Tue-Thurs Round Up – April 14 -16

By
Brenda Konkel
-
round up

Three days worth of announcements, updates, petitions, etc. 

KONKEL’S MUSINGS

  • If city committees can’t meet because there aren’t enough IT staff to help with the meetings, why is the Stormwater Ordinance meeting a priority?  Why not a plan for the eviction/homelessness tsunami that is coming?
  • I spent 2 hours listening to CCEC discuss which committees should meet and/or how to organize themselves, and there wasn’t a single vote or decision that they made. Why?  I have no idea what they are collectively going to do. There were lots of ideas that were discussed, but I don’t know which ones stuck.

COUNCIL TO DELAY ELECTING COUNCIL PRESIDENT?

(BCC to All Alders and Alder-Elect Prestigiacomo)

I wanted to give everyone a heads-up about something I plan on putting forward for consideration at our 4/21 council re-organization meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 emergency, I’ve been in touch with the Attorney May, Alder Bidar and Alder Harrington-McKinney to see if we could delay a transition to new leadership for the council. This e-mail is not intended to be an endorsement of this idea from anyone, but myself. In under to enact this change, it would require a majority of the council to agree with these motions. Based on Attorney May’s advice about process, I will be making two motions:

1) to re-appoint President Bidar for 3 months

2) to re-appoint Vice President Harrington-McKinney for 3 months.

The council will vote on these motions and if a majority decides to go forward with this proposal, President Bidar and Vice President Harrington-McKinney would continue in their roles and we’d vote on a new council president and vice president at our 7/21 meeting. If these motions fail, we’ll have our normal president and vice president reorganization votes.

If anyone has any questions, let me know.

ALDER ROUND UP – 4/16

From Your Common Council Office:

We will be having  a Common Council Executive Committee special meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via virtual meeting.

Online link to CCEC agenda for the April 16, 2020 meeting.

Several families are not taking advantage of free lunches provided by MMSD.  Madison school district: thousands of families not taking advantage of free lunch offerings: https://bit.ly/3b6rNs7 . For more information on where residents can access free lunches please see: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/mmsd-covid-19-neighborhood-food-sites

From the City Assessor’s Office:

City of Madison Assessor Michelle Drea announced today that assessment notices will be delayed for at least two months. While the start of the assessment process is delayed, the taxation process remains unchanged. Property owners have the same rights and responsibilities for review of their notice. Communication with the Assessor’s Office during the open book period, and the formal objection process duties remain unchanged. Tax bills will be sent and payment due at the same time as prior years.

From the Governor:

Gov. Evers has extended the Safer at Home Order to May 26.

Read the full order here: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2020/04/16/file_attachments/1428995/EMO28-SaferAtHome.pdf

From Public Health:

COVID-19 Information Update 4/16/20

Today Governor Evers directed Secretary-designee Palm to extend the Safer at Home order until 8:00am on May 26, 2020. We applaud Governor Evers for taking this critical step to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites. In the absence of a vaccine, widespread testing, or a cure, people staying at home continues to be our most effective tool against the spread of COVID-19.

We will continue to work with partners to analyze data trends and actively monitor confirmed cases. It is important for people to understand that orders in Dane County won’t be lifted all at once, they will be scaled back incrementally and slowly. Physical distancing measures in some form will need to remain in place until we are consistently seeing fewer cases each day, robust contact tracing is in place, and health infrastructure and testing capabilities have been scaled up.

4/16/20 AM COVID News Roundup

ALDER ROUND UP – 4/15

From Your Common Council Office:

We will be having  a Common Council Executive Committee special meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via virtual meeting.

Online link to CCEC agenda for the April 16, 2020 meeting.

Several families are not taking advantage of free lunches provided by MMSD.  Madison school district: thousands of families not taking advantage of free lunch offerings: https://bit.ly/3b6rNs7 . For more information on where residents can access free lunches please see: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/mmsd-covid-19-neighborhood-food-sites

For your information, the Council Office is conducting research, along with City staff, on the following:

  • Guidelines for the manufacture of PPEs
  • Guidelines on the use of cloth masks
  • Municipal gap funding for individuals and small business owners not eligible for CARES Act funds, including undocumented immigrants
  • How cities are funding recovery efforts
  • Wisconsin election-related information gathering
  • Increasing resident access to Wi-Fi
  • Reviewing State of Wisconsin actions related to COVID-19 relief.
  • PHMDC’s COVID-19 outreach to members of vulnerable populations in Dane County
  • Lessons learned from past disaster recovery efforts
  • Cities’ policies to help mitigate the effects of lost wages
  • Information regarding impacts of the COVID-19 Safer At Home policy on public safety issues.

Along with City staff, we have created an inventory of COVID-19 response actions taken by cities and states around the country, as well as several municipal network list-servs within and beyond Wisconsin.

From Public Health:

COVID-19 Information Update 4/15/20

public health infographic

We agree with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services message that Safer at Home is working!

4/15/20 AM COVID News Roundup

ALDER ROUND UP 4/14/20

From Your Common Council Office:

We will be having  a Common Council Executive Committee special meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via virtual meeting.

Online link to CCEC agenda for the April 16, 2020 meeting.

Several families are not taking advantage of free lunches provided by MMSD.  Madison school district: thousands of families not taking advantage of free lunch offerings: https://bit.ly/3b6rNs7 . For more information on where residents can access free lunches please see: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/mmsd-covid-19-neighborhood-food-sites

From Public Health:

COVID-19 Information Update 4/14/20

phmdc infographic 

Public Health Madison & Dane County Reduces Licensed Establishment Fees

To alleviate some of the financial burden on Dane County licensed establishments, we have reverted our license fees back to 2019 rates. This change went into effect April 2, 2020.

For a restaurant that has $300,000 in gross food and drink sales a year, the renewal license fee will be about $130 less than planned.

Our Public Health Sanitarians continue to work with area businesses to support them as they adjust to our current landscape.

Public Health data snap shot on Covid-19 including break out by race:

https://www.publichealthmdc.com/documents/2020-04-10_data_snapshot.pdf

Public Health information on how the public is educated on the safer at home order:

https://www.publichealthmdc.com/blog/how-we-educate-and-follow-up-on-safer-at-home-order-compliance

4/14/20 AM COVID News Roundup

EOC (Emergency Operations Center) UPDATE

This is very general – nothing really new, just the same general things we’ve been told for the last month.

President Bidar and I discussed the update strategy for the Common Council.  We have agreed to send out an update to you all on Monday.  So beginning next Monday, I will provide a formal update that will include what we have done as a team, and a brief on what is a head for the week.  I will say that the EOC has settled in to calm waters.

We began the formal journey on March 17,  in this “virtual” EOC concept, of which we as a city had never attempted.  We have learned that following the discipline of the structure has really helped the team address urgent and emerging issues very efficiently.  To date the EOC Triage has processed about 710 emails/requests.  When an issue comes to the Triage, they issue is sent to the proper branch to handle.  All told, we have tracked over 1200 reports, updates, communications and contacts with multiple agencies.  This includes regular contact with the UW EOC, Dane County EOC, and State EOC.

Planning:

Some of the initial urgent issues were around the elections.  I would suggest that all city staff was in an “all hands on deck” mode to ensure that every resident in Madison could vote.  There were many long hours by many staff to pull off what appears to be a relatively safe voting environment.  There were definitely areas that we could improve on if we need to vote in similar fashion in November.  And the EOC Section Chiefs deserve a lot of credit for organizing the election event.  All sections were deeply involved between March 17 and the vote.  Planning has been working diligently on worst case scenarios planning as well.  Issues like flooding and tornados, as well as other urgent or emerging potential

Logistics:

The Logistics section has worked closely with purchasing to insure that the most immediate needs of city staff have been taken care of with regard to PPE.  I can’t even begin to say how much work has gone into the PPE project.  We are at the point know where we are able to supply some PPE for partners we normally would not supply for.  The main areas of focus are on supporting staff that cares for at risk community members, public safety agencies, transit agencies, and city staff.  We have developed good guidelines and tools to reuse PPE through well vetted decontamination processes.  These decon. Process will help us extend the life of many of the gowns, masks and shields.  Eventually the hope is that supply catches up with demand.

Operations:

Operations has had a large focus from early on in the events on supporting our at risk community.  To date they have found rooms for over 330 homeless people.  Established and overnight shelter to provide social distancing for homeless.  Worked with local partners to support homeless families and women.  These efforts continue daily to ensure the population is taken care of.  Operations has also been involved with transportation ensuring that we maintain a safe system.  They have also been involved in emergency response preparedness.

Finance:

Finance has had a significant role in tracking personnel costs, and supplies.  As of this update the city has spent $2.54 million, $1.7 million on personnel ($1.67 million on straight time and $150,000 on overtime)(66%).  We have spent $867,000 on supplies (34%)  Non-personnel costs have been primarily PPE and sanitizing systems/supplies as well as a lease on a convalescence facility for first responders (fire and police).  They are in the process of developing a Data Dashboard to track key performance indicators associated with the COVID-19 response.  Staff team (includes Council Chief of Staff) formed to coordinate various funding programs in federal CARES Act; largest direct aid to city so far is $25 million for transit.  Dane County will receive $95 million from Coronavirus Relief Fund for COVID 19 – related costs.

Joint Information Center (JIC):

This team is currently in a more proactive mode.  They are producing blogs, newsletters, media updates and managing social media.  They have really worked hard to assemble a strong team and now that the elections are done, have positioned themselves well as we progress in the coming months.  I am most impressed with this group.  They were truly drinking from a fire hose (pun intended) in the first few weeks, yet managed to pull together proactive planning for when their heads popped up from under water.

This is some of the update ahead of tomorrow night’s CCEC meeting.  It is really a brief snapshot of where we have been over the last month.  We will be updating the existing City EOC org. chart later this week.  We have shrunk many of the charts, as we have been caught up on many of the issues.  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. WASH YOUR HANDS!

Chief Davis
Fire Chief
City EOC-Advisor

EXTEND SAFER-AT-HOME! CAR CARAVAN PROTEST

Dozens of business organizations in the State of Wisconsin have organized together to demand that Governor Evers set a “firm date” to begin re-opening Wisconsin Businesses on April 24th. This demand letter flies in the face of scientists at The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation who indicate that Safer-At-Home must be extended through the month of May in order to flatten the curve and avoid the spread of COVID-19 across our state.

We are calling on Governor Evers and the Wisconsin State Legislature to extend Safer-At-Home through the month of May in order to prevent the un-necessary deaths of perhaps thousands of people within our state and beyond.

Please join us on April 21st in a car caravan protest, 6-7pm at the state capitol, to call on the state government to follow the advice of science over business interests, in the name of protecting people over profit.

*If your organization is interested in endorsing this car caravan protest, please reach out to Madison DSA at DSAMadison@gmail.com, and we will include your information below*

Endorsing Organizations:

Madison Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America

MADISON ALDER AND ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE RUMMEL ISSUES F35

US Air Force Decision Foists Beleaguered Jets Upon Madison Community

Madison –  Alder and Wisconsin Assembly Candidate Marsha Rummel released the following statement on the United State Air Force announcement today that it has chosen Madison’s Truax Field to stage the troubled F-35 fighter jet:

“Today the US Air Force made a decision contrary to its own stated purpose of performing an Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The purpose of the EIS was to explain to both the public and policy makers how the proposal would affect the public and lay out which of the five proposed sites would cause the least negative impact to the environment and public health and safety.

The Air Force’s analysis in the final EIS did not change initial findings of disproportionate impacts on nearby residents who are predominantly low income and people of color. This appears to violate the racial and environmental justice standards set forth in NEPA law. Three of the five other proposed sites were in more suitable locations with dramatically less negative impact. Siting these fighter jets in an urban area will result in a diminished quality of life for nearby residents and adversely impact real estate values. This widespread loss of property value will hit both homeowners and taxpayers hard in an already uncertain economic time.

In addition to being one of the most expensive military weapons in history, with an uneven track record, it is not clear that these jets effectively protect our nation from the real and present dangers we face. The costs to local governments to help residents with mitigation and the lack of diligence by the Air Force to understand the cost of site clean-up of dangerous PFAS chemicals from our groundwater were not part of the USAF review. Higher decibel levels put Madison residents, including children at nearby schools and day cares in danger of developmental issues and permanent hearing damage.

The USAF/NGB ignored the concerns of thousands of Madison residents including the Madison Common Council which recently voted 13-5 to oppose siting the fighter jets in Madison. Other elected officials at the county and state level and many community organizations opposed the beddown of F-35s at Truax. There was a groundswell of opposition in neighborhoods adjacent to the base. I will continue my efforts to represent Madison residents who oppose the F-35s and will support the coming lawsuits that will seek a halt to implementation.”

WORTSTOCK AUGUST 23RD

DANE COUNTY EQUITY AND INCLUSION (OEI) DEPARTMENT COVID 3/15/20

Below is the briefing from the date in the subject line.  Have a great day.

  1. Briefing From Public Health Madison and Dane County
  • Slow rise in cases in Dane County.  350 cases in the county and another death occurred which brings the count to 13.
  • CDC – Clarification of return to work if a person is diagnosed with the virus.

o   They still have to follow procedures outlined in the 4/13 notes.  The less restrictive rules apply only to healthcare.  This allows the health care facilities to continue to operate.  Healthcare workers are on the frontline and exposed daily.

o   Other businesses must follow  14 day quarantine protocol and other restrictions in place.

  • Safe at Home Order – It expires 4/24/20.  Waiting to hear from the Governor’s office whether it will be extended or restrictions be loosen.  Right now don’t know.
  • Camp Grounds – No mention of campgrounds in current order but they are mentioned in FAQs.

o   If the grounds have a store.  They must follow procedures – social distancing

o   Swim and exercise facilities on campgrounds are closed and guest are prohibited from congregating in common areas.

o   Camp grounds are essential because it provides an option for safe sheltering.

o   PH does not support or recommend going to camp grounds for recreation purposes.

  • Long Term Care Facilities – PH is working with them. PH created a FAQ to provide PPE and other information to them.

o   Any facility with confirmed cases has a liaison assigned to them who will work with them.  That person works with the facility until there has been no new diagnosis in the facility for 2 weeks.

  1. Processes in The Court System  – Judge McNamara
  • Not speaking on behalf of other judges; he works in the criminal cases. He is a part of the COOP planning for the Courts.
  • Cases can be divided civil, juvenile and Criminal – There are no jury trials.
  • Believe  civil and judicial are utilizing technology – video conference but he does not work in these areas.
  • Criminal courts – they are  hearing cases via zoom conferencing.   If it is appropriate to release and reschedule then that is what is being done.  But, this is decided on a case by case basis.
  • No work release is happening to make sure all is safe.
  • How cases will be processed in the future is unknown.
  • New admit to the system is less than pre-pandemic.

Juvenile – Director Bauman  – detention has 17 kids.  There is decrease in referrals.  There are still kids engaged in stealing cars.  Lock cars and garages. Some are participating in group negative behavior.  Believe eventually will be caught and may be sent to Juvenile.  Hearings are be done remotely.

CENSUS UPDATE #9

The 2020 Census is here! As we practice social distancing due to COVID-19, take the opportunity to complete the census now – you can fill it out online at my2020census.gov, by phone, or by mail. Everyone living in your household should be counted. Census data determines how more than $675 billion in federal funds are distributed to communities across the country for affordable housing, childcare, healthcare, education, transportation, and more. That’s over $2,000 per person for Madison and Dane County every year.  Please remind friends and family to be counted. By law your answers are confidential.

If you’re interested in learning more about the 2020 Census, visit the City’s web page at cityofmadison.com/2020census or read the Mayor’s recent blog post. Also, several local community groups are hosting a Facebook Live census event on Wednesday, April 15th at 5:30pm – check it out via the Freedom, Inc. Facebook page!

PUBLIC LIBRARY AT HOME

Madison Public Library now has a Resources Available From Home https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/at-home page that collects links to free online resources for everyone: kids and family programming, databases and study resources, and more books (see the TumbleBook Library TumbleBooks – eBooks for eKids!)
Some resources require a library card, but if you don’t have one, never fear—you can apply for your virtual library card here:
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at mplhawthorne@gmail.com.
Take care,
Heidi
Assistant Librarian
Hawthorne Neighborhood Library

SAFE SKIES CLEAN WATERS PROTEST AND NEWS

The fight is not over!

The Air Force announced Wednesday morning that Truax has been selected as as the site for a squadron of F-35 joint strike fighter jets, along with Montgomery, Alabama. We will not accept this decision.

Join us this Saturday 4/18 at noon for a No F-35s car caravan from Truax to the State Capitol!

  • Display your No F-35 signs
  • Decorate your cars
  • Honk your horns, put on your flashers
  • We will leave from Truax at noon (you can wait in the Madison College parking lot) – drive up Wright Street and along East Washington to the Capitol, and drive around the square making lots of noise.
  • Tractors and bicycles (with distancing) welcome!

More details here

We can’t thank you enough for all of your incredible work.

You are some of the thousands of people continuing to support our community’s well being. Let’s hang together and make sure we keep our neighborhoods strong and healthy!

Our demands remain the same:

  • No new construction until existing base contamination is cleaned up.
  • No increase in noise levels, frequency of flights, or greenhouse gas emissions.
  • No relocation or other disruption of communities surrounding the base.
  • No financial burden on residents of Madison or Dane County.
  • No support or training for any mission that includes the proliferation, transport or use of nuclear weapons.

We have engaged attorneys

Our attorneys are looking at various legal options for stopping the F-35s coming to Madison. We will keep you posted on this!

Letter from attorneys to the U.S. Air Force

More to come

There are a number of approaches we can take in opposition to the F-35s. We will be sending you a questionnaire in the near future, asking what most interests you.

Listen to Ald. Rebecca Kemble on the WORT archives (April 16, 8:00 Buzz, 28:40 to 46:20)

Articles

‘We have just begun:’ Opponents of F-35 jets consider legal action, continue organizing following US Air Force announcement | Northside News

Madison chosen for F-35 mission; Truax to get first jets in 2023

Air Force picks Truax for F-35 base; Madison opponents consider legal response

As always, check our website and Facebook page for news and updates

    Stay well and keep on keeping on!

FEDERAL CASH PAYMENT INFO FORM SENATOR BALDWINS OFFICE

This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began administering economic impact payments via direct deposit to taxpayers as mandated by the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The bipartisan CARES Act provides direct payments of up to $1,200 to individuals ($2,400 for married couples) and an additional $500 per child dependent under 17. The full payment is available for individuals making up to $75,000 and $150,000 for married couples. To help Wisconsinites get their economic impact payments as soon as possible, the IRS has provided the following guidance:

Social Security and Disability Recipients

If you receive Social Security, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, as well as Railroad Retirement and survivor benefits, you do not need to take any further action at this time. The IRS already has your information and you will receive $1,200.

Non-Filers

If you don’t file taxes, the IRS is asking you to provide simple information so you can get your payment. You should provide this information if:

  • You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income. Or
  • You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons

Non-filers can enter their payment information here.

Taxpayers

If you filed your taxes in 2018 or 2019, you can use the IRS’ Get My Payment application to:

  • Check your payment status
  • Confirm your payment type: direct deposit or check
  • Enter your bank account information for direct deposit if the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit information and you haven’t received your payment yet

Filers can access the Get My payment application here.

Recently Moved

If you have moved since you last filed your taxes, click here for more information on how to make the IRS aware of your new mailing address.

Payment Recipients

For security reasons, the IRS plans to mail a letter about the economic impact payment to the taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is paid. The letter will provide information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment. If a taxpayer is unsure they’re receiving a legitimate letter, the IRS urges taxpayers to visit IRS.gov first to protect against scam artists.

Avoiding Scams

The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money. Remember, the IRS will not call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds.

Click here for additional information from the IRS regarding direct cash payments. 

PARKS COVID-19 UPDATES

As of now, all City of Madison parks are open. In compliance with the Emergency SAFER AT HOME Order by Governor Tony Evers, and through guidance from Public Health Madison & Dane County, To help keep them open, the community must follow guidelines provided by Public Health Madison & Dane County. There have been numerous updates in recent weeks. Are you following all of these changes and updates? Here is a quick glance of recent news releases and blog posts with links.

Madison Parks: Open with precautions and limitations
Learn what’s open, how to use with caution and what’s closed

Using the Outdoors While Maintaining Social Distancing
Tips and guidelines to following while enjoying outdoor spaces in Madison parks.

Social Distancing while using City Bicycle and Pedestrian Pathways
Shared-use paths remain open, learn the best way to use trails and pathways

Take a Self-Guided Nature Walk in April
All volunteer-led Bird & Nature Outings through April are canceled but you can still enjoy nature with these tips.

Parks Staff Rethinking Essential Tasks
Read how, through creative thinking, Parks staff modified the tree planting process.

Parks Offices Closed
Updated March 17, 2020 with links to online services, and contact information

Park Events Canceled, Postponed or Rescheduled
Information for Park events through April including Earth Day Challenge and Bird & Nature Festival

Please follow the guidelines so we can keep parks open. Show us how you are staying safe while in Madison Parks. Use #madisonparks on Facebook and Instagram.

ACLU – SAVE LIVES, RELEASE VULNERABLE PEOPLE

Right now, Wisconsin state prisons are on the brink of becoming a public health catastrophe – and we need your help to stop it.

In Wisconsin’s overcrowded state prisons, social distancing is impossible. Multiple people are housed in a single cell without even basic medical care or sanitation supplies.

An outbreak of COVID-19 in our prisons would further strain our hospital system because people who get very sick in prison must be transported to hospitals in the surrounding community – threatening public health and claiming even more lives.

A prison pandemic would also disproportionately impact people of color, as Black Wisconsinites are 12 times more likely to be incarcerated than whites.

Tell Governor Evers that a prison sentence should never become a death sentence.

Other states have taken bold steps, releasing thousands of people from prisons and into settings where they can safely practice social distancing and help stop the spread of this disease.

But here in Wisconsin, Governor Evers’ administration has reduced the prison population by just 1.3 percent – a tiny fraction of what’s necessary to protect public health.

That’s why we filed suit last week in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but we also need to make our voices heard.

Call Governor Evers NOW and ask him to save lives and stop a prison pandemic.

Governor Evers himself pledged to reduce the state’s prison population by half – and now is the time to do it.

Thanks for sticking with us,

ACLU of Wisconsin

STAYING AT HOME IS CHANGING THE WAY MADISON USES WATER

From the Madison Water Utility:

Madison Water Utility’s pump operators usually spend weeknights filling the city’s reservoirs and preparing for the morning water rush – a major daily spike in demand that must be carefully managed all across the city.

“At 5 o’clock in the morning, everything’s getting busy. People are waking up, big buildings are filling up their water tanks to get ready for employees to come in,” says Karmjit Singh, one of the employees who operates all the pumps and wells in Madison’s water system from a remote command center. The challenge is to make sure Madison’s water system keeps pressure across the city steady as tens of thousands of people hop in the shower, all at pretty much the same time.

Except these days, that’s not happening.

Operator Mike Jabs compares life in quarantine to one very long weekend, at least when it comes to the way Madison is using water.

“It was quite noticeable,” he says. “The spike is delayed and not as significant as it normally would be.”

Water use across the city has dropped by about two million gallons a day since mid-March, when people started staying home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 16 through April 14, Madison Water Utility pumped about 22 million gallons a day on average, down from 24 million a day the month before. UW Madison, the city’s largest water user, closed much of its campus on March 16. Eight days later, Governor Evers issued a statewide stay at home order.

Customer sales data from March offers a telling picture of how the pandemic has quickly changed water use in Madison. Single-family homes, duplexes and apartment buildings are using more water compared to March 2019. But demand from Commercial customers and Public Authority customers (which includes UW Madison) has plummeted.

“From the data, we can start to see a large demand pattern shift,” says Madison Water Utility Chief Financial Officer Jeff Stanek.

The sudden shift is unprecedented, but as long as Madisonians are staying home to stay safe, the trend will likely continue.

“It’s becoming the new normal,” Stanek says.

Residential comparisonPDF 
Click to view larger.

 

Commercial ComparisonPDF 
Click to view larger.
Public Authority comparisonPDF 
Click to view larger.
 

Final Stormwater Ordinance Changes Meeting to be Offered Virtually

From City of Madison Engineering:

The Engineering Division will be hosting a final public information meeting about changes to the City’s stormwater ordinance at 3 p.m., April 23, 2020, virtually.

During the April 23 meeting, City Engineering staff will share final proposed language for the City’s stormwater ordinance based on feedback thus far in the public input process.  The previous in-person March 24 meeting was canceled because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. The Feb. 26 and March 5 meetings were held as scheduled.

Virtual Meeting Format
The April 23 meeting will be held virtually online via Zoom. It will include a presentation and question and answer portion for attendees.

Step 1: Register for the Meeting
To take part and register, sign up through the Chapter 37 City Engineering Storm Ordinance page or by registering here. Please register by noon, April 22, 2020. Once registered, attendees will receive a link to access the meeting.  If you have questions about registering, email engineer@cityofmadison.com.

Step 2: Download Zoom
Attendees will need to have Zoom downloaded on their phone or computer to attend the meeting. Attendees can download a free version of Zoom . Please do not wait to download a few minutes below the meeting to allow for troubleshooting time should you have technical issues.

Step 3: Get link, Attend Meeting
Registered attendees will be sent a Zoom link in a separate email after noon, April 22, 2020. Once attendees receive the emailed link, click the link when the meeting is scheduled to begin to attend. During the meeting, attendees will be able to listen into the meeting. Attendees will be muted, however, attendees will be able to provide comments, ask questions and virtually raise hands. Questions will be answered during the Q and A portion of the presentation at the end.

Post meeting
City Engineering will post the recorded Zoom presentation on the on the Stormwater Ordinance webpage after the meeting.

Background: Need for the Update
The City is updating the Madison General Ordinance Chapter 37 Stormwater Ordinance because of extreme storm events in Madison during the last several years, research on climate change and rainfall patterns for southcentral Wisconsin. The amount of rainwater from extreme storms causes flash flooding and elevated lake levels, which puts pressure on the City’s stormwater pipe system. When the stormwater system is overloaded with too much storm or rainwater, either in heavy rainstorms or multiple heavy rainstorms in a short amount of time, flooding occurs. Madison General Ordinance Chapter 37 includes requirements for water quality, water quantity and erosion control design standards for anyone who wants to build in the City of Madison.

After the Public Information Meeting the schedule for approval will follow:

  1. Final public information meeting: 3 p.m., April 23, 2020
  2. Comment period closes: noon, April 27, 2020
  3. Introduce to the Common Council: May 5, 2020
  4. Refer to the Planning Commission: May 11, 2020
  5. Refer to the Board of Public Works: May 20, 2020
  6. Move updated ordinance to Common Council for approval: June 2, 2020

Email comments to engineer@cityofmadison.com until April 27, 2020.

Contacts

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

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