GETTING IT STARTED
Um . . . Bruer? Bruer? He wanders in, talking to everyone . . . and attempts to call the meeting to order at 6:37. The Clerk and City Attorney are counting and counting. Bruer asks people to take their seats and they count, and count. 14! That’s it, they finally have quorum and can start. Bruer announces that quorum is tight and tell the alders they can’t leave the chambers because it will ruin quorum.
ROLL CALL
Notified Absences: Clear, Cnare, Compton, Sanborn made it on the agenda. Later Kerr also excused. Palm also excused. Palm eventually shows up.
Verveer moves suspension of the rules 6:40.
[Note: Thanks to whatever city employee gets to work at 6:30 in the morning and re-sets the server with the legistar information on it, allowing me to add in the links this morning. And making the agendas available early Monday morning. Much! Much! Apreciated!!!]
COMMENDING CHERYL ERICKSON
Resolution is read. Cheryl succinctly says “Thank you.”
Al Schumacher, Streets Superintendent speaks to thank her for setting up her own programing for the GPS unit to run her salt route. They liked it and had her program the rest of the salt routes, and later refuse and recycling routes and now they are all on sim cards that can be checked out by the drivers. She did such a great job that the company sent a software engineer from France to see what she has done and is working to program their devices for others. [A birdy whispered in my ear and asked why we didn’t just buy GPS systems that did this in the first place, instead of buying GPS systems so they can track where drivers are. And spending all this time reprogramming the units. Good question. Not to take anything away from Cheryl, as she was most appropriately recognized for her efforts and they should recognize city staff more often!]
PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS WEEK
Clerk, Tammy Peters, reads the resolution. They said thanks, pointed out several people’s history with pancreatic cancer and introduced Lucia Nunez who beat the 75% odds of making it through the first year. They thanked the Council for the resolution and explained how it would help raise awareness.
RECOGNIZING FLEET SERVICE AND THEIR AWARD
It’s referred without explanation. Passes on a voice vote.
PETITION OR COMMUNICATIONS
None.
EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
The pass the entire agenda with the recommendations listed on the agenda with the following exceptions:
Public Hearing Items 4 – 16 & 115 (See below for links)
They record an unanimous consent on item 53 (Annexation and ward assignment in district 18) which requires 14 votes.
They refer the following items
– Item 23 (Bayou Sidewalk Cafe) referred back to the ALRC – see below.
– Item 24 (Operator License for Edgewater Cafe Employee) to the July 21 meeting
– Item 27 (Change in License Whiskey River /Rev Jim’s Roadhouse) to the July 21 meeting
– Item 50 (Shady Wood Neighborhood Plan) to the July 21 meeting
– Item 51 (Resolution to reduce vehicle miles traveled) to the August 4 meeting
Items separated for discussion are
– Item 17 (Mayoral appointments introduced at the last meeting) – Pham-Remmele requested separation.
– Item 18 (Mayoral appointments introduced for approval at the next meeting) – Pham-Remmel requested separation.
– Item 19 (Mayoral Aldermanic appointment) – Pham-Remmele requeste separation.
– Item 22 (Affirmative Action report on Committee Appointments and Gender, Race and Disability) – Rhodes-Conway requested separation.
[You go girls, with hyphenated last names! :)]
There was a registrant for Item 23 (Bayou sidewalk cafe) so that was also separated for discussion.
They also add the Long Range Transportation Committee as a referral to items 94 (Midvale-Westmorland Neighborhood Plan) and (Northport-Warner Park-Sherman Neighborhood Plan)99.
RECESSED PUBLIC HEARINGS
(See agenda for links)
Plan Commission
#4 – Development on Sargent St. – There is one speaker – Eric S is there for info only and to answer questions. There are no questions. There is a long pause as Ald. Solomon whispers something into Bruer’s ear. Bruer fumbles, says there is no motion on the floor. Verveer points out, motion is adoption. The motion passes by a voice vote.
Bruer reminds everyone that Shady Grove [er, Shady Wood] Neighborhood Plan has been referred.
Report of ALRC
For some reason, today, instead of opening the public hearings on each of these items and passing them as one big motion, they painfully plod through them, one by one. So they methodically plod through them:
#5 – Change of Licensed Premise for 24 Pump – Verveer makes motion to place on file without prejudice. No speakers. Passes on a voice vote without discussion.
#6 – New License for Atomic Koi Cocktail Lounge – Verveer makes the motion to recess this public hearing. No registrants. King amkes a substitute to place on file without prejudice. He says he talked with the owner and the deal has fallen through. Motion passes on a voice vote without further discussion.
#7 – New License for Tutto Pasta – No speakers, Verveer moves to adopt report which is to grant. Passes on a voice vote without discussion.
#8 – New License Mundo Latino – No speakers, Verveer moves to re-refer, the public hearing is recessed. Motion passes with no discussion on a voice vote.
#9 – Fiesta Mexican Grill new license. Verveer moves to adopt recommendation of th ALRC which is to grant with conditions. Motion passes without discussion.
#10 – Hooters new license. There is a person available to answer questions. (Sort of missed it but presume it passed as recommended and there was no discussion.)
#11 – New License Coopers Tavern – There is one registrant available to answer questions. Verveer makes the motion to accept ALRC recommendations. Motion passes on voice vote without discussion.
#12 – New License Fat Sandwich Company – There are no registrants, Verveer moves to grant. The motion passes on a voice vote with no discussion. Tho, at some point, there is a little activity on the floor and they explain that Alder Schumacher is urging them to look at the names of the sandwiches. There is laughter and Bruer thanks him for pointing out. Chuckle, chuckle.
#13 – New License Eno Vino – There are no speakers, Verveer moves to grant. Passes without discussion on a voice vote. [My god, this is ridiculous!]
#14 – Cafe Porta Alba transfer of license. No registrations. Verveer moves to adopt report to grant. No discussion, motion passes on a voice vote.
#15 – Electric Earth Cafe new license. There are no registrants. Verveer moves to adopt report of ALRC to grant. No discussion, motion passes on a voice vote.
Bruer pauses to explain why they went through these all individually. He says its because “alders” requested it. [Where have I heard that before? Someone should ask who! My guess this is just another attempt to show how important the ALRC is. If I have time I’ll blog a bit about the discussion about CCOC and you’ll further understand.]
JT WHITNEYS
Bruer asks Verveer about #116. Verveer explains that was part of consent agenda, and points out it is #115 they need to discuss. Verveer moves to place it on file, without prejudice.
Verveer explains that JT Whitney’s was supposed to have their
#115 – No registrants, place on file without prejudice, JT Whitneys. Verveer explains that understanding is that lease will be given to clerk’s office by noon today and it did not happen, so Clear recommends that they go back to ALRC with new application.
[Pssst, Sconz, these are routine items and the only reason Verveer is making all the motions is because he is the senior person on the Council besides Bruer and someone needs to make the motions with the absence of the Mayor (usual chair) and Clear (Council Pro Tem). It has nothing to do with him being on ALRC, he made all the initial motions at the council meeting. And by the way, your blog of the meeting, weak sauce.]
#16 BADGER BUS
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Royce Williams – In opposition – With all talk of Madison being green, losing bus terminal is a great disgrace. Hopes the process will get the city moving on the longer term. Not a good trend going backwards. Proposal is not ready to go yet. Nothing about impact on the Union with 20% increase in riders. Nothing about stopping about Dutch Mill and what Van Galder and others are paying and the third is Greyhound and what they will do is not determined yet. Shouldn’t go forward until that is resolved. City needs to be involved in this. Greyhound has 10 buses per day with connections to Tomah, LaCrosse, Chicago, Twin Cities and Milwaukee. Also connections to Fox Cities and Steven’s Point. Why isn’t this an LRTPC issue, they took no action. Also went to TPC, same thing, no action. Plan Commission said they had no obligantion to talk about transit impacts. Talks about Champaign Megabus model, its the model of the way it should be done and they are a city of 1/3 our size. Says don’t approve project until Union, Dutch Mill and Greyhound are resolved and we have long term plans.
Rosemary Lee – Downtown resident, wasn’t part of steering committee, Bassett neighborhood plan is a framework and not cast in concrete said developers and businesses around the area. This project will create jobs during construcion and will add dollars to tax rolls, will add stability to the neighborhoods. Greyhound is largest conglomerate in the world, don’t feel sorry for them. Steering committee has been pleased with developer response. Don’t hold developers responsible because the city has been negligent in creating a multi-modal transportation plan for a station.
Susan DeVos – MABAA representative. They and Madison Peak Oil group ask for it to be placed on file until there is a plan for a downtown multi-modal terminal. Eminent domain, lack of assurance of it being built after demolition and risk of it being illegal are major concerns. Eminent domain was ok for interchange on West side and Steve’s liquor. [interrupted, didn’t get it all] Talked about better vision for the property. What is the assurance that construction will begin after demolition? Also raises issues that the planned sidewalk pickup might be illegal? She says it is hard to get around in winter [Note, for those of you who do not know, Susan is in a wheelchair], ADA says that they need to be accessible and curb side pick up might not work. Should at least get a city attorney opinion and refer to commission on people with disabilities. Please delay.
Carl Durocher – He says that plan commission only looked at the mixed use devleopment on the site. That is entirely irrelevant, that is not what we should be talking about. We should be looking at what is being lost. Only one existing inter-city transportation hub, and this is it. It will be eliminated without viable alternatives. Comprehensive plan and vehicle miles traveled resolution will be passed and we shouldn’t be blindly marching ahead. Without the terminal there is no clear idea about what will happen. Memorial Union is already stressed and there isn’t a real plan. [Missed a bit.] Refer back to LRTPC (Long Range Transportation Planning Committee) to weigh in, along with DCC (Downtown Coordinating Committee). Where would an alternative be located? How do we coordinate with intercity rail? We need time to figure this out. [missed some more)]
Randy Bruce – Architect for the project, in support. [Usually would have gone first to present the project to the Council, its odd the way the speakers are all jumbled up tonight]. Talks about the project and process. Large and small neighborhood meetings, several UDC meetings, reviews with planning staff and they are ready for approval. Looked at surrounding buildings and the ones in the area are late 19th century warehouse buildings and want to fit in with that. 3 story building on Main and S Bedford, 4 story on Bedford and 5 story with commerrcial at Bedford and W Washington AVe. About 90 undergound parking stalls, 28 surface stalls. He shows pretty pictures. Talks about bike parking on site. Says they are looking into green built options with the development. The project is a long term investment, all masonry, timeless architecture.
Barbara Smith – opposition – Calls for delay until strong alternative plan. Alternatives offered are inadequate. Greyhound is homeless and unsustainable burden on Memorial Union. Loss of the depot will damage public interest by making bus service unreliable and inconvenient (and I think she said disorganized?). Memorial Union is a defacto bus depot. Chancellors office has said that the UW does not want to act as a bus depot. UW would disapprove of a Greyhound stop on Langdon. Understandable to want to limit additional bus loading. Currently Langdon is loud, polluted and potentially unsafe due to all bike and pedestrian traffic. Population growth and economic factors may lead to increased need for bus service, but they have no plans for that. UW currently gets 100,000 for selling tickets and that would support a bus terminal. Can’t put off discussion of where the bus depot will go. Other sites will have issues and we need to deal with this now while we have more options. This is of regional importantance, can’t look at from narrow neighborhood lens.
Beth Harper – opposition. Librarian at UW, Progressive Dane member and a bus rider. Chooses not to drive a car. Been riding the buses for 20 years for work and to visit family and for the first and last legs on vacation. Wants city to establish and maintain a transit depot in central madison. 20 years ago, Cedar Rapids already had a bus terminal with intercity and local buses, we are 20 years behind Cedar Rapids Iowa and that is not something city should be proud of. She talkes about a winter trip where she was able to wait in vestibule of Memorial union (which was closed), it offered warmth and protection, but only the early arrivers could fit in. It was a longer wait outside to get on the bus because the compartment doors had frozen in the near 0 degree weather, drivers of buses tried to get doors open, those with luggage had to wait outside and couldn’t go in union becasue can’t keep eye on bus and they don’t have the ability to make announcements for the riders. She waited outside for 20 minutes at zero degrees. If it was a bus terminal they could have made and announcement. She says she has landed in strange cities off the bus and the station has maps of city bus routes, phone books, public phones, taxis, and people who can provide you with information. Having an address to be picked up is important. This is what Madison loses by not having a terminal. She talks about difference between airport vs bus being dropped off on the street. Urges to vote against and work on a true multi-modal station.
David Meier – support. Owner of Badger Coaches. Jim home sick, other partner will speak. 3rd generation owners in management since 90s. Why abaondon bus depot? 1. Bus industry has changed. More efficient cost effecitve method. Mega bus, on line ticket sales, curb side pick up. Low cost overhead, base model that industry moved to long ago. 2. Bus depots are inefficient, less and less demand as customers prefer to buy tickets and board at other locations. Each purchase is a vote on what kind of service they want. They love their bus depot and very proud of it, but customers don’t value it. Must meet market demands. Other than Greyhound today, very few bus terminals, which is a public sector function. 3. Buses have wheels, can be flexible and don’t need a bus depot to do this. Depot doesn’t serve general public like it used to. Most won’t be affected, and those who are will have other convenient options to get picked up. Finally, the real estate taxes are just a fraction of what the project will be later. He says the only jobs are 2 full time, 5 part time, but take up entire acre of downtown real estate. New project will bring more jobs to the area.
David Carrig. Opposition. Says as a bus rider and public transit user, most places have a terminal for cold nights and to help you get acclamated. Probably took bus and train more than he would have cared to and the buses are oriented to a younger persons, but as you get older and if you have children or health issues that limits your activity, a terminal is a welcoming spot that lets you unkink from a long trip and get your bearings. Hopes that an accomodation is made and that an alternate spot is found. City recognizes need for bus shelters at our city stops,why not here?
Tim Wong. Opposition. You’ve heard all the arguments. In general he supports downtown infill, great idea. Just concerned we need to solve the problems people are talking about. Need alternatives. Postpone until city comes up with a location. Not certain that this development is really needed. Lives down the street from the “Union Corners soccer field”, all it is is an empty lot. Greyhound won’t be able to go to Langdon. He has taken Greyhound, and doesn’t know how he could have gotten on it without a station. Shocked no one from the city brought this up. Megabus models work for some poeople, young, with computers and credit cards. Alot of people on Greyhound need to pay cash and you don’t want to stand around on a corner with cash waiting for the bus. At TPC the Greyhound rep said he didn’t know what Greyhound is going to do. Talks about peak oil impacts. Says we need to get serious about our life style. By getting rid of bus station, seems the wrong way to go. Says Champaign Urbana model is a good one. Likes terminals with local and regional buses and trains.
John Meier – One of the business partners. Talks about other sites. Badger has 400 employees. When bus depot closes, they will work with Mem Union when they have 80% of their passengers, they do sell their tickets and get paid and give out schedule info. Says that there won’t be more buses at Mem Union, traffic should be similar, only add one 6 am bus schedule. Has a letter of agreement with Kelly Williamson Mobile giving them permission to load in front of the filling station. Working with Pete Pollack to get permission from the city to load there. Will pay for ice and snow removal in the area. Has options for tickets – on-line and drivers can sell them. Also making plans to do a phone order with credit card. Will also pick up at Dutch Mill park & ride. Will work with Metro to load there. Says Greyhound has been involved with the city. He says he’s been in conversations with the Mayor and Madison Metro to find a temporary site to load.
Sigrid Knutke (sp?) – She lives in the neighborhood and she will be pleased to see the bus station go. [2nd person to complain about the handicap accessible speaking area not being inviting.] Makes a Michael Jackson reference. Then says Van Galder bus has been allowed to be use madison streets and pay nothing to park and load and Badger Bus wants to get in on the great giveaway too. Buses do need stations, Van Galder just built two new stations, one in Janesville and Beloit and Montfort. Badger Bus will be the only ones without a bus station. City gets nothing to repair streets. This is a great sham. If she was an alder she would not want to be part of that. She also says she went to business school and she reminds/tells people that the lifespan of family owned corporation is usually 3 generations. The first one founds, the second one builds, the third on then wants money out of the business. You’re allowing that to happen.
Dave Knutke (sp?) – with Madison Peak Oil. Opposed. Some of the issues have gotten lost in traffic and property rights. Says Megabus model is like health insurance. It only serves people who can function well and the long run affect will be to depress ridership. After terminal closes bus riding will be worse than before. Langdon will be crowded and not meant to be a bus station. Says important not to get lost in details. Transportation issues have not been dealt with. The city has only been concerned with property rights. This is a city system facility, not going out of bus service, just transfering their business costs to public space. We’re told they should not be punished for the city’s lack of preparation. Turn that around, they should not take advantage of that. They should help arrange an alternative situation. They intend to be part of the system in the future and they should slow down and do it right. Says that the Bassett Plan is not the same as transportation plans, and transportation plans are the relevant plan. Says this has regional consequences. Traffic at union will be increased. Pollution generator is given free pass to create problems down stream. This is a complex issue that needs city intervention. There should be conditions on the demolition permit. Bruer interupts, 5 minutes are up. Says city should adopt a formal commitment to intercity bus service and give instructions to staff to look at ordinances to control the bus traffic and enforce bus regulations. Finally, he says city should assess their own transportation ordinances and have a franchise fee and boarding fee for those using the streets. Terminal is not a thing of the past and Madison needs to plan.
Angela Black, Attorney at Michael Best – Support. Part of project team. Says that even if project did not go forward, no guarantee the bus terminal would continue to operate and city can’t make them do it. Points out 80% of riders get on at union and it won’t change, only one additional bus. She says that relationship with UW is not temporary, the relationship has been going on for 20 years and should continue because its a good revenue source for them. Greyhound is a big company, faced this around the world and they are giving info to Greyhound and Badger Coaches but can’t control what they should do. Talks about neighborhood and regional plans and that none of them identify this site for multi-modal stations. Also says that the financing of the project is a condition from the plan commission. Clarifies the Van Galder didn’t build depots, just vending and bathrooms and some are in conjunction with other businesses. Her clients want to continue to invest and expand involvedment in the community.
2 other registrants in opposition.
QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANTS
Maniaci asks about what they are going to do, especially at Memorial Union and tells them that the parking lot will be going away, so what are the long term plans? John Meier says that they want to stay there long term. Doens’t know how many pull in and park and if they drive they can go to Dutch Mill and Kelly Williamson. People wait in cars at other locaions and it works well.
Maniaci asks why Kelly Williamson? Says its close by.
Maniaci asks about regional transit and what they would do, have service at airport? Or really staying downtown. He says hard to say. Depends upon what the city puts together out there. But good service, most of customers are students and in the area. His clients come from downtown area.
Maniaci asks about Milwaukee – selling terminal in Milw and planning on going into the intermodal terminal project. Says clients are moving in Milwaukee. Only 20% go downtown.
Rummel asks about jobs per square foot? Says they don’t have info. 12,000 sq ft of commercial space, anticipate more than 2 full time and 5 part time.
Rummel asks about leases? He says he talks about some of them.
Rummel says she appreciates the Kelly Willaimson deal – has friend that lives in condo, chose Metro Place so coul ride bus to Milwaukee.
Schmidt asks about time line. When will it be closed? End of August.
Schmidt asks about buses and accessiblity and ADA issues and curb side pick up? How would that work? He says just like they do at Langdon and Dutch Mill. They have lifts, have to give 48 hour notice.
Rhodes-Conway – asks about Milw inter-modal station. Who created the station? How have other stations been developed. Built with government funds. Milw was complex funding from county, state and fed funds. That’s as much as they know, no private funding. No question stations being built are with gov’t funding.
Bidar-Sielaff – How flexible is August closing? They say no flexibility. Plan on September 1 operating that way.
Bidar-Sielaff – Asks about $100,000 from Van Galder. How much paying at union – $48,000 in commissions. Also adds that timeline is because they are offering apartments, if don’t get started will have to wait another year.
Verveer asks about Greyhound. Are they aware of timeline? Any comfort that Greyhound has an interim plan? He says he doesn’t know what internal plans are, but there have been discussions. Greyhound wants to be close to transfer point, Metro is trying to sort that out. Will talk again next week. Also engaging state DOT. Doesn’t know more than that, more coming up this week.
Solomon asks, apologizes before asking, wondering if in a different time where there was an RTA and interest in a multi-modal downtown transit hub and there was funding, how would you feel? They say that they think the city has id’d other locations and are not interested in their site. But they say that any other site, they would participate in. Depends upon the market at the time, but would be interested in future conversations. Closing bus terminal, not shutting down bus service.
Bidar-Sielaff – Asks about people walking to the union, is that a survey or anecdotal. She says her experience is that people tre dropped off. They say there is no survey, its a guess.
DISCUSSION
Verveer makes motion to adopt report of Plan Commisison with recommendation. He says that they should start with staff questions.
STAFF QUESTIONS
Verveer asks about appropriateness of tying rezoning/land use discussion and bus terminal and transportation planning around intercity bus service. Brad Murphy responds that many of the issues raised are about intercity tranportation and bus service by not only the owner of this property but others. He says permanent solution for multi-modal transportation is beyond the scope of what can be linked to the owner of the zoning lot. Before them is a demolition, which have demolition standards that look at the proposed alternative use, a PUD changing M-1 to PUD and the requirements from map amendments and PUD were considered. Proof of financing condition recommended by plan commission which will be a condition of approval. Some of the conditions requested tonight go beyond what the owner of the properoty can deliver and represents a broader issue to be solved by the community.
Attorney May adds that standards that they look at are future use, conditions on development and neighborhood plans. He agrees we need to look at the other issue, but it doesn’t relate to how they use the property. They could just stop using the depot tomorrow and nothing the city can do. Some of the conditions are beyond the standards and beyond the control of the people who own the property. City should be looking at other issues, but it doesn’t fit.
Rummel asks about email she sent to Trowbridge and Dryer. She notes they are not there, so asks someone else, do we have permits for street use? Do we get revenue? She says we are socializing something that has been a private cost. Can we say they can’t load in front of union? May says he thinks we don’t charge fees for using the streets.
Rummel realizes he is wrong and says we have parking permits. May says we can limit where they can pick up, but it has to be a reasonable regulation. Not aware of ability to charge fee for picking up and parking on the street.
Rummel says Traffic Engineering does look at the routes, is that just staff or does it go to commmittee? May says he thinks it might go to TPC. [Mays guessing is always where we get into trouble . . . I wish we would get real answers instead of guessing. Obviously, he can’t answer everything off the top of his head, but that should be the answer, not wild speculation.]
Rummel asks Murphy where we are in planning a multi-modal station. Murphy says Transport 2020 has some tentative plans for routes and general station location at Kohl Center, but no exact location. Downtown plan has id’d issue and tentatively id’d an area by Regent/W Wash intersection with bike path and rail corridor as a general location. That was discussed at the last public meeting, but not firm recommendations at this point. Implementation tools, costs and ability to move forward have not been discussed at this point.
Rummel asks if staff made it a priority. Murphy says it is up to decisions made by commissions and the council. Murphy says staff believe it is very important and has been on the table onngeneral terms for many years.
Rummel asks how to sieze this sense of urgency? Murphy says that they should look at alternative locations and find the highest priority locations. It would take several city agencies working with service providers and they would have to look at the costs, resources would have to be allocated and it would have to be a prioirty. Some ot that staff are alreayd working on other projects.
Rummel asks about paying for street use. Murphy has nothing to add, but says he has little knowledge, its outside his area.
Schmidt asks about desire to take action, can they amend it to take action to direct city staff. May says you can amend the motion to direct staff to do something not related to the zoning propoal. Says maybe they could talk to the mayor’s office and make the recommendation informally. [Wow, watching the mayor’s back . . . making sure he has as much control as possible. At least its transparent!]
Maniaci asks Murphy what historical research they have done on past locations that have served as transportation hubs? He says they haven’t done historical research. He talks about old passenger train stations that were along rail line and says some of those locations are still good for stations, but most are in private ownership and use. Have looked at rail corridor for possible stations and several alternatives were considered in the late 1990s. MPO also did a study that recommendated intercity bus passenger station and the current location was looked at for that service, but that was like 20 years ago or more. So, it depends up on how far you want to go back.[Maybe if we had a preservation planner they could do that work, but the position is frozen and the Mayor won’t fill it.]
Maniaci clarifies that this is an area that they were looking at in the future. Says she went to historical society and looked at old maps, E Wilson or this location seem to be the only options. I think that was a questions. Murphy says nothing.
Bidar-Sielaff asks about conversations the Mayor’s office was having. Harmon says that Greyhound rep was at TPC and talked with him, had a telephone conference. They talked about alternatives, Dutch Mill and East Transfer point, another meeting next week. They said they have no alternatives at this point. [Not real comforting, it seemed to me from Verveer’s questions that there might be more to this, but they weren’t spilling it.]
DISCUSSION
Verveer says that when he got the first call, he asked mostly about intercity bus service, because it is a serious concern. Appreciates that the adovcates have been working on this and sounded the the alarm in all the appropriate venues. They consulted with Verveer and did what they were asked. Talks about Greyhound not wanting to leave the community. Says that plan with Badger Bus plan is solid and heartened to know that the corridor will continue to have the services. Discussion about other ways they will make up for the loss of the depot, but they have done what they can. Doesn’t think city can force them to keep operating their depot. Rezoning proposal went through the time consuming public process and neighborhood process and steering committee statement is in the packets/on legistar. Extremely warmly recieved by the neighborhood. Well designed, mixed use neighborhood development that fits with the neighborhood plan. No concerns with the proposed building. The only issue is, and it is a big one, is the multi-modal transporation hub. Directs them to the answers by Murphy an May and says it is not appropriate to link them, and that is written in the staff report. Reads instructions from staff about what they can decide. But the proposed conditions are not legally possible. Says he is hopeful that there will be movement in the future, asks that they don’t try to add something at this time, but that he will introduce a resolution at a later date and they need more facts and discussion. Demolition concerns have been addressed. Neighborhood is excited about it, will be a good addition to the downtown and wants them to support the rezoning and the transporation plan needs to be addressed at a later time. Says appropriate site is not this one, but across the street. Says that this deserves the support and the transportation issues need to be worked out and he hopes to introduce a resolution.
Rhodes-Conway says the need is real, and it needs to be taken seriously, doesn’t need to be this spot, needs to involve government, perhaps in downtown plan or through the RTA and she hopes staff will continue to work on this to help the community to decide where a but terminal might be and where train service might go as well.
Bidar-Sielaff says she appreciates that developers are workign on this and says they should be honored that we feel so strongly about their service and terminal. She is supportive but personally she thinks she has failed some of her own strong beliefs in public transportation by not being as strong of an advoacate to make sure there is a short term plan. We need a more comprehensive plan. That doesn’t speak well to our planning process that in 60 days the bus depot will be closed and we don’t have a comprehensive plan. Glad to hear there is a future resolution in the works. Would also like to have staff come back with recommendations about what will happen in the short term and have some strong conversations with Greyhound. There is not a summary that tells a citizen what is going on, but there are pieces here and there in the documents and a summary would be helpful. She says the Mem Union and UW are very imporant in this discussion and she is very diappointed that they are not here and part of the conversation and obviously the UW is a big part of what is going on.
Schmidt echos Bidar-Sielaff and thanks everyone who came out. He says he is on LRTPC, TPC and MPO and no one felt they had the authority to take a role in the short term solution. [WOW! Now that is a statement! Sometimes, when there is no leadership, sometimes you just need to create it. But at least he took the first step in identifying the gap! I’d suggest just making it happen and not accepting that no one has authority.] Who is responsible for that? He’s hoping that the comments from May and Murphy show that they don’t need to make a motion. In the short term he d like to see the solutions. UW should be part of the solution, they take a fee to park and load on our streets. He would like to see them be more proactive.
Rummel makes a motion to have staff look at this separate from the zoning action. Asks that traffic engineering and Mayor’s office look at short term solutions and report back in 60 days. May says that would be an amendment. Rummel says that this is a good development and location, but all the issues raised are important. She is uncomfortable with having random spaces for bus, there has to be a downtown location. She thinks that they need some action. May clarifies, council asks for a report back. Verveer says its friendly. Schumacher has concerns.
Schumacher asks staff, is 60 days enough and how does that work with the downtown plan. Murphy says that is enough toime to provide a report on the status, there might not be a full resolution. But he can do the report. Downtown plan is on a separate process and they will have preliminary recommendations by the end of the summer – hopefully. It might take til fall.
Schumacher says no objection.
Passes unanimously on a voice vote.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
Verveer moves grant 17, refer 18 to next CC meeting and 19 confirmed.
– Item 17 (Mayoral appointments introduced at the last meeting)
– Item 18 (Mayoral appointments introduced for approval at the next meeting)
– Item 19 (Mayoral Aldermanic appointment)
Pham Remmele says that she wants to bring up that unlike 20 elected alders who serve two years and have to be re-elected to that we have near 1,000 people making decisions for the city, but she was told today there are only 500, and her reservation is that the she takes her job serioulsy and there are 5 alders gone and the mayor is not here and it has always been a courtesty, with the mayor not here, can’t ask questions, at CCOC the committee was kind to consider this is an issue worth while to consider and she is working for people who have negative feeling about city hall where we are working too close together and glad ccoc will take over the issue and wants to they need to reform the process. She votes no, doesn’t want to vote yes just to be nice. [That’s the best I could do.]
Passes unimously on a voice vote, Thuy doesn’t vote no?
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION REPORT
Rhodes-Conway thanks staff for staying and says she likes the report better than data from the mayor’s office. She asked Nunez to talk about process and recommendations and what role council should take on the recommendations in the report. Nunez says she is working with Pam Williamson in the mayor’s office and they re-did the application and self-identiy form and trying to track that info now. They are getting printed reports with all the info. She says that Nunez is now involved in the meetings in the Mayor’s office where the applicants are discussed. She said that many people don’t fill out the self disclosure form and when they do there is room for interpretation. So, they don’t have accurate information. She says bottom line is that they can always do better. She says there are 3 committees with no women, 40 committees with not people of color and many, many more with no people with disabilities. They are working with city channel to get PSAs on the air, working with Communities United to get more people to apply, says alders can help cast a wider net. They are thinking about educational programs. She says that it a wide perception that some applicaitons are rejected, but they keep the applications for years. All apps are kept, no one is denied. They are working with department and division heads to keep an eye on diversity on the commissions. This report just shows you a benchmark to look at and we can keep doing better.
Rhodes-Conway confirms that they should work with Nunez to identify candidates and ways to get info about vacancies to a broader community. Nunez says yes and if you have people in neighborhoods who want to serve, if don’t have access to computer, they can mail things out to people.
Adoption passes unanimously.
ITEM 23 – BAYOU SIDEWALK CAFE
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Referral to ALRC is motion. Dale Beck in support and wishing to speak. Confused about why referred. just got phone call this afternoon.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS OF ALDERS??? (This is a new one!)
Bruer asks Rummel to explain. Rummel says there are many layers of confusion. Bayou was approved last fall before we passed the sign ordinance, and the neighbors are no longer sent postcards and so the clerks office did not give Beck the sign and not sure what all happened. So, he didn’t follow the sign regulations. Felt that due diligence wasn’t done to tell neighborhood about the change. Beck volunteered to do a neighborhood meeting and only two people showed up and needs the hearing to be done right. No disrespect to the applicant.
DISCUSSION WITH ALDERS AND PUBLIC
He says he disagrees because he applied before the ordinance went into affect. He says he did due diligence.
Rhodes-Conway asks for a point of order – says the back and forth is not appropriate. Bruer says its ok, but we are on a tightrope, but says registrant can finish raising his questions and then the alders can ask questions.
RESUME PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Says neighborhood had a meeting. He wasn’t notified about the sign, says his application was referred for 6 months, then another 3 months and he did his due diligence and he should not be punished for not knowing about the new ordinance that went into affect after he applied.
QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Rummel asks City Attorney to help clarify. May says that Brist can answer. Rummel thanks him for staying. Brist says that that Beck and Rummel are both correct. Beck followed the rules, application was in a long time ago, it was a two part application. Notice was mailed out a long time ago, but ALRC granted the change in premise but did not consider the sidewalk cafe and that showed up on the agenda at the last meeting and what happened was that the ordinance had changed from postcard to sign ord – he corrects himself and says the clerks procedure changed – and Mr Beck did what he needed to in the application process but there wasn’t parctical notice as Rummel stated and neigbhors may not have known the application was still before the ALRC.
Schumacher asks what will be accomplished with referral and what they expect to be different? [Was he listening to the meeting and paying attention, it seemed quite clear.]
Rummel says they need a legally noticed meeting. She says they need to follow the spirit of the law. There should be a sign up for 10 days so people can learn about the issues and attend a meeting if necessary.
Bruer clarifies sign is needed and doesn’t blame Beck. Hopefully this is the last glitch.
Palm asks if they can put up the sign and have the hearing at the Common Council instead of the ALRC.
May says Palm could do that. [Wow, another shot from the hip!] Rummel agrees that is ok.
Rummel says she is working to fix the sign stuff. Clerk says that it will be referred to the next council meeting, substitute motion and that is friendly. No further discussion.
Passes unanimously on voice vote.
ITEMS FOR INTRODUCTION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Verveer moves to adjourn.
Bruer wishes Clausius a fast recovery (knee surgery).
Bruer says see you on Saturday – the Council Betty Lou cruise.
Motion to adjourn passes.
