Ok – this is the quick rundown, minus the Danisco discussion, that will be a separate post. For reals, not kidding this time!
GETTING STARTED – ITS ALWAYS SO HARD!
So, despite the Mayor being there early, and walking around and chatting with folks, somehow, the meetings still started 10 minutes late. [One reporter sitting next to me said that at one point they started to add up how much money is being wasted with all the city staff sitting there waiting for the meeting to start. Interesting exercise, I’d like to see the result.]
ROLL CALL
Everyone was at the meeting, however, when roll call was initially called Maniaci was out of the room, Cnare was a tiny bit late and I think another person just snuck in. Those three really didn’t miss anything but might appear absent at some portion of the minutes. Pham-Remmele waltzed in just in time for her grandstanding on pink flamingos.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
They stood in a moment of silence for Irwin Goodman, the Mayor said a formal resolution will be at the next council meeting. [However, many of us in the room were thinking about David Austin instead. No disrespect to Irwin Goodman who did many good things for the city, just the other matter is weighing heavy on many minds and hearts.]
SUSPENSION OF THE RULES
No objections.
HONORING RESOLUTIONS
Agenda is here, you’ll have to find some of your own links today.
#1 Resolution Honoring Fleet Service for getting an award passed after reading and brief comments from staff.
#2 Resolution honoring Italian American Heritage Month and Christopher Columbus Day. [Maniaci should have been put on on notice over this instead. I suspect the young alder fell into a trap and did not mean to offend the indigenous people. And it only got more weird and offensive when Frank Alfono spoke about the Italian women.]
#3 Flamingos [As usual, Dusty does a much better recap, pointing out more than one ironic moments.]
Rummel explains the history of the Pail and Shovel Party and their prank from years ago and says she did it at the urging of the local press. [Giggle. There were a few groans in the back row when she said that!]
Pham-Remmele apologizes for being late, says her car was smashed while parked outside driveway and she was busy dealing with insurance agents. [I think Joe Clausius, who works in the insurance industry, took offense at her comment – he sure had an odd look on his face!] She says the pink flamingo is humorous and talks to how we are unique – but we are seen as not facing reality – wish she had an interest, but she asks to devote more time to more serious business at hand. Cannot support this and if it is included as something that everyone agree on – she wants to be recorded as voting no.
Compton doesn’t like pink flamingos and has a problem deciding that we have it as a city bird, would support one day as a tribute. She says there are so many beautiful birds, wants to open it up city wide or create a committee. She says that she remembers pink flamingos being in the laws of neighbors and how she thought it was ugly. She says our city bird should be something that can live in the winter. At which point someone pointed about that plastic flamingos can live in Wisconsin in the winter.
Cieslewicz says he came here that year for school and special place in his heart.
They go to vote – and Pham-RemmeleManiaci asks for a roll call – to which the Mayor incredulously asked “Seriously?”[Wow, I thought the Mayor was looking the other direction, but someone sitting closer than I informs me I was wrong.]
ROLL CALL
AYE: Cnare, Eagon, Kerr, King, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schmidt, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Bidar-Sielaff, Bruer, Clausius, Clear
NO: Compton, Maniaci, Pham-Remmele, Skidmore
ABSTAIN: Sanborn
CONSENT AGENDA
Bruer starts the consent agenda and then the Mayor reminds him that they have a petition to accept (I didn’t hear what it was about) and they have to take early public comment.
EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT
LANDLORD ENTRY LAW
Megin McDonell, representing the Tenant Resource Center. Thanks the council for the “express lane” and being allowed to comment and go home. Not in support or opposition but more as an fyi. As Program Director she has some observations.
– Ordinance doesn’t require them to provide more specific info, it only encourages them and then gives them a longer period of time to enter. It’s written in a way that it is hard to understand – she notes this is one of the two favorite areas of confusion – used to be 3 hours per day for 3 hour period – all the rest of the words at best encourage and at worst confuse the reader.
– 2nd issue is lack of enforcement, some of the comments from trc volunteers – no teeth for enforcement, seems like an opportunity to put enforcement into the law– same as ordinance just gives landlords an hour longer, would like enforcement program. Thinks rent should not have to be paid for days when the landlord illegally enters.
– It requires exactly 4 hours, no more or no less.
She doesn’t know why landlords would want an extra hour – typically has an appointment for a specific time. If she had to make a recommendation she would say there has to be a specific notice for each time. That notice should have pecific notice for each time, exact date and time and duration unless approved on a case by case basis. That would simplify the ordinance for everyone. Requiring the notice to be in writing would help communication and enforcement. If they make that change it should also be done for entry for repairs and inspections. She says thanks again for the early comment period.
CONSENT AGENDA
The move to do everything ont he agenda as noted with the following exceptions:
26 (issue to resolve Majestic Marquee) has an editorial change
89 (zoning code rewrite) & 111 (towing contract) are withdrawn
139 is the Capital Budget for referral
140 (licensiing landlords who are subjects of the chronic nuisance ordinance) on the addendum is for referral.
They will record a unanimous vote on the following super-majority items if no one object – 17 (plastic bag recycling), 23 (money for parks on sw side) and 25 (insurance reimbursement for playground equipment destroyed in fire).
The items left for exclusion are:
10 – Mayor’s appointments
18 – TIF for Danisco
57 – Allied Drive Demolitions
72 – Landlord entry
73 – Midvale Heights/Westmorland Neighborhood Plan
DISCUSSION ON CONSENT AGENDA
Verveer asks Alder Bruer to repeat technical amendment to 26. He didn’t see the amendment [and he’s the sponsor! How does that work, the City Attorney just changed it?!] May explains that added “or restored” to existing so if you restore it would also be covered, Verveer says a good addition.
Verveer asks that item 84 (Newspaper boxes on State St.) add the State St. Design Oversight Committee.
10 (Mayoral appointments) gets added to consent agenda.
92 (Repealing sunset on the Chronic Nuisance Ordinance)
– Clausius asks to be added as a sponsor
– Bidar-Sielaff refers to housing committee
– Cnare refers to Community Services
– King added as as sponsor
– Maniaci added as a sponsor
– Bruer refers to CCOC as the lead.
– Rhodes-Conway objects to CCOC being the lead.
– Bruer withdraws the lead and just refers it to CCOC.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Nothing of note.
ALLIED DEMOLITIONS
Solomon asks if the work is going to get done this year or if it will wait til spring. Olinger says they can get it done this year. Olinger says of teh 20 left only one needs to make plans [I think that is what he said, sort of distracted.] Solomon asked about jobs for the neighborhood and there was some vague commitment to try. [At least that was all I got out of it, but I wasn’t paying too much attention cuz I was distracted.]
Compton asks about asbestos. Olinger says they are doing the environmental assessment right now. They are going through the empty apartments and will do the other 20 as they become vacant. They will identify areas that need to be handled differently.
Passed on a voice vote with Schumacher abstaining. [Shouldn’t people have to say why they have to abstain? What kind of business or financial interest does he have in the project?] I missed it, he said he was on the Board of the Timebank.
LANDLORD ENTRY
Verveer moved referral to the Housing Committee.
Public Testimony – He’s on the Housing Committee. Says he asks for it to be referred to Housing or next council meeting to work on the language. Intent of the ordinance was to provide more specificity in terms of notice landlords give for entry. Before, there was a 3 hour window, but it never said the landlords would say when the three hours would be. Notice would say no more than 3 hours any time 8 – 5. Agree language is awkward. Hopefully people have another look at it.
No discussion – referred.
MIDVALE HEIGHT WESTMORLAND PLAN – THE SMACK DOWN
4 or 5 people spoke in support. 9 others registered in support.
Pham-Remmele asks if she should speak now or later. [Seriously woman, after two years, you should know the rules, they aren’t that hard and I’m pretty sure you’re a smart person. Otherwise I’m sure Blathering Blaska would be happy to tutor you!]
Mayor asks if there are questions.
Compton wants to verify the motion to adopt includes recommendations of Plan Commission.
Pham–Remmele – [Warning: I didn’t spend alot of time cleaning this up for her.] She is going to bring up a few comments about the neighborhood plan – some of her feelings about it, but many are from residents that call her. She appreciates the commitment of people working on the joint steering plan, has worked with it every step along the way – that is a strong commitment and what makes Madison a wonderful city. 2 neighborhoods from two different districts. Westmorland, when worked with Gruber [doesn’t complete thought], Schmidt started just this April, plan going on for two years. Part of Midvale Heights belong to district 20, that is why when you create a joint plan, this creates different opinions. Westgate is closer to Clear than Schmidt. No matter how much they say they got the word out, but life is busy and so even in good faith, good will, this kind of planning, which is almost like a bible to follow, doesn’t represent entire area. It has split the areas to the point where it is painful. When she was with Southwest steering plan, even tho she lives there, but since not on the board, she was left out. Only until October of the year before she ran for city that Alder invited her to come and sit on the sideline. May people living in the area trusting in the local govt to point where don’t know things being planned that will impact them. When looks at 11 recommendations – oppose power line and bury underground – good except plan has no control over that, but still top priority,. 11 recommendation – about sustainability, rain garden, rain barrels, dog parks, bike paths, all wonderful and they love it but it doesn’t address the needs of the people there, lots of limited income people – constituents who don’t have a pet, who are having a hard time keeping jobs and paying taxes and feed family and doesn’t see encouragement for jobs. She sees negative language towards businesses, anti-big box, no big box there, no problem with Costco or CVSSam’s. The process is very democratic, only wealthy people can go to Hawaii and get fresh pineapple, due to these stores pineapple can be gotten by everyone now. What we want, but what do we need. Underground parking and green rooftop – supporting local businesses that are cutting our hair. The thing that hit her hardest was Vice President of Midvale Heights said he has waited for 20 years for good plan for Westgate – willing to wait another 20 years, but languishing small businesses can’t wait 20 years. City planning is a wonderful dream for urban planner but the factor left out is the people – honest taxpayer, honest family people, the ones who follow the rules and follow code of conduct, pick up trash. She says many people ask her “why are you still doing this, you must be crazy and nuts, they give up on this town” Every day I have people tell me they are leaving home because this is not their home any more. She adds “Mister Mayor, you know that.” Very painful to her, cannot support the plan. She admires special interest group – community and grassroots, but she respects the people and the land. She says it is a done deal and what she says doesn’t change anything. Wants to go on record, local government not responding to needs of real citizen, are we taking care of taxpayer and neighborhoods or an idealistic dream preparing for someone to move in from outside. Doesn’t want New Yorkers to move here, wants Madisonians to stay and work on this town. Apologizes to those who are angry. Doesn’t answer to needs of real people in her district. No need to ask question, no need to appeal to colleagues but if have comprehensive plan we should use it the same way throughout the city. People will not fit in cookie cutter so when developer applies to do something in Madison hopes council remembers this and look at each proposal individually. Don’t use the plan to make things not happen. Sorry to people who ask them to [missed something here], sorry, it is a done deal.
[SMACK DOWN NUMBER ONE!]
Schmidt says he was the co-chair since inception. He has insight into the process that colleague from 20th does not have. He says he was struck by comment about Southwest neighborhood plan and how it was so far along and she was not involved. We’re talking about this plan now, but she has not told to joint steering committee in the last two years what she wanted. She didn’t participate in the process. He hasn’t heard feedback you are describing. There was some negative feedback and they took it into account. He asks why she didn’t you send constituents with concerns to steering committee. They went through a thorough process and there were over a dozen, almost two dozen contacts for each household. Saying you don’t know what was going on – especially since this came out of the controversial Sequoya Commons project and all the anger and frustration around that project – its not like that project was flying under the radar – isn’t acceptable. They were trying to make that into a positive. These plans are somewhat Utopian, people want things to be better. In closing, the power line recommendation is broad, all power lines eventually buried, focuses on ATC and until it is built, there is no guarantee it will happen to- doesn’t hurt to go on record. Thanks everyone – pass the plan and move on.
[SMACK DOWN NUMBER TWO]
Bidar Sielaff congratulates thesteering committee. Shows a lot of involvement and ability to involve neighborhood. Congratulates the alder – falls upon us as alders to make sure we are involved in the planning that is led by our neighborhoods. He worked with all of you to make this happen and we need that type of leadership.
[SMACK DOWN NUMBER THREE!]
Clear asks a question of Jule Stroik. He says there were 8 committee referrals plus council, attended 3 or 4, could you speak to Pham-Remmele’s concern that there are untold numbers of people in opposition to the plan. Did anyone speak in opposition at any of the committees.
Stroik says there were 9 boards and commission and council is the 10th. [At this point, Clear gets in a good one, noting that he got his math skills from Andrew in the Mayor’s office – referring to the budget presentation that had 6 key areas of concerns with only 5 items listed. Total inside joke from the night before, but funny nonetheless.] Steering committee made presentations, none of them had anyone speak in opposition.
Rhodes-Conway says that this citizen of Madison welcomes fellow New Yorkers and folks from LA, Seattle, Houston, Denmark, Germany, etc
Kerr commends steering committee. All the meeting, library, newsletter articles, huge effort and much appreciated and proud of you and your neighborhoods. Remembers fight about Sequoya Commons and remembers Midvale and Westmoreland asking what a plan is. Applauds them for their dedication – a lot of work goes into it almost like a part time job. Appreciate it, but did look at it and some lofty goals but that’ is ok too.
Solomon thanks them all too. He says he guesses Pham-Remmele is not lying to us tonight and he doesn’t want to sound preachy but we have a reputation of not beign able to put two bricks together because of all of our process. He does believe some people didn’t get a chance or take the opportunity to participate in the process and hopes that in the future they will take the opportunity to engage. He says this is an incredibly democratic city – stand up and impact your future.
[SMACKDOWN FOUR!]
Schumacher does sometime hear comments she hears – why anti-big box and anti-business friendly. He says its about different perceptions of what we want the city to be – that’s what makes us vibrant. We should hear what she says, even when what is is said in a way [she or they] can’t hear it – but at same time, encourage her to engage the process so that we can deal with it at committee level and not box us in by claiming we don’t listen because we don’t vote her way. Encourage alder to engage and show some leadership where it can have effect and be less rhetorical
King thanks them. Need template and they have given them it. Drives through their district and it’s an incredible plan and hopes that as development opportunities they have – can call on them for expertise. Tackles the issues wonderfully.
[THE GIFT TO THE CITY]
Pham-Remmele truly appreciates the candid comments in the room. If she doesn’t take her job seriously she would not have left her mother on her death bed to come back, put over 100s of pages of work and answer phone calls. [If her mother is on her deathbed, she should have asked, and the council should have granted a referral.] She now clarifies she was not in an accident – she is ok as she can be. No accident. Car was parked in driveway, somebody smashed the rear window and she has to handle that with the insurance agent. To be told to learn more and participate more – taught full time in Madison school district never put in more time than she does now – even when in doctors office with mother, constituents are calling to tell her about things. She gives as much and freely to neighborhood, city and friends, but she is not a political junkie, not going to spend every waking & dreaming hours of her lives to go through the process and learn the political language. People consider her a lay person, if that is not enough, if this is not a gift to the city, then the city is doing it the wrong way. Not using the process to push the process or agenda. Family should be priority, tries her best, not in an accident, my neighborhood is not safe. People vandalize my car and it cost her money and time. People from new York, Chicago, Denmark want to come and make this a pleasant place, just wants all of us to be in a small town, she came from city of 6M – take care of basic needs, be honest to friends and neighbors instead of using language and process to push your agenda. Doesn’t know how more to prove to the council what she experiences in her neighborhood from little kid to senior citizen, keep telling her this in not fair they are objected to that. Thank you for your time, thank you for advice, I am who I am, I give freely of myself to this city and I hope this will last.
[THE ULTIMATE SMACK DOWN]
Clear finds “real people” language quite offensive. Implies that people who call her and speak with her and engage with her are more real than the people here to night – the people who participate. The world is run by the people who show up – neighborhoods, city councils,, legislatures. To accuse people of having political agendas or being less real than the people who show up he finds truly offensive.
Bidar-Sielaff says they have gotten sidetracked and thanks the people who came again. Lets move on – but agrees that people being involved and taking action about what is what we want for our city.
With that, they do a roll call vote with no surprises. Only Pham-Remmele voting against. [I’m sure many were, once again, quite embarrassed for our city.]
INTRODUCTION OF ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
Kerr – title only 27.42(l) – Ordinance requiring owners to provide contact of two people who exercise control and care of the property and amending MGO 1.08 to create bail deposits for violations. Referred to housing, Board of Estimates, Public Safety Review Committee, Common Council Organizational Committee and Bruer added as a sponsor.
Verveer – 3 resolutions on Hallowee – 2009 budget amendment – $48,335 and money – Frank Productions Inc contract & glass free zone in state street area. Referred to Downtown Coordinating Committe, the BID and Board of Estimates. Maniaci and Eagon added as as sponsor.
With that, they adjourned
