Meetings and Updates Week of June 3rd

• City Meetings: Common Council 6/4, includes Chronic Nuisance Premises Ordinance changes
• You’re Invited! Wear Orange to Raise Awareness of Gun Violence at Galaxy Park Next Friday
• Autumn Ridge Path Construction Update
• 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.

Common Council

The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 4, in hybrid format at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include:

• A resolution recognizing June as Pride Month (I’m a cosponsor).
• A resolution accepting sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and street improvements constructed by a private contract (paid for by the developer, no City funds) as part of phase 2 of the Jannah Village subdivision here in District 3.
• A resolution amending MPD’s budget to accept a Project Safe Neighborhoods grant and Byrne Justice grant for overtime for patrol-level problem-oriented policing initiatives and National Integrated Ballistic Information Network firearm ballistic casings for investigative cases (I’m a cosponsor).
• A resolution authorizing an agreement with the City of Milwaukee to provide law enforcement support, with reimbursement from Milwaukee for most costs, to Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention in July (I’m a cosponsor). Milwaukee is seeking similar agreements with many municipalities for support during the RNC. I sure hope the event stays peaceful and orderly.
• A resolution authorizing Madison Parks to apply for a grant from US DOT Federal Highway Administration for $12 million in support for the Lake Monona Waterfront Project (I’m a cosponsor).
• A resolution amending Madison General Ordinances to make it easier to declare a Chronic Nuisance Premises when the nuisance activity involves firearms and/or serious bodily injury or death (I’m the lead sponsor). I wrote more about the details for how this proposed change would work, as well as my intentions behind working on this, in my May 19th blog post. So far this proposal has unanimous votes recommending approval from the City’s Public Safety Review Committee, Landlord Tennant Issues Committee, and Housing Strategy Committee. My thanks to Alder Jael Currie and Attorney Jennifer Zilavy for helping to shape the proposed changes. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions: district3@cityofmadison.com.
• A resolution adopting the recommendations for the Bus Rapid Transit North-South corridor.

Meeting and registration info:

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment
• Watch Online

You’re Invited! Wear Orange to Raise Awareness of Gun Violence at Galaxy Park Next Friday

For the third year in a row, Dane County Moms Demand Action is partnering with Public Health Madison Dane County for Wear Orange to bring attention to the issue of gun violence in our local community. This year's event centers around healing a local community impacted by violence. A memorial mural, a collaboration between DAMA (Developing Artist Murals and Alliances), the residents of Harmony Apartments, and the wider community will be unveiled during the evening. Please join us for this family-friendly, community event with food trucks, kids’ activities, music, and guest speakers. You can read more about the Wear Orange violence prevention awareness movement at https://wearorange.org/.

• Where: Galaxy Park, 132 Milky Way, Madison
• When: Friday, June 7, 5:00 PM

I hope to see you there! 

Autumn Ridge Path Construction Update

“The Autumn Ridge Path Contractor, Zenith Tech, plans to begin the bulk of the path construction in early-June. Lane closures are anticipated on Highway 30 and adjacent streets, but at least one-lane of travel will be maintained in all directions for a majority of the project, except for two anticipated overnight (12am-5am), full closures of Highway 30 during final bridge installation, at which time a detour route will be marked and signed.  Due to the delays on certain pre-fabricated bridge elements, the bridge over Highway 30 will not be completed (and usable) until January 2025. The Contractor’s Project Manager is Quinntin Jones, he can be reached at (262) 666-3747 or qjones@walbecgroup.com.”

As a reminder, a large federal grant is covering nearly half the cost of this project. The local share is funded under the City’s Capital Budget for physical infrastructure, not the Operating Budget that funds staff/services.

More information about the project is available on the project webpage.

Events & Announcements

• Another Budget Engagement Opportunity: Northside Budget Engagement Event, Wednesday, June 5. You’re invited to Black Hawk Middle School for an interactive session to discuss the 2025 budget outlook. This in-person event is a chance to have your voice heard and share your thoughts on what should be prioritized in our community. Join us for an opportunity to have your voice heard on matters that affect our community. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
• Draft West Area Plan - In Person Public Meeting-Land Use, Housing, Zoning, Monday, June 3: City staff have announced highlights of proposed changes to the Draft West Area Plan. For more details, check the project webpage. There will be additional changes released by May 10. City staff will join Common Council members representing the West Area to host a series of five additional public meetings where people can further review and discuss the Draft West Area Plan.
• E. Mifflin St. Bike Boulevard Virtual Public Input Meeting, Monday, June 3: The City of Madison is looking at making additional safety and other improvements along the E. Mifflin St. Bike Boulevard to enhance biking and walking along this corridor. The public is invited to come learn more about potential improvements, offer input into what would help improve the corridor and ask questions.
• Draft West Area Plan - In Person Public Meeting-Transportation, Thursday, June 6: City staff have announced highlights of proposed changes to the Draft West Area Plan. For more details, check the project webpage. There will be additional changes released by May 10. City staff will join Common Council members representing the West Area to host a series of five additional public meetings where people can further review and discuss the Draft West Area Plan.
• 2024 Vision Zero Safe Streets and Speed Management Projects: Since 2020, Vision Zero Madison has implemented safety improvement and speed management projects every year to enhance safe travel on City streets. [posted May 31, 2024, by Traffic Engineering]
• MPD recruits work on team-building during first week of training academy: MADISON, Wis. – Over the next six months, the Madison Police Department will recap each week of its in-house training academy. There are 32 recruits in this year’s class. [posted May 31, 2024, by Police]
• City of Madison Launches the First Year of the Building Energy Savings Program (BESP) : The City of Madison has launched the first year of the new Building Energy Savings Program (BESP). The program, adopted by the Common Council in 2023, requires large commercial buildings to benchmark their energy use annually and tune up building’s… [posted May 30, 2024, Mayor's Office]
• Public Health Launches New Rapid Beach Water Testing this Summer: This week, Public Health Madison & Dane County kicked off its annual beach monitoring season. During the summer months each year, Public Health monitors conditions and tests the water at local beaches to make sure it is safe for swimming.[posted May 30, 2024, by Public Health Madison & Dane County]
• MPD sergeant honored for work with people affected by mental illness: MADISON, Wis. — A sergeant with the Madison Police Department has been honored for his efforts to improve the quality of life of people affected by mental illness. NAMI Dane County awarded Sergeant Jared Prado the CIT Officer of the Year Award. The… [posted May 29, 2024, by Police]
• Free Fun Weekend in Madison Parks: 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. DISC GOLFA daily or annual permit is… [posted May 29, 2024, by Parks]
• Author of Northwoods, Amy Pease, to Speak at 24th Annual Book Club Café event at Madison Public Library: Local author Amy Pease will headline the 24th Annual Book Club Café hosted by the Friends of Madison Public Library on June 27 at Central Library. Pease will discuss her debut mystery novel Northwoods–which is set in Northern Wisconsin–and was described by People magazine as “a riveting debut by a nurse practitioner with an insider's view of the opioid epidemic." [posted May 28, 2024, by Madison Public Library]
• Welcome to MPD: Training underway for new class of police recruits:  The Madison Police Department welcomed its 70th academy class during a special ceremony Tuesday morning. [posted May 28, 2024, by Police]
• Madison Hosts Nature Everywhere Day and Conference : The Nature Everywhere Conference at Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, brings together leaders from around the world to advance programs, practices, and policies for advancing equitable access to nature. [posted May 28, 2024, by Olbrich Botanical Gardens]
• 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.
• Go By Metro! Tuesday, June 4 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Get the latest scoop on BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and basics for how to use the local bus service. Get one-on-one time with a Metro employee in English or Spanish!
• Financial Wellness Workshop (#1-4), Tuesday, June 4: This session provides an overview of credit reports and scores. It will cover building credit and repairing and improving credit.
• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, June 5 (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.)
• Goodman Pool Opening Day, Friday, June 7: Join us on opening day at the Goodman Pool! Weather permitting, we'll open the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Pool for the 2024 season. Goodman Pool is for everyone! Thanks to the Madison Parks Foundation, admission scholarships are available! Apply online.
• Safety Saturday, Saturday, June 8: Safety Saturday is an event that educates parents, children and the public on ways to make safe decisions, prevent injuries, and to encourage the use of safety devices such as seat belts, bike helmets, and smoke alarms. See event website for more information.
• Marquette Waterfront Festival, Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Marquette Waterfront Festival kicks off the summer on the east side with two stages featuring some of the very best local bands and national touring acts, along with vendors from favorite local restaurants, craft beer and wine, kids’ games, craft vendors and the Fools’ Flotilla.