Meetings and Updates Week of May 28th
posted- City Meetings
- Finance Committee 5/28
- Transportation Commission 5/29, interesting items on agenda
- Heads up! Recycling Cart Inspections Coming Soon, Contaminated Carts Will Not Be Collected Until They Are Fixed
- Northeast Area Plan Events Week of May 28, DRAFT Plan Released for Public Review
- Metro Transit and the Greater Madison MPO Want Your Input!
- Additional Speed Bumps Coming to Some District 3 Streets This Summer
- Events & Announcements
City Meetings
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.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 28, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include authorizing a contract with YWCA Madison Inc for tenant resource services to support tenant capacity building and authorizing officials to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Milwaukee to provide support to City of Milwaukee law enforcement from July 13, 2024 through July 20, 2024.
Transportation Commission
The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 29, in virtual format at 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include a discussion about the City’s School Crossing Guard Program, potential updates, and considerations for middle schools; a discussion about the East Madison Bikeway Enhancement Plan to better connect Eastside bike routes near downtown; and a presentation from WisDOT staff about their Stoughton Road North Corridor Study, including the City’s staff memo providing the City’s comments on the design alternatives for Stoughton Road intersections north of Highway 30.
Heads Up! Recycling Cart Inspections Coming Soon, Contaminated Carts Will Not Be Collected Until They Are Fixed
What’s happening?
Streets Division crews will soon begin checking recycling carts at the curb for things that do not belong in them. What exactly will the Streets Division be doing? Staff will be working ahead of collection crews on the recycling collection week in random neighborhoods lifting the lids of carts and looking for items that do not belong in the recycling. If contamination is found within the carts, a card explaining the problem will be left behind on the cart lid. Recycling carts that have been “carded” will not be emptied by the recycling collection crews until the problem is fixed.
If the recycling cart for your home is carded, you will need to remove the problem items from the recycling cart. The card on the cart will show exactly what needs to be removed. Next, contact the Streets Division so a recycling truck can be sent back as soon as possible to empty the corrected recycling cart.
Here are common problem items that they’ll be looking for in the recycling carts:
- Bad Bags: Most recyclables you generate should not be bagged. The only exception is shredded paper. If you must bag your recyclables, only clear plastic bags are acceptable. Bags that cannot be seen through are discarded as trash at the recycling sorting facility.
- Clothes & Other Textiles: Never put clothes, bedding, towels, or similar material in the recycling cart. Donate these items or place them into the tan trash cart.
- Styrofoam: Never put styrofoam in the recycling cart. You can bring this material to a drop-off site for it to be recycled because there is a special separate program just for this kind of plastic material. At the curb, you have to put styrofoam into the tan trash cart.
- Tanglers: Never put plastic film, plastic bags, plastic wrap, hoses, ropes, and similar tangly things in the recycling cart. This material jams the recycling sorting equipment,
- Wood/Lumber: Never put wood or lumber in the recycling cart. This can damage the sorting equipment. This belongs in the trash cart or at the drop-off site.
Why is the Streets Division doing this?
Readers may think it sounds rather bizarre for a city employee to come around peaking inside our recycling bins, and I quite agree. But putting the wrong things in the recycling cart makes the recycling service more expensive and can be dangerous. Putting the wrong things has harmful effects from jamming and damaging sorting equipment, and the wrong things can even cause catastrophic fires.
In 2023, 18.6% of what was placed in City of Madison recycling carts was material that did not belong. This reduced the value of the City’s recyclables by roughly $297,000 – making recycling more expensive. We can do better!
Northeast Area Plan Events Week of May 28, DRAFT Plan Released for Public Review
DRAFT Plan Released
The public review draft for the Northeast Area Plan is here! The Northeast Area includes the District 3 neighobrhods of Mayfair Park and Burke Heights (both north of Highway 30). Read the draft in its entirety or browse plan summary display boards. Please provide feedback by June 17th.
A compilation of frequently asked questions, based off of questions and comments received online, via email, and in person, has also been prepared. You can also review a feedback summary as of May 2024.
Public Input Meetings
Residents are invited to participate at one of the several events that are scheduled to review and discuss the draft with project staff:
- Tuesday, May 28 at 6:00 pm virtual (please register in advance)
- Wednesday, May 29 at 12:00 pm (please register in advance)
- Wednesday, May 29th in-person at Reindahl Park
- Stop in any time 5:00-8:00
- Pizza will be provided
- Rain location: City of Madison Streets East - 4602 Sycamore Ave
- Thursday, May 30th in-person at Sycamore Park
- Stop in any time 5:00-8:00
- Pizza will be provided
- Rain location: East Madison Community Center - 8 Straubel Court
Northeast Area Alders Joint Statement
“We are deeply grateful for the many residents across the Northeast area who have taken the time to share their invaluable feedback for the Northeast Area Plan. Their engagement is pivotal in shaping an inclusive and thriving future, and we eagerly look forward to engaging with residents in the coming weeks. Shaped by resident input, this Plan aims to guide gradual changes to Northeast Area neighborhoods, a transformation of the East Towne area, reconnect our communities across physical barriers like highways and build neighborhoods' capacity to support their residents.”
- Joint statement from District 17 Alder Sabrina Madison, District 3 Alder Derek Field, and District 12 Alder Amani Latimer Burris
Metro Transit and the Greater Madison MPO Want Your Input!
Metro Transit and the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are asking community members to complete a 12-question survey regarding their experience using the current bus system. Survey results will help the Greater Madison MPO with the Transit Development Plan, which guides service and facility improvements and budgets of Metro Transit. It will also build on recent changes to the current system, such as the Transit Network Redesign and the planned opening of Madison’s first Bus Rapid Transit line in late 2024.
The survey will close on Monday, June 24. To complete the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5YPBN6Z. The survey is also available in Chinese, Hmong and Spanish.
To request a paper survey, please contact the Greater Madison MPO via email at mpo@cityofmadison.com or Metro by phone at (608) 266-4466.
Additional Speed Bumps Coming to Some District 3 Streets This Summer
At the May 7th Common Council meeting, the Council awarded Public Works Contract No. 8695 for the construction of various traffic calming projects approved by the Transportation Commission under the Safe Streets Madison program. This contract includes three proposals for speed bumps in District 3:
Milky Way speed bumps, approved by the Transportation Commission last May, to be placed at locations indicated with green dashes on the image below, which I’m told by staff will be constructed over the coming few weeks:
- Meadowlark Drive speed bumps, approved by the Transportation Commission last May, along the section of the street in front of Kennedy Elementary School. I’m told that construction of these will take place mid-summer, when traffic to and from school is at its lowest.
- Jackson Quarry Lane will see one speed bump on this one-block-long street, approved by Transportation Commission last month in their April 24th meeting, which will be constructed at some point this summer. This speed bump is intended to control the hazardous driving into and out of Jackson Quarry Lane as reported by Harmony Apartments residents and nearby neighbors. This proposal was a bit unusual because Safe Streets Madison proposals usually score poorly on low-traffic-volume streets. However, last year’s incidents of gun violence involved fast get-away driving so Traffic Engineering staff counted those injuries and fatalities in the eligibility score in their staff recommendation to approve, for which I am grateful. This speed bump is a very high priority for Harmony residents and nearby neighbors who want a safer traffic pattern near their homes as well as safer crossings to Galaxy Park. Here’s my letter of support to the Transportation Commission last month if you’re curious. And here is the supportive letter on this item from the North Star Neighborhood Association.
Events & Announcements
- No Streets Division Collections on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Observance of Memorial Day: There will be no recycling, trash, brush, or large item collections performed by the City of Madison Streets Division on Monday, May 27, 2024 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The Streets Division drop-off sites will also be closed. Trash… [posted May 20, 2024, by Public Works]
- Free Mulch Now Available in Select City of Madison Parks: Wood mulch is now available for free within four City of Madison parks. The mulch is available at the following locations: Garner Park South side of parking lot, to your right when you enter off N. Rosa Rd. Demetral Park Near N. 6th Street… [posted May 24, 2024, by Parks]
- MPD mentors work with next generation of female law enforcement officers: MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin college students had a chance to learn from police mentors during an interactive training session. The event was part of the University of Wisconsin Women in Criminal Justice Mentoring Program, which seeks to empower women… [posted May 23, 2024, by Police]
- City of Madison signs off on sale of Rethke Avenue, Tree Lane properties: The City of Madison’s Common Council voted Tuesday night to pave the way for the sale of the properties at 715 Rethke Avenue and 7933 Tree Lane to Cinnaire Solutions, a non-profit housing developer with offices in Madison. [posted May 22, 2024, by Community Development]
- Madison Fire Awarded National Honor for Exceptional Work in Cardiac Arrest Survival, Education: Madison is named a 'Heart Safe Community' by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). [posted May 21, 2024, by Fire]
- White House to Host National Offices of Violence Prevention Network: On May 22, staff from Public Health Madison & Dane County will join other members of the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN) by participating in an event hosted at the White House. [posted May 21, 2024, by Public Health Madison & Dane County]
- Resources for Homebuyers and Property Owners: Are you a current homeowner or looking to own your first home? The City of Madison’s Community Development Division (CDD) is excited to share with you upcoming homeownership related events hosted by our community partners! When you go to www.cityofmadison.com/homeloans you will be able to find the homeownership event’s calendar and other CDD resources available to homeowners and homebuyers to achieve and maintain homeownership. You will be able to find events related to homebuyer education and homeowner maintenance. Other resources include down payment assistance for first time homebuyers, property tax assistance for seniors (65+), and information about major and minor rehabilitation programs. If you have any questions, please contact the City of Madison at email: homeloans@cityofmadison.com or call 608-266-6520.
- Financial Empowerment Series (#1-4), Tuesday, May 28 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Financial Basics: Budgeting, debt reduction, credit repair and homebuying basics. Financial Empowerment Series to be held in 4 parts occurring on May 7, 14, 21, and 28. For questions regarding this program contact Kielley at klemkuil@ulgm.org.
- Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, May 29 (This event occurs on multiple dates): 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! (Location: far Eastside of Madison, near the Great Dane Eastside, 5901 Sharpsburg Dr.)
- Southside/Near Westside Budget Engagement Event (NEW LOCATION), Wednesday, May 29: Attention all Southsiders & Near Westsiders! Come join us at the Village on Park in the Atrium Community Room (new location), for an interactive session where we discuss the 2025 budget outlook. This in-person event is your chance to have your voice heard and share your thoughts on what should be prioritized in our community! Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
- Central Budget Engagement Event, Thursday, May 30: Attention all Downtowners! Come join us virtually via Zoom or in person at the Madison Municipal Building for an interactive session where we discuss the 2025 budget outlook. This hybrid event (IN PERSON & VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION AVAILABLE) is your chance to have your voice heard and share your thoughts on what should be prioritized in our community. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
- Free Fun Weekend in Madison Parks, Saturday, June 1 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Enjoy permit-free days in City of Madison and Dane County parks, on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, 2024. No permit is required to try out a disc golf course, bring your dog to a park or access the lakes.
