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.

Konkel’s Musing

WTF!!!!  Someone please explain how this works?!?!? Funding Recovery Staff Team Structure 5-18-2020  Everyone answers to the media team?  Who reports to whom?  I think I now understand the lack of communication – ironically with the communication team in the middle of it all.  What a mess.  Note that the following update says the JIC is “standing down”.

HERE’S THE (NOT) HELPFUL EOC UPDATE

Alders,

The EOC has a very light report today.  We have dropped our meetings to one day per week beginning this week.  We continue to stay connected with the State EOC, County EOC and UW EOC however our situation in the city has stabilized.  We will continue to monitor the messages and date from Public Health Madison/Dane County.  If the situation begins to change in the city, we will be able to spin any of our systems up that are in place to address any emerging needs.

Logistics:

The PPE hunt has been stabilized for now.  Supplies have become more available as well as decontamination processes.  We will continue to order supplies, and are gearing up for the November elections.

Planning:

Nothing to report.  The “worst case scenario” plans are at the point they are usable.  These plans are around other emerging issues during the pandemic such as tornados or severe flooding.

Operations:

Working on implementing plans that have come from the internal recovery group, getting employees back to work when the time comes.

Still continue to house vulnerable populations at hotels and the Warner Community Center.

Finance:

Total costs through 5/15/2020 — $4,127,320

Personnel — $3,055,040 (74%; OT — $189,323 – 6%)

Non-personnel — $1,072,280 (26%) – lower than 5/4 report due to actual costs coming in lower than initial purchase orders.

Graph on expenditures attached. Cost Tracking Summary Graph for CCEC — 5-18-2020

Preliminary guidance from FEMA directs applicants to use other federal funding sources first (e.g., CARES Act funding directly provided to city).  Reimbursable costs will be limited to straight time of staff redeployed directly as a result of the incident (e.g., increased dispatch call volume), overtime and direct response costs.  For example, additional cleaning costs of election will be reimbursable, added costs to address increase in magnitude of absentee ballots will not.  Waiting for additional guidance from FEMA on eligibility of certain costs, such as Plexiglas barriers built for the election. FEMA reimburses 75% of costs; non-federal share split 12.5% state / 12.5% city.

Joint Information Center:

Will be standing down in supporting the EOC beginning June 1.  Their process and team will remain on the ready if needed.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Chief Davis

ALDER UPDATES 5-18

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/18/20

 Confirmed Case Update

As of 9:30am, 538 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, up 2 from this time yesterday morning.

Alliant Energy Center Community Testing Site Update

Today 699 people were tested at the Alliant Energy Center, which means there have been 3886 tests conducted at the community test site since it opened on May 11.

Please help us publicize the expanded testing site hours. We hope this change helps make testing more accessible to folks!

Forward Dane Plan

Forward Dane provides Dane County-specific data and guidance for how and when we can begin to allow people to interact in a safe way and incrementally reopen businesses using a phased approach.

 Forward Dane PDF  provides Dane County-specific data and guidance for how and when we can begin to allow people to interact in a safe way and incrementally reopen businesses using a phased approach.

It complements the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Badger Bounce Back Plan and the guidance provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation so everyone can understand their role in opening up our county.

Information for Alders:

Please see the attached new order: 2020-05-18_Order_2

1. We removed all restrictions on travel.
2. Allowed schools to open for activities approved by PHMDC – cleaning out classrooms, lockers, selling plants, drive thru graduations
3. Allow tennis & disc golf with restrictions
4. Allow salons & spas to sell goods and perform Minimum Basic Operations as defined in the Order
5. Added a requirement that all businesses must comply with PHMDC requirements and specifically laid out requirements that companies have:
6. A written hygiene policy
7. A written cleaning policy
8. A written protective measure policy that requires the employers provide employees with either a face covering or transparent partition if the employee can’t maintain 6 feet from customers
9. Allow contact sports with individuals who are members of same household/living unit
10. Include licensed recreational and educational camps and unregulated settings in the definition of child care settings
11. Allow religious entities to operate with 10 or less
12. Allow auctions with restrictions – this was allowed in the State FAQs so just called it out in the order (technically nothing new)
13. Added “preparation to open” into Minimum Basic Operations – so that all places can open up and prepare to open
14. Removed the requirement under Minimum Basic Operations that staff are limited to 1 per enclosed space
15. Changed everything from “Social Distancing” to “Physical Distancing”
16. Removed the reference to any criminal penalties
17. Is in effect until Phase One is achieved

In the news today:

• Madison, Dane County not citing safer-at-home violators: https://bit.ly/2AHkWYL
• Madison and Dane County launch plan to reopen economy in phases amid COVID pandemic: https://bit.ly/2XmWN1p
• Dane County offering $10M initiative to help prevent evictions: https://bit.ly/2LDPOvx
• A single Dane County inmate infected 32 others: https://bit.ly/3bIsA1N
• Child care centers in line for $51M bailout; amount far less than what’s needed, advocates say: https://bit.ly/3fXH0P3
• Kalahari resort in Wisconsin Dells to reopen May 27: https://bit.ly/3dYTCUg
• Gov. Evers announces $75M in funding to support small businesses: https://bit.ly/2yZXt4E
• Legislative committee shoots down Evers’ proposed COVID emergency rule: https://bit.ly/3dRwgj8
• UW to host mix of online, in-person classes in the fall: https://bit.ly/3dYfpLy
• Dane County announces multi-million dollar plan to combat evictions, increase housing availability: https://bit.ly/2ZhmiDS
• What experts know so far about higher risk environments and how COVID spreads: https://bit.ly/2WGBs3C
• With Wisconsin’s COVID rules relaxing, what activities are safe? FAQ: https://bit.ly/3cNDLYk
• Explained: How Wisconsin officials could address budget shortfalls: https://bit.ly/3bIsJ5l
• Company headquartered in Madison creates masks that kill COVID pathogens: https://bit.ly/2XbA6Nd
• Sweeping federal lawsuit seeks election changes in Wisconsin: https://bit.ly/2ThOQsW
• 2.9% of new COVID tests come back positive as health officials confirm 6 more deaths: https://bit.ly/3e3VPxL
• Live on King Street concert series moves online: https://bit.ly/3fYNwEZ
• Shawano Co. campground bans masks, says sightings will be treated as robbery-in-progress: https://bit.ly/2zLaNd9

ALDER UPDATES 5/15

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/15/20

Confirmed Case Update

As of 9:30am, 517 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, up 18 from this time yesterday morning. There is a cluster at a long term care facility, and this jump in cases is related to that cluster. Wisconsin Department of Health Services has more information on facility-related clusters on their website.

Alliant Energy Center Community Testing Site Update

Today 520 people were tested at the Alliant Energy Center, which means there were 2,765 total tests for the week at the community test site.

Please help us publicize the expanded testing site hours. We hope this change helps make testing more accessible to folks!

Public Health Order Update

Under Wis. Stats. Sec. 252.03(1) local health officers can do anything necessary to control, prevent or suppress communicable disease. This includes the authority to issue any order necessary to slow the spread of COVID. We will not be rescinding our orders, as we believe they are legal and clearly authorized under state statute.

Beginning Tuesday, May 19, 2020, the Wisconsin National Guard has expanded the hours for the Dane County community testing site for COVID-19. Previously, testing was available Monday through Saturday from 8:00am – 4:00pm. Hours have been expanded on Tuesdays and Thursdays to be open until 8:00pm.

Please see our news release for more.

What are the new guidelines for religious entities? 

Religious entities, such as churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques, are now considered essential businesses under Madison and Dane County’s Safer at Home order. Read our fact sheet pdf  for more information about best practices for religious entities.

Religious entities are required to use technology to the greatest extent possible to avoid meeting in person. This means religious entities should keep services virtual as much as possible to limit the spread of COVID-19 in your community.

If you plan on hosting in-person religious services, do the following:

• For buildings with less than or equal to 50,000 square feet of public space: the maximum number of people allowed is equal to 25% of the space’s occupancy load, including staff.
• For buildings with more than 50,000 square feet of public space: the maximum number of people allowed is 4 per 1,000 square feet, excluding
• Keep people who do not live together at least six feet apart as much as possible.
• Everyone who is able should wear a cloth face covering pdf.
• Strongly consider not allowing choirs, as this has passed along COVID-19 in the past. If you must have a choir, limit the number of singers, space them out at least 6 feet apart, and have everyone wear a cloth face covering.
• Staff must increase standards of facility cleaning and disinfection to limit exposure to COVID-19, as well as adopting protocols to clean and disinfect in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in the religious entity.
• ​​​​​​​Staff must adopt policies to prevent individuals from entering the premises if they display respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.

Information for Alders:

https://www.doj.state.wi.us/sites/default/files/OAG-03-20.pdf

In the news today:

• Update: 13 of 72 WI counties and the city of Racine extend stay-at-home orders: https://bit.ly/3bzzyWH
• Bar and restaurant owners outside Dane Co. deal with uncertainty after stay at home order tossed by court: https://bit.ly/3dRswhN
• From baseball diamond to Hollywood hits: madison’s duck pond to become drive in theater: https://bit.ly/2zFMptn
• Tony Evers, GOP lawmakers begin conversations on new, more lenient COVID rules: https://bit.ly/3cBzZkA
• ‘We’re the Wild West and it’s a frightening place to be:” Gov. Evers appears on CNN with Chris Cuomo: https://bit.ly/3dOIeKy
• UW Health doctor stresses importance of social distancing: https://bit.ly/2WRMYba
• More than 200 salon owners, stylists ask to open May 18: https://bit.ly/2Lxhu56
• Stoughton daycare prepares for more children to return as businesses start to reopen: https://bit.ly/3602bv0
• Madison hospitals to require masks at all times, request mask donations as need expected to rise: https://bit.ly/3cLS1k8
• Bars were apparently WI residents’ top priority for reopening: https://bit.ly/3cvoawp

Wisconsin is mostly open, but coronavirus risk is still high, experts say: https://bit.ly/2T7XutY

ALDER UPDATE 5/14

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/14/20

As of 9:30am, there are 499 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, up 8 from this time yesterday morning.

Today 620 people were tested at the Alliant Energy Center.

If you are a member of the media and are interested in visiting the test site, please contact us.

A Dane County Safer at Home order is in effect.

From Clerk’s Office:

​Wisconsin Elections Commission

May 11 at 4:45 PM ·

WI Elections Commission seeks voter feedback

Sessions will last no more than 1 hour on Zoom.

please follow the link below to provide your availability for May 14 -15 and May 21-22.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WIElectionsVoterFeedback

Are you looking to do something to improve the voter experience in Wisconsin? Help us at the Wisconsin Elections Commission by test-driving changes to Wisconsin’s voter website myvote.wi.gov, paper voter forms, and voter mailings.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission wants to video conference with Wisconsin voters who can provide feedback to improve the voter experience. Staff will video conference with voters, present a document or …series of screens, and ask you to speak aloud your observations. Staff may ask follow up questions for clarification and take notes on what is working and what needs improvement based on your feedback. Voter feedback is incredibly valuable to making data-driven improvements to the voting experience.

Sessions will last no more than 1 hour and will be held over Zoom. Eligible participants must be residents of Wisconsin and at least 18 years old. If you are interested and available, please follow the link below to provide your availability for May 14 -15 and May 21-22. WEC staff will review all submissions and reach out to schedule sessions until all sessions are filled.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WIElectionsVoterFeedback

From Madison’s Business Improvement District:

The May Madison Night Market has gone virtual! Join Downtown Madison and more than 40 unique businesses for the first evet VIRTUAL market TONIGHT!

The event scheduled for the 2^nd Thursday of May, June, August and September has quickly become one of Madison’s most iconic summer events. Organizer are now planning virtual markets for May and June and are working with the city to find alternative dates in hopes of still holding 4 in-person markets this year.

Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) invites everyone to a virtual market event utilizing Facebook TONIGHT – May 14 from 5pm – 9pm. Attendees are invited to jump on anytime. The event is FREE to attend.

This evening aims to be a fun, safe way to support local artist, craftspeople and downtown businesses. This event encourages people to stay at home but still enjoy all the creativity the Market has to offer. Vendors will share stories, take you on virtual tours and show you behind the scenes.

Many businesses will have the opportunity to make purchases or order gift cards.

The VIRTUAL Market combines static posts, live posts and pre-recorded segments into a 4-hour “program”. Attendees participate by visiting the May market photo album where each attendee has a virtual “booth”. Vendors will offer comments, special offers and other features in this album.

LIVE interviews with local store owners and vendors and a rotation of more than 40 business profiles will play during the events.

Monkey Business Institute and Chad Bartell from Panchromatic Steel offer entertainment.

Trivia, contests and giveaways will happen throughout the evening.

Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/662529237828788/

Schedule · Thursday, May 14, 2020

5:00 PM               Welcome

5:30 PM               Live with The Soap Opera

6:00 PM               Live with Rosy, Market Manager and announcement of Contests & Prizes

6:30 PM               Live with Fontana

6:40 PM               Chad Bartell,       Steel Drum

7:00 PM               Live with Artery Ink

7:30 PM               Live with Little Luxuries

7:40 PM               Monkey Business Comedy

8:30 PM               Live on State Street

9:00 PM               Closing, Thanks & Prizes

Featured Downtown Businesses

August Shop
Azara Madison
Boulders Climbing Gym
B-Side
Buck & Badger
Clary’s Popcorn
Ellsworth Block
Fontana Sports Specialties
Goodman’s Jewelers
Ian’s Pizza Madison
Kilwins Madison
Knuckleheads Tobacco & Gifts (Official)
Little Luxuries Madison
Los Gemelos
Lucille
Merchant
Michelangelos Coffee House
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Parthenon Gyros
Revel
The Soap Opera
Teddywedgers
Tropic Jewel
University Book Store
VOM FASS State St.

Featured Market Vendors

Ardorposh
Artery Ink
Blue House Cakery – Madison
Donald (topp)
Ember Foods LLC
Ethical Trading Company
Fair Anita
LMC Boutique
Rosey Skin Care
RosyMade Designs
Savory Accents
Shelter From The Storm
T.L. Luke
Thrifty-Fox
WiscKids Books
Grasshopper Goods
Ubuntu Trade

SOCIAL MEDIA

#MNM

iheartdowntownmadison

#downtownmadison

#downtowntogether2020

RESOURCES

Learn more: www.VisitDowntownMadison.com

Information for Alders:

We have a CCEC meeting scheduled for 6p on Thursday, May 14.

Join Bryan Johnson, Recycling Coordinator, City of Madison for a zoom presentation on what can and cannot be recycled and the future of recycling.  Please circulate widely to neighborhood residents via listserv or other social media platforms! 

When: May 15, 2020 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Topic: What’s Going on With Recycling?

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kxdNExfgQeeLU__0j9EEWg

For more information or questions contact –

Bryan Johnson

City of Madison Streets Division

Recycling Coordinator/Public Information Officer

Office: 608-267-2626

BJohnson2@cityofmadison.com

In the news today:

• Several Wisconsin counties enact stay at home orders following court ruling: https://bit.ly/2WWePqL
• Wisconsin communities, businesses scramble after Wisconsin court tosses stay-at-home order: https://bit.ly/2y2oaF8
• Diocese of Madison to create plan for its churches’ public worship share details next week: https://bit.ly/3fQQ2x6
• What you need to know about Dane County’s stay-at-home order: https://bit.ly/360u0mT
• Tony Evers, GOP lawmakers begin conversations on new, more lenient COVID rules: https://bit.ly/3cBzZkA
• Wisconsin’s patchwork of stay-at-home orders by county: https://bit.ly/2WYZ42e
• List of counties that enacted local stay at home order, list of those that haven’t but encourage compliance: https://bit.ly/2T5QbDf
• State sees third-highest single-day COVID cases increase as safer-at-home ends: https://bit.ly/3dJ2uNw
• ‘You can smell the leach’ as some hair salons, spas and gyms open: https://bit.ly/3dMqtLE
• Movie theaters in WI likely won’t open before June: https://bit.ly/2LstnZZ
• Expect more cases of strange coronavirus syndrome in kids, doctors warn: https://bit.ly/2Z7RYv9
• Seniors in 5 states including Wisconsin file legal challenge to absentee voting rules: https://bit.ly/3fOHmXU
• 4% of COVID tests come back positive, Wisconsin back to four out of 6 gating criteria: https://bit.ly/3fQiLSI
• Fitchburg cancels summer recreation programs, closes McKee Farms Park splash pad for season: https://bit.ly/2WxlIA7

CDA 2 BEDROOM LIST OPENING JUNE 1

On Monday, June 1^st, 2020 the Community Development Authority (CDA) of the City of Madison will begin accepting applications for the Truax Section 8 Project Based Voucher (PBV) Program for 2 bedroom apartments. The waitlist will remain open until we have received enough applicants to fulfill future vacancies.

Truax PBV Housing application will be available on our website at

https://www.cityofmadison.com/housing

Truax Section 8 PBV

• 24 units of family housing extensively rehabbed in 2011 through federal low-income housing tax credits awarded to the CDA by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
• Located along Wright and Straubel Street on Madison’s East side
• 23 two-bedroom (798 sq. ft.) units
• Units feature central air, new bathrooms, and new kitchen.
• All units are handicapped accessible
• Please visit our Applicants webpage for information on how to apply for other CDA housing programs, basic eligibility, waiting list information, and income limits.

UPCOMING DEMOLITIONS

• Please be advised that David Keller will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Apartment Building located at 10 N Bassett St Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, David Keller, Keller Real Estate Group, 448 West Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 at david@kellerrealestategroup.com or (608)227-6543.
• Please be advised that David Keller will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Apartment Building located at 506 W Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, David Keller, Keller Real Estate Group, 448 West Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 at david@kellerrealestategroup.com or (608)227-6543.
• Please be advised that David Keller will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Apartment Building located at 504 W Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, David Keller, Keller Real Estate Group, 448 West Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 at david@kellerrealestategroup.com or (608)227-6543
• Please be advised that David Keller will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Apartment Building located at 8 N Bassett St Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, David Keller, Keller Real Estate Group, 448 West Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 at david@kellerrealestategroup.com or (608)227-6543.
• Please be advised that Mike Sturm will be filing a demolition permit application on June 17, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a commercial storage building located at 202 S Baldwin St Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Mike Sturm, City of Madison Parks Division, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blv., Rm 104 Madison, WI 53703 at msturm@cityofmadison.comor (608)267-4921.

  Applicant’s Comments:
  The City of Madison Parks Division is intending to file an application for demolition permit for a 18,707 sf storage building. The demolition is part of the future expansion of McPike Park. Parks will submit the permit application request to City Zoning on June 17, 2020. Prior to issuance of permits and demolition activities, a reuse and recycle plan will be approved by the City’s Recycling Coordinator. The affected site area will be restored to turf pending future park improvements.

• Please be advised that David Keller will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Apartment Building located at 516 W Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, David Keller, Keller Real Estate Group, 448 West Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 at david@kellerrealestategroup.com or (608)227-6543.
• Please be advised that Mike Sturm will be filing a demolition permit application on June 17, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a commercial office located at 212 S Baldwin St Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Mike Sturm, City of Madison Parks Division, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Rm 104 Madison, WI 53703 at msturm@cityofmadison.com or (608)267-4921.

  Applicant’s Comments:
  The City of Madison Parks Division is intending to file an application for demolition permit for a 968 sf office building. The demolition is part of the future expansion of McPike Park. Parks will submit the permit application request to City Zoning on June 17, 2020. Prior to issuance of permits and demolition activities, a reuse and recycle plan will be approved by the City’s Recycling Coordinator. The affected site area will be restored to turf pending future park improvements.

• Please be advised that David Keller will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Apartment Building located at 14 N Bassett St Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, David Keller, Keller Real Estate Group, 448 West Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 at david@kellerrealestategroup.com or (608)227-6543.
• Please be advised that Mike Sturm will be filing a demolition permit application on June 17, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a commercial office/storage located at 210 S Baldwin St Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Mike Sturm, City of Madison Parks Division, 201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Rm 104 Madison, WI 53703 at msturm@cityofmadison.com or (608)267-4921.

  Applicant’s Comments:
  The City of Madison Parks Division is intending to file an application for demolition permit for a 2,479 sf office/storage building. The demolition is part of the future expansion of McPike Park. Parks will submit the permit application request to City Zoning on June 17, 2020. Prior to issuance of permits and demolition activities, a reuse and recycle plan will be approved by the City’s Recycling Coordinator. The affected site area will be restored to turf pending future park improvements.

• Please be advised that David Keller will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Apartment Building located at 510 W Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, David Keller, Keller Real Estate Group, 448 West Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 at david@kellerrealestategroup.com or (608)227-6543.

PARKS AMENITIES UPDATES

On May 18, 2020, Public Health Madison & Dane County announced the Forward Dane Plan, a plan for the phased reopening of Dane County during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the current Emergency Order #2 PDF , tennis and pickleball courts and disc golf courses may begin opening May 19 with restrictions and adjustments. The system-wide reopening of these facilities is anticipated to take up to three days to complete. We appreciate your patience during this time. 

All Madison Parks remain open. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, a number of adjustments and closures are in place until further notice. The Parks Resource Page will be updated as new information is received. (Updated 05/19/2020).

OPEN

The following services are open. Help us keep these park amenities open by following the guidelines as outlined and posted onsite including safe social distancing and avoiding direct contact with common touchpoints.

Tennis and Pickleball Courts

• Only two individuals per court at a time.
• Play is limited to every other court.
• Maintain at least 6 feet between people outside of your household at all times.
• Do not touch or share equipment or game balls.
• Do not leave trash behind!
• Consider wearing a face-covering.
• Use hand sanitizer and avoid touching common touchpoints such as gate, nets, etc.
• No organized group tennis: including lessons, team practices, or matches.

Disc Golf

• Purchase and show proof of a daily or annual permit.
  • Available online only: cityofmadison.com/parks/permits
• Maintain at least 6 feet between people.
  • Social distancing must be observed at all times unless the players are from the same household.
• Do not gather in groups or congregate before or after play.
  • Max 4 players per hole.
• Retrieve disc without touching the basket.
• Do not share equipment.
• Do not leave trash behind!
• Consider wearing a face-covering.
• Use hand sanitizer.

Paths and Trails

Tips for Walking and Running

• When in busy areas, walk single file lines or with just one child when out with household members.
• Avoid stopping on the path as it makes it hard for other users to pass safely, step off to an area off the path.
• When walking with your dog, please keep it under control and away from other users.

Tips for Bicycling and Rolling

• Ride cautiously and within your ability level.
• Do not forget to let others know you are passing.
• Only pass when you can maintain 6 feet of distance from other users.
• Do not pass in between people walking in opposite directions.
• No group riding or rolling with people outside your household.
• When active with household members, keep your group small.

Off-Leash Dog Parks 

• Don’t touch entry gate, bag stations, trashcans, or other surfaces with your bare hands. Use gloves or cover your hand with a dog waste bag first.
• Maintain social distancing of at least 6-feet between people, don’t gather in groups, and don’t pet other dogs.
• After leaving the dog park, use hand sanitizer. Wash your hands when you get home.
• Purchase daily or annual permit online only. Onsite kiosks are temporarily unavailable.

Community Gardens

• Gardeners should practice social distancing and bring their own tools.
• More information: Dept. of Health Services 

Boat Launches 

• Piers are installed at Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Tenney and Warner and may be used with the following precautions:
  • One person per pier.
  • Use gloves, and hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes for any common touchpoints.
  • Purchase daily or annual permit online only. Onsite kiosks are temporarily unavailable.

Golf Courses

All four City courses are open with adjustments. Learn more about what to expect and how to reserve.

See PARKS RESOURCE PAGE to view closures, additional information and recommendations.

MADISON METRO UPDATES (5/14)

Despite the State lifting of the Safer at Home Order, Public Health Madison Dane County has put a local Safer at Home order in place. Metro will continue to operate all of the reduced service rules below.

Once all orders have lifted, Metro will provide plenty of advance notification before gradually returning to a more normalized service.

Summary of Service and Rules

• Buses are operating modified Saturday service.
• Customers are required to board and exit the bus using the rear doors (riders needing the ramp may still enter through the front).
• Fare collection is suspended.
• Customers are asked to ride for essential trips ONLY.
• Metro’s Administration Office is now closed. Lost and Found pick-up done by appointment only. Call 608-266-4904.
• Metro maintenance are performing daily cleanings of all buses. See all preventative measures.

BIKE UPDATES

May is Still Bike Month:

• Learn to Ride webinar – a 1 hour webinar presented by the City of Madison in collaboration with Dane County Safe Routes to School. This webinar is intended to help adults support a child in learning to bike. Every Thursday in May at Noon. May 21 in English and May 28 in Spanish. Register Online
• May 20 – Virtual Ride of Silence hosted by Sun Prairie Moves
• Watch Madison BCycle social media for new challenges throughout Bike Month and prizes too!
• Follow City of Madison Traffic Engineering on Facebook for bike month related updates
• List of Bike Month events

And post your own photos and videos! Use the hashtags #walkbikemadison #bikethere #bikemonthgreatermadison

COVID-19 Bike Walk Update

New “Shared Street” – The City of Madison has added Sherman Ave to the City’s initiative to open up space for walking and biking. This starts at Thornton Ave (after Tenney Park) and continues to Brearly St. The section of Sherman Ave from Tenney Park to Baldwin does need to remain open for Metro Transit.

Arboretum Drive Change: UW-Madison has announced the closure of Arboretum Dr to motor vehicle traffic from Wingra Dr/Mills St to the Visitor Center. This closure will allow more space for people walking, running and biking to social distance. The change begins Mon, May 18 until the Safer at Home order has ended. More Information

Dane County remains under the Safer at Home order. However, last week the State of Wisconsin posted guidelines for eventual reopening Outdoor Recreation businesses. Read the full document online. Guidelines are intended for business that provide recreational opportunities such as camping, bike tours or rentals and include:

• Do not congregate in parking lots, at trailheads, at boat launches, at overlooks, etc. Wait for others to leave before entering a crowded area.
• Shared transport should be avoided unless a seat can be left empty between all riders who are not part of the same party. Encourage passengers to ear face masks, and sanitize vehicle after each use.
• Group events should be limited to 10 people. Use floor markings or chair placement to encourage safe spacing of participants.
• Conduct orientation or group training in large, well ventilated rooms, or outodoors.
• Campsites should be limited to members of a single household or living unit.

 UPCOMING MEETINGS

• Greater East Towne and Odana Area Planning efforts continue. Virtual meetings and engagement events continue with an Odana Area Plan Focused Discusion on May 18 and a Greater East Towne Area Plan Focused Discussion on June 1. Learn More
• Cedar Street. South St, High St and W Wingra Public Information Meeting – May 27 More Information
• Vilas Park Master Plan Survey – The Vilas Park Master Plan has entered Phase 2 and has a number of concepts for input including one related to Vilas Park Drive and access for people biking, walking and driving. Take the Survey

CONSTRUCTION AND EVENT UPDATES

• Chip Sealing – Work will began May 4. Project Information
• Johnson St – ATC is doing work on Johnson St between Blount St and Pak St related to the substation and are working at manholes throughout this area with short closures required where work is happening.
• Badger State Trail and Seminole Hwy at McKee Rd – The Badger State Trail in Fitchburg closed Mon, April 27 to begin construction of a bridge over the road. Seminole Hwy will remain open but only one travel lane in each direction with no bike lane. Bicyclists on Seminole may want to follow the Badger State Trail detour. More Information and Detour Map
• Gregory St – This reconstruction project has started and is expected to last until October. Project Information
• Buckeye Rd – Reconstruction has restarted and will be completed by mid-June. The street will be open to thru traffic except May 1-15. Project Information
• Toepfer, Holly, Euclid, St Clair – Work has started and the road is closed except for resident access.
• Packers Ave – From Londonderry to Tennyson only two lanes are open for this resurfacing project.
• Elizabeth St and N Ingersoll – This project will reconstruct Elizabeth St from N Ingersoll to N Few St and N Ingersoll from Sherman to Gorham. This project includes a contraflow bike lane on N Ingersoll St and other improvements. More Information
• Haywood Dr – Work has started back up to finish this project that was delayed due to weather in 2019. More Information
• Capitol Square – A State of Wisconsin project from Wisconsin to W Washington is impacting the Capitol Square.
• W Washington Ave – Lanes are closed between the SW Path and Bedford and all traffic is using one lane.
• Cottage Grove Rd from the Interstate to Sprecher Rd – Road reconstruction has started. Please follow the marked bicycle detour. Traffic lanes are currently moved to the north side only.Project Information
• Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Sidewalk Replacement – Work has started and is proceeding ahead of schedule. Bike racks have been moved to new locations so please look along the Capitol Square, Doty St and Wilson St for parking.Project Information
• Fish Hatchery Rd Reconstruction – Work is happening in the section in the City of Fitchburg. Detour at the Cannonball Path north of the beltline if traveling south from Madison. Project Information
• W Dayton St between N Mills and N Park – Closed for utility work. Use the Southwest Path to detour or, if that is crowded, consider University Ave. The UW anticipates construction to be completed in late May/early June. Project Information 
• Old Sauk Road between Pleasant View Rd & Pioneer Rd – This section of road will be closed starting April 1. Bicyclists will wan to use Pleasant View Rd to Blackhawk Rd to Twin Valley Rd. Motor vehicle traffic will be detoured to Pioneer Rd and Mineral Point. Bicyclists will want to continue on to Big Stone Trail to White Fox Lane to the Pioneer Park Path to return to Old Sauk Road.
• West Towne Path extension and underpass of Gammon Rd – Avoid travel on Gammon Rd near the Beltline and West Towne Mall if possible. Access to the mall is being maintained in this area but it will be easier to use Mineral Point Rd entrances. Project Information
• Monona’s Bridge Rd – Monona has Bridge Rd closed between Inland Way and Lake Pointe Dr. The Lake Loop will not be impacted but access to other streets will be.
• UW Arboretum Curtis Pond Rehabilitation – Work is going on near the west entrance to the arboretum across from the Curtis Pond. New stop signs have been installed and trucks will be using the road. Please follow any signage or workers. Watch for gravel in the road.
• McKenna Blvd Flood Mitigation Project – Work is being completed at McKenna Blvd and will be moving to the Schroeder Rd/Struck Ave area in mid-May.The Greentree-Chapel Hills Park Path still have some work closures. Project Information
• Reinhndahl Park Path remains closed for the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District interceptor project. The path is anticipated to reopen late May/early June.
• Campus Drive Path remains closed behind the UW Veterinary Building.

EVENTS

• Dane County Farmer’s Market – The market is moving to Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center and will be open Wednesdays and Fridays by pre-order. On Wednesdays, bicycle and pedestrian pick-up will be from 5:30-6pm and on Saturdays from 11:30am-Noon. Please avoid walking/biking on the paths by Willow Island during this time if you are not going to the market to allow enough space for those who are to maintain social distancing. More Information

Information on other future city projects can be found on the City of Madison Engineering webpage.

F-35s: FINAL ISN’T FINAL – SAFE SKIES CLEAN WATERS

The “final” decision isn’t final yet.

We are working several avenues to prevent the F-35 joint strike fighter jets from coming to Madison. Here’s a great opportunity.

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Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-2) have drafted a letter to the House Armed Services Committee chair Adam Smith (D-WA-9) and the ranking member Mac Thornberry (R-TX-13) urging them to draft a Pentagon budget below last year’s $740 billion levels as we fight this global pandemic.

We need to ensure that we get as many members of Congress to add their names in support of the Pocan/Lee letter. Send this to people you know in other states and districts!

Please call your Rep. today and demand they add their name – or thank them and urge them to specify the F-35 program in their demands for cuts.

1. Call the Congressional switchboard at 1-202-224-3121
2. Ask to be connected to your representative’s office
3. Once connected (or asked to leave a voicemail), say:

Hello, my name is (your name) and I am a voting constituent from (your city). I am calling to urge the representative to add his/her name to the Pocan/Lee letter calling to pass a Pentagon budget this year that’s reduced from last year. America needs a coronavirus cure, not more war.  We need more testing, not more bombs. The F-35 program is a prime example of wasteful spending that can be cut. [comment added by Safe Skies Clean Water WI] In order to reopen our nation in a safe manner, we need to focus our spending efforts on the millions of additional coronavirus tests, as well as covering treatment costs, developing therapeutics, and distributing future vaccines. I look forward to hearing the representative’s response to my request.

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You can also sign this international Cancel the F-35 petition

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We need to remind Congress that they are accountable to us, the people, and not Trump, not the Pentagon, and NOT to arms dealers. There is a real and immediate need out there for things that will actually make us safer and more secure. We need more N95 masks, not more F-35 jet fighters. Those are useless against the tremendous threat to our security we find ourselves in. We need more masks, more ventilators, and more nurses. We need assistance for the tens of millions of people that have lost their jobs. We need aid for communities that were already struggling before the pandemic. America needs a coronavirus cure, not more war.

Please call your representative today!

This action initiated by Paul Kawika Martin of Peace Action

P.S. If your Rep. is Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-3); Jared Huffman (D-CA-2), Andy Levin (D-MI-9), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13), or Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), please call and thank them for already adding their name.

SPEAKING OF CLEAN WATER . . .