Why the city attorney’s office advises minutes to only contain motions and votes, no notes on discussion items, alder communications survey and more.
CHANGES AT FORWARD LOOKOUT
NEWS – In order to keep the news up to date a little bit better, I have a new format for news. You can look on the homepage under “Konkel Round Up” and I will update that information periodically throughout the day, depending upon what else is going on.
MO’ MEETINGS – Will also be putting Mo’ meetings with the news items.
CALENDAR – You will now see a calendar on the front page and a tab to the full monthly calendar. This calendar is for all the government related meetings I find out about that are not in the week ahead.
CITY PROJECT UPDATES – Also added to the Konkel Round up in order to be more timely
POLICE POLICY UPDATES – You only get 14 days to comment, so I will add those to the Konkel Round Up in order to be more timely
WOMEN IN THE TRADES WORKSHOP
Women in Trades Flyer 3-24-2020
YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT APPLICATIONS DUE
Interested in serving as a youth representative in the 2020-21 Dane County Youth Governance Program? (Or know someone who might be?)
The Dane County Youth Governance Program (YGP) is currently seeking youth applications for our 2020-21 cohort! There will be up to 12 YGP positions available in 2020-21. [Note that the pre-application nomination form is no longer required.]
Why YGP? YGP youth representatives have the opportunity to learn about how local government functions by serving as members of Dane County Board of Supervisor committees, and also have the opportunity to bring youth voice to local government decisions. Whether you have an interest in government, law, business, public policy, advocacy, or being an engaged citizen, we encourage you to consider YGP! Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a committee meeting (or watch a county board meeting online) before they decide whether to apply to YGP. Please go to bit.ly/YGPcmte for more details about attending committee meetings (or contact Jess, below). All posted committee meetings are open to the public to attend and observe. County board meetings are available to watch online at bit.ly/CBmtgs.
YGP Applicant requirements:
– Dane County residents currently in grades 9-11 (who will be in grades 10-12 in fall of 2020)
– Ability to commit 6-8 hours per month for YGP responsibilities, including attending 2-3 weeknight meetings each month. Regular attendance is essential.
o Most meetings start between 5:15 and 6:00pm, and last approximately 1½ hrs.
o Due to the time frame, involvement in sports or multiple extracurriculars may conflict with ability to commit to YGP – if concerned, but interested in YGP, please contact Jess (below) to discuss.
– Strong interest in community engagement
– High level of maturity
– Good communication & self-expression skills (or willing to develop)
– Responsible, dependable, & self-motivated
– Positive attitude
– Interest in developing skills in leadership, professionalism, and working with adults
– Transportation to/from committee meetings in Madison (bus passes are available)
(find info on meeting locations at bit.ly/YGPcmte)
YGP seeks to recruit a cohort that reflects Dane County’s diversity in every form including geography, race, ethnicity, gender identity, ability status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religion, and all other identities. All Dane County youth are encouraged to apply.
Applications are available at the YGP Application process page, and are due Friday, March 6th. Following the application process will be an interview process, and final candidates will be chosen.
For more details about the Dane County Youth Governance Program, please visit our website athttps://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/youthgovernanceprogram/, or contact me at the information below.
See what current and former YGP youth representatives have to say about their YGP experience:
“I have found a place in my committee, and the support of my mentor and other supervisors has been amazing.”
“…I have begun to more fully understand the process, and have had the opportunity to ask questions and express my opinion.”
We look forward to receiving your applications, and to another successful year of YGP!
Jess Guffey Calkins (preferred pronouns: she, her)
Community Food Systems & Youth Development Coordinator
Extension Dane County
5201 Fen Oak Dr. Ste. 138
Madison, WI 53718
(p)608-224-3712
(f)608-224-3727
711 for Wisconsin Relay
calkins.jessica@countyofdane.com
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/danefoodsystem/
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/dane4hyouth/
SENATOR BALDWIN’S OFFICE TO RECEIVE PEACE CRANES AND POSTCARDS
On Thursday, March 5, representatives of the Safe Skies Clean Water Coalition will visit Senator Baldwin’s Madison office at 30 W. Mifflin Street from 12:15 to 1:15 pm. We will bring her origami peace cranes and “No F-35” postcards completed by her constituents. To show her one of the many anticipated impacts on our community, we will bring a recording of the ugly and deafening roar of fifty F-35 jets taking off from an Air Force base.
We are asking Senator Baldwin to review the newly released Environmental Impact Statement and recognize the tremendous environmental impacts these jets would have on Madison and the region. We ask her to withdraw her support for the F-35 jets and meet with our coalition. Representatives from some of the many groups that support Safe Skies will be available to talk with the press.
Senator Tammy Baldwin has been a supporter of bringing the F-35 jets to Truax Field in Madison. She has not responded to requests to meet with the many residents that will be impacted by her decision. We need her to understand how much Madison residents oppose her plan to bring the F-35 jets to our community.
Last week the Air Force released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the F-35 fighter jet squadron proposed for Truax Field in Madison. Like the draft EIS, it continues to show enormous environmental and economic damage would be caused by these jets. These planes do not belong in our urban area.
The harm to our water, soil, neighborhoods, and our economy would be paid for by our local government and homeowners, without Federal compensation. The harm to our children would be long lasting.
Our Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, spoke out last week regarding the severe environmental impacts identified in the EIS, which she urged the Air Force to not ignore. She pointed out that three other proposed sites for the F-35s would have lesser environmental impacts than Madison. She said: “What is the point of assessing environmental impacts if those impacts are found to be severe and then they go ignored? The final report indicates that there are lesser environmental impacts at three alternative sites. I recognize that a decision will be made by the USAF whether or not the City of Madison has any opinion on this matter, but I urge the Secretary of the Air Force to be true to the purpose and intent of the NEPA law.”
Madison City Council members and Dane County Board members are preparing resolutions to oppose these jets. Legal challenges will soon be announced.
FREE ENGLISH CLASSES
Literacy Network is offering the following English classes in the community for FREE and Childcare is available. *New participants don’t need to register for these specific classes.
These are the locations:
GOODMAN SOUTH MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY | 2222 S Park St, Madison, WI 53713
Saturdays 9:30 – 11:30 AM
February 22nd – April 25th (No class on 3/28 and 04/18)
*Childcare minimum: 2 years.
SAUK TRAIL ELEMENTARY | 2205 Branch St, Middleton, WI 53562
Tuesdays 5:30 – 7:30 PM
March 3rd – May 19th
*Childcare minimum: 3 years.
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY (Starts TODAY)
1320 Buena Vista Dr, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Wednesdays 5:00 – 7:00 PM
March 4th – April 22nd
*Childcare minimum: 2 years/Potty trained.
For more information about the agency, classes, or our upcoming Reading Between the Wines event, click on any of the hyperlinks.
RIDE THE DRIVE
The tradition continues! Madison Parks is pleased to announce Ride the Drive is back for its 12th year! Stroll, roll, pedal or glide to three downtown area parks on Sunday, May 17 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm!
In 2017, Madison Parks improved the route to reduce road closures and to feature three downtown area parks and this year is no exception. Participants can Ride the Drive by foot, by pedal or by wheel stopping along the four-mile route for family-friendly activities, food and entertainment at Brittingham Park, Olin Park and Law Park.
Riders will experience the scenic views of John Nolen Drive in blissful quiet along Lake Monona. The RTD route is closed to motor vehicles from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm on the day of the event. John Nolen Drive, from Olin Ave. to Blair St. is the only main road closed for the event, allowing for continued easy access to and through downtown Madison.
For those new to Madison, Ride the Drive is a free, community event celebrating Madison’s commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle. Volunteers are essential to the success of Ride the Drive with more than 80 positions available for 2-4 hours shifts. Online registration is now open. Local companies and organizations interested in promoting their business may contact ridethedrive@
TAKE THE ALDER COMMUNICATION SURVEY
Help shape how you receive information from your alder.
Online Link to Survey (English)
The City of Madison Common Council has established a work group to improve the ways your alder (your representative on the Madison Common Council) provides you with timely, accurate and actionable information.
Please help us in this process by completing this brief survey. The goal of this survey is to better understand which communications channels are most used and preferred by Madison residents. This survey is expected to take no more than 5-10 minutes of your time. Responses are kept private and no personally identifiable information is collected. Survey closes Sunday, March 22.
Ayude a determinar cómo recibir información de su concejal.
Enlace en línea a la encuesta (Español)
Comunicaciones del Consejo Común de Maison
El Consejo Municipal de Madison reunió a un grupo de trabajo para mejorar las formas en que su concejal (su representante ante el Consejo Municipal) le comparte a usted información oportuna, exacta y factible.
Ayúdenos en este proceso respondiendo esta breve encuesta. El objetivo de esta encuesta es entender mejor qué canales de comunicación son los que más usan y prefieren los residentes de Madison, y responderla no le tomará más de 5 o 10 minutos. Las respuestas se mantendrán privadas y no se recopilará información que lo identifique personalmente. La encuesta cierra el domingo 22 de marzo.
WHY CITY MINUTES ARE SO MINIMAL
Over the last few years there has been more emphasis on only recording motions and votes for city minutes. Some minute takers used to provide very useful notes about discussions that have taken place, so if you didn’t attend and it wasn’t recorded you’d have a chance to know what they spoke about. That has been discouraged and many have stopped doing that. So, I asked the city attorney’s office why. Here is ACA Roger Allen’s response.
This is not a change in policy. It has been the policy and the advice of the City Attorney’s Office since before I started here 25 years ago. It may be a change of practice for some staff and some bodies. However, the rule follows Robert’s Rules, creates a consistent practice across the City and it eliminates the sticky issue of whether the minutes are more of a transcript (which I am certain you can appreciate has issues with regards to litigation).
This matter was discussed at a recent city-wide staff training session. Some staff expressed concerns that they were instructed by various committee members to violate that rule. We told them that we would address such issues if they arose.
The purpose of minutes is to memorialize the actions of a body. It is not to create a historical summary or a transcript of discussions.
FLOODING MEETING TONIGHT
We’d like to remind you that Public Information Meeting No. 2 is tonight to discuss the changes for the City’s stormwater ordinance. Tonight’s meeting will be geared more toward the public, with background information, chances to give feedback and ask questions, etc.
6-8 p.m., March 5, 2020, Goodman Park Maintenance Facility,
1402 Wingra Creek Parkway, Madison, WI 53715
