Thank you for joining members of the Madison Common Council for the April session of Westside of Community Connections. Alder John W. Duncan, Alder Nasra Wehelie, and Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney hosted Tom Lynch, Director of Transportation and Shanae Meacham, Outreach Specialist for Metro Transit, who talked about the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, including the cost of BRT, a timeline for when BRT will be in operation, and an update on vehicle and stop accessibility. You can find the powerpoint slides here:

If you missed last Thursday’s Westside Community Connections, you can watch the recorded session on the City of Madison Media Channel at the following link: https://media.cityofmadison.com/Mediasite/Showcase/madison-city-channel/Presentation/4d17667b9e7c4bf9995bfa7e7aedef5d1d. Please share this session with your networks and those impacted by the developing Bus Rapid Transit system.  

We very much appreciated all your questions during the Q&A portion of the session. If you have additional questions, feel free to send them to your respective alder who will forward your questions to the correct staff member. Please also feel free to email Metro Transit directly by email Mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com or by phone (608) 266-4466. 

The next Westside Community Connections will take place on Thursday, May 16th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. This session will be different in format and will be held in-person at Vel Phillips Memorial High School, 201 S Gammon Rd, Madison, WI 53717. Featured guest include David Schmiedicke, Director of Finance who will present on the 2025 City of Madison budget outlook and the general fund structural deficit. More information on registration for the May 16th Westside Community Connections event will be sent out shortly.

Have questions? Please contact:

• District 7:  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.

The 2024 property assessments are now available on the City website at cityofmadison.com/assessor. Assessment notices were mailed on Friday to all property owners and should have arrived yesterday Monday 4/22. If you have not received the card in the mail, please check online.

Open Book:

As per state statute, a period for “examination of the assessment roll” – what is referred to as “open book” – is provided. This period of time is an opportunity to discuss or dispute your property value and provide reason for changes.

The open book period began today Monday, April 22 and close Friday, April 26 at 4:30 p.m. From the assessor’s page click on “open book and assessment appeals” for important dates and instructions owners must initiate contact with the appraiser for their property in one of two ways:

• Email: openbook@cityofmadison.com
• Call: (608) 266-4531

After talking with the Assessor’s Office, owners who still feel the assessed value of their property is incorrect may file a formal objection. The deadline for filing an objection form (or providing notice of intent) is Friday, May 3 at 4:30 p.m.

If you have general questions concerning your assessments, please contact the Assessor’s Office at assessor@cityofmadison.com or (608) 266-4531.

Highlights for the Week of April 15, 2024

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.

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 16, in hybrid format at 6:30 p.m. The in-person portion will take place in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Agenda items include welcoming Lord Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda and delegation from Madison Sister City Kanifing, the Gambia, the election of Council President and Vice President, removing owner-occupancy requirements for accessory dwelling units, and a resolution affirming unwavering support for survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 17, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for 2024 playground improvements, awarding a public works contract for the Warner Park Dog Park Lot Resurfacing project in District 12, and authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for 20 is Plenty.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

Announcements

• New EPA PFAS Regulations: On April 10th, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized regulations for PFAS in drinking water. [posted April 12, 2024, by Water Utility]
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Joins Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Action Fund to Activate Young People in Driving Climate Solutions: Madison is one of 101 cities that will receive funding and technical assistance to spur a groundswell of youth-driven climate action. [posted April 10, 2024, by the Mayor’s Office] Help Our Community Understand “Forever Chemicals”: Public Health Madison & Dane County is now accepting applications from local organizations interested in helping connect with people in their community about PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or “forever chemicals”. [posted April 10, 2024, by Public Health Madison & Dane County]
• 2024 Spring Yard Waste Collection Begins Soon: The springtime collection round of yard waste by the Streets Division begins next week.The first set-out date for some neighborhoods is Sunday, April 14, 2024.  The first yard waste set out date for your home may be different. You can get the dates… [posted April 10, 2024, by Public Works and Streets & Recycling]
• Street Closures—Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square: Several streets will be closed for the Dane County Farmers’ Market each Saturday, beginning with the first market on Saturday, April 13. The following blocks will be closed to motor vehicle traffic each Saturday from approximately 8:00 am to 2:00… [posted April 10, 2024, Traffic Engineering and Transportation]
• Urban Forestry Planting 1,600 Trees in Spring 2024 (corrected):  Urban Forestry’s spring planting season began today, Monday, April 8, 2024.Crews will be planting 1,682 trees from 27 different species along City of Madison streets this spring. The variety of species was selected by the City’s trained arborists to… [posted April 8, 2024, Public Works, Streets & Recycling]
• Three CARES Teams Now in Service During Peak Call Hours: Effective today, ‘CARES 3’ is in service weekdays 12:00-10:00 PM. This means three CARES teams are available during hours of peak demand for CARES response. CARES 3 responds from the old Town of Madison fire station on Fish Hatchery Road.   [posted April 8, 2024, by Fire Department]

Please join me and my colleagues, Alder John W Duncan and Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney, for our monthly “Westside Community Connections” series. These informational sessions feature a different city agency each month and are designed to keep residents up-to-date on important news and developments affecting the Westside community. 

Tom Lynch, Director of Transportation, and Shanae Meacham, Outreach Specialist of Metro Transit, will lead this month’s meeting. To participate in the virtual Westside Community Connections session on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM, please register in advance at the following link: www.cityofmadison.com/westsidecommunityconnections.

There will be limited time for a Q&A session at the end of the presentation. We ask attendees to limit their questions to no more than one minute. Attendees can also submit their questions in advance to Lorissa Banuelos, Community Engagement Strategist, by email at lbanuelos@cityofmadison.com. Please include “Westside Community Connections” in the subject line.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at district7@cityofmadison.com

Looking forward  to seeing on Thursday.

Best,

Nasra

Hello Stone Meadows Neighbors,

MadiSUN is the City of Madison program that makes going solar easy. Since 2016, the MadiSUN Group Buy Program has helped homeowners across the area install solar-electric systems on their rooftops. 323 households have gone solar thanks to the program’s simplicity, reduced price, financing options, and customer service.  

MadiSUN also offers solar incentives for businesses, nonprofits, and affordable housing providers. Check out madisunsolar.com to learn more about how to go solar!

-The MadiSUN Team

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.

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.

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

80^th Assembly District

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.

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