A report, from citizen reporter Konkel! 😉
GETTING STARTED
The meeting started around 6:38, Mayor was in the chair since before 6:30, but it still took nearly 10 minutes to get started. I don’t know why they can’t start on time, everyone seemed to be in the room, its just that everyone was busy chatting. I’m not sure if that bothers anyone, but it used to drive me a little crazy.
Cnare was absent, which was notified in advance. Palm also absent, which was not anticipated. Palm did arrive later in the meeting.
The meeting started with mic problems, as usual. Bruer had to use Kerr’s microphone, to the vocally expressed displeasure of Alder Kerr. Bruer makes the motion to suspend the rules allowing them to take things out of order and introduce items from the floor, no objection, as usual.
HONORING RESOLUTIONS
Item 1 – referred to May 19 when Memorial Spartan Boys Swimming and Diving team can be there.
Item 2 – adoption of resolution declaring May 9th Broom St. Theatre Day – only Julia Kerr stands. Like many good organizations, they’ve been around since 1969 and proud to be serving Madison and intend to stay around for years to come.
Item 3 – adoption of a resolution honoring the selfless heroism of Lt. Gerald Stull – over 50 years ago he flew plane into Lake Monona to avoid running into a Madison neighborhood, and the neighborhood is placing a memorial in a neighborhood park with a ceremony in Hudson Park (Lakeland & Miller Ave) Saturday at 11:00. Lt. Stull’s family will be in attendance.
Item 4 – adoption of a resolution that congratulates Madison Memorial Boys Basketball Team – State Division 1 Title – Coach spoke with his team behind him. He said it is great to win in their home town and he hopes the state tourney stays here in Madison.
Item 5 – adoption of a resolution recognizing Public Service Recognition Week May 4 – 10. The plaque was accepted by Brad Wirtz of Human Resources which was probably a little insulting to some city staff. He rushed through reading a written speech with little enthusiasm or sincerity. I couldn’t tell if he was a bad public speaker, or just annoyed to be there. There will be a ceremony today at noon on steps of . . . either City Hall or the City-County Building . . . I wasn’t quite clear.
Item 6 – Cinco de Mayo resolution. There was no one to accept it but Alder Bidar–Sielaff spoke to explain no one there to accept resolution because they were celebrating the day elsewhere.
It was nearly 7:55 by the time they were done with all the honoring resolutions. Its the most I have seen in a while.
Item 7 – A petition from Java Cat regarding the widening of Monona Drive was referred to Board of Public Works.
EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT
Early Public Comment – Duane Johnson on item 16 representing Ikonica on Demming Way. Registered to speak – no questions from the council.
CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda –
23 is the citizen appointments introduced tonight and it was referred to 5/19 council meeting
48 a bartender’s license for a man who works at the Edgewater was referred back to ALRC
163 was the Aldermanic appointments that Alder Pham–Remmele was threatening to quit over, but it was placed on file.
20 (appointments to committees of people not living in Madison), 54 (Resources for Tuberculosis), 55 (Amending Public Health Budget to carry over funds form 2008) & 62 (Annual Budget adjustments, including spending over $100,000 from Contingent Reserve) – all were unanimously approved even tho they were super majority items. Items can be looked up on the agenda.
WILL ALDER THUY PHAM–REMMELE QUIT IN DISGUST OVER MAYORAL ALDERMANIC APPOINTMENTS
No. The item was placed on file. Alder Pham–Remmele speaks, but asks what it means to place 163 on file and thanks Alder Bruer for requesting this to be placed on the agenda, but says it is not necessary. So, the Common Council did not need to face the dilemma.
Items separated for discussion were:
20 – Citizen Appointments
24 – Property Tax Exemption
41 – Banning sales of small quantities of liquor
60 – Buy American with Stimulus Money
102 – Curfew
SWINE FLU, ER . . . H1N1 Virus
Special Order of Business – update on swine flu from Doctor Schlenker – item #164 was moved out of order – they didn’t vote on it or make a motion. Schlenker updated the council that while the flu is wide spread it is not as severe as originally thought. He said that there were no deaths in United States (?) but there have been 30 hospitalizations however they have been brief. He said there are 400 cases nationally in most states. In Wisconsin there are 119 cases in 10 counties. As of last night, we have our first probable case here in Dane County where an infant who had visited Mexico was ill. He was tested and they don’t know for sure because the test was inconclusive. The boy and his family are isolated and at home and being monitored by public health nurses, and the boy has recovered at this point. He has very caring and capable parents. He has not attended any kind of school in last few months so no concern there either. The other 56 specimens taken in Dane County are 48 that have been negative, 7 still pending, but likely to have more cases in coming days. He reiterates it is a relatively mild illness – no worse than seasonal influenza. He also said it was unlikely that there would be any school closures, the Centers for Disease control has new guidelines do not recommend school closures at this time. Instead they recommend that schools should ID people who are sick and make them go home.
Pham–Remmele asks if there are special precautions for older people. Schlenker says to wash hands frequently, cover mouth when cough or sneeze, if sick stay home, if elderly or other physical disability be in touch with your doctor but unless develop respiratory problems you do not need to seek medical attention. She asks about if people should be wearing masks. Schlenker says no, not necessary or very effective.
Mayor asks if the flu is expected to return in the fall. Schlenker says yes, and that is a concern now that it has proven to be very effectively transmitted between humans it would only take a mutation or two to ratchet up the seriousness but he hopes to have a vaccine for the fall.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – ITEMS 8 – 19.
– DEMOLITION DEFINITION
Item 8 Definition of Demolition – no registrants. I was slightly surprised no one showed up to express concerns and that there were no amendments. I believe that the motion was on the original not the alternate.
Alder Rhodes-Conway points out that there is an alternate and asked Brad Murphy to explain the ordinance. He said current ordinance doesn’t have a definition of demolition and staff has had to use judgement about if large scale remodeling warranted demolition review. This ordinance provides an objective definition – and if 50% of the wall area or the front wall are being removed it would require plan commission approval.
Rhodes-Conway asks what happens if it is less than 50% of the wall area. Murphy explained that they would need staff review and approval of building plans against building code.
Rhodes-Conway asks about historic buildings. He says all projects that are landmarked or in historic district would need to be approved by Landmarks.
Rhodes-Conway asks about “demolition by neglect”. Murphy says that was topic of discussion when demolition ordinance was revised a year ago.
There was a roll call, but it was unanimous that all 19 people in attendance (Cnare absent) voted in support. The Mayor makes a snide “thanks” to alder Rhodes-Conway for requesting roll call.
– MERITER
Item 9 – Steve Jacobson spoke in opposition, lives in Triangle, Brittingham Place, sent an email to the council that he said they all have (but they don’t). He opposes 11 story building because it will have a negative impact on his community. He would like it referred until consideration given to the neighbors – 300 low income, elderly and disabled residents plus Bayview. He thinks that they should review the parking and do a cost benefit analysis. He thinks neighborhood process (3 meetings) was ok but says there is still room for discussion about what conclusions should be drawn from the meetings and how the input was used. There were three neighborhood associations involved. One Neighborhood Association said there wasn’t time to comment on the project and suggests they want information on what a one story bungalow will look like next to a 164 foot building. Another neighborhood association in the area also did not vote on the project. He knocked on doors today and people were concerned about tv reception and other issues. He also said that everyone he talked to facing 11 story building opposes the project.
Joe Stark – also from Braxton Place was in opposition but did not speak.
3 registrations in support, all representing Meriter Hospital
Alder Kerr said that she sent the email to allalders@cityofmadison.com at the beginning of meeting so if they have their computers they can read the email the speaker was referring to. She thinks the process was good and excited about Meriter making an investment in the corridor. Some of Mr. Jacobson’s concerns were addressed in plan commission motion last night. The item was approved with additional conditions, not available to the public but on the desks of the alders. King abstains, no discussion by the Council.
– OTHER PUBLIC HEARINGS (See Agenda for the items)
Item 10 – 13 – Report of ALRC, all passed on voice vote
Item 14 & 15 – Report of Board of Public Works, passed on voice vote.
Report of Plan Commission
Item 16 – Duane Johnson registered – same as early registration
Item 17 – no one in attendance
Item 18 – Silicon Prairie Parkway – no one in attendance
Item 19 – no registrants
16 – 18 adopted with substitute on 19 that is on their desks all passed on a voice vote. Skidmore abstains on 16.
CITIZEN APPOINTMENTS
Item 20 – Bert Zipperer speaks in opposition. Speaking for himself. Megin McDonell is an EOC appointment with housing experience, invaluable member and officer of EOC. He says the EOC and all the appointments depend upon the Council to give the committee members their three year terms. There are 13 members on EOC and 7 of the members have 2 years experience or less. 3 members have 4 -6 years experience. 3 members have 10 or more years experience and without Megin that leaves 2 members with that experience. He says he understands the prerogative to make changes, but says they also have responsibility to look and makes sure that they are not doing damage. He thinks this is important and wanted people to be aware of it.
Pham–Remmele asks Bert – has Megin been showing up and fulfill her duties. In 11 years, she’s had excellent attendance, she had been the Vice President of the commission for 7 years and participates in many subcommittees of the commission.
Thuy asks the following questions with Bert’s answers:
Any complaints? No.
Has she been investigated on some wrong doing? No.
Do you need fresh perspective? Bert says a 10 or 12 year rule might be good, but alot of people move on for various reasons, so many people don’t stay until replaced, most leave before they are there for 4 years (move out of town, new job, grad school) so rotating people might sound good, but losing experienced people with historical memory and lots to offer to the commission is a problem. He thinks that they will not benefit from Megin’s loss.
Satya Rhodes Conway votes no – Rummel speaks up and votes no. Pham–Remmele abstains, that is 16 votes and it passes.
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
Click here for blog on Property Tax Exemption discussion at the Council meeting. (I did a separate blog to keep this post from being WAAAAYYYY too long.)
BANNING LIQUOR IN SMALL PACKAGES
Click here for discussion on Banning Sales of Liquor Packaged in Small Quantities.
BUY AMERICAN WITH STIMULUS MONEY
#60 – there is a substitute at their desks and 1 speaker Alliance for American something-or-other that I missed.
Larry Warman spoke about buying steal and keeping jobs in the United States, these resolutions shouldn’t be necessary, but because of the markets, we need policies like this to keep manufacturing jobs here.
Alder Rhodes-Conway encourages support.
Schumacher reminds people that we are all interconnected in the world, but will support this. He says its symbolic and reminds people that there is a larger world out there. Says even Obama has said that buying American is not always the answer.
CURFEW
Click here for discussion on Curfew.
The council adjourned around 12:10.
