City Budget Passes, Alternate Side Parking, City’s First Stormwater Utility Vegetation Plan and More!

City’s 2024 Budget Approved

The Common Council passed the City’s 2024 Budget on November 14. The budget will fund the north-south Bus Rapid Transit line, new bike and pedestrian paths, construction of the library’s Imagination Center, wage increases for city employees and several new staff positions. Alders also approved amendments to fund an expansion to the Warner Park community center and build a tunnel underneath John Nolen Drive for cyclists and pedestrians. Further highlights:

• Continued support to expand the CARES program, including investments in staffing and vehicles, to support the program’s growth. 
• A citywide public information officer to help engage and respond to residents about City services, which was a top priority of the City’s Neighborhood Resource Teams.
• Another annual increase to the City’s affordable housing fund, providing $94.5 million over six years – an increase of over 60 percent from the 2023 Capital Improvement Plan. 
• Continued investment in solar, geothermal, and electric vehicle charging projects and acquisitions, with the support of over $13 million in federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.

City’s Alternate Side Parking

The City of Madison’s Alternate side parking is in effect each night from November 15 to March 15. The rule is enforced between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Vehicles should be parked on the odd house numbered side of the street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on odd numbered dates. Vehicles should be parked on the even house numbered side of the street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on even numbered dates.

If you park on the street within a  Snow Emergency Zone, you only need to follow the alternate side parking rules when a Declared Snow Emergency is in effect.  If you park on the street outside of the Snow Emergency Zone, you should follow the alternate side parking rules each night from November 15 until March 15 regardless of weather conditions.

Violations of the alternate side parking ordinance are punishable by a fine of $20.  

The fine increases to $60 during a declared Snow Emergency. Vehicles may also be towed. Towed vehicles are also assessed a tow fee on top of the parking violation.

City’s First Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan

The City of Madison Engineering Division has a number of upcoming listening sessions scheduled to help inform and receive feedback from residents and the community regarding the new Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan, a plan that will incorporate public input and technical expertise to inform vegetation goals and priorities.
The meetings are scheduled for:

• West Side: 6 p.m., Nov. 20, 2023, at  Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison, WI 53711. Registration:  Eventbrite. This meeting will be held in-person, only. There is no fee or ticket required to attend.
• Virtual Option: 5:30 p.m., Nov. 28, 2023, via Zoom. Registration is required prior to the Zoom meeting. Registration:  Nov. 28, 2023 Public Information Virtual Meeting Registration 

The purpose of this plan is to create a resilient and sustainable framework for vegetation management on Stormwater Utility lands, reflective of anticipated climate change impacts and responsive to community concerns. The plan seeks to be evidence-based, utilize extensive public input and geographic information systems mapping, and incorporate vegetation, stormwater, biodiversity, and climate research. The Board of Public Works will conduct final review and acceptance of the plan.

Streets Division Updates

• Leaf Collection Winding Down: Don’t miss out on your final guaranteed leaf collection opportunity.  Be sure you know when your last set out date for leaf pickup is by going to  www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste
• Thanksgiving Holiday Trash/Recycling Schedule: Make sure you know how the Thanksgiving holiday will (or won’t) affect your trash & recycling pickup schedule.  Get your collection schedule at  www.cityofmadison.com/CollectionSchedule.
• Alternate Side Parking Underway: Don’t start you day off on the wrong foot by getting caught parking on the wrong side of the road. Get all the tools you need about how you should be parking your car on the street during the overnight hours at  www.cityofmadison.com/Winter. 
• Drop Off Site Hours & Locations Change After Thanksgiving: Check the drop-off site hours and locations before loading your car.  The Olin Avenue location’s final day of operation is November 26. Winter hours start at the remaining locations later in the week, too.  Drop-off site information is available at  www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites. 

Public Feedback Meetings – Bus Rapid Transit N/S Lines

Community members are encouraged to attend a public meeting to learn more about the City of Madison’s proposed second Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line to run from the city’s north side through the downtown and south side, and ending in Fitchburg.

In-Person Meeting

Thursday, November 9
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
MainStay Suites at 5421 Caddis Bend

Virtual Meeting

Zoom – Thursday, November 8
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Register online at MadisonBRT.com

Proposed features of the North-South BRT line are expected to include:

• Thirty-three stations, which have raised platforms, shelters, seating and bus arrival information
• Buses arriving every 15 minutes throughout the day
• Battery electric, larger buses with more seating capacity

City staff hope to receive input from the community on the project, specifically regarding station locations, routing on the far north and far south end of the proposed route, the use of ‘bus only’ lanes and any related walking, biking or roadway improvements.

2023 Bus Line Poetry Selections

The City of Madison is excited to announce the selected poets for the 2023 Bus Lines poetry project. The Madison Poet Laureate invites you to celebrate the poets on November 9 at 6:30 p.m. Poems by six poets were selected, including:

• “Land and People” by Rudy Bankston
• “To my children in our garden” by Daniela Chandler
• “Madison Metro” by Harmony, 3rd grader at Lincoln Elementary
• “Trees in the Wind” by Kael, 3rd grader at Lincoln Elementary
• “Remember” by Nola Pastor
• “Solid Gold” by Mary Louise Peters

City’s First Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan

The City of Madison Engineering Division has a number of upcoming listening sessions scheduled to help inform and receive feedback from residents and the community regarding the new Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan, a plan that will incorporate public input and technical expertise to inform vegetation goals and priorities.
The meetings are scheduled for:

• West Side: 6 p.m., Nov. 20, 2023, at Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison, WI 53711. Registration: Eventbrite. This meeting will be held in-person, only. There is no fee or ticket required to attend.
• Virtual Option: 5:30 p.m., Nov. 28, 2023, via Zoom. Registration is required prior to the Zoom meeting. Registration: Nov. 28, 2023 Public Information Virtual Meeting Registration

The purpose of this plan is to create a resilient and sustainable framework for vegetation management on Stormwater Utility lands, reflective of anticipated climate change impacts and responsive to community concerns.

This plan seeks to be evidence-based, utilize extensive public input and geographic information systems mapping, and incorporate vegetation, stormwater, biodiversity, and climate research. We encourage public comment to help inform the plan. The plan will have a final acceptance by the Board of Public Works.
 

Free Breast Cancer Screening

One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Regular clinical breast exams and mammograms are crucial to saving lives. The Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides free breast cancer screenings for women with limited income and little or no insurance.

Streets Division Updates

• Pumpkin Disposal – Put them with your leaves for yard waste collection, or compost them yourself. You do not need to put them into the trash. Pumpkins and other compostable decorations like corn stalks and hay can all be collected as yard waste. Just be sure to remove any wires, lights, and any other non-compostable items.
• Yard Waste Collection in the Final Month – November marks the final month for yard waste pickup for most residents. Don’t miss your yard waste collection chances. Go to www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste to get your set out dates.
• Drop-off Site Update – Drop-off site hours and locations change after the Thanksgiving holiday. Make sure you know where and when to go when the winter hours begin. Drop-off site information is available at www.cityofmadison.com/DropoffSites.
• Winter Information – If the threat of snow on Halloween got you thinking about winter, remember that all of the City’s winter information is available at www.cityofmadison.com/Winter. Sign up for plowing updates so you know what to expect on the roads, sidewalk clearing updates, parking text messages if alternate side parking applies to where you park your cars, and plenty of other useful winter info.
• Large Item Set Out Dates Reminder – When you schedule your large item collection, do not set the items out earlier than the set out date you select in your work order. Crews will not come by early. They collect items during the work week following the set out date you select. When you set out items early, you are accidentally contributing to neighborhood clutter – so please wait until your set out date before putting out items for collection.

Urban Forestry Update:

• Spongy Moth: Now is the time to take action against the spongy moth. Finding and destroying egg masses can kill up to 1,000 caterpillars that defoliate our trees – especially oaks – in the spring. You can find more information about how to take action on the City’s webpage: www.cityofmadison.com/SpongyMoth. Or, you can just watch this short video from the Wisconsin DNR and follow their recommendations.

Last Call to Update your Neighborhood Association profile on our City website!

If your organization has been formally recognized, it will be listed with a descriptive profile that neighbors, businesses, community based organizations, and educational institutions use to find out about your group. Please look for your group on the City website, review the profile, and update only the information that needs to be changed here. If you have any questions, please send an email to Neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com

Stay Active this Fall and Winter with Parks Activities!

Jump on a hayride; join a nature walk, and more. Checkout the Parks webpage to find out about the fun events and activities coming up this fall and winter in our Madison Parks.

Saturday, November 11
TIME: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (last ride begins at 9:40 p.m.)
MEETING LOCATION: Olin Park boat launch

Sunday, November 12
TIME: 4:30 – 8:00 p.m. (last ride begins at 7:40 p.m.)
MEETING LOCATION: Olin Park boat launch

The group Wisconsin Conservation Voters has recently launched a campaign in partnership with the City of Madison and Forward Together to share information about President Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan. The Affordable Clean Energy Plan allows consumers – like you and your neighbors – to make major home purchases. Things like solar panels, electric appliances, energy efficiency measures, and much more are now available with major cost savings.

The created an easy to use toolkit [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YDkBePAexY6EsA9rcmuXgGL4e_LB_e-UpvwrmtbG2is/edit?usp=sharing] which will allow you to see all the ways you personally can save money.

One of the Affordable Clean Energy Plan’s biggest impacts is that it gives money directly to consumers for everything from solar panels for your home to energy efficient appliances to electric vehicles. Not only will it save money for folks like us now, but it will also make our communities healthier for future generations.

There are different benefits for everyone, and whether you own or rent your home will determine what’s available to you. Whether you want to make home upgrades now or save for major projects down the road, for the next 10 years, you can save money on things like home electric vehicle chargers, battery storage, home energy audits, energy efficiency measures, and so much more.

Check out this page from Wisconsin Conservation Voters [https://conservationvoters.org/clean-energy-plan] to see how you can take advantage of these benefits. While you’re there, sign up for updates and we’ll keep you posted as new benefits are rolled out. 

This is a historic opportunity to meet the climate crisis head on and save yourself money!

If you have any questions or are interested in receiving more information please contact Ryan at ryan@conservationvoters.org or Seth at seth@conservationvoters.org 

Please join me and Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney of District 20 for a virtual Lunch and Learn focusing on public safety and mental health. Special guests include Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, Madison Police Captain Kelly Beckett, and Madison Fire Assistant Chief Ché Stedman.

During this Lunch and Learn, attendees will get a citywide public safety update from MPD Chief Shon Barnes. MPD Captain Kelly Beckett will give safety updates specific to District 7 and District 20. MFD Assistant Chief Ché Stedman will talk about the Madison CARES program, which stands for Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES).

The Madison CARES initiative was designed to uniquely serve the needs of the Madison community through careful consideration of available data and with invaluable direction from those with lived experience and those working in the mental health field. Assistant Chief Stedman will give insight into how the program is doing and how it has progressed over time.

This Lunch and Learn will serve as an effective way to inform and engage residents over the lunch hour. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session with the speakers after the presentations.

To attend this Lunch and Learn, please register in advance at the following link: WWW.CITYOFMADISON.COM/LUNCHANDLEARND7.

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