D6 Items of Interest Week of November 4, 2024

Election Day is Tuesday! Polls open at 7a and close at 8p. Sunday, November 3, was the final day of in-person absentee voting. Monday, November 4, is the final day to use one of the secure ballot drop boxes to submit your absentee ballot near Madison's fire stations. The drop boxes will be locked closed at 5 p.m. Monday.

Absentee ballots need to be at the absentee voter’s polling location before the polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Postmarks do not count.

The City of Madison Clerk’s Office encourages voters to check their registration and track their absentee ballot at https://MyVote.wi.gov. The goal of the City Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.

If you haven’t voted already, I know you have a plan to vote in person Tuesday or drop off your absentee ballot Monday before 5p at a drop box (or bring it to your polling place on Tuesday). There are crucial votes up and down the ballot and your vote counts. If you are still unsure about the city referendum, please take a look at my budget explainer and slide show where I try to show what is at stake. Once alders know the outcome of the City referendum, we have until Thursday to submit amendments to the operating budget that will be voted on November 12-14.

Whatever happens with the Presidential elections, we must be vigilant about standing up for our democratic rights in the face of a reactionary movement that embraces racism, white nationalism, antigay and trans bigotry, anti-Semitism, and misogny and is willing to engage in violence. We need to focus on bottom up organizing, whether in neighborhoods, labor unions, schools, or social movements for racial justice, immigration reform, reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, Medicare for All, housing and food security, debt relief, indigenous rights and water protection, and for a green economy that reduces carbon emissions, addresses climate upheaval and is socially inclusive and sustainable.

Tenney Beach Shelter. A resident contacted me about the status of the new shelter at Tenney Beach. Kate Kane, the project manager from Parks provided this update: “I am happy to report that this project is on schedule to finish per its original substantial completion date of on/before December 31, 2024.  Fairly early on during the installation of the masonry block wall, some aspects of the work were inspected by Engineering Facilities architects who are managing the project and rejected: the workmanship involved in the masonry joint installation was determined to not meet the standards as described in the contract specifications.  This did delay the completion of this component but we were fortunate that due to the generally very dry and seasonable weather this delay did not slow the later components of the work, which have included the installation of the structural steel, roof and most recently moved inside the structure to include installation of the mechanicals.

As you may already be aware, this project has an on-site camera installed by the contractor, so it is possible to check in remotely to see how the work is progressing:

https://share.earthcam.net/tJ90CoLmq7TzrY396Yd88O4vfdgUUMma1CTSkis2CtQ!/tenney_park_shelter/tnb_construction_cam_2/live

The project link is available at both Parks and Engineering’s Projects website, where updates are posted on the progress of the project.

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, November 4, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 1, 4, 12, 15, 16, and 20.

  Note: Items 5-8 regarding 2430-2450 E Washington Avenue and 10-16 N Seventh Street (District 12) are related and will be considered as one public hearing for a demolition permit, rezoning, conditional use, and certified survey map . 7. 84998 2430-2450 E Washington Avenue and 10-16 N Seventh Street (District 12): Consideration of a conditional use in the [Proposed] Traditional Shopping Street (TSS) District and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay District for dwelling units in a mixed-use building with 61-100 units; consideration of a conditional use in the TSS District and TOD Overlay for a mixed-use building with less than 50% of non-residential ground-floor frontage facing the primary street, including all frontage at a street corner; and consideration of a conditional use in the TSS District and TOD Overlay for a building exceeding four stories and 60 feet of height, all to allow construction of a mixed-use building containing 260 square feet of commercial space and 76 apartments. Staff Report

  Note: Items 11-14 regarding 619-699 W Mifflin Street (District 4) are related and will be considered as one public hearing for a demolition permit, rezoning, conditional use, and certified survey map. 13. 85187 619-699 W Mifflin Street (District 4): Consideration of conditional uses in the [Proposed] Urban Mixed-Use (UMX) District for a new building greater than 20,000 square feet and more than four stories; consideration of a conditional use in the UMX District for a multi-family dwelling with greater than eight (8) units; consideration of a conditional use to construct two additional stories in Area D of the "Additional Heights Area Map" in MGO Section 28.071(2)(b); consideration of conditional use in the UMX District for a residential building complex; and consideration of a conditional use in the UMX District for outdoor recreation, all to allow construction of a ten-story, 239-unit apartment building with accessory outdoor pool on the same zoning lot as an existing apartment building. Public Comment from CNI and the Staff Report describes the differing recommendations from Landmarks Commission and Urban Design Commission.

  Upcoming Matters – November 18, 2024

  - ID 85410, 85411 & 85625 - 423-427 W Mifflin Street - Demolition Permit, Conditional Use and Certified Survey Map Referral - Demolish a single-family residence, a two-family residence, and a four-unit apartment building to construct a four-story, 40-unit apartment building on one lot

  - ID 85416, 85418 & 85420 - 418-446 W Washington Avenue and 413-417 W Mifflin Street - Demolition Permit, Conditional Use and Certified Survey Map Referral - Demolish 3 single-family residences, 4 two-family residences, 3 three-family apartment buildings, and one four-unit apartment building to construct a six-story, 162-unit apartment building on one lot

  – ID 85636, 85637 & 85653 - 306 S Brearly Street (District 6) - Demolition Permit, Conditional Use and Certified Survey Map Referral - Demolish multi-tenant commercial building to construct six-story mixed-use building with 1,500 square feet of commercial space and 120 apartments on one lot Project Plans

  Upcoming Matters – December 2, 2024 - ID 82973 - Urban Design Commission Code Update Project, Phase 1 Amendment (Tentative). The Code update has been delayed while new Planning Division Director Meagan Tuttle got up to speed.

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

• Urban Design Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday November 6 at 4:30p Agenda

  4. 84628 418-446 W Washington Avenue + 413-417 W Mifflin Street - Alder Referral for an Advisory Recommendation to the Plan Commission for a New Multi-Family Residential Building. (District 4) Staff Report

  7. 85372 423-427 W Mifflin Street - Alder Referral for an Advisory Recommendation to the Plan Commission for a New Multi-Family Residential Building. (District 4)

  The Mifflandia Plan was adopted in 2019. The Staff Report for 423-427 W Mifflin notes that the plan, “enumerates specific urban design and other recommendations, which are intended to help guide new development in the neighborhood and which were intended to serve as the foundation for the creation of a new Urban Design District. While a new design district has not been formally created, the recommendations contained in the Mifflandia Plan still apply.” 

  Creating design guidelines and a new urban design district were important recommendations in the plan but implementation has been delayed for almost five years. It has been a low priority for planning staff. Meanwhile applications for demolition and new construction continue in Mifflandia at a regular pace so the Alder refers the items to UDC.

• Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday November 6 at 4:30p Agenda

  8. 85910 Approving plans and specifications and authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for East Madison Bikeways (District 12, District 15). Maps

  Prior to implementation of the BRT East/West system, the bicycle facilities along E. Washington Ave. were high-stress and generally inadequate relative to current City standards. Additionally, with the BRT project, those bike lanes are now utilized as part of a travel lane during peak hours. This project is to better connect some low-stress bike facilities on the east side of Madison. The total estimated cost is $370,000.

  From the BPW Notes East Washington Sidewalk: Widening the existing sidewalk on the north-side of East Washington Ave to 10-ft from Sparkle Ct to the new development (The Easterly) at 1868 E Wash, widened sidewalk in front of new building was already built with development up to N First St. Widening behind the existing sidewalk into Burr Jones Park. No tree impacts, avoiding one large tree in Park by narrowing terrace space. Two street light poles to be relocated as well as a utility pedestal. Includes widening across Railroad/RR track crossing, will include detectable warning fields at RR crossing per Office of the Commissioner of Railroads order to BRT. Storm inlet within RR right of way will need to be relocated further north to make room for sidewalk widening. Coordination with RR is ongoing. 

  Winnebago Path: Widening the existing sidewalk to a 10-ft wide path on the south-side of Winnebago St up to the existing Union Corners Connector Path. Widen ramp from Winnebago St to allow easier bike access onto connector path. Includes pavement markings along Winnebago St. No tree impacts. No lighting impacts or additions, adjacent existing lighting will suffice.

  Advertise for bids December 2024 Anticipated Construction Start Spring 2025 Approximate Duration Approx. 2 Months.

  9. 85912 Approving plans and specifications and authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for North Shore Drive - Path (District 4).

  This project includes reconstructing the existing sidewalk along the north-side of North Shore Drive between the Southwest Path and S Bedford St. The new path will connect to the new Brittingham Path to be built with the John Nolen Drive reconstruction project in 2026. The total estimated cost of the project is $480,000.

  11. 85914 Change Order No. 3 to Contract 8735, E. Wilson St. and E. Doty St. Reconstruction Assessment District - 2023, to R.G. Huston Co., Inc., for $137,625.35 (District 4, District 6).

  Change Order includes a number of items, largely related to unexpected field conditions. The biggest cost associated with this change order is the removal of underground vaults within the right of way/ROW that were not documented and therefore not known during design. The Change Order also includes missing bid items for tree grates (which were not included due to a technical error in our bidding software). Also includes storm sewer revisions due to field conditions and changes in pipe material. Lastly, it includes removal of electrical handholes that were not in the original bid.

  Road Closure for Continuation of E Wilson Street & E Doty Street Paving: Starting on Friday, November 1 at 7:00am, R.G Huston’s paving contractor will continue paving operations on E Doty Street and E Wilson Street.  The paving contractor will be working in three different work zones throughout the day.

• Board of Health for Madison and Dane County: The Board of Health for Madison and Dane County meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 6, at 5:30 p.m. in the Atrium Community Room at 2300 S. Park St. Agenda items include a Community Health Needs Assessment presentation, as well as updating and including additional fees related to public health regulations.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment

• Board of Park Commissioners: The Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an informational report regarding the fireworks shows at the Madison Mallards in the 2024 season, as well as an informational presentation on efforts to manage toys intentionally left in parks.

  10 85727 Approving request from Big Top Events for additional concerts at Breese Stevens Field in 2025 (District 6) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION Big Top Events is contractually allowed seven concerts per year at Breese Stevens Field. Big Top Events is requesting approval to host up to five (5) additional concerts in 2025, for a total of up to twelve (12) concerts. Public Comment from TLNA

  15 85865 Informational presentation on Parks efforts to manage toys intentionally left in parks. Certain Madison parks have historically seen large numbers of toys left intentionally in the park for other children to use and staff have seen an increase in this practice since COVID. These toys can become hazardous if left in playground use zones or pedestrian paths, but many residents appreciate the additional play options these toys provide. Parks has piloted a program to solicit volunteers to manage the toys in some parks to help mitigate the hazard.

  Residents who bring their kids to play with the ‘intentional toys’ in Yahara Place Park and Elmside Circle Park reached out to me and Alder Dina Nina Martinez Rutherford to discuss their interest in keeping the toys in the park. Both alders and neighbors had a fruitful meeting with Parks staff this summer. I look forward to learning more about the pilot.

  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• POLICE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD POLICY & PROCEDURE SUB COMMITTEE meeting will take place on Thursday November 7 at 6p Agenda. Agenda items include MPD 5 Year Strategic Plan Data Analysis, OIM Intake Process, and Year-end Goals of PCOB/OIM. Last week the Independent Monitor held a press conference to announce the release of the complaint form and submitted names of applicants for introduction at the Council to serve on PCOB. 

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.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Mineral Point Road: Businesses Owners and Tenants, Wednesday, November 6: There are two public information meetings scheduled, one for residents and one for business owners scheduled for Nov. 6, 2024, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Empowering Small Businesses: Alder Nasra Wehelie Hosts Lunch and Learn to Focus on Small Business Opportunities through the City of Madison: Alder Nasra Wehelie of District 7 is pleased to announce her upcoming Lunch and Learn on Thursday, November 21, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. This event is designed to provide information focused on business financial support programs, citywide grants and… [posted November 1, 2024]
• Put Your Pumpkins in Your Leaf Piles: Streets Division crews will collect pumpkins along with your leaves and other yard waste. This includes other compostable decorations like corn stalks and hay. Remove wires, candles, string, electric lights, and similar items and then set your… [posted November 1, 2024]
• Key Absentee Voting Deadlines: Absentee voting for the November 5 General Election is coming to a close. Voters should be aware of some key deadlines: [posted October 31, 2024]
• Introducing Trash Gordon and Vin No Diesel, Wisconsin’s First Electric Trash Trucks: The vote to name Madison’s and Wisconsin’s first electric collection vehicles ended on October 21 and we have the results. Voters selected Trash Gordon and Vin No Diesel.  Welcome to the fleet! How the Voting WorkedThis election was a ranked… [posted October 31, 2024]
• Road Closure for Continuation of E Wilson Street & E Doty Street Paving: Starting on Friday, November 1 at 7:00am, R.G Huston’s paving contractor will continue paving operations on E Doty Street and E Wilson Street.  The paving contractor will be working in three different work zones throughout the day.Work Zone 1… [posted October 30, 2024]
• How to Track Your Absentee: The Madison City Clerk’s Office has issued absentee ballots to over 67,000 voters for the November 5 General Election, of which over 58,000 have been returned to be counted. Being able to verify that your absentee has been delivered to the Clerk’s… [posted October 30, 2024]
• New Features for Updated Streets & Urban Forestry Website: Street Tree Inventory, Online Recyclopedia, and Simple Schedule Lookup: The Streets and Urban Forestry Division unveiled a new website today, October 30, 2024.The redesigned site has three important new features for Madison residents. Street Tree Inventory On the Urban Forestry section, you can find an inventory of the… [posted October 30, 2024]
• City’s Affordable Housing Fund to support 150+ affordable units: Four affordable rental housing developments will receive financial support from the City of Madison after the Common Council approved the funding. [posted October 30, 2024]
• Madison Recognized as a Best Practice Example for Safe Systems Approach in National Traffic Safety Report : The City of Madison is proud to announce its recognition in a national report released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which highlights Madison as a best practice example in applying the Safe System Approach to improving road safety [posted October 29, 2024]
• Segment of SW Commuter Path Closed for Concrete Work: Starting at 7am on November 4, CPR Inc will begin reconstructing the eastern ramp of the SW Commuter Path at Midvale Boulevard.  During this work the SW Commuter Path will be closed in both directions from Midvale Boulevard to Hiawatha Drive.… [posted October 29, 2024]
• Hospitalized Absentee Voting Begins Today: Today is the first day for hospitalized voters to have an absentee ballot delivered to them in the hospital. This process is available until 5 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.Hospitalized voters can initiate the process by appointing an… [posted October 29, 2024]
• S Paterson Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement: Project Overview Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 29th, work will begin on the sanitary sewer main replacement along S. Paterson St, from E. Washington Ave to Williamson St.  The project is being completed in conjunction with the development… [posted October 28, 2024]
• Statement on Referendum Mailers: The City of Madison has sent informational mailers to residents to notify them of…[posted October 28, 2024]
• Accessible Options for Voting: The City Clerk’s Office want to make sure voters know about accessible options for the November 5 General Election. [posted October 28, 2024]
• Final Week for Food Scraps Drop-off at Farmers’ Markets: This is the final week to drop off food scraps for composting at the three neighborhood farmers’ markets.  The markets are on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 and Saturday, November 2, 2024. We set a goal of composting 22,000 pounds this year,… [posted October 28, 2024]
• Public Election Equipment Test Rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 30: The public is invited to observe the City of Madison public test of election equipment on Wednesday, October 30. The public test will begin at 9:00 a.m. at 2713 E. Washington Ave. [posted October 28, 2024]
• Madison Fire’s Bernadette Galvez Receives State Honor for Work in Fire Prevention: Community Education Officer Bernadette Galvez is named "Public Educator of the Year" by the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association. [posted October 28, 2024]

Events

• General Election Day, Tuesday, November 5: Polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
• Understand & Maintain Your Furnace, Wednesday, November 6: Learn about what you can do to help maintain your heating system and what to ask for when your furnace is serviced by a heating professional.
• Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, November 8: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo!
• Homebuyer Education Workshop, Saturday, November 9: 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, November 09 from 8:30am-3:30pm! Lunch will be provided.
• Conservation Volunteer Workday | Shift A, Saturday, November 9: 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.
• Learn to Nordic Walk, Saturday, November 9: Turn your walk into a full-body workout with Nordic walking!  We've partnered with Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki) for a free class.  Participants of all ages are welcome and will explore the trails of Warner Park and learn how to use walking poles for a cardio and strength-building workout.  
• Conservation Volunteer Workday | Shift B, Saturday, November 9: 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.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, November 9: Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison.
• Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Saturday, November 9 (this event occurs on multiple dates: Lighted holiday themed displays set in beautiful Olin Park. Drive through anytime Dusk until Dawn to enjoy this magical light show for free, brought to you by The Electric Group.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, November 10: Masting & Natural Excess ~ Join Master Naturalist Alex Singer for a free family friendly guided walk or enjoy a fall nature walk on your own on beautiful trails at Turville Point Conservation Park. Pretend to be a Squirrel or Blue Jay by looking for acorns to bury in the duff (loose soil) and stash in tree cavities for the winter!  Are they also helping plant new oaks?

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