I asked a series of questions about the role of an Madison alder in time of crisis, and some of the Madison alders spent time answering the questions, here’s what they had to say.
In these unprecedented times our democracy is more important than ever, and our alders are on the front lines of that democracy. They are our voices in this time of crisis in a dramatically scaled down city government. I have questioned why alders are not helping to set priorities right now. So I thought we should hear directly from them how they are managing in these difficult times – personally, professionally and politically.
MY REQUEST
This was the request sent the afternoon of March 19th (Thursday)
I’m working on an article about what alders are doing when they can’t meet and with committees cancelled. So here’s my questions I’d invite all to answer. I will post all answers I receive.
1. What plans to you have to replace in-person meetings in your district? Which meetings are you prioritizing?
2. What will you do with the extra time you have because your committees aren’t meeting? AND/OR What is filling your time between now and the next time the council meets?
3. What are your main policy priorities/initiatives you think the city should be working on right now?
4 What is your biggest challenge in being an alder right now?
5. What are you seeing in the community that is giving you hope?
Please feel free to add anything else you’d like people to know.
I’ll be working on this story Saturday afternoon for publishing on Sunday morning.
Thanks!!!
Brenda
I also sent a reminder last night around 6 pm and asked for answers before 9am this morning. As media requests go, this was quite generous, often journalists ask for responses for an article that will appear within hours.
ONE NON-RESPONSE
Only one alder indicated they were refusing to answer. The others didn’t respond, which may just mean they are busy. Here’s Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney’s response
Thank you Brenda. I referred your questions to my constituents in District 1 and invited them to respond to your questions. As we move through the crisis of COVID-19, it is about what is missing for them? What are their needs during the pause caused by COVID-19… from their Alder…from their Mayor? As an elected official representing District 1 on the Madison City Council (regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or nationality) I seek to ask the people what their needs are rather than me telling them what I think that their needs are. District 1 updates can be found at: www.cityofmadisin.com/Council/District1/update.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Barbara Harrington-McKinney
Alder, District 1
She also posted this on her blog – the correct link is here.
I serve at the pleasure of District 1 constiuents and to represent the governmental functionality that serves the interest and wellbeing of all citizens of the City of Madison regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or nationality. I therefore leave it up to you to answer Ms. Konkel’s questions. I am unsure of the intention of Ms. Konkel’s request, but it is my choice to respond or not. I chose not to respond. What is it that you need from your Alder? City government? Mayor?
I haven’t heard what her constituents had to say.
ALDERS WHO ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS
1. What plans to you have to replace in-person meetings in your district? Which meetings are you prioritizing?
Alder Patrick Heck: I am exploring group videoconferencing via various existing tools, e.g., Zoom, Google hangouts, etc., although depending on the issue at hand, this may shut some out of neighborhood meetings so I plan to proceed with caution. It is too soon to say how those processes might play out because I have not tried organize such a meeting yet. My meeting priorities are no different than usual – facilitate the organization of and participate in any community/neighborhood meetings that are needed.
Alder Marsha Rummel: I don’t have plans to replace face to face neighborhood meetings about development or alcohol license proposals with online meetings. While the postcard notification for in person meetings has its limits, I do not know the abilities of nearby neighbors to participate effectively and meaningfully in online meetings. I will urge developers and license applicants to delay the city process as long as possible. I will try to hold requested one-on one meetings with constituents, developers, business owners, students etc by phone or perhaps use an online meeting platform. Presumably I will soon become more adept at using online meeting platforms and may encourage community members to adopt.
Alder Rebecca Kemble: We will be moving to zoom, Google Hangout or conference calls. The one neighborhood development meeting that had been previously scheduled will be held on zoom instead. I am participating in many other meetings with mutual aid and community organizations that are working on helping people get various needs met.
Alder Samba Baldeh: For new development or for any situation where a community meeting is needed in my district I plan to mail and and ask for feedback so I can share and discuss with the other party. Any meeting that has significant impact on the community and businesses are first priority.
2. What will you do with the extra time you have because your committees aren’t meeting? AND/OR What is filling your time between now and the next time the council meets?
Alder Patrick Heck: The actual time I spend in committee meetings is relatively small compared to the other aspects of being District 2 alder. That said, the pace is a bit less hectic right now with some committees on hiatus because I am not studying those meetings’ agenda items or the agendas of other committee meetings that I monitor even though I am not a member. Most issues that are time-consuming on a particular committee’s agenda will not just wither on the vine – we all have research to conduct on many of these issues and I’m hoping to catch up a bit. Filling out this questionnaire is also taking up some time.
Alder Marsha Rummel: I will use my former city committee meeting time to gather useful info including strategies and demands for change at the local, state and federal level to share on social media and my alder newsletter. I will continue to troubleshoot for residents and connect problems/suggestions to appropriate city staff and learn the new city protocol during the emergency. Currently I have been planning for how I personally will address the new world such as getting meds, groceries and other supplies, checking in with elderly parents and friends, and figuring out whether I can productively work remotely from home given all the alder obligations I have or continue to go into work.
Alder Rebecca Kemble: I spend time on the phone and in online meetings with city staff, Council colleagues and community members who are organizing a wide variety of responses to the crisis.
Alder Samba Baldeh: Reaching out to low income and poor communities in my district and assessing their needs. Also sharing resources with them in case they need help. Fro example letting them know where to go get help with food and other essential services or good… like United Ways, Boys and Girls Club and calling 211.
3. What are your main policy priorities/initiatives you think the city should be working on right now?
Alder Patrick Heck: The city, including alders, the mayor, and city staff, should continue to work on what we always have been working on, but of course, we need to address the impacts of the pandemic in terms of housing (or lack thereof), food security, physical and mental health, income, employment, etc., for our residents while working to shore up city services, economic development, and the city budget. We also need to advocate for Madison in state and federal government relief funding as well as with regard to any state and federal government policy changes related to the pandemic.
Alder Marsha Rummel: The main priority now is making sure medical and social services networks are ready for the surge in virus outbreaks. We need to make sure voting and other civil and constitutional rights are protected. We need to encourage mutual aid on a local level but also acknowledge the vital responsibility of the federal government to provide monies, materials, and leadership.
Alder Rebecca Kemble: Ensuring the most vulnerable people in our community have the care and support they need. Ensuring the health and safety of essential frontline workers. Securing emergency funding to maintain essential services from enterprise agencies that rely on revenue.
Alder Samba Baldeh: At this point I think we should focus on addressing the challenges brought about by the coronavirus. My priorities are to make sure everyone in the city get essential services through the pandemic. It is also important that we support policies that helps businesses function particularly small and local businesses.
4 What is your biggest challenge in being an alder right now?
Alder Patrick Heck: The inability to meet in person with residents, city staff, and stakeholders. This isn’t just because of the city government being upended; the lives of residents and stakeholders are also greatly in flux and in danger.
Alder Marsha Rummel: The old ways of getting city work done are upside down. The many issues I have been working on at a committee level are delayed. The duration of the emergency is unknown, so it becomes a weekly learning curve of adjustments and work arounds. Ask in another week..
Alder Rebecca Kemble: The lack of ability to work through Boards, Commissions and Committees, where a vast majority of our policy work takes place. It was a mistake to have passed a law cancelling them. CCEC should be meeting at least weekly if not more frequently. We should have worked to find ways to tap into the vast pool of creativity and resources available through the hundreds of members who serve on BCCs.
Alder Samba Baldeh: The ability to effectively engage the community and our partners. Also making sure that every resident have access to basic needs.
5. What are you seeing in the community that is giving you hope?
Alder Patrick Heck: The many grassroots groups that have spontaneously formed to facilitate both asking for and offering help to those in need.
Alder Marsha Rummel: I am heartened by the mutual aid and local fundraising efforts. There is a heightened community awareness of economic disaster facing so many and desire to help. We must use this moment to challenge the existing economic system that benefits the 1%, and not the rest of us.
Alder Rebecca Kemble: The generosity and creativity of people as they devise solutions to challenges that arise. The City should be creating spaces and making City resources available to groups organizing to meet the needs of residents.
Alder Samba Baldeh: People are united and coming together in small and in some cases large number to gather resources and support each other.
ADDITIONAL ANSWERS STILL WELCOME
If any alders answer late, I will update this post with their answers. I truly appreciate those who took the time to answer and look forward to additional comments from alders if they are so inclined.
