More Timely, Improved Round Up

By
Brenda Konkel
-
daily 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!

NEWS FROM THE LAST FEW DAYS

This is also on my homepage and updated several times a day if you want to stay up to date.

Thursday, September 3rd

City of Madison

Madison Area Schools

Wednesday, September 2nd

City of Madison

Dane County

Madison Area Schools

K-12

Higher Ed

And more . . .

Tuesday, September 1st

City of Madison

Dane County

Madison Area Schools

K-12

And More . . .

DANE COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE YOUTH GOVERNANCE AND LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

COUNTY BOARD TO RECOGNIZE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT AT THURSDAY’S MEETING

Members of the County’s Youth Governance Program, League of Women Voters to be honored

The County Board will recognize the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters of Dane County (LWVDC) in a special resolution during its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 3rd, at 7:00pm.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which was ratified August 26, 1920. This granted white women the right to vote.  Black women did not receive this right until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a non-profit, non-partisan, national organization whose purpose is to promote informed and active citizen participation in all levels of government. LWV was formed in 1920 after women gained the right to vote.

“The right to vote is more important than ever.  I’m happy to recognize this moment in history for women, while also recognizing that this right was not afforded to women of color until much later than their white counterparts,” said County Board Chair Analiese Eicher.

The meeting will also include a pinning ceremony to mark the beginning of a new term for Dane County’s Youth Governance Program.  The Youth Governance Program gives young people the opportunity to learn about government in a hands-on format. Youth in grades 9-12 can apply to the program. Those selected serve as members on Dane County committees and bring a younger perspective to the table. This year’s selected participants will begin the program in September and participate through May 2021.

“Having youth participants at the table learning about the issues, processes, and role of government helps educate our future leaders and brings an important and different perspective to the county. Thank you and welcome to this year’s class of YGP members,” Eicher said.

The Dane County Board also wants to take this opportunity to remind everyone in Dane County to complete their census—it is a simple and critical way to make sure we get the necessary resources when critical decisions are made.

The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform investment of hundreds of billions in federal funding every year, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade. To date, Dane County’s 2020 census response rate is 77%. The deadline to fill out the 2020 Census is September 30, 2020. Use this link to respond online: https://my2020census.gov/

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Please see the meeting’s agenda for details on participating:https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=734264&GUID=CF6CFB3F-0C1B-4ABD-9A4D-C4A53F0F45C1.

WHAT IS THE MAYOR TALKING AND PRESIDENT CARTER ABOUT?

Compared to what?  What are they measuring?  As someone who has watched the Common Council with great interest for nearing 30 years, I think this statement is unfounded.  It’s been worse, it’s been better.  I once told Zach Brandon that the Mayor could “like my hairy armpits” and Austin King once stood in the hallway and called Mayor Dave Cieslewicz a “beatch” and those made the news.  Calling someone from the public a c*nt is right up there with police Chief Mike Koval calling Tony Robinson’s grandmother Sharon Irwin a “raving lunatic”.  But, I don’t things have drastically deteriorated as a whole, I think Paul Skidmore took it to a whole new level with his disdain for police reform activists.

Over the past few months, the culture and civility of Common Council meetings has drastically deteriorated, culminating in what appears to be the use of gender based profanity addressed at a member of the public at the September 1st Council meeting.

No words of gender-based violence should ever be uttered by anyone, period. No profanity should be used towards members of the body and no such language, verbally or otherwise, should be used against anyone in our community.

The public has a right and expectation to be treated and listened to with respect when attending a public meeting. City officials and staff must uphold that standard at all times.

With Common Council meetings being conducted virtually we want to remind all Council members to refrain from using profanity during our Council and Committee meetings. This behavior is totally unacceptable.

Elected officials are charged with great responsibilities that impact the lives of people every day, residents, employees and business owners and as such we should be held to high standards and set an example for the community.

Alders using profanity or a derogatory statement during public meetings – whether virtually or in person — or even on social media, is indisputably uncalled for and should not be a part of our proceedings as we conduct the business of the City. The City’s residents deserves better from us.

We encourage alders to come up with systems for us to hold each other accountable outside of elections and look forward to the work of the President’s Work Group on Administrative Procedures to come up with processes moving forward.

IF NOT SKIDDY, THEN WHO?

If Paul Skidmore didn’t say the words, when the Mayor unmuted all, who said it?

The way I figure it, the only other people it could have been would be:

  • A staff person
  • Alder Zachary Henak
  • Alder Michael Tierney
  • Alder Kieth Furman

And honestly, I don’t think was any of the other alders.  Heck, Verveer, Prestigiacomo, Foster, Evers and Christian are other possible male voices, but I’d rule them out becuase they’d have no reason to have animosity towards the speaker.  Neither would Abbas or Baldeh, but they have strong accents and distinct voices that would rule them out.

So, if it wasn’t Skidmore, it must have been a staff person??????????????  Was the Police Chief on the call?  Honestly, I don’t think he’d do it either?  City Attorney?  I doubt it.  If not Skiddy, then who?

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR AT-LARGE SEATS ON POLICE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD

Deadline to apply is Friday, September 16, 2020

The application process for at-large nominations for four (4) seats on the City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board is now open. The deadline for submitting nominations or self-nominations is Friday, September 16, 2020.

The Civilian Oversight Board was established on September 1, 2020, when the Madison Common Council passed MGO sections 5.20 and 5.19 creating it and the Office of the Independent Police Monitor.

The mission of the Civilian Oversight Board is to “provide within the City of Madison a body that is independent from the MPD…to review and make recommendations regarding police discipline, use of force, and other policies and activities, including related to rules, hiring, training, community relations, and complaint processes”.

“I am encouraging a broad diversity of people to apply for positions both through the nominating organizations and for the at-large seats,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway.

“This is a historic moment in our city to see representation of those who are not often heard or seen to serve on the Civilian Oversight Board. This is a great opportunity for City of Madison residents to have a seat at the table where their concerns relative to law enforcement can be heard. I encourage all to apply to serve on the newly created Civilian Oversight Board,” said Council President Sheri Carter.

MGO 5.20 requires that the Civilian Oversight Board have a diverse composition in the following intersectional areas of lived experience and identities:

  • Homelessness
  • Mental health
  • Substance abuse and/or arrest or conviction records
  • Racial and ethnic diversity, including: African American; Asian; Latinx; Native American
  • Members of the LGBTQ community; and affiliation with an organization in the field of: Mental Health; Youth Advocacy; and AODA.The Council and Mayor will also consider the following additional lived experiences and identities when making appointments: age, socioeconomic status, gender, geographic residence, and work experience. Individual members may represent more than one of the categories listed above.

Civilian Oversight Board members must be Madison residents when they are appointed, and may not have ever been employed by the MPD, be an immediate family member of current or former MPD employees, or worked as a law enforcement officer within the State of Wisconsin in the ten (10) years prior to becoming a Member of the Board. For purposes of this ordinance “immediate family” means an individual’s spouse or designated family or registered partner or an individual’s relative by marriage, lineal descent or adoption.

To apply for consideration for one of four (4) At-Large Civilian Oversight Board seats (two (2) voting members and two (2) alternates), please complete the following:

For additional information about the Police Civilian Oversight Board and the process of creating it, please visit the webpage of the webpage of the Alder Workgroup to Develop the Logistical and Operational Details for MPD Independent Civilian Oversight.

Please email council@cityofmadison.com, with Civilian Oversight Board Application Questions in the subject line in the subject line, or call the Common Council Office at 608-266-4071 if you have any questions about the application process.

WHAT SHOULD JAMES MADISON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE?

As I stated in my previous email, a group of JMP Neighborhood residents want to know what your vision for the neighborhood is.  Would you please take 5 minutes to complete the survey that can be found here:  https://forms.gle/aDE53uyswNczcVSn9

Your input will greatly help in our work on the newly proposed development at 414 E Washington.  It will also help with how the neighborhood responds to proposals for the 300 and 500 blocks of E Washington and elsewhere in the neighborhood.
The JMP Neighborhood is an eclectic and vibrant place to live and your responses to this survey will work to keep housing here affordable and to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in our small pocket of downtown Madison.

ALDER ROUND UP – 9/2/20

For Alder Blogs:

From Public Health:

Confirmed Cases – 5,568

Total Tests – 256,648

Cases Ever Hospitalized – 332

Deaths – 40

Public Health Madison & Dane County has released an amendment to Emergency Order #9. The amendment goes into effect September 2.

The amendment allows for in-person instruction for students in any grade with a disability and/or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) who, due to their unique needs, may need to receive in-person instruction under 34 CFR Secs. 300.320-300.324 and Wis. Stats. Sec. 115.78(2).

Public and private school buildings and grounds remain able to open for in-person instruction of students in grades K-2, with precautions. Students in grades 3-12 are still required to begin the school year virtually.

The COVID-19 community test site at Alliant Energy Center will continue through at least October 3. For individuals previously tested using a QR code, due to state level system changes, beginning September 6, you will need to pre-register for any future tests. In addition to Alliant Energy Center, community test sites are available at several other locations in Dane County.

Information for Alders:

From City Clerk:

In two weeks, the City of Madison Clerk’s Office will begin mailing absentee ballots to voters with requests on file. Voters who plan to vote absentee for the November election should request their absentee ballot now.

Before requesting an absentee ballot, the Clerk’s Office suggests that voters verify their registration on the MyVote Wisconsin website .  Voters with a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin ID card may update their registration completely online using the MyVote website.  Voter registration is also available in the Clerk’s Office in the City-County Building, or by mail.

Voters are not required to use a specific absentee request form.  They may submit an absentee request online on the MyVote website, use the form PDF  on the Clerk’s Office website, or send a note to the Clerk’s Office.  The request needs to include the voter name, voter registration address, address to which the ballot should be mailed, and a copy or picture of voter ID (if not already on file with the Clerk’s Office).

The Clerk’s Office sends all absentee ballots to the polls to be counted on Election Day.  In order for an absentee ballot to count, it must be returned early enough that the Clerk’s Office receives it by Election Day. The absentee envelope must be sealed, the voter must sign the envelope, the voter’s witness must sign the envelope, and the witness address must be listed on the envelope.

ALDER ROUND UP – 9/1/20

For Alder Blogs:

From Public Health:

Confirmed Cases – 5,521

Total Tests – 254,343

Cases Ever Hospitalized – 329

Deaths  – 40

Public Health Madison & Dane County has released an amendment to Emergency Order #9. The amendment goes into effect September 2.

The amendment allows for in-person instruction for students in any grade with a disability and/or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) who, due to their unique needs, may need to receive in-person instruction under 34 CFR Secs. 300.320-300.324 and Wis. Stats. Sec. 115.78(2).

Public and private school buildings and grounds remain able to open for in-person instruction of students in grades K-2, with precautions. Students in grades 3-12 are still required to begin the school year virtually.

Information for Alders:

From City Clerk:

In two weeks, the City of Madison Clerk’s Office will begin mailing absentee ballots to voters with requests on file. Voters who plan to vote absentee for the November election should request their absentee ballot now.

Before requesting an absentee ballot, the Clerk’s Office suggests that voters verify their registration on the MyVote Wisconsin website .  Voters with a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin ID card may update their registration completely online using the MyVote website.  Voter registration is also available in the Clerk’s Office in the City-County Building, or by mail.

Voters are not required to use a specific absentee request form.  They may submit an absentee request online on the MyVote website, use the form PDF  on the Clerk’s Office website, or send a note to the Clerk’s Office.  The request needs to include the voter name, voter registration address, address to which the ballot should be mailed, and a copy or picture of voter ID (if not already on file with the Clerk’s Office).

The Clerk’s Office sends all absentee ballots to the polls to be counted on Election Day.  In order for an absentee ballot to count, it must be returned early enough that the Clerk’s Office receives it by Election Day. The absentee envelope must be sealed, the voter must sign the envelope, the voter’s witness must sign the envelope, and the witness address must be listed on the envelope.

MPD IS DOING WHAT?

Madison police searching for ‘reasonable, achievable ideas’ on how to keep teens out of legal trouble following initial arrests

Is that MPD’s job?  Or should we be paying community leaders and other departments to be doing this.  You can see how their budget gets overly inflated when they take on everything instead of calling for support from the council to have other departments do this work.  Let the Captain get back to doing his job instead of blogging.

SHARE INPUT ON WISCONSIN STATE NATURAL AREAS

We value your input! Weigh in on our draft strategy for preserving Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas

State Natural Area logoAs a supporter of DNR’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, we greatly value your commitment to conserving Wisconsin’s rare species and State Natural Areas. 

We invite you to share your thoughts on our draft strategic planfor safeguarding Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas System from growing challenges including invasive species and a changing climate. With your help, DNR and the 50+ other public and private owners of State Natural Areas will sustain these high quality prairies, wetlands, old-growth forests and geological sites, and the rare wildlife and plant species that depend on them.

How to share your input

Find the draft strategic plan on our State Natural Areas webpages.

Email your comments to the State Natural Areas Program at DNRFWPNHCStateNaturalAreas@wisconsin.gov. We’ll accept comments until Sept. 17, 2020.

We appreciate your help in preserving these special places and the rare plants and wildlife they support. Your stewardship, donations and interest help assure their survival, and that Wisconsinites now and in the future can enjoy them.

CAP TIMES PEOPLE’S AGENDA

I think it’s cool that they did this.  I’ve been seeing this encouraged by grantmakers, I hope they got a grant to do this.

Earlier this year, the Cap Times announced an ambitious new project. We wanted to hear from people across Dane County about what local issues they cared most about. Those responses would help guide our coverage of public policy during this election season and beyond.

We’re calling the project the Cap Times People’s Agenda.

After receiving more than 100 responses, we’ve published the first draft of our People’s Agenda. We’re working hard to get even more replies — from a diverse swath of our community — and will continue to update the agenda over time.

There were some clear themes among the responses we’ve received so far. The top issues that Dane County residents are concerned about include racial disparities, economic inequality, equal access to public schooling, climate change, COVID-19, and housing affordability.

Respondents’ questions for public officials were hard-hitting, too. You all asked questions like:

  • What are your specific plans for addressing structural racism and racial inequality in areas such as education, health, incarceration and income?
  • How will you support those individuals whose economic stability has been further undermined by COVID-19 and the ensuing unemployment?
  • What will you do to address water challenges facing Dane County, including flooding and PFAS contamination?

In the months ahead, we will be reporting, writing, and interviewing elected officials based on the People’s Agenda responses we received. Thank you to everyone who responded to the questionnaire. If you haven’t participated in the project yet, there’s still time.

This type of community-oriented reporting is made possible by members like you. Thank you for supporting our local coverage. If you’d like to make an additional contribution, please click here.
Read the Cap Times People’s Agenda and let us know what you think
Here’s to giving everyone a voice.

 

BEACH UPDATES

Beach Updates

Beach Alert

Water quality monitoring occurs until Labor Day. Observe water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algal blooms. Per Public Health orders, a group gathering cannot be larger than 25 people (with distancing).

Beach Status

Beach Status Message
BB Clarke Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/31/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 75°F . Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Bernies Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 71°F . Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Brittingham Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 71°F . Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Esther Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/31/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 75°F . Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Frost Woods Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/31/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 75°F . Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Goodland County Park Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/31/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 71°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Hudson Park Lake Access Point Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/26/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 81°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
James Madison Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 75°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Lake Mendota County Park Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 73°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Maple Bluff Beach Park Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/25/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 80°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Marshall Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 74°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
McDaniel Park Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/31/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 75°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Memorial Union (Pier) Closed In response to COVID-19, Memorial Union Terrace and Memorial Union Swimming Pier are closed indefinitely by order of The University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Olbrich Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/31/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 75°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Olin Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/26/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 78°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Schluter Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/31/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 75°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Spring Harbor Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 74°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Stewart County Park Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 72°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Tenney Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 77°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Verona Fireman’s Park Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 8/27/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 79°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
No No
Vilas Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 71°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes No
Warner Open Public Health Madison & Dane County tested bacteria levels and checked for algae blooms on 9/1/2020. The results were acceptable. The shallow near-shore temperature was 77°F. Even though the results were acceptable at the time of monitoring, algae levels can change quickly depending on waves and wind. Always take a look at water conditions before you or your pet enter the water and avoid contact with algae blooms.

Swim Ropes Lifeguard
Yes

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