I’m stretching today . . . it is truly a slow news week. Not much going on in the news except the library. Outside of mainstream news sources, Edgewater Landmarks meeting set and high speed rail resolution to be introduced. I guess it was an ok morning to have internet and computer problems slowing me down, since there isn’t much else. I still finished in less than an hour.
LIBRARY RENOVATION RESISTANCE
Yeah, the Mayor’s renovation plans aren’t loved by all. What’s of note to me is that the council is still outside of this discussion. The Mayor has gone to DMI and will go to the library board and the council is just left standing there. Why didn’t they schedule a discussion on it this week when there were virtually no meetings? The answer is probably too obvious, the Mayor doesn’t care what they think and they aren’t going to do anything about it. The sheep will vote for Clear’s resolution with little question. I really like the comptroller explanation of why the council has no voice here – it seems, those pesky details that I used to ask about to my colleagues displeasure, now matter. Cap Times reporting here and here. Here’s DMI’s statement, for what it is worth.
Hello City of Madison Alders:
See the attached piece that was sent to the Mayor and Tripp Widder this morning along with our message to him below. As you probably know, the DMI Executive Committee met this morning including time with the Mayor and Tripp Widder. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
“Hello Dave and Tripp:
This is what was sent to the DMI Board of Directors a few minutes ago. The DMI Executive Committee is still hoping that negotiations between the City and Fiore/Irgens can be opened up again. The Committee was not convinced that all had been exhausted in connection with the original proposal. Please call if you want to talk further. Thank you both for coming this morning.”
Susan
DMI Executive Committee position on the Central Library renovation
March 30, 2010“DMI strongly supported the proposed Central Library on West Washington Ave. Attached is the original DMI resolution supporting the proposal. Unless negotiations with the Fiore/Irgens Group can be resolved to achieve the envisioned goals consistent with our original position, DMI supports the City of Madison retaining a design consultant to study construction designs and cost estimates to rebuild the library on its current site. If that option is chosen, DMI urges the city to work with the private sector to examine redevelopment issues in the area surrounding the central library–including parking, arts investments, and the public/private benefits that were expected to result from the Fiore/Irgens proposal for the redevelopment of the Central Library block.”
WHY IS THIS NEWS NOW?
I read this and wondered what meeting I missed this week, but the story is about a vote “earlier this month”. So, why run the article now?
TODAY IS THE DAY
We’re raising a couple hundred dollars a day, we need a couple thousand. Have you pledged yet? Today at 4 my debut show “This Side of Town” will run. Guests will include School Board President Arlene Silveira and Alders Marsha Rummel, Mike Verveer and Satya Rhodes-Conway to discuss various issues. I tried for a county board member, but it didn’t work out, so I’ll get them next time, if there is one! Stop down between 4:00 and 5:00 to check us out, or, you can see it Saturday at 1:00 on channel 95 or 991. If you enjoy the show, donate! If enough people donate, I’ll consider keeping it going.
ORANGE CAPITOL
For a good cause.
TALK ABOUT SECOND HAND SMOKE ISSUES
I suppose they have to do something with tobacco as more and more people quit smoking.
LANDMARKS COMMISSION MEETING ON EDGEWATER SCHEDULED
The April 12th Regular Landmarks Commission meeting will be held in room LL-110 of the Madison Municipal Building at 4:45 pm.
The April 14th Special Wednesday Landmarks Commission to review the revised Edgewater Proposal will take place in Room 260 of the Madison Municipal Building at 5pm.
The final agendas should be ready by next Monday at the latest.
HIGH SPEED RAIL STATION LOCATION RESOLUTION
The sponsors are Satya Rhodes-Conway, Marsha Rummel and Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has been granted federal funding to establish intercity passenger rail service between Milwaukee and Madison as part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative; and
WHEREAS, being successful in its application for federal funding, WisDOT will soon undertake final design of the Milwaukee-to-Madison rail corridor, including environmental assessment and selection of one or more passenger train station locations for Madison; and
WHEREAS, WisDOT, in its application for federal funding, did NOT specify a station location for Madison; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has a strong interest in ensuring that any passenger rail station be located as close as possible to major destinations, particularly those in its urban core, and that the station provide arriving passengers with convenient access to the city while providing departing passengers with convenient access to trains; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is already on record as supporting an inter-city rail station that would “provide the best proximity to key employment, University, recreational and residential destinations in the central area of the City”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of
Madison strongly support a station that meets the following criteria:
1. Facilitates swift and efficient train service between Madison and Milwaukee, and supports future service to other cities;
2. Has the capacity to be multi-modal, specifically including access by Metro bus service, inter-city bus service, auto, bicycle, and foot, and offers the future opportunity of access by commuter rail or bus rapid transit;
3. Has a strong potential to encourage and facilitate transit-oriented development and to serve as an anchor for our economic development efforts;
4. Is located so it may efficiently and effectively serve passengers traveling to downtown, the State Capitol, and the University of Wisconsin; and
5. Can, once developed, provide sufficient amenities, such as parking, taxis, rental car service, food service and more to serve travelers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these criteria will be the official position of the City of Madison and will serve as the basis for our discussions with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration, and that the City shall, when working with these entities, do everything in its power to ensure that the final station location meets these criteria.
PROJECT HOME PAINT-A-THON
Project Home Is Accepting Homeowner Applications for Paint-a-thon
Project Home’s 22nd Annual Paint-a-thon is now accepting applications for its Saturday, August 14, 2010 event. The application deadline for homeowners to apply for painting is May 14. Financially eligible homeowners are selected to receive free exterior house painting by teams of skilled and community volunteers. Each house will have a supervisor. Project Home’s program paints 12 or more homes each August.
To qualify for Paint-a-thon, a homeowner must reside in Dane County and meet the financial requirements listed below. The house must be a single-family home occupied by its owners, no larger than two stories, structurally sound, and in need of exterior painting.
Income Requirements:
Household Size/ Annual Income: 1person: $27,150; 2: $33,650; 3: $39,150; 4: $45,650; 5: $52,150; 6: $59,650.For additional information and applications call Project Home at (608) 246-3737, or email outreach@ProjectHomeWI.org, or visit our website at www.ProjectHomeWI.org. Family and friends are also welcome to nominate prospective homeowners to benefit from this service. Volunteer painters are also needed, call or visit our website to apply.
