City of Madison Week Ahead 11/25/24
Council meets this week. Censure of Ald. Charles Myadze process and Ethics decisions and hearings also this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 11/18/24
32 meetings, 4 cancelled, 5 missing agendas, but many committees meeting after budget is completed.
Alder Budget Amendments 2024
They are a bit tricky to find, but they are there. Not many of them. 1 capital budget and 5 operating budget amendments.Â
Madison City Week Ahead 11/11/24
Last time to say this in 2024, budget, budget, budget. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, not much else this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 11/4/24
18 meetings, 5 missing agendas, no meetings on Tuesday cuz its election day! Vote Tuesday if you didn't vote early!
Tiny House Curious? Join Occupy Madison Sunday!
Occupy Madison Celebrates the 10-Year Anniversary of the opening of the first village!
Alders make essentially no amendments to Mayor’s Budget?
I was stunned when I opened the budget amendments for the finance committee and only found 1 amendment from alders.Â
Dane County Week Ahead 10/28/24
County board has two meetings this week, one for public input and the second to finish up the 2025 budget!
Madison City Week Ahead 10/28/24
Spectacularly unimpressive council efforts on budgets, council meeting and a few more meetings this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 10/21/24
2 cancelled meetings (MPO and Community Services), 5 missing agendas and 10 meetings with agendas.Â
City of Madison Week Ahead 10/14/24
Budget hearings Monday and Tuesday on the Mayor's 2 budgets and lots of possible quorums at community events.
Forward Lookout on WORT 10/7/24
Rebecca Kemble joins Brenda Konkel for another preview of city and county meetings for the week of October 7, 2024.
Madison City Week Ahead 10/7/24
Council meets this week, 3 cancelled meetings, 2 missing agendas.
Forward Lookout on WORT 9/30/24
We recorded on Sunday for today's show, and we have an extended version that goes beyond what you will here on WORT 89.9 FM.
Madison City Week Ahead 9/28/24
October! 2 missing agendas, finance committee starts digging into the capital budget, and more.
Madison City Week Ahead 9/9/24
3 cancelled meetings, 4 missing agendas, Council meets this week, capital budget introduced and more . . .Â
Forward Lookout Returns to WORT 89.9 FM
Forward Lookout on WORT took a hiatus while we regrouped after Dylan Brogan got a job in the Mayor's Office, but it's back with a special Labor Day Edition!
Madison City Week Ahead 9/3/24
September is here . . . that means budget season will be in full swing and it's time to get serious!
Madison City Week Ahead 8/26/24
Finance, UDC, Plan Commission, tour of East-West Bus Rapid Transit and more
Madison City Council Meeting on Referendum 8/20/24
Apparently if equity is too hard to explain to us stupid taxpayers, they abandon their values.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/19/24
Lots of meetings this week, mostly around Housing Week, but also council votes on referendum this week.
In other news . . . 8/11-8/17/24
Other news and events that didn't quite count as local news in the Konkel Round up!
Madison City Week Ahead 8/12/24
Summer slump when many committees don't meet . . . but still plenty to look into if you're interested.
In other news . . . 8/6/24 – 8/10/24
This segment used to be called the round up, but that's also the name of the local news summary on the front page, so I gave it a fresh look!
Summary of the Council Meeting 8/6/24
Only 3 hours . . .1.5 hours of testimony on the referendum and an hour of questions that are 40 minutes by one alder.
Alders Voting Blindly – On What?
There's a lot going on in city hall right now, and I'm still catching up, but I did happen to catch this.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/5/24
Council meets this week, it'll be your only time for input on the referendum with the council.Â
7/29/24 Madison City Week Ahead
So it's been a while . . . but I'm back! Short blog, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's are a 5th day of the week so less meetings than usual. 25% of agendas missing (4 of 12)
Madison City Week Ahead 4/1/24
Don't forget to vote on Tuesday and here's the city's upcoming meeting that have agendas (4 don't)
Madison City Week Ahead 3/25/24
Last week of the month has a lighter schedule but still plenty of interesting things going on!
City of Madison Week Ahead 3/4/23
Council meets this week, plus a full week of committee meetings.
Madison City Week Ahead
Even with leap day there are plenty of meetings this week - finance, plan commission, udc, transportation and several committees that meet occasionally.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/19/24
Only one meeting on Monday and one meeting on Tuesday (election day), the rest of the week looks more normal.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/12/24
Not many items for discussion on the council agenda, but lots of new introductions! The next meetings are going to have packed agendas.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/5/24
15 meetings this week but no meetings on Tuesday.
1/29/24 Madison City Week Ahead
So sorry, its been a while. Life kinda got in the way this month, but I"m back now.
Madison City Week Ahead 12/11/23
Lots of missing agendas and broken links to agendas, but development marches on!
Madison City Week Ahead 12/4/23
Last council meeting of the year, special plan commission meeting and more this week, plus a few missing agendas.
Madison City Week Ahead 11/26/23
A very long finance committee agenda as well as at plan commission.
Madison City Week Ahead 10/23/23
Alder amendments at Finance, 3 canceled meetings (MPO Technical, Housing Strategy, Jt. Campus), at least 3 missing agendas and more.
Madison City Week Ahead 10/16/23
Council meets this week, 5 cancelled meetings, 5 missing agendas (or more)
Madison City Week Ahead 10/2/23
7 missing agendas, council meets this week, mayors operating budget coming out this week as well.
Madison City Week Ahead 9/25/23
22 meetings, but 8 missing agendas. Finance Committee working on capital budget and much more!
Madison City Week Ahead 9/18/23
Whoa! There's a lot of meetings this week! Council meets along with Plan Commission, ALRC and much more!
Madison City Week Ahead 8/28/23
Last week of the summer, a handful of meetings today, Wednesday and Thursday, but several agendas missing.
Dane County Week Ahead 8/21/23
County Board also has a very active week as the summer comes to a close. And doh! forgot to post this morning!
Madison City Week Ahead 8/21/23
Lots of meetings for late August when many committees take a break and most of them have agendas!
Madison City Week Ahead 8/7/23
Not everyone takes a break in August, some committees are still meeting, but there are 6 missing agendas
Madison City Week Ahead 7/31/23
Oh my goodness, its August! Council meets this week and several other committees humming along, 5 missing agendas.
Madison City Week Ahead 7/24/23
Plan commission and city council meets this week, at least 5 missing agendas and other things going on this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 7/3/23
Just a few meeting this week, sadly, many do not yet have agendas!
Madison City Week Ahead 6/19/23
Short week, but lots going on, council meets, may be a long meeting with the resolution for sanctuary for trans andnon-binary persons on the agenda.
Madison City Week Ahead 6/5/23
Cancelled meetings, missing agendas, council meeting this week (alcohol licensing, billboards and more)
Madison City Week Ahead 3/15/23
Another short council meeting! Annual liquor licenses approvals, lots of demolitions, farmland preservation plan and more this week.
Dane County Week Ahead 5/8/23
Lots of meetings this week to pick from! I didn't quite finish this morning, will try to add the rest this evening.
Madison City Week Ahead 5/8/23
No council meeting this week after 3 in a row! Here's the committees meeting this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 4/10/23
9 lame-duck meetings this week, including a practice meeting for the new alders. 4 meetings with missing agendas.
Dane County Week Ahead 4/3/23
6 meetings this week - 2 are repeats from the City Week Ahead and only one committee with links to agenda items.
Madison City Week Ahead 4/3/23
If you haven't already, don't forget to vote on Tuesday! 10 -11 ?? meetings this week!
Madison City Week Ahead 3/27/23
Slow end to the month, but Plan Commission and Finance meet this week heading up to election day on the 4th.
AHAA Endorsements: Vote for Affordable Housing!
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance makes endorsements in the City of Madison Mayoral race and 11 alder races.
Madison City Week Ahead 3/20/22
4 cancelled meetings, 4 missing agendas, last council meeting with this round of city council members. And . . . tax evasion time for businesses!
Even Chief Koval wasn’t brazen enough to endorse candidates for City Council
Silly season (election season) is sillier than usual this year!Â
$169,889.20 in bad news for affordable housing and democracy
Why are the realtors spending 10.5 times more money in City of Madison Common Council races than the potential alders are?
Dane County Week Ahead 3/6/23
PFAS and the jail, so, you know, nothing controversial this week! ha.
Madison City Week Ahead 3/6/23
Council just met last week, but this is the second to last meeting of this council this week. Lots of clean ups and rushed items this time of year.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/27/23
Council meets this week, several missing agendas but a full week of meetings.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/20/23
Election Day Tuesday, primaries for Mayor and in districts 2, 3, 4, 89, 10, 12, 14 ad 20! Here's the meetings this week.
Madison District 4 & 20 Candidates on Affordable Housing
While all the candidates say that affordable housing is a priority, read here to find out what they say (or don't say) they will do about it!
Madison District 14 Candidates on Affordable Housing
While all the candidates say that affordable housing is a priority, read here to find out what they say they will do about it!
District 12 Candidates on Affordable Housing
While all the candidates say that affordable housing is a priority, read here to find out what they say they will do about it!
Madison District 10 Candidates on Affordable Housing
While all the candidates say that affordable housing is a priority, read here to find out what they say they will do about it!
Madison District 9 Candidates on Affordable Housing
While all the candidates say that affordable housing is a priority, read here to find out what they say they will do about it!
Madison District 3 Candidates on Affordable Housing
While all the candidates say that affordable housing is a priority, read here to find out what they say they will do about it!
Madison District 2 Candidates on Affordable Housing
While all the candidates say that affordable housing is a priority, read here to find out what they say they will do about it!
Madison City Week Ahead 1/30/23
No meetings on Tuesday (5th Tuesday of the month) and some pretty short agendas for most committees.
Madison City Week Ahead 1/23/23
Special UDC meeting, full plan commission agenda and several other meetings this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 1/16/23
Hope everyone have a great MLK Day and was able to do something in service to the community or rest up to be back at it today!
Madison City Week Ahead 1/9/23
First full week of the year but most meetings are packed into three days with cancelled meetings and missing agendas.
Madison City Week Ahead 1/2/23
Hmm . . . this seems suspiciously light on meetings this week - even the Council agenda seems light.
Madison City Week Ahead 12/19/22
Only 9 meetings and none on Thursday or Friday, holiday break!
Madison City Week Ahead 12/12/22
Full week of agendas on many topics, Complete Green Streets on several agendas and the Transportation Overlay District at Landmarks.
Madison City Week Ahead 12/5/22
Last council meeting of the year, which includes metro redesign and lots of missing agendas (including the council meeting).
City of Madison Week Ahead 11/28/22
Lots of missing agendas starting on Thursday, December 1st. Yup. December folks!
Madison City Week Ahead 11/20/22
A lot is packed into a short week, council meeting, plan commission meeting and ALRC meeting and more . . .
Madison City Week Ahead 11/7/22
At least 7 missing agendas, likely more. Public hearing on bus system design this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 10/10/22
Dane County Jail at Urban Design Commission this week, council meets and more . . .
Madison City Week Ahead 10/3/22
Um, its been a while. Didn't realize I skipped an entire month! Sorry. Life. Work. Sad, sorry excuses.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/22/22
Lots of missing agendas this week and very little on the docket which is typical of late August.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/15/22
Mid August and not everyone is on vacation! Here's the meetings that have not been cancelled.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/8/22
It's August, so its a little sleepy, but still 3 police committees, plan commission, transportation commission and more going on this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 7/25/22
Busy last week of July with some really packed agendas!
Madison City Week Ahead 7/18/22
Council meeting and many more this week!
Madison City Week Ahead 7/11/22
Back to the grind. Full week of meetings ahead including the Council meeting.
Madison City Week Ahead 7/5/22
Not many meetings this week, none on Tuesday, and missing agendas, so keep your eyes open for last minute additions.
Madison City Week Ahead 6/27/22
More developments, Common Council Executive Committee meets on Thursday this week.
City Week Ahead 6/20/22
Development and permanent streeetery approvals at the council meeting, special plan commission meeting and more . . .
City Week Ahead 6/6/22
First week in June! Council meeting and perhaps approving the Metro Network Redesign Plan.
City Week Ahead 5/23/22
Oops, forgot to post! Sorry if you missed some Monday meetings! Plenty left, including Council meeting this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 5/9/22
Lots of meetings on so many topics, including a Council meeting, but no CCEC meeting yet.
Madison City Week Ahead 5/2/22
Only 10 meetings this week and 7 of them have agendas! Council meeting re-scheduled due to Eid al-Fitr.
Madison City Week Ahead
Busy last week of the month. And . . . I updated the Konkel Round Up and intend to keep it updated as work slows down a bit.
City Week Ahead 4/18/22
A few missing agendas but plenty happening this week, including a whopper of a long Council Agenda . . .the length of agenda has no impact on the length of the meeting.
City Week Ahead 4/4/22
No council meeting this week, or any meetings on Tuesday due to local elections.
Madison City Week Ahead 3/21/22
Plan commission special meeting on transportation, Blaska v. City of Madison and many more interesting agenda items this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 3/14/22
While over 5 council members apparently can't be bothered to appear for their meetings via zoom, the rest of the city marches on.
Overdose Spike Alert Issued in Dane County
It's been going on for a few weeks now, but Public Health just issued this alert.
City of Madison Week Ahead 2/28/21
This week's the City gets an F for public notice. I think there are a record number of closed session portions of or entire meetings, lack of recommendations and missing agendas. I'm seeing red.
City Week Ahead 2/21/22
Council meets this week and a whole lot more going on, check it out!
Madison City Week Ahead 2/14/22
All the exciting meetings coming up this week!
Madison City Week Ahead 1/31/22
February! Council meets this week, Metro Network Design and BRT moving forward, Housing Forward plan and more.
Madison City Week Ahead 1/24/22
Light Plan Commission and Urban Design agendas and a smattering of other committee meetings.
Madison City Week Ahead 1/17/22
Packing a lot into 4 days, council meets tonight, lots of other things that might impact your neighborhood.
What will the council talk about tonight?
Well, here's a hint. Tho' I expect they will talk about more than this.
Madison City Week Ahead 1/3/22
Only 10 meetings this week? Or only 10 meetings that made it on the schedule? I'd check the Konkel Daily Round Up (home page) for mo' meeting throughout the week.
Madison Downtowners: Remember how not to get ticketed when it snows?
Ah, its that time of year again. Alternate side parking! Even when you think you got it right, it sometimes fails! Here's the scoop!
Madison City Week Ahead 12/20/21
Short week this week, no meetings Wednesday or Thursday. Happy Holidays, enjoy the winter break!
Madison City Week Ahead 11/29/21
End of the month has fewer meetings, including an Ethics Board meeting which is a rare occurrence.
Madison City Week Ahead 11/22/21
Short week, but but there are still 10 meetings this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 11/15/21
Will budget (silly) season over, 31 meetings this week, 5 without agendas and 2 cancelled meetings.
Madison City Week Ahead 11/1/21
November already, alders are busy with budget, and there's a full week of meetings ahead, including council meeting.
Madison City Week Ahead 10/25/21
Lots going on this last week of October - and its budget night at Finance Committee.
City of Madison Week Ahead 10/3/21
This is the worst I've ever seen it - 9 missing agendas for scheduled meetings - that we know of . . . there are likely more "mo' meetings" this week!
City Week Ahead 9/27/21
Last week of the month so fewer meetings, but its budget time!
Madison Week Ahead 9/20/21
A ton of meetings this week, seems like the committees are multiplying instead of getting rid of committees.
Madison City Council: What will they talk about tonight?
Not much - except Reindahl, officially. You know its always more than indicated on the consent agenda.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/30/21
City Council meeting this week, lots of talk about homelessness and development, liuor licenses and upcoming events.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/23
Here's your end of summer city government committees that are still chugging along . . . .
Madison City Week Ahead 8/9/21
Parking at Villager Mall, Reindahl Park, Public Housing Eviction Plan post-eviction moratorium and more . . .
How will the Extended Eviction Moratorium affect Dane County
County Board Supervisor and Legal Action of Wisconsin Attorney Heidi Wegleitner gives us the preliminary scoop!
Madison City Week Ahead 7/26/21
Several cancelled meetings this week, but still plenty left to talk about - Judge Doyle Square (again!) and more.
Madison Week Ahead 7/12/21
Full week of meetings this week - war on/criminalizing people without homes heating up. (kicking out of Reindahl park, removing benches, banning alcohol in park, etc.)
Men’s Shelter is still 2 – 3 years away, if we move forward now
Staff have 4 properties, but the alders who defeated the last men's shelter property are still arguing about what criteria staff should look at - but were defeated.
Madison City Council will talk about what tonight?
Only Alcohol at Allied Park? And whatever else people might register to speak on . . . and public hearing items.
What do campers at Reindahl need? Ask them!
I've been quiet for a minute on this blog due to volunteering my ass off at Occupy Madison, and perhaps I've been away for too long?
Search Criteria for a “Fulltime Men’s Shelter”
It's been a few months since the vote on the men's shelter and tonight the Common Council Executive Committee is set to vote on shelter criteria.
Madison City Week Ahead 7/5/21
Busy partial week ahead, body cams, criminalizing people living at Reindahl, men's shelter discussions, ARPA funds and more.
Madison Police Officer Resign Rather Than Face Discipline
Who are they? Where might they be working now? Shouldn't we be able to know without months of delay in open records requests?
Madison City Week Ahead 6/21/21
Seems like not a lot of meetings this week - but there will be decisions at finance on spending the ARP federal funds
Madison: City Week Ahead 6/14/21
33 meetings this week, 3 cancelled, still only one in person.
Madison City Week Ahead 6/7/21
Still all virtual meetings except one . . . how long will that last? CCEC will be discussing.
Madison, what will the city council talk about tonight?
Nothing? Nothing is excluded for discussion. Could it be possible? Likely not.
Madison City Week Ahead 5/24/21
Last week in May already, and committees are chugging along, lots of BRT and more.
Madison City Council: What will they talk about tonight.
Reindahl Park, Southside Parking Ramp and more . . .
City Attorney’s Office Attempt to stop Reindahl resolution protecting encampments
COVID is over, back to "normal" for people experiencing homelessness. In typical last minute fashion, the city attorney plays Dr. No.
Madison New Reindahl Park Encampment Resolution
Last night, in a marathon session, the City-County Homeless Issues Committee unanimously approved this substitute resolution the City Council will consider tonight.
Madison City Week Ahead 5/17/2021
Another showdown over homeless issues, will the people at Reindahl be forced to move? And more . . .
Madison Parks Superintendent “I have no desire or plan to forcibly remove campers from...
Here's the update sent to alders, park commissioners and parks staff today.
Madison Week Ahead 5/10/21
Finance, Plan Commission, housing issues, affordable housing landbanking, chronic nuisance ordinance and more.
Resolution to Allow Unhoused Campers to Remain at Reindahl (and other) Parks
Last night at the city council there was a resolution introduced to allow the campers without houses/traditional roofs to remain at Reindahl and other parks.
Madison City Council – What will they talk about tonight?
Here is the consent agenda the council members will all be looking at tonight. Other items may be added on the floor.
Council President Syed Abbas Alder Appointments
I blogged about the mayoral appointments a while ago, here are the Council President Appointments.
Madison’s Men’s Shelter Vote Tonight
By all accounts, the vote is very, very close. People are predicting they only have 14 of 15 needed votes.
Madison City Week Ahead 5/3/21
Council meets this week - men's shelter is up for a vote - will it pass? Lots of other meetings, but generally a slow week.
Madison Week Ahead 4/26/21
Finance Committee, Plan Commission, Urban Design and more this week.
Meet the new city council!
8 new alders get sworn in today, with the most diverse city council ever, will it matter? Here's the committees alders got assigned to.
Dane County Week Ahead 4/12/21
24 meetings this week, 1 missing agenda - opposing non knock warrants, F-35s and more.
Madison City Week Ahead 4/12/21
33 meetings so far, new alder training, 3 missing agendas, and much more.
Madison City Week Ahead 4/5/21
Don't forget to vote on Tuesday if you haven't already. Only 15 meetings this week, but watch for more to be added.
Madison City, Schools and Dane County Week Ahead 3/29/31
I'm late, but you didn't miss much, MMSD and Dane County have no meetings this week. City only had 2 yesterday . . . and 12 the rest of the week. Spring break, I guess.
District 2 AHAA Answers: Benji Ramirez Gomez and Patrick Heck on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 8
District 3 AHAA Answers: Charly Rowe and Lindsay Lemmer on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 8
District 8 AHAA Answers: Juliana Bennett and Ayomi Obuseh on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 8
Madison City Week Ahead 3/22/21
Finance, Plan, Transportation and several other meetings this week, far fewer than last week but still worth a look!
District 9 AHAA Answers: Nikki Conklin and Paul Skidmore on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 9
District 10 AHAA Answers: Yannette Figueroa Cole & Mara Eisch on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 10
District 12 AHAA Answers: Tessa Echeverria & Syed Abbas on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 12
District 14 AHAA Answers: Brandi Grayson and Sheri Carter on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 14.
District 16 AHAA Answers: Jael Currie and Matt Tramel on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 16.
District 18 Anders: Rebecca Kemble and Charles Myadze on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 18.
District 19 AHAA Answers: Keith Furman and Aisha Moe on Housing & Homelessness
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance asked the City Council candidates their views on several housing questions. Here are their answers for District 19.
Madison: What will the City Council Talk About Tonight?
Nuthin'. Nothing was excluded to be talked about by the alders. I guess that is one way to keep the meetings short?
Solutions to Long Council Meetings? Reduce Public Input?
Ugh, I hate these discussions. It's been tried before, the proposed solutions are always the same and its never good for democracy.
City Week Ahead 3/15/21
28 (or 30?) meetings this week, including a Council meeting. 13 meetings (nearly half) before 4pm.
MMSD: Back to School In Person before May!
Here's the schedule, hot off the presses. News to even MMSD staff members who found out the same time we did less than an hour ago.
National Homelessness Law Center on McPike Park
A little late, since the park is already closed. But interesting comment about FEMA funds and how they are paying 100% reimbursement for funding of hotels.
Madison City Week Ahead 3/8/21
Finance committee has a full ageinda tonight, plan commission has a lighter agenda, Urban Design, Police & Fire Commisssion, Public Safety Review Committee and Executive Committee of Civilian Oversight Board all meet this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/22/21
Council meets this week. Along with many, many committees.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/15/21
Spring Primary Tuesday, so no meetings that day, but plenty of other meetings this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/8/21
Lots of real estate transactions, new location for bus barn, Madison Metro route changes, Reindahl Imagination Center and more.
Daily Round Up – 2/3/21
Oooooooooo - remember these . . . . I'm slowly getting a portion of my life back, so here's one for today!
Body Worn Cameras – Money and Science
Two members of the Body Worn Camera Comittee are asking alders, or someone, to look at how much they really cost, and science.
Madison City Council: What will they talk about tonight?
Here you go - everything will be on the consent agenda except the following and items where people register to speak or if an alder pulls something off the list.
New Police Chief Shon Barnes blows off Public Safety Review Committee
Ok - that headline might be a little unfair, but I'm a little irritated. Probably not at the new chief, but those advising him.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/1/21
Several committees getting introduced to the new police chief and the council meets this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 1/25/21
Body camera public input sesssion, finance and plan commission, co-op ordinance, land banking policy and more.
Tiny House Villages Update
I've been a bit delinquent in blogging the past few months because I've been busy helping build a tiny house village. Check it out!
Madison City Council: What will the discuss tonight? 1/19/21
Here's what was sent and it's likely to change - multiple times - before the meeting tonight.
Madison Week Ahead 1/19/21
Common Council meetings this week along with Police Oversight Exec Committee, Body Worn Cameras and more . . .
City Week Ahead 1/11/21
This week, please click on the agenda to find out how to attend the virtual meetings. I think we have the hang of this now!
Madison City Council 2021-2023 Candidates
Here's the list of who filed by the deadline according to the clerks office. 2 uncontested seats for school board and 1 uncontested judge race.
Madison City Council: What will they talk about tonight?
There were multiple updates this afternoon, I hope this is the final one!!! But it can always change at the meeting when people show up to speak or a member fo the council pulls something off the agenda.
Police Department Report on Tear Gas
This also wasn't originally on the agenda and came out late yesterday. (4:11 p.m.)
Late Breaking Important Addition to Council Agenda
Violence is bad. Council President Sheri Carter and Alder Paul Skidmore have added this item under suspension of the rules.
City Week Ahead 1/4/2021
Back in action! The next few council meeting agendas are loaded with items. Committees are also back in full swing.
Week of 12/21/20
Short week ahead, no school meetings, less than a dozen city and county meetings combined.
Madison City Week Ahead 12/21/20
4 meetings this week on Monday and Tuesday.
Week of 12/14/20
Brenda Konkel from forwardlookout.com and WORT's Dylan Brogan preview local government meeting in Dane County and Madison.
Week of 12/7/20
As it happens, a lot of closed sessions meetings this week. Forward Lookout's Brenda Konkel joins WORT's Dylan Brogan to preview local government meetings and agendas.
Madison City Week Ahead 12/7/20
There's no slowing down this week - plenty of meetings, most of them have their agendas posted, but not all.
Police and Fire Commission Name 4 Finalists for Police Chief
It's so odd that as the chair of the city's Public Safety Review Committee we have zero role in this process, but I'm glad it's moving along and I'm looking forward to working with the new chief.
Madison City Week Ahead 10/23/20
Short week, but still there are 8 meetings. Closed session police chief search discussions.
Week of 11/9/20
Big budget meetings this week in Dane County and Madison. Forward Lookout's Brenda Konkel and WORT's Dylan Brogan preview this week in local government.
City Week Ahead 11/9/20
Big plan commission meeitng with big buildings, PFC complaints and the next police chief and city budget will be passed this week!
Updates on Occupy Madison Tiny House Village at Wiggies (1901 Aberg Ave)
I blogged this yesterday at Occupy Madison, but what we accomplished in 3.5 weeks (and years of preparation) bears repeating.
Week of 10/26/20
The lovely Chali Pittman fills in for Dylan Brogan so you'll be spared the bad jokes!
City Week Ahead – 10/26/20
4th week of the month so fewer meetings, but Finance Operating Budget meeting and special Plan Commission meeting this week, plus Council meets (no agenda) but it should be for replacement of Alder Donna Moreland who resigned.
What will the council speak about tonight?
Here's the "consent agenda" for this evening - it can always change if an alder pulls something off the agenda at the last minute or if folks register to speak.
Ending Temporary Encampment and Kicking People Out of the Parks
Everyone agrees, sleeping outside in a tent in Wisconsin winter is unacceptable. But if you have no where else to go, no legal place to sleep . . . what are you supposed to do?
Madison City Week Ahead 10/12/20
There were at least 5 missing agendas this week - but . . . sorry this is late, slightly distracted.
New Occupy Madison Tiny House Project!
Well - the roll out of this didn't go as planned - but here we are and this is what I know! The last week has been a whirlwind!
What will the council talk about tonight?
It's been amended twice, but hopefully this is the correct info at this point in time!
Proposed process for hearing regarding Alder Paul Skidmore’s derogatory comment
Tonight's council discussion on the "it rhymes with blunt" comment should be interesting to watch.
City Week Ahead October 5, 2020
Council meeting, special Common Council Committee of the whole (no mayor) meeting with no agenda and lots of committee meetings.
Round Up 9/26 – 30
FAIL! Again - over a week behind on the updates . . . for a good reason you will all hear about soon.
UW Student Government vote of “no confidence” in UW Police Department
Interesting list of demands and resolution - looks like the students are taking on what many would like to see the council do.
Next steps in complaint against Alder Paul Skidmore
City attorney wrote a memo outlining what the council's next steps are in responding to the complaint against Alder Paul Skidmore.
Week of 9/28/20
Dylan Brogan rants about reducing the size of the council! How about 100 alders? and more . . . go Dylan go!
Donna Moreland resigns from Madison City Council (UPDATED)
No one I know of has seen the resignation letter, but apparently she resigned and its already been decided to fill the vacancy so close to an election?
Madison: Expect public input and info friendly changes with the Common Council
Many have tried, but COVID finally forced the city's hand, and they had to make it happen. Now permanent changes are on the way!
Additional information about the police budget
I have two pieces of info that didn't make it in our draft report I thought people might be interested in.
Council authority over police department budget
For as long as I can remember, the council has been told that the power it has over the police department, is the power of the purse.
Homeless Services Needed before winter
The Education and Advocacy Committee of the Homeless Services Consortium wrote the following letters to Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway and County Executive Joe Parisi.
Capitol Neighborhorhoods urge police reform
I never thought I'd see the day where the large downtown neighborhood consortium would be urging police reform. They call on the city to "reprioritize" the budget.
Madison City Week Ahead 9/28/20
No meetings on Monday due to Yom Kippur, joint transportation meeting, council workgroups and three Public Safety Review Committee meetings.
Mon – Wed “Daily” Round Up 9/21-9/23
Late, but still relevant information to be shared.Â
City of Madison public listening session on the police department budget
The Public Safety Review Committee formed a subcommittee to write a report, we did the best we could with limited support, and are having a public hearing, will anyone attend?
Weekend Round Up – 9/20-21
Weekend local news desert - and forwardlookout was slacking this weekend, working on tiny houses and police budget report!
Amendments to Madison Capital Budget at Finance Committee Tonight
Affordable housing, a new homeless shelter, buying a hotel for temporary housing, mental health ambulance costs? I wish . . . instead we got the following 12 amendments to the Mayor's budget.
Madison City Week Ahead 9/21/20
Capital budget amendments, public hearing on the police budget, affordable housing issues and more!
Thursday (9/17/20) and Friday (9/18/20) Round Up
Was a really busy end of the week, but here's what I have!
Complaint against Alder Paul Skidmore asking for censure and resignation
Here is a copy of the complaint against Alder Paul Skidmore with a great explanation of why he should resign.
Wednesday 9/16/20 Round Up
News round up and commentary, Dane County be a good landlord, Green Party side of the story and more.
What penalties could Alder Paul Skidmore be facing?
The city attorney Michael Haas opines. Apparently a complaint has been filed in the clerk's office.
Madison’s current thinking on implementing “mental health ambulances”
Last night at the Public Safety Review Committee we heard a report from the Fire Department on their research and recommendations/thoughts.
Daily Round Up – Tuesday, September 15th
Local government news, brush collection, International Day of Peace, 414 E Washington Ave project and MMSD referenda propaganda.
Madison: What will the Council talk about tonight? 9/15/20
Here's the "consent agenda" meaning all items on the agenda pass in one motion with the following exceptions and changes.
Week of 9/14/20
The nearly didn't happen week ahead with WORT . . . thank you Jonah!
MPD costs to pepper spray and tear gas protesters over 3 days = $$18,619
I don't feel the response to my open records request from June was satisfactory, but near as I can tell, it cost at least that much!
Monday, 9/14/20 Daily Round Up
DNR news on drinking water and PFAS, music as economic recovery and the local government news rundown.
Madison Police Department had big increase in “no knock”/”high risk” warrants in 2019
At the end of June I asked for a list of "no knock" warrants for the past 5 years, Friday I got the request back.
Which departments were aiding Madison during the May 31-June 2 initial protests?
You'd think the answer would have been forthcoming sooner than this, but I finally, 3 months later, got the answer.
Friday/Weekend Round Up 9/11-9/13
Friday usually has a dump of relevant information, and the weekends are usually very quiet. Here's what I have!
Alleged “Daily” Round Up/Catch Up
Well, that was a fail this week! Life took over and I have hardly no time for blogging . . . here's what you missed.
City of Madison Week Ahead 9/14/20
This week has it all - spending room taxes, public market, council meeting, plan commission, economic development, transportation, affordable housing, etc.
Details on UW quarantine and shift to on-line classes for 2 weeks
Here are the details from Chancellor Rebecca Blank on what is being ordered.
What you need to know about the CDC Eviction Moratorium
Good news, all properties covered, not just federally financed properties. Bad news, you have to take action to be protected and there are some limits.
City Week Ahead 9/8/20
Short week, but still 18 meetings! Starting at 8am Tuesday morning, several are in closed session.
Daily Round Up – 9/4/20
Here's your news round up and various other announcements and tidbits that didn't make it in to their own post!
Alders need better support to do their work, Skidmore needs to fess up (Updated)
I was an alder for 8 years. It seemed like I was always running into a "no" - a brick wall. There wasn't support to help you do what you wanted to do, just no. no. and no. This Alder Skidmore kerfluffle is just the latest example of the internal crap of being an alder.
More Timely, Improved Round Up
Ok - going old school, the way my round ups used to be. Going to post more frequently with more news in here - things that could be their own posts if I had more time!
With the Common Council vote with BLM or to protect the status quo?
The Civilian Oversight Board and Independent Monitor are up for a vote at the common council tonight, when we get to find out if "Black Lives Matter" is rhetoric, or if we are ready for real reform.
Delinquent Round Up
I'm not going to admit how many days its been . . . but its been a while. Here's some of the latest!
Week of August 31, 2020
Dylan and Brenda discuss upcoming meetings, that city council meeting looks like a long one!
Recommendations for Madison Police Department protest policies
One of the PSRC subcommittees has been working on reviewing the police department policies around protests. Here is our work so far, and next, we move on to recommendations.
We stand with the Madison Police Department AND want to shoot protesters
It's a real scary group of people who support the Madison Police Department, check out what they want to do! Could Madison have a Kyle Rittenhouse type incident here?
City of Madison Week Ahead 8/31/20
After their break in August the council has a looong agenda! Plus 18 other meetings, most on Wednesday.
Which Madison Police Officers are in those helmets?
MPD doesn't know. They can't tell us? So when we watch video and might catch a glimpse of a number on a helmet, there are no records that could help us verify who it was.
Supervisors and Alders raise concerns about UW “Smart” Restart (Updated)
Dane County moved "Forward" and cases spiked, now the UW is going to do a "Smart Restart" with likely similar results. Fancy well branded names can't fool science.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/24/20
Last week of August and the committees are going strong, making up for lost time due to months of not meeting while the city committee were shut down.
How to give input on next police chief?
Police and Fire Commissioner Fabiola Hamden lays it out for the LaSup email list. Here's the info.
We know what we need to do to curb gun violence
We have all the recommendations, we just don't have the follow through/political will to put the needed money in the budget.
8 Can’t Wait Changes Madison Rankings – We slid backwards!
At first we had 3 of 8, then 7 of 8, now 6 of 8 . . . turns out the last change is because they were looking at 2015 policies and we've gone backwards since then.
Roadmap to Madison Police Department Budget: Work in Progress
The Public Safety Review Committee (PSRC) has a budget subcommittee that is working on a report so people can understand the police department budget.
Two Week Round Up (8/3-8/16)
Slacker! Some of the updates are no longer relevant so I excluded them, but its a little longer than usual thanks to my slackitude!
City of Madison Week Ahead – 8/17/20
City seems to be back to normal as far as committee meetings go - except there are a large number of parks related meetings that are still cancelled.
Don’t Count on Trump’s Eviction Moratorium to help you!
I mean, you're not surprised are you? Fair warning, its empty promises.
Oh shit! What is the Mayor going to do to us now?
I don't know why, but I have a a sense of dread . . . . what she going to do to us now?
New Madison Police Chief to be paid $130,255-$175,844
Applications are due September 14th, 2020. Here's the official job announcement!
Week of August 10, 2020
Brenda Konkel and Dylan Brogan discuss what is up in the week ahead in local government meetings.
Madison Powerless to stop UW re-opening trainwreck that is coming?
Madison City Attorney Michael Haas shared a legal memo by his staff outlining the legal uncertainty of the power of public health orders over the UW.
City of Madison Wells: All have PFAS or “forever chemicals”
Get your reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter now - every single city of Madison well was tested and PFAS chemicals were found in every single one of them.
City of Madison 2nd Quarter Projections: Surplus and No Layoffs
After all the bad news and hand wringing and calls for more federal support, looks like the 2nd quarter projections have the city $2.4M in the clear.
Madison City Week Ahead 8/10/20
Policing issues discussed at Finance, PFC, PSRC, EOC, Body-worn Cameras committees, operating budget presentations by finance department and more.
Public Safety Review Committee has 28 items on its next agenda
From a sleepy committee that did nothing, to a committee with so many things to talk about it has to form subcommittees and schedule extra meetings . . . late to the game, will it make a difference?
COVID 19 and homelessness, what’s the plan?
So, in this new world we are living in, everything is constantly changing and plans made are reworked as change occurs. Focusing on the big picture and long term is hard when we don't know what the long term will bring . . . but . . . . there is a train wreck coming.
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight?
Lots of extra materials and the expected items that will be talked about tonight.
Madison Metro Bus Route Changes for the Fall
There was a 25 minute presentation/discussion at the Transportation Commission on Tuesday, and here is what they decided and what you can expect for changes in August, including when fares might return.
Madison Area Round Up Mon 7/20 – Sun 7/26
All the usual updates of upates and round ups of round up - plus a few extra things thrown in.
With reduced jail populations, do we need a new jail?
Thursday the Health and Human Needs Committee voted in favor of halting the jail, jail populations are down at least 40%, Madison police are arresting less people, we have new leadership on the Criminal Justice Council, can we actually bring our ourselves to create real change in the criminal "justice" system? Will any of this make real, meaningful change?
Madison City Week Ahead July 27, 2020
3 cancelled meetings, 4 missing agendas, 6 or 7? meetings on policing matters, development rolls on (Plan meets twice, UDC & Jt. Campus meets) and more!
No Confidence Vote in Chief Wahl by local community members and organizations
The list was literally growing as I was typing this blog post . . . so expect many more to sign on.
What will Madison City Council talk about tonight?
Well, this is what the email says . . . it may change before or at the meeting! Half the agenda has new recommendations for action by the council.
City Housing and Homelessness COVID-19 Response and Recovery Draft Strategies
What should the city be doing for housing and homelessness in recovery from COVID-19? Input needed Thursday for how to spend millions of COVID-19 funds.
City of Madison Week Ahead July 20, 2020
4 missing agendas, 6 cancelled meetings, council meets again this week then not again until August.
Madison Police Department budget memo
Unlike other departments, every year the police department puts out a memo on its operating budget request. The requests were due on the 10th but won't be available to the public until next week. Here's what they had to say.
City of Madison suspended parking restrictions . . . until further notice . ....
Seems like they were updating this almost weekly . . . but now it seems they are just admitting we are in this pandemic for a little while longer . . .
Getting serious about mental health ambulances?
I've heard people talking about this for at least the past 5 years . . . but are we getting ready to do something about it?
What will the council talk about tonight (
Here's what the alders have picked off the agenda for discussion or additional actions.
Madison Police Status Report on 177 Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations
Today the Madison Police Department report on the 177 Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations was supposed to be on the agenda for acceptance by the council, but its not.
Protest policy questions for Madison Police Chief to answer tomorrow
Tomorrow at 6pm the police chief Vic Wahl will attend the Public Safety Review Committee (PSRC) subcommittee to answer the following questions.
Week of July 13, 2020
Brenda and Dylan back at it - running down the weekly meetings for city, county and schools.
Round Up Sun – Sun, July 5 – 12
A week's worth of dumps of information that you might find of use . . . alder rounds ups give you insight into just how much they are not kept in the loop of what is going on.
City Week Ahead
Council meets this week, missing agendas, meeting cancelled and lots of scrambling to make up for lost time and address current issues.
Ordinance to prevent Madison Police from using tear gas, mace & impact projectiles
A simple ordinance has been introduced by Alder Max Presigiacomo banning the use of these "less lethal" weapons that the police department uses.
Mayor says to hire a New Madison Police Chief in the next 90 days?
What is the sudden hurry? This is kind of unreasonable and bordering on irresponsible. The hiring process will take longer than that if they start today!
Madison Police and Fire Commission Seeking Input on Next Police Chief
Groups can sign up to give input, input at PFC and other ways to provide input.
Week of July 6th
Dylan and Brenda run down what's happening this week in local government
Madison Police: Rethinking the future, where to begin?
As chair of the Public Safety Review Committee I'm still struggling to figure out how to be effective in this moment. There is so much to be done . . . and where can have the impact?
Round Up – June 29 – July 4
Lots of updates and round ups and city announcements that aren't enough for their own blog post.
Madison City Week Ahead 7/6/20
7 meetings have no agenda including Common Council Executive Committee and the Finance Committee, so I'll probably have to do a major update throughout the week. I've never seen the lack of agendas be so bad.
Cops are out of schools, what’s next?
Cops being out of the schools is just a first step, sadly there is so much more work to do. Here's what else Freedom Inc. is calling for.
Week of June 29
Forward Lookout's Brenda Konkel and WORT host Dylan Brogan walk us through this week in (virtual)public meetings in Madison and Dane County.
Alders, County Board Supervisors call for COVID-19 rebound metrics and more
Contract tracers, mandate masks in public, close bars and restaurants for in-person service and more. Plus serious questions about Chamber of Commerce roles in reopening plan when our elected officials were not asked for input.
Wed – Sun Round Up 6/24 – 28
Rounds ups of round ups and info you might be interested in.
Dane County Phase 2 COVID 19 numbers rising and why we aren’t required to...
So, the Dane County numbers are going up, up and up (4 to 5 times more new cases) and the percentage of test coming back positive are like they were end of March and beginning of April. But there's no going back . . .only forward.
Madison City Week Ahead June 29,2020
Civilian oversight of police, jail expansion at Urban Design, Oscar Mayer Special Area Plan, downtown recovery and more.
Madison Police Reported “Use of Force” Incidents for 5/30 & 5/31 – Part 2
Yesterday I blogged about the officers who clearly wrote "use of force" incidents into their police reports provided to the council. Here's some more that weren't immediately obvious when reading through all 100 pages of reports.
Votes to remove cops from Madison Schools on Monday’s school board and next council...
Both School Board President Gloria Reyes and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway announced they will be putting votes before their bodies to end the police contract with the Madison School District!
Governor Evers re-activates National Guard for Madison protests
Good grief, this can't be good . . . I thought we learned our lesson, what's next, curfew?
Madison Police Reported “Use of Force” Incidents for 5/30 & 5/31 – Part 1
In response to the alders requests about police response to initial George Floyd protests , this is what the police department released. It's 100 pages, but my guess is there are some incidents missing.
Round Up June 19 – 23, 2020
Updates of updates and more updates, city and county.
Week of 6/22/20
Here’s Brenda Konkel and Dylan Brogan with a preview of what’s happening this week in the city of Madison and Dane County.
City Employees make recommendations in response to protests
Professional and Supervisory employees call for police accountability, oppose the jail and more.
Madison Police Budget presentation 6/22/20
This is the presentation from Finance Department on the police budget to the Public Safety Review Committee subcommittee on budget.
Your questions about Madison police response to protesters
I asked on Facebook "The Madison Public Safety Review Committee will be reviewing police protest policies. What would you ask or change?" Here's the responses.
Anonymous “Urgent” letter from State St. Businesses
19 demands . . . and while they say some of the right words, their safety section is the same old, same old and they are still trying to chase people without homes out of Peace Park because its become "undesireable".
What do all of our Madison police officers do?
In the police department 2020 budget they are allocated $86,783,406 and has 116.70 civilian positions and 482 sworn positions. About 200 are patrol officers, what does everyone else do?
Vision Zero: Madison’s plan to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries
All 20 alders have signed on, the plan is moving forward, but is this what we need to reduce crashes - and injuries and deaths? Will it be enough?
Madison Capital Budget Agency Requests are (almost) out!
Tomorrow mid-day, right before the Finance Committee meeting, the agency requests will be available for the public to review, here is what they are telling us now.
Oscar Mayer’s Environmental Contamination
The city is spending $80,000 to hire a private sector attorney to represent them in the purchase of the property for the bus barn. Why?
Dane County Week Ahead 6/22/20
Court's impact on jail population and COVID-19 response, an in person meeting!!!, drama over eviction prevention money (white supremacy in action!) and more.
Madison City Week Ahead 6/22/20
Police budget, capital budget initial presentation of agency requests, business support programs, Oscar Mayer site plans, Vilas Park plan, many transit and other issues as committees begin to meet again.
Overture Cutting Staff Positions – More info on Overture’s future next week
I'm sure they'll be coming to the taxpayers with their hands out again during the next city budget . . . the only question is how much?
Mega Round Up June 4 – 18
Well that got away from me. I. Can't. Keep. Up. Interesting times we're living in. Here's some mostly City related items you might be interested in. For up to date news, see the Konkel Round Up on the home page. Updated multiple times per day.
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight – 6/16/20?
Remember, this agenda was amended about 24 hours ago, so there are additional items (surveillance cameras, letting committees meet). And there are more changes here - including removing funding for police toys.
Madison Police Union words of advice to Madison Mayor
The Madison Professional Police Officers Association (MPPOA) "take a stand" and advise the mayor on how she should have written her press releases and suggests she educate herself. They say she is "fueling the flames of discord and anger".
Madison PFC attorney misunderstands committee intent for Civilian Oversight
In response to the letter from the Police and Fire Commission (PFC) Attorney, former PFC member, ad hoc committee member and law school professor explains why PFC attorney is wrong in overlap of PFC and Civilian Oversight Board.
Late breaking items for tomorrow’s Madison City Council Meeting
4 items have been added to the Madison Common Council agenda for tomorrow - just barely under the wire to meet open meetings laws.
Madison Metro’s Use of Buses for National Guard
The Transportation Planning and Policy Board will be discussing this matter tonight at their meeting at 5:00.
Madison Police Department Impact on 40% reduction in the jail?
I was curious what the Madison Police Department changed during COVID-19 and how those changes are impacting the low jail population. Here's what I found.
Madison Police Chief response to Alders protest questions
Well, more of a 31 page non-answer with a page and a half of recapping what they say happened and only half a page of non-answers.Â
Madison Police and Fire Commission Attorney Concerns on Police Auditor and Civilian Oversight
Let the power struggle begin. Systemic change at the local level is hard when we don't control so many things. Exhibit A.
Madison City Week Ahead 6/15/20
Council meeting, civilian oversight board, Mayor visits Economic Development Commission, ALRC meets and more.
Read Past the Headlines: What did School Board President Gloria Reyes commit to?
To "incorporate a strategy of options to remove School Resource Officers (SROs) from our school buildings."Â Does that mean removing police from the schools?
Madison Police Chief Vic Wahl reports on their perspective of the protests and riots
Last night at the Police and Fire Commission meeting Acting Police Chief Vic Wahl reported on their role in the protests and riots.
Madison City Week Ahead 6/8/20
Police (Monday), police (Tuesday), police (Wednesday) and some other things known and yet to be published.
How do protesters and others want Madison Police to change?
And more importantly, how do we get our elected officials to start talking about that change?
Round Up, May 29 – June 3
It's taken me a minute to find my blogging voice again. Everything else seems trivial compared to what is going on in the streets across America.
Freedom Inc, Urban Triage, PSL Solidarity Statement
For days I've been saying that we've seen peaceful protests for years, and not much changes. I feel like I understand why people would be smashing windows at this point.
Madison (Police) Violence must stop
Council meets tonight, see you (virtually) there? The horrific display of police violence towards protesters has to stop. Police have to admit the role they played in the chaos and agree their violence must stop too. The council should demand a full investigation.
Madison City Week Ahead
Council meeting, COVID 19 updates, retroactive permissions but no extension of the emergency powers past June 2? And no change to the ordinance about committees meeting?
Round Up May 25 – 28
Salvation Army shelter and alder updates, what city committee meetings can and can't meet, protests, meeting info and more.
CDA Updates on COVID-19 and Armed Security Guards
Well, half the meeting was spend on this update, most of it on COVID-19, lack of internet services, masks, food, transportation, etc.
Public Health responds to Alders and Supervisors
I feel like its a bit of a non-answer and unsatisfactory. They say they can't get the data and they agree with some parts of the letter.
Alders and Supervisors express concern over reopening plans
Well - thank you alders and supervisors! The response from leadership was not so great.
Dane County reopening plan not supported by science
This is the full email by Dr. Gregory Gelembiuk to city and county elected officials showing why reopening now is not a good idea. It's politics and threats of legal battles vs. science yet again.
Dane County spending $24M to put homeless people in hotels, $9M would house them.
Last week I was trying to do the math on what it would take to get our homeless population in to housing . . . is there a better way the county could spend $24M.
Round Up May 19 – 24!
Not much over the holiday weekend, but several things from the end of last week.
Madison City Week Ahead
UDC and Joint Campus Committee moving developments along, ALRC discussing separated alcohol licenses 2 nights this week and still lots of cancelled meetings!
Madison Mayor: Nevermind, no furloughs
Sigh. No furloughs for now. May be re-evaluated later. Back to be "if", not "when". And other updates from the mayor.
What will Madison City Council talk about tonight – 5/19/20 (Updated)
Only two items separated for discussion. Everything else will pass with recommendations on agenda unless separated at the meeting, or the public shows up to speak.
Round Up May 13 – 18
Ya caught me slackin'. Here's the various round ups and information that doesn't merit its own post (heads up - it's long!), plus a little bit of random musings from me.
Madison Plans for August and November Elections
The Mayor will be speaking at the CCEC today. One of the handouts that she prepared for the meeting includes the following:
Week of 5/18/20
Important meetings and agenda items this week in Madison, Dane County and the Madison school district. With Forward Lookout's Brenda Konkel and WORT's Dylan Brogan
Mayor’s latest thinking on furloughs – not if, but when.
The mayor's statement from earlier today. She hopes to decide by next week.
Madison City Council to adopt new Historic Preservation Plan
The resolution includes "accepting" not "adopting" the Underrepresented Communities Intensive Survey Report as well, which includes a list of places to be considered as landmarks.
What are Madison’s Options for the Golf Courses?
Tomorrow the Task Force on Municipal Golf in Madison Parks will meet, and here are the options being provided to them.
New Madison Stormwater Ordinance moving forward
While the rest of the city committee structure was shut down, this Madison Stormwater Ordinance moved forward and is on Plan Commission and Board of Public Works agendas this week.
Madison City Week Ahead 5/18/20
At least 13 meetings still cancelled - Council, Executive Committee, Plan Commission, Golf study committee, Board of Public Works, ALRC, and several smaller committees all meeting this week.
Round Up May 10 – 12
Here's another round up of rounds up and additional city and county announcements you may be interested in.
Mayor’s Plan to re-open city services
Not really much of a plan - turning the dial not flipping the switch, plus budget info.
New Madison City Attorney
So we have a new city attorney nominated by the mayor, to be confirmed by the City Council . . . crossing. my. fingers.
Madison prohibits recording City Zoom meetings without permission
Approval is currently provided for Boards, Commission and Committee meetings that are either Type 1 or Type 2 meetings.
May 6 – 9 Round Up
One more week and I'm free from my consulting job and will have only one full-time job and Forward Lookout! Then blogging can "return to normal"!
Madison City Week Ahead 5/11/20
Keeping development rolling! Also Police and Fire Commission, Transit Commission, Finance Committee, Parks Commission and Monona Terrace committees meeting this week.
Filling Madison’s $30M budget hole for 2021 starts now?
They're not going to fill a $30M shortfall by not ordering paper and pens. And we'll be paying for some pretty expensive curb painters and grass cutters.Â
Mon & Tues Round Up – May 4 & 5
A round up of round ups and updates to from the city and county.
Madison Mayor’s 2021 Capital Budget Instructions
Call me crazy, but this looks like just about any other year when it comes to the capital budget. Mayor urges caution, justify your projects, nothing half-baked and everything will be closely scrutinized.
Week of May 4
Dylan Brogan joins Brenda Konkel from Forward Lookout to team up again to let you know what is in the week ahead - city, county and schools!
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight?
Nothing? Nothing has been pulled off the agenda for separate discussion for tonight. I'm sure they will still discuss things, tune in to find out.
Weekend Round Up – May 1 – 3
Alder and bike updates, F-16 night flights, water main flushing and that's about it for the weekend.
Madison City Week Ahead
Council meets this week, historic preservation and Oscar Mayer plans moving forward, Food Policy and Public Health and others meetings this week.
Tues-Thursday Round Up
Finishing consulting jobs and having a new full time job is kicking my butt - so here's a whole bunch of things that could be their own post if I had more time. Just a few more weeks and I'll only have one job and a blog!
Meet your new Madison City Council Executive Committee
It's not really what I expected. Seems almost counter-intuitive and the conservative end of the council. Will be interesting to see what they do. Or don't do - three weeks from now.Â
Nevermind, here’s the real Madison City Council budget schedule
There's nothing more annoying that reading materials for a meeting and then finding out they were discussing something entirely different that wasn't available to the public. Bad. public. transparency.
Weekend & Monday Round Up – April 25 – 27
I think I got it all, but some things may end up in today's round up.Â
6 Dane County Projects get WHEDA tax credit awards, other don’t (Updated)
The Valor (veterans affordable housing) and Salvation Army not funded at this time, Salvation Army not eligible.
Week of April 27th
Forward Lookout's Brenda Konkel and WORT host Dylan Brogan walk us through this week in (virtual) local government. Development, development, development.
Madison City Budget timeline and process to be decided
At Finance Committee Tuesday night they will be discussing the revised timeline for the 2021 budget and the city council process.Â
Most Madison committees shut down, development rolls on
There's only 4 meetings this week, but over 30 different developments will be discussed at the meetings. What makes development so much more important than other issues?
Friday Round Up – 4/23/20
Usual random mish-mash of useful updates from various sources, enjoy!
Madison City Week Ahead 4/27/20
DEVELOPMENT WEEK!! While everything else is shut down, development rolls on - 33 projects. 4 meetings and a yet to be noticed Common Council Executive Committee meeting?
Alders ask Madison City Committee Chairs to violate open meetings laws
I tried to tell them this at the CCEC meeting, but they didn't listen. Sent out the request, and I pointed it out again, and now, they seem to agree.
City Attorney’s Parting Cheap Shots!
For 20 years Progressive Dane has been meeting with its elected officials prior to city and county meetings . . . and now, its a problem?
Wednesday & Thursday Round Up – 4/22 & 4/23
Updates and round up, random thoughts, city face mask policy, golfing, stormwater, salt, virtual Sustainable Saturday and more.
Tuesday Round Up – 4/21/20
Alder daily round up, homeless services consortium updates and thank you to community, federal eviction moratorium, childcare for essential workers, demolitions and more.
Meet your new Madison and Dane County Leadership
Both the Madison City Council and the Dane County Board elected new leadership yesterday at their "organizational" meetings.
Madison/Dane County, where will you apply for eviction prevention dollars?
The United Way recently gave about $800,000 to over 50 agencies for eviction/homeless prevention. If you are a renter, where will you apply?
Common Council Executive Committee Recap 4-21-20
Short 40 minute meeting, mayor's update, voting on Surveillance Cameras ordinance and report without PSRC recommendation, Konkel's response after the meeting and updates from the Council President after the last meeting.
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight? (UPDATED)
This has 5 substitute pieces of legislation, an introduction item and one more missing substitute along with the consent calendar - voting for council president, looking at mayoral and council powers, following up on ad hoc police policy committee recommendatoins and more.
Madison Mayor didn’t need any emergency powers
Tonight the City Council votes on the 23 emergency orders the mayor had to make - but were any of them actually something that had to be done in an emergency? No. Not. one.
Monday Round Up – April 20
Konkel's random musings, council elects new leadership at tonight's meeting, or not? Alder updates, WHEDA looking for affordable housing input and more.
1st Quarter Madison Police Report
Shots fired down 35%, Robberies down 19%, Burglaries down 5.5%, Use of Force up 21%, African Americans 47% of arrests, 180 pages of policy changes, cops have adequate PPE and testing and more.
PSRC can meet? Or can’t? Yes? or No?
I can't make heads or tails of the answer from Council President Bidar about if PSRC can meet. I think its a no. Maybe? Wait? Also, here's what it takes for committees to meet.
Let the Public Safety Review Committee meet?
As a committee chair, I have received no communications from the city about the status of our committee and when and if we can meet.
Finance Committe Recap 4/6/20
This has the city's updates on how COVID-19 will impact the city's finances from nearly 2 weeks ago. It's a old, but still good info.
Friday & Saturday Round Up, April 17 & 18
Konkel's musings, Alder and bike updates, metro feedback and detours, water main flushing, plant sale and more.
When will Madison City Committees Meet again – the latest update
The Common Council Executive Committee met on Thursday to discuss. They never voted on anything, so it's unclear what is happening next, but here's the latest information.
Madison City Week Ahead 4/20/20
Council to act on Mayor's emergency orders, no agenda for CCEC, Olbrich, Madison Development Corporation, Board of Public Works and ALRC meetings.
Tue-Thurs Round Up – April 14 -16
Three days worth of announcements, updates, petitions, etc.Â
Round Up – Monday, 4/13/20
Alder round up, fire dept objects to closing streets, committee assignments for alders, help get masks to health care workers, Conservation Congress voting tips from League of Women Voters, stimulus checks for people who don't make enough money to file taxes and more.
Emergency Orders: Mayor Explains – Part 2
This is part two summarizing the attorney's 51 pages of memos explaining the mayor's emergency orders.
Madison Mayor’s Ethics Violations
This seems to be the most unethical city government we've had in years . . . first 2 alders, now the Mayor clearly violating the ethics laws.
Street Closures: “We shouldn’t waste a good crisis”
The mayor said "we shouldn't waste a good crisis" and here it is in action. Does anyone actually we believe we have to close streets to protect the safety of residents so bikes and pedestrians can social distance?Â
Round Up – Friday/Saturday, April 10 & 11
Konkel's observations, Alder, homeless services and bike updates, COVID-19 Wall of Shame, surveys, petitions, Conservation Congress voting, new judge appointment and more.
City Week Ahead 4/13/20
Plan Commission continues approving developments, Transportation approving bus routes and rubber stamping emergency actions taken, counting the votes from last Tuesday's election and more.
Round Up – Thursday, April 9th
Alder and homeless services updates, housing hotline, Dane County Parks open, any more mayoral orders?, city committees that are allowed to meet, bloopers and more.
Emergency Orders: the Mayor Explains – Part 1
Actually, the City Attorney's office explains in 51 pages of "Emergency Resolution Memos". I read all 51 pages so you don't have to, here's the summary! And Konkel's got questions!
Brenda Konkel new Executive Director MACH OneHealth
So, things may slow down a bit around Forward Lookout! Duty calls! Many regular posts will continue, but it will be a little harder to keep up!
Eviction Ban Updates from Legal Action of Wisconsin
FAQs and a video on the Eviction ban that was declared by the Governor on March 27th and goes through May 26th, unless extended.
Week of April 6, 2020
Local government meetings go virtual and boards of canvassers resemble a famous physics cat, in this episode of Forward Lookout for April 6, 2020.
Follow the (Coronavirus) money rolling in to Dane County
$95M is coming to the County, $24.4M for our bus system, $1.1M in CDBG funds, Small Businesses (including nonprofits) to get forgivable Payroll Protection loans, we've been declared a federal disaster area and more on the way? Who decides where that money will go?
Round Up – Friday & Saturday 4/3 & 4/4
Elections, Council and homeless services updates; Water main flushing, bike updates and more.
Madison Clerk’s Update on safe voting on Tuesday (Updated)
This is what the clerk's office sent out for those who will be voting in person on Tuesday. Looks like it was sent to poll workers.
City Week Ahead 4/6/20
Council President Shiva Bidar and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway allow one meeting, Finance. CDA and elections meetings also happening. 8 items to be decided/recommended.
Provide PPE to homeless medical shelter workers
How do people working in homeless medical shelters not have PPE? I was thinking about this all night. I'd volunteer to be in the shelters, but I have diabetes so I couldn't do it without proper protections in place. However, the shelters don't have PPE like police and fire do, not even at the medical shelter.
Round Up – Thursday, 4/2/20
Common Council, elections and homeless services updates, F-35s, CARPC, parking and parks announcements and more.
Madison Police Discipline Report – 1st Quarter
Here's the 6 disciplinary matters resulting in suspensions, additional training and letters of reprimand for incidents that happened 8/13/19 - 12/26/19.
Alder Marsha Rummel to run for state assembly seat vacated by Chris Taylor
Madison Alder Marsha Rummel Announces Bid For State Assembly!
New Madison Metro General Manager Announced
Yesterday the mayor notified the alders that they have a new Madison Metro General Manager.
Common Council Executive Committee Recap 3-31-20
Items deemed essential to talk about are creating a body worn camera committee, MPD report on Ad Hoc Committee recommendations, discussion on surveillance camera policy is referred, Mayor briefs them on COVID-19 responses and council discusses their role in government during the pandemic.
Madison Mayor’s Briefing to CCEC on COVID-19 response
Mayor walks through the priorities, what they are working on, how they are working, how they reassigned staff and much more.
Monday and Tuesday Round Up 3/30 & 3/31
City Council, Homeless, Elections, Parks Updates and more . . . several of these items deserve their own post if there were enough time in the day!
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight 3-31-20? (Updated)
Alternate to Mayor's emergency proclamation, Appeal of Amazon Facility denial by Plan Commission, sending 100 police to Milwaukee for Democratic National Convention, and more.
Madison Mayor’s Emergency Orders to cost $1.1M
Financial projections of the mayor's unilateral actions now have a fiscal note. Here's where it will cost money!
Will Madison City Council abandon their responsibilities?
Tonight on the Executive Committee Agenda as well as the Council Agenda there are several items where the council will decide if they give their statutory responsibilities to the mayor during this pandemic and so far the mayor's orders are project to cost over $1M.
Will Madison City Council oppose F-35s tonight?
The Common Council asked the Airforce to reconsider Truax "until and unless the findings of the EIS are shown to misrepresent the significant environmental impacts to those living, working, and visiting the north and east sides of Madison"Â The EIS is out, not much has changed, will the Council oppose the beddown of the F-35s tonight?
Madison Amazon facility, will the council let it go forward?
Tomorrow night, among the items on the City Council agenda is upholding the plan commission denial of the Amazon facility at 3630 Milwaukee Street. Â It takes 2/3 vote to overturn and they would risk legal action if they don't.
City of Madison Housing Helpline
The City of Madison has set up a "housing hotline" for people to call with housing problems. Here's the details I have on the City of Madison Housing Helpline.
Amid Pandemic: City, County and School Board take time off
After meetings this week, neither the City Council nor the County Board will meet until April 21st (3 weeks), School Board not meeting until the 27th (4 weeks)? Each body will meet only once in April. The mayor seems to be the only decision maker at the city at this point, with the council rubber stamping decisions. What roles should our alders, supervisors and school board members be playing in this pandemic? How are they representing us in this crisis?
115th Figher Wing (WANG/Truax) out of compliance with DNR orders
The 115th Fighter Wing out of compliance with DNR orders continues to pollute and discharge PFAS. Wisconsin Air National Guard (WANG) didn't comply with its deadlines of doing an investigation and submitting a work plan.
Round Up Saturday 3/28/20
This is mostly updates to alders. Daily Round up, elections, emergency orders, schedule of allowed committee meetings, response to metro drivers and more.
City Week Ahead 3/30/20
Governing in time of crisis - test city council meeting, Transportation Policy and Planning Board, Common Council Executive Committee, last Council meeting until April 21st (3 weeks) and Board of Public Works and that's it! Everything else cancelled.
Governor’s Orders: Landlord Entry and Evictions Prohibited
The governor issued orders today halting eviction actions (except to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking) until May 26th. But you still will be responsible for paying your rent.
Equity? 2 weeks later – Madison’s men’s homeless shelters still not sufficient for social...
Homeless men continue to be crowded into spaces where they can't social distance, and won't have a solution for night time until Monday. Day spaces to remain over-crowded.
Round Up – Thursday 3/26/20
Alder, housing, election and homeless updates, golf survey, men's shelter finally getting a larger place on Monday and more.
Madison Mayor’s 23 emergency actions
I can't believe these things couldn't wait 5 days for the council to meet. The mayor is definitely doing all she can for the business community, I haven't seen much for the average worker/renter/democracy in Madison.
Madison Mayor Declared a State of Emergency
Did you notice? It was several days ago that the Madison Mayor declared a state of emergency and I never heard about, can't find the order and it wasn't in the news.
Round Up – Wednesday 3/25/19
Alder, elections and Homeless Services Consortium Round Ups, Metro Driver with COVID-19, police stations close, democratic process shut down concerns, housing and homeless updates and much more.Â
And still, the homeless shelters wait . . .
The shelters need more space for people to be able to appropriately "social distance" and to meet basic needs, people without homes are being forced to risk their health.
Madison Police Chief hire should wait
The City of Madison Government public participation process is for all intents and purposes shut down, now is not the time to move forward with the police chief hire.
Round Up – Tuesday 3/24/30
Updates of roundups! Homeless services consortium, the City council, elections updates and more.
Finance Committee Recap – COVID-19 Budget Presentation
City Council's first remote meeting, mostly focused on the financial update by the finance department and a few other items.
Madison/Dane County Press Conference on COVID-19
A summary of what Madison, Dane County and the Public Health Department are doing due to coronavirus and reminders to the public.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts on City of Madison Budget
City has only spent $125,000 on the crisis beyond staff time. "Normal" budget process being delayed, budget will be focused on cost-to-continue and Covid-19 responses.
CDC Advice for Homeless Populations
This is the press release from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty that says what we should be doing in our community, according to the CDC.
Updates on Madison/Dane County homeless services amid COVID-19
Homeless services are not subject to the state and Madison/Dane County Public Health orders limited gathering to 10 or more people, instead, homeless people are being forced to congregate to get life sustaining needs met - food, shelter, etc.
Q&A with Madison alders in time of crisis
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.
Why aren’t Madison alders helping to set city priorities?
This isn't a knock on the alders - this is a problem with all the committees being shut down and everything being controlled by the mayor's office and the EOC and maybe, to a much lesser extent, if any, council president.
City of Madison Week Ahead – 3/23/20
Here's the items that the Mayor and Council President deemed important enough to allow the committees to meet or bodies that have enough independence they can't stop them from meeting.
Madison Area Round Up – 3/19/20
Mostly housing and homelessness related today . . . most other immediate needs issues have been resolved or are on their way.Â
What? City Attorney says Madison City Committees CAN meet?
I thought they needed to pass a law to avoid confusion, so that is what the Council did Tuesday evening. But the very next day, contradicting information was sent out?
Madison Area Round Up – 3/18/20
Here's the items not included in the basic needs guide or the Konkel Round Up news aggregation. Updating things as quickly as humanly possible.
Madison council to reconsider sending police to Milwaukee DNC
Reconsideration of sending police to Milwaukee DNC has been requested by Alder Paul Skidmore and Attorney May has directed staff not to sign the agreement.
Common Council Meeting 3/17/20 (UPDATED!)
Live blogged. Will update periodically. Controversial items referred. Will discuss meeting electronically and prohibiting committees from meeting.
Public Health Update to Madison Alders – 3/17/20
This will just be the highlights of what the alders learn as it is being live blogged.
Round Up – 3/17/20 ( EXTREMELY UPDATED!)
Things are flying at me so quickly and there are so many things to report, much of it is getting dumped here if it is not included in the basic needs guide or the Konkel Round Up news aggregation. Both those resources are being updated as quickly as I can! See end of the post for actions you can take from home!
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight? 3-17-20 (Updated)
AirBnB ordinance and Amazon being referred, discussing electronic meetings and prohibiting committees from meeting.
Week of March 16, 2020
The longer version than what you will you on WORT - Many government meetings are cancelled due to the coronavirus response. WORT's Dylan Brogan gets the latest from Brenda Konkel on what meetings are still conveying and what comes next.
Open Letter regarding Public Safety and Community Services
The Mayor and Council leadership are proposing to prohibit committees from meeting, while development and alcohol licenses might be important for the economy, what about services to low income people and public safety?
What does a Wisconsin, Dane County or Madison “State of Emergency” do?
I have found few people who can tell me anything except what most think of - calling up the National Guard and FEMA money from the federal government. What else?
Madison Mayor and Council Leadership to Prohibit City Committees from Meeting
Under the proposal of the Madison Mayor and Council leadership - only 6 committees would be allowed to meet. All others would be prohibited.
Madison and Dane County Sunday Press Conference on COVID-19 (Updated with order)
Today at 2:30 there is a press conference, you can watch it live here. They will be announcing limiting gatherings to 50 in Dane County, more school closings and more.
Madison and Dane County Plans for Government Meetings by Phone
The Common Council will meet on Tuesday and the County Board will meet on Thursday. They both have plans to pass ordinances allowing them to meet by phone.
City of Madison Week Ahead? – 3/16/20 (Updated)
At the moment there are at least 6 cancelled meetings. I'd expect more by next week. One one meeting noticed with people appearing by phone. Conoronavirus update and Council meeting plus so much more.
How does Madison function with 20% of our police at Milwaukee DNC?
During the Democratic National Convention people will be staying in Madison because the hotels are all full in Milwaukee and surrounding areas, bar time could be 4:00am and yet will we be down 100 police officers here in Madison. How does that work?
City of Madison Meeting Rooms: No Chairs, Noisy, etc.
City meeting rooms, new and old, are a disastrous place to try to hold a meeting. Having a place to sit and being able to hear seem like basics.
Coronavirus: An Opportunity to Enhance Local Government Engagement? (Updated)
Could coronavirus put local government's plans to make government more accessible on steroids?Â
Catching Up: Plans for Reindahl Park Imagination Center
Tonight the Parks Commission and Library Board will be hearing a report on the "Imagination Center" at Reindahl Park. Here's a sneak peak.Â
Week of March 9, 2020
The long version of what you can hear every Monday on WORT's evening news - the chatty version.
City of Madison Finance Committee Recap 3/9/20
Items discussed in this 3/9/20 Finance Committee recap include managerial pay, rainbow murals, senior services and sending 100 police officers to Milwaukee for the Democratic National Convention.
City of Madison Mayor’s Schedule Week of 3/9/20
Meetings with County Executive Joe Parisi, a couple area mayors, the new school superintendent, non-profit staff meeting, MG&E, several community individuals and staff.
Evening F-16 flights at Dane County Airport this week
With the decision about the F-35s looming over the community, this seems like an odd choice. Feels like they are taunting us at this point.
Airport Consultants Lobbying for F-35s
Mead and Hunt aren't only the consultants on the Jail Project, they are consultants for the PFAS contamination at the airport as well. And, seem to be lobbying in support of F-35s. Does that seem right to you?
Feedback on Madison Metro Bus Route Changes
If you ride the bus have you checked for Madison Metro route changes that might impact you? Feedback mostly seems to be about the UW Campus Route, Route 3, bus stops and Route 35. Hearing on Wednesday! Send you comments in today!
What’s going on with the Madison Police Chief hire?
It's been over 5 months and the Police and Fire Commission has had a dozen meetings since Chief Koval resigned and still no plan for the hiring process has been announced, no search firm has been hired, there hasn't even been an call for applications (RFP or Request for Proposals.)
City of Madison Week Ahead – 3/9/20
Lots of development projects at Plan and Urban Design, Historic Preservation Plan, Metro Route Changes, sending 100 cops to Milwaukee, surveillance report, decriminalization of homelessness and several committees talking (affordable) housing.
Madison Fire Department Animal Rescue?
Swans, cockatiels and oxygen masks for pets. When did Madison Fire Department start being animal rescue?
Round Up – Thursday 3/5/20
Why the city attorney's office advises minutes to only contain motions and votes, no notes on discussion items, alder communications survey and more.
Another Madison Alder, Another Alder Ethics Violation
It seems like the city is dropping the ball on training our elected officials about ethics. Regardless, Alders need to take responsibility for understanding the rules so we don't have yet another alder ethics violation.
Week of March 2, 2020
Audio version of the three Week Ahead Posts and longer version than you will hear on WORT 89.9 on the Monday evening news.
City of Madison Mayor’s Schedule Week of 3/2/20
Mayor's meeting schedule this week includes Chamber of Commerce, Urban Land Interests, Wisconsin State Treasurer, several community events now listed and tons of meetings with city staff.
Alder Sheri Carter’s Undisclosed Conflict of Interest
Alder Carter has voted for over a quarter of a million dollars, that I could verify, for the non-profit where she is the president of the board. Alder Carter clearly has a conflict of interest she should have disclosed.
“Informal” City-County Homeless Shelter Committee Exposed
This morning Dean Mosiman from the State Journal had an excellent article about the "barely humane" men's homeless shelter. But did it expose illegal meetings by the "informal" city-county homeless shelter committee? And what exactly is this committee doing? Here's what I found out.
Large Property Owners to Sue City of Madison for $1.4M
Large property owners are again challenging their assessments and threatening to sue the City of Madison for $1.4M. Can you imagine what the city could do with that money? Or what they will do without it?
Does Dane County Census Office need more workers?
Elected officials keep talking about the census jobs they need to fill. Question is, do they need more people to apply, or do they just need to process the applications they have?
City of Madison is going to the dogs! Literally.
The new parks policy is one thing, but the ordinance change opens it up so any department or division, not the city council, will allow dogs on Madison property.
Changes to Madison’s Bike Registration Program?
TPPB will consider if the program should be repealed or if Madison's bike registration program will enhance outreach and enforcement. Or will it just continue as is?
City of Madison Week Ahead – 3/2/20
Another council meeting this week, affordable housing fund review, dogs in parks, golf public input meeting, SSM Health, Judge Doyle Square and Public Market developments, Canopy liquor license, flood mitigation, Air BnB ordinance and more messed up agendas.
Rep. Chris Tayor and Community Response to Final EIS on F-35s
At 10:30 today there was a press conference where Rep. Chris Taylor and community leaders spoke about the final Envionrmental Impact Statement on the F-35s and what is said, or didn't say!
Local Government Ignores the Basics of Resident Engagement
This week the City of Madison agendas are a mess, the county only posts some agendas on-line, School Board meets in closed session more often than open and doesn't have minutes for months, and the School Board, City and County have been posting meeting a day or two before the meeting.
Madison City Council Recap 2/25/20
Recap of Madison City Council meeting lasting just a little over one hour. They referred Amazon, dogs in parks, AirBNB and more.
Common Council Executive Committee Recap 2/25/20
Mayor, task force on government structure, employees climate survey, 2021 budget and replacing legistar are all on the CCEC agenda!Â
Upcoming Changes to the City of Madison 2021 Budget Process
Council members are talking about ways for the council to be involved prior to the Mayor's 2021 budget coming out and how to educate the public about the budget.
What’s Next After the City of Madison Workplace Climate Study?
City staff had a lot to say about how they are treated in the workplace and the results of the City of Madison Workplace Climate Study were quite embarrassing.Â
What Will the Madison City Council Talk About Tonight (2/25/20)?
Seems like there was a page missing from what was sent out? Or maybe not? At this point, they will talk about nothing.Â
Madison Area Round Up Tuesday, 2/25/20
F-35s, Town Hall Meetings, Surveys, Bus route changes, demolitions, where will BRT go on the West side, South Madison changes and more.
Fire! Prescribed Burns Coming to Your Madison Neighborhood?
It can be startling to see fire and smoke in your neighborhood, but sometimes, it's a good thing!Â
City of Madison Mayor’s Schedule Week of 2/24/20
3 meetings with the County Executive this week! All the rest of the meetings are, believe it or not, with city staff or city council. Believe it?
City of Madison Week Ahead 2/24/20
Council meeting this week (AirBnB, Dogs referred) but robot delivery and transit study RFP for approval, downtown alcohol meeting of ALRC, public market and Judge Doyle Square at Plan Commission and more.
Media Fail: EIS on F-35s is a decision making tool, not a decision
Reading local headlines one would be led to believe that the EIS was some sort of determination that Madison is still the number one choice for F-35s. That is not what an EIS is . . .
City of Madison Surveillance Report and Ordinance Changes
Tonight the Public Safety Review Committee is looking at the Surveillance report and ordinance that a President's Workgroup worked on for the last 2+. Changes are a comin!
Round Up Wednesday 2/19/20
Transportation and PFAS Surveys, Metro Bus Route Changes, Flooding Solutions, Poetry Contest and Bike Updates.
Final EIS for F35s is out – How did Madison Rank?
This is a quick look at the final Environmental Impact Statement released today by the Air National Guard. It contains their analysis of how they will impact our community or 4 others.
City of Madison Mayor’s Schedule Week of 2/17/20
Items the mayor is meeting about this week, Performance Excellence, Public Market, Complete count, public health, water utility finances, Freedom Inc, Benjamin Olneck-Brown, police and more . . .
City of Madison Week Ahead – 2/17/20
Where should Downtown BRT go?, special Plan Commission meeting on policies, Surveillance report, poisons used in public housing, Visions and Canopy alcohol licenses, future of municipal golf and more.
Madison: Armed Guards in Public Housing on Agenda Tonight
Tonight the City of Madison's CDA (Community Development Authority) will decide if they will continue to have armed security guards patrolling their public housing units. Why do the security guards need guns?
Video: F-35s, PFAS, Truax and You – A Forum
In case you didn't brave the snowy weather on Sunday and missed the forum, here's the video for you and shorter clips if you want to skip around!
City of Madison Finance Committee Recap 2/10/20
The committee asks questions about the Bus Rapid Transit Bus Route Study, Judge Doyle Square Consultant, Cross-fit Games closing Olin Boat launch and the 5-year Community Development plan.
City of Madison Mayor’s Schedule Week of 2/10/20
Digital Inclusion Summit, Team City Employee recognition, County Executive Joe Parisi, MMSD Interim Superintendent Jane Belore, "Human Services Team", Bloomburg Harvard class, Mayors Institute on City Design meeting and more.
George is back for more money…Judge Doyle Square money pit continues
$306,500 and counting. Since 2011 the city has been paying a consultant for this boondoggle that seems to be a nightmare that never ends.
First look at where our City of Madison wheel tax is going
During the budget discussion on the wheel tax, they kept talking about all the studies that would be done for BRT. Here's a look at the what is expected from the study about changing our bus routes to complement BRT.
Snow Emergency: City Plans to tow . . .
Here's the snow emergency info and the email telling downtown alders that they plan to tow if you get a ticket tonight and for the next few days.
F-16s will be flying during evening hours this week
Here's the notice from the Wisconsin Air National Guard with the times that they will be taking off or landing at the Dane County Airport.
Madison City Week Ahead 2/10/20
Madison Metro Network Study RFP, more consulting for Judge Doyle Square, Surveillance Report, Electric Vehicle Charging and AirBnB ordinances, Public Market, Judge Doyle Square and Hub II at Urban Design, dogs in parks, PFAS at Sewerage District, armed security guards at CDA housing, Education Committee meets and more!
MG&E wants “up to” $45M but can’t tell the Madison City Council why
So, the Madison City Council tried to get the answers out of Larry, Darryl and Darryl to no avail. The best answer is, they will tell us later when they figure it out. Here's the details! Or lack thereof.
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight? (Updated)
Koval and Bus Rapid Transit resolutions will be withdrawn. Plastic straw ordinance, approving City Engineer and Director of Planning, Community and Economic Development, Performance Excellence presentation and more.
MG&E projects that require $65M are . . .
MG&E answers what projects they need $65M for. Prepare for disappointment in their answer. Council votes tonight.
Week of February 3
This week in local government: The Dane County boards support a union for UW nurses. Madison takes aim at robots on sidewalks. And the Madison school district puts pen to paper on a contract for its new superintendent.
City of Madison Mayor’s Schedule Week of 2/3/20
Lots of meetings with staff, meetings with former alder Barbara Vedder, Greater Madison Convention and Visitor's Bureau's Deb Archer and transportation, planning, engineering, fianance, sustainability and fire staff.
DELAYED: When is the Judge Doyle Square Parking Garage going to open?
It was supposed to be in December, then January . . . now it's postponed til June!! Along with other pieces of the project.
City of Madison Council will NOT honor Retired Chief Koval on Tuesday
On Tuesday's agenda there is a resolution honoring former Chief Mike Koval. That resolution is now going to be "placed on file" - why?
PFAS Found: Will the City of Madison Shut Down Well 9?
Well 9 is one of the 3 wells that has the highest levels of PFAS in it according to the most recent well testing, but it is unlikely to be shut down like well 15. Here's why.
City of Madison Week Ahead 2/3/20
Public Safety Review Committee figuring out its role, prohibiting personal delivery devices on city sidewalks, borrowing $65M for MG&E, AirBnb ordinance and more.
Round Up – 1/31/20
PFAS, digital inclusion, f-35s, eviction clinic closed this week, youth homeless county, upcoming demolitions, snow plow updates and more!
What is the Madison City Council’s Plan for the Government Reform Report?
At the Common Council Executive Committee meeting council members discussed what to do with the report on changes to our government structure. Here's what they had to say.
Why does MG&E need the City to borrow $65M?
I was really hoping someone would ask questions at the finance committee Monday night, but they didn't. Perhaps they have memos and info the public can't see?
2019 City of Madison Annual Planning Division Report
Plan Commission was 6 hours Monday night, here's the small portion where they got a report on 2019 City of Madison Planning activities.
City of Madison Finance Committee Recap 1/27/20
Moving formerly confidential staff into the same job classifications as other staff now that there is no collective bargaining, workplans required in department and division head contracts and stormwater rates increasing 13%, not 10% as passed in the budget and how they will prioritize stormwater/flooding projects.
Week of January 27th, 2020
Dane County will get the latest design plans for the new jail. The city of Madison considers hiring new department heads and a lot of new housing units. And the Madison school board meets in closed session again, this time to discuss expected litigation.
City of Madison Mayor’s Schedule Week of 1/27/20
Lots of meetings with staff, meetings with the YWCA and Catholic Charities. Meeting with Joe Parisi (County Executive). A couple transportation meetings plus parks, engineering, public health, senior center, community development and more. Oh, and don't forget Terrace Town!
What’s in the Oscar Mayer Development Plan?
On Friday the City released a new Oscar Mayer Development Plan and they will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, January 30th at 6pm. (910 Oscar at OM Station)
City of Madison to ticket and tow Monday and Tuesday!
If you live in one of those areas where parking is restricted on one side of the street for a couple hours every week - you've been warned. While they sporadically ticket, and they hardly ever tow, that will not be the case this week!
What is the Dane County doing to clean up PFAS at the County Airport?
Here's what the County Attorney had to say to the Lakes and Watershed Commission last Thursday. They have complied with all the DNR requests. But can they do more?
Dane County/Madison Public Health on PFAS & Fish Advisories
Don't eat fish from Lake Monona or Starkweather Creek more than once a month, bluegills can be eaten once a week. See what else the public health department has to say!
Pierre Sprey on the F-35 Boondoggle (Video)
F-35s blow up if they get hit by lightening? They can't fly if the sun is out and its too hot? They won't be a defense for the midwest, they can only fly short distances without being refueled and more.
City of Madison Week Ahead – 1/27/20
Eliminating the Committee on the Environment, Borrowing for MG&E, new Planning, Community and Economic Director, Historic Preservation Plan, Board of Health Intergovernmental Agreement, busy Urban Design Agenda, golf and more!
Madison Plans to Tow Cars
Bummed is what you are when you go out to your car and it's been towed . . . don't be bummed.
Round Up 1/23/20
Didja miss me? 3 trips to the ER and 2 admissions, but I'm back! Here's a round up of a bunch of random that I didn't cover in the past week.
Natural Gas Leak at Former Downtown MATC Campus
Please avoid the area of Johnson, Dayton, North Carroll and Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Madison.
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight? (Updated)
Truly you never know! But, this is what they have picked out in advance - Ad Hoc Police Policy and Urban Forestry Report. They will also likely talk about items people show up to speak about.
City of Madison Week Ahead – Committee Agendas
What's next with the Structure of City Government report, 2021 budget process, AirBnB ordinance, Ad hoc Police Policy, employee survey and Urban Forestry reports at council meeting, plastic straw ordinance and more this week.
City of Madison Workplace Climate Survey Report
Seems like we have a lot more work to do on gender equity. The report is a very interesting read. There was even a comment about me/the mayor in there! Sigh.
Take Action: Trump trying to undo Fair Housing laws
Comment due to the federal government by March 16 - see below from the National Low Income Housing Coalition to get more info and submit comments. Consider commenting today.
Defensive: Fiscal Note on Government Changes
Seems the finance department is feeling a little defensive about criticisms of their fiscal note on the Task Force on Government Structure Report.
Round Up
Hello world! Here's a little round up of things that have come up in the last week you may be interested in - all local government or community related.
Madison Snow Emergency Cancelled
It's time to complain about the cities snow plowing strategy . . . the city unpredictable then blames the people who park downtown.
City of Madison Week Ahead 1/13/20
Highlights for this week include Public Market Financing Update, Truman Olson Update, Urban Design (Exact Sciences, LaFollette H.S, & Children's Museum, ALRC (Visions, Garver, Canopy) and the future of golf.
Still time to file to run for District 8 alder!
Doh! I should have realized this when I was looking at the files yesterday - deadline extended til Friday at 5:00.
City Towing Policy? Or retaliation?
Ok - so when cars on Willy Street are towed because they parked in the overflow lane the city tows their car around the block. Yesterday, my car was towed (long story) and they towed it 1.5 miles from Wilson St. by the Municipal Building to Park St. & W. Wash. Is that normal?
What will the Madison City Council talk about tonight?
The Madison City Council is expected to pass everything as noted on the agenda in one big "consent agenda" motion, except for items noted below, anything an alder separates at the meeting or items the public shows up to speak on.
Week of January 6th, 2020
Dane County is getting feedback on how it provides mental health services, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is talking transit and the search for a new superintendent for the Madison public schools continues.
Mayor Rhodes Conway: MetroForward
Monday night at the Transportation Planning and Policy Board, the agenda said that they mayor would be doing a presentation on Metro Forward - but she started off by saying that she wasn't doing a presentation and that she wasn't only going to speak to Metro Forward. Here's what she had to say - spoiler alert - its all over the place and not much about MetroForward.
Absurd Fiscal Note on Government Reform
I hope the $3M price tag assigned to the Task Force on Government Structure Report doesn't prevent the easy and doable things from happening, and soon! Â
Who Governs Dane County and Madison Public Health Department?
The County Board and City Council both pass the department budget, and from time to time you see ordinances changes, but who is in charge the rest of the year? Looks like no one.
How Does Madison Rank in Criminalizing Homelessness?
Well, according to the Housing Not Handcuff's report - not good, not the worst. However, I believe they missed a few of our ordinances and we rank worse than the report shows. The City-County Homeless Committee will be reviewing this report tonight.
City Week Ahead 1/6/20
Back to reality! A couple dozen meetings this week including council meeting (Edgewood), Mayor talking about MetroForward, criminalization of homelessness, analyzing city crash reports, park master plans and more.
Local Government Guide is Back!
This work was initially done by myself, Brenda Konkel, for Progressive Dane about 3 years ago. Technical difficulties happened and over the past three years I continued some of the work here at Forward Lookout. I'm in the process of merging the work and expanding the guide. Let me know what you think!
How Much is in Candidate Campaign Warchests?
I took a look at what people had in their campaign accounts coming in to the 2020 Spring Elections for Madison City Council, Madison School Board and Dane County Board of Supervisors - for those who had campaign accounts in 2019. Here's what I found.
Madison/Dane County/School Board Hide Behind Open Meetings Laws?
So, nothing is worse than when public officials use open meetings laws to thwart public information. I was reminded about how they did that with the Cap Times during the F-35s debate. See what I found in my open records request.
Madison and Dane County Week Ahead
There are two local government meetings this week at the City of Madison, Madison School Board and Dane County Board . . . that we know of.
2 more new Madison housing reports
We seem to be awash in housing reports, I have one additional one to blog about as well. Here's the 2 latest reports that came out today.
Madison Area Round Up
A round up of things you may be missing around the holidays. Not much going on with local Madison, Dane County and School Board government, but here's a few things that may be of interest.
Catching Up: Madison Historic Preservation Plan
Madison's Historic Preservation Plan is near completion, so what? Let's find out. I'm catching up, you can follow along!
New Madison Police Policies for Comment
9 more polices to be commented on over the holidays, deadline January 6th when many people are just returning to work.
Catching Up: Madison Use of Surveillance Technology
For nearly 2 years a committee has been quietly working on new rules for the City of Madison's use of tools to watch and gather data about you. What have they come up with?
No Week Ahead!
Enjoy the government meeting free holiday week! No city, county or school board meetings scheduled for next week!
Process to Review Madison Police Operating Procedures
In September the Madison Police Department started posting policies for review on their website. Now they have posted a policy on how procedures will be reviewed annually, every other year or every three years.Â
Week of December 16th
Madison, WI - A brief rundown of the week ahead for City, County and School Board meetings covered on Forward Lookout in podcast format.
Homeless Persons Cannot Be Punished for Sleeping in Absence of Alternatives!
What does this mean for Madison? Supreme court denied reviewing the case that upheld Martin v. Boise! Now what?
Madison Fire Department Switches to PFAS-free Foam!
As the chair of the Public Safety Review Committee I just sent an email asking for an update about this! So glad the Fire Department is on top of these things!
Madison Voters: Check Your Voter Registration! (Updated)
Alders were asked to help spread the word. As of last Friday you may have been taken off the voter registration lists.
Which Madison Parks strategies/policies should be priorities in 2020
The Parks Long Range Planning Committee is meeting on Wednesday to look at what policies they should work on in 2020.  What would you like to see changed?
Madison City Week Ahead
Madison, WI - Arts and Rallies in Madison Parks, Visions/Silk Exotic East Gentleman's Club licenses, final (?) Historic Preservation and Urban Forestry Plans, Housing Snapshot presentation and meaty Tenant-Landlord agenda (if they meet).
Madison adds highest percent of police of WI cities
A new report out shows in the past 10 years (2008-2018) Madison added 10.6% more officers, the highest in the state.
CDA to “Dispose” of 32 units of Scattered Site Public Housing
CDA has big plans for scattered site public housing, Straubel Court and the Triangle. They are starting with the Scattered Site housing with a resolution on their agenda today.
Armed Security Guards in Madison Public Housing?
On Thursday, CDA will consider authorizing armed security guards in Madison's Public Housing. Would you want armed security guards roaming the hallways of your home?
Will TIF Solve Financial Issues with Annexation of the Town of Madison?
Thursday the TIF Review Committee is meeting and they will be hearing a presentation from staff about how TIF could be used in South Madison to solve challenges with the annexation of the Town of Madison.
What Should the Madison Public Safety Committee Work On?
Like the Education Committee, the Public Safety Review Committee is determining what to focus on in the next year? What would you say?
Brief Madison Plan Commission Recap
Edgewood campus master plan repeal denied, Park St. grocery lot rezoned, Reach Dane Daycare approved, Oscar Mayer Land division, alcohol zoning overlay ordinance approved and more.
No one running for some seats on School Board and County Board
41 seats up for elections, 2 are contested and 9 have no one filing anything. 2 people officially on the ballot so far. Papers due January 7th - 29 more days. Media silence, so who even knows they should be thinking about running?
Input Needed for New Madison Police Procedures
There are 7 new Madison Police Department "Standard Operating Procedures" that are open for comment and review right now. Check them out!
Trumps Appointment of Robert Marbut will destroy US Homeless Policies
Madison, WI - Good grief! Our policies around homelessness were already in need of reform, but appointing this man who wants to hide homeless people, ban feeding them and criminalize homelessness to lead the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness is a nightmare. See what you can do ASAP.
What should the Madison Education Committee work on?
Officially, this is the City of Madison Committee, but it has Alders, Dane County Board Supervisors and School Board members along with Mayor and School Superintendent reps. It could be an impactful group! They voted to change the name to City, County, Schools Collaborative Committee (CCSCC). They were almost convinced to disband, but were re-energized with new members after the elections last spring and are discussing what they should be working on.
Companies Doing Business with Madison Failed to File Affirmative Action Reports
There's 30 companies doing $???? business with the City of Madison that were served Cure Default Notices for failing to submit approved Affirmative Action Plans. Some of them should surprise you
Which Madison Police Officers Are Getting Promotions?
Look who's getting promoted where - every year there is a shuffle as police get the Madison police staff get different assignments, but this year, it seems like a lot more changes going on.
Madison City Week Ahead
Madison, WI city council committee meetings this week. Madison Equitable Workforce Plan, Edgewood, rezoning 1402 S. Park St (future grocery), Overture contract, stormwater ordinance revisions, campus building heights, design of new jail, Public Safety Review Committee and Education Committee priorities, South Madison TIF, Orchard Ridge Park Master plan, CDA repositioning public housing and armed security guards, surveillance committee report and much more.
Madison Public Market Updates
Madison, WI - This is the update for the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2019. It goes into detail on the capital financing plan, ownership structure, design, bidding and construction process and land use and construction approvals. It's getting closer to being real after all these years! But there is a lot to be done before March 2020.
Round Up for Madison and More – Fri 12/6/19
Madison, WI - The long night homeless memorial, police survey, census update, voter "mover" notice, new fair housing app, parks updates and more!
Common Council Recap
A LOT happened on this agenda, but there was virtually no discussion of any substantive issues in the 1 hour and 10 minute meeting. Many lobbyists attended and registered to support their items.
Public Health Madison & Dane County Immunization Policy Position Statement
Tonight Public Health Board for Madison and Dane County will be considering the following position statement and making the following recommendations:
Urban Forestry Task Force Recommendations
Seems like this report has been going on forever and bouncing around from agenda to agenda. Today at noon they will continue discussing. Here's what they're looking at now.
Transportation Policy and Planning Board Recap
No to ordinance to save Green Cab $4,000 to avoid reapplying for license, wheel tax revocation if RTAs are again allowed and beltline shoulder usage. Complete streets discussion, BRT, a parking study the staff team turned into a Transportation Demand Management study and more.
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight? (Updated)
Nothing? Here's the consent agenda an no alders have pulled any items to be discussed tonight. McKinney, Carter and Kemble will all be absent.
If you had half a million dollars to spend on affordable housing . ....
Would you give it to Salvation Army or Judge Doyle Square? Tonight, both projects are on the council agenda to get funding from the affordable housing fund. Which is a better deal?
Cats and Dogs Oh My!
Do you register your cat, or dog? Or bike for that matter? Cat fees going up, "dog license tax" going up! Fees and taxes going up, up, up as the city tries to stay under the state imposed levy limits.
Forward Lookout on WORT
The impact of F-35s on affordable housing, Urban Forestry fee going up and Madison elementary name change, all these agenda items and more with Forward Lookout's Brenda Konkel and Dylan Brogan.
Neighbor’s Appeal of Salvation Army Plan Commission Approval to Be Denied (Updated)
Neighbors fail to have have sufficient signatures for the appeal of the conditional use for the Salvation Army.
Beltline Shoulder Usage a Racial Equity Issue? (Updated)
Here's the city staff report on Beltline shoulder usage that will be discussed at the Transportation Policy and Planning Board tonight at 5:00. I was surprised by the staff spin on the issue.
Catching Up: What Happens When Town of Madison Goes Away
In October 2022, how will Madison and Fitchburg split the Town of Madison's assets? What will happen to their employees? How does this work with redistricting? Are the town's properties under assessed and what happens with the city's higher tax rates? How will we give Town residents the same level of service when we won't get levy increases sufficient to do the work? So many questions!
Time to Start Circulating Nomination Papers!
Today is the day that candidates for County Board (37 Seats!), School Board (3 seats) and City Council (1 seat) can start circulating nomination papers . . . but shockingly few have filed paperwork to allow them to begin!
Round Up Saturday 11/30/19
Looks like its time to clean out my inbox! Here's some things you might find of use! Parks, Bikes, Buses, Events, MPD survey, downtown neighborhood news and more.
Video from No F-35s Black Friday Protest at Capitol
Music (Mary Gaines and Chris Wagoner), great speakers (Vicki Berenson, Brian Benford, Angela Jenkins, Jesse Pycha-Holst, Brandi Grayson and Rebecca Kemble) and more music (Lou and Peter Berryman)!Â
City Week Ahead
Repealing the Wheel Tax if RTA can be created, Beltline proposal, complete streets, downtown BRT, F-35s impact on housing, stormwater ordinance changes, Council Meeting (Salvation Army and Judge Doyle Square Affordable Housing funds, Judge Doyle Square agreement, Truman Olson developer chosen, Tree Tax, appeal of demolition by neglect at 121 Langdon, plastic straws ordinance, water utility bonds and Visions liquor license) and more!
Thankful: A Tiny Step Towards Housing (formerly) Homeless Individuals
Recently Occupy Madison held a 5 year anniversary party for the Occupy Madison Tiny House Village - and it was a reminder that the hard work and perseverance was so worth it. Here's a brief look at the event and how you can help.
Black Friday No F35s Protest at the Capital
Music and speakers noon - 1, march at 1:00. Here's the details and other Safe Skies Clean Water updates.
Plan Commission Recap
MMSD projects requiring Plan Commission approval if referenda passes and capital view height discussions. Edgewood, rezoning Truman Olson and 636 W. Wash at 12/9 meeting.
Finance Committee Recap
Beyond the headlines. Â New opioid grant and Addiction Resource Police Officer position, Urban Forestry Special Charge (Tree Tax), continued leaf pick up until the weather prevents them from collecting leaves, year end budget adjustments ($2M to Fire, $1M to Police), Judge Doyle Square agreement (land use application in Jan and should sail through the neighborhood, garage opens 2/1, construction starts 6/1) and Truman Olson developer chosen. Â About a half a dozen paid lobbyists showed up along with union workers and people seeking affordable housing and other community priorities in the Truman Olson development.
City Bond Ratings “Return to Stable Outlook”
I believe Madison has enjoyed a Aaa Bond rating as long as I've been paying attention - 25+ years. Â Here's the latest for city, sewer, water and CDA.
Truman Olson Development Conditions and Back Up Plan
While the City is choosing to negotiate with Rule Enterprises, there are some pretty big conditions on final approval as well as choosing Gorman Companies as the back up plan.
Which City Departments Stuck with their Budgets?
Every year there are "year end adjustments" to the City budget. Â And they spend the last of the "contingent reserve" which is usually a little over $1M that they set aside for unbudgeted emergencies. Â Lets see who went over budget this year and why . . . (psst, police ($1M) and fire ($2M) get more money as per usual)
Tree Tax Going Up, Up, Up
With state imposed levy limits local governments are forced to find new ways to raise taxes. This year's debate was about the Wheel Tax, but look what's been happening with the Tree Tax.
City Week Ahead
5 meetings. Â Or? Â More? Â Funding for affordable housing (Judge Doyle Square & Salvation Army), negotiating team for Truman Olson, Judge Doyle Square agreement and more.
Who’s Running in Spring Elections?
41 seats are available for County Board, Madison School Board and City Council. People can start circulating nomination papers in 9 days! Are you ready?
Final Recommendations on Changes to City Government
Tonight the committee is going to finalize their recommendations and report to the Common Council, here's what they are recommending! It's a quick read in list format.
Common Council Executive Committee Recap
Short half hour meeting. Vision Zero, Transportation Studies, Independent Monitor, Recommendations on Government Structure, budget process for next year and more.
Round Up, Tuesday, 11/19/19
A bit overdue, but here's what I've got!
What is the Council Talking About . . . Right Now?
Ugh, I'm hopelessly behind with my latest computer woes (my home computer won't be back until Saturday) making everything twice as difficult at the moment . . . but here's the consent agenda for tonight! For the meeting that started already.Â
City Week Ahead
Sorry this is late. Technology is awesome, until it isn't. 4 meetings are over, but don't worry, there are 31 more left for this week, including a council meeting tonight.
Catching Up: Plans to Redevelop East and West Towne Areas
This is from the Plan Commission Monday night, and was an amendment during the Finance Committee Budget meeting. Â Here's what the city plans to do.
Council Budget Meeting Recap – Night 2 Capital Budget (Amdmts 7 – 12)
This is the last amendments to the Capital Budget (Reindahl Library, Hartmeyer property, Vision Zero, traffic signal), the vote on the entire capital budget and the setting the levy with lots of thank you.
Council Budget Meeting Recap – Night 2 Capital Budget (Amdmts 1 – 6)
Purchasing an ambulance, affordable housing fund and quiet zones.
Council Budget Meeting Recap, Night 2 Operating Budget
Independent Auditor survives, FIC gets their funding and the rest of the operating amendments are here.
Common Council Budget Recap – Night One, Part Two
This is the police officer discussion and the approximately last 2 hours of the meeting. Â Fear and perception vs. fact and we need data people can use to decide how many police we need.
City Council Budget Recap – Night One, Part One
A brief summer of roughly the first 4 hours - public input and 9th ambulance, with related budget cuts including the independent auditor (also amendment 4)
Homeless Bills Stalled in Legislature til January
Here is the update from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Homelessness. Â This is an initiative both the city and county have given a couple thousands of dollars a year to.
Finance Committee Recap
Beyond the headlines. Â Housing Initiates job going away, city to negotiate removing concrete barriers blocking bike path, Judge Doyle Square discussion and 3rd Quarter Budget updates, which departments are going over their budget and why?
2 Changes in City Budget Process
Operating Budget will be considered first and a portion of the budget will require a two-third vote to violate budgeting policies.
Let’s Make Data Driven Decisions on Police
Do we really need more officers? Â Or do we need police officers to stick with policing activities and find resources for other needed services? Â Greg Gelembuik spells it out for us, with data!
Round Up – Monday, 11/11/19
Snow plowing updates, F-35 updates, Judge Doyle Square neighborhood meeting, upcoming events and neighborhood meetings and more!
No Public Input on Edgewood at Plan Commission?
Wow. Â They haven't had public input since August but the public hearing has been closed. Â It's unconscionable that Plan Commission wouldn't re-open the public hearing and allow public input.
Final Negotiation on Judge Doyle Square Housing?
On Monday, the Finance Committee will go into closed session to determine if they will accept the final negotiations of the staff team. Â Here's the information that is avaialble to the public.
City Week Ahead
Council budget week - will they get done in one night? Â Edgewood College and Salvation Army at Plan Commission, Judge Doyle Square final negotiations?, PFC set timeline for hiring chief?, repositioning public housing and more.
13 City Capital Budget Amendments to Finance Committee Budget Package
Adds costs for Reindahl Imagination Center, Affordable Housing, 9th ambulance, police, quiet zone, traffic safety and more.
12 City Operating Budget Amendments to Finance Committee Budget Package (Updated)
Adding ambulance and police, cutting police auditor, community building and outreach, Warner Teen Specialist and Gym Monitor, Olbrich staffing, digital equity, staff pay raises, BRT studies funding and more!
City Finance Budget Amendments (21-25)
City Council budget amendments come out at noon and I never finished the 4 part series on the Finance Committee meetings, so here it is. Â Snow and Ice, traffic safety, policing and wheel tax.
Round Up, Thursday 11/7/19
Various city updates, Cookies with a Cop (?!?), Occupy Madison 5 year Anniversary, Housing Openings at the YWCA and more!
Marquette Neighborhood Association in Crisis
Good grief. Â For that last week or so I've been watching the email list recount a deceptive if not illegal board election followed by tales of retaliation for calling out the deception. Â If the neighborhood association doesn't have a democratically elected board, what would that mean?
Common Council Executive Committee Recap
It's only 25 minutes! Â It's basically reports and updates on a variety of things of interest to the mayor and common council.
Wheel Tax Vote Violated City Rules?
There were many questions about the wheel tax meeting where several alders were first notified as being absent and then at some point the day of the meeting, it was decided that they would appear by phone. Â So, I looked into the city rules and here's what I could find.
Round Up – Monday 11/4/19 (UPDATED)
A hodgepodge of mostly City updates, including Free Thanksgiving meals and Madison Activist Calendar Updates.
City Week Ahead
Input on the city's budget taken Tuesday night, Salvation Army project funding, Assessor Q&A on impact of F-35s and more.
Next steps in hiring the police chief?
Police and Fire Commission met to discuss timeline and next steps for hiring the next police chief. Â Here's what they had to say.
Round Up, Thursday Oct. 31
Starts with the snowplowing updates, and can only get better from there!
Who will be the City’s Next Director of Planning, Community and Economic Development?
A man, that's about all we know for sure. Â It's been narrowed down to three candidates.
$35 Wheel Tax?
Alder Grant Foster has a proposal to lower the Wheel Tax to $35. Â Think it will fly? Â Will anyone else have such a proposal? Â Council meets tonight, we'll see!
Round Up – Monday, October 28
A little bit of this and a little bit of that. Â Updates, alerts, community meetings, etc.
City Week Ahead
This covers meetings Sunday - Saturday, special council meeting on the wheel tax, more recommendations by Task force on City Government, no Edgewater or Salvation Army on Plan Commission meeting, East Towne and West Towne appealing their assessments, Dane County Jail and Judge Doyle Square at UDC, more committees weighing in on F-35s, Visions Alcohol License Revocation, golf course tours, Mayor's Neighborhood Round Table, elected officials weigh in on School Superintendent and more.
Round Up, Friday 10/25
Lots of government related meetings coming up next week that won't be in the week ahead.
Jenifer St. Market at Risk of Closing?
Schoep's filing for receivership puts the Jennifer St. Market's future lease in jeopardy. And, because of the receivership, its hard to get answers!
Special Council Meeting on Wheel Tax!
The date has been set! And of course, they are starting at 4:30. Possibly to deter public comment? I don't know if it's intentional, but that is the impact.
PFAS Final Report to Water Utility Board
The full report with many graphs is here. Here's the highlights. Â Put on your science hat before you read this! Â And check your well (links included)!
City Finance Committee Budget Amendments 16 – 20
Part 3 of 4 . . . 3 hours left to go!
City Finance Committee Budget Amendments (11 – 15)
Part 2 of a 3 or 4? part series of an over 8 hour long meeting! Â 29 amendments were offered. Â Many did not pass. Â This is community services funding, removing transit workers, removing independent police monitor and removing staff 3.25% increase. Â Spoiler alert: Â none pass.
City Finance Committee Budget Amendments (1-10)
This meeting went a little over 8 hours, so I'm going to not be as thorough as usual! Â Here's the amendments and what happened and discussion.
Who Wants to Fill the Vacant District 8 Alder Seat?
There are 5 people who want to step up and serve in the role of alder for District 8 until there is an elections next spring. Â Let's take a look! Â Common Council Executive Committee will meet tonight to interview and make a recommendation (if they have quorum!).
City Week Ahead
Budget amendments at Finance, recommending next District 8 alder, ALRC report on alcohol license density and more!
Where is the Affordable Housing in Judge Doyle Square?
Depends upon your definition of affordable, I guess. But this is usually not what most people think about -Â affordable rental housing for people making $42,180 and up. And apartments starting at $1,055.
When a committee makes a recommendation, does it make a sound?
As a newly elected chair of a City Committee, I received no training. Meetings were only set up on my initiative. And, if I hadn't been an alder for 8 years and look at legistar (city legislation tracking software) nearly every single day, I wouldn't have realized that our recent recommendations don't appear in legistar. And therefore, when Finance Committee votes on Monday, they don't know what our committee did.
Round Up – Sat 10/19/19
Updates for the week ahead, a little weekend treat for you!
TFOGS Additional Recommendations for City Government
They had a 3+ hour long meeting Wednesday night. Â I recorded it while I was in another meeting. Â Lets take a look at what happened and they other recommendations the committee has made about boards, committees and commissions!
City Council Recap
The meeting was about an hour, not much on the agenda. Â I would have skipped it, but the honoring resolutions and neightborhood indicators presentation seemed important. Â Here's the details (a day late!), CCEC covered more topics this time!
Common Council Executive Committee Recap
What happened in that secret meeting, PFAS resolution placed on file/killed but new information, affordable housing presentation (which are also in separate posts) and many updates including campus district vacancy.
Thursday Round Up 10/17/19
So much going on, here's city announcements, school board announcements, community events and more.
Great Homeless Services and Housing Overview
This is an excellent overview of the city and to some extent county homeless services system, some challenges and how they are approaching the housing needs at this moment, after Rethke and Tree Lane. And why.
Homeless Services Consortium Recommendations for County Budget Tonight
Here's the recommendations of the City-County Homeless Issues Committee. In case you are going to the public hearing tonight, you might want to mention some of these needs. Please and thank you!
City’s Next Steps on PFAS
The Common Council Executive Committee decided not to do a city-county task force on PFAS, but have asked for a memo about what the City-County Public Health Department is doing and a new website, regular legal updates from the City Attorney about the from the DNR naming the City as a possible contributor and they will consider next steps after that.
What was that secret meeting about?
The mayor explains at the Common Council Executive Committee (CCEC) Â meeting, after the fact.
Tues. Round Up 10/15/19
Some changes here . . . but still plenty to round up! Â Let me know what you think!
UPDATED: What will the council talk about tonight?
This is currently what is planned, there are no items requested by alders for separation, so it could be a short meeting. Â However, it can also change at the meeting. Â This is an amended agenda with an additional item and one correction.
Police and Fire Commission Statement on Appointment of Vic Wahl
The Police and Fire Commission met last night and made it official that Vic Wahl will be the acting police chief while they go through their process. Here's their statement and audio of Wahl's testimony. Â He will not run for the permanent chief position because he doesn't want to move to Madison.
Reconsidering Recommendations for Full Time Council etc.
I recently blogged about the Task Force on the Structure of City Government recommendations to reduce the council 10 members, go to full time, have 4 year terms and several other items. Â They meet again on Wednesday and will be reconsidering their decisions. Â The time to speak up is now!
City Attorney’s Advice Has Chilling Impact on Public Information
Cap Times reporter Abby Becker did a great story on where elected officials stood on F-35s. But the City Attorney advised alders not to respond. Â Why? Â He also issued a formal opinion on "negative" and "walking" quorum. Â
5 actions you can take this week on F-35s
Sit at your computer and write comments, attend public meetings or just go out and dance! Â Something for everyone! Just do it!
Weekend Round Up 10/14/19
Friday's was jam packed, this one is a little light. Â Lots of items in the news columns tho!
Not Publicly Noticed?
Last night the alders were all invited to a meeting by the mayor's office - but the public wasn't! Well, the "business community" was invited, but the meeting wasn't publicly noticed for the general public.
City Week Ahead
Budget, PFAS, F-35s, Top of State St, Council meeting, Salvation Army development and oh so much more!
Round Up! Fri 10/11/19
Running late today, read why! News, tons of city updates and here's what you need to know, longer than usual!
City Operating Budget Presentations, Night 1, Part 2
These are the presentations from Monona Terrace, Library, Administration Agencies (Assessor, Attorney, Civil Rights, Clerk, Employee Assistance Program, Human Resources, IT and Finance)Â
Round Up, Thurs. 10/10/19
News, events, city updates, meeting reminders and more!
City Operating Budget Presentations – Night One, Part 1
An overview, room tax commission and public testimony which is primarily about parking enforcement officers moving from police department to Parking Utility and praise for 3.25% wage increase for city workers to have equity with police and fire.
Public Input to the Task Force on Government Structure
The other day I blogged about radical changes recommended by the City Task Force on Government Structure for future city councils (4 year terms, full time, reduce the council to half the size, term limits). At the time, they didn't have information available about the input at the two open houses for the public to look at. Lets see if the public input made any difference?
Round Up & Mo’ Meetings – Wed 10/9/19
Should people drive on the beltline shoulder during peak traffic?, PFAS reports, Airport Commission rescheduled, news and more.
Formal City Opinion on How Many Votes Needed to Pass Something in Committee
Apparently two times recently a chair of a committee refrained from voting and they thought something passed, but it didn't. Had the chair voted in favor, it would have passed.
Finance Committee Meeting Recap
This is for the hour of items prior to the budget discussions. Â Includes wheel tax and Judge Doyle Square.
Weekend Round Up (10/7/19) & Mo’ Meetings
News, events, updates from the city and more!
Madison Wheel Tax Vote Tonight?
Well, that moved quickly! Â Finance Committee has an agenda item tonight that allows them to establish the fee.
JDS Housing Discussion – Closed Session
Members of the common council are finally going to a have a substantive discussion about affordable housing and its going to be held is closed session!
City Week Ahead
Budget meetings Monday and Thursday, no meetings Tuesday and Wednesday due to Yom Kippur.
Are we ending homelessness in Dane County?
So hard to tell. Â Based on the point-in-time count (one of several measurements) compared to 5 years ago family homelessness is down by 37%, singles and chronic homelessness are about the same, and veterans increased by 4 persons.
Friday Round Up! (10/4/19)
This one is heavy on city information, very little schools or Dane County . . . you'd hardly know there was a county board meeting last night by looking at the news and they don't have/use the same communications tools the city does, so there is just little information.
Quarterly Police Complaint Results
Every quarter the results of the "Madison Police Department Professional Standards and Internal Affairs Discipline Summary" comes out. Â Here's a look at the latest and the past couple years.
Lake Monona near 100-year flood elevation
Friday should be ok, but more rain and concern on Saturday.
Big Changes Recommended for Council
10 full-time alders that run every four years with term limits. Zoinks! The Task Force on the Structure of City Government voted on their recommendations last night!
Thursday Round Up and Mo’ Meetings
Mo' meetings, news and very little extra to add today. With Rosh Hashanah, budget, flooding and Koval's retirement, seems like there is room for little else!
Round Up – Wed 10/2/19 & Mo’ Meetings
Mo' meetings, news, city and county budgets are out, city updates, housing and homelessness updates and more.
City Rain/Flooding Updates for Overnight
City Updates: Heaviest Rain Expected Overnight, Minimal Flooding Reported During the Day
City’s Version of Rain/Flooding Updates
Yesterday I gave you the "nothing to see here" county version. Here's the City's report. Seems like they could just get together and do one report, but I guess not. Â City warns of flash flooding and not to park cars on the streets in low lying areas.
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight?
Nothing apparent. Meeting stars at 7:00, not 6:30 due to Rosh Hashanah.
Weekend & Monday Round Up (10/1/19) & Mo’ Meetings
Skipped yesterday, trying to catch up - here's what I have.
City Week Ahead
No meetings Monday or Tuesday until 7:00 due to Rosh Hashanah, council meeting starts half hour later, dogs in parks policy, cameras in libraries and more.
Friday Round Up 9/27/19
This is oh so very late . . . hopefully you are out having fun and starting your weekend. Â So, for the record, here's what I got and you can read later!
Flooding Updates
3 inches of rain predicted, what will that mean? Here's the latest email update. See info below to sign up for your own updates!
Thursday Round Up – 9/24/19
News, gardening events, looking for hosts for international students, fair housing training, Tenant Resource Center volunteers needed, etc.
Madison being sued for $2.8M for Police Beating
A "notice of claim" is being served today based on the Madison Police punching a teen in the head multiple times when they were responding to a call about a mental health situation.
Madison City Council Member Resigns
It's only been 5 months . . . and already someone is resigning. Â Here's the announcement. I can't imagine a council with 4 years terms given the resignations in the past few years.
Madison Water Utility Board Comment on F-35s
Air National Guard base is major source of PFAs contamination. Um, not acceptable. Clean up needed.
F35 Comment Period Deadline Friday
Comments to the National Guard matter! Â That was the message from elected officials on Monday night at Hawthorne Elementary School (video included if you missed it) and the public did speak out! Â Excellent overview from Retired Colonel Rosanne Greco from S. Burlington VT. Â Updates from Safe Skies Clean Water Coalition included.
Decarcerate Dane! Panel Discussion Tonight
6:30 Central Library - M Adams (Freedom Inc, Black Lives Matter), Janie Ocejo (Madison Urban Ministry), Pam Oliver (scholar on racial disparities in criminal justice) and County Board Supervisor Heidi Wegleitner!
Tuesday (9/23/19) Round Up & Mo’Meetings
Mo' Meetings, news, flooding updates and more.
Weekend Round Up
Weekend news and news buried on Friday (usually bad news), Decarceration community panel discussion and several other community events.
City Week Ahead
Capital Budget, Judge Doyle Square, Snow Emergency Zone changes, Water Utility position on F-35s, Government Structure Open Housing, Â Visions alcohol license revocation hearing, Dogs in Parks, Â relocating Intercity Bus Stop (Memorial Union -> Lake Street), Equitable Development report, banning plastic straws and more!
Giesen Law Offices Likely Suing the City over Police Brutality
Thank goodness someone will be fighting for this young student repeatedly punched in the head by the police. Â More on this on Monday, but here's the news.
Speak Out Against F-35s on Monday
Speak Out Against F-35s! Monday, September 23 - Help us spread the word and lift up the voices of the community, in the most affected areas.
Friday (9/20/19) Round Up
Flooding updates, bus detours, city project updates, BRT meeting, water main flushing and more.
2020 Capital Budget Amendments to be Considered Monday
15 amendments, none for affordable housing? Or F-35 mitigation for our public housing units or the rest of the city?
Feeling Duped by the Mayor?
So . . . people are getting angry. Feeling like they have been betrayed by what was supposed to be a radical, feminist, lefty, LGBTQ mayor that truly cares about equity and does all the things. Instead, she's become a mouthpiece for the Chamber of Commerce/business interests. Hmmmm.
Thursday 9/19/19 Round Up
City, County, Schools and other news, foreclosure assistance, HIV Education Event, Future of Transportation Day, Parks News and more.
F35s: What Actually Passed the Council?
So I'm skipping 3/4 of the meeting and jumping to the council discussion, motions and voting. What happened after we all went to bed? Check to see what your alder did, or didn't, have to say!
Round Up! Wednesday, 9/18/19
A little something besides F-35s, and of course, F-35s! Â Road closures, parent and student rights, transportation news, sandbags, Law Park planning and more.
Equitable Development in Madison Report
Another report on housing, more recommendations. This one has 20 recommendations. Â Add this to the pile of recommendations, but still, no real action.
What Will The Council Talk About Tonight
F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s . . . F-35s, F-35s, F-35s, F-35s.
Original vs. Alternate F-35 Resolution
So what's the difference? The West Side Alders essentially inputted the Chamber of Commerce talking points and then didn't say they "oppose" but request the Air Force to take the many pages of adverse impact into account. Â Mayor ducks and covers. Â Here's what we know about who is voting how!
Congressman Mark Pocan Calls for Further Noise Testing of F-35s
"Today, I formally request the Air Force in coordination with the 115th Fighter Wing test the F-35 flight pattern at Truax Air National Guard Base. Specifically, the Air Force should conduct a take-off and landing of the F-16 and the F-35 planes so community members will have a more accurate understanding of the noise impact from the F-35 mission." Â
Northside Planning Council Benefits and Harms Analysis of F-35s
Need they say more? Â Well, they did, they named what is going on here. Â Institutional Racism.
Round Up: Tuesday, 9/17/19 & Mo’ Meetings
Here's the news and other things of interest since I posted yesterday! 4 meetings, news, Alliant Energy Center, South Madison Plan, Front-End Justice Conversations and more.
Updates on F-35 Fighter Jets In Madison
Brenda Konkel filling in on A Public Affair on WORT-FM 89.9 Community Radio. Guests today are Supervisor Heidi Weglieitner and Alders Grant Foster and Rebecca Kemble.
WORT: Updates on F-35 Fighter Jets in Madison
Here's the podcast from the show I hosted today with Supervisor Heidi Wegleitner and Alders Rebecca Kemble and Grant Foster. Â And, all the links and additional information that I rattled off!
Rep. Chris Taylor: F-35 military jets pushed by Corporate Interests
She compares efforts to bring F-35s to Madison to ALEC in how "big corporate special interests, through they wealth and power, often dominate policy making, to the great detriment of actual people." It's time to speak up!
Round Up – Monday 9/16/19
There are so many things to put in a round up . . . so I'm going to start taking this in smaller bits and including even more info . . . let's see how this goes!
Gas-Powered Lawnmower Rebate?
The city is considering a rebate program for gas-powered lawn mowers, similar to the toilet rebate program. It's still in development, so if you have ideas, now is the time to speak up! The Committee on the Environment will be discussing Monday at 4:30.
City Capital Budget – Agency Presentations (Day 1, Part 1)
This is the first night (from last Monday night) where we hear about the Mayor's Capital Budget. Staff will be presenting and alders will be asking questions. Finance committee budget amendments will be due Wednesday at noon, public hearing on Tuesday at the Council meeting. If you have input you might want to talk to your alder ASAP.
City Week Ahead
Council will (or won't) oppose F-35s, possible gas-powered lawnmower rebate, Town of Madison inventory, re-booting the pest management committee and more.
Join those Saying No to F-35s in Madison
1,000 homes and countless businesses, plus schools and affordable housing will be impacted, Â creating a huge dead zone on the Northside of Madison. Take action today!
City Maintains its Triple A Bond Rating!
Of course! The Finance Director, Dave Schmiedicke explains.
Quick Notes from Airport Meeting on Noise
Thanks to Mary Jo Walters who attended the Airport meeting and took these notes and photos! Airport paid homeowners $2,000 for easements years ago saying they are ok with the noise . . . end of story?
“Neighborhood” Concerns About Salvation Army?
This neighbor, from a block and a half away has this concern - they need more space to serve everyone in need, no one should be forced to have sex to have a place to stay or sleep in their car or on the streets. It's not safe. But . . . I don't think that is what these neighbors have in mind . . . meeting tonight!
No issues with schools and youth in Madison?
Imagine if there was a committee where school board members, county board supervisors, city alderpersons and the community came together to discuss how to improve the lives of young people in Madison and Dane County. How powerful could that be? And why did former Mayor Paul Soglin and former School Superintendent Jen Cheatam, along with now School Board President Gloria Reyes keep trying to reign in that committee? Now that they are free . . . what could they be?
City’s Analysis of F-35s Impact on Madison
Here's the city staff's analysis of how F-35s will impact Madison, including more maps. The deadline for providing comments is Friday, September 27th. The full 1000-page draft EIS is available at http://www.angf35eis.com/Documents.aspx; the 40-page Executive Summary can be found here http://www.angf35eis.com/Resources/Documents/Draft_F-35A_EIS_Executive_Summary_August_2019.pdf. Everyone should provide comments!!!
Tenant Resource Center Welcomes Robin Sereno and an Apology!
Nearly a year after I was forced out of my 27 year career with the Tenant Resource Center (23 years as Executive Director), they have hired a new Executive Director! And, I got an apology.
Mo’ Meetings!
So, 6 more meeting notices came out at the city today . . . yes, SIX! And I believe, more to come this week.
PFC Agenda Mystery Solved
I get really annoyed with so many stupid barriers to access city government information. One is when there is a city committee agenda and a link to see the materials, and then there is nothing in the link. The Police and Fire Commission (PFC) meets today and it took me a bit, but I solved the mystery of two of the items on their agenda today, but it wasn't easy. Take a quick, albeit absurd, journey with me!
City Week Ahead
So many agendas with no attached supporting information that it's making my head spin. Capital budget presentations by department and division heads, Education Committee is meeting!, Room Tax budget decisions (but no information available) and more!
Capital Budget, Axed and Added!
Here's the info on what changed since last year and a comparison of the agency requests and what made it into Mayor Rhodes-Conway's budget. Let's see what the priorities are!
Mayor Capital Budget Press Conference
Ok, so, here's where the campaign promises get kept or broken . . . do you see what I see? (A picture says 1,000 words)
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight?
Edgewood referred, items it looks like they will discuss include 3840 Maple Grove Drive and . . . nothing else? Seems unlikely. No discussion on Judge Doyle Square? Or anything else?
Agency Capital Budget Requests
So, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will be revealing her first Capital Budget tomorrow. Here's a quick look at what the agencies requested, their memos and priorities. Tomorrow we can compare and see what got in, what didn't and what our new Mayor added as her priorities.
City Week Ahead
Summer is over, capital budget comes out Tuesday, time to get serious again! 23 meetings packed into 3 days, including a council meeting where they choose the affordable housing for Judge Doyle Square plus committees will be discussing Mifflandia Neighborhood Plan, Urban Forestry report, Dog Parks, PFAS, library fines, Affordable Housing fund applications and plans for the Public Market.
City Week Ahead
Waaaay more meetings than I expected this week. I thought everyone would be in "end of summer" mode. Judge Doyle Negotiations, Urban Forestry Report, Mifflandia Neighborhood Plan, Neighborhood Center and Youth Programming funding, Edgewood, PFAS, Fair Housing Complaints in jeopardy from Trump administration, Task Force on Structure of City Government Open House, role of transportation committees, room tax committee, surveillance camera report and more!
Dear Madison Alders and Mayor, Please Fix This!
I might be the only one who cares about this . . . until you can't find the information you need or you find out that you missed an important meeting!
Round Up!
It's been a while! Here's a few things that landed in front of me in the past week you might be interested in! Â Alder community meetings, city updates, community events, free trainings, surveys, focus groups and open houses to give your local government input, etc.
City Week Ahead
Items of interest this week: Disciplinary matter for Visions Alcohol License, Equitable Development report, historic preservation plan and ordinance, city use of pesticides and herbicides, capital square cafes, plastic straws and Mifflandia neighborhood plan.
City Week Ahead
Running late again this week, you'll have to review what I found to see what you're interested in . . .
Recycling Mea Culpa
Yesterday I wrongfully maligned the streets department! Since its student move out and I live downtown I was looking forward to getting rid of a mountain of cardboard in my basement, and I was dismayed when I wrongfully thought the city was just throwing my hard work into the garbage. I was wrong and here's a GREAT explanation if you are wondering about the state of recycling in the city! It's actually good news. (Right, so half of stopped reading, right?)
What Will The Council Talk About Tonight?
Reddy, Rummel, Evers and Abbas are listed as absences for the meeting, they only have two items separated for discussion? A presentation from the Chamber of Commerce and the police committee recommendations for civilian oversight/independent monitoring plus Comprehensive Internal Review and Root-Cause Analysis of Critical Incidents.
Affordable Housing Action Alliance Ideas on Affordable Housing
Last week I blogged about the Impediments to Fair Housing Report and the recommendations in that report as well as the Equal Opportunities Commission Housing Report recommendations. Those were more focused on fair housing. Today, the Affordable Housing Action Alliance recommendations on what needs to be done
City Week Ahead
Running late! You'll need to check and see if anything is interesting this week!
Equal Opportunities Ideas about Ending Housing Discrimination
Yesterday I blogged about the city report on the Impediments to Fair Housing and the Housing Strategy Committee strategies. Today, lets take a look at the City Equal Opportunities Report from June that has its own policy recommendations. Will this get us closer to ending racism and all the other ism's in housing in Madison?
Mo’ Meetings
2 added meetings, 1 cancelled.
Time to Clean Out the Basement!
Yay! I love this time of year (considering where I live) and that I no longer work at the Tenant Resource Center! Student move out means I can get rid of all my extra recycling and garbage! Here's all the additional rules and services the city puts out this time of year.
City Week Ahead
Running late but here it is!!! (Look for Mo' Meetings later this week . . . again)
Mo’ Meetings
As expected, here are more city meetings. I think I caught them all, here are the details on 8 more city meetings and 2 more county meetings.
City Week Ahead
The Clerk's Schedule only had 7 meetings, there were 15 in Legistar and 16 meetings total. Â I'm guessing the MG&E fire and sending people home for the day is impacting the schedule. PFAS, Urban Forestry Task Force Report, Dogs in Parks, 2020 Budget Schedule, Syd Boyum Sculptures, reconsideration of speed humps on Spaight St. and more.
City Week Ahead
Council meets this week. Top of State St., PFAS Committee, Office of Resident Engagement, Independent Auditor for police, Salt Usage, Salvation Army Redevelopment/Shelter and more.
City Week Ahead
Impediments to Fair Housing Report, Edgewood Zoning Appeal, Government East Demolition and Capitol Height View Limit Exception, Sid Boyum sculptures placed on the bike path and more!
City Week Ahead
7 meetings. One is the council meeting where they will be discussing police in schools. CCEC has new rules for public input. Coincidence?
Tenant Resource Center Gains New Board of Directors in Historic Election
This press release was sent out at 6am this morning, but I don't think one single reporter called. Â I don't know what to make of that. Â I guess its not sexy enough, not like when someone gets fired.
City Week Ahead
Several cancelled meetings, City Attorney 5 year contract, Police in Schools Contract, Judge Doyle Square and Public Market at Urban Design, dogs in parks policy and much more.
What will the city council talk about tonight?
Lake Levels and Flooding Update, Performance Excellence, Kollege Klub Liquor License and . . .
Mo’ Meetings
2 additions from yesterday
Mental Health Police Officers only respond to 12% of Mental Health Calls
Chief Koval's blog today has the 2018 report on Mental Health (Police) Officers. Â So I took a look. Â (Before you yell at me for that photo, that photo was in their report.)
City Week Ahead
Council meeting again this week, flooding update, drinking while shopping, snow emergency zone discussion and more.
Round Up!
Random things you might be interested in, mostly related to local government and the City of Madison. Â Many additional government meetings.
School Board President Gloria Reyes Ethics Violation?
Tis the week to blog about ethics violations by current/former law enforcement! This one seems blatantly obvious!!!! And from the School Board President no less.
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight?
Here's the actual agenda for tonight's meeting, pending changes if people from the public show up to speak or an alder pulls something more than this for discussion.
School Board Recap
This is disturbing on so many levels . . . primarily from an open government perspective, but also to see the first all female school board act just like any other school board without regard for community is just sad. I can't believe they announced announced the agreement on Friday and called a special meeting to approve it on Monday with little time for the community to react.  OR READ THE LANGUAGE (spoiler alert, they skipped an important detail in the description of the contract)  I'm not surprised, especially with Gloria's disdain for the public, I'm just disappointed.  And not one school board member had a word to say?
Did Chief Koval violate the City Ethics Laws?
David Ahrens recently sponsored an ordinance amendment saying that city staff could not use city resources engage in, organize or conduct a grass-roots campaign to lobby elected officials . . . that would include city blogs, right?
City Week Ahead
Full week of agendas! Finance Committee & Council decide on Judge Doyle Square, alcohol license renewal time and much more!
City Week Ahead
Election this week for county board seats, approval of construction noise that impacts downtown residents, police policy committee discussing public oversight committee, fair housing report and more!
Local Government News Round Up
I'm catching up from taking a break from email for a long weekend, so I've missed a bit and I'm behind, so I thought I'd share because I'm guessing others are in my boat! Â This is last week and the holiday weekend local government news updates.
Group Calls on Mayor to not renew City Attorney Contract
Sorry, I'm not spoiling this one, I'm going to make you read to find out who and why. Finance Committee has his contract before them tonight at 4:30.
City Week Ahead
I haven't seen this in a while, but 11 of 13 meetings start before 5pm. 7 of the meetings at 8:00, 8:30, 10:00, noon or 3:00, 4 start at 4:30. Not very worker friendly.
The City Should Issue an Apology
Everyone who has been paying attention knows that Dr. Gregory Gelembuik has greatly influenced the Ad Hoc Police Policy and Procedure Committee. Â The council spent much of the last two meetings discussing his appointment to this committee so the committee can have quorum and finish their work. Â He's been to all the meetings, he'll help with quorum and he's highly effective, principled and helpful. And therein lies the problem - at least for some!
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight?
Same thing as last week . . . here's the consent agenda with only one item pulled too talk about.
Round Up
A menagerie of local government and city of Madison things going on around town . . . this one was collected over the past week . . .
Local Government News Round Up
Last weeks local government news - check to make sure you didn't miss something of interest!
City Week Ahead
A very short council agenda (they just met last week), Neighborhood Center's report, missing ALRC and Housing Committee agendas, Taco Bell Settlement, bus route changes and more.
The Afforable Housing Crisis in Madison and Dane County
Brenda Konkel filling in on WORT-FM 89.9 Community Radio on A Public Affair with guests Olivia Parry from Dane County Planning and Development and Linette Rhodes, Community Development Supervisor with the City of Madison.
What will the council talk about tonight?
The council meeting started 2 minutes ago, hopefully I finish this before they end their meeting!
Round Up
This one is jam packed cuz it's been a while. Â I was more interested in getting perennials for Occupy Madison and completing my balcony gardening project at my house then blogging . . . so I was slacking! Â This is only done through Friday afternoon . . .Â
Local Government News Round Up
This is a bit late, I got into a gardening project or two last week and abandoned all thoughts of blogging, but it was half done, so I finished it! Â Here's the round up of last week's news in case you had your own gardening project or other distraction and didn't pay attention!
City Week Ahead
A LOT going on. Bus Rapid Transit and Urban Forestry Meetings to get public input, alcohol licenses renewal time, new staff for the Police and Fire Commission, Council meeting, 1st Common Council Executive Committee meeting - Mayor will be there to talk about shared priorities and the budget and so much more!
Mo’ Meetings!
No surprises, typical late meeting agendas from the same old groups as usual.
Round Up
A smattering of things from all kinds of email lists and alerts that I have that may be of interest to you. Tends to be local government, neighborhood or gardening related.
City Week Ahead
28 meetings, 4 cancelled, 3 don't have agendas. Tour the public market, more Judge Doyle Square discussions, Essen Haus redevelopment, Ho-Chunk development, Truman Olson property/South Grocery store, flooring solutions and studies, bus service to Sun Prairie and more.
Round Up
This round up is the bi-weekly round up of emails and info that reaches my email inbox that I think you might be interested in. Â This one seems REALLY city heavy.
Weekly Local News Round Up
My "round ups" have seen various formats and content over the years. Â Here's what I hope to become a weekly round up of local government news from the past week. Â Things I don't have time to blog about, but that should be on your radar screen.
Common Council Recap
A day late, sorry. For all the talk about how the city council meetings go sooooo long, when is the last time one went past 10:00? Last night it was 1 hour and 16 minutes according to the video.
Round Up and Mo’ Meetings!
Random things you might want or need to know! Or perhaps just frivolous and uninteresting items, you decide! Let me know!
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight? (Corrected, Updated)
Everything on tonight's agenda will be passed with the recommendations noted on the agenda in one motion except the items people show up to talk about, things alders might pull off the consent agenda at the last minute and the following:
City and County Affordable Housing Fund Debates Thursday
This is it! Â The new alders all ran for office saying they wanted to work on affordable housing. Â This is our big opportunity, $11 million dollars will be spent. Â Will it make a huge difference, or be more of the same old, same old? Â Will we see big radical meaningful changes?
Round Up
Another smattering of events, notices, meetings, announcements and things going on around town.
City Week Ahead
Includes a meeting tomorrow (Saturday), at least two missing agendas (Solid Waste, Police Ad Hoc), Council meeting this week, liquor license non-renewals and more.
Snow Plowing Update
Yeah. Seriously.
Mayor’s Capital Budget Message
Sounds a bit familiar, but a bit of a twist. The mayor's capital budget does the typical "no new projects" but there is more talk of climate change, equity, planning, priorities and ranking and more narrative justifications.
Mo’ (Cancelled) Meetings
If you're keeping track, 2 more cancelled meetings makes 4 cancelled meetings and 4 added meetings this week. 8 changes in 3 days.
Round Up!
Common Council Executive Committee Appointments, new Deputy Mayor, Weaponizing Truax, Crazy Legs Traffic Impacts and more.
Mo’ Meetings
If you add up Monday's changes with today's changes we have 2 cancelled meetings and 4 added meetings since I did the City Week Ahead post.
1st (New) Finance Committee
A quick 40 minute meeting, mostly an opportunity for education. The new members of the committee are Keith Furman, Rebecca Kemble, Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Shiva Bidar, Mike Verveer, Barbara McKinney and Donna Hurd.
Mo’ Meetings
1 cancelled, two added at the City.
Celebrate Earth Day by Recycling More & Recycling Right
The City of Madison wants you to Celebrate Earth Day by recycling more and better!
Round Up (4/22/19)
Tons of meetings, events and public input opportunities in our community plus a few announcements.
Round Up (4/20/19)
Another round of things in my e-email inbox you might be interested in. Mostly City and Community Announcements
City Week Ahead
Here's what we have - but expect changes to be made all week long. This will be the first look at the new alder assignments. New alders on Finance Committee, Plan Commission, Water Utility Board, Transportation Commission and more.
Madison PFAS data withheld cuz public “wouldn’t understand”
Here is a great example of the games played with agendas, legistar and lack of minutes and handouts at meetings. Thank you to Maria and Jim Powell for their continued work with the Midwest Environmental Justice Organization (MEJO) and this fantastic blog post.
Public Hearing on Bus Route Changes Next Wednesday
On Wednesday, April 24, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. to discuss potential service updates proposed to go into effect in August.
City Watershed Studies and Meetings
On the West side of Madison the city has started several studies to address the flooding issues. Here's the info and some meetings you can attend to learn more.
Round Up
Almost 20 different things in my email inbox I think readers of this blog might be interested in! Â Cuz I can't make 20 more blogs than the ones I already do . . .Â
1st Meeting of the New Council
Ok, I skipped the first 3 hours and 10 minutes of the thanking the outgoing alders and mayor - which was the final meeting of the outgoing council. This is only the first meeting of the new council where they elect the new president and vice president. You can watch here starting at about 3:10. The meeting lasts about 35 minutes.
Mo’ Meetings!
Sigh . . . today they added 4 meetings. And cancelled one?
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight?
Well, we'll see. But here's the items they pulled off in advance. They will pass the entire agenda with the recommended actions in one motion except things people show up to talk about, things alders might pull off at the meeting and these items.
No Affordable Housing in Judge Doyle Square Affordable Housing Proposals
60% or 80% of Dane County Median Income is NOT affordable housing by most people's definition. Take a look!
Mo’ Meetings!
Sigh . . . what changes between 4pm on Friday and before noon on Monday? Apparently a lot.
Alder Committee Appointments
The list is out, here's a list of who Mayors Satya appointed to which committees!
D.I.Y.: How to Find City of Madison Committee Agendas
I was explaining this to new alders the other day. It made me realize just how complicated it actually is to find City of Madison agendas. I thought I should share so you can d.i.y.
City Week Ahead
New council and mayor get sworn in this week!
Round Up and Mo’ Meetings
Late noticed City meetings and a random sampling of things I found to be of interest, hopefully you do too! West Wilson St. and E Johnson St. road reconstructions, watershed study public meetings, Bernie's coming to town (will you be able to find him?), jumping worms and more.
City Week Ahead
Lame Duck Week Edition. This is the last full week for 9 outgoing alders and the mayor. New elected officials sworn in on the 16th.
Madison Metro Route Changes
Madison Metro's latest bus route changes. Public hearing April 24 or submit written comments to mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com.
Round Up & Mo’ Meetings
This is truly random and quickly done over a couple days . . . it's been a crazy week that included a trip to Atlanta, a death in the family and the elections . . . so, this is what I have!
Don’t Forget to Vote Today
Seems as tho my readers don't need this reminder . . . but it seems like every election day, someone tells me they almost forgot until . . . so just in case! Here's my choices, free rides, resources if you need more info plus election parties.
City Week Ahead
Election Day Tuesday, but the Police and Fire Commission will be meeting anyways. Final Urban Forestry Report to be approved, Street Tree Removal on W. Dayton, Health Board discussing PFAS, 5 year Transportation Improvement Plan (i.e. road construction plans), ethics complaint against Mayor Soglin and more.
Candidates Answers on Homelessness
Well, some of them. Includes questions of school board members.
More Money for George Austin for Judge Doyle Square
It's a good job if you can get it! Tonight the Finance Committee is planning to fork over more money to George Austin for the Judge Doyle Square debacle. After that, the Finance Committee will go into closed session to talk about the legal troubles. Just how much money has George Austin been paid throughout this, uh, journey of what feels like forever?
City Week Ahead
Judge Doyle Square Legal issues (in closed session), Archipeligo Village (11 Story building on E Wash), PFAS committee, SSM Health building, Task Force on Structure of City Government to make recommendations, Housing Strategy committee actually meeting! and once again, no agenda for the Police Policy & Procedure Review Committee . . . and more.
Official Word on Proposed Parking Changes
Complete with maps this time! See if it affects you. Read how it will benefit the lakes and the city.
Round Up & Mo’ Meetings
A smattering of random things going on around town.
What will the Council Talk about Tonight?
Nothing except . . .
Candidates Solutions for Affordable Housing
The Affordable Housing Action Alliance was formed in 1998 and has been working on Affordable Housing issues ever since. It's a small group of dedicated people trying to move the needle. They recently asked the the Mayor and alder candidates 6 questions and school board candidates 2 questions - here are the answers! (Note: Many chose not to answer, including Soglin.) Just how important is affordable housing to the candidates - beyond the campaign . . .
3 County Board Seats Open – Circulate Papers Friday
If the resolution passes the County Board on Thursday, candidates for three open seats will have less than a month to circulate nomination papers. Circulation starts Friday and papers are due April 9th - only 18 days!
City Week Ahead
Council meeting this week, several committee nearing end of their work and creating reports (Urban Forestry, Surveillance), Street Tree Speces list, a new Police and Fire Commission Attorney to be hired soon and so much more.
Round Up
A few more things you might be interested in . . .
Women in City Hall – Who Makes City Decisions
12 years ago I did a blog post about women on city committees. What progress have we made in the last 12 years? Less than I would have expected.
Early Voting Dates and Locations
So, early voting has started . . . and continues through March 31st. When and where varies . . . here's the list at the moment.
Round Up
A random list of things that end up in my email inbox that I think you might be interested in.
City of Madison Buses to Sun Prairie?!
Zoinks! Did I miss something? Â Is it real? Is it actually happening? The Transportation Committee is discussing this tonight!
City Wide Parking Changes Coming!
If you don't like moving your car for alternate side parking in the winter in Madison, or if you are confused by all the snow emergency parking restrictions, you might want to read this. Changes are coming!
Government Re-structure Recommendations Discussion
Tonight the Task Force on Government Structure is finally going to be making some recommendations - maybe. They are at least intending to try. The two committees that looked at Boards Committees and Commissions and the Common Council have finished their reports and the full committee will be reviewing them tonight at 6pm.
City Week Ahead
Task Force on the Structure on City Government is starting to talk about their recommendations, a meeting on snow emergency zones downtown, the Water Utility having a meeting on Well 15 and more.
City Creates Website for Updates on Tree Lane
Don't get too excited, it doesn't have a lot of information yet. Here's what I know.
What are city lobbyists up to these days?
Quite frankly, it's quite hard to tell. It's quite the mess and there is more information missing than available. There is very little information about who paid whom and how much to lobby for which matters.
Mo’ Meetings and (Brief) Round Up
4 added meetings and some things going on around Madison you might be interested in over the next week or so.
Amendments to Tree Lane Security Proposal
An alternate proposal (Tree Lane Alternate) that the council will be considering tonight lowers the amount of money to be spent and replaces security with 24/7 staff at the front desk.
What will the Common Council Talk About Tonight?
Right now it lookalike only a presentation from the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau and reconsideration of funding for Tree Lane Apartments security. Prepare to see the Mayor at his worst. Oh, and the meeting is NOT cancelled.
City Week Ahead
Ordinance on Festival Fatigue at a couple meetings, Council meeting (reconsideration of security for Tree Lane, air conditioning ordinance, dogs in the city-county building, what will go in at the Truman Olson site and more.
Soglin’s “Off Season” Campaign Contributions
Because of the Ethics Complaint saying that commercial real estate owners met with the mayor and they were campaign contributors, I started digging into Soglin's campaign contributions on the off season and I found some curious things.
Implication of Complaint Go Beyond Ethics
The Ethics Committee meeting to consider an Ethics Compaint against Mayor Soglin was cancelled yesterday. Honestly, I'm expecting the ethics complaint by a former assistant city assessor to get thrown. That is because they don't have "jurisdiction". i.e. it's filed in the wrong place. And when they do that, they don't get to the merits of the complaint. Based on a technicality, they don't look at the underlying problem. If this complaint is true tho, consider the implications!
Homeless Funding in Evers Budget
I went through the plan to see what Governor Evers saying he'd fully fund the recommendation of the Interagency Council on Homelessness really means. Here's what I found. This is no longer a report, its an actual action plan!
No Paintball Guns in Parks . . . Please.
Check this out. Pay attention to your dogs in James Madison Park.
Who’s Getting Endorsements this Spring?
Many organizations hedged their bets and didn't endorse in the primaries, but some did. Here's the score!
Meet Progressive Dane Candidates Tonight
6:30, Downtown Public Library.
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight
Only the following things, unless the public shows up and registers to speak or an alder pulls something off at the meeting.
Round Up & Mo Meetings
A quick round up . . . may need to do another tomorrow once I sort through more emails!
City Week Ahead
31 meetings this week! 18 start before 5:00. Highlights include a council meeting talking about Judge Doyle Square (without affordable housing?), Tree Lane Services and Security, Task for on Equity in Music and Entertainment Report and Hmong Services plus Size and budget of mayor's office, TIF for Jobs, Water Utility discusses PFAs, Historic Preservation Plan Open House, Ethics Complaint against the mayor, full size food trucks, library fees going up(?) and more . . .
Why So Many City Committee Vacancies?
I don't think its for lack of people applying. It's because the mayor doesn't appoint people who have applied. One of the things the Task Force on City Government is looking at is reducing the number of committees. Unfortunately, they thing that is a solution partially because of all the city committee vacancies.
NO Snow Emergency Tonight!
Now I'm thoroughly convinced the startegy is to keep us confused so we get more tickets. The snow emergency declared yesterday is cancelled.
Video Tsunami – Part 2
Here's another video dump for those who have seen me at meeting with my camera and wonder where they go. They are also all on my youtube channel for now - until I get my livestreaming fixed again.
Here we go again . . .
Snow emergency . . . a.k.a. parking emergency, for another two nights.
6 of 6! All Progressive Dane Candidate with Primaries Move On!
So, many of my blog readers know that I am the co-chair of Progressive Dane and the chair of their elections committee. Normally, when there isn't a county board meeting about the jail, I'd be posting election results as they come in. Today, I'm way far behind, but for the record, it went well!
Mo’ Meetings
3 meetings added, 1 cancelled.
ADDED
Meeting: Madison Food Policy Council - Pollinator Protection Work Group
Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 1:30pm
Location: Central Library 201 W Mifflin St Room...
Round Up
A few things of interest going on around Madison beyond the City, County and School Board meetings this week.
Who would I vote for? (Brenda Konkel)
I'm one of those people who like to wait for the last minute to decide who I would vote for. I like to see the campaign finance reports to see who's really supporting people and see what last minute "news" comes out of the campaigns. I also like to make sure there aren't last minute shinanigans. So, its about 50 hours before the polls close and here's my choices for the upcoming primaries.
Guess What? Another Snow Emergency
Could run through the 19th . . . It used to be predictable, now you just never know when the city will call a snow emergency.
City of Madison Alder Pre-Primary Campaign Finance Reports
They are only required in districts 3, 12, 13 and 15. Here's what they show!
City Week Ahead
3 meetings are being held in violation of Madison General Ordinance 33.01(10)(b). Other meetings I'm interested in this week is the Integrated Pest Management (pesticides and herbicide usage) Task Force, the Task Force on City Government talking about the Mayor's Office and the Festival Fatigue Discussion at the Downtown Coordinating Committee. You might be interested in the ALRC discussing Alcohol on Campus and the costs to the City or something else, take a look!
Dane County Homeless Outreach Services
At least once a week someone asks me about a person experiencing homelessness they are concerned about. Most of them are not in the shelters for whatever reason. Sadly, most of the time, the answers are not what people want to hear. Here's the official answer about Dane County Homeless Outreach Services.
Missing City of Madison Campaign Finance Reports?
What Special Interests Gave Money to School Board and Alder Candidates? I wish I knew. I went to the clerk's office to find out. I was told I was handed "everything" but clearly I was not. Where are these missing City of Madison Campaign Finance Reports? Apparently, candidates turned in their reports, but I couldn't get access to them. Deadline was Monday, today is Thursday and I still don't have access to the information, 5 days before the primary election.
One more night of Downtown Madison Parking Headaches
Seriously. A third night of Snow Emergency. Here's a real life story about what this means to park downtown in Madison. Exhibit A, if you will, on why living and parking downtown is such a headache. People who hate cars and think I shouldn't drive one, please don't read. Or don't complain.
Which Special Interests are Supporting Which Mayoral Candidates?
Here's what I found when looking at Conduit reports and campaign committee campaign finance reports. Which special interests are trying to influence the Madison mayor's race and who are they trying to influence?
Day 2 Snow Emergency – Cars Will Be Towed
Here's the list for tonight of places they say cars will be towed - avoid the expensive ticket!
Mayoral Pre-Primary Finance Reports Are In!
Here's the totals and their "war chests". Tomorrow - who giving money to whom . . . another $119,249 raised by the candidates during this reporting period (Jan 1 - Feb 4). $181,956 spent.
Services Not Police At Tree Lane
The incident at the Finance Committee last night should be Exhibit A about why the city should spend money on services, and not more police and security at Tree Lane (Housing First Apartment Project for formerly homeless families). Issues can be dealt with without police/security, and the resulting trauma and escalation. Issues should be addressed with services and community.
Added and Cancelled Meetings (Updated)
The City sends out notices when they cancel meetings - I don't know how to get notified when the county and school board do, but here's what I can figure out at the moment. City cancelled 4 meetings, added three.
Downtown Cars Will Get Towed Tonight!
Here's a list of the streets where they say they will tow. Don't risk the tickets! Ramps are free tonight 9pm - 7am - if you can move your car!
Salt For Everyone!
You get some salt, and you get some salt, and you get some salt . . . that's right, the city is going to Salt on every single street! "Extraordinary", they say . . . "election season" a.k.a. "silly season, I say. Lakes be damned!
City Week Ahead
Will the Education Committee disband? What will go in at Judge Doyle Square? Will James Madison Park Master Plan get approved? A new campus Hotel and expansion of Ho Chunk and more . . .
City At Odds With Itself on Affordable Housing
On the one hand, the city is using the chronic nuisance ordinance and giving Heartland $165,000 to increase security, but on the other hand . . . the one you should be watching and will make the real difference, they are doing this! Where's the press release and news articles about this good work?
Q&A on PFAs
Several Alders are posting this information . . .
Madison Water Utility has received many questions related to PFAS detected in water at two wells. If you have any questions you'd like answered, please let them know at water@madisonwater.org, or call the Water Quality Dept. at (608) 266-4654. If you have questions releated to PFAS and Public Health, you can call Public Health Madison Dane County's Environmental Health Dept. at (608) 262-6515.
“The City” Is A Horrible Affordable Housing Partner!
Send a former police detective (Gloria Reyes) to do a Social Services Job - and you get what a police officer would do. Not what is needed. The City should not be pursuing an action against its community partner when there has been so much progress.
Cancelled Meetings
City meetings that are cancelled. County Board meeting Cancelled tonight as well . . .
Video Tsunami (Part 1)
So, I've had a Facebook Live tragedy of some sort that I temporarily stopped trying to fix, so I've gone old school and am just video taping and uploading to YouTube. Â But then, I had another problem in that I ran out of hard drive space . . . so I got behind (Bought 8 more Terabytes so I should be good for a while!). Â And since I didn't timely upload the videos, many people are asking where they went. Â To simplify things, here's the first wave . Â . . more to come . . .
Common Council Recap
It was only 2.5 hours long . . . I'm kinda impressed. Seems like 3rd time was a charm! After the first hour of logistics and honoring resolutions, they spent time talking about planning issues, public market, Tree Lane, 4th Quarter Police Report, Public Market and Oscar Mayer.
Round Up (and one more city meeting!)
A few things going on around town you should know about . . . extra city meeting, mayoral forum, cops in schools, Venezuela, lake levels, free tax help, overture call for artists and help needs to pass state expungement laws!
City’s Efforts Around Flooding Issues
This is the update the alders got yesterday. Â It includes a 30 minute video and "story map" presentation that seem somewhat useful. They talk about how they are going to spend the $775,000 in the budget on consultants, what solutions they might have and have tips for property owners at the end.
Dogs in the City-County Building? Yes. Homeless People? No.
The very same committee responsible for removing the seats in the City-County Building and kicking homeless people off the front "porch", now are allowing dogs into the City-County Building? Â Same champion of both causes, Enis Ragland, from Mayor Paul Soglin's Office. Tho, I hear this isn't over, and the Common Council will be taking up some portion of this through a resolution or ordinance proposal. And I see that it requires an ordinance change so people in violation of the proposal can get ticket.
What Will the Council Talk About Tonight (Updated, Twice)
Possible Absence: Mayor Soglin. (Update! Â He will be in attendance) So says the notice. I'm laughing cuz I'm wondering if they cancel for the 3rd time in a row because of the ice storm?
Catching Up with the Task Force on Equity in Music and Entertainment
The Common Council Executive Committee is considering the Task Force on Equity in Music and Entertainment report today, the last stop before it goes to the council. This has already gone to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC), Transportation Policy and Planning Board (TPPB), Public Safety Review Committee (PSRC) and the Madison Arts Commission (MAC). In the past month and a half they all have recommended to either accept or adopt the report. Accept means they receive it and don't commit to actually doing it, adopt means it becomes policy. The title says accept, the resolution says adopt so I think there might be some confusion. Anyways, here's their 31 Recommendations!
Mo Meetings and Round Up
So irritating that before 9am there are already new city meetings posted that weren't there Friday afternoon . . . and a smattering of other things going on around town . . .
City Week Ahead
Last week I think only 2 committees met - this week it looks like 23 at the moment - of course that will change. The Common Council will try again to meet - for the third time. Water Utility will be talking PFAS, and more . ..
Round Up
Now that everything is done being closed, where do wild creatures go when it's cold out, grace period to pay your property taxes, school board forum and more.
Towing on Some City Streets Tomorrow
You know how the city says they are going to tow for snow removal, then they don't. And all the people downtown stop listening when they say the are going to tow because they called wolf too many times . . . well, looks like they are serious this time, they even have a list of streets. So, its for reals this time.
City, Including Libraries Closed W & Th
City, including the libraries (formerly serving as warming shelters) are closed Wednesday and Thursday. Check mymetrobus.com for bus schedules.
After the Cold Leaves, Flooding Returns?
Temperatures are going to rise, and rain is possibly in the forecast for this weekend . . . so we have a new problem . . .
Council and CCEC Cancelled, Along with UDC (Updated)
I think there are only 2 meetings left to be held this week that haven't been cancelled, Water Utility at 4:30 and a meeting just scheduled for Friday at 1:00.
Snow Emergency Not Extended
I'm so confused about when to expect there will be a snow emergency. I thought the rule was that if there was more than 3 inches of snow and it had stopped snowing, there would be a snow emergency that night and the following night and that the snow emergency would be called by 6pm. But apparently, this year, we're just making it up as we go along . . . which is going to lead to confusion and more tickets for my neighbors.
Following Up on Alder Candidate Reporting
So, I thought I should follow up since there were some errors on the clerk's website when I originally posted on the alder candidate...
Mo’ Meetings
Mostly cancellations, but not all. Yesterday most of the City Meetings still went on, seem like today they are too, but Wednesday and Thursday has a couple cancellations each.
12 minute Finance Committee Recap
Item 2 (Anesis Center funding for mental health case management and community programming for Southeast Asision elders and individuals with mental health needs) was referred to the next meeting, more time was spent getting the mayor a pen (he had his tire gauge instead) than anything else.
City Week Ahead
Here's what we know now . . . likely to change many times throughout the week . . . watch for Mo' Meetings. This week we have the rescheduled Council Meeting. It's the last week of the month with several "5th" days of the month, so it's a little light - only 14 meetings - because regularly scheduled meetings often skip the "5th"s.
Now the Mayor Considers Homeless “friends and neighbors”?
Get me a bucket. This press release does have some additional helpful information for dealing with the cold weather particularly about transfer point buses and the library hours. But really, does he think we don't all know what he really thinks about homeless people? Does he think we've forgotten everything he's tried to do? And he expects us to suddenly think he's being cooperative with . . . .well, anyone? Election year antics.
How are the Alder Candidates Doing on Raising Money?
So, hard to tell. At the moment it appears 12 of the 27 with competitive races didn't file a report? Checking with the clerks...
So . . . What Did the Mayoral Candidates Spend that Money on?
Gone are the days of a grassroots campaign where you bought the voter file from the state, your friends come up with your logo, designed your lit, stuffed envelopes, did data entry, knocked on doors and dropped lit, baked some cookies and a Wisconsin casserole (hope you caught the Wis/Minn accent der) . . . these mayoral candidates are paying for staff, consultants, videos, photography, event space and food and credit card and banking fees and more . . .
Warming Center for Homeless Families and Single Women
First United Methodist Church will host a warming center for families and single women tomorrow. Here's the details.
Progressive Dane’s 2019 Slate of Candidates
I've spent quite a bit of the last month arranging interviews, reading questionnaires, interviewing over 20 candidates and arranging the General Membership meeting which I also chaired last night. It's was a lot of effort to get to this point . . . but it was worth it! Here's Progressive Dane's choices for the upcoming spring elections!
Cancellations and Mo Meetings!
City Meetings Cancelled today, and a few added for tomorrow and Friday.
No Common Council Meeting Tonight
It's been cancelled.
Catching Up with Oscar Mayer Area Strategic Assessment Report
The City of Madison Common council is about to adopt the report - meaning this will become city policy and directives, so what are they adopting? Here's a summary of the action taken and the summary of the 48 page report. It also includes a great appendix about Equitable Economic Development - which I think is the most interesting part of the report.
Round Up
Random things happening around town and in local government.
City Week Ahead
Only 11 meetings, but I know there are some missing - like the Task Force on City Government Subcommittee (oh, the irony) that meets on Friday at 2. There are also three other meetings in legistar with no agenda. So at least 25% of the meetings aren't yet noticed. Council meeting this week and I guess we'll see what else - look for Mo' Meetings!
What Moron Made this Decision?
Downtown parking is going to be messed up for weeks now . . . a simple "request" to have people move their cars isn't going to work. This is absurd.
Yikes! Check out Who’s Buying the Mayor’s Race!
It ain't Madison! With record numbers of money raised for the mayor's race, I was curious where the money was coming from . . . there's a ton of money coming in from outside of Madison and outside of the state!
Catching Up with the Task Force on Government Structure
I video recorded the last meetings of the Task Force on Government Structure and their two subcommittees on Boards Committees and Commission and the subcommittee on the Common Council. Both subcommittees reported back to the main committee and have written reports on their identification of which issues they think should be looked at and what alternatives they might have. So I've included those reports as well. The subcommittees meet again today and tomorrow to continue their work.
Round Up and Mo’ Meetings
Here's a smattering of random announcements and the changes to the weekly schedule since yesterday - 5 extra meetings that weren't listed Monday morning.
Finance Committee Recap
They had a huge agenda, 38 items, but the meeting was only an hour and a half. And 12 minutes of that was waiting for it to get started. They discussed 6 of the 38 agenda items - personnel changes, the merger of the Treasurer's Office and Finance, leasing equipment from the Navy for the police department, the Public Market, EOP funding and Tree Lane.
City Week Ahead
Sorry I'm late this morning - I had 20+ hours of candidate interviews over the weekend! Gotta say . . . I'm kinda impressed . . . looking forward to this new council (and hopefully new mayor). This week doesn't have any showstoppers - but lots and lots of meetings, you'll have to take a look.
Another Alder Down!
3rd District might have a new alder between 2-6-19 and when the new council gets sworn in the 3rd Tuesday in April. I have a new question for all candidates I consider endorsing - will you serve you whole term? Imagine what would happen if the council moves to 4 year terms for alders!!!
Round Up and Mo’ Meetings
I've combined the two for now . . . they will likely become their own features in the future . . . for those of you who might not remember "Round Up" is a smattering of community announcements that I think will be of interest to Forwardlookout.com readers
Common Council Recap
It's supposed to be a short meeting, but it's still 2 hours and 15 minutes. The main event is Judge Doyle Square, with little else on the agenda.
What will the Council Talk About Tonight?
This is what was sent out - sometimes it changes between the first time it gets sent out and the meeting, and it can change at the meeting as well . . . Amanda Hall is notified as being absent tonight.
Don’t Change my Government Structure, Change the Small Things First!
Here's 10 things city hall could change that I witnessed in less than 2 hours! Â Good grief. I was interested in going to three different meetings yesterday. Government officials and committee members are wondering how to get more people to participate in local government - based on my experiences yesterday, I can name a few. Â
City Week Ahead
34 meetings, 2 without agendas, 3 cancelled and I'm sure several changes throughout the week. Â Meetings at inaccessible times like 3pm, 10am, 11am, 3:30pm,...
2019 Spring Candidates with Campaign Information
Here's your final Mayor, City of Madison Alders and School Board candidates with their websites, facebook, twitter, instagram, emails, etc. Â I'll update these as...
City, County and Schools Week Ahead
4 city meetings, 1 county, 0 Schools
City, County and School Board Week Ahead
Only the city has meetings this week . . . and only has 3 meetings, or maybe 2 or maybe 1, not sure. No county or MMSD school meetings.
MMSD Board of Education is Looking for Members of an Ad Hoc Committee on...
The full notice may be found here, with Spanish, Hmoob, and Arabic versions linked.
Here is the English text:
Help Improve the Use of Education Resource...
Madison Common Council Elections: Closer than we think
It’s October, and we really should be focused only on November, but let’s take just a few minutes to think about the Madison Common Council elections next spring. The December 1st start of the filing period isn’t that far away, and the people who are serious about running are certainly thinking about it right now, but mostly staying quiet until after November. Here’s a quick rundown on where current Council members might shake out.
Scott Walker Slaps Down Blaska
In case you have not heard, Scott Walker's campaign manager, Michael Grebe, is suing the Madison School District.   Well, Grebe could not sue the...
Every Brat Has Its Thorns
"Not paying fairly, not giving a job because you are only looking at how to make a profit, that goes against God." Pope Francis
Madison's...
Make The Magic
One of my favorite charities - Camp Kesem - UW Madison, is having their annual fundraiser - Make the Magic.
Make the...
Wisconsin State Journal – Getting It Wrong for 100 Years!
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The Wisconsin State Journal published an editorial on March 9th, 1914 proclaiming "Send Pickles...
City Week Ahead
19 of 22 (86%) meetings before 5:30 when people who wok 'til 5:00 can make it to testify. 9 of 22 (41%) meetings at 4:30 or earlier. Lobbyist only please!
Over 80% of City Meetings held during the day?!
Whoa - another disturbing trend . . . want to participate in your local government? You need to be a paid lobbyist or not have a day job! Realistically, if you work til 5:00 you can't get to a meeting before 5:30 and will miss or be late for 82.6% of the meetings this week.
Weekly Updates to Weekly Schedule that Isn’t a Weekly Schedule
8 more meetings added since Monday morning . . . have to contact the city webmaster and ask her to change the name to "allegedly weekly schedule".
Petition Away!
After a full year of the City of Madison blocking electronic petitions, the signatures should start going through today! Yay! Unfortunately, how we got here was a little ugly
Right to Petition City Government (Electronically) Denied
For the past year - minus two days?
County Week Ahead
County Board Meeting this week . . . will anyone notice?
City Week Ahead
Judge Doyle Square, TIF - what directions will they go?
Iced In (by Mary Jo Walters)
Make some calls, get updated, ask, when will Marijuana be legal in Wisconsin?
Dignity? Respect?
So, I'm reposting something Tami Miller from Friends of the State St. Family wrote . . . because I am still thinking about it this morning.
Still Here! Tiny House Village Updates
I got a little distracted this week . . . for a good cause!
School Bells Ring, Are You Listening? (by Mary Jo Walters)
WHERE IS the OUTRAGE?
County Comp Plan Meeting Cancelled tonight
Heidi Wegleitner says . . .
Guess what happens when people are more likely to get information regarding county meetings from your blog than the county website? Government asks you to post the *notice of cancellation* of the Comp Plan Steering Committee meeting (on housing) which was scheduled for tonight. Please and thank you. And, I understand if you can't get to it. It is not your job. (But Todd V. is nice and he asked nicely, fwiw. 🙂
Smokin’ Hot – by Mary Jo Walters
This is now a blog post in a comment block, thanks Tori!
City Week Ahead
Stay warm this week!
Eight ideas for a snowy day
Apropos of nothing, here are a couple of ideas that could make life better for the less well-off in Madison. It is by no means exhaustive, nor is it meant to be a list that solves all problems. Not everyone is going to like all of them, so it’s worth reminding folks that Brenda is not the only person who blogs here, so don’t go blaming her for these.
Let’s GoGo!!!!!
Please help spread the word, it is just as important as donating at this point!
Men’s (and Women/Family) Shelter Services During Cold Snap(s)
Ok - here's what he have for the next few days, slightly confusing, so hopefully people can help pass the info along to everyone and everyone . . . bans lifted through Wednesday morning!
MLK Day at Grace Episocal Church
Thanks to Grace Episcopal Church for opening their doors, Karen Andro from First United Methodist Church for coordinating volunteers and Bethel Lutheran Church for helping staff the day. Z! (and board members) from Shine was there most of the day as well.
Lazy Council Update
I was going to type "Yawn, do they do anything any more" about half way into the less than an hour meeting, but I salvaged a few points.
1st & Last Pitch for Shared Open Spaces by Mary Jo Walters
First and LAST PITCH for SHARED OPEN SPACES in highly commercial areas of downtown Madison, Wisconsin.
What will the council talk about tonight? (+TIF Clarification)
Only three items?
No Link Tuesday City Week Ahead
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
8:30 AM SUSTAINABLE MADISON COMMITTEE 25 S PINCKNEY ST
- Discussion regarding encouraging alternative modes of transportation (no link)
12:00 PM MADISON BOARD...
The Next Homeless Emergency – All Week? (Updated – 1)
Bad weather coming up next week (or weeks?), no plans. -30 windchill predicted on Tuesday and no one works over the weekend to coordinate plans. 
How to Celebrate MLK Day (Updated – 4)
Shut down all the city and county services and buildings without a plan for the most vulnerable. Nothing says social and economic justice like letting people spend the all day in freezing temperatures. (15 F forecast)
Neighborhood Remarks in Response to OM Tiny House Village
I'm skipping my presentation and the information from Zoning and Public Health for now, subject of another post. The important part is the bizarre remarks from the police department - also going to be the subject of another post - and what the neighbors had to say.
Why Can’t We Plan for Winter, Holidays and Homeless Services?
This is just embarrassing. Apparently, its just too complex and we've never done it this way before - so we weren't prepared. Really? You gotta be kidding me.
County Week Ahead
Enjoy . . . guessing what they might be talking about and if there is anything you want to comment on, since we don't have the materials the committee members have, its hard to tell.
City Week Ahead
Well, part of it . . expect 5 - 9 other meeting to be added throughout the week.
Snowbank and Iced Walks by Mary Jo Walters
What happened to THE sand/salt mix?
OM Build Tiny House Village!
By Occupy Madison, Inc. . . . a new place for our workshop and a place to park 11 tiny homes. It is at 2046 E Johnson St. (Sanchez Motors) where Johnson splits and goes past East High, North Street and towards E. Washington. Next to B-cycle and near the PDQ.
50 – 60 New Units of Affordable Housing for the Homeless!
We have over 500 chronically homeless, mostly individuals in the City of Madison, so this is a significant start! Here's my summary of the meeting last night.
7 Additions to the Week Ahead
That seems to be about the average of late . . . some of these meetings might have already happened, I should have blogged this sooner, but ran out of time.
Surface Bubble – By Mary Jo Walters
The Mary P. Burke, 'The Bubbler' is where the Madison Public Library's Central location polling station is located. If true, does that mean that her name will have to be covered up on voting days?
Support Marijuana Referendum Tonight!
In our liberal, allegedly progressive community, this should be a no-brainer, right? Think again, questions about if they should ask the voters what they think have been raised. Gasp! Ask the voters what they think?
Common Council Recap
Tall buildings downtown ok, but not ok with Weier if its on the northside, council thumbs nose at state legislature and Professor Paul gives a lesson.
Congrats to the 30 Newly Elected/Uncontested County Board Supervisors!
Today at 5:00 was the filing deadline and only 7 of 37 seats will have elections this spring. Sad day for democracy . . . but congratulations to our newly elected officials!
What will the Council talk about Tonight? (Updated)
Here's the items they will talk about, unless the public shows up and speaks to any of the other items.
Homeless Mortality Rates 3 to 9 times Greater than Housed Persons
Yesterday morning, I called the coroners office to confirm the death of a homeless person, for which I only had a first name. He experienced problems outside of Shelter 1, on his way to Shelter 2 or 3 for the evening. 911 was called, staff performed CPR and he died at the hospital. An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.
Best Practices: Winter Services for People Experiencing Homelessness
Wish I had seen this report a while ago . . . good stuff!
County Week Ahead
Sorry so late, no pressure to get it done before going to work . . . TRC closes when schools do
City Week Ahead (Finished)
It's unclear if these meetings are still going on in this weather . . . I'm guessing several get cancelled.
GOOD NEWS! No Homeless Person Should Have to Be Outside M, T or...
It should be the case any time of the year, but during this cold snap, extra efforts are being made and everyone should have a place to be warm. As soon as the extreme cold is over, back to having gaps in the "system".
How is this Supposed to Work?
I ask again, can you imagine being homeless in this weather - where temperatures are going to be cold enough that after 10 minutes outside you can get frostbite. A permanent, comprehensive day center is what we need. We desperately need it for the beginning of next week. A van carrying 15 people at a time can't possible help the over 200 single men and women experiencing homelessness - and that doesn't count the families.
Listen to the Children.
Our children, Madison children, experiencing homelessness. After you listen, give.
Better late than never?
A little after 11:00 tonight we were finally notified of the county's plan to deal with the holidays and the next few very cold and snowy days - and keeping homeless people from freezing to death or at least getting hypothermia or losing some toes to frostbite. Not much detail and I have NO idea how people are supposed to find out about the latest last minute plan that has been thrown together.
Reporters! Ask the Question! (Updated Twice)
Sigh . . . lovely stories about no one being turned away from shelter . . . but no mention of the following:
City and County Week Ahead
One meeting
Longest Night Rememberance
For 10 homeless persons who died this year was held on Saturday. Lets hope no more over the next few days with extreme cold and programs closed.
City and County Week Ahead
Um, there is none. City lists one meeting that is cancelled and the county has nothing listed. Everyone enjoy the week off!
Homeless? Doors Closing Everywhere
While the holidays bring out extra generosity from the community in the form of gifts for kids and other items - it also poses some real practical problems, like agencies and businesses and other programs being closed. Today is the day when it seems that many of the programs are announcing when they are closed . . . a bad time of the year to be homeless.
Psssst . . . County Board (non?) Elections Coming Up!
Filing deadline for candidates is January 7th, question is, does anyone in Madison even know? Or care? Only 7 races in of 37 districts.
And the Answer is . . .
The county answers my previously denied open records request, kinda, they gave me the information, but my request is still denied.
TIF Should Have Community Benefits
I think everyone agrees, we just don't agree to what degree - actual benefits or benefits that never materialize.
‘Snowattitude!
Why ya gotta be like that?
Open Records Training!
For the city :(. Maybe some county staff can attend?
No Guard, No Involuntary Commitment, No Services
Minor tweaks to the City County Building rules that probably won't do much different than what is already happening in the building - except make people feel like they are doing something. Of course, it all sounded good last night, but lets see how it gets implemented.
Monday’s Changes to the City Week Ahead
Five of them.
Why Not Just Tell Us?
Ok, why won't anyone say where the $50,000 for operating and $75,000 for renovating the day center is coming from. My first ever open records request denial - after about 20 years of submitting them without problems.
County Week Ahead
Last week before two weeks of mostly downtime.