Residents must be aware that if a winter event occurs, the Streets Division must assign staff to snow plowing duties, which means no personnel will be available for leaf collection. And it is possible that in the event of a winter storm, curbside leaf piles will be buried under the snow and will remain frozen on the terrace until the spring thaw of 2020.

Residents who still have yard waste for disposal are encouraged to take the material one of the City of Madison drop-off sites. Additional information about the drop-off sites and yard waste collection can be found on the Streets Division's website. 

Downtown Madison Holiday Open House

Come Downtown Madison for the Holiday Open House. Celebrate with Holiday Fun! Great Shopping! Family Shows and Activities, Trolley Rides & Welcome Bags, plus Special Offers and Refreshments from Participating Merchants.

November 29-30 & December 1, 2019 
Friday-Sunday 
9:00 am - 4:00 pm 
State Street & Capitol Square

Scores of businesses will be offering discounts and Special Offers. Participating merchants and more details here.

Nov. 25 - One Day More Day of Pile-Driving Noise at Youth Arts Center

According to the building contractor, there is an upcoming activity at the Madison Youth Art Center construction project that will involve consistent noise. This will occur on Monday, Nov. 25 between 7:00am and 3:30pm.

In order to construct the concrete base for the tower crane, the contractor will need to install earth retention to temporarily support the public right-of-way property. This involves driving steel H-piles and installing wood lagging between these piles. This is a one-day activity, but the pounding noise will be similar to that experienced when geo-piles were installed earlier this fall.

Refuse & Recycling Collection Schedule for the 2019 Thanksgiving Holiday

There will be no refuse and recycling collection on both Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The drop-off sites will also be closed on these two days.

Directions for Residents with a Wednesday and Thursday Refuse/Recycling Collection Day

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the Streets Division will collect refuse and recycling from those who have a regularly scheduled Wednesday and Thursday collection. Madison residents who normally have a Wednesday and Thursday refuse and recycling collection should place their collection carts to the curb for pickup by 7:00am on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Residents should consult their collection schedule calendars to determine if their recyclables are scheduled for pick up.

Residents within these collection districts are reminded to be sure that their carts are curbside prior to 7:00am.  Carts set out late may not be collected until their next scheduled pickup day.

Directions for Residents with a Friday and Monday Refuse/Recycling Collection Day

On Monday, Dec. 2, the Streets Division will collect refuse and recycling from those who have a regularly scheduled Friday and Monday collection. Madison residents who normally have a Friday and Monday refuse and recycling collection should place their collection carts to the curb for pickup by 7:00am on Monday, Dec. 2. Residents should consult their collection schedule calendars to determine if their recyclables are scheduled for pickup.

 

Residents within these collection districts are reminded to be sure that their carts are curbside prior to 7:00am.  Carts set out late may not be collected until their next scheduled pickup day.

 

Drop-off Site Information

The Streets Division drop-off sites will also be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29.  The sites will re-open on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8:30am. Locations and more information on the Drop-Off sites are here.

 

Additional Information Regarding Holiday Collections

In order to collect refuse and recycling from two collection districts in a single shift, the Streets Division diverts crews from other services such as leaf collection and large item collection. Therefore, residents requiring large item collection or leaf collection should anticipate delays, or consider bringing the material to a drop-off site.  

More information regarding all services provided by the Streets Division can be found on the Streets Division website.

Radium in City's Well 19 Tests Higher Than Federal Maximum

Information follows from Madison's Water Utility:

Recent water quality test results for radium at Well 19 (located near Picnic Point), which serves the western-most portions of District 2, showed a radium level of 5.9 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is higher than the federal maximum contaminant level of 5 pCi/L. Results would have to be consistently above 5 pCi/L for at least a year for the water to be considered in violation of federal health standards. However, Madison Water Utility takes these results very seriously and will continue to closely monitor the well.

Since 2015, Madison Water Utility has been collecting quarterly radium samples at Well 19. Drinking water regulations require a single sample once every three years. Radium has always occurred naturally in rock that makes up Madison's aquifer, and fluctuations in levels are not uncommon. The prior three rounds of testing at Well 19 found radium levels between 3.3 and 4.9. The maximum contaminant level for radium is meant to ensure the safety of water over a lifetime of consumption

Construction of a treatment facility for iron, manganese and radium at the well is budgeted for construction in 2023 and completion in 2024.

If you examine a higher resolution service area map for the well, you will see annual the percentage of water from Well 19 that different areas receive. In District 2, the highest annual average percentage of water that is sourced from Well 19 is just east of N. Frances Street in the Langdon Street area (10-40%) with lower amounts in the Mansion Hill District (1-10%). Note that the color contours on the map that are offshore in Lake Mendota do not indicate radium was detected; they are a mapping artifact.

Most people get water from more than one well. People can also enter their address at the following web page to see which wells serve their home: https://www.cityofmadison.com/water/waterquality/mywells.cfm

Madison Water Utility will be testing the well again in a few months and will let you know the results. For more information contact:

Amy Barrilleaux

Public Information Officer

Madison Water Utility | 119 East Olin Avenue | Madison, WI 53713

Office: (608) 266-9129

abarrilleaux@madisonwater.org

 

Steering Committee Meeting to Evaluate 126 Langdon Street Proposal

Neighbors are invited to a steering committee meeting Monday, Dec. 2, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Kennedy Manor, 1 Langdon St. The committee will be discussing Core Spaces' proposed development for 126 Langdon St, formerly occupied by a vacant 7-story building.

At this first meeting of the steering committee, the developers will not be present. This will be an opportunity for neighbors and others to speak freely without concern for biasing or offending the development team. Your input in the steering committee process will help improve the quality and character of the proposal.  

Two more meetings are scheduled with the developers on Dec. 16 and sometime in early January, although there could be additional meetings. Let me know if you'd like to be meeting announcement emails.

The developer's informal presentation to the Urban Design Commission can be found here. Note that the proposal details are preliminary and subject to change.  The city staff report to UDC is here and a Madison.com article on the proposal is here. Core Spaces is currently planning on another informational presentation to UDC on Dec. 11, with formal consideration by city committees in February.

Ordinance Change Proposed to Standardize Setbacks on Langdon Street

A proposed ordinance amendment to map setbacks on Langdon Street between Lake Street and Wisconsin Avenue will be discussed and possibly acted upon at the upcoming Plan Commission meeting on Monday, Nov. 25 (see city meetings listed below). The proposed setback requirements are similar to but slightly shallower in certain areas than those shown at a public meeting on Feb. 20, 2019. I strongly support these changes because they should provide a more consistent setback for new buildings or additions on Langdon, thereby preserving its historic character and views.

The ordinance amendment text and map can be found on legistar and materials from the February meeting can be found on the project website.

If you have any questions, please contact me or Dan McAuliffe in the Planning Division by email or at 608-261-9676.

Updated 2019 Official City Roster Available

Please keep this updated handout of the 2019 Official City Roster to assist you with connecting with City Departments for services. You can find not only contact information for alders, but also for city departments, voting information, and Common Council meeting dates.

Census 2020!

The 2020 Census is coming in March. The census is a count of all people living in the United States mandated by the constitution to occur every 10 years. 2020 is the first time that households will receive a letter invitation to reply online. People will also be able to reply via smartphone, phone, or paper form. The census usually takes 10 minutes or less to fill out for a household. Non-responding households will be visited by Census Bureau personnel starting in May to answer census questions in person. 

 

The census count affects state and federal funding for our community over the next decade. Distribution of $675 billion of annual federal funding is tied to data gathered in the census. That means that every person not counted could lead to a loss of $2,000 per year for affordable housing, childcare, health care, education, transit, roads, and more. Madison needs a complete and accurate count of everyone living in the city in order to receive our fair share of federal funding. Documented or undocumented people, infants, children, teens, UW students – if you and your family live in Madison, make sure you are counted in Madison.  

The census is also important for representation – the population count is used to draw boundaries for aldermanic districts, county board districts, state assembly and senate districts, and federal house of representatives districts.  An undercount in a certain area can lead to underrepresentation for the next 10 years. 

Responses to the 2020 Census are confidential – Census Bureau staff are prohibited by law from sharing personal information with law enforcement, governmental agencies, landlords, credit agencies, or anyone else outside of the Bureau. The 2020 Census will not ask about citizenship or immigration status. 

The City is actively publicizing the importance of the 2020 Census through a variety of channels, but we need your help – we hope you can reach out to your neighbors and friends to make sure everyone is aware of the 2020 Census and its importance. Visit www.cityofmadison.com/2020Census to find out more about what the City is doing and learn about 2020 Census events and updates, or visit www.2020census.gov for more from the Census Bureau. The City of Madison wants to ensure all residents are counted - help shape our future by completing the Census next year!

ODANA HILLS GOLF COURSE - Open!
Special opening Saturday - Monday at 9am each day, walking only: 9 holes - $10, 16 holes $16. LEARN MORE

SKATEPARK - Open!  
The Skatepark at McPike Park will be open Saturday and Sunday 8am to sunset! LEARN MORE 

DISC GOLF COURSE - Open!
Yahara Hills Disc Golf Course is open for the winter season!  Hiestand and Elver are now closed until spring. LEARN MORE 

BIRD & NATURE OUTINGS - Saturday and Sunday
Take a guided hike this weekend and learn about nature in nature. Saturday, November 23 meet us at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and on Sunday, November 24 meet at the UW's Lakeshore Nature Preserve. LEARN MORE

2020 MADISON PARKS CALENDAR - On Sale! 
The Madison Parks 2020 wall calendar featuring 13 original Madison park images is available for purchase in-person at WPCRC, Forest Hill Cemetery and Parks downtown office or by phone (608) 266-4711. All proceeds of the $10 calendar go to the Madison Parks Foundation.  LEARN MORE

INDOOR GOLF SIMULATORS
Make your online tee time and keep your golf game sharp over the winter. LEARN MORE

WINTER FUN 
Eager for winter recreation to begin? See cross-country skiing updates, learn when your favorite ice rink is open and make plans for fun winter events - including Skate Cinema! Bookmarkcityofmadison.com/parks/winterfun

Dec. 2 Informational Meeting on Liquor License Application at Grace Coffee East

 

Please join me and the owners of Grace Coffee East, for a meeting where we will hear about their application for a Class B Beer & Liquor license. The proposed liquor license will be at their soon-to-open coffee shop at 1216 E. Washington Avenue (formerly Stone Creek Coffee) that is proposed to close each night no later than 9:00 p.m. At the informational meeting you will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, see their facilities, and learn about their business.

Meeting Details:

• Monday, December 2, 2019
• 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• 1216 E. Washington Avenue

If you are unable to attend, please email me with your thoughts and input or consider attending the Dec. 18 Alcohol Licensing Review Committee meeting when they will consider the application.

____________________________

City Meetings of Interest to District 2

Below are some pertinent agenda items from various city committees that are meeting this week.

The city meeting agenda items are open for testimony from the public should you be interested in weighing in. I also appreciate hearing from you on any items on which you have a particular interest or concern so please send me an email or give me a call.

Also, committees and commissions have an opportunity at the beginning of each agenda for Public Comment on items not on the agenda. If you have something you want to share with a committee or commission, you can use the Public Comment time to do so

____________________________

Finance Committee: Agenda

4:30pm, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019

Rm 215 Madison Municipal Building

ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED

 

Agenda Item 2

A Resolution authorizing a $250,000 noncompetitive service contract for grant pass-through services with the Madison Metropolitan School District for implementation of a previously approved federal STOP School Violence and Mental Health Assessment grant.

 

Agenda Item 3

SUBSTITUTE - Amending the 2020 Operating Budgets of the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Health Madison Dane County; and accepting a U.S Department of Justice Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-Based Program (COAP) grant award of $1,200,000 to create a "Pathways to Recovery Madison & Dane County" initiative to combat opioid abuse

 

Agenda Item 4

Resolution amending the Police Department's 2019 Operating Budget to increase the amount of a public safety grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Task Force by $9,000.

 

Agenda Item 5

Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a lease with Mullins Family, LLC and Washington Gilman Limited Partnership, allowing for the use of portions of City-owned transportation corridor properties located at 94 S Dickinson St. and 189 S Baldwin St. and a part of inactive E. Main St. right-of-way for private parking purposes. (6th A.D.)

Note: Plan Commission meets 11/25/19. A recommendation will be made from this meeting.

 

Agenda Item 6

Awarding up to $450,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund to support a rental housing development project, proposed by Stone House Development selected through a City Request for Proposals (RFP) process, that will construct approximately 20 units of rental housing in Madison, affordable to households with incomes at or below 60% of the county median income, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a loan agreement with the project developer.

 

Agenda Item 7

Awarding up to $500,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund to support an affordable housing development project, proposed by the Salvation Army of Dane County and selected through a City Request for Proposals (RFP) process, that will construct approximately 40 units of affordable rental housing in Madison, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a loan agreement with the developer of this project. 

Note: This is item is for the affordable housing building proposed along E. Mifflin as part of the proposed Salvation Army redevelopment. The affordable housing building financing includes WHEDA tax credits that the Salvaiton Army has applied for with the result of that competition to expected to be announced in spring 2020.

 

Agenda Item 8

Approve the 2020 Urban Forestry Special Charge.

 

Agenda Item 13

Approving the allocation of up to $193,500 of City funds, authorized in the City's Adopted 2020 Operating Budget, for use in supporting the expansion of School-Age Child and Youth Development program capacity on Madison's West Side, as part of a broader effort to assist families residing in Tree Lane Apartments.

 

CLOSED SESSION

When the Finance Committee considers the following matter, it may go into closed session on Agenda Item No. 15 and Agenda Item No. 16 pursuant to sec. 19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats., which reads as follows: Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. If the Finance Committee does go into closed session, notice is hereby given pursuant to sec. 19.85(2), Wis. Stats., that it may reconvene in open session without waiting 12 hours as specified in the statute.

Agenda Item 15

Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Execute the Development Agreement with Stone House Development, or its assigns, for the Purchase of the Podium and Air-Rights above the City's Wilson Street Garage on Block 88 and Directing Follow-up Actions by the City as Described and Agreed to in the Development Agreement.

 

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

____________________________

Sustainable Madison Committee: Agenda

4:30pm, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019

Rm 206 Madison Municipal Building

 

PRESENTATIONS

Agenda Item 1

100% Renewable Madison Updates

RECONSIDERATION TO SMC

Agenda Item 2

2nd SUBSTITUTE Creating Section 23.62 and amending Section 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to regulate the distribution of plastic straws and plastic stir sticks in the City of Madison and establish a bail deposit for violation thereof.

Note: I am cosponsoring this ordinance change that does not ban plastic straws in bars and restaurants, but does require that servers and bartenders ask if patrons would like a straw, rather than providing them by default. Patrons can always ask for plastic straws and they can be available for pickup at tables, etc. Concerns raised by the disability rights community have reportedly been addressed, but as committees consider the issue I will keep a close eye on those concerns.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Agenda Item 4
Update: City/MGE Agreement and Working Group

Agenda Item 5

Integrated Pest Management Policy Review Task Force Meeting Materials

____________________________

 

Plan Commission: Agenda

5:30pm, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019

Rm 201 City-County Building

 

SPECIAL ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item 1

Informational presentation by the Madison Metropolitan School District on proposed projects related to a potential 2020 capital budget referendum.

 

ROUTINE BUSINESS

Agenda Item 2

Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a lease with Mullins Family, LLC and Washington Gilman Limited Partnership, allowing for the use of portions of City-owned transportation corridor properties located at 94 S Dickinson St. and 189 S Baldwin St. and a part of inactive E. Main St. right-of-way for private parking purposes. (6th A.D.)

 

PUBLIC HEARING-5:45 p.m.

Zoning Text Amendments

Agenda Item 8

Creating Section 28.071(2)(d), amending Sections 28.28.0o74(3), 28.075(3), 28.076(3), 28.078(2), and 28.079(2) of the Madison General Ordinances to map specified setbacks in the Downtown and Urban Districts.

Note: See my update above.

 

Agenda Item 9

Creating Section 28.183(6)(a)17. of the Madison General Ordinances to create a conditional use standard for projections into the capitol view height area.

____________________________

Water Utility Board: Agenda

4:30pm, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019

Madison Water Utility- 119 E. Olin Ave. Conference Room A&B

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Agenda Item 4

Update regarding poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)

The board will receive a regulatory update (see attachments on agenda link).

____________________________