D6 Items of Interest Week of November 11, 2024

Tuesday is the end of the budget journey the Common Council started in February. Thank you District 6 and city residents for voting for the referendum to raise the property tax levy limit by $22M, the support was one of the bright spots of Election Day.

I am sponsoring an amendment to restore partial funding to the Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM). The Mayor had proposed cutting $195K from the OIM budget and reallocating it to startup costs for the Imagination Center if the referendum passed and to entirely eliminate the agency if the referendum failed. 

Along with my co-sponsors Alder Sabrina Madison and Alder John Duncan we are proposing an amendment for $127K to restore 0.6 of a 1.0 FTE Data Analyst position, $2,900 in Conferences (NACOLE),  $50,000 in Legal Services, and $13,580 for the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) in the Office of the Independent Monitor operating budget. See amendment #5 Operating budget amendments

After a deep dive into the city budget and talking with city staff, we found resources to continue the model of independent oversight to ensure that Madison Police Dept. is accountable and responsive to the needs and concerns of all segments of the Madison community. More info about OIM and PCOB. Please let me know your thoughts district6@cityofmadison.com or you can also email allalders@cityofmadison.com to share your views with the Council   

The November U.S. election has produced a sweeping victory, not just in the United States but internationally as well, for the far right. It has sent shock waves through not only the Democratic Party establishment but progressive forces and the movements for racial, Indigenous and gender justice. There are no shortcuts to making a better world. But immediately, the urgent task is to be part of the movements resisting the corporate and far-right attacks, the Gaza genocide, the brutal assaults on immigrant communities, and the climate-change threat to the survival of civilization. Please find a way to engage and help support this resistance.

The MNA Greenspaces and Trees is holding an upcoming talk about the Yahara river system and the effects of invasive species and road salt on its water quality on November 13th at 6:30 at the new Aubergine: A Willy St Community Space at 1226 Williamson St featuring Dr. Tyler Butts.

Dr. Tyler Butts is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Limnology in Madison. Tyler's is a limnologist and ecosystem scientist whose work focuses on understanding how disturbances like more frequent and intense precipitation, fish removals, and species invasion impact our lakes.

https://buttslimnology.weebly.com/

MG&E has completed the work for the gas main on the northwest side of Rutledge Street, and services are being transferred anticipating completion by the end of this week. Continuing the work with sidewalk replacement up to the middle of next week and then switching for the southeast side of Rutledge Street which Meade has 4-5 week to complete the work depending on the conditions. For questions regarding the work, please contact Holly Powell, hpowell@mge.com, 608-252-7214 or Pat Haines, phaines@mge.com, 608-252-5615. November 11, 2024 Update

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 12, at 5:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include adopting the additional property tax levy, as well as budget deliberations. We might be done in one night, depending on the number of public speakers.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 13, at 5:30 p.m. in hybrid format, if needed. This meeting, if needed, would be used for budget deliberations.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Thursday, November 14, at 5:30 p.m. in hybrid format, if needed. This meeting, if needed, would be used for budget deliberations.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• 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.

Save the Date! Upcoming Alder Events

• Empowering Small Businesses: District 7 Lunch and Learn featuring the Office of Business Resources, Thursday, November 21: Join Alder Nasra Wehelie as she hosts staff from the Office of Business Resources! Learn more about small business opportunities, how to apply for city programs, TIF, TBE certification, and more! This virtual event is free and open to all Madison residents.
• District 11 Book Club with Stu Levitan, Wednesday, December 11: For our next District 11 Book Club on December 11th, Stu Levitan will give an illustrated talk on Madison in the 1970s, adapted from his forthcoming book, Madison: The Illustrated Sesquicentennial History, Volume 2, 1932 to 1979.

Announcements and News Releases

• Nomination Deadline Extended for Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award: The deadline to submit nominations for the Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award has been extended until Friday, November 15… [posted November 8, 2024]
• Statement from Mayor Rhodes-Conway on the City’s Referendum : “Madison residents deeply value the services their city government provides and that's reflected by the outcome of the referendum." [posted November 8, 2024]
• City of Madison Honors those Lives Lost due to Traffic Violence during Week prior to the World Day of Remembrance: In recognition of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, November 17th, the City of Madison will install a memorial display and host a press conference to remember the lives lost due to traffic violence on City of Madison… [posted November 8, 2024]
• Final Guaranteed Yard Waste Collection Round Begins Next Week: For some neighborhoods of Madison, the final guaranteed leaf collection of the fall begins next week. These neighborhoods have a set out day for leaves and yard waste of Sunday, November 10, 2024.Other neighborhoods have later final guaranteed set… [posted November 8, 2024]
• Housing Strategy Committee outlines recommendations to increase affordability and supply: As the City works to support more housing opportunities of all types, there is more work to be done. That is why the Housing Strategy Committee reviewed the City’s 2021 Housing Forward Initiative and is building on it by making new recommendations. [posted November 7, 2024]

Events

• OIM Opening Investigative Process, Monday, November 11: The Office of the Independent Monitor will be providing details on the opening of its investigative process. The Office is also announcing the start of a data project in collaboration with UCLA. After remarks, Independent Monitor Robin Copley and Data Analyst Greg Gelembiuk will be taking questions from the media.
• Parks Alive Fall | Warner Park, Wednesday, November 13: Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the fall. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you!
• LGBTQ 50+ Intergenerational Autumn Dinner, Thursday, November 14: A fun fall gathering of like-minded adults to mingle, enjoy a meal, listen to music, and maybe even do some dancing. Blush is a local all-girl band out of Madison. Their music is grungy alternative-rock, and they will play some originals and some covers everyone is sure to know.  A $20 donation for the meal is appreciated but not required. Registration required, call 608-255-8582. Open to all ages of queer folks and their allies.
• World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Friday, November 15: The City of Madison Vision Zero team will be hosting their 3rd installation display to honor those lost from traffic violence beginning on Monday, November 11. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, November 16: Fall Tree Walk ~ Join Naturalist Tree Expert Sean Gere for a fun and informal free family friendly guided walk or take a healthy nature hike on your own any day in December on easy walk and bike paths along Starkweather Creek. Enjoy the outdoors and learn about trees when leaves have fallen and you can see the branching structures and bark more easily.   
• Hayride Through Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Saturday, November 16 & Sunday, November 17: See the Holiday Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park aboard a haywagon! No reservation is needed.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, November 17: Walks at Warner Park held on the 3rd Sunday of every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners Wild Warner  and Madison Audubon . Meet at the colorful Warner Park shelter by the lagoon. Parking is available nearby. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Holiday Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park, November 9th through December 31, 2024: 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.

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