Meetings and Updates Week of Jan 13
posted- City Meetings
- Plan Commission 1/13
- Common Council 1/14
- Police and Fire Commission 1/15
- Information About the Madison Ice Rinks Proposal on the 1/14 CC Agenda
- Reminder: Kennedy Park Playground Public Meeting 1/15
- Office of the Independent Police Monitor to Host Community Listening Session 1/17
- Events & Announcements
Snow Plowing Update: Long duration snowstorm expected to start Saturday night and last all day Sunday. Streets Division plows will be on the salt routes.
City Meetings
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, January 13, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an update to the City’s floodplain maps in the zoning code as directed by FEMA and development review-related requests (none in District 3).
Common Council
The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include:
- Item 10: A resolution authorizing the Madison Mayor and Alders to encourage donations to the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency Fund (I’m a cosponsor).
- Item 32: A resolution approving plans for sun shelters in Sycamore and North Star Parks in District 3 and authorizing the City to advertise for and receive bids for construction.
- Item 33: A resolution approving plans for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park and authorizing the City to advertise for and receive bids for construction.
- Item 38: A resolution approving plans for the latest round of approved Safe Streets Madison traffic calming projects and authorizing the City to advertise for and receive bids for construction. In District 3 this list includes traffic calming improvements at Milwaukee Street & Portland Parkway and Cottage Grove Road & Acewood Blvd (this is the concrete work which precedes the electrical work for an approved new turn signal).
- Item 43: a resolution designating City of Madison polling locations for the 2025 Spring Primary election (I’m a cosponsor). The Spring Primary ballot for District 3 voters will include the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction (more info available in this article).
- Item 48: A resolution approving Older Adult Services programming funds through a Request for Proposals process. The proposal is recommended by City staff and by the Committee on Aging members and authorizes allocating funds to 13 community-based nonprofit organizations for Case Management Services, Culturally Relevant Services for specific communities in Madison, Independent Living Support Services, and Outreach, Information & Referral Services. Note that this resolution now reflects an approximately $100,000 increase in funds starting in 2025 after the Common Council amended the City budget last fall to add this increased funding for Older Adult Services.
- Item 50: A resolution restructuring existing land contracts with Madison Ice Inc. and East Madison Ice Collective into forgivable 15-year loans and authorizing the sale of those properties. Please see more information about this proposal in a below section of this post.
- Item 63: A motion to officially “reconsider” the Council’s vote on 12/10 which failed to remove the Paid Parking Pilot program in Madison Parks’ 2025 Operating Budget. On 12/10, the Council tried to amend the 2025 budget to remove this program while still directing Madison Parks to inventory their parking lots for the Council, which could be the first step to determine which parks’ parking lots are being used by commuters or for special events. (I don’t think most alders want to charge park users for parking, just the folks who are using parks’ parking lots for non-park purposes.) However, this motion to amend an already-adopted budget needed 15 votes to pass and only 14 alders voted for it – including me. There were a number of absent alders: Alders Tishler (D11) and Rummel (D6) had notified the clerk of their planned and excused absences before the meeting and Alder Bennett (D2) had left the Council meeting to attend to a family medical emergency. Alders Harrington-McKinney (D20) and Latimer-Burris (D12) had walked out of the Council meeting during the previous heated and tense discussion about censuring Alder Myadze for conduct unbecoming of an alder, and Alder Wehelie (D7) voted against the motion to remove the paid parking pilot program from the budget. That makes five absences and one vote against the motion. The remaining 14 alders all voted for its removal, but that wasn’t enough to meet the required 15-vote threshold to amend the budget. Now, ahead of the January 14th meeting, Alders Tishler, Rummel, and Bennet have all moved for the Council to reconsider that vote under a procedure allowed by Robert’s Rules.
Here is the meeting info:
Police and Fire Commission
The Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place on Monday, January 13, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include the consideration and potential action to designate a Department Officer who is temporarily authorized to act as Chief of Police until the Board makes a permanent appointment to the Chief of Police position.
If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.
Information About the Madison Ice Rinks Proposal
In 2004 the City of Madison sold the Hartmeyer Ice Arena and the Madison Ice Arena on the west side to Madison Ice Inc. via a land contract. Since the pandemic years, Madison Ice has been unable to make debt payments to the City, placing it in default of that agreement. As you may have seen in the news, there is a resolution on Tuesday’s Common Council agenda that proposes to restructure the ownership of Hartmeyer Ice Arena and change the conditions of the City’s 2004 sale of the two properties.
The resolution before the Council:
- Authorizes the transfer of the Hartmeyer Ice Arena property from Madison Ice Inc. to the new East Madison Ice Collective.
- Attaches a deed restriction guaranteeing that the land will be used for sports and recreation in perpetuity. If any property owner ever wants to lift that deed restriction (to allow for housing development, perhaps), the City can then require payment for doing so. Note that the terms of the 2004 sale, currently in place, provide no such guarantee for this community benefit into the future.
- In addition, the Hartmeyer property also needs some long-overdue repairs including a new roof, a new chiller, HVAC replacements, all of which are estimated to cost $3 million in order to stay open for skating. The proposal before the council requires East Madison Ice Collective to fundraise $3 million within three years to make those specific repairs to the Hartmeyer facility. If those conditions are all met, in five years, the proposal converts the currently-outstanding balance of $1.6 million owed to the City into forgivable loans which would be forgiven in phases over the course of the next years. Madison Ice representatives insist that a path to debt forgiveness will enable their fundraising because their doners are less likely to write a check if they know the proceeds will go to the City in the form of a debt payment.
Here's a fact-sheet with more information about the Madison Ice Arenas proposal.
If the resolution on Tuesday’s agenda doesn’t pass, the City’s other option is to re-take control of the Hartmeyer and Madison Ice Arena properties from Madison Ice, which the City could do because Madison Ice is in default of the original sale agreement. If the City does that, the City could:
- Find another City use for the properties or by sell the land to developers. That would end indoor skating in Madison.
- Perhaps the City could find another way to offer skating at these properties. This is likely to be expensive in the long run. The annual operating cost of both ice arenas is $1.4 million and any share funded by the City would be paid for on the Operating Budget, adding to the structural deficit. Also, let’s not forget about the several million dollars in needed facility repairs. Alternatively, some are suggesting that the City could demolish the aging ice rink buildings and build new rinks. This would be a significant undertaking where I would expect long timelines and cost surprises (does anybody remember the Public Market?). I learned from recent public testimony to the Economic Development Committee that a brand new ice rink is likely to cost somewhere between $10 million and $25 million.
Alders have been hearing from a great many Madison residents and families who participate(d) in hockey, figure skating, adaptive skating for children and young adults with cognitive or physical disabilities, and public skate events at one of these two ice arenas over the years. Nearly all agree that we need to find a way to keep the arenas open. If community wants these ice arenas to stay open for skating, and given the City’s financial constraints, the agreement on Tuesday’s Council agenda is the most certain path forward and likely the most cost-effective for the City in the long-term.
Reminder: Kennedy Park Playground Public Meeting Wednesday
Public Input Meeting - Kennedy Park, Wednesday, January 15: Madison Parks is replacing five existing playgrounds in 2025. On Dec. 5, a virtual playground workshop was held for all five playgrounds, including the playground in Kennedy Park, 5202 Retana Drive. Parks staff presented an overview of the playground replacement program and asked for input on design decisions during break-out sessions specific to each park location. This second meeting on Wednesday will include an overview of playground design options for residents’ feedback. Please consider sharing this information with anyone who uses the Kennedy Park playground!
Office of the Independent Police Monitor to Host Community Listening Session Friday
From the OIM:
“The Office of the Independent Monitor invites members of the public to a virtual community listening session on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1 pm. This will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and provide feedback on several topics including the Police Civilian Oversight Board and the new complaints process.
This session is open to the public, but registration is required. Please register here to join the online session via zoom.”
Events & Announcements
- OIM Community Listening Session: The Office of the Independent Monitor invites members of the public to a virtual community listening session on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1 pm. This will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and provide feedback on several… [posted January 10, 2025]
- Family Winter Prom: A Night of Frosty Fun for the Whole Family!: Embrace the wonder of winter at the Family Winter Prom! Join us for a sparkling evening of frosty fun and family connection on Saturday, February 1, from 5:30-8:30 pm at Monona Terrace. This fun and enchanting event is just $5 per family (ages 4-13) and offers an unforgettable night of music, dancing, crafts, and refreshments. Dress to impress and make cherished memories with your loved ones in a cozy winter wonderland! [posted January 10, 2025]
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway introduces ordinance changes to encourage housing growth: Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is introducing a package of changes to the City’s zoning ordinances as part of an ongoing effort to support the creation of more housing of all types. [posted January 10, 2025]
- Protect Your Health: Test Your Home For Radon (link is external): Testing your home for radon is an important way to protect your health. [posted January 8, 2025]
- City of Madison Receives $20 Million to Improve Housing Affordability Through Energy Upgrades : The City of Madison’s Sustainability Program has been awarded a $20 million grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Community Change Grants program. [posted January 7, 2025]
- It’s Time to Name Some Plows!: The City of Madison Parks and Streets Divisions, and Wisconsin Salt Wise, are asking for your help.There are five vehicles in the City's snowplowing fleet (one from Parks, and four from Streets) that need names.And you can help by submitting names,… [posted January 6, 2025]
- Groove & Glide, Friday, January 17: Make the most of winter at a Groove and Glide event! Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the lights with fun music and games. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Grab your friends, a date, or family, and have fun on the ice.
- Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, January 18: Otter Go Sledding Party ~ Join Naturalist Paul Noeldner and Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free family friendly sledding party and nature walk or go sledding on your own to embrace the joy of winter! Some sleds will be provided, please bring a sled if you have one. Dress warm and enjoy a campfire with hot chocolate and smores! Did you know Wisconsin River Otters are expert sledders? They love to slide on snow and can swim long distances under water while holding their breath. Their extremely dense fur coats have thousands of tiny hairs per square inch that help shed water and keep them comfortably warm. Pretend you are an Otter and see how far you can slide in the snow!
- Learn to Ice Fish, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (this event occurs on multiple dates): Join Madison Parks, Access Ability Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin DNR for a free ice fishing event during Free Fishing Weekend - no license required! Learn ice fishing techniques safely. Open to ages 7 and up; children must be supervised. Advanced registration is necessary, and waivers will be signed on-site.
Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted. Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
