Oct 2024 Newsletter from PHMDC

Helping You Stay on Top of Respiratory Illnesses This Fall and Winter
It’s respiratory illness season. You know the common culprits: flu, RSV, and COVID-19. And this year we also have pertussis. We’ve recently released a few blog posts to help sort out who should get vaccinated and where to find vaccines, and what you need to know about our ongoing pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak and how to protect yourself.
We’ve also freshened up our respiratory illness data dashboard to optimize its usefulness! We’ve updated the levels of illness, added a race/ethnicity snapshot to hospitalization data, showing more detected viruses in air sampling, and changed our first alert system a little. Too busy to check all that on the regular? We’ve got you! Just scroll down below the dashboard and read our short “key takeaways,” summarized for you each Thursday!
Understanding Data to Address Drug Overdose Deaths
In May, we published our updated Summary of Drug Overdose Deaths. It’s an overview of information about people who died of a drug overdose in Dane County from 2000-2022. These data represent real people. They are our families, our friends, our neighbors, and they were loved.
Here are the main takeaways: Overdose deaths in Dane County are decreasing, but they’re still unacceptably high, affecting people of all ages. The data also shows that not everyone is impacted equally by overdose deaths, with Black people more likely to die of an overdose compared with Dane County as a whole.  Changes in the types of substances being used are impacting overdose rates. There’s rarely a single substance that causes an overdose death, they tend to be caused by the interactions of multiple substances in someone’s system. Synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, have replaced heroin and prescription drugs as the main contributor to overdose deaths and xylazine is an emerging substance of concern.  Learn more, including how we’re working to reduce overdose deaths in Dane County by reading our blog post and Summary of Drug Overdose Deaths
Building Community Relations Within Our Retail Food Program
Part of our work in inspecting and licensing food establishments in Dane County is building relationships in the community. Following retail food program standards, we aim to reduce foodborne illness risk factors through education and cooperative efforts with food establishments. To meet these goals, we’ve begun holding presentations in Spanish about starting a food business for prospective food business owners who speak Spanish as a first language. So far, we’ve had 60 prospective new food operators attend, with several more presentations scheduled for later this fall. These presentations have been well received and provide valuable guidance on navigating the licensing process for potential owners. Do you have a group of folks interested in opening a food establishment? Contact our team to learn more!
Centering the Voices of People With Lived Experiences is Crucial to Improving Birth Outcomes
Our Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) team has been doing some innovative work to incorporate the voices of people with lived experience in their review process. FIMR works to find ways to prevent fetal and infant deaths. It’s an evidence-based, community-level prevention strategy that helps maintain a sense of urgency, while also being a foundation for action. The goal is to improve the wellbeing of birthing people and families in Dane County.
Historically, nationwide, the FIMR process has involved mostly medical providers and hasn’t been representative of the racial makeup of the community. With Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) families seeing poorer birth outcomes than their white counterparts in Dane County, last year our team started shifting the way the FIMR process is conducted by partnering with people with lived experience of infant loss to join the FIMR process, to work towards true community-driven change. This is an innovative model that is not being done anywhere else in the country. Here are the policy and program changes they’ve already made, based on what they’ve learned so far: Centering voices of people with lived experience is essential to be truly community-driven. People with lived experience need to be paid for their partnership and recognized as valuable members of the FIMR team. Including people with lived experience deepened their learning and encouraged more inclusive, collaborative work. One FIMR participant had this to say about this important work:
“The opportunity to be compensated for my involvement has made a significant difference for me as a Black woman with lived experience…It reinforces the importance of diverse representation and ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can actively contribute to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.”
To learn more about the FIMR process and how it works, visit our website.
Have You Seen Our Events Calendar?
Wondering when our next mobile vaccination clinic is, if we’re holding any upcoming trainings, or whether we’ll be open on specific holidays? Find it all on the home page of our website or by visiting publichealthmdc.com/events! It’s continually updated, so check back often to see what’s on our horizon!

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 21We 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 23The 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 26Join 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

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

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