Common Council, elections and homeless services updates, F-35s, CARPC, parking and parks announcements and more.
Round up contains those issues that are not a stand alone post or otherwise included in the Konkel News Round Up
COMMON COUNCIL ROUND UP – 4/2/20
From your Common Council Office:
We received questions about possibly repealing the wheel tax. Here is the response from city staff:
The process for establishing a local vehicle registration fee is set in state law and is collected with the state vehicle registration fee. I do not anticipate the state authorizing a waiver of paying state vehicle registration fees given the need to maintain revenues to the state transportation fund.
It would seem that our only recourse for waiving the local vehicle registration fee is to repeal the city ordinance. State law requires a three month advance notice to repeal the local registration fee (i.e., repeal of the ordinance must have an effective date that is 3 months after the date of enactment of the repeal).
By way of background, the adopted 2020 city budget anticipates receiving $7.3 million from the fee to support transit costs. Repeal of the fee would require significant changes to the adopted budget.
The fee is ours (set by ordinance—MGO 12.177), and cannot be waived/amended/deferred by the State. We enacted it under the procedure set forth in Wis. Stat. Sec. 341.35. The State acts as our collection agent, and once established by the municipality, the fee is required to be charged on every vehicle registered in the City (meaning the State has no authority under the Statute to waive/suspend the fee). Even if the City wanted to act to temporarily suspend the fee, that would require an ordinance amendment (this is not something that the Mayor could suspend under her emergency powers). Moreover, even if the City acted to temporarily suspend the fee, not only would that require amending the ordinance, but, under Wis. Admin Code ch Trans 126.02(6), the waiver would not be effective for at least 90 days (we have to give the State notice at least 90 days prior to the first day of the month where the change is to kick in). Hence, even if the City acted at its next meeting in April, the soonest the fee could actually get suspended would be August (which renewals go out in June I believe). Also, unless the suspension was for a set period of time, to get the fee reinstated would require the same 90 day notice period (not to mention redoing that entire process of creating the fee in the first place).
From The State:
A federal judge today refused to delay Wisconsin’s April 7 election, but he pushed back to April 13 the deadline for absentee ballots to be received so they can be counted in the spring races, which include the presidential primaries.
Under current law, today was the final day to request an absentee ballot. U.S. Judge James Conley pushed that back to 5 p.m. tomorrow.
He also enjoined the state from enforcing a requirement that those voting absentee have a witness if they are unable to safely do so.
Read the ruling:
Under current law, today was the final day to request an absentee ballot. U.S. Judge James Conley pushed that back to 5 p.m. tomorrow.
He also enjoined the state from enforcing a requirement that those voting absentee have a witness if they are unable to safely do so.
Read the ruling:
https://www.wispolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/200402Order-1.pdf
From The County:
Dane County has selected Dane Buy Local to administer the county’s newly created Small Business Pandemic Support Grant Program. Funds will be used to support Dane County small businesses experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dane Buy Local will administer the grants and have information about the County’s grant program on their website www.danebuylocal.com.
From The EOC:
Complaints of businesses not in compliance of the Governor’s order should be sent to the general Public Health COVID-19 email (coronavirus@publichealthmdc.com).
Complaints of observed large gatherings of people should go to 911 dispatch.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot was 5:00 pm today (April 2).
Absentee ballots must be received in the Clerk’s Office in time for delivery to the polls on Election Day (April 7th)
CURBSIDE VOTER REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE VOTING
Curbside voter registration and absentee voting is now available through April 3rd to all residents. Curbside voting is open from 8:00AM-6:00PM now available through 9am-1pm Saturday is the last time one can curbside vote before having to do on Tuesday at their polling place outside of 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Due to COVID-19 precautions for the April 2020 Election, the City of Madison has reserved parking meters on the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard for any City of Madison voter to register and/or vote from the curb. Just pull up to a parking meter in front of the City-County Building or Madison Municipal Building with a “No Parking – Police Order sign.” If you have a cell phone, you can call the number posted on the sign at the meter to begin the curbside voting process. Otherwise, wave at one of our election officials standing in front of the building, wearing a bright yellow vest. Two officials will bring your ballot to your vehicle and will check your voter ID at your vehicle. If you have your own pen to use, wave it at the officials as they approach your vehicle. (Note, we are sanitizing clipboards and pens after each use.)
If you had the Clerk’s Office mail you an absentee ballot, and you need a witness, you may use the curbside voting process for that purpose. You can also read about other options for witnesses here: https://cityofmadison.com/clerk/news/voters-in-need-of-a-witness
SIGN UP TO BE A POLL WORKER
The City of Madison is in need of hundreds of poll workers for the April 7th election. To become a poll worker, sign up on the City of Madison Clerk’s website.
From Public Health:
COVID-19 Information Update 4/2/20
Best Practices for Businesses
We’ve added a new page to our website: Best Practices for Businesses. Business owners and operators can find answers to questions like what are the best ways to prevent spread of COVID-19 in my facility and how should I clean my facility?
4/2/20 AM COVID News Roundup
STATE/LOCAL
- JUST IN: US Unemployment claims hit record 6.6 million as layoffs accelerate with virus: https://bit.ly/3bJoGpJ
- As COVID-19 pandemic intensifies, guidance on public use of basic masks may be shifting: https://bit.ly/2UCisCz
- Student teachers, schools of education adjust amid COVID-19 pandemic: https://bit.ly/2UDBokd
- Judge indicates he won’t postpone April 7 election, but might be open to making it easier to vote: https://bit.ly/3aE5Dgp
- Republican leaders back eliminating unemployment waiting period as Tony Evers calls for more action: https://bit.ly/2R6N24V
- Marquette poll finds nearly 1 in 10 Wisconsinites has lost job due to COVID-19 pandemic:https://bit.ly/3dNULP7
- Older, sicker men are the majority of COVID-19 deaths: https://bit.ly/2w60ChB
- Coronavirus cases spike; 2020 DNC in doubt: https://bit.ly/2V1uF2G
COMMON COUNCIL ROUND UP – 4/1/20
From: Obeng, Kwasi <KObeng@cityofmadison.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2020 4:34 PM
To: All Alders <allalders@cityofmadison.com>
Subject: Daily round up for 4/01/20
Good evening Alders,
Please see a round of updates from today.
From your Common Council Office:
I received several questions regarding the deferment of room taxes and property taxes. Please see the response from our Finance Director:
With respect to room taxes, there is an ordinance amendment has been proposed (Legistar 60129) to waive interest and penalties for room taxes that are due for the 1st quarter of 2020 (due by April 30) if those room taxes are paid on or before July 31, 2020. This resolution was introduced at las night’s meeting (3/31/2020), referred to the Finance Committee (April 6, 2020), and will return for Council action on 4/21/2020.
With respect to property taxes, there is a bill draft circulating in the Legislature on this issue. It appears that a provision related to waiving interest and penalties on late payment of property tax installments may be incorporated into some form of omnibus response legislation under consideration by legislative leaders. The timing of that is unknown. I was just on a call with legislative staff organized by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities regarding the drafting of this language.
Today is Census Day:
- Insert the following language above your name in your email signature using the same format as I used in mine:
>>> The 2020 Census is here! As we practice social distancing, take the opportunity to complete the census now from the comfort of your own home. You can fill it out online atmy2020census.gov, by phone, or by mail. <<<
For those who already have a census signature, please update it to the language above.
- Text or call at least five friends, family members, and colleagues and encourage them to complete the census and ask them, in turn, to share the same message with at least five more people within their networks. Especially reach out to people that might be less likely to participate.
- Post the census message from the email signatures to social media and send it via email along with one or both of the “I Count” graphics that are included below. The vertical version is better for Facebook and Instagram. The horizontal version is better for Twitter.
From Clerk’s Office:
The City of Madison has changed many polling locations due to COVID-19. Below is a list of all polling places for the April 7 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary.
City of Madison voters are also able to use the polling place data map created by the City of Madison Planning Division. The map can be found at https://bit.ly/3dIjOTJ .
All polling places have also been updated on the MyVote Wisconsin website. By visitingmyvote.wi.gov , voters can confirm their polling place and view a sample ballot.
1 Fire Station #14 3201 Dairy Drive
2, 123 Glendale Elementary, 1201 Tompkins Drive
3, 4, 7 City Church, 4909 E Buckeye Road
5, 6, 9, 128, 130, 132, 133 Elvehjem Elementary, 5106 Academy Drive
8, 129, 131, 134 Fire Station #13, 6350 Town Center Drive
10, 11, 17 Kennedy Elementary, 221 Meadowlark Drive
12 New Beginnings Church, 602 Acewood Boulevard
3, 14 LaFollette High School, 700 Pflaum Road
15 YMCA, 711 Cottage Grove Rd
16, 24, 142 Whitehorse Middle School, 218 Schenk Street
18, 21 Hy-Vee, 3801 E Washington Avenue
19, 20 East Madison Community Center, 8 Straubel Court
22, 136, 39 Hawthorne Library, 2707 E Washington Ave
23 Fire Station #11, 4011 Morgan Way
25, 26, 126, 145 Sandburg Elementary, 4114 Donald Drive
27, 28, 29 East High School, 2222 E Washington Ave
30 Sherman Middle School, 1610 Ruskin Street
31, 32 Lakeview Library, 2845 N Sherman Ave
33, 34, 152 Warner Park Shelter, 1625 Northport Drive
35, 36 Mendota Elementary, 4002 School Road
37 Lindbergh Elementary, 4500 Kennedy Road
38, 112, 118, 135 Blackhawk Middle School, 1402 Wyoming Way
40 Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave
41 O’Keeffe Middle School, 510 S Thornton Ave
42 Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 504 S. Brearly Street
43, 52 Madison Municipal Building, 215 MLK Jr Blvd
44 Tenney Park Pavilion, 402 N Thornton Avenue
45 Lapham Elementary, 1045 E Dayton Street
46 Gates of Heaven, 302 E Gorham Street
49, 50 Madison Senior Center, 330 W Mifflin Street
51, 53 Central Library, 201 W Mifflin Street
54, 67 UW Welcome Center, 21 N Park Street
55, 58 Union South, 1308 W Dayton Street
56, 66 Union South – Room 2, 1308 W Dayton Street
47, 48, 57 UW Memorial Library, 728 State Street
59, 60 Eagle Heights Community Center, 611 Eagle Hts
61, 63 West High School, 30 Ash Street
62, 68 Trinity United Methodist Church. 1123 Vilas Avenue
64 Hoyt School, 3802 Regent Street
65 Wingra School, 718 Gilmore St
69, 72 Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld Street
70, 113 Bridge – Lake Point – Waunona, 1917 Lake Point Dr
71, 139, 146 Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, 501 E Badger Road
73 Village on Park, 2300 S Park Street
74, 75 Leopold Elementary, 2602 Post Road
76, 78 Thoreau Elementary, 3870 Nakoma Road
77, 93, 94 Toki Middle School, 5606 Russett Road
79 Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd
80, 81 Midvale Elementary, 502 Caromar Drive
82 Midtown Police District, 4020 Mineral Point Road
83 Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S Segoe Road
84 Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 110 N Whitney Way
85 Wellspring United Methodist, 5702 South Hill Drive
86 Asbury United Methodist, 6101 University Avenue
87, 89 John Muir Elementary School, 6602 Inner Drive
88, 110, 120 Alicia Ashman Library, 733 N High Point Road
90, 104, 117, 141, 91 Falk Elementary, 6323 Woodington Way
92, 95, 97, 148 Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Road
96, 99, 98, 144 Chavez Elementary, 3502 Maple Grove Drive
100, 101, 102, 119, 121 Elver Park Shelter, 1250 McKenna Boulevard
103, 114, 115, 116 West Police District, 1710 McKenna Boulevard
105, 107, 127, 150 Fire Station #12, 400 South Point Road
106, 125, 137, 140, 147, 151, 111, 122, 124, 138, 143 Blackhawk Church, 9620 Brader Wy
108, 149 Lussier Community Education Center, 55 S Gammon Rd
109 High Point Church, 7702 Old Sauk Road
From The County:
Dane County has selected Dane Buy Local to administer the county’s newly created Small Business Pandemic Support Grant Program. Funds will be used to support Dane County small businesses experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dane Buy Local will administer the grants and have information about the County’s grant program on their website www.danebuylocal.com.
From The EOC:
Complaints of businesses not in compliance of the Governor’s order should be sent to the general Public Health COVID-19 email (coronavirus@publichealthmdc.com).
Complaints of observed large gatherings of people should go to 911 dispatch.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5:00 pm the Thursday before the election (April 2).
Absentee ballots must be received in the Clerk’s Office in time for delivery to the polls on Election Day (April 7th)
CURBSIDE VOTER REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE VOTING
Curbside voter registration and absentee voting is now available through April 3rd to all residents. Curbside voting is open from 8:00AM-6:00PM outside of 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Due to COVID-19 precautions for the April 2020 Election, the City of Madison has reserved parking meters on the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard for any City of Madison voter to register and/or vote from the curb. Just pull up to a parking meter in front of the City-County Building or Madison Municipal Building with a “No Parking – Police Order sign.” If you have a cell phone, you can call the number posted on the sign at the meter to begin the curbside voting process. Otherwise, wave at one of our election officials standing in front of the building, wearing a bright yellow vest. Two officials will bring your ballot to your vehicle and will check your voter ID at your vehicle. If you have your own pen to use, wave it at the officials as they approach your vehicle. (Note, we are sanitizing clipboards and pens after each use.)
If you had the Clerk’s Office mail you an absentee ballot, and you need a witness, you may use the curbside voting process for that purpose. You can also read about other options for witnesses here: https://cityofmadison.com/clerk/news/voters-in-need-of-a-witness
SIGN UP TO BE A POLL WORKER
The City of Madison is in need of hundreds of poll workers for the April 7th election. To become a poll worker, sign up on the City of Madison Clerk’s website.
From Public Health:
COVID-19 Information Update 4/1/20
Anti-Stigma Messaging
The language we use in important. We have created a new resource, Changing the way we Talk about COVID-19 to reduce stigmatizing language around COVID-19.
Data Updates
Later today, our data dashboard will be updated to reflect a 3rd COVID-related death in Dane County. Two women and one man have died; all were over 65 years of age.
4/1/20 AM COVID News Roundup
STATE/LOCAL
- Until further notice: Madison businesses struggle to deal with the coronavirus fallout:https://bit.ly/2UzDGRu
- Tough choices amid COVID-19 pandemic, economic turmoil and rent coming due: https://bit.ly/2yqvme9
- Madison City Council gives green light to Amazon project on East Side: https://bit.ly/2xH0aqq
- Madison City Council takes stand against F-35 fighter jets: https://bit.ly/3dKWq7U
- 2020 Census Day arrives during unprecedented public health crisis: https://bit.ly/2R5fWT8
- Wisconsin launches child care portal; providers warn COVID-19 crisis could ‘decimate’ strained system: https://bit.ly/2JxJyEy
- Tony Evers announces COVID-19 isolation centers, requests federal disaster declaration:https://bit.ly/3bFWaoR
- UW Hospital joins national effort to study plasma treatment for COVID-19: https://bit.ly/2wJS00H
- 2 MORE Dane county deputies test positive for COVID-19: https://bit.ly/341RJ5e
- Wisconsin receives 2nd PPE shipment: https://bit.ly/2URpCSj
- Metro buses taking new measures to keep passengers, drivers safe: https://bit.ly/3ayLmJ3
- Milwaukee normally has 180 voting sites; because of COVID, fewer than 12 polling places will be open April 7: https://bit.ly/2QZp8sc
HOMELESS SERVICES CONSORTIUM ITEMS
New CAC Executive Director – Amber Duddy, David Vobora to leave May 1.
Mainstream Vouchers
Hello Everyone,
We just wanted to reach out to give you a few updates regarding the Mainstream Voucher Program.
A reminder about who is coordinating these programs:
For Families: Justin Burton-The Road Home-608-206-9586
For Singles: Molly Wells-Tenant Resource Center-mvp@tenantresourcecenter.org
-
-
- During the COVID-19 Pandemic, CDA will allow the use of electronic signatures. Ideally, this would involve having the participant sign the forms via a touch screen and sending the form where it needs to go. If acquiring a signature via a touch screen is unavailable you may use typed electronic signatures. If you have questions around this please contact the coordinators.
- There has been some confusion regarding the Family Eligibility requirements (attached), specifically around the money owed to a landlord portion of the requirements. I want to clarify that for participants in a Rapid Rehousing Program there is no requirement surrounding owing money to a landlord. For participants in a Permanent Supportive Housing program, applicants cannot owe money to their current landlord.
- If you are having trouble helping participants verify their disability due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact the coordinators to discuss possible alternatives.
-
Thank you everyone!
Justin & Molly
ELECTIONS UPDATES – 4/2
Good evening/morning,
Absentee Ballot Data
We’ve issued 79,818 absentee ballots, and 28,340 (35.5%) have been returned. We’ve had 3,993 voters in-person. And our email backlog is 839! It hasn’t been in the triple digits in weeks. Thursday is the last date to request an absentee ballot to be sent. Voters may still curbside and register on Friday. Saturday from 9am – 1pm we have curbside voting for the last time before the election, but all voters must already be registered at their current address. There are over 1,100 absentee requests we have not been able to process because the voters did not send us a picture of their ID: 710 electronic requests and 497 paper requests. We immediately send emails to voters (if we have one to send to) or at the very least, a letter with instructions on where to email or mail a photo of the ID. We estimated about half are seniors who sent us selfies rather than pictures of their IDs. We tweeted about this number, and it’s blowing up. https://twitter.com/MadisonWIClerk/status/1245456746384064512
Polling Places
Our polling place changes are public. Voters can find their polling place for Tuesday either at MyVote.wi.govor https://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/where-do-i-vote/.
F-35 EMAILS TO ALDERS
From: Veldran, Lisa <LVeldran@cityofmadison.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2020 2:11 PM
To: All Alders <allalders@cityofmadison.com>
Subject: F35 Emails Sent to allalders@cityofmadison.com email address
I scanned in the emails all alders received (support and oppose) regarding Legislative File No. 60043 – Responding to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Air National Guard F-35A Operational Beddown. I added a few more to the pdf’s that were received after I left last night
Date Support Oppose
Friday, March 27 1 0
Saturday, March 28 0 92
Sunday, March 29 34 67
Monday, March 30 199 71
Tuesday, March 31 80 + 13 51 + 21
Total 327 302
The scanned PDF’s can be found here https://bit.ly/3aE59ai
Lisa Veldran, Legislative Services & Council Office Manager
Madison Common Council Office
CARPC MEETING
Meeting Notice
The CARPC meeting next week will be on Thursday, April 9th, starting at 6pm. We have scheduled a Committee of the Whole to review Zoom’s settings and controls as the first item of business after the roll call and public comments.
There will be only one public hearing, which is scheduled to commence at 7pm.
The agenda and packet are on the web at https://www.capitalarearpc.org/meetings/ . Please let me know if you have problems accessing the agenda or packet.
Below is the participation information:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will take place virtually via Zoom. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone by visitinghttps://zoom.us/j/701463265. You can also participate by phone by dialing +1 312 626 6799 and use Meeting ID: 701 463 265.
Public comment may also be sent, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting, to Linda Firestone at lindaf@capitalarearpc.org.
Regards,
Linda K. Firestone
Administrative Services Manager
Capital Area Regional Planning Commission
100 State Street, Suite 400
Madison, WI 53703
Cell (608) 358-6057
Sign up for our newsletter
Public Hearing cancellation
| from: | Sean Higginsseanh@capitalarearpc.org | ||
| to: | Sean Higgins <seanh@capitalarearpc.org> |
||
| date: | Apr 2, 2020, 2:37 PM | ||
| subject: | CARPC Public Hearing Cancellation | ||
| mailed-by: | capitalarearpc.org |
Good Afternoon,
The CARPC public hearing amending the Dane County Land Use and Transportation Plan scheduled for 7:00pm April 9th has been cancelled. The amendment will be rescheduled for October 8th.
Thank You,
Sean Higgins
Senior Community Planner
Capital Area Regional Planning Commission
100 State Street, Suite 400
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 474-6018
COUNTY FUNDING DEADLINE CHANGES
| from: | Macfarlane, DawnMacfarlane@countyofdane.com | ||
| to: | |||
| date: | Apr 2, 2020, 7:33 AM | ||
| subject: | RFP Notice to POS Agencies |
This is to notify you that the due dates for two of the RFPs issued by the County Department of Administration have now been extended to 2:00 p.m. June 1, 2020. These include:
- RFP 120017 – Mental Health Resources for Older Adults
- RFP 120029 – Community Center Behavioral Health Services
Please see the Addendums for each that may be found on the Purchasing web site at: https://www.danepurchasing.com/bids . This also provides new dates for the submission of questions.
PARKING RULES FURTHER RELAXED
ll on-street meters, Residential Permit Only restrictions, 1-hour and 2-hour time-limit restrictions in non-metered areas, and Street sweeping and Clean Streets-Clean Lakes program parking restrictions are temporarily suspended through Sunday, April 26th, unless otherwise noticed. This amends the previous notice which was scheduled to expire April 6th, and expands the suspension of on-street parking restrictions to include Street Sweeping and Clean Streets-Clean Lakes restrictions.
Effective immediately, the following on-street parking restrictions are suspended city-wide through Sunday, April 26th or until otherwise noticed, and will not be enforced:
- On-street meters (time limits and fees are suspended)
- Residential Permit Only
- 1-hour and 2-hour time-limits in non-metered areas
- Street sweeping and Clean Streets-Clean Lakes program restrictions
All other parking restrictions must be followed.
Reminder of what to remember to avoid a citation:
- You cannot park in posted “No Parking” areas (marked with paint, signs and hoods). These are still valid and enforceable.
- Vehicles are still required to move every 48 hours, or could be considered abandoned and subject to citation and towing.
- Vehicles still need to allow City services to complete their work, including garbage collection.
- Hangtags are still required to park in designated Dis/Vet stalls.
- Do not park in marked Metro Bus stops.
- Do not block fire hydrants.
- Please leave loading zones free for day-to-day business needs from 8am – 6pm, Monday-Friday.
- All off-street garages and lots are operating as normal and will still require payment.
Information about the Parking Division can be found at: www.cityofmadison.com/parking-utility
Contacts
- City of Madison Parking Divisionparking@cityofmadison.com
SELF GUIDED NATURE WALKS – MADISON PARKS
n a perfect world, Madison Parks volunteer nature experts would provide guided walks each weekend as part of the on-going, year-round Bird & Nature Outing series. Today, we must learn to adapt to these unique times, in order to stay safe and still enjoy nature.
We encourage you to continue to seek the outdoors and Madison Parks – safely. In doing so, with assistance from our volunteers, we’re proving a few expert tips for your own self-guided walks at the locations typically featured in the Bird & Nature Outings.
Pro Tip: Most parks provide several access points. Seek the one with the fewest people to begin your nature walk. Always remain at least 6 feet away from anyone not in your immediate household. See Using the Outdoors While Maintaining Social Distancing and Social Distancing while using City Bicycle and Pedestrian Pathways for more information.
As we know, April showers bring budding plants and migratory birds back to our area. Be sure to bring a camera and post your photos on Facebook and Instagram, tagging Madison Parks or using #madisonparks
Tenney Park
The Magic of Migration
Discover the magic of bird migration on a beautiful healthy spring walk along Lake Mendota, the Yahara River and Tenney Lagoon. How many different bird species to you see? Do you know how the colorful waterfowl and migrating birds in the trees find their way here? Or where are they going? Why do some stay here to nest and others continue north into Canada? Bring binoculars, if you have them.
Once group Outings resume, come back to enjoy a naturalist-led walk on the 1st Saturday every month beginning at 2:30pm. Outings at Tenney Park are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks, Madison Audubon, Friends of Tenney Lapham Neighborhood and Friends of the Yahara River Parkway.
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park – North Unit 
Signs of Seasons’ Creep (early spring)
Shhhh. What do you hear in Cherokee Marsh? Do you hear the frogs? As we continue to notice the effects of climate change, a frog in the cauldron is the earlier advent of spring and the delaying of autumn. Differences in the customary changes of temperature and precipitation can positively and negatively affect plants and animals in ways we’re only realizing as they play out in real-time and are exposed by long term research.
When normal schedules resume, come back to enjoy naturalist-led Bird and Nature Outings at Cherokee Marsh, North 1:30pm the 1st Sunday every month co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks, Madison Audubon, Sierra Club and Friends of Cherokee Marsh.
.JPG)
Owen Conservation Park
Explore Pastures Turned to Prairies!
See if you can find examples where pasture has been restored to prairie and other evidence of Owen Park’s history and how nature is being restored. Read about the history of Owen Conservation Park and learn about the City’s purchase of the land, controversy about whether it would even be a conservation park, and early restoration work that laid the foundation for what is there today.
When normal schedules resume, come back to enjoy naturalist-led Bird and Nature Outings at Owen Park 2:30pm the 2nd Saturday every month co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks, Madison Audubon and Friends of Owen Conservation Park.
Turville Point Conservation Park .JPG)
Signs of Spring!
Look for bright ephemeral flowers and other hidden signs of spring at ground level and migrating birds in the budding treetops and on the sparkling water. Look down. Ephemeral plants emerge in early spring before the trees shade sunlight. What plants are beginning to grow? Look up. What birds do you spot in the trees and flying over? Before you explore, learn more about ephemeral flowers and migrating birds with a little internet search.
When normal schedules resume, come back to enjoy naturalist-led Bird and Nature Outings at Turville Point 1:30pm the 2nd Sunday every month co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks, Madison Audubon and Friends of Olin-Turville.
COVID-19 EMERGENCY BAIL OUT
Free The 350 Bail Fund to hold COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUNDRAISER social media campaign, emergency funds are needed during this pandemic to free folks in Dane County jail who are legally presumed innocent but don’t have enough money to pay their bail, during the month of April, 2020.
THE GOAL IS TO RAISE $5000 TO BAIL OUT 20 PEOPLE IN APRIL
Without enough space to practice social distancing and lack of resources to practice the hygiene that experts recommend to combat the disease, Jails are breeding grounds for viruses and this one is particularly deadly. People can’t cover their coughs while in handcuffs.
Iran has freed 85,000 prisoners and has urged the U.S. to free Iranian prisoners over fear of the Coronavirus epidemic. L.A., Cleveland and New York have all released people from prison. With the number of corrections workers and prisoners testing positive for COVID-19 and the awareness that hundreds of thousands of people could become infected and then spread the infection in the community more and more states are releasing prisoners. California and Texas are set to release thousands on early parole.
FREE THE 350 BAIL FUND maintains the position that the prison system is obsolete and that especially amid this pandemic everyone should be released from jail and provided with housing and resources.
As Tone Madison describes it, “Free The 350 Bail Fund… bails out [Black] people… in the Dane County Jail, in a sustained push against the practice of cash bail and the racial disparities baked into the American criminal justice system.” All the proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards paying bail for people who can’t afford it amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donations to Free The 350 Bail Fund can be sent to the Madison IWW General Defense Committee at:
PayPal: madisongdc@gmail.com PLEASE INDICATE BAILFUND
Venmo: @ Liam-Manjon
Cash App: $FreeThe350BailFund
Thank you!
https://www.bbc.com/news/
