Wednesday & Thursday Round Up – 4/22 & 4/23

By
Brenda Konkel
-
round up

Updates and round up, random thoughts, city face mask policy, golfing, stormwater, salt, virtual Sustainable Saturday and more.

KONKEL’S MUSINGS

  • No tolerance on Mifflin St. Block Party for Public Safety reasons (agreed.)  But why not show the same toughness for the rally on Friday?  Are there students left in town that plan on partying?  Haven’t most of them gone home?  Isn’t Mifflin Street Block Party a non-issue?  What about the rallly?  That seems like a much bigger problem.
  • Madison Fire Department to salute local hospitals with firetruck lights flashing – We’re too busy to have committee meetings and democracy, but this we have plenty of time for?

ALDER ROUND UP 4/22/20

For Alder Blogs:

From the Public Health Department:

COVID-19 Information Update 4/22/20e

Data & Dashboard

  • As of 8:30 this morning, there are 387 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, down 1 from yesterday morning. As individual cases are investigated by public health, there may be corrections to the status and details of cases that result in changes to this information (for example, if we received testing data for someone not in Dane County).
  • Tomorrow our data team is planning to launch a new version of the data dashboard. This new dashboard will offer daily updates to some of the information we have been providing in our weekly snapshots, such as cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by age group, race, sex, and ethnicity.

New Blog Post

Today we posted a new blog, Supporting Businesses During Safer at Home, which outlines how we rolled back licensing fees and other ways we are supporting businesses.

From Streets:

Drop off sites will reopen on April 24, with restrictions:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/streets-division-drop-off-sites-set-to-re-open-april-24-with-new-restrictions

Information for Alders:

Council Leadership’s meeting with the Mayor  was  rescheduled.

I have received a few requests for guidance on setting up neighborhood meetings by Zoom.  After consultation with the IT Department, we recommend that if the meeting is related to a development, please ask the Developer to set up the meeting and accepts the responsibility of the cost.  The developer may choose to use Zoom or some other platform to showcase their plans to the alder and the community.

If the alder is initiating a meeting to connect with residents, we suggest you purchase a monthly license at $14.99 (There are various pricing plans: https://www.zoom.us/pricing ).  This will allow you to meet for more than the 40 minutes allowable b the free version.  Receipts for these licenses may be submitted for reimbursement from you alder account.  If you choose to host your own neighborhood Zoom meeting, to keep a meeting secure, please use the guidelines  outlined at https://www.cityofmadison.com/employeenet/information-technology/training-support/zoom

Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

In the news today, 04/22:

ALDER ROUND UP 4/23/20

For Alder Blogs:
From the Public Health Department:
COVID-19 Information Update 4/23/20

We have just launched version two of our popular data dashboard! The new dashboard will be updated at 9:30 every morning. In addition to information available in V1, users can see new cases by date, tests by date, stratified cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, and more.

From Parks:

Dogs, on-leash, are allowed at most Madison parks. When visiting a park with your dog, the following rules must be followed.

  • Dogs must have a dog park permit.
  • Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash no more than 6 feet long and held by a person at all times.
  • Dogs must be under the immediate physical control of a person at all times.
  • Dogs must be licensed (purchased through the City of Madison Treasurer’s Office) and must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination.
  • Dog handlers are required to pick up the waste and have bags or scoops when in the park.
  • Dogs must not dig, chase or harm wildlife, damage park property, or interfere with other Park users
  • Dogs are prohibited from the designated Dog Free Parks and specific areas, such as near playgrounds, and all conservation parks. See below for more information

Violators may be reported by contacting a Park Ranger (608) 235-0448.

 Information for Alders:

The City released a face mask covering policy for City employees. Please see attached.

In the news today, 04/23:

CITY FACE MASK POLICY

Mask and Face Covering Policy for City Employees          

Effective Date 4/23/2020

In response to the Coronavirus outbreak and the Covid 19 illness that results, the CDC now recommends that individuals wear a face covering when going out away from their home.  Public Health of Madison and Dane County concurs with the recommendation.  Surgical masks are in short supply during the pandemic.  Washable face coverings can provide much the same benefits of surgical masks.  Wearing surgical masks and face coverings can reduce the likelihood of transmission.

This policy will begin on the effective date shown above and will continue until staff is notified that the requirements are no longer necessary.

This policy provides specific requirements for City staff while working on the various tasks that City employees engage in.  This policy applies to all City Employees, permanent, limited term and hourly.

The following policy requirements apply after the employee has been issued a mask or face covering:

  1. All City employees shall wear a mask or face covering provided by the City while on duty unless they meet one of the exceptions below.
  2. All City employees shall be issued three washable face coverings for their use.
  3. Face coverings shall be given to employees when they are available and once issued, the employee shall follow these guidelines. Employees working at home will be issued face coverings when they come into work but are not required to come into work to get their face coverings.  Employees working from home shall be issued face coverings after all employees required to come to work have been issued face coverings.
  4. City employees are required to wash their face coverings at home.
  5. City employees are encouraged to wear their face coverings when off duty and away from their home.
  6. Certain employees are required or permitted to wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes but is not limited to face shields, N95 masks, KN95 masks, full face respirators and half face respirators to protect them and others from the spread of disease. Employees shall not be required to wear face coverings when they are wearing PPE that provides a greater level of protection.
  7. Employees are not required to wear a mask or face covering when working in the following locations:
    1. When working alone in a private office. A cubical is not considered a private office unless there are no staff adjacent to the cubical.
    2. When driving alone in a vehicle.
    3. When teleworking for the City at the employees own home.
  8. Supervisors, for good cause, are permitted to allow employees under them to conduct a particular job duty without a mask or face covering provided all of the following takes place:
    1. The job title, specific task, and reason for the exemption is provided to their Department Head and the Department Head approves in writing the temporary suspension of the requirement to wear a mask or face covering. No employee shall be entirely exempt from wearing a mask or face covering, only specific job assignments may be exempt.
    2. The Department Head forwards their decision and the above information to the Human Resources Director.
  9. The face covering shall be worn over the nose and mouth and employees must wash or sanitize their hands after putting on or taking off the face covering.
  10. The employee may wear a face covering purchased by the employee instead of the City issued face covering if approved by the employee’s supervisor.

DANE COUNTY OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION UPDATES 4/22

Briefing From Public Health Madison and Dane County

  • 387 cases in Dane County- 1st time in a little while that there has been double digit increase. Death toll  has stayed the same at 20 for the county and this a good thing.
  • Jail and Staff: there have been some positive cases in the jails of inmates and staff.  There are approximately 1100 + persons in the jail to be tested later this week.  Public Health is set to follow up and do contact tracing.
  • Expect a spike and there is a need ramp up testing.   That is why the drive through testing to be up and ready.  Still working to get this done and hope it is available next week
  • Hospital still have capacity.  There was a spike in the number persons testing COVID ( 24 additional persons).  Waiting to hear outcome.  This may result increase in case count and additional contact tracing.
  • Elections and COVID.  66 COVID positives.   Of the 66, 40 reported going to voting history.  Most did not go to polls.  3 individuals did go to polls.  Of the 3, 2 had already the onset of symptoms and 1 a healthcare worker. Dane County no connection to/evidence persons going to poll and getting infected.

o   Keep in mind asymptomatic person may have gone and could have gone to polls.  Don’t know anything about those individuals.  There is a potential for increase. Will have to wait.

  • Golf Courses Opening – with this it has bought up new questions and identified contradictions if opened.   Will follow up when information available.

Announcements and Updates

  • Testing facility at Alliant Energy – health care, public health, EM, Alliant staff and national guard.  The planning is happening and establishing is complex.  Some issue include but not limited to managing such as  referral process, coordinate health care provider, management under issued, communications.. and it has to be worked out so it is a seamless process.
  • Housing and Isolation – Quality inn run by local agency on East for homeless with persons with or have symptoms. Referral.  Lowell Center – not isolate at home due to vulnerable like health care works.  Run by the State.  There is an initiative for housing for healthy public safety providers . Dorm. But don’t want to go home.  More info to come.
  • Alternate Care Facility – Application submitted and waiting for information from
  • FEMA – Adobe connect site.  Connect private sellers of PPE with private orgs needing PPE like funeral homes, hospital, …etc.  A way to get without going through government.

Questions

  • Grocery stores and curb side services – This is not something that the Grocers Association is going to happen in WI although it is happening in other places.
  • Testing in the jails – There was a housing unit that had more cases.  DCSO requested assistance from state and county EOC with testing.  Don’t want the jail to become a hot spot.  WI national guards will be assisting with the testing of inmates an staff.

Sources for Additional Information:

Theola Carter – Manager of Policy and Program Improvement

The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion (OEI) Department

WELCOME BACK GOLFERS, PREPARE FOR CHANGES

A message from Madison City Parks

Good news for Madison area golfers arrived late last week in the Governor’s most recent Safer at Home Order.  Golf courses throughout the state of Wisconsin are allowed to open on Friday, April 24 with restrictions made to ensure we effectively provide a safe golfing experience. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, a number of adjustments to playing will be in place until further notice.

OVERALL RULES & RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6’ at all times
  • Consider wearing a face covering as recommended by the CDC
  • Give a nod or a thumbs up to your fellow golfer and refrain from a handshake or high five
  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Practice good hygiene and always cover your cough and sneeze
TEE TIMES – must be made in advance
To help maintain social distancing, tee times intervals are now at 12 minutes. Tee times must be reserved by credit card in advance, either online or by calling the specific course directly to reserve by advance credit card payment.
Glenway – 608-266-4737
Monona – 608-266-4736
Odana Hills – 608-266-4724
Yahara Hills – 608-229-8250
CARTS
In compliance with the order, golf carts are not permitted. We are working to gain clarification regarding cart usage by handicapped patrons and will provide updates when available.
CLUBHOUSE
The clubhouse, practice range, and putting green are closed. Do not gather around the clubhouse. Portable restrooms will be available near the clubhouse and on the course.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
At this time, we will not offer food or beverage.
OTHER ADJUSTMENTS
  • Scorecards and pencils will not be provided. Scorecards and course maps are located online, under the specific course.
  • Flagsticks must remain in the hole. Do not touch or remove.
  • Rangers are patrolling the course. If you have questions or see an issue, call course number

SUSTAINABLE SATURDAY NIGHT VIRTUAL EARTH WEEK EVENT

Join us this Saturday, April 25th at 6pm for a virtual Sustainable Saturday Night Earth Week Celebration and the launch of the Building Unity Virtual Tour.

This is a culmination of Earth Week activities and Safe Skies Clean Water is invited to join with other organizations addressing sustainability issues to talk about our work. We will need one person to give a brief overview (two to three minutes) about where we are at in our campaign, what strategies we will be using in the future, and how people can help us right now. We also need another person or two to help facilitate a breakout session.

This virtual celebration will be a Zoom meeting, so you will be able to join by phone or computer. Everyone is invited to attend, but please let me know if you are willing to help with the overview or facilitating the breakout session.

Here’s more details from Tim Cordon about the event and how to join it:

To receive an invitation to this meeting, please write to BuildingUnityWI@gmail.com and put “SSN” in the subject line. When you get to the event you may have to wait in the “Zoom meeting waiting room” as we are taking precautions to avoid “Zoom-bombing.”

Here is a rough schedule for the event:

6:00 – Let’s eat together. Join us with your meal, family and device to Zoom.
6:15 – After a bit of time to chat as a large group, any who would like can take 2-3 minutes to share a creative expression of some kind: a song, poem, the writings of an environmentalist, a game,  joke,  story or piece of art that inspires you.
6:35 – A few activists [including a representative from Safe Skies] will share very brief overviews of their organizing projects. When all have presented, people can join one of the breakout groups facilitated by these activists.
7:00 – We will return to the large group for some music and other sharing.
8:00 – We will end the event, but if some would like to linger either as a large group, or if people would like to create smaller groups to chat, we are happy to facilitate that as late as 9 pm for any who would like to stay. Perhaps some of our activists would offer a second shot as the breakout group option for those who might like to attend another.

WATCH: STORM ORD. VIRTUAL MEETING LINK

Good evening,

Thank you to the nearly 80 people who tuned in to our first virtual public information meeting focused on the Chapter 37 Storm Ordinance Changes for the City of Madison this afternoon.

If you missed the presentation, and want to watch the recording, read any supporting materials or view the next steps in the approval process, all links and supported documents are posted here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/StormwaterOrdinanceUpdates.cfm

You also have until April 27, 2020 to submit additional comments by email to engineer@cityofmadison.com.

Thank you,
City of Madison Engineering

FREE, ON LINE CLASS: UPDATE YOUR SALT CERTIFICATION

We’d like to share a free, online way to stay salt certified! The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering the free training online, and it’s open to Wisconsin Winter Maintence Professionals.
 The Winter Salt Certification Training for Parking Lots and Sidewalk is scheduled for 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., April 28, 2020. Join managers, applicators and others involved in the world of winter maintenance to learn about simple practices that can save you time, budget and protect our waters. This event will meet the requirements and provide the necessary training to pass the Salt Certification Exam and have you listed as a certified salt applicator on the City of Madison Winter Salt Certification site. The training will cover pre-storm preparation, equipment calibration guidance, application rates, de-icer selection and more. The goal of the training is to educate winter maintenance professionals on how to use the least amount of de-icing materials necessary to keep pavements safe throughout the winter. To register for this free online training please email Marnie Lucas at mlucas@waconia.org .

Thank you for helping reduce salt use in our City,
City Engineering

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