2024-04-08 Neighborhood News & Updates

DRAFT West Area Plan – Public Review Extended

Public review of the Draft West Area Plan is open until further notice. An updated project timeline will be posted to the  project webpage in the coming weeks and will include additional public engagement opportunities. Please  review and comment on draft maps and actions here. A full PDF of draft plan text and maps, including chapter introductions and appendices, is available  here. After the public feedback period, Planning Division staff will review input, meet with other city agencies, and prepare a fully formatted final draft of the plan, including photos and additional background info graphics, for City board/committee/commission/Council review and approval.

Madison Public Library Celebrates National Library Week

Madison Public Library is celebrating National Library Week online and at all library locations with a variety of activities including a “share your story” postcard campaign, the debut of a  Library Value Calculator, and the  Our Town Everywhere Exhibition & Celebration.

The theme for National Library Week 2024, “Ready, Set, Library!,” promotes the idea that in our always-online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most.

Be Part of the Future!

What’s your vision for Madison’s parks and open spaces? Madison Parks is updating their Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) and seeking input from area residents. Drop in at an upcoming Open House!

POSP Open House Drop-In Sessions

  • Thursday, April 25: Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Dr; Meeting Room
  • Thursday, May 2: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave; Atrium
  • Thursday, May 9: Madison Parks Lakeside Offices, 330 E Lakeside St; Board Room

See  POSP for more information.

Make Music Madison (MMM) Registration Closes on May 25

The 12th annual MMM will be June 21, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at a diverse array of performance locations including city parks, community centers, libraries, restaurants, coffee shops, and various public and private spaces.

  • Registration Closes: May 25th at 11:59 PM
  • Matchmaking Ends: June 1st at 11:59 PM
  • Venue Material Pick Up: June 10th 11 AM – 2 PM

Visit  MMM website for more information. Music “Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone.”

RIDE the DRIVE returns August 11, 2024

It’s the return of parks and open streets! This year Ride the Drive Returns to Promote Health, Sustainability and Community Engagement. On Sunday, August 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., select downtown area streets and parks come alive with the spirit of community. Ride the Drive is a free, one-day rain-or-shine event promoting the use of alternative transportation with miles of open streets. By threading the route through six key Madison parks, we aim to connect the community, encourage outdoor activity, and foster a deeper appreciation for these green spaces. Each of the six Park Hubs offers activities for all ages, food, and entertainment.

To bring Ride the Drive to life, more than 400 volunteers will build the RTD volunteer crew, including nearly 300 Intersection Guides creating the largest team:  BECOME a VOLUNTEER . Sponsors play a pivotal role in transforming Madison parks into hubs of activity and joy for the day: BECOME a SPONSOR. Local businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs make the ideal vendor by enriching the event experience for attendees. As a bonus, most vendor fees are waived for this one-day event. Check out the vendor website for all the details and to register: BECOME a VENDOR.

To see the route and six park hubs, as well as register to be a volunteer, vendor or sponsor, visit ridethedrive.com.

2024-04-02 City of Madison Spring Newsletter

Nature Everywhere Brings Equity Outdoors
The City of Madison is proud to announce it is one of nineteen communities in the country selected to join the inaugural Nature Everywhere Communities initiative. The initiative is designed to increase equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn, and play.
Mayor’s Message
I would like to re-introduce a landmark City of Madison financial assistance program – the first of its kind in the state of Wisconsin – the Madison Customer Assistance Program (MadCAP).
 
Being able to afford housing is an important issue in Madison. Paying for housing also means paying for utilities. The Madison Customer Assistance Program (MadCAP) helps reduce utility costs for eligible residents by providing up to a $30 monthly credit (discount) on their Municipal Services Bill. The MadCAP program credit spreads across all services on the Municipal Services Bill, including water, sewer, stormwater, urban forestry, resource recovery, and landfill. The credit is automatically applied monthly to customer bills and never has to be repaid. MadCAP’s objective is to keep the cost of living in Madison more affordable, especially for our most financially vulnerable residents, by providing helpful relief in the form of a monthly “discount” on their Municipal Services Bill. Households that meet eligibility criteria are qualified to receive the monthly bill credit. Residents that qualify for Section 8, Wisconsin FoodShare or SNAP benefits, or the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program would meet MadCAP’s income requirements. Similar to these programs, MadCAP eligibility is based on annual income and number of persons in the household.
 
Find out more about the Madison Customer Assistance Program (MadCAP) at cityofmadison.com/water. You can access the MadCAP application online. Complete and submit the MadCAP application form by email to: madcap@cityofmadison.com. Residents can also drop off the completed application, or mail it to 119 E Olin Ave, Madison, WI 53713. Please call (608) 266-4651 if you have any questions, or email madcap@cityofmadison.com.
Follow Mayor’s Blog
New Library Director
Tana Elias has been announced as the new Director of Madison Public Library.

Elias currently serves as the Digital Services and Marketing Manager at Madison Public Library. Elias brings 30 years of experience in various roles at Madison Public Library, where she has led rebranding and strategic planning efforts, managed staff and community engagement initiatives, and implemented innovative services and programs. She holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from UW-Madison, and is an active member of several professional associations and serves on a non-profit board in the community.
Make Madison’s Parks & Open Space Plan

The City of Madison Parks Division is updating its Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) and seeking input from area residents. The purpose of the POSP is to guide and inform public park policies and park facility decisions in the city of Madison.  
Brush Collection Begins   

The scheduled set-out dates for this year’s brush collection by the Streets Division have begun. Check your neighborhood dates on the Streets Division’s brush collection website.
North-South BRT Public Meetings
Metro Rapid Route B will be the second bus rapid transit route in the Madison area. The route will generally follow the current Route B, beginning on Madison’s Northside, traveling through the downtown area, extending into South Madison, and ending in Fitchburg. Learn more about BRT and the dates for upcoming meetings here
Take Metro Rider Survey On Board
Starting Monday, April 1, the City of Madison is conducting a Metro rider survey. Surveyors will be out riding fixed-route buses and asking Metro passengers to fill out a survey, which includes questions about themselves and their trip. Look for surveyors wearing yellow safety vests and ‘Field Surveyor’ ID badges. Learn more about the survey here
New Way to Pay Metro Fares

Metro is installing a new fare system that will make riding the bus faster, easier, and more convenient – the Metro Fast Fare Card. 
Features include:  Online accounts with reloadable smartcards Pay as you go – pay only for the rides you take & still receive discounts  Ticket vending machines at BRT stations Board and tap at any bus door when boarding at a BRT station Learn more about this new payment system. 
How to Ride Metro
Learn how to use Metro Transit’s fixed route city bus service at Lakeview Library. Topics include using Google Maps, the Transit app, and other digital options; paper schedules and phone service; and discounted fare options. Metro employees will answer your questions about bus travel and provide one-on-one assistance in English and Spanish. Tuesday, April 9 from 1pm to 5pm  Thursday, April 18 from 1pm to 5pm
Ask Metro Anything
Metro employees will talk about different options for getting around the city at Lakeview Library Tuesday, April 23 from 10am to 12pm, including buses, BCycles, bikes, and more. They will spend time talking about paratransit, a shared ride service for that uses a variety of companies and vehicles to respond to individual ride requests. Paratransit is an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service for individuals with disabilities who cannot use Metro’s accessible fixed-route bus service. Metro employees will be available for one-on-one conversations in English and Spanish.
Spring Roll Challenge

RoundTrip, a transportation options program in Dane County, is launching the Spring Roll Challenge to encourage car-free and car-light trips throughout April. The Spring Roll Challenge is free and open to everyone 18 years and older in Dane County. The challenge rewards people for using sustainable transportation options and connects challenge participants with others doing the same thing.

The first 50 individuals to join will receive a starter prize pack, including a free slice from Ian’s Pizza, a 30-minute BCycle pass and a two-ride Metro Transit pass. Learn more here
Extended Drop Off Site Hours
Starting on Monday, April 1, 2024 the Streets Division drop-off sites at 402 South Point Road and 4602 Sycamore Avenue began their expanded summer hours. Learn more here
Third-Party Mental Health Transportation
The Madison Police Department will continue to use a third-party service for emergency detention transports to Winnebago Mental Health Facility. The department tested out this option during a pilot program last summer. After a program review, Common Council approval and a competitive selection process, services resumed on Friday. Learn more abou the program here

New Representative in State Asssemby

Dear Friends,

Due to the new legislative maps signed into law by Governor Evers, the Stone Meadows Neighborhood will be in the 80th Assembly District, which I represent in the State Assembly.

I am dedicated to serving the people of the 80th Assembly District and providing assistance whenever possible. If you have any questions or concerns about legislation, policy, or other topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at:

Phone: (608) 237-9180

E-mail: rep.bare@legis.wiconsin.gov

Via the web: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/80/Bare/

I hope to make you proud to have me represent you.

Thanks and please be in touch,

Mike Bare, State Representative

80th Assembly District

Westside Community Connections 3/21 at 6pm

Please join Alder Wehelie, Alder John W. Duncan and Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney of the City of Madison Common Council, on Thursday, March 21, as they host Matthew Mikolajewski, Director of Economic Development Division, Saran Ouk, Manager of Office of Business Resources & Kirsten Donkle, Contract Compliance Specialist of Department of Civil Rights, who will talk about resources and programs available for businesses in our community.

When: Thursday, March 21, 6-7:30 p.m.

To participate please register in advance at the following link: www.cityofmadison.com/westsidecommunityconnections

Attendees can also submit their questions in advance to Lorissa Bañuelos, Community Engagement Strategist, by email lbanuelos@cityofmadison.com. Please include “Westside Community Connections” in the subject line.

2024-03-11 Updates from City of Madison

CDC’s News COVID Guidelines Four years after the first confirmed case of COVID in Wisconsin, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released new guidance about what to do if you test positive. 

Public Health Madison Dane County explains what changed and why
Mayor’s Message
As we celebrate Women’s History Month this March, I am delighted to highlight the remarkable contributions of talented women that work for the City, particularly those in the construction trades. The City of Madison Engineering Division, in collaboration with the Parks Division, Traffic Engineering Division, and Building Inspection Division, proudly joins the nationally-recognized Women in Construction Week, occurring from March 3rd to March 9th, 2024.

For the fifth consecutive year, City Engineering is showcasing the exceptional work of women in various roles within the construction sector. Under the theme ‘Keys to the Future’, we aim to celebrate the strength, knowledge, and indispensable role that women play in shaping the future of the construction industry.

City Engineering has spotlighted each agency recipient, highlighting their remarkable journeys and contributions to the construction industry through social media posts, written articles, and video features. We’re celebrating Women’s History Month by introducing the following remarkable women who are featured this year: Maria Delestre, Construction Manager, City of Madison Engineering Division Ali Heinritz, Traffic Engineer, City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division Nadine Resler, Property Code Enforcement Officer, City of Madison Building Inspection Division Keira Miller, Park Maintenance Worker, City of Madison Parks Division Taylor Lemon, Equipment Operator, City of Madison Engineering Division I encourage you to check out their stories on City Engineering’s social media channels and website. These exceptional women are just a few of the amazing folks who work for the City of Madison. Day in and day out, our dedicated staff work diligently to ensure the safety of our streets, the beauty of our parks, and the resilience of our buildings. Whether it’s maintaining our infrastructure, beautifying our neighborhoods, or ensuring the smooth functioning of essential services, their contributions, both big and small, are critical to maintaining and enhancing Madison’s quality of life.
Follow Mayor’s Blog
Ride the Drive Returns
It’s the return of parks and open streets! Ride the Drive is back and set to be Madison’s landmark event of the 2024 summer. On Sunday, August 11, from 10 am to 2 pm, select downtown area streets and parks come alive with the spirit of community. Ride the Drive is a free, one-day rain-or-shine event promoting the use of alternative transportation with miles of open streets. By threading the route through six key Madison parks, we aim to connect the community, encourage outdoor activity and foster a deeper appreciation for these green spaces. Each of the six Park Hubs offers activities for all ages, food and entertainment.
South Transfer Point Temporarily Closed
Construction at the South Transfer Point begins on Friday, March 1 to remove the current orange and blue structure. Standard Metro shelters will be installed after this structure has been removed. During the temporary closure, passengers should board near the South Transfer Point at the Park and Badger intersection.
Complete Information
Public Hearing Scheduled
On Wednesday, March 13, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. to discuss fare updates related to new fare technology being installed this summer.
Complete Information
Learn More About Riding Metro!
Visit with Metro outreach staff at several upcoming events to learn more about the bus system! 
Schedule of Events
New Madison Fire Internship Program
The Madison Fire Department announced a new internship program aimed at cultivating up-and-coming talent from communities historically underrepresented in the public safety workforce. The City of Madison Firefighter/EMT Development Program will begin accepting applications on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 with an expected start date in June 2024. The department hopes to hire two interns per year for the duration of the grant-funded program. The internship is a comprehensive, full-time paid learning experience and career development pathway geared toward youth interested in firefighting and EMS as a career. 
Tour of the Emerald Isle
In this fun and informative pictorial presentation, Joe Fahey will discuss some of the key points of Irish culture, both past and present. Of course, no Irish discourse would be complete without visiting a few pubs to tilt a Guinness along the way! 
Madison Poet Laureate Debut Gala
The public is invited to meet and honor Madison’s new Poet Laureate, Steven Espada Dawson, at a reception and poetry reading on World Poetry Day*, Thursday, March 21, from 7:00 – 8:30pm at the Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111 S. Livingston St #100. The reception is free-of-charge and open to the public. 
Three Finalists for Library Director
After a nationwide search and several rounds of interviews, three candidates have been selected as finalists in the search for the next Director of Madison Public Library! The Madison Public Library Board spearheaded the process and involved many key stakeholders including the Mayor’s Office, Madison Public Library Foundation, library staff, South Central Library System and more. 
We Read Spring Break 
As kids take a break from school March 25-29, why not stop into Madison Public Library? The We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest is returning April 1 and we’ll be getting inspired during the week of Spring Break with all kinds of programs and activities designed to spark creativity and inspiration. 

We’ll have writer’s notebooks available at each library location (including the Dream Bus) for kids to pick up throughout the week, as well as over-sized story dice that can be rolled to generate characters, settings and interesting obstacles. Plus, programs for all ages will encourage different forms of expression: For babies and toddlers, there are storytimes led by music therapists and yoga classes geared towards creative movement.  For school-age kids, build stories with LEGO challenges or practice sharing stories by reading to a dog.  For teens and tweens, tell your story through movement with cardio drumming at Meadowridge Library or a Dance + Yoga class at Goodman South Madison Library. Learn more about We Read Spring Break: madpl.org/springbreak
Naturalist-in-Residence App Open 3/15
Madison Public Library and Madison Parks are looking for a local naturalist to lead a series of workshops, guided walks, and programs in libraries and city green spaces for six weeks during summer 2024. 

Educators, birding enthusiasts, scientists, artists, writers, Waterkeepers, and more are invited to apply to a Naturalist residency with the Madison Public Library. The Naturalist-in-Residence will facilitate outdoor programming in Madison’s diverse natural areas–including outdoor library spaces–for community members of all ages. 

The Naturalist-in-Residence will facilitate or organize a minimum of 10 programs during the residency, and collaborate with library staff to develop accompanying elements like book lists and library displays. Applications for this paid position open on Friday, March 15. Learn more about the residency and get ready to apply: madpl.org/naturalist

2024-03-08 Neighborhood News & Updates

West Area Plan Public Meeting March 12, 2024

A draft West Area Plan is available for review!  Please  review and comment on draft maps and actions here by March 20th, or provide feedback at the in-person public meeting on March 12, 6:00 p.m. at Vel Phillips Memorial High School, 201 S. Gammon Rd., Wisconsin Neighborhood Center. A full PDF of draft plan text and maps, including chapter introductions and appendices, is available  here.  After March 20th, Planning Division staff will review public feedback, meet with other city agencies, and prepare a fully formatted final draft of the plan, including photos and additional background info graphics, for board/committee/commission/Council review. An additional topic-specific meeting on “proactive rezoning” (e.g., City-led rezoning of property to match Plan land use recommendations) will be held on March 18th at 6:00 p.m. ( virtual – registration required).  Post card invitations were mailed to affected property owners and all are welcome to participate in this virtual meeting to learn more.

Make Music Madison (MMM) will Return Friday, June 21st, 2024

The 12th annual MMM will be Wednesday, June 21, 2024 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at a diverse array of performance locations including city parks, community centers, libraries, restaurants, coffee shops, and various public and private spaces. Venue registration will open on April 1st. Visit  MMM website for more information.

Music “Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone.”

Do you live on the Northside or Eastside of Madison and are you concerned about housing complaints in the area? 

The Equal Opportunities Commission of Madison is  hosting an event that aims to address the surge in housing complaints within the community and provide residents with a platform to voice their concerns.

  • What: Housing Meeting Hosted by the Equal Opportunities Commission
  • When: March 14th, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
  • Where: Lakeview Madison Public Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave. Madison, WI 53704.
  • Light beverages will be provided.

For more information contact Linda Ketcham at linda@justdane.org or Araceli Esparza at wisconsinmujer@gmail.com

RACE Forward Grants Deadline March 29, 2024

Race Forward and Americans for the Arts are seeking proposals from local organizations for funding to participate in the first annual Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy (CWA) this September 27 to October 5, 2024. Funding will be for about 12 to 15 sites; participation in the CWA will also be encouraged and open to organizations not requesting funding. This is an opportunity to deepen commitments to racial justice and inclusive democracy through cultural activities. The application deadline is March 29, 2024. 

Streets Division Updates

  • Get Your Mini-Recyclopedia!: In case you missed it, an updated and shorter version of the Recyclopedia is available at all Madison Public Library locations.  Head over to the one closest to your home at pick one up so you can learn about how to recycle right and also see the good news about the large item collection update that’s new for 2024.
  • 2024 Spring Yard Waste Collection: Every neighborhood will have two curbside collection opportunities this spring for the leaves, weeds, and other plant debris that has been rakes or pulled from your lawns or gardens.  There will be one pickup opportunity in April and another in May.  The dates for your home can be found at  www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste.
  • 2024 Brush Collection: Collection of sticks, branches, and other brush will begin at the end of March.  Every home will have five curbside collection opportunities for brush.  The set out dates for brush pickup can be found at  www.cityofmadison.com/BrushCollection.
  • Drop-off Site Hours: Streets Division drop-off sites remain on winter hours through March.  Be sure you check the drop-off site website for locations and hours before loading your car.  We see a lot of people going to the sites on days when we’re closed or showing up to the wrong sites still.  Please look before going filling up your car.  Drop-off site information can be found at  www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites
  • Night Sweeping Ongoing: Throughout March, Streets Division crews will be running street sweepers during the overnight hours.  This is something we do every year as winter comes to a close.  One shift of operators works at night because traffic is light and our street sweepers work very slowly.  It’s just safer for everyone to keep the sweepers out of conflict with traffic when we can. We work the sweepers extra hours during this shoulder season between winter and spring because we can’t run sweepers during the winter months, so our roads have an excess of sand, salt, and general grit on them.  (Sweepers need water to work, so you can’t use them when it’s below freezing, which is one of the reasons you can’t use them in the winter.)  We want to gather up as much debris as we possibly can as fast as we can before the spring rains wash it into the storm drains and out to our local waterways – so some of our staff shifts to work nights so we can do more sweeping.  We definitely regret it if our night sweeping disrupts anyone’s sleep, but we feel the benefit our work provides our lakes is worth the temporary inconvenience we may be causing.

Manchester Park Playground Improvements Public Input meeting: Wed March 6th, 6pm

The City of Madison Parks Division is improving the playground at Manchester Park and we want your input.

The online workshop included a larger group discussion, providing opportunity for neighborhoods to learn and share ideas, then moved into smaller individual online break out ‘rooms’ to address design considerations specific to each park. Following the online workshop, staff will use input gathered at this meeting to develop two playground concepts, which will be presented at a second online playground meeting held this winter. The new playground equipment will be installed in 2024.

Please feel free to invite your children to the meeting to help provide input on the playground!

PUBLIC INPUT MEETING #2

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 6:00 pm- REGISTER AND ATTEND

Please contact Alder Wehelie if you have any questions.

district7@cityofmadison.com

Engineering Prescribed Burns 2024

This year, ecological restoration contractors hired by City of Madison Engineering Division will be conducting prescribed burns on areas of existing native vegetation. Prescribed burns are an important management tool for Wisconsin’s native plant communities. The timeline for these burns to occur will be between March 11 and May 31. The correct conditions for prescribed burns can be difficult to predict, so it is not usually possible to provide exact dates. Burns may not occur at all if correct weather conditions do not occur.

Prescribed burn(s) that will occur in your area include:

*this burn may be conducted by Madison Fire Department staff as part of wildland fire training

The prescribed burn Project Manager will be mailing postcards to residents to notify them about the prescribed burn in their neighborhood.

All burns are being conducted by certified contractors with approval by Madison Fire Department. The burns will only take place under specific weather conditions in order to manage smoke and minimize impacts to neighbors. In addition, the burn professionals will install appropriate road signage on the day of the burn.

A list of project contacts and more information is on our website at:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects/2024-prescribed-burns

2024-02-19 Updates from Alder Wehelie

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.

  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 21, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include creating the City of Madison Honorary Street Name program, updating the street naming policy, and items involving Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20.
  • Economic Development Committee: The Economic Development Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 21, in virtual format at 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include amending the Land Banking Fund Policy to add urban agriculture as an appropriate secondary use for properties acquired through the fund, a discussion about the 2025 budget, and the selection of the Madison Region Economic Partnership to administer the City of Madison’s BizReady Program.
  • Madison Food Policy Council: The Madison Food Policy Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 21, in virtual format at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include amending the Land Banking Fund Policy to add urban agriculture as an appropriate secondary use for properties acquired through the fund, revising City of Madison leases on lands being used for row crop agriculture, and reports from the chair, staff, and regular business.

Announcements & News Releases

Events

Westside community Connections meeting Thursday 2/15 at 6pm

Please join me, Alder Duncan, and Alder Harrington-McKinney as we host Charlie Romines, Streets Superintendent, and Bryan Johnson, Streets Public Information Officer. Considering the recent heavy snowfall, Charlie Romines, and Bryan Johnson, will address resident concerns and present on winter weather policies and practices. There will be an opportunity for a Q&A to answer questions from residents about snowplowing, salt routes, salt vs sand, etc. Please register at: www.cityofmadison.com/westsidecommunityconnections.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Alder Wehelie.