secretary SMNA

2024-10-22 Updates from Alder Wehelie

Southeast and Southwest Area Plans – Call for Community Partners 

If you or your organization has the ability to connect with and reach out to traditionally underrepresented communities in Madison, this is an opportunity to be paid for your skills as an organizer, facilitator, and communicator. The City of Madison Planning Division is looking for skilled communicators to help engage traditionally underrepresented communities about the future of their neighborhoods.

This fall the City of Madison will begin working with residents, community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders to develop the Southeast Area Plan and Southwest Area Plan. Recommendations in the Area Plans guide changes to the physical aspects of our community, such as infrastructure improvements by the public sector and housing development initiated by the private sector.

Purpose
Community Partners will be paid to conduct outreach to underrepresented stakeholders, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, people with disabilities, people for whom English is a second language, and other underrepresented groups. Selected Community Partners will help increase awareness of the planning process and gather community input in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:

  • direct outreach to residents,
  • distributing informational material,
  • and reaching out to people at community events within the planning areas.

Funding 
Applicants may request between $3,000 to $5,000 for their work to engage with communities in the Southeast Area or Southwest Area, or both. Payment will be based upon an anticipated rate of $25 per hour.

How to Apply

Interested individuals and organizations can fill out an application online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6PFSKNL. Completed applications must be received by October 28, 2024.

Please see the Call for Community Partners for more information!

Questions? Email southwestareaplan@cityofmadison.com or call 608-243-0470.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development related requests in Districts 2, 9, 12, 13, and 17.
  • Committee on Aging: The Committee on Aging meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 23, at 2:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving the allocation of City funds that are budgeted and designated to support older adult programming among a group of agencies selected through a Request for Proposals process conducted by the Community Development Division.
  • Housing Strategy Committee: The Housing Strategy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, October 24, at 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include approving housing recommendations that serve to strengthen efforts to expand rental, homeowner and student developments.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

  • Warner Park and Cherokee Marsh Watershed Study, Monday, October 21: We will present the completed, drainage model of existing flooding conditions. We invite residents to provide feedback on the results, ask questions, and hear about our next steps.  The information presented will only share existing flood risk maps. There are not any proposed solutions to share at this time.
  • Sauk Creek Greenway, Tuesday, October 22: Staff will provide some initial ideas on the West Area Plan’s East-West multi-use path connection. Preliminary review of concepts show construction of a path would not align enough with the stormwater improvements to be built together and path plans are not being developed further at this time.
  • John Nolen Drive, Wednesday, October 23: The next public information meeting is schedule for 6:30 p.m., Oct. 23, 2024, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

Announcements and News Releases

Events

  • In-Person Absentee Voting Begins, Tuesday, October 22: Absentee voting sites begin opening today. Check our In-Person Absentee Voting website for locations and hours. The last day to vote absentee in person will be Sunday, November 3.
  • Virtual Fireside Chat with Yannette Figueroa, Tuesday, October 22: Discover the crucial role of Latinos in local government with Common Council President Yannette Figueroa! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of our community’s most influential figures. Register now and be part of shaping our local government!
  • Warner Family Fun Night – Halloween Special, Friday, October 25: Join us for a special Halloween Family Fun Night! The fun begins with hayrides around Warner Park, 5-6pm, Family Fun Night inside WPCRC, 5-8pm, then a free, outdoor movie starting at 6pm. All kids aged 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult for all activities.
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, October 26:Join a naturalist for an easy family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walk will begin at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Meet outside at the Children’s Shack. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Badgerland Bird Alliance, and Aldo Leopold Nature Center . No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
  • Seed Collecting at Odana Hills Golf Course, Saturday, October 26: Join us at Odana Hills Golf Course for a seed collection event as we work to expand Madison’s natural areas using seeds from our own land! It’s a unique opportunity to gather native seeds while enjoying the beauty of the golf course. By collecting seeds from local plants, we’re helping preserve our ecosystem and support more natural growth across the city. Plus, it’s a fun way to connect with nature—right in the heart of the course! Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or just love the outdoors, come help us “grow” our green spaces, one seed at a time!
  • Inspired by Wright: Tour & Art Making Activity, Sunday, October 27: Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and discover how Wright saw geometric shapes in the world around him.  You’ll learn how Monona Terrace’s unique landscape influenced his choice of geometry, expressed in nearly every aspect of the building. Then, use this newly gained knowledge to create your own Wright-inspired glass piece of art.

For the full list of upcoming events, please visit the City events calendar. 

secretary SMNA

2024-10-14 Updates from Alder Wehelie

Country Grove Park Update

The project is progressing according to schedule and is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. The contractor is completing landscaping work around the courts area, and the courts will be opened for use when work is complete. Work continues on the shelter structure and surrounding area. Landscaping installation around the shelter structure and parking lot will be completed in 2025. 

For more information, please visit the following websites:

Maple Grove Project Neighborhood Meeting, Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Livesey Company proposes to construct a new, three-story, mixed-use building on the vacant property at 6702 Mader Drive. The new building would have 2,500 square feet of commercial space and 125 apartments. The apartments would be comprised of 105 studio and one-bedroom units and 20 two-bedroom units. There would be 104 underground parking spaces and 81 surface parking spaces.

A virtual neighborhood meeting to hear more about this proposed project is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 6pm. You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone, or tablet or listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering at www.cityofmadison.com/MeetingNovember7Mader.

District 7 Lunch and Learn features the Economic Development Division

Join me on Thursday, November 21, at noon to learn more about small business opportunities, business certification, and how to apply for support and access programs through the City of Madison. Staff from the Office of Business Resources will join us.

There will be time for Q&A at the end of the presentations. Attendees can also email their questions in advance to Lorissa Banuelos, Community Engagement Strategist, at lbanuelos@cityofmadison.com. Please include the “November 21 Lunch and Learn” in the subject line. For more information, please get in touch with me by email at district7@cityofmadison.com or by phone at (608) 571-4919.

This Lunch and Learn is virtual via Zoom and free and open to all residents. You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone, or tablet or listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering here. Advanced registration is required. 

Meeting and Event Highlights 

Help Name Wisconsin’s First Electric Trash Trucks!Fill out the poll by October 21, 2024, at 4:00pm to help choose names for these trucks.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

  • Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 14, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a briefing on the 2025 Executive Operating Budget.
  • Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 15, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a briefing on the 2025 Executive Operating Budget.
  • Economic Development Committee: The Economic Development Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. in Suite 303 of 2352 S Park St. Agenda items include an update on the City of Madison’s Economic Development Plan, as well as a discussion of the 2025 Budget.
  • Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include the Director’s report, a review of the 2025 Transportation Projects List, and clarifying Transportation Demand Management procedures.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

Events

For the full list of upcoming events, please visit the City events calendar. 

secretary SMNA

2024-10-04 Neighborhood News & Updates

Absentee Ballots and Voter Registration

Absentee ballots for the November 5 General Election have been sent to 25,655 City of Madison absentee voters with requests on file. The goal of the City Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted. To learn more click  HERE.

Register to vote at any Madison Public Library. If you have a Wisconsin ID and your address is up-to-date with the DMV, you can also register online.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is Looking for Community Feedback

The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has released its draft  2024-2028 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. The federally required plan outlines strategies to meet the transportation needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities and people with low incomes in the Greater Madison region and Dane County. Community members are encouraged to review the draft plan and provide feedback by Friday, October 18, 2024.

How to submit feedback:

  1. Email: Send your comments to Ben Lyman, Transportation Planner, at  blyman@cityofmadison.com.
  2. Mail: Address your written feedback to Greater Madison MPO, 100 State St. Ste. 400, Madison, WI 53703.

Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award

The City of Madison invites you to submit nominations for its annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award. This award honors Jeffrey Clay Erlanger, who was an individual of integrity, passion, intelligence and civility. Jeff understood that thoughtful and caring people could have very different views on how to best address our community’s many complex issues and problems. Jeff, a lifelong quadriplegic due to complications from a spinal tumor discovered in infancy, died on June 10, 2007. He spent a significant part of his life committed to public service, focusing on constructive advocacy and civil debate, fairness, openness and effective representation. He embraced the similarities that unite us.

Jeff served on the City of Madison’s Economic Development Commission; he was chair of the Commission on People with Disabilities; chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Living Alliance; and ran for the Madison Common Council in 2002. He also held a number of other significant positions in the community. One of his greatest accomplishments was his successful push for the accessible taxicab service in Madison today. He was honored last year when an accessible playground was named in his memory at Rennebohm Park on Madison’s Westside.

To learn more about this award and its criteria click  HERE. Submissions are due November 1, 2024.

Flock to State – State Street Pedestrian Mall Experiment ends October 30th

If you haven’t visited State Street as part of this year’s State Street Pedestrian Mall experiment yet, you have about one month left to #FlockToState. The experiment, which began in May and closed the 400-600 blocks of State Street to all non-emergency vehicle traffic to allow pedestrians and people on bikes to use the street space freely, will officially end on Wednesday, October 30.

Thurber Artist in Residence Chosen

The Madison Arts Commission and the Bubbler at Madison Public Library are pleased to announce Jennifer Bastian as the 2024 Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence. The Madison Arts Commission and the Bubbler at Madison Public Library launched the Thurber Park Artist Residency in 2019. The residency is based out of a dedicated art studio at Thurber Park, located at 3325 Thurber Avenue. The Artist-in-Residence has access to a rent-free studio space for 11 months and receives a stipend. Additionally, the artist has the opportunity to create a piece of outdoor public artwork for consideration by the City of Madison. The Artist-in-Residence works closely with the Bubbler at Madison Public Library to engage the local community through open studio days, community workshops, or other strategies determined by the artist and residency administrators. To learn more click HERE.

Streets Division Updates

  • Fall Leaf Collection Starts Week of October 6:  Every neighborhood gets 3 set out chances.  Set out dates vary by neighborhood.  Get yours at  www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste.
  • Brush Collection Over for 2024: Brush collection has concluded for 2024.  There will be no more scheduled brush collections until the spring of 2025.  Take your brush to a drop-off site instead.  Drop-off site information can be found at  www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites.
  • Vote for your Electric Truck Names: The election is open to choose the names of Wisconsin’s first electric collection trucks.  The election is being hosted by the non-profit  Wisconsin Clean Cities.  You have until October 21 to vote, and feel free to share with your friends and family.  Everyone can vote.
  • Are You Recycling Right?: Be sure you are putting the correct materials in your recycling cart. Check the Streets Division’s recycling page to be sure you are only putting the correct plastic containers, glass bottles & jars, metal cans, and paper products into the green carts. Details are available at  www.cityofmadison.com/Recycling.
  • Mammoth Food Scraps News:  We did it!  We set a goal of composting 22,000 pounds of food scraps this year, which is the weight of two adult mammoths.  And not only did we hit that goal, we stampeded past it.  We’re at 24,000 pounds and counting.  The market sites are running out of time for the year, so if you want to bring your scraps there’s still time.  Details can be found at  www.cityofmadison.com/FoodScraps. 
secretary SMNA

2024-09-23 Update from Alder Wehelie

Good morning neighbors,

Metro Transit launches its first ever bus rapid transit route today. Metro’s Rapid Route A will offer 15-minute service Monday through Friday until 8:00 PM and until 7:00 PM on Saturdays. Thirty-minute service will be available on Sundays and holidays. Bus Rapid Transit Launches Today

  • Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 6:30 PM in hybrid format. Agenda items include applying for a zero-interest loan to assist in the remediation of contaminated soil at the Huxley Yards property, as well as honoring resolutions for Week Without Driving and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Events

Please visit the City events calendar for the full list of upcoming events.

Announcements

secretary SMNA

2024-09-17 Recycling Updates from City of Madison

Electric Trash Trucks!

This isn’t recycling news, but it’s pretty buzzworthy just the same (har-har, I know).

The City of Madison unveiled two new electric collection trucks, and of course we’re going to name them.

These are the first electric trash trucks in Wisconsin, so it’s a big deal.  So they should have names befitting this momentous occasion. So something pretty cool and dignified like Stanislas Trashinski or something, I don’t know.   And, yes, Trashy McTrashface is already on the list of name suggestions.

Please submit your suggestions to dropoff@cityofmadison.com.  You have until 4:00pm on October 1, 2024.

After all of the names have been gathered, they will be winnowed down to set of finalists and we will have an election that will be hosted by Wisconsin Clean Cities.

20,000 Pounds (and Growing!)

Counting this past Saturday’s collection at the Westside Community Market (9/14), we have now collected 20,255.7 pounds of food scraps for composting so far this year.

That puts as less than a ton away from our goal of 22,000 pounds, which is roughly the weight of two adult mammoths.

This also puts us about 2,000 pounds over the amount of food scraps we collected during all of last year.

Madison!  Take a bow!

You are doing great. Keep it up.  We are so close to our goal of two mammoths, we can’t let up now. I think we might even hit our goal this week.

I wonder just how far beyond our goal we may actually get to by the end of the market season.  And it’s all because of your enthusiasm and participation.

Speaking of the end of the market…

Westside Community Market Food Scrap Drop-off Extended until November 2

Sustain Dane received a grant that will allow them to extend this market drop-off until November 2.

Sustain Dane is the organization that staffs the farmers’ market collection sites for the Streets Division. Funding that Streets was able to provide for the market this year allowed collection to run until October 5. But since Sustain Dane received this grant on their own, it’s going to go until November 2 instead.  Great news!

More details about our food scraps drop-off program can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/FoodScraps.

New Streets Division Website Coming Soon!

I don’t have an exact launch date yet, so no reason to mark your calendars, but it has been a project we have been plugging away at for several weeks here at Streets.

All of your old shortcuts should still work on the new site. Things will be in new places, though. Hopefully you’ll find the new version easier to use on mobile devices, and a little easier to have some of your recycling questions answered.

There are some other new features to the site we are excited to unveil when the time comes, so stay tuned.

Brush Collection Winding Down, Yard Waste Collection Starting Up

Brush collection for the year is winding down.  If you are unsure if you should or should not place brush out for collection, go to www.cityofmadison.com/BrushCollection.  Put your address into the form on that site and you will see the set out dates for your home.

Leaf and yard waste collection begins in October, which is rapidly approaching.  The dates when you can set those out for pickup are available on the yard waste collection website, www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste.

New Mailing List for Trash & Recycling Schedule Updates

We recently started a new mailing list for trash and recycling collection schedule changes. You can sign up to get on this mailing list here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/contact/email-lists

Most of the time, the only thing that disrupts collection of trash and recycling are holidays. However, snowstorms have been disruptive to our collections lately as well.

We will begin using this schedule update email list to let people know of these routine holiday disruptions, but also of any unplanned weather-related delays that may come up.

Large Item Collection Changes in 2025

I’m sure many of you have seen the news that in 2025 we will stop providing large item collection for properties that have more than 8 units.

This is a big change, and requires more explanation that this space allows.  We do have more information about this change on our website.  You can find that extra detail here.

And finally…

That’s it for now.  If you’re coming out to the Trucks and Treasures event this coming up weekend you’ll be able to see the electric trash trucks up close.

Other than that, thank you for your time and attention.

Bryan Johnson

Recycling Coordinator

secretary SMNA

2024-09-19 Noon Lunch and Learn with Alder Wehelie

Alder Nasra Wehelie is excited to resume her monthly Lunch and Learns starting Thursday, September 19, from 12 – 1 p.m. This Lunch and Learn will feature staff from the Community Development Division (CDD), who will discuss how the 2025 budget deficit might affect the organizations the City of Madison supports.

This session will be led by Alder Nasra Wehelie, who will be joined by Community Development Division Director, James O’Keefe and Community Resources Manager Yolanda Shelton-Morris. CDD staff will provide an overview of how the Community Development Division allocated funds to community organizations that provide services and resources that the Common Council has identified as priorities.

Priorities include:

This event is virtual via Zoom, and free and open to the public. You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone, or tablet or listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering at www.cityofmadison.com/LunchandLearnD7.

Event Details

  • Title: D7 Lunch and Learn featuring the Community Development Division
  • Date:  Thursday, September, 19
  • Time:  12 – 1 PM
  • Location:  Virtual Via Zoom
  • Registration:  Please register in advance at www.cityofmadison.com/LunchandLearnD7

For more information, please contact Alder Nasra Wehelie by email district7@cityofmadison.com or by phone (608) 571-4919. Residents can also contact the Common Council Office, by email council@cityofmadison.com, or by phone (608) 266-4071.

8.5x11 flyer for the D7 Sept Lunch and Learn 2024

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About the Madison Common Council

The Common Council’s mission is to represent the residents of Madison by promoting the safety, health, and general well-being of the community, by incorporating the following city core values: Equity, Civic Engagement, Well-Being, Shared Prosperity, and Stewardship. For additional information about the Madison Common Council, please visit: www.cityofmadison.com/council.

secretary SMNA

Survey on Flooding

A researcher from UW Madison reached out to ask us to share the following survey on flooding.

Flooding Survey FlyerDownload

You are invited to participate in a study by The Water Systems and Society research group at UW-Madison! Our study is focused on learning about flooding across neighborhoods in Madison, WI, with special interest in understanding the experiences of socially vulnerable communities. We invite all 18+ year old residents of Madison to participate. You will be asked to complete a survey to help us learn more about flooding and water management in your neighborhood. You may also elect to participate in an interview for us to learn more about flooding in your neighborhood and your personal experiences. If you choose to participate, you are eligible to receive a summary of research findings if interested. Email the research team to ask how.

Click here to access the survey.

https://tinyurl.com/2p873thn

Thank you for your interest and participation!

Please contact Marian Azeem-Angel at (azeemangel@wisc.edu) or the Principal Investigator Paul Block at (paul.block@wisc.edu) with questions about this study.

secretary SMNA

Wed 4-Sept, 1830: Virtual Neighborhood Meeting

A virtual neighborhood meeting to hear about 210-Unit proposal is scheduled for Wednesday September 4, at 6:30 PM.

DSI Real Estate is working with the City to set up a discussion of the development plans for the first multifamily project within the Midpoint Meadows Neighborhood. This approximately 210-unit project is consistent with the adopted plans and will feature a range of market-rate units set within six buildings, served by a clubhouse with amenity features. The project is slated for formal review this fall, with construction starting late spring next year. 

A virtual neighborhood meeting to hear more about this proposal is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 6:30 PM. You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone, or tablet or listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering at www.cityofmadison.com/MeetingSeptember4Midpoint. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

secretary SMNA

2024-08-26 Updates from Alder Wehelie

West Area Plan: The Plan Commission will take up the West Area Plan on Monday, August 26. This is the last step before it heads to the Common Council on September 10. The Transportation Commission, Landmarks Commission, and Urban Design Commission have recommended minor amendments. The Plan Commission will consider these and Plan Commissioners could recommend other changes.

Resurfacing – Maple Grove Road, Putnam Road and Stratford Drive

August 13 Payne and Dolan started reconstructing the asphalt surface on Maple Grove Road from McKee Road to Putnam Road.  Contractors will be working from Chester Drive to McKee Road during the project and will maintain one…

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

  • Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, August 26, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include amending the 2024 Resource Recovery Special Charge, as well as accepting a donation of Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and educational posters for overdose prevention.
  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, August 26, in virtual format at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include approving housing recommendations that serve to strengthen efforts to expand rental, homeowner and student developments that were prepared by the Housing Strategy Committee, as well as adopting the Northeast Area Plan and the West Area Plan.
  • Water Utility Board: The Water Utility Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 27, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include 2025 Capital and Operating Budget requests, as well as PFAS settlements.
  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 28, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include establishing soil infiltration design standards.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

Events

  • Imagination Center Update: Town Hall to Inform, Educate, Advocate, Tuesday, August 27: Join us for a Town Hall led by Alder Sabrina Madison and the Sandburg Area Neighborhood Association to discuss the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. Get informed about the current budget threats, educate yourself on the library’s benefits, ask questions, and learn how to advocate effectively to support this important community resource.
  • Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, August 28: The Capitol View Farmers’ Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and schedules!
secretary SMNA

Aug 2024 Newsletter from PHMDC

August 2024
Here’s an overview of some of the things we’ve been working on at Public Health Madison & Dane County since our last newsletter.  For the best reading experience, we recommend clicking the link at the top of this email that says, View this email in your browser.
Partnering to Provide School-Age Vaccinations
Once again, we’re partnering with SSM Health, GHC, UW-Health, and Madison Metropolitan School District to provide school-age vaccinations at schools this fall. It’s a great opportunity to help families get the shots that are required for school attendance, including meningitis, which is now required (see page 2 for schedule). With a pertussis outbreak in Dane County, COVID on the rise all summer, and flu season starting in fall, we’ll be able to get kids up to date on all the vaccines they’re due for, helping them stay healthy and in the classroom!
New Initiatives to Improve Beach Testing This Summer
This summer, staff in our laboratory implemented two new innovations to improve our beach water quality testing. We used a new rapid testing system that detects bacteria in water samples within 2 to 4 hours, compared to the usual method that provides results in 18 hours. This allowed us to re-open beaches much faster after a closure, leading to more beach days. 

We also piloted a system that helped us pre-emptively close certain beaches known to have high levels of bacteria in the water after heavy rains. The new system helped us shift to a proactive, rather than reactive mode of waiting for test results, allowing us to close unsafe beaches sooner to protect health and safety! 

During the summer, our beach conditions webpage is one of our most visited pages, showing how valuable beach water quality testing is to our community. We’ll be analyzing the success of these initiatives over the winter to determine if we’ll implement them again next year.
Environmental Scan of Hemp Products in Stores Completed
Did you know 1 in 3 teens have tried cannabis by the 12th grade? The teenage brain is still developing and continues to develop until about age 25. Using cannabis during this time may harm the developing brain, causing difficulty thinking and problem-solving, difficulty maintaining attention, and more. It can also increase a teen’s risk of mental health issues and potential for addiction. While medicinal and recreational cannabis are illegal in Wisconsin, hemp derivatives that contain low levels of delta-9 tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, are legal. They’re unregulated, and there is no age restriction to buying them.

We recently completed an environmental scan of 68 stores throughout Dane County to assess the products being sold and their availability. We visited smoke & vape shops, gas stations, wellness stores, and more to look at things like external signage, flavors and packaging, signs about checking IDs, where products were positioned, and to chat with clerks. Some of what we saw has major implications for youth. Here are just a few of our findings: we found a total of 30 distinct cannabinoids in various products in teen-friendly flavors; candy-like edibles were available in almost every store; excluding THC beverages, 28% of stores had some self-serve component. 

In response to these findings, we’ll be doing community outreach on best use practices for those who use the products, and policy best practices for stores who sell the products.
Meet Our Board of Health
Our Board of Health, including its newest member Leslie Seltzer, provides oversight and guidance for our department and is recognized by both the City of Madison and Dane County governing bodies. The Board’s work focuses on: Providing policy, financial, and contractual oversight Reviewing and recommending public health policies and regulations Assuring that state and local public health laws and regulations are enforced Recommending community public health priorities Our Board is made up of a County Board Supervisor, a Common Council member, three Dane County residents, and three City of Madison residents. You can learn about them on our Board of Health page, where you’ll also find agendas and meeting minutes, and statements and resolutions they’ve created. 
Summer Outreach
We had another great summer spreading the word about health and safety and providing support to community organizations at festivals and events around Dane County!

We engaged with lots of community members to educate them about a wide range of topics, from PFAS, communicable diseases, and the higher prevalence of ticks this year, to our services they may be eligible for, like sexually transmitted infection screening & birth control, breast & cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy nurse home visits, syringe services, and WIC benefits. Here are a few pictures of our staff in action!
Stay Connected! We’re so happy to have you on our list to get The Pulse! Click the blue bar below to see what other communications you want to get from us, including funding and grant opportunities.

To stay up to date on our work throughout the year, subscribe to our news releases, newsletters, and blog – Link below!
Sign Up For Public Health News Releases, Newsletters, and Blog