D6 Items of Interest Week of October 7, 2024

Starting Monday, October 14, Traffic Engineering will be conducting a vehicular traffic diverter test on E Mifflin St at N Paterson St. This project focuses on improvements to the East Mifflin Bicycle Boulevard which provides an important connection to residences on the near eastside of Madison as well as providing an alternative to riding on East Washington Ave to reach destinations along this major corridor.

During this time: No westbound vehicles will have access to continue along East Mifflin Street past North Paterson Street. Vehicles traveling West on East Mifflin Street will be able to turn left and right at North Paterson Street. Bicyclists and Pedestrian movements will be maintained in all directions. TE to install a temporary traffic diverter on E Mifflin St for a map and more details.

Hold the date for a District 6 2025 Budget virtual overview on Thursday October 17 at 6:30p. I will send out an invitation and do a press release about it, please sign up and join me.  Last week I posted a 2025 Budget Explainer that reviews the causes of the deficit and what we are facing. If you vote no and the referendum fails, the Mayor and the Common Council will have to cut/reallocate/find other sources to cover the $22M deficit in the 2025 operating budget with approximately $6M in service cuts and staff layoffs, add $10M of new special charges to your municipal services bill to cover reductions in operating expenses, and use $5M of the surplus in the rainy day fund to fill the rest of the gap. If you vote yes, the property tax levy would be raised by $22M which would increase your property tax bill $230/yr for the average value home ($457K), every year going forward.

On Tuesday October 8, Mayor Rhodes Conway will release the two operating budgets for 2025: one if the $22M referendum passes and one if the referendum fails. This is unprecedented. My presentation will dig into what the 5% service cuts include. Please forward questions and comments about the budget to district6@cityofmadison.com

Mike Sturm from Parks gave me a heads up that the contractor, Interstate Demolition, LLC, plans to begin demolition work at McPike Park by the end of next week. They will be removing three of the four existing structures and restoring the disturbed area to lawn. Mike anticipates project completion by the end of December. Parks is planning to begin public engagement for site planning in the first quarter of 2025. During this process, we will explore potential adaptive reuse options for the remaining building along E. Wilson St and discuss interest in a potential dog park and other uses for the "Baldwin triangle" portion of the park.

A D6 resident who works in energy services in state government shared information about the new Inflation Reduction Act rebates available to address energy in homes. Households at 80% of Dane County median income or less can get up to $5,000 invested in their home with little out-of-pocket cost (or $10K if duplex, etc.) - for owned or rented homes. The rebates emphasize electrical improvements but also insulation and air sealing of homes. The home must have the potential to save a lot of energy (need a lot of work done) to participate. 

Let’s hope some of you can apply so we can make the promise of the IRA real in our neighborhood. https://focusonenergy.com/home-energy-rebates There's also a brand new low interest loan program for fixing up older homes https://morelikehomeloan.wheda.com/  And for many "low income" households, the best option is the totally free Weatherization Program. Here are the income guidelines: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/energy-assistance.aspx

Last week, I held a virtual neighborhood meeting about the proposed demolition and redevelopment of 306 S Brearly St. SARA Investment Real Estate proposes to redevelop the property, currently the home of Alimentari. The existing one-story building would be demolished and a six-story, mixed-use building would be constructed. The new building would be comprised of approximately 1,500-2,000 square feet of first floor commercial space, approximately 122 market-rate apartments, and approximately 130 enclosed parking stalls, including five public parking stalls. The apartments would be a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

Participants at the meeting were supportive of adding new housing at this location but many questioned the parking ratio (about 1:1). I also heard from residents who saw the WSJ article about the meeting and asked about housing and commercial affordability, tree preservation and questioned the 6 story height. I conveyed the concerns to the developer and asked them to check into WHEDA 4% tax credits. They will submit a formal application this week. I will send updates once the timeline is set. You can watch the 10/1/24 neighborhood meeting.

• Landmarks Commission meets Monday at 5p in virtual format. The Agenda includes three related items and three staff reports regarding a redevelopment proposal at 619-699 W Mifflin.

  PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS

  2. 85180 619-699 W Mifflin Street - Land Division/Combination, Demolition, and New Construction on a Designated Madison Landmark Site (Wiedenbeck-Dobelin Warehouse - 619 W Mifflin) (District 4)

  From the staff report: The proposed project is to demolish the el-shaped multi-unit residential building constructed in 1987 and replace it with a new multi-unit residential building that would span the property at 619 W Mifflin and the adjacent 699 W Mifflin. As part of that work, the applicant is also proposing to combine the two properties and create a new land division that would create a lot that only contained the historic resource and a lot that only contained the new construction.

  The Wiedenbeck-Dobelin Warehouse was constructed in 1907 (design by Claude and Starck) with an addition in 1915 (designed by James R. Law). Wiedbeck-Dobelin was originally a supplier of blacksmithing and wagon-making supplies. In 1986, the property began redevelopment from industrial to residential use. The interior of the historic warehouse was converted to apartment units and an adjacent similarly-scaled apartment building was constructed in 1987. The site continued to evolve with an adjacent apartment building being constructed in 1989 and the courtyard between this property and that development is also located within the landmark site. The property was designated a Madison Landmark in 1989 as significant for its commercial history and as a significant representation of an early industrial warehouse architectural typology. The two-story masonry building is el shaped and its character defining features are the tall windows and style of masonry construction.

  ADVISORY RECOMMENDATION

  3. 84154 619-699 W Mifflin Street - Development Adjacent to a Designated Madison Landmark (Wiedenbeck-Dobelin Warehouse - 619 W Mifflin; Milwaukee Road Depot - 640 W Washington) (District 4)

  From the staff report: The application is for review and an advisory recommendation related to the proposed construction of a multiunit residential complex at 619-699 W Mifflin Street that will be adjacent to the designated landmark at 640 W Washington Avenue, the Milwaukee Road Depot. The proposed project shares a property line with the designated landmark property. The new development would demolish the nonhistoric apartment buildings at 699 W Mifflin and 619 W Mifflin and construct a new 10-story apartment building on the site.

  PUBLIC HEARING - LANDMARK NOMINATION

  4. 85181 619 W Mifflin Street - Amendment of a Landmark Nomination, Boundary Adjustment (District 4)

  From the staff report: The property at 619 W Mifflin Street was designated a Madison Landmark in 1989. A proposal before the City currently would reconfigure the lot to exclude adjacent new construction. Previous lot reconfigurations of landmark sites did not also include an amendment to the landmark nomination to reflect a boundary adjustment, which has resulted in challenges in correctly administering the preservation ordinance. When the preservation ordinance was updated in 2015, it included a new provision to amend landmark nominations to address new information when it became available and to provide for boundary adjustments. To date, no landmark nomination has proceeded through the amendment process.

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 7, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include amending Madison General Ordinances related to Lakefront Encroachments to codify lakefront yard policy and add detail, as well as development-related requests in Districts 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 19.

  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

  6. 84994 Approving the final plat of Starkweather Plat on land generally addressed as 3450-3614 Milwaukee Street (District 15). Final plat approval will be on the Council agenda.

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include approving housing recommendations that serve to strengthen efforts to expand rental, homeowner and student developments, as well as authorizing the Planning Division to lead the preparation of the Southeast Area Plan and the Southwest Area Plan.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

There are several honoring resolutions on the agenda Proclaiming October 15 as White Cane Safety Day, Recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness,  Month, Affirming and Celebrating Monday October 14 as Indigenous Peoples Day and 

3. 85493 Congratulating Mentoring Positives on their 20th anniversary and thanking them  for their steadfast dedication to the Darbo-Worthington neighborhood.

I am proud to sponsor a resolution congratulating Will and Becky Green of Mentoring Positives for 20 years of service to the community. I have worked with Will and Becky since 2011 and enthusiastically support their vision to create a Darbo Dream Center.

6. 82655 Presentation by the City Clerk

7. 82656 Presentation: Public safety, including Madison Police Department, the CARES program (Community Alternative Response Emergency Services), and VPU (Violence Prevention Unit)

8. 84843 2025 Executive Capital Budget

Finance Committee Adopted Amendments

12. 85007 Public Hearing - New License El Rancho Breakfast and Tacos LLC • dba El Rancho Breakfast and Tacos 824 E Johnson St • Agent: Guadalupe Diaz Estimated Capacity (in/out): 50/50 Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 20% alcohol, 80% food Police Sector 407 (District 6) TLNA Comments

17. 85012 Public Hearing - New License MPL Corporation Investment • dba TBD 823 Williamson St • Agent: Amit Kumar Class A Beer, Class A Liquor, Class A Cider Police Sector 408 (District 6) MNA Comments

79. 84994 Approving the final plat of Starkweather Plat on land generally addressed as 3450-3614 Milwaukee Street (District 15).

The applicant, Starkweather, LLC, is requesting approval of the final plat of Starkweather Plat to facilitate the future development of six parcels at 3420-3614 Milwaukee Street with a variety of mixed-use and multi-family buildings. The approximately 67 acres of land are generally located on north side of Milwaukee Street between Starkweather Creek and Walter Street. The subject parcels include undeveloped land, a former concrete batch plant, gravel pit, quarry pond, two single-family residences, and a variety of outbuildings. The legistar link includes the staff report and a staff addendum. This item is also on Monday’s Plan Commission agenda.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE

92. 85264 2025 Executive Operating Budget 

@ Finance Committee (Public Hearings 10/14/24, 10/28/24, additional briefing with no public comment 10/15/24) @Common Council (Public Hearings - 10/29/24, 11/12/24). The budget will be available midday on Tuesday.

93. 85527 Appeal of the Plan Commission action on the demolition permit for 2121 Jefferson Street and 1007 Edgewood Avenue. Legistar ID 84825. (District 13) Common Council Public Hearing (10/29/24)  

Appeal

84825 Demo permit with staff report, alder and public comments

103. 85430 Amending the Police Department’s 2024 Operating Budget; and authorizing the Mayor and Chief of Police to accept a FY2024 USDOJ Office of Community Policing Services (COPS Office) Community Policing Development Microgrant for $136,398, and to utilize these funds to evaluate to Department’s stratified policing business model for community engagement and proactive crime reduction; and authorizing a sole source contract for services from Santos & Santos, Ph.D, Inc. to evaluate the Department's stratified policing.

104. 85435 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a parking lease agreement with Arts & Literature Laboratory Inc. for five parking spaces at the South Livingston Street Garage. (District 6) Sponsors: Marsha A. Rummel

107. 85445 Authorizing the Parks Division to submit, and if awarded, accept a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Madison LakeWay Project, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to accept the grant award, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a Statutory Partnership Agreement with Madison LakeWay Partners Inc. (District 13 and District 4) Sponsors: Yannette Figueroa Cole, Tag Evers And Michael E. Verveer

Fiscal Note: The proposed resolution authorizes the Parks Division to apply for and accept if awarded, grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program for up to $20,000,000 and authorizes a partnership agreement with Madison LakeWay Partners, Inc., for the purposes of applying for the grant and, if awarded, implementing projects related to the grant. The grant will fund a portion of the costs of improvements of the Madison LakeWay Project (Munis #17362). There is no cost to the City with the partnership agreement and no match requirement for this grant program. If the grant is awarded, the Parks Division’s Capital Improvement Plan will be amended to reflect the award. No appropriation is required at this time.

112. 85469 Approving the allocation of City funds that are budgeted and designated to support older adult programming among a group of agencies selected through a Request for Proposals process conducted by the Community Development Division, for use beginning in 2025 (Citywide).

 Staff Recommendations The recommendations propose to reallocate funding and add several new agencies to fill gaps older adult services. This is the first older adult programming funding process since 2016.

117. 85504 Awarding up to $2.77 million of City Affordable Housing Funds authorized in the City’s 2024 Adopted Capital Budget, and up to $2.75 million of City funds also authorized in the 2024 Capital budget within TID #51 for affordable housing to help finance the development and preservation of approximately 152 units of affordable rental housing, in projects selected through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process; and authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to enter into agreements with agencies to implement the development projects. (District 3, District 6, District 14, District 15)

The CDD released the Affordable Rental Housing Development: Non-Tax Credit RFP on April 26, 2024. Six organizations submitted proposals, responding to various preferences and goals set forth in the RFP. Four of the six proposals have been deemed most responsive to those goals and preferences and are recommended to receive funding. They include:

•                     Small Scattered Site Homeless Housing Program - a site-specific rehabilitation and new construction proposal submitted by Catalyst 4 Change LLC

•                     Parker Place - a site-specific rehabilitation and preservation proposal submitted by Hispanic Housing Development Corporation

•                     The Point on Washington Apartments - a site-specific rehabilitation proposal submitted by Repvblik Madison Apartments LLC

•                     Red Pine Cooperative - a site-specific acquisition and rehabilitation proposal submitted by Sunny Side Development & Red Pine Coop, Inc.

• Public Safety Review Committee: The Public Safety Review Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 9, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a budget presentation from the Mayor’s Office and approving an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Sun Prairie and the City of Madison for the Madison Fire Department to provide emergency crisis services through the City of Madison CARES program.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

           Meeting Details

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

• Brush Collection is Over for 2024: Curbside brush collection will return in spring of 2025. [posted October 4, 2024]
• Traffic Engineering to Install Temporary Traffic Diverter on E Mifflin St: Starting Monday, October 14, Traffic Engineering will be conducting a vehicular traffic diverter test on East Mifflin Street at North Paterson Street. This project focuses on improvements to the East Mifflin Bicycle Boulevard which provides an… [posted October 4, 2024]
• State Lawmakers Advocate for Fully Funding Dane County Cities : State legislators from Dane County and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway are calling on the Wisconsin Legislature to adopt bipartisan measures that address the chronic underfunding of local governments. [posted October 3, 2024]
• Time to Vote for Your Electric Truck Names: Over the last two weeks, 792 unique names for Wisconsin’s first fully electric collection vehicles were submitted to the Streets Division.  There were many great names submitted and a group of finalists were selected. Now it’s time for you, the… [posted October 3, 2024]
• Innovative partnership aims to create more homeownership opportunities: The City of Madison is celebrating another step forward in expanding affordable homeownership opportunities with the groundbreaking of a “Missing Middle” development on the city’s southeast side. [posted October 3, 2024]
• MPD receives new tool to help reunite lost pets with owners: MADISON, Wis. – The Madison Police Department has a new tool to help reunite lost pets with their owners. Lost Dogs of Wisconsin donated a pet microchip scanner to MPD. The volunteer-run group provides free resources to dog owners across Wisconsin… [posted October 3, 2024]
• Free Breast Cancer Screenings Available : October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This October, Public Health is urging women to get screened. [posted October 3, 2024]
• A Mammoth Achievement: Food Scraps Composting Goal Reached: The City of Madison set an ambitious goal to compost 22,000 thousand pounds of food scraps at our farmers’ market drop-off sites this year.  This is roughly the weight of two adult mammoths. We are thrilled to announce that not only have we… [posted October 3, 2024]
• Fall Leaves and Yard Waste Collection Begins Next Week: The fall yard waste and leaves collection begins the week of October 6, 2024.All residents will receive three guaranteed collection opportunities.  Not every neighborhood in Madison has the same set out dates.  It will be different… [posted October 3, 2024]
• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award : The City of Madison invites you to submit nominations for its annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award. [posted October 2, 2024]
• New Art Exhibits Going Up at Six Madison Public Library Locations: A wealth of local talent can be found on the walls of your local library! Madison Public Library has six art exhibits going up in library locations during September and October. [posted October 1, 2024]
• State Street Pedestrian Mall Experiment to end on October 30: If you haven’t visited State Street as part of this year’s State Street Pedestrian Mall experiment yet, you have about one month left to #FlockToState. [posted October 1, 2024]
• Community Leaders, Elected Officials and Disability Rights Advocates Unite for the ‘Week Without Driving’: To kick off the Week Without Driving, disability rights advocates and representatives from Madison, Verona, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, and Middleton came together for a group ride on a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus. [posted September 30, 2024]
• Madison-based artist Jennifer Bastian chosen to be Artist-in-Residence at Thurber Park: The Madison Arts Commission and The Bubbler at Madison Public Library are pleased to announce Jennifer Bastian as the 2024 Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence. [posted September 30, 2024]

Events

• Last day to establish residency for November General Election, Tuesday, October 8: Voters who move after today will not be eligible to vote from their new address in November because it takes 28 days to establish residency for voting purposes. They can remain registered at their previous address until after the General Election, and then should update their voter registration for the February Spring Primary.
• Energy Resource Fair, Tuesday, October 8: MGE will provide energy saving tips and a chance to win a SMART Thermostat, Energy Services will be on site to assist with Energy Assistance qualifications, and Project Home will discuss our Weatherization program and how they can improve health, safety and save energy in your home.
• Mayor Introduces 2025 Executive Operating Budget, Tuesday, October 8: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will announce her 2025 Executive Operating Budget.
• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, October 9: The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and schedules!
• Conservation Park Tour, Wednesday, October 9: Conservation Park Tours are educational staff-guided walks held at various conservation parks on the 2nd Wednesday, May - October. Event starting times vary, depending on the sunset and typically last about 90 minutes. Walks are held rain or shine, free to attend, easy-paced and family-friendly. No registration is required.
• Homebuyer Education Workshop, Saturday, October 12: Take the first step to owning a home and join us in this Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE Homebuyer Education workshop takes place in-person at the Atrium Villager Mall (2300 S Park St, Madison, WI) on Saturday, October 12 from 8:30am-3:30pm! Lunch will be provided. Our first-time home buying workshops cover the following: how to find the right home, how to apply for a mortgage, credit improvement tips, how much you can afford, barriers that can prevent you from qualifying for a mortgage and what down payment assistance may be available to you.
• Conservation Volunteer Workday | Shift A, Saturday, October 12: Join us for a meaningful day of conservation efforts as we work together to protect and enhance our local conservation park! Your participation is crucial in safeguarding the biodiversity and natural habitats that make our park a haven for wildlife and a treasure for our community.
• Conservation Volunteer Workday | Shift B, Saturday, October 12: Join us for a meaningful day of conservation efforts as we work together to protect and enhance our local conservation park! Your participation is crucial in safeguarding the biodiversity and natural habitats that make our park a haven for wildlife and a treasure for our community.
• Movie at The Glen, Sunday, October 13: Enjoy a free movie on the lawn of The Glen! We'll have yard games from 4-5pm and movie starting at 5:00pm.

For the full list of upcoming events, please visit the City events calendar.