D6 Items of Interest Week of October 28, 2024

As part of the unprecedented 2025 budget journey the city is on (with two operating budget options - one if the referendum passes and one if the referendum fails), the Finance Committee has only two amendments for both operating budgets on Monday. I am offering one set of amendments to both operating budget options that would establish a one-year paid parking pilot in the Parks Division. The idea came from the list of the 5% cuts offered by the Parks Division and could potentially generate revenues from Badger football parking, commuter parking, and metered parking. The net effect of the amendment is a general fund savings of $23,900. This assumes the pilot would begin mid-year in 2025 after a period of public engagement and development of an implementation plan with the Board of Park Commissioners. 

I expect that the final Council budget deliberations November 12-14 will have additional amendments once we know the outcome of the referendum.

I assume readers have a plan to vote– you mailed your absentee ballot or will get in line for In Person Absentee Voting Hours and Locations or will vote on November 5. You know what is at stake up and down the ballot.

In case you still have questions about the city budget and the referendum, my 2025 Budget Presentation from Oct 17 Virtual Meeting has links to the slide show I presented and the recorded meeting, plus my comments about how we got here. I went through all the information available to alders to gather what I thought was the most helpful explanation about the $22M deficit.

Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include 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 85469, for use beginning in 2025, as well as an appeal of the Plan Commission action on the demolition permit for 2121 Jefferson Street and 1007 Edgewood Avenue in District 13 85527.

5. 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)

10/16/24 ALCOHOL LICENSE REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO PLACE ON FILE WITHOUT PREJUDICE -RECESSED PUBLIC HEARING

Apparently, the application was withdrawn because the applicant is underage and ineligible to apply. The applicant told the ALRC they would reapply after their birthday.

52. 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

60. 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)

Up to $649,000 to Sunny Side Development and Red Pine Coop, Inc., or an affiliate entity, for acquisition and rehabilitation of the Red Pine Housing Cooperative, located at 212 Merry Street

This item is also at Monday’s Finance Committee meeting.

65. 84643 Approving housing recommendations that serve to strengthen efforts to expand rental, homeowner and student developments, prepared by the Housing Strategy Committee (Citywide).

INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE

81. 85785 BY TITLE ONLY: Appointment of Members for the Police Civilian Oversight Board

89. 85653 Approving a Certified Survey Map of property owned by Brearly Street Property Group, LLC located at 306 S Brearly Street (District 6).

93. 85784 Authorizing the City’s execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Lease between the City of Madison and The Salvation Army or their successors and assigns, for the purchase of the property located at 3030 Darbo Drive in the City of Madison, and leaseback period subsequent to closing. (District 15)

Fiscal Note The proposed resolution authorizes the purchase of the property located at 3030 Darbo Dr. Acquisition costs are estimated at $3.0 million. Funding for the proposed acquisition and associated expenses are available in two capital programs. The Community Development Division's 2022 Adopted Capital Budget included $2.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the Salvation Army Darbo Site (Munis project 13775). The Economic Development Division's Land Banking capital program will fund the remaining $500,000 (Munis project 12640). The proposed resolution further authorizes the execution of a lease agreement for the property after closing of the sale to The Salvation Army for $1 a year through December 31, 2026 with two successive 1-year extension options. No additional City appropriation is required.

102. 85821 Awarding up to $9,850,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund to support four affordable housing development projects, selected through a City Request for Proposals (RFP) process, that will support construction of approximately 275 units of new rental housing in Madison, 167 of which will be affordable, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute loan agreements with the developers of those projects (District 12, District 18 and District 19)

115. 85809 Public Hearing - New License The Le Le Group LLC • dba Ha Long Bay 1353 Williamson St • Agent: Jacqueline Le Estimated Capacity (in/out): 100 Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 15% alcohol, 85% food Police Sector 410 (District 6) Legislative History @Alcohol License Review Committee- Public Hearing (11/20/24), @Common Council (12/10/24)

• Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
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• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 28, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include deliberations on the 2025 Executive Operating Budget 85264 and 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

2. 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).

AGENDA NOTE: Since the Committee on Aging did not meet on 10/23/24. Finance Committee may refer this and recommend the Council to refer on Tuesday.

4. 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)

Up to $649,000 to Sunny Side Development and Red Pine Coop, Inc., or an affiliate entity, for acquisition and rehabilitation of the Red Pine Housing Cooperative, located at 212 Merry Street

This item is also on the Council agenda Tuesday for final approval.

6.85857 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Update. There will be a report uploaded on Monday.

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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

• Public Test of Election Equipment Saturday: The public is invited to observe the City of Madison public test of election equipment this Saturday. The City of Madison deliberately schedules the public test on the weekend to make it accessible for the community. “Interested in learning how our… [posted October 25, 2024]
• Road Closure for Continuation of E Wilson Street Paving: Starting at 11am on Monday, October 28, R.G Huston’s paving contractor will continue paving operations on E Wilson Street within the Wilson Street and Pinckney Street intersection.  The closure is expected to last until 1pm. [posted October 25, 2024]
• Public Cautioned to Throw Out THC-Contaminated Pizza from Famous Yeti’s Pizza in Stoughton, WI: We're urging community members to throw out any pizza they may have from Famous Yeti’s Pizza in Stoughton due to unintentional THC contamination. [posted October 24, 2024]
• RaISE Program Guarantees Job Interviews for Participants: The Referrals and Interviews for Sustainable Employment (RaISE) program provides an opportunity to obtain employment, regardless of a job seekers’ background, gender, race, or ethnicity, overcoming barriers some communities face. [posted October 24, 2024]
• OIM Press Conference: Madison, 10/24/2024.The Office of the Independent Monitor will be hosting a press conference tomorrow. Following the release of a complaint intake form on our website today, this will be an opportunity to discuss the contents of the form and next… [posted October 24, 2024]
• Common Election Misconceptions: The City of Madison Clerk’s Office would like to provide voters with facts regarding common misconceptions about the voting process. Myth: Your voter ID needs to show your current address. Fact:  The address on your Voter ID does not matter. When… [posted October 24, 2024]
• Urban Forestry Planting 855 Trees in Fall 2024: Urban Forestry’s fall planting season began on Monday, October 21, 2024.Our crews will be planting 855 trees from 25 different species along City of Madison streets this fall. The variety of species was selected by the City’s trained arborists to… [posted October 23, 2024]
• Results announced for 2024 Food Cart Review: After unprecedented interest from the public in reviewing Madison’s many food carts, the City’s annual Food Cart Review process has been completed and scores have been tabulated. [posted October 23, 2024]
• Street Closures—UW Homecoming Parade: Multiple streets in the Langdon Street area will close to traffic on Friday afternoon, October 25th, for the UW Homecoming Parade. The parade begins at approximately 6:00pm.The following streets will be impacted… [posted October 22, 2024]
• Mail It Back Monday – Make Sure Your Absentee Counts: The Madison City Clerk’s Office has issued absentee ballots to 39,213 voters for the November 5 General Election. Over 17,000 of those absentees have yet to be returned to the City Clerk’s Office. If you plan to return your absentee ballot through… [posted October 21, 2024]
• Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program helps housing get needed updates: With one of the lowest rental vacancy rates in the country, not only does the city need to see more new units built, but existing units also need to be cared for to make sure they are available for years to come. [posted October 21, 2024]

Events

• Hospitalized Voting Begins, Tuesday, October 29: Beginning today, voters who are hospitalized can appoint an agent to:...
• Britta Park Volunteer Workday, Tuesday, October 29: Britta Park neighbors are invited to join City staff to begin work on the pollinator garden and patio project in Britta Park! All ages and skill levels welcome! All necessary tools and instructions provided. Please dress appropriately for the weather and plan to get dirty.
• Hayride Around the Capitol | Movie at the Top of State, Wednesday, October 30: We've partnered with Madison's Central BID for the Downtown Madison Family Halloween to bring you back-to-back events! Take a haywagon ride around the Capitol Square (3-6pm) and see the movie Hotel Transylvania (6-7:30pm), at the Top of State Street (between Ian’s Pizza & Veterans Museum).
• Wright Design Series: The Architecture of Connection, Wednesday, October 30: Explore the transformative power of context in architecture with Madison based architect Jacob Morrison.  In this presentation, learn how architects thoughtfully engage with their physical surroundings, historical settings, and social environments to create spaces that resonate with their users. Join us to discover how architecture can build bridges between the past, present, and future, fostering community and continuity.

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