I'm on vacation all next week, so I won't be blogging and I won't we there to tell you what happens at the Council meeting. Other bloggers will have to let you know what happens!
Monday, July 20, 2009
4:00 PM SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE ROOM 103A CCB
- Northeast Neighborhoods Development Plan
4:30 PM COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT ROOM 108 CCB
- Recycling of demolition and construction materials.
5:30 PM PLAN COMMISSION ROOM 201 CCB
- Informational presentation on the Edgewater Hotel
- Authorizing the study for the neighborhood conservation district for Schley/Dewey/Wilson.
- Spending TIF money outside of a TIF district?
- Zoning code update
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ROOM 201 CCB
#1 - Larry Nelson & #2 Pam Williamsons both retire
#4 - Project at First and East Washington
#13 - More full time bus drivers to cut down on overtime
#19 - Money for Catholic Multicultural Center
#28 - Bus tickets for working people
#36 - Declaring trees infected with Emerald Ash Borer a nuisance and allowing for the removal of the trees.
#38 - Moving CTH M/Junction Road/Mineral Point forward
#53 - Approving plans and specifications for public improvements necessary 600 E Johnson Project
#62 - Sidewalk replacement in district 2, 6 AND 15
#66 - Changing composition of ALRC
#67/68 - Changing composition of PSRB/C (somehow, this got listed twice and the EDC changes didn't make it on the agenda, someone should fix this tomorrow so EDC gets properly noticed.)
#69 - Allowing Council President to form temporary subcommittees.
#71 - Increasing fines for landmarks violations
#72 - Urging on-line voter registration
#73 - Changing boundaries of BioAg TID and allowing expenditures outside the district.
#77 - 911 services from the county (this was the item discussed at PSRB/C) and reaffirming the desire for a countywide (?) 311 system.
#82 - Edgewood bus pass program
#83 - Multi-space parking meters
#87 - An exercise in trust in the city attorney's office
#90 - Shady Wood Neighborhood Plan
Items being introduced and referred, not discussed, that might be of interest:
#94 - More members on CDA Housing Operations Committee
#95 - Changing what they look at when suspending or revoking liquor licenses
#96 - Preventing selling liquor where gas is sold.
#97 - Affordable Housing Trust Fund changes to allow funding for Section 8 rent increases
#99 - Finally changing the personnel rules, for the first time since 1970
#102 - $800,000 for homelessness prevention
#104 - Establishing rules for this year's budget process
#105 - Creating a Madison City Channel Ad Hoc Advisory Committee
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
8:00 AM EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE ROOM 260 MMB
- The most painful meeting of the year, when they have a public hearing to hear what needs are not being met already and how cuts to funding will make it even worse. Who's getting their funding cut this year?
3:00 PM ALRC SUBCOMMITTEE ON BAR MORPHING ROOM LL-120 MMB
The title says it all, no information provided with the agenda.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
12:00 PM EOC AD HOC COMMITTEE ON TASERS ROOM 523 CCB
- I'm so glad they are doing this!!!
4:30 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ROOM 313 MMB
- Special meeting to talk about Villager Mall and Burr Oaks Senior Housing proposal
6:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 201 W MIFFLIN ST, ROOMS 202 & 204
- Reviewing list of unresolved issues and mapping out the major changes to the zoning code.
Read more!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Housing Diversity Committee Meets For First Time!
Report due July 1, 2009. Ooops!
Remember this, this is the committee that is going to come up with a plan to accomplish the goals of Inclusionary Zoning. They were supposed to have their report done 17 days ago, but met for the first time on Thursday. Again, my comments [in purple, perhaps too many comments].
This is a good insight into what the committee members are expecting to talk about and what the Mayor isn't going to do. And in interesting exercise in watching the morph that happens when there is a broadly written resolution and the Mayor who wants to do something different than what the council wanted.
WHO IS HERE?
Committee members:
- Alders Schumacher, Rummel & Compton.
- Former Alder Judy Olson (works in affordable housing)
- Marj Passman (School Board)
- Brian Munson (representing former Inclusionary Zoning Oversight Committee, Planner at Vandewalle & Associates, and by way of disclosure paid lobbyist for many developers)
- Dave Porterfield (representing Housing Committee and consultant in affordable housing development)
Absent: Alders Clear and Solomon
Staff:
- Bill Clingan (Community Development Director)
- Helen Dietzler (note taker from CDBG office)
- Mark Olinger [not sure if he is there for CDA or as head of the Planning Department (he is listed as staff to the committee, resolution creating the committee is silent about who the staff is but he is sitting at the table seemingly without purpose.]
- Ray Harmon from the Mayor's Office also seats himself at the table.
Public:
- Phil Salkin (paid lobbyist for the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin)
- Carole Schaeffer (paid lobbyist for Smart Growth Madison)
- Me ("silenced" former member of the council)
GETTING STARTED
Clingan starts off the meeting since there is no chair. They decide they need to introduce themselves.
ELECTION OF CHAIR
Munson is nominated, Schumacher breaks in to explain that they can decide if the chair should vote and they decide yes, so Munson accepts and is voted in. Marj Passman is elected Vice Chair after some cajoling. Deciding that the chair can vote is not on the agenda. Schumacher explains not a long standing committee, short amount of time, extra obligation without right to vote. Porterfield asks why this is important since they can break the tie. [I honestly forgot if the voted on this or not. Doh! Best not to wait two days before writing this up!]
There is an amended agenda - there are additional topics on the agenda, but there is no attachments. So I don't know what got handed out - very annoying.
HANDOUTS
Clingan starts to explain the hand outs. He hands out a list with all the housing related committees on it. Apparently they listed the Dane County Housing Authority, Housing Authority Merger Committee, Housing Committee and makes an offhand comments about the subcommittees [which happen to be the Tenant Landlord Committee, the Affordability Committee that are standing committees and ad hoc subcommittees on Property Tax Exemption and Housing Report.], Community Development Authority, Community Development Block Grant and the now deceased Inclusionary Zoning Oversight Committee. It apparently also lists who is in the committees.
He hands out the 2008 Inclusionary Zoning Report done by the committee, not the one done by staff. He says it is handed out because history informs us.
They are then interrupted.
MAYOR'S THOUGHTS
He hands out a letter. Of course, he doesn't give others in the room a copy and its not attached to the agenda. He says the letter says everything he is about to say and then lists off the following items.
- Thanks them for agreeing to participate.
- First, resolution is broad and bare bones so giving ideas for what he thinks they should do. [I agree it is broad, but it is quite clear in saying:
- Wants the committee to have recommendations done by the end of the year, that would be "terrific". First quarter would be "great".
- Says the impetus for the committee is the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance going away. He says the program did not work, despite best efforts. But goals of IZ should continue and be pursued. Primary goal is not just affordable housing, but to have affordable housing in more places in the city. Concentrations of poverty are not good. [I'll just remind people the program ended up with at least 42 housing units, more than any other housing program probably developed in that same period of time.]
- Mayor says he is really pleased Passman is on committee, housing policy is school policy. 45% of kids in school are in poverty. We started IZ not as a housing policy, but as a school policy. Rusk came to talk about schools, not a housing policy. Need mixed income schools, by having mixed income neighborhoods. It's all inter-related, including Dane County human services.
- Feels that affordable housing is not just the City of Madison problem, so hopes that the solutions are regional. [Note, the resolution creating the committee only mentions City of Madison, not areas outside the City of Madison. So I hope that is where they stay focused and that there isn't alot of mission creep.]
- Says we don't have any money. Don't think about spending money, we don't have it. Use the resources we already have in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Inclusionary Zoning Fund, CDBG funds, and do not come to him with new funding requests. [He missed Capital Revolving Loan Fund, HOME, HCRI, HPRP, ESG, TIF, the special programs for rental rehab for Bruer's District, downpayment assistance programs, the Fannie Mae line of credit and CDAs Bonding Authority and I'm probably still missing some other federal funds that we get that are tucked away in CDBG and CDA. Perhaps they should start there in identifying what funds we have, where they go and what they do. We were trying to get that info from staff, but its kinda hard as its not located in any one place.]
- Homeownership is a good idea, but if there is anything we learned from the mortgage crisis, not everyone is ready to own a home, perhaps we got too aggressive because it was a big cause of current economic problems. Lets realize that alot of people are not there yet and good quality affordable rental housing is good for people.
- Keep the target population in mind. IZ started talking about really low income housing and we drifted into talking about workforce housing, families with jobs and incomes, just not very high ones. We lost focus. [Ahem . . . perhaps he should look in the mirror and ask himself why.] He says of course the supreme court didn't help us when they knocked out rental. [With quite a bit of help from the Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin.] Think of very low income people who may come with other issues about not keeping a job or having high skill levels. [I'm disappointed when people talk about low-income people and don't acknowledge that many of them are sick, disabled and elderly and unable to work.] Then the working poor and third the group of people who have reasonable good income but still can't find housing (police and nurses).
- Thanks them again and says he doesn't want to lay a policy in front of them. He made the mistake of coming to council and community and saying that he has the solution. Learned something from the president, leave it to people smarter than him. Says there is not likely to be one policy, but likely a package. He says he's open to anything.
Schumacher asks if he'll come to the meetings? He says as a general rule he lets committee do their work but will come at their invitation. Mayor then leaves. [I'm guessing that is the last they will see of him until they are done with the work and then he tells them how they got it wrong.]
HANDOUTS
Clingan hands out the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. Says statement of purpose aligns closely to the mission statement of the group.
Compton asks if they have a mission statement.
Schumacher says she should look at the council resolution. [She's been on the council for 16 years doesn't know that, yet Schumacher figured it out after only 2 years . . . ]
MEETING SCHEDULE
Their next meeting is scheduled for the 31st of August. Munson asks how often do they want to meet.
Schumacher says due to the agenda there is not an opportunity to discuss anything substantive. He says they need strong staff support [something that has been lacking for quite some time, there just hasn't been staffing resources allocated to housing issues, beyond personal commitments from some very dedicated staff], and that staffing ties into how often can meet. Schumacher says he'd like to get at the multiple definitions of affordable housing in Madison and across the country. [I think its pretty standard that your housing is unaffordable if you are paying more than 30% or there about for your housing costs. I think he is asking what income levels are targeted for affordable housing and that varies by income in the area and who the politicians are trying to help.] Second, he'd like to see inventory on housing stock in Madison, rental and ownership. [The IZ Oversight Committee spent alot of money trying to do that and get better information than we had and we didn't do so well. The planning department information doesn't really give you all the information that they want either. So, I hope they don't break down here and end up just recommending another study.] And depending upon the info they get, they would schedule the meetings.
Compton asks if they can go around the table, and wants everyone to say what they feel the committee is all about. They agree to do that by addressing what the agenda items are for the next meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Compton says talked to Mayor when he was trying to save IZ and she told him "what IZ did to destroy parts of the city". She says she saw the social orchestration attempt of housing in placing affordable housing around the city as destruction of many neighborhoods. [Wow! That's amazing, first IZ fails because it didn't produce enough units but at the same time it destroyed neighborhoods. Very interesting.] She says city's altruistic and laudable effort to place affordable housing her neighborhood caused the school to have 80% free lunch. She says if they will be looking at diversification of city, then she is willing to work on the committee. She says they can take old parts of city and revitalize it, use CDBG and CDA and Engineering to recapture the neighborhoods. That is what she thinks she is here for. She brings up the study she did with assessments of each district and figured out how many houses fell below 80% AMI. She notes there is a problem with determining if data should be compliled by school districts or other divisions. She says only 3 alder districts had 20% of their assessments that fell below 80% ami and should be subject to IZ. She would like a map of the city and where we have affordable housing, by school district or city aldermanic district. [So, we only need affordable housing in 3 aldermanic districts?] She says they have to look at more than a 8.5 x 5 piece of paper. And she talks about what is affordable by who's standard. Her neighborhood was within two years part of the emerging neighborhood and has had 85 police calls in 2 months. She says the need plan commission to look at this. If we're really going to diversify the city, it should be truly diverse.
Porterfield says this is a school district issue, need info from school district. Date to be done would be good. Need basic demographic info. He says that as a developer he has run into problem with edge school issues where the districts are not MMSD and students can transfer between school districts and it has an impact both ways. Especially if look at regionally.
Passman says that is also a problem even within the school district.
Porterfield brought up busing issue. He likes Larry Gleasman's idea to transfer money for busing to another use for the family and stop busing kids. He says its a good idea especially given energy issues.
Munson said one of the struggles is defining the need, geographically and community need. How to create sustainability, and balance reinvestment vs building. We need a measuring tool of where we feel the affects of housing. School district and elementary level will give us info on neighborhoods. Housing committee has been working on a housing report/report card. Gathering information on permits, trends, etc so the decision makers have a base of information to base decisions on. That initiative could be something this committee could support and help move along. Also neighborhood indicators project could be tweaked to help with the issues. We have struggled with this in IZ and many other housing issues before this.
Passman says Compton said it for her, schools are totally dependent on housing. And the school people have no voice. She thinks coordination is key. Allied, Simpson, Raymond road, how can we stop that from happening. We need to predict what is going to happen and keep it multifunctional as possible and create a better situation for the students.
Olson says that we could kill trees on housing studies that have already been done. Wants to identify housing studies that have been done in the last 10 years. Say what they were, synopsis of what we found out, when completed, results from them, just have a list - no need to copy them. So that they could ask if they can see them. Also, at some point, she wants a brainstorming session to see what the full range of things are that are out there.
Rummel asks about inventory, what happened to IZ report? She also overheard at CDBG meeting and that merger committee has mapped out section 8 and we aren't failing. Maybe we should look at some of that info. She would like to get best practices from around the country.
Schumacher has no outcome in mind. Not in support of any policy or program. Need to do brainstorming and organization. We don't need an incomprehensible committee. Says he won't spend time if going to talk about what affordable housing is and he doesn't want to pray at the alter of affordable housing or despise it. Not reinvent, not overburden us with tons of reports, he wants to create a substantive report. Integrate some of the resources in the community - bring in people who work on this every day. Pull them in very effectively, may dedicate more time to them instead of them being invited for a few minutes. Have to manage our time effectively.
Compton says that we need to find out why the reports were ordered. I think it reflects different outcomes. As far as going around the country, they have had disastrous results. This has to be for Madison, what we need and how we can accomplish it. We can't copy another city, what faulted us before is that we tried to be someplace else and it didn't work here.[I think she is referring to IZ and if we had just adopted Burlington VT's IZ ordinance it would have worked, it was our Madison incentives and equity models and waiver analysis that tanked the ordinance.] We need to do our own thing. She says part of the problems with the schools is that they brought kids from S Madison which is a different housing situation than the neighborhood.
Olson, doesn't want all the reports to be reproduced, just wants a synopsis and list. One or two or three might be of interest.
Passman says she is chairing boundary discussions for the schools, so this has become very important. She says she wants to say something histrionic, in cities where 30 - 40% poverty rates we see an exodus, we now have 60 and 70%. This is absolutely crucial. Has done research and hasn't found a school district that has been successful with those kinds of rates.
Schumacher says that excited by issues. It's very noticeable that we have alot of committees that don't communicate. He's worried about sustainability and the process after that. Not create a uber committee, would rather have a committee in which housing policies arise. Committees only know what is going on if members overlap. Might need different infrastructure.
Rummel asks Munson to report the 5 big lessons form IZ committee. There was alot of work done there. She says if she couldn't explain it, there was something wrong. There were lessons about downtown vs edge development and going up vs sprawl.
Munson says there were several lessons learned. Look at how committees overlap and interact, maybe even bring other committees in to talk to them and tell them how are we doing. He said they have often wondered who's got the ball and who is running with it and what is the end game?
Munson says they didn't take public comment.
Salkin says if he'd have been the same speaker instead of the mayor, you'd have heard the same thing. They have bought into this effort. As realtors they have MLS data [which doesn't capture FSBOs], they work with government in providing data. Please call us, it is available, we will work with you. Especially in the state of the economy and the housing market, more effort going into looking at stats. They created a plan for affordable housing in Madison, vetted it with Mayor, Housing Committee and Dan Nehrad, he wants to come and discuss plan at a later point. Housing is three corner stool rental, homeownership and private/nonprofit. We can't expect new money and we can work to use resources available. We are in historic turmoil, but this is also historic opportunity.
Harmon mentioned housing merger committee, they have maps and let me know when you want them, they will schedule a presentation. They only have two meetings left.
Schumacher says a map of Madison should be at every meeting. Some people think larger territory, could also help occasionally to keep us in line. Psychological affect as well.
Compton say helpful to have plan dept show were developments are.
Maps, maps, maps, everyone wants maps.
Munson says agenda for next meeting will be staff presentation of housing studies, summary of what is done, not contents - he tells staff to use their judgment.
Olson says other studies talked about fair share, where is all the housing going, she is thinking about subsidized housing and types of housing and maps. She clarifies she thinks Madison, not Dane County.
Compton says not they are not talking about affordable housing, they are talking about diversification which will have an affordability factor. Looking for pockets of poverty and high end housing. We have created pockets of poverty, we need to stop the destruction we are creating in our school districts and its not all about affordability, this isn't a affordability study.
Munson wants the list of reports and then to update on Neighborhood Indicators and the data. He also says about update on Housing Study. Bring the list of what data is collected so we can decide if we need it and how do we get it all together. Find out what work is out there that is being done. He says he has to leave at 5 - but he says thanks. He's excited about direction of discussion. Goes to core of quality of life of the city.
Schumacher says that we need to define the problem, can't assume what it means. We need to understand what we are talking about and people might be making incorrect assumptions. He says an inventory of key players is necessary and he lists the Third Sector group, Tenant Resource Center anyone and everyone that we deal with. He says we need to figure out what are our assets in the community. Finally, need to look at who is in charge of housing in the city and decide if it should be a department. Who would the staff be? Who are all the key players? Wants info because they want to see what hte resources are. It could be a foundation if we want someone to be in charge.
Olson says that whatever we do, need to take into the account the annexations. Housing there and how do we deal with it.
Rummel says that CDBG has alot of stakeholder, housing piece at CDBG. Rummel also wants another meeting date. Also need to recommend to council to extend the report date.
They decide to set next meeting by email. Monday's are out, Thursday's might work, ask staff to id what is best, lunch time, after 5, etc. Bring that to next meeting on 31st. Will decide how often to meet and then calendar out to January date.
Compton makes motion to ask council for extension. Seconded and passes. Create a report asking for an extension to March 31.
Schumacher, detailed minutes might be helpful. More detailed will be important here.
Move to adjourn.
Read more!
Remember this, this is the committee that is going to come up with a plan to accomplish the goals of Inclusionary Zoning. They were supposed to have their report done 17 days ago, but met for the first time on Thursday. Again, my comments [in purple, perhaps too many comments].
This is a good insight into what the committee members are expecting to talk about and what the Mayor isn't going to do. And in interesting exercise in watching the morph that happens when there is a broadly written resolution and the Mayor who wants to do something different than what the council wanted.
WHO IS HERE?
Committee members:
- Alders Schumacher, Rummel & Compton.
- Former Alder Judy Olson (works in affordable housing)
- Marj Passman (School Board)
- Brian Munson (representing former Inclusionary Zoning Oversight Committee, Planner at Vandewalle & Associates, and by way of disclosure paid lobbyist for many developers)
- Dave Porterfield (representing Housing Committee and consultant in affordable housing development)
Absent: Alders Clear and Solomon
Staff:
- Bill Clingan (Community Development Director)
- Helen Dietzler (note taker from CDBG office)
- Mark Olinger [not sure if he is there for CDA or as head of the Planning Department (he is listed as staff to the committee, resolution creating the committee is silent about who the staff is but he is sitting at the table seemingly without purpose.]
- Ray Harmon from the Mayor's Office also seats himself at the table.
Public:
- Phil Salkin (paid lobbyist for the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin)
- Carole Schaeffer (paid lobbyist for Smart Growth Madison)
- Me ("silenced" former member of the council)
GETTING STARTED
Clingan starts off the meeting since there is no chair. They decide they need to introduce themselves.
ELECTION OF CHAIR
Munson is nominated, Schumacher breaks in to explain that they can decide if the chair should vote and they decide yes, so Munson accepts and is voted in. Marj Passman is elected Vice Chair after some cajoling. Deciding that the chair can vote is not on the agenda. Schumacher explains not a long standing committee, short amount of time, extra obligation without right to vote. Porterfield asks why this is important since they can break the tie. [I honestly forgot if the voted on this or not. Doh! Best not to wait two days before writing this up!]
There is an amended agenda - there are additional topics on the agenda, but there is no attachments. So I don't know what got handed out - very annoying.
HANDOUTS
Clingan starts to explain the hand outs. He hands out a list with all the housing related committees on it. Apparently they listed the Dane County Housing Authority, Housing Authority Merger Committee, Housing Committee and makes an offhand comments about the subcommittees [which happen to be the Tenant Landlord Committee, the Affordability Committee that are standing committees and ad hoc subcommittees on Property Tax Exemption and Housing Report.], Community Development Authority, Community Development Block Grant and the now deceased Inclusionary Zoning Oversight Committee. It apparently also lists who is in the committees.
He hands out the 2008 Inclusionary Zoning Report done by the committee, not the one done by staff. He says it is handed out because history informs us.
They are then interrupted.
MAYOR'S THOUGHTS
He hands out a letter. Of course, he doesn't give others in the room a copy and its not attached to the agenda. He says the letter says everything he is about to say and then lists off the following items.
- Thanks them for agreeing to participate.
- First, resolution is broad and bare bones so giving ideas for what he thinks they should do. [I agree it is broad, but it is quite clear in saying:
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee is charged to engage with stakeholders to:- He jokes about the July 1st deadline being missed and says "I'm disappointed in you". [Really, is that funny? People who can't afford the housing they are living in, or not living in, and the city not doing anything about it. I don't find it funny at all, but maybe it is just me. I know the left is known for not having a sense of humor, but there are some things that I don't find amusing.]
* Develop recommendations to create and promote a diversity of housing choices for families and households of all income levels in all areas of the City of Madison.
* Establish a process and timeline to implement recommendations.]
- Wants the committee to have recommendations done by the end of the year, that would be "terrific". First quarter would be "great".
- Says the impetus for the committee is the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance going away. He says the program did not work, despite best efforts. But goals of IZ should continue and be pursued. Primary goal is not just affordable housing, but to have affordable housing in more places in the city. Concentrations of poverty are not good. [I'll just remind people the program ended up with at least 42 housing units, more than any other housing program probably developed in that same period of time.]
- Mayor says he is really pleased Passman is on committee, housing policy is school policy. 45% of kids in school are in poverty. We started IZ not as a housing policy, but as a school policy. Rusk came to talk about schools, not a housing policy. Need mixed income schools, by having mixed income neighborhoods. It's all inter-related, including Dane County human services.
- Feels that affordable housing is not just the City of Madison problem, so hopes that the solutions are regional. [Note, the resolution creating the committee only mentions City of Madison, not areas outside the City of Madison. So I hope that is where they stay focused and that there isn't alot of mission creep.]
- Says we don't have any money. Don't think about spending money, we don't have it. Use the resources we already have in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Inclusionary Zoning Fund, CDBG funds, and do not come to him with new funding requests. [He missed Capital Revolving Loan Fund, HOME, HCRI, HPRP, ESG, TIF, the special programs for rental rehab for Bruer's District, downpayment assistance programs, the Fannie Mae line of credit and CDAs Bonding Authority and I'm probably still missing some other federal funds that we get that are tucked away in CDBG and CDA. Perhaps they should start there in identifying what funds we have, where they go and what they do. We were trying to get that info from staff, but its kinda hard as its not located in any one place.]
- Homeownership is a good idea, but if there is anything we learned from the mortgage crisis, not everyone is ready to own a home, perhaps we got too aggressive because it was a big cause of current economic problems. Lets realize that alot of people are not there yet and good quality affordable rental housing is good for people.
- Keep the target population in mind. IZ started talking about really low income housing and we drifted into talking about workforce housing, families with jobs and incomes, just not very high ones. We lost focus. [Ahem . . . perhaps he should look in the mirror and ask himself why.] He says of course the supreme court didn't help us when they knocked out rental. [With quite a bit of help from the Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin.] Think of very low income people who may come with other issues about not keeping a job or having high skill levels. [I'm disappointed when people talk about low-income people and don't acknowledge that many of them are sick, disabled and elderly and unable to work.] Then the working poor and third the group of people who have reasonable good income but still can't find housing (police and nurses).
- Thanks them again and says he doesn't want to lay a policy in front of them. He made the mistake of coming to council and community and saying that he has the solution. Learned something from the president, leave it to people smarter than him. Says there is not likely to be one policy, but likely a package. He says he's open to anything.
Schumacher asks if he'll come to the meetings? He says as a general rule he lets committee do their work but will come at their invitation. Mayor then leaves. [I'm guessing that is the last they will see of him until they are done with the work and then he tells them how they got it wrong.]
HANDOUTS
Clingan hands out the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. Says statement of purpose aligns closely to the mission statement of the group.
Compton asks if they have a mission statement.
Schumacher says she should look at the council resolution. [She's been on the council for 16 years doesn't know that, yet Schumacher figured it out after only 2 years . . . ]
MEETING SCHEDULE
Their next meeting is scheduled for the 31st of August. Munson asks how often do they want to meet.
Schumacher says due to the agenda there is not an opportunity to discuss anything substantive. He says they need strong staff support [something that has been lacking for quite some time, there just hasn't been staffing resources allocated to housing issues, beyond personal commitments from some very dedicated staff], and that staffing ties into how often can meet. Schumacher says he'd like to get at the multiple definitions of affordable housing in Madison and across the country. [I think its pretty standard that your housing is unaffordable if you are paying more than 30% or there about for your housing costs. I think he is asking what income levels are targeted for affordable housing and that varies by income in the area and who the politicians are trying to help.] Second, he'd like to see inventory on housing stock in Madison, rental and ownership. [The IZ Oversight Committee spent alot of money trying to do that and get better information than we had and we didn't do so well. The planning department information doesn't really give you all the information that they want either. So, I hope they don't break down here and end up just recommending another study.] And depending upon the info they get, they would schedule the meetings.
Compton asks if they can go around the table, and wants everyone to say what they feel the committee is all about. They agree to do that by addressing what the agenda items are for the next meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Compton says talked to Mayor when he was trying to save IZ and she told him "what IZ did to destroy parts of the city". She says she saw the social orchestration attempt of housing in placing affordable housing around the city as destruction of many neighborhoods. [Wow! That's amazing, first IZ fails because it didn't produce enough units but at the same time it destroyed neighborhoods. Very interesting.] She says city's altruistic and laudable effort to place affordable housing her neighborhood caused the school to have 80% free lunch. She says if they will be looking at diversification of city, then she is willing to work on the committee. She says they can take old parts of city and revitalize it, use CDBG and CDA and Engineering to recapture the neighborhoods. That is what she thinks she is here for. She brings up the study she did with assessments of each district and figured out how many houses fell below 80% AMI. She notes there is a problem with determining if data should be compliled by school districts or other divisions. She says only 3 alder districts had 20% of their assessments that fell below 80% ami and should be subject to IZ. She would like a map of the city and where we have affordable housing, by school district or city aldermanic district. [So, we only need affordable housing in 3 aldermanic districts?] She says they have to look at more than a 8.5 x 5 piece of paper. And she talks about what is affordable by who's standard. Her neighborhood was within two years part of the emerging neighborhood and has had 85 police calls in 2 months. She says the need plan commission to look at this. If we're really going to diversify the city, it should be truly diverse.
Porterfield says this is a school district issue, need info from school district. Date to be done would be good. Need basic demographic info. He says that as a developer he has run into problem with edge school issues where the districts are not MMSD and students can transfer between school districts and it has an impact both ways. Especially if look at regionally.
Passman says that is also a problem even within the school district.
Porterfield brought up busing issue. He likes Larry Gleasman's idea to transfer money for busing to another use for the family and stop busing kids. He says its a good idea especially given energy issues.
Munson said one of the struggles is defining the need, geographically and community need. How to create sustainability, and balance reinvestment vs building. We need a measuring tool of where we feel the affects of housing. School district and elementary level will give us info on neighborhoods. Housing committee has been working on a housing report/report card. Gathering information on permits, trends, etc so the decision makers have a base of information to base decisions on. That initiative could be something this committee could support and help move along. Also neighborhood indicators project could be tweaked to help with the issues. We have struggled with this in IZ and many other housing issues before this.
Passman says Compton said it for her, schools are totally dependent on housing. And the school people have no voice. She thinks coordination is key. Allied, Simpson, Raymond road, how can we stop that from happening. We need to predict what is going to happen and keep it multifunctional as possible and create a better situation for the students.
Olson says that we could kill trees on housing studies that have already been done. Wants to identify housing studies that have been done in the last 10 years. Say what they were, synopsis of what we found out, when completed, results from them, just have a list - no need to copy them. So that they could ask if they can see them. Also, at some point, she wants a brainstorming session to see what the full range of things are that are out there.
Rummel asks about inventory, what happened to IZ report? She also overheard at CDBG meeting and that merger committee has mapped out section 8 and we aren't failing. Maybe we should look at some of that info. She would like to get best practices from around the country.
Schumacher has no outcome in mind. Not in support of any policy or program. Need to do brainstorming and organization. We don't need an incomprehensible committee. Says he won't spend time if going to talk about what affordable housing is and he doesn't want to pray at the alter of affordable housing or despise it. Not reinvent, not overburden us with tons of reports, he wants to create a substantive report. Integrate some of the resources in the community - bring in people who work on this every day. Pull them in very effectively, may dedicate more time to them instead of them being invited for a few minutes. Have to manage our time effectively.
Compton says that we need to find out why the reports were ordered. I think it reflects different outcomes. As far as going around the country, they have had disastrous results. This has to be for Madison, what we need and how we can accomplish it. We can't copy another city, what faulted us before is that we tried to be someplace else and it didn't work here.[I think she is referring to IZ and if we had just adopted Burlington VT's IZ ordinance it would have worked, it was our Madison incentives and equity models and waiver analysis that tanked the ordinance.] We need to do our own thing. She says part of the problems with the schools is that they brought kids from S Madison which is a different housing situation than the neighborhood.
Olson, doesn't want all the reports to be reproduced, just wants a synopsis and list. One or two or three might be of interest.
Passman says she is chairing boundary discussions for the schools, so this has become very important. She says she wants to say something histrionic, in cities where 30 - 40% poverty rates we see an exodus, we now have 60 and 70%. This is absolutely crucial. Has done research and hasn't found a school district that has been successful with those kinds of rates.
Schumacher says that excited by issues. It's very noticeable that we have alot of committees that don't communicate. He's worried about sustainability and the process after that. Not create a uber committee, would rather have a committee in which housing policies arise. Committees only know what is going on if members overlap. Might need different infrastructure.
Rummel asks Munson to report the 5 big lessons form IZ committee. There was alot of work done there. She says if she couldn't explain it, there was something wrong. There were lessons about downtown vs edge development and going up vs sprawl.
Munson says there were several lessons learned. Look at how committees overlap and interact, maybe even bring other committees in to talk to them and tell them how are we doing. He said they have often wondered who's got the ball and who is running with it and what is the end game?
Munson says they didn't take public comment.
Salkin says if he'd have been the same speaker instead of the mayor, you'd have heard the same thing. They have bought into this effort. As realtors they have MLS data [which doesn't capture FSBOs], they work with government in providing data. Please call us, it is available, we will work with you. Especially in the state of the economy and the housing market, more effort going into looking at stats. They created a plan for affordable housing in Madison, vetted it with Mayor, Housing Committee and Dan Nehrad, he wants to come and discuss plan at a later point. Housing is three corner stool rental, homeownership and private/nonprofit. We can't expect new money and we can work to use resources available. We are in historic turmoil, but this is also historic opportunity.
Harmon mentioned housing merger committee, they have maps and let me know when you want them, they will schedule a presentation. They only have two meetings left.
Schumacher says a map of Madison should be at every meeting. Some people think larger territory, could also help occasionally to keep us in line. Psychological affect as well.
Compton say helpful to have plan dept show were developments are.
Maps, maps, maps, everyone wants maps.
Munson says agenda for next meeting will be staff presentation of housing studies, summary of what is done, not contents - he tells staff to use their judgment.
Olson says other studies talked about fair share, where is all the housing going, she is thinking about subsidized housing and types of housing and maps. She clarifies she thinks Madison, not Dane County.
Compton says not they are not talking about affordable housing, they are talking about diversification which will have an affordability factor. Looking for pockets of poverty and high end housing. We have created pockets of poverty, we need to stop the destruction we are creating in our school districts and its not all about affordability, this isn't a affordability study.
Munson wants the list of reports and then to update on Neighborhood Indicators and the data. He also says about update on Housing Study. Bring the list of what data is collected so we can decide if we need it and how do we get it all together. Find out what work is out there that is being done. He says he has to leave at 5 - but he says thanks. He's excited about direction of discussion. Goes to core of quality of life of the city.
Schumacher says that we need to define the problem, can't assume what it means. We need to understand what we are talking about and people might be making incorrect assumptions. He says an inventory of key players is necessary and he lists the Third Sector group, Tenant Resource Center anyone and everyone that we deal with. He says we need to figure out what are our assets in the community. Finally, need to look at who is in charge of housing in the city and decide if it should be a department. Who would the staff be? Who are all the key players? Wants info because they want to see what hte resources are. It could be a foundation if we want someone to be in charge.
Olson says that whatever we do, need to take into the account the annexations. Housing there and how do we deal with it.
Rummel says that CDBG has alot of stakeholder, housing piece at CDBG. Rummel also wants another meeting date. Also need to recommend to council to extend the report date.
They decide to set next meeting by email. Monday's are out, Thursday's might work, ask staff to id what is best, lunch time, after 5, etc. Bring that to next meeting on 31st. Will decide how often to meet and then calendar out to January date.
Compton makes motion to ask council for extension. Seconded and passes. Create a report asking for an extension to March 31.
Schumacher, detailed minutes might be helpful. More detailed will be important here.
Move to adjourn.
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Saturday, July 18, 2009
Affordable Housing Trust Fund - How & When Should it Be Spent
The Affordability Subcommittee of the Housing Committee met Thursday to talk about future uses of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Here's a glimpse of the issues they will be talking about over the next few months and its one of the most informed discussions you will probably find on the matter. For those who are impatient and don't want to read through the details, my comments are [in purple].
WHO IS HERE?
Here's who was there for the discussion. I put where they work/what they do after their names to identify them, as I have heard from some people they don't know who the people are that I am talking about. Here's a list of committee members as well.
Committee Members Present: Brian Munson (Planner, Vandewalle & Associates), Susan Day (Lender, Home Savings), Ald. Michael Schumacher, Greg Rosenberg (Executive Director Madison Area Community Land Trust), Curt Brink (Developer), Judy Wilcox (Chair Dane County Housing Authority, serves on boards of other non-profits, retired from State Housing Bureau & more I'm sure).
Public: Tim Radelet (Attorney, Foley & Lardner, Landlord), Marianne Morton (Executive Director Commonwealth Development), Frank Staniszewski (Executive Director Madison Development Corporation), Eileen Mershart (Executive Director YWCA), Me (Executive Director Tenant Resource Center & other things . . . )
Staff: Bill Clingan (Community Development Director) and Pam Rood (Runs City Downpayment Programs and Admin Staff)
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Staniszewski has mixed feelings about expanded eligible uses for the Trust Fund, but flexibility can be good when you have good staff that you can depend on. [As opposed to? I wonder what he was referencing?] Priorities should be capital costs for new affordable housing and to help the non-profits that don't have the resources that the private sector has. Says Section 8 issue, on the one hand it is great to see council members looking out for low income renters, but speaking for his agency, Madison Development Corporation, they are in a position to step up and assist 25 - 28 section 8 voucher holders that they have, due to the property tax exemption. [Of course non-profit landlords get funding through cooperative efforts with the city are going to cooperate, but how many other landlords will? It sounded like he took care of his tenants so the others don't need help? It was disappointing to see him throw the others under the bus.] They think that a joint effort by city, trust fund and landlords is needed. Landlords should be ready to step up. Thinks section 8 is a good program and leads to stability in their tenants and they are prepared to help out.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
Brink says he is worried about the long term.
Wilcox says that is the real concern.
Schumacher says he's more interested in the other uses of the Trust Fund beyond the Section 8 issue. He says he wants to take credit but saw that I raised the question and sometimes as an alder gets the pleasure or nightmare of being a conduit. He was reluctant stepping in, but got convinced. On the one hand we can't keep paying for other government responsibilities, but we in the community have to deal with the consequences. He says this is all so silly given stimulus funds being spent in the community.He says the City has done alot to get landlords to take Section 8 and leaving landlords out there without supporting them, they might get cold feet. [I appreciate that argument and happen to agree with it, but also, lets not forget, they really don't have a choice, its a Dane County Ordinance that requires landlords to consider Section 8 tenants the same as any other tenant. i.e. They cannot refuse to rent to a tenant because they are on Section 8.] Finally, he says that we have the money, and although its not allowed for the Fund, he thinks its a good use but he doesn't want to see the amount of the funds used go over 10% of the fund.
QUESTIONS
Schumacher asks Staniszewski about capital funds. Mayor said he'd veto anything that deviates from focusing on capital funds. i.e. No operating money. Catch with section 8 is a one time use and brief conversation with Schumacher is that this is a temp use.
Staniszewski wants to see prioritization - can be useful to have operating expenses, but MDC doesn't think the Trust Fund should be used for operating funds. He says there are others in Third Section think not. He says any use of operating expenses it should be limited. If he was prioritizing it would not be operating expenses. He would prioritize capital costs and construction costs and assisting non-profits should be a priority for capital costs. [Way to be a team player there Frank! The challenge for most groups are that they have staffing when they are doing projects, but when the project is done, they don't have a way to sustain the staff, so they lose all that experience until another project comes along. And while MDC benefitted from the City supporting them for years, many other non-profits didn't have those kinds of sweetheart deals.]
Schumacher clarifies it shouldn't go to for profits. Franks agrees.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Originally, I think Frank was the only one to register, but as he was speaking, everyone else (except me) registered to speak.
Morton - came to listen, especially on Section 8. She is supportive of Afforable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) and idea of endowment is important. But she realizes that while waiting to be built up, people want to see it used and that is something that needs to happen and hope that is the direction they are moving. Glad Mayor's focus is on capital funding and supports construction loans. [One more item on the "operating funds". We had attempted in 6(c) to make it permissible to use the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for downpayment assistance. What we wanted to do was give money to a non-profit that could lend out to individual homebuyers and have the non-profit adminster and distribute the funds. The operating funds would allow us to use AHTF funds to staff the program.] But strong believer that the money has to stay in the City of Madison. She supports regional housing, but city resources should be used in the City and she still hears rumors of suggesting using it outside the City. Also, Commonwealth accepts section 8. Housing staff is calculating the impact that the changes are going to have. They had less than 30 days notice. She says some tenants were paying $50 and their payments jumpted to $238. She talks about some of her tenants and the challenges they face and about tenants with disabilities (in wheel chairs) that have to pay $200 per month more. Would have liked more time to work this out, the challenge is people have to pay August 1st. Agrees that property tax exemption is good for non-profits but is not good for tenants. [I wonder if she mis-spoke, because without the property tax exemption, the tenants would have either had to pay more or been evicted if they couldn't afford it.]
Schumacher explains what the Section 8 portion of the ordinance says and notes they can find it on my blog. He says that the gap is $476,000 but will only take $400,000 from the AHTF. He says that it will be retroactive to August 1. He says it gives CDA flexibility to make up the rules and that the enabling language sunsets on December 31st.
Mershart - Timing is not about YWCA . It is about the policy and realizes that is needs to be done the right way. [They have a project they want to fund with the AHTF under the proposed rules and they are in a hurry due to Section 42 funding.] She advocates to use the fund for capital, bridge loans and construction loans for affordable housing. That is the heart of where it should exist. Doesn't think Section 8 is what they should be focused on. [Wow, again, just disappointed, I wonder what these folks think should happen? Just let the section 8 tenants fend for themselves? Just let them get evicted and be homeless?] Will work with their residents on Section 8. She says she talked to her staff and she said they will work it through with the residents. She also notes that site based section 8 isn't affected by this. [Again, not helping, YWCA got some of the "sticky" Secttion 8 vouchers and those residents won't be impacted. The city gave those "sticky" vouchers to help the non-profits be able to have stable funding. And therefore, tenants can't apply for them and take them with them, they are "stuck" with the non-profit.] She says they are in the middle of trying to put together Section 42 tax deal and this kind of loan would be perfectly suited to rehabilitation and keep housing affordable for some of the most vulnerable citizen and this is the kind of thing that will help us do that.
Radelet - He can't figure out how to register. He is a lobbyist for some organizations, but that isn't why he is here and he isn't getting paid by them right now. So he's not sure if he is a lobbyist. He says he represents YWCA and works with the Third Sector Housig Group. He says he has a 2 unit [on Jenifer St.] and one of the two tenants is on section 8. That tenant has to pay $200 more per month and he will work it out with him. Isn't sure what he will do, there is no money to pay that. The tenant's rent is already $200 - 300 below market due to the fair market rents allowed by Section 8. So he points out that in some cases, even for profit landlords are charging less than they could because of section 8 limitations. His tenant has been there for 14 years, not in danger of losing his housing, but now have another financial situation to deal with and hopefully this will be short term. He says does not want trust fund money for his unit. [Sadly, I believe many smaller landlords that really care about their tenants will reach the same conclusion, but the larger management companies and larger landlords will be the ones to benefit from this money. So, the non-profits and small landlords will be team players, but the largest ones will not. I hope they work with the Apartment Association and are able to prove me wrong!]
Radelet also says that construction loans for project like the YWCA "would be huge". Many of the non-profits are trying to develop housing and there are little or no sources of funding to pay for up front costs ($100,000 to $200,000) [duh! like operating costs, you know, the ones they don't want?! I'm legitimately confused by the strategy here, but hey, if the non-profits don't want operating funds, then ok, take it out. I just don't know how to retain the expertise on staff and how non-profits are supposed to sustain themselves this way. I think operating costs for the project should be allowed, but its too much of an uphill battle and should be removed at this point.] He says the construction funds are especially useful because these are tax credit projects and the investors don't want to put money in until the project is complete because they get a higher rate of return and they will put in more money. So if they could borrow from AHTF this would help make the project more successful due to the higher capital contributions.
QUESTIONS OF SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION
Schumacher asks how long the construction and bridge loans should be.
Radelet says that the YWCA project is a long construction period because the are rehabbing the building one floor at a time to move residents around. This one will be 1.5 - 2 years of construciton. Normal project might be a year or less. He says that even after the project is done, takes longer to do paperwork and get the money to pay back the investor, so 2 - 3 years would be useful.
Brink says if use for construction loans, he sees it as more of a guarantee to the title company for the construction loan. He says we're not set up to be a bank. Says that the money should be set aside as a guarantee to the loan. Then we're secure but there is always the problem at the end with the lien waivers and the banks will feel more secure.
Radelet says you could, but for YWCA there is no permanent loan. The only lender is the City of Madison and they regularly do this. He describes the city process where they ask for monthly draws, get title insurance and disburse through a title company so they have the same liens and it is all protected. Radelet says that if it were set up as guarnatee to a loan, then have to go to a bank and the bank will charge a loan fee and it will end up costing the project more money.
Schumacher asks what happens if permanent loan doesn't pan out?
Radelet says treat is as a real loan - when start construction, everything closes. All sources of funds are committed so there is a take out in place for the city loan.
Mershart says it should not be limited to new construction, rehab is important.
Committee members say rehab loans are in there.
Rosenberg asks Radelet about the tweaks he had suggested.
Radelet outlines his recommended changes to the entire ordinance [Note: I introduced the first version of the amended ordinance in June of 2007 and its good to see it finally getting somewhere]:
- He fixed some typographic errors and gramatical errors (longer should be longest).
- Some of the language is make sure that construction loans are not just mentioned, but the fund actually works for them.
- He takes out the word "new" so that rehabilitation projects can be funded.
- Top of page 2 and throughout, he suggests changing 50% of AMI to allow tenatns with more money at 60% of AMI to be qualified housholds. He says to do this for housing tax credit projects. He explains many are required to do 20% affordable housing at 50% AMI or 40% affordable housing at 60% AMI, so if change to 60% you pick up all section 42 projects. [Hate to say this, but that was EXACTLY the point, we wanted the trust fund to support the lowest income housing we could reasonably do to encourage developers to make more housing at the more affordable levels, because given a choice, most won't do it that way.]
- Change the language that says "because of assistance from" to "is assisted by" so that we don't create a "but for" type of test.
- 4 (b) third line add language that says - "directly or through an affiliated entity". He gives the example of the YWCA which will sell its building to an LLC managed and controlled by YWCA. In some cases YWCA is the borrower, not the LLC.
- 4 (b) last sentence - professional services costs shall not exceed 15% of the total project costs. He added, funded from the trust fund. He says especially if it is all the costs of the project. [I just realized I'm not sure where this is and what version he was working off of but I think it is this one (my March 13, 2009 version), not linked in the file but on the agenda discussion item, and someone should fix that. Interested parties will be looking at the wrong version depending how they search for it.]
- 6 (a) should be "longer" instead of "longest"
- 6 (c) third line - the language "plus a pro rata share of the value of the assisted unit" is the city's equity which is a shared appreciation loan. Explains you if you get funding for 10% of the project, you have to pay amount borrowed or 10% of increased value back when the project is sold and that is how they were lending CDBG and HOME money but they are shifting to 0% interest bearing loans. He explains that while it is a good idea, there is almost never appreciation collected and it leasds to complicated bookkeeping. How do you book that on your audited statement and it requires getting an appraisal done. Often, although the city has paid for 10% of the project, the project is 98% leveraged and so when pay it off, the first thing is to pay off all the mortgage debt. He says they should only get a share of what is left after paying off debts on the project. Especially with projects like YWCA. He also talks about all the improvements and wonders how much of that results in the increase in value of the building. [While Radelet is right when it comes to non-profits, since the AHTF can be used by for profits who might not have the same goals, those protections were put in. If those protections are removed it won't be a big deal for non-profits because they will plow the money back into their mission, but for profits will just walk away with the profit and will will lose that money to help create more affordable housing.]
Day says she is not interested in makig this change because sources for funding the trust fund are illusive and one of the intents in changing the ordinance is to create some interest income to help build the money in the fund, because there is a great desire to have a grant fund, and without interest, we can't get enough money in the fund to get to the point where they can do grants.
Radelet says a nominal interest rate is ok.
Day thinks about tying it to index it to costs of funds.
Radelet says maybe CDBG commission could make that decision.
Shumacher asks Cligan about his take on the issue of the shared equity. He says practice is that the reality is that they are just giving it back to the same provider for the next project, so the value that is appreciated is given back to the same project. He says maybe the ordinance should be written to say it is a shared appreciation unless the future use is also for affordable housing. [GREAT suggestion! That would achieve the goal regardless of if it was a non-profit or for profit.]
Radelet suggests again that leaving it up to CDBG would leave flexibilty. He also says that a 2 year loan is different than a long term loan. [Another EXCELLENT point!]
Susan says she prefers that method to 0% interest loans.
The group agrees that CDBG should have a uniform process.
6(c) Says that the only thing should be "interest" instead of "pro-rated" which is a continuation of the discussion immediately above.
DISCUSSION
At this point, the committee commences discussion amongst themselves, and there is only about 10 minutes left.
Rosenberg asks if they have to make changes to use section 8?
Schumacher says yes, they are amending section (m) and the amendment will sunset at the end of the year. That will be introduced at the Council on Tuesday and it will come back to housing as the lead. [He listed the committees it was getting referred to, and it sounded like it would also get sent to the Economic Development Commission, which will be fund to watch as it meets the same time as the housing committee. And I wonder what they will have to add? In the past, they complained about items like this being referred to them.]
Rosenberg clarifies that is it only $400,000.
Committee gests confused about the longer term changes to the afforable housing trust fund and the temporary amendment for Section 8, which are two separate pieces of legislation. Schumacher says Section 8 should get to the council in September and the other changes will take longer.
Munson reviews what we have discussed for the past two years. He steps back and reviews the history and reasons for the changes. He says that discussion was that the trust fund was just sitting there, earning interest but a big target for politicians looking to fill budget gaps. Intent is to get money out there, not just have a bank account. They want to get housing built, but we want to get return on our investments. Concerned about maintaining body of fund and earning interest to grow the fund. There has been alot of discussion and little interest in ptting money in the fund. He says the need to protect it to be a vehicle in the future. Brian says having done that exercise, it all got rolled into this draft and then lost sponsor [Me!] and here we are. He says he heard some good additions today.
Munson says his issues
- Page 2 item 3(b)(2)
- He has questions about the use of the Inclusionary Zoning Fund. He says the discussion at IZ committee to move it here because there is no mechanism to use it. He says it is a dead fund in terms as use. He says the committee crafted some language and something needs to be addressed so we can use it. [In other words, there are 42 Inclusionary Zoning homes that the city can buy back, but only if there are funds to do it, otherwise, those affordable homes will not remain affordable.]
- He says that in 3(c) we should leave the "may" a "shall" because the budget we are facing, we are shifting money when council will have concerns and it will be contentious. Wants to leave that to the council as a decision point. [I think he makes a good point here. It should say shall, but the political climate just isn't there.]
- He agrees with the speakers that the intent of the fund has been to mobilize and build housing. Realsizes there are costs and there are other mechanisms to pay for operating costs. [This is an odd change, as I thought he was supportive of using the funds as downpayment assistance, but if the funds are used for that, who will staff it?]
- He thinks the language that weights the fund toward non-profits should be removed because if we have an opportunity to use the fund, we should. Would rather see it qualified applicant and project.
Rosenberg
- Endorses Radelet's tweaks. They will get forwarded for distribution.
- On the 50% to non-profits he feels that is a low figure. Can't imagine that it would go to the for profits and not impact the non-profits sector which the city has made an investment in. [Let's just get real, what for profit beyond Stonehouse and Gorman would even think about using the funds?]
- He is concerned that 50% of the funds can go towards one project.
Day is surprised by change from 25% to 50% of the fund going for one project.
Rosenberg prefers 10%.
Day doesn't like 50%.
Schumacher asks if the outcome is supporting non-profits or creating housing. [In reality, it is mostly the same thing.]
Rosenberg says that non-profits are needed, for profits won't do it. Non profits sector is already under duress. Projects are getting harder, margins are getting thinner, and it is more and more critical and if you let Gorman come in and get half the money, then that weakens the non-profits. [One way to fix that would be to keep the number at 50% AMI and not use 60% AMI]. Would change mind if private sector would be able to provide all the affordable housing for the community, then he would change his mind.
Brink says it is a non-profit monopoly on getting the money. He says 50% of the fund for one project is too high, wants it to be 25%. Fund will drop to $3.8 after the section 8 issue.
Schumacher makes clarification between (l) and (a).
Rosenberg is responding to (l), not (a).
Rosenberg says other comment is on 4(k). The language says no grants until $10M, section 8 would be a modification to that. We may never see 1$0M and he likes the idea of grants if there is a source of funding to replace it within a 3 year period. Otherwise we will just keep spending it down to create shorfalls in city agencies. He wants to be forward thinking about this. Wants the section 8 to work within the ordinance instead of having separate language.
Schumacher says he is not sure it will pass. He reminds people it is a 15 vote item. If you do this, it is a one time thing. Changing it permanently would be problematic. He wants to keep it separate.
Rosenberg says no.
Brink says taht 15 vote item is the best protection for the fund. It's not a grant if the money is coming back. He will talk to Porterfield (housing committee chair). Everyone should forward their comments so that they can work through the issues one by one.
Radelet tells them that the new TIF law passed says that TIF districts can be kept open for an additional year after it is paid off if the city uses 75% of the funds for affordable housing and those funds could be put in the AHTF. [VERY IMPORTANT POINT!!]
On that happy note, they move to adjourn.
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WHO IS HERE?
Here's who was there for the discussion. I put where they work/what they do after their names to identify them, as I have heard from some people they don't know who the people are that I am talking about. Here's a list of committee members as well.
Committee Members Present: Brian Munson (Planner, Vandewalle & Associates), Susan Day (Lender, Home Savings), Ald. Michael Schumacher, Greg Rosenberg (Executive Director Madison Area Community Land Trust), Curt Brink (Developer), Judy Wilcox (Chair Dane County Housing Authority, serves on boards of other non-profits, retired from State Housing Bureau & more I'm sure).
Public: Tim Radelet (Attorney, Foley & Lardner, Landlord), Marianne Morton (Executive Director Commonwealth Development), Frank Staniszewski (Executive Director Madison Development Corporation), Eileen Mershart (Executive Director YWCA), Me (Executive Director Tenant Resource Center & other things . . . )
Staff: Bill Clingan (Community Development Director) and Pam Rood (Runs City Downpayment Programs and Admin Staff)
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Staniszewski has mixed feelings about expanded eligible uses for the Trust Fund, but flexibility can be good when you have good staff that you can depend on. [As opposed to? I wonder what he was referencing?] Priorities should be capital costs for new affordable housing and to help the non-profits that don't have the resources that the private sector has. Says Section 8 issue, on the one hand it is great to see council members looking out for low income renters, but speaking for his agency, Madison Development Corporation, they are in a position to step up and assist 25 - 28 section 8 voucher holders that they have, due to the property tax exemption. [Of course non-profit landlords get funding through cooperative efforts with the city are going to cooperate, but how many other landlords will? It sounded like he took care of his tenants so the others don't need help? It was disappointing to see him throw the others under the bus.] They think that a joint effort by city, trust fund and landlords is needed. Landlords should be ready to step up. Thinks section 8 is a good program and leads to stability in their tenants and they are prepared to help out.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
Brink says he is worried about the long term.
Wilcox says that is the real concern.
Schumacher says he's more interested in the other uses of the Trust Fund beyond the Section 8 issue. He says he wants to take credit but saw that I raised the question and sometimes as an alder gets the pleasure or nightmare of being a conduit. He was reluctant stepping in, but got convinced. On the one hand we can't keep paying for other government responsibilities, but we in the community have to deal with the consequences. He says this is all so silly given stimulus funds being spent in the community.He says the City has done alot to get landlords to take Section 8 and leaving landlords out there without supporting them, they might get cold feet. [I appreciate that argument and happen to agree with it, but also, lets not forget, they really don't have a choice, its a Dane County Ordinance that requires landlords to consider Section 8 tenants the same as any other tenant. i.e. They cannot refuse to rent to a tenant because they are on Section 8.] Finally, he says that we have the money, and although its not allowed for the Fund, he thinks its a good use but he doesn't want to see the amount of the funds used go over 10% of the fund.
QUESTIONS
Schumacher asks Staniszewski about capital funds. Mayor said he'd veto anything that deviates from focusing on capital funds. i.e. No operating money. Catch with section 8 is a one time use and brief conversation with Schumacher is that this is a temp use.
Staniszewski wants to see prioritization - can be useful to have operating expenses, but MDC doesn't think the Trust Fund should be used for operating funds. He says there are others in Third Section think not. He says any use of operating expenses it should be limited. If he was prioritizing it would not be operating expenses. He would prioritize capital costs and construction costs and assisting non-profits should be a priority for capital costs. [Way to be a team player there Frank! The challenge for most groups are that they have staffing when they are doing projects, but when the project is done, they don't have a way to sustain the staff, so they lose all that experience until another project comes along. And while MDC benefitted from the City supporting them for years, many other non-profits didn't have those kinds of sweetheart deals.]
Schumacher clarifies it shouldn't go to for profits. Franks agrees.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Originally, I think Frank was the only one to register, but as he was speaking, everyone else (except me) registered to speak.
Morton - came to listen, especially on Section 8. She is supportive of Afforable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) and idea of endowment is important. But she realizes that while waiting to be built up, people want to see it used and that is something that needs to happen and hope that is the direction they are moving. Glad Mayor's focus is on capital funding and supports construction loans. [One more item on the "operating funds". We had attempted in 6(c) to make it permissible to use the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for downpayment assistance. What we wanted to do was give money to a non-profit that could lend out to individual homebuyers and have the non-profit adminster and distribute the funds. The operating funds would allow us to use AHTF funds to staff the program.] But strong believer that the money has to stay in the City of Madison. She supports regional housing, but city resources should be used in the City and she still hears rumors of suggesting using it outside the City. Also, Commonwealth accepts section 8. Housing staff is calculating the impact that the changes are going to have. They had less than 30 days notice. She says some tenants were paying $50 and their payments jumpted to $238. She talks about some of her tenants and the challenges they face and about tenants with disabilities (in wheel chairs) that have to pay $200 per month more. Would have liked more time to work this out, the challenge is people have to pay August 1st. Agrees that property tax exemption is good for non-profits but is not good for tenants. [I wonder if she mis-spoke, because without the property tax exemption, the tenants would have either had to pay more or been evicted if they couldn't afford it.]
Schumacher explains what the Section 8 portion of the ordinance says and notes they can find it on my blog. He says that the gap is $476,000 but will only take $400,000 from the AHTF. He says that it will be retroactive to August 1. He says it gives CDA flexibility to make up the rules and that the enabling language sunsets on December 31st.
Mershart - Timing is not about YWCA . It is about the policy and realizes that is needs to be done the right way. [They have a project they want to fund with the AHTF under the proposed rules and they are in a hurry due to Section 42 funding.] She advocates to use the fund for capital, bridge loans and construction loans for affordable housing. That is the heart of where it should exist. Doesn't think Section 8 is what they should be focused on. [Wow, again, just disappointed, I wonder what these folks think should happen? Just let the section 8 tenants fend for themselves? Just let them get evicted and be homeless?] Will work with their residents on Section 8. She says she talked to her staff and she said they will work it through with the residents. She also notes that site based section 8 isn't affected by this. [Again, not helping, YWCA got some of the "sticky" Secttion 8 vouchers and those residents won't be impacted. The city gave those "sticky" vouchers to help the non-profits be able to have stable funding. And therefore, tenants can't apply for them and take them with them, they are "stuck" with the non-profit.] She says they are in the middle of trying to put together Section 42 tax deal and this kind of loan would be perfectly suited to rehabilitation and keep housing affordable for some of the most vulnerable citizen and this is the kind of thing that will help us do that.
Radelet - He can't figure out how to register. He is a lobbyist for some organizations, but that isn't why he is here and he isn't getting paid by them right now. So he's not sure if he is a lobbyist. He says he represents YWCA and works with the Third Sector Housig Group. He says he has a 2 unit [on Jenifer St.] and one of the two tenants is on section 8. That tenant has to pay $200 more per month and he will work it out with him. Isn't sure what he will do, there is no money to pay that. The tenant's rent is already $200 - 300 below market due to the fair market rents allowed by Section 8. So he points out that in some cases, even for profit landlords are charging less than they could because of section 8 limitations. His tenant has been there for 14 years, not in danger of losing his housing, but now have another financial situation to deal with and hopefully this will be short term. He says does not want trust fund money for his unit. [Sadly, I believe many smaller landlords that really care about their tenants will reach the same conclusion, but the larger management companies and larger landlords will be the ones to benefit from this money. So, the non-profits and small landlords will be team players, but the largest ones will not. I hope they work with the Apartment Association and are able to prove me wrong!]
Radelet also says that construction loans for project like the YWCA "would be huge". Many of the non-profits are trying to develop housing and there are little or no sources of funding to pay for up front costs ($100,000 to $200,000) [duh! like operating costs, you know, the ones they don't want?! I'm legitimately confused by the strategy here, but hey, if the non-profits don't want operating funds, then ok, take it out. I just don't know how to retain the expertise on staff and how non-profits are supposed to sustain themselves this way. I think operating costs for the project should be allowed, but its too much of an uphill battle and should be removed at this point.] He says the construction funds are especially useful because these are tax credit projects and the investors don't want to put money in until the project is complete because they get a higher rate of return and they will put in more money. So if they could borrow from AHTF this would help make the project more successful due to the higher capital contributions.
QUESTIONS OF SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION
Schumacher asks how long the construction and bridge loans should be.
Radelet says that the YWCA project is a long construction period because the are rehabbing the building one floor at a time to move residents around. This one will be 1.5 - 2 years of construciton. Normal project might be a year or less. He says that even after the project is done, takes longer to do paperwork and get the money to pay back the investor, so 2 - 3 years would be useful.
Brink says if use for construction loans, he sees it as more of a guarantee to the title company for the construction loan. He says we're not set up to be a bank. Says that the money should be set aside as a guarantee to the loan. Then we're secure but there is always the problem at the end with the lien waivers and the banks will feel more secure.
Radelet says you could, but for YWCA there is no permanent loan. The only lender is the City of Madison and they regularly do this. He describes the city process where they ask for monthly draws, get title insurance and disburse through a title company so they have the same liens and it is all protected. Radelet says that if it were set up as guarnatee to a loan, then have to go to a bank and the bank will charge a loan fee and it will end up costing the project more money.
Schumacher asks what happens if permanent loan doesn't pan out?
Radelet says treat is as a real loan - when start construction, everything closes. All sources of funds are committed so there is a take out in place for the city loan.
Mershart says it should not be limited to new construction, rehab is important.
Committee members say rehab loans are in there.
Rosenberg asks Radelet about the tweaks he had suggested.
Radelet outlines his recommended changes to the entire ordinance [Note: I introduced the first version of the amended ordinance in June of 2007 and its good to see it finally getting somewhere]:
- He fixed some typographic errors and gramatical errors (longer should be longest).
- Some of the language is make sure that construction loans are not just mentioned, but the fund actually works for them.
- He takes out the word "new" so that rehabilitation projects can be funded.
- Top of page 2 and throughout, he suggests changing 50% of AMI to allow tenatns with more money at 60% of AMI to be qualified housholds. He says to do this for housing tax credit projects. He explains many are required to do 20% affordable housing at 50% AMI or 40% affordable housing at 60% AMI, so if change to 60% you pick up all section 42 projects. [Hate to say this, but that was EXACTLY the point, we wanted the trust fund to support the lowest income housing we could reasonably do to encourage developers to make more housing at the more affordable levels, because given a choice, most won't do it that way.]
- Change the language that says "because of assistance from" to "is assisted by" so that we don't create a "but for" type of test.
- 4 (b) third line add language that says - "directly or through an affiliated entity". He gives the example of the YWCA which will sell its building to an LLC managed and controlled by YWCA. In some cases YWCA is the borrower, not the LLC.
- 4 (b) last sentence - professional services costs shall not exceed 15% of the total project costs. He added, funded from the trust fund. He says especially if it is all the costs of the project. [I just realized I'm not sure where this is and what version he was working off of but I think it is this one (my March 13, 2009 version), not linked in the file but on the agenda discussion item, and someone should fix that. Interested parties will be looking at the wrong version depending how they search for it.]
- 6 (a) should be "longer" instead of "longest"
- 6 (c) third line - the language "plus a pro rata share of the value of the assisted unit" is the city's equity which is a shared appreciation loan. Explains you if you get funding for 10% of the project, you have to pay amount borrowed or 10% of increased value back when the project is sold and that is how they were lending CDBG and HOME money but they are shifting to 0% interest bearing loans. He explains that while it is a good idea, there is almost never appreciation collected and it leasds to complicated bookkeeping. How do you book that on your audited statement and it requires getting an appraisal done. Often, although the city has paid for 10% of the project, the project is 98% leveraged and so when pay it off, the first thing is to pay off all the mortgage debt. He says they should only get a share of what is left after paying off debts on the project. Especially with projects like YWCA. He also talks about all the improvements and wonders how much of that results in the increase in value of the building. [While Radelet is right when it comes to non-profits, since the AHTF can be used by for profits who might not have the same goals, those protections were put in. If those protections are removed it won't be a big deal for non-profits because they will plow the money back into their mission, but for profits will just walk away with the profit and will will lose that money to help create more affordable housing.]
Day says she is not interested in makig this change because sources for funding the trust fund are illusive and one of the intents in changing the ordinance is to create some interest income to help build the money in the fund, because there is a great desire to have a grant fund, and without interest, we can't get enough money in the fund to get to the point where they can do grants.
Radelet says a nominal interest rate is ok.
Day thinks about tying it to index it to costs of funds.
Radelet says maybe CDBG commission could make that decision.
Shumacher asks Cligan about his take on the issue of the shared equity. He says practice is that the reality is that they are just giving it back to the same provider for the next project, so the value that is appreciated is given back to the same project. He says maybe the ordinance should be written to say it is a shared appreciation unless the future use is also for affordable housing. [GREAT suggestion! That would achieve the goal regardless of if it was a non-profit or for profit.]
Radelet suggests again that leaving it up to CDBG would leave flexibilty. He also says that a 2 year loan is different than a long term loan. [Another EXCELLENT point!]
Susan says she prefers that method to 0% interest loans.
The group agrees that CDBG should have a uniform process.
6(c) Says that the only thing should be "interest" instead of "pro-rated" which is a continuation of the discussion immediately above.
DISCUSSION
At this point, the committee commences discussion amongst themselves, and there is only about 10 minutes left.
Rosenberg asks if they have to make changes to use section 8?
Schumacher says yes, they are amending section (m) and the amendment will sunset at the end of the year. That will be introduced at the Council on Tuesday and it will come back to housing as the lead. [He listed the committees it was getting referred to, and it sounded like it would also get sent to the Economic Development Commission, which will be fund to watch as it meets the same time as the housing committee. And I wonder what they will have to add? In the past, they complained about items like this being referred to them.]
Rosenberg clarifies that is it only $400,000.
Committee gests confused about the longer term changes to the afforable housing trust fund and the temporary amendment for Section 8, which are two separate pieces of legislation. Schumacher says Section 8 should get to the council in September and the other changes will take longer.
Munson reviews what we have discussed for the past two years. He steps back and reviews the history and reasons for the changes. He says that discussion was that the trust fund was just sitting there, earning interest but a big target for politicians looking to fill budget gaps. Intent is to get money out there, not just have a bank account. They want to get housing built, but we want to get return on our investments. Concerned about maintaining body of fund and earning interest to grow the fund. There has been alot of discussion and little interest in ptting money in the fund. He says the need to protect it to be a vehicle in the future. Brian says having done that exercise, it all got rolled into this draft and then lost sponsor [Me!] and here we are. He says he heard some good additions today.
Munson says his issues
- Page 2 item 3(b)(2)
- He has questions about the use of the Inclusionary Zoning Fund. He says the discussion at IZ committee to move it here because there is no mechanism to use it. He says it is a dead fund in terms as use. He says the committee crafted some language and something needs to be addressed so we can use it. [In other words, there are 42 Inclusionary Zoning homes that the city can buy back, but only if there are funds to do it, otherwise, those affordable homes will not remain affordable.]
- He says that in 3(c) we should leave the "may" a "shall" because the budget we are facing, we are shifting money when council will have concerns and it will be contentious. Wants to leave that to the council as a decision point. [I think he makes a good point here. It should say shall, but the political climate just isn't there.]
- He agrees with the speakers that the intent of the fund has been to mobilize and build housing. Realsizes there are costs and there are other mechanisms to pay for operating costs. [This is an odd change, as I thought he was supportive of using the funds as downpayment assistance, but if the funds are used for that, who will staff it?]
- He thinks the language that weights the fund toward non-profits should be removed because if we have an opportunity to use the fund, we should. Would rather see it qualified applicant and project.
Rosenberg
- Endorses Radelet's tweaks. They will get forwarded for distribution.
- On the 50% to non-profits he feels that is a low figure. Can't imagine that it would go to the for profits and not impact the non-profits sector which the city has made an investment in. [Let's just get real, what for profit beyond Stonehouse and Gorman would even think about using the funds?]
- He is concerned that 50% of the funds can go towards one project.
Day is surprised by change from 25% to 50% of the fund going for one project.
Rosenberg prefers 10%.
Day doesn't like 50%.
Schumacher asks if the outcome is supporting non-profits or creating housing. [In reality, it is mostly the same thing.]
Rosenberg says that non-profits are needed, for profits won't do it. Non profits sector is already under duress. Projects are getting harder, margins are getting thinner, and it is more and more critical and if you let Gorman come in and get half the money, then that weakens the non-profits. [One way to fix that would be to keep the number at 50% AMI and not use 60% AMI]. Would change mind if private sector would be able to provide all the affordable housing for the community, then he would change his mind.
Brink says it is a non-profit monopoly on getting the money. He says 50% of the fund for one project is too high, wants it to be 25%. Fund will drop to $3.8 after the section 8 issue.
Schumacher makes clarification between (l) and (a).
Rosenberg is responding to (l), not (a).
Rosenberg says other comment is on 4(k). The language says no grants until $10M, section 8 would be a modification to that. We may never see 1$0M and he likes the idea of grants if there is a source of funding to replace it within a 3 year period. Otherwise we will just keep spending it down to create shorfalls in city agencies. He wants to be forward thinking about this. Wants the section 8 to work within the ordinance instead of having separate language.
Schumacher says he is not sure it will pass. He reminds people it is a 15 vote item. If you do this, it is a one time thing. Changing it permanently would be problematic. He wants to keep it separate.
Rosenberg says no.
Brink says taht 15 vote item is the best protection for the fund. It's not a grant if the money is coming back. He will talk to Porterfield (housing committee chair). Everyone should forward their comments so that they can work through the issues one by one.
Radelet tells them that the new TIF law passed says that TIF districts can be kept open for an additional year after it is paid off if the city uses 75% of the funds for affordable housing and those funds could be put in the AHTF. [VERY IMPORTANT POINT!!]
On that happy note, they move to adjourn.
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Overwhelmed Friday Round Up
There is no way humanly possible to finish all the blogging I have planned for today. So, you might want to check back tomorrow, I may have some Saturday blogging to do . . .
Starting out with three county board issues . . .
RTA QUESTION ON BALLOT NEXT SPRING?
Last night at the County Board meeting, Eileen Bruskewitz was handing out a press release about the question she wants placed on the countywide ballot on April 6, 2010. The question she had is as follows:
- Why April when there is lower voter turn out? Why not in the fall? I suspect it has something to do with county board elections and the fact that as a conservative she is in the minority.
- Why is it countywide when the RTA will only govern and levy taxes in the MPO planning area?
Also, I don't think its fair to focus on commuter rail, as I'm sure that the RTA will have to start with the more flexible and less costly bus system.
I didn't see the resolution and she wouldn't give me a copy of the press release, but that's the news.
Oh, and here's the brief item the Wis. State Journal managed to squeeze in! I guess there is also the little issue of not knowing what the plan is yet . . .
MY BUDGET IS WORSE THAN YOUR BUDGET
Wow, the County Controller and Treasurer gave the county board a briefing last night on the gruesome budget picture they were looking at. If the Mayor thinks the city has problems, its a far cry from the County! I was kinda of shocked by one thing in particular, the rainy day fund. I was kind of surprised to find that they only strove to have a $10.5M fund balance. It's apparently 3% of a portion of their $451M operating budget.
The shocker to me is that the City has a policy of having a general fund balance of 15% of the total $238M Operating Budget. So, where the county has a goal of a $10M rainy day fund with a budget twice the size of the city, the city has a rainy day fund of $30 - $35M.
Another thing that struck me as I was mentally comparing the two budgets. The County has a $41M Capital Budget, while the City's Capital Budget was $164M in 2009.
Finally, I was shocked to hear the argument from Brett Hulsey that they had to borrow money for the Ice Age Trail Project so that when they were reimbursed 2.2M next year from the Feds and the State, they could use that money, not to pay off the debt, but to put into the operating budget so that they could save 30 - 35 jobs.
Wow. They sure have a different way of doing things! I think they might deserve the WORST BUDGET EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE award!!!
GUN TO YOUR HEAD/RUN OVER BY A TRAIN
During the debate on the funding of the Ice Age trail, the representative from the Sheriff's Association had a special little threat for the county board members. Here's some of my notes from the meeting:
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UP
I got an email detailing how DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) is dealing with the ripple effects of our economy, and it ain't pretty! Look at the increases in services they dealt with in the first quarter of the year alone:
These number will indicate Quarter 1 2008, Quarter 1 2009, Percent Increase
Number of Persons Sheltered - Unduplicated Adults - 61, 80, 31%
Number of Persons Sheltered - Unduplicated Children - 51, 81, 59%
Total Persons* - 112, 161, 44%
Crisis Line Unduplicated Callers - 312, 369, 18%
Crisis Line callers requesting information about shelter - 42, 94, 124%
Crisis Response - Unduplicated Clients - 43, 75, 74%
Children's program - Unduplicated Clients - 64, 98, 53%
Not a pretty picture.
WHERE THE HELL IS THE MEETING?
It used to be when you went to a meeting with the police department, you had to get into the building before it was locked and then to get to the meeting, you had to go to the window, ring the bell and wait for someone to let you in. So, what I'm about to describe, is actually, kind of an improvement.
I went to the PSRB meeting the other day. The clerk's office has the meeting listed as:
So, when I got to the building, I did go up to room 525. But, room 525 is not easy to find . . .
First of all, when you get to the 5th floor, this is what the sign says:
Hmm, 525 . . . not included in the signage. Luckily I knew you have to go all the way down to the other end of the hall and when you just about get to the room, you'll find a sign hanging out of sight behind the beam going across the hallway that says that it is the IT department. Which would be very confusing to most people if they were going to a public safety meeting. Then, when you find the doorway you are greeted by this sign:
Actually, its posted twice, once on the opened door and a second time on the glass as you go through the doorway:
Being familiar with the fact that the room is found by entering the office, walking by about 8 private offices all the way to the back of the office suite and there is a meeting room slightly to the left, I walked in and asked one of the employees if I could go check to see if they had a meeting back there. The room was empty.
Luckily, I had actually looked at the agenda and the clerk's schedule and I knew that the agenda had said:
They sure don't make this easy. Luckily, I know how to weave my way through the system, but could you imagine if it had been someone who was there for the first time? Maybe that is why only Rosemary Lee, myself and a reporter were there . . . come to think about it, the reporter was late . . .perhaps he, too, was sent on a wild goose chase?
PAUL SKIDMORE TO THE RESCUE/WHY KONKEL HAS BEEN SO QUIET!
I've been to several city meetings since I lost election, but I haven't spoken unless I was asked a question. That is very confusing to folks. The reason is this . . . the city has an ethics ordinance, that the Council Office Staff was sure to send to all of us after the new alders were elected, that says:
Anyways, here's where Alder Skidmore comes in. Since I lost, I've been more friendly with many of the council members that previously didn't talk to me much. There are several reasons for this: they don't like the mayor's role in my race, they need information from me, they ask my advice and they like my blog! I'm the media now! Anyways, I digressed again. Skidmore is one that I tend to talk with more now. He happened to ask me the other day why I wasn't speaking. I told him and he didn't like that answer. So, he's asking the city attorney for an opinion on this matter. He's also concerned that other former alders aren't following the same rules I'm following. Should be interesting to see what they say, since strict adherence to ethics and lobbying laws is long gone . . . I'm guessing he'll say I can speak.
FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP
Why are we waiting til the last minute to fix the Section 8 issue risking people getting evicted and losing their housing and their rent assistance? The Mayor was writing letters in May. And yet did nothing to really solve the problem til Alder Schumacher stepped up and got creative. In fact, I believe the line from the Mayor's office was "we can't do anything" its a federal problem. Well, yes we can! Thank you Alder Schumacher stepping up, learning the issues, talking to community members and landlord representatives and filling the void in leadership!
Ok - that's all I have this morning . . . I'm going to have to do more tomorrow . . . .
Read more!
Starting out with three county board issues . . .
RTA QUESTION ON BALLOT NEXT SPRING?
Last night at the County Board meeting, Eileen Bruskewitz was handing out a press release about the question she wants placed on the countywide ballot on April 6, 2010. The question she had is as follows:
Shall a Dane County Regional Transit Authority (RTA) levy a sales tax of 8.5% on all taxable sales within the jurisdiction of the RTA in Dane County to support transit service which could include commuter rail transportation?The press release said nothing about it being binding, which surprised me when I
- Why April when there is lower voter turn out? Why not in the fall? I suspect it has something to do with county board elections and the fact that as a conservative she is in the minority.
- Why is it countywide when the RTA will only govern and levy taxes in the MPO planning area?
Also, I don't think its fair to focus on commuter rail, as I'm sure that the RTA will have to start with the more flexible and less costly bus system.
I didn't see the resolution and she wouldn't give me a copy of the press release, but that's the news.
Oh, and here's the brief item the Wis. State Journal managed to squeeze in! I guess there is also the little issue of not knowing what the plan is yet . . .
MY BUDGET IS WORSE THAN YOUR BUDGET
Wow, the County Controller and Treasurer gave the county board a briefing last night on the gruesome budget picture they were looking at. If the Mayor thinks the city has problems, its a far cry from the County! I was kinda of shocked by one thing in particular, the rainy day fund. I was kind of surprised to find that they only strove to have a $10.5M fund balance. It's apparently 3% of a portion of their $451M operating budget.
The shocker to me is that the City has a policy of having a general fund balance of 15% of the total $238M Operating Budget. So, where the county has a goal of a $10M rainy day fund with a budget twice the size of the city, the city has a rainy day fund of $30 - $35M.
Another thing that struck me as I was mentally comparing the two budgets. The County has a $41M Capital Budget, while the City's Capital Budget was $164M in 2009.
Finally, I was shocked to hear the argument from Brett Hulsey that they had to borrow money for the Ice Age Trail Project so that when they were reimbursed 2.2M next year from the Feds and the State, they could use that money, not to pay off the debt, but to put into the operating budget so that they could save 30 - 35 jobs.
Wow. They sure have a different way of doing things! I think they might deserve the WORST BUDGET EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE award!!!
GUN TO YOUR HEAD/RUN OVER BY A TRAIN
During the debate on the funding of the Ice Age trail, the representative from the Sheriff's Association had a special little threat for the county board members. Here's some of my notes from the meeting:
Jim Brigham - VP Dep Sheriff's Assoc - in opposition - Dane Co is in financial difficulties, they were asked to take a 5% pay cut and they did. It's hard to tell 400 members to take a pay cut when people will spend over 2 year period $7.2M, and yet they can't figure out how to buy radios for the sheriff's department. Why is it more important to buy land than radios for public safety. Some people will say that this is not costing us anything. Unless its free or someone is donating it, its not free. Someone called this "Priceless", which is appropriate because this is credit card purchase. If he told his wife he was going to buy a corvette this year because it would be more expensive next year, that would never fly. If you never had a gun put to head, just got one. Someone needs to step up - employees are taking it out of their paychecks. Not against environment or purchasing land, now is not the time to do it. Can't pay my bills but want to buy a Porsche. It's coming out of his paycheck. Myself and my members protect you every day and this is how you come to us - you ask us to help and we do and that is how you treat us? Thank you, thank you very much. [Yes, that was said in a very sarcastic tone of voice.] Have the courage my 400 members have, stand up and do the right thing, don't let someone hold a gun to your head, cuz we're the people who will make sure that it didn't happen to you. Department heads have to cut 6% from their budgets. Everyone in room up for re-election in April - hope someone calls a roll call vote - we're going to keep track. There's been alot of analogies about trains this year, so here's one for you, you're either on our train or in spring might be underneath it.Ok, I wasn't sure about the gun comment, cuz it could have been the union holding the gun to their head, or the seller of the land. Either way, it was odd to have a sheriff using that kind of language about guns so casually. But the train comment, was quite clear. Do those kinds of threats work on county board supervisors? If so, that's not the way I want my local elected officials to act and I'm embarrassed by the union openly threatening them like that.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UP
I got an email detailing how DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) is dealing with the ripple effects of our economy, and it ain't pretty! Look at the increases in services they dealt with in the first quarter of the year alone:
These number will indicate Quarter 1 2008, Quarter 1 2009, Percent Increase
Number of Persons Sheltered - Unduplicated Adults - 61, 80, 31%
Number of Persons Sheltered - Unduplicated Children - 51, 81, 59%
Total Persons* - 112, 161, 44%
Crisis Line Unduplicated Callers - 312, 369, 18%
Crisis Line callers requesting information about shelter - 42, 94, 124%
Crisis Response - Unduplicated Clients - 43, 75, 74%
Children's program - Unduplicated Clients - 64, 98, 53%
Not a pretty picture.
WHERE THE HELL IS THE MEETING?
It used to be when you went to a meeting with the police department, you had to get into the building before it was locked and then to get to the meeting, you had to go to the window, ring the bell and wait for someone to let you in. So, what I'm about to describe, is actually, kind of an improvement.
I went to the PSRB meeting the other day. The clerk's office has the meeting listed as:
| 5:00 PM | PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW COMMITTEE | ROOM 525 CCB |
So, when I got to the building, I did go up to room 525. But, room 525 is not easy to find . . .
First of all, when you get to the 5th floor, this is what the sign says:
Hmm, 525 . . . not included in the signage. Luckily I knew you have to go all the way down to the other end of the hall and when you just about get to the room, you'll find a sign hanging out of sight behind the beam going across the hallway that says that it is the IT department. Which would be very confusing to most people if they were going to a public safety meeting. Then, when you find the doorway you are greeted by this sign:
Actually, its posted twice, once on the opened door and a second time on the glass as you go through the doorway:
Being familiar with the fact that the room is found by entering the office, walking by about 8 private offices all the way to the back of the office suite and there is a meeting room slightly to the left, I walked in and asked one of the employees if I could go check to see if they had a meeting back there. The room was empty.
Luckily, I had actually looked at the agenda and the clerk's schedule and I knew that the agenda had said:
210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Room 103AI had seen the conflict, but assumed the clerks office knew which room was correct. Anyways, I went down to 103 A, where you have to go through the now closed/mostly dark Clerk's office to get to that meeting space.
Room 525 (City-County Building)
They sure don't make this easy. Luckily, I know how to weave my way through the system, but could you imagine if it had been someone who was there for the first time? Maybe that is why only Rosemary Lee, myself and a reporter were there . . . come to think about it, the reporter was late . . .perhaps he, too, was sent on a wild goose chase?
PAUL SKIDMORE TO THE RESCUE/WHY KONKEL HAS BEEN SO QUIET!
I've been to several city meetings since I lost election, but I haven't spoken unless I was asked a question. That is very confusing to folks. The reason is this . . . the city has an ethics ordinance, that the Council Office Staff was sure to send to all of us after the new alders were elected, that says:
MGO 3.47(5)Because I'm identified as being involved with so many groups: Tenant Resource Center, Social Justice Center, Affordable Housing Action Alliance, FISH (Fighting Impoverishment and Stopping Homelessness), Progressive Dane and the Green Party, I've just kept my mouth shut. Because you know, even if I said I was representing myself . . . someone is going to question it. Plus, its kind of amusing to have people look at me funny and wonder what I'm up to! :)
(i) Post-Employment/Appointment Restrictions.
2. No former alderperson, for 12 months following the date on which she or he leaves office may appear, with or without compensation, on behalf of any person or entity, before any board, committee or commission or before the Common Council or negotiate with any incumbent on any matter which may reasonably be expected to come before such board, committee or commission or the Common Council for official action.
5. No former incumbent, for 12 months following the termination of her or his incumbency, may appear, with or without compensation, on behalf of any person or entity, with regard to any matter which was under the former incumbent’s responsibility within 12 months prior to the termination of her or his incumbency or in which the former incumbent participated personally and substantially within 12 months of the termination of her or his incumbency before any City entity or negotiate with any incumbent in connection with any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, application, contract, claim, charge or matter which may give rise to a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding.
6. Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit a former incumbent from representing herself or himself before any City entity in relation to a non-commercial personal undertaking at any time.
(j) Inquiries Permitted.
This subsection does not prohibit an elected official from making inquiries for information on behalf of a person or organization if she or he receives no compensation therefore beyond the City salary and other compensation or reimbursement to which the elected official is entitled by law.
Anyways, here's where Alder Skidmore comes in. Since I lost, I've been more friendly with many of the council members that previously didn't talk to me much. There are several reasons for this: they don't like the mayor's role in my race, they need information from me, they ask my advice and they like my blog! I'm the media now! Anyways, I digressed again. Skidmore is one that I tend to talk with more now. He happened to ask me the other day why I wasn't speaking. I told him and he didn't like that answer. So, he's asking the city attorney for an opinion on this matter. He's also concerned that other former alders aren't following the same rules I'm following. Should be interesting to see what they say, since strict adherence to ethics and lobbying laws is long gone . . . I'm guessing he'll say I can speak.
FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP
Why are we waiting til the last minute to fix the Section 8 issue risking people getting evicted and losing their housing and their rent assistance? The Mayor was writing letters in May. And yet did nothing to really solve the problem til Alder Schumacher stepped up and got creative. In fact, I believe the line from the Mayor's office was "we can't do anything" its a federal problem. Well, yes we can! Thank you Alder Schumacher stepping up, learning the issues, talking to community members and landlord representatives and filling the void in leadership!
Ok - that's all I have this morning . . . I'm going to have to do more tomorrow . . . .
Read more!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Short Story on Section 8
Ok - so what's the plan to help those who are on section 8 and had their portion of the rent raised in some cases by $100 - $300? And in many cases doubling what they pay?
TENANT EDUCATION
First, we recommend that anyone who is having trouble with paying their section 8 rent, contact the Neighborhood Law Project, Tenant Resource Center/Housing Help Desk, Legal Action of Wisconsin or the Community Action Coalition.
Second, if tenants are trying to get out of their leases, the Housing Mediation Service/Tenant Resource Center can do a mediation for the tenant and landlord to find out if they can come to agreement. There are no fees for low-income individuals.
Third, the Tenant Resource Center, with the help of the Neighborhood Law Project will be developing a Q&A or FAQ along with referral information that can be send out to all Section 8 recipients by the CDA.
Finally, we will be organizing a forum to help inform tenants of their rights. Hopefully, the agencies listed above will be able to be in attendance.
Note: This is all being done without any funding, because it needs to be done. Additionally thanks to members of AHAA and FISH because it wouldn't be done without you!!!
CHANGES IN LAW
Alder Schumacher will be introducing the following language to the affordable housing trust fund so that $400,000 can be spent to help out the tenants in this situation. This will be discussed at the August Council meeting if all goes well.
NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING
Tuesday, July 28th, noon at the Social Justice Center (1202 Williamsons St.) Any and all volunteers are welcome to attend! And stay tuned to the blog for more info.
Read more!
TENANT EDUCATION
First, we recommend that anyone who is having trouble with paying their section 8 rent, contact the Neighborhood Law Project, Tenant Resource Center/Housing Help Desk, Legal Action of Wisconsin or the Community Action Coalition.
Second, if tenants are trying to get out of their leases, the Housing Mediation Service/Tenant Resource Center can do a mediation for the tenant and landlord to find out if they can come to agreement. There are no fees for low-income individuals.
Third, the Tenant Resource Center, with the help of the Neighborhood Law Project will be developing a Q&A or FAQ along with referral information that can be send out to all Section 8 recipients by the CDA.
Finally, we will be organizing a forum to help inform tenants of their rights. Hopefully, the agencies listed above will be able to be in attendance.
Note: This is all being done without any funding, because it needs to be done. Additionally thanks to members of AHAA and FISH because it wouldn't be done without you!!!
CHANGES IN LAW
Alder Schumacher will be introducing the following language to the affordable housing trust fund so that $400,000 can be spent to help out the tenants in this situation. This will be discussed at the August Council meeting if all goes well.
Notwithstanding anything in this ordinance to the contrary, up to $400,000 of Trust Fund monies may be disbursed as grants to assist participants in the CDA’s Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program whose tenant portion of rent has increased substantially as a result of HUD’s decrease in 2009 funding to the CDA. The Trust Fund monies may be used to pay that portion of an increase exceeding a rent burden amount determined by the CDA Housing Operations staff to be affordable, within the limitations of the maximum amount of assistance allotted from Trust Fund monies. Payments may be applied to increased rent burden amounts due October 1, 2009 and thereafter, with the potential for retroactive payments for August and September 2009 rent burden amounts if funds are available. This paragraph (4)(m) shall sunset on the earlier of the full disbursement of the sum of $400,000 for the purpose specified herein, or January 1, 2010.”
NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING
Tuesday, July 28th, noon at the Social Justice Center (1202 Williamsons St.) Any and all volunteers are welcome to attend! And stay tuned to the blog for more info.
Read more!
Public Safety Review Board Recap!
Yeah, that's right, Public Safety Review Board (ahem, Committee). I think I freaked a few people out by showing up. You might be wondering why I attended, but think police staffing report and aggressive panhandling. I was lucky to get a few glimpses of other amusing things like a radical change in the 911 "contract" and an odd election process. Plus, I think I busted them! :)
Ok, so I won't make you read all the way through this to figure out what the screw up is. I'll just let you know up front - its about how many police officers we need. Then, you can read the rest if you want to be educated and somewhat amused. Trust me, the secret election, the reason for the panhandling penalty increases and the 911 "contract" are very revealing.
Anyways - back to the "busted" part. The way the police figure how many patrol officers they need is a formula (explained further below during their presentation). The formula goes like this:
However, when they count the number of patrol officers, they don't count the 43 neighborhood officers, the EROs and CPTs. [Plus 8 TEST officers, who's traffic incidents are counted in the workload so its up to 52 officers not counted.] So, they don't have 199 officers to do the workload they identified, they already have 242 [250] officers to work on the workload. Which looks like it is 18 [26] (but you need to subtract leave time and attrition calculations) more officers than they need to meet their goal. If you don't believe me, check out the bolded portions below. Unless someone mis-spoke or didn't understand the methodology set up by an outside company or explained it wrong, it seems they have a fatal flaw in their calculation.
I also think that if they measure the workload based on the number and time needed to respond to incidents that the patrol officers, neighborhood officers, CPTs and EROs enter as a record into the system, the more officers you have the more incidents you can [volunteer to?] respond to and the more time it takes, the more incidents you record, the more workload you have, the more officers you need. Unless there is more to it that they didn't explain.
I think they call that having your cake and eating it too. I only wish that the media would, instead of just reporting what the talking heads say, PAY ATTENTION!!! to what they are saying in the meetings. And then take the next step and think critically about what they have to say. And challenge them on their statements.
Perhaps, that is why I'm sort of stuck on reporting the details of the meetings . . . so, you can see what I see and think about it. I know it can take a while to read, but its shorter than sitting through the meeting. And so, without further adieu, the Public Safety Review Board/Committee meeting.
Oh, wait, one more thing. The committee members, especially Bell, Judge and Eagon asked really good questions, but then still rubber stamped everything. It was kind of disappointing to watch. Ok - now . . .
1. 14682 Election of Board Members: Chair and Vice-Chair
Chair Smith nominates Scott, seconded by Bell.
Eagon nominates Judge, seconded by Skidmore.
Next, Skidmore instructs the staff to hand out ballots. Staff wasn't aware they were supposed to do this so they tear up blank pieces of paper and hand them out. [Ok, I don't think that is the process! In fact, it might violate open meetings laws.] Even tho there are six people present to vote, the Chair announced vote is 5 votes, 3 votes Scott, 2 votes Judge.
[I can't tell who didn't vote. My guess is Skidmore, not wanting to vote against Judge or force a tie, opted not to vote. Is that why he wanted a secret ballot? Was this all set up ahead of time? Upon hearing the vote, Rosemary Lee is visibly upset by this, Chief Wray seems very, very pleased.]
Vice Chair, Scott nominated Judge, Skidmore seconds and moves unanimous consent. Passes.
ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL
2. 15003 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a second amendment of agreement with Dane County to extend the existing agreement for dispatch operations for not more than thirty (30) days.
Skidmore moves approval, seconded by Scott. Skidmore says coming for a long time, but not soup yet. Asks Joel Plant from the Mayor's office to comment.
Plant says that they are moving with deliberate speed on 911 dispatch services, a year ago passed a two part extension, 6 mos with an additional 6 mos and that expired in July, with hiring of John Dejoung they asked for an got a 30 day extension. They have had quite a few conversations with Chief Wray and Amesqua and City Attorney Carolyn Hogg. They have decided that they no longer need to enter a contract for services, which was suggested by Dejoung, but instead they would create a scope of services and talk about mechanisms to make changes to protocols. This would be a countywide protocol for all user agencies. It's a clean document, no exchange of money for services, universal for all users. We are the only one who has a contract at this point. Original agreement was about city property and employees transfer to county. We don't pay and never have, we gave them space, equipment and transfer of employees to staff the center. Never been a fee paid by any user agencies. Resolution will be modified, Mayor comfortable moving in this direction, but some points need to be ironed out such as the authority of the 911 center board, staff training, etc and that is all in the scope of services. Slightly different direction but universal and regional.
Skidmore asks if Dejoung is promoting this? Has PP&J reviewed this? Plant says County Exec supports, doesn't know about PP&J. 911 Center board will be vetting the scope of services and voting on it.
Skidmore asks about practical problems it might cause? Plant says business as usual. Dejoung has made some changes administratively. Nothing will change for us as users or for community members.
Scott asks about how uniform agreement will work for City of Madison given City needs certain procedures customized for the City of Madison. Plant says that one of the things missing is exactly how a customized protocol is handled by 911 center and the new scope outlines how those protocols would be made, who to make the request to, who makes decision and how it communicated, instead of being ad hoc.
Scott clarifies that it is ok to have a customized service. Plant confirms.
Smith asks about others beyond City? How do they feel about this? Plant says it is not universal. Welcome very consistent nature of the scope of services. Not a protocol manual, but a framework on how those decisions are made. 3 page document
Will it change how Middleton does things? They say no. It allows for independent service if they want. Middleton, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, UW and Capital police still have their own dispatch center.
Smith asks Plant about document. She says there is a gap in coverage right now. What is in force right now? Plant says there was an extension until Aug 3 and resolution that council will get next Tuesday outlines the changes and shifting course about the vehicle they are going to use. Affirmatively state that services will continue until the scope is changed.
Skidmore asks if they are being asked to vote Tuesday and when will they get it - Plant says tomorrow (That would have been yesterday at noon) at noon it will be out.
Skidmore asks Chief - since police and fire are 62% of workload of 911 center, this comes out of left field and does chief have any concern, because our noise complaints are more important then rural park? Wray supports the direction. Corp Council just gave opinion on role of Center Board. Procedures and scope of services is being developed by us and they will be used county wide. Chief also says that we have a method or process to make changes. For those three reasons he supports.
Fire says that Chief Amesqua is in agreement and no reason for concern from an operational points of view. Fire Dept has fewer variations because they use priority medical dispatch and priority fire dispatch and processes are in place already. As long as not changing our operational response, he doesn't see any problems or cause for concern.
Scott asks if Mr. Dejoung is a good working partner? Wray says it is an "excellent" working relationship and a week as not passed where he hasn't met with him once a week. Says it was their discussion that turned it around from contract to scope of service. Executives help solve that. Fire says Chief Amesqua is also working with him on a regular basis and there is a great deal of respect. Mayor's office agrees as well.
Discussion ends - motion carries. [I don't understand why they just voted on something they did not see and would be changed the next day. Not a very good review by their committee.]
3. 15061 Amending Sections 23.07(10) and 24.12(8) of the Madison General
Ordinances to increase penalty range amounts for Unlawful Trespass and
Menacing or Aggressive Panhandling Prohibited.
Skidmore moves approval, Scott seconds.
Eli Judge asks why they are doing this. Skidmore says aggressive panhandling at intersections on the west side. Vic Wahl says that it came from City Attorney and Chief Davenport. Also says it is at the top end of the range so no wiggle room for the municipal judge. Widen the range for judge for cases where it is appropriate.
Skidmore says that not looking to go after more people, just gives more leeway and another tool. [Great, a tool. This usually means trouble!]
Eagon clarifies that it is leeway for court not a greater deterrent? Wahl says push is from city attorney's office and court.
Scott says more significant change is judge has greater latitude. What advantage does it offer? Vast majority of people charged won't pay cuz won't have money.
Eagon clarifies again - Smith says drafters analysis isn't correct, maximum is changed. Smith says that her interpretation is that the lower amount still stands. $10 to $200 is what it was and not they can make them pay up to $500 and the previous classifications are gone.
Skidmore says municipal judge is neighbor and constituent and gives him more latitude. More ability for him to do his job. He doesn't typically go to maximum allowed to be charged but gives him latitude.
Scott says does away with sentencing guidelines, but that's ok cuz have reasonable municipal judge.
Skimore says this is what the judge likes, leeway and discretion.
Smith says that serial offenses is hard because has to be same offense and may be seeing these folks for other things and if they are repeat folks, they can get charged more, even if this is their first offense of this kind..
Eagon says that changing the maximum fines from $200 to $500 doesn't make much of a difference if the judge doesn't like to go to top anyways. Can see why remove steps but not change the fee from $200 to $500 is impactful.
Skidmore says he can't speak for the judge, but he is reluctant to go up to max.
Eagon asks if the judge doesn't go to $200 yet, why would he go to $350? Skidmore says that's his discretion.
Scott says he can see need for higher amount for trespass, but not panhandling. Scott asks when they use city vs state tickets. City is used alot says Wahl especially in challenged neighborhoods and multi-unit apartment complexes. Focus on residents or nonresidents causing trouble, good tool, Scott points out it generates warrants for failure to pay. [That's what gets people arrested and tossed in jail until their debt is paid off.] Wahl says judge is opting to go to collections and tax intercepts but some will go to warrant. That is not routine. Trespass is written alot.
Eagon asks about panhandling. Wahl says he is not as familiar. Far less frequent than trespassing, most likely downtown and State St. On periphery there is usually other types of offenses. Wahl talks about connections to other crimes for trespass.
Scott says city controls panhandling not through ordinances, but other methods and Memphis just sent people to Madison to see what we were doing.
Despite the concerns, it passes unanimously.
4. 15186 Repealing Section 12.26 of the Madison General Ordinances which created
restrictions on opening vehicle doors in traffic.
Skidmore moves, seconded by Scott. Not as onerous as it seems. State was considering it when it passed, time to repeal because state is pre-empting it. Ped Bike Motor Vehicle Commission already approved it.
Judge is concerned that the state statute applies only to highways, and the city passed it because of city streets. Wahl says that highway is all public roads. Smith says that it is the same for drunk driving.
Judge is concerned that there a different restrictions on bikers based on speed. Skidmore says it is any street in the state code.
Despite questions, passes unanimously. [I guess I'd like a city attorney opinion on that instead of relyig on Skimore to answer the question. Seemed like people in the room weren't real sure.]
PRESENTATIONS
5. 15395 Madison Police Department Patrol Staffing Report - Captain (Vic) Wahl
[The report was sent to some of the committee members around 2:00. They hand out copies of the report and the power point presentation. I have to walk up to the front of the room and ask for a copy for myself an Rosemary. Not sure the reporter got one. And its not available on line as of this morning, two days later.]
Wahl does presentation, goes over powerpoint presentation that is printed in full color. [Wow, most departments can't afford that!]
Wahl says police didn't have good benchmarks to measure needs and didn't have good methodologies. Talks about Etico and jow they look at officer time spent on incidents, not number of incidents. He says it is possible to pull data out of the CAD to find out time and then you have to factor in things like reports. .50 hr for noise complaint plus add report time and then determine average officer time by call type. Can find out what the actual workload is. [However, he admitted that some officers count their report time in the incident and others don't, so they may be double counting report time in some cases.] Doesn't count administrative time spent on checking out squads, making computers work, downloading video, downloading citation data and gassing up the car.
Also look at how much time they take off.
Proactive time vs Reactive Time - by having proactive time each hour it improves level of service to community. Traffic enforcement, foot patrol, etc.
Also factors in attrition.
They did their report a few years ago and they have the tools to repeat it and this is the 2008 data.
Incidents increased. Calls for service are about 150,000 per year typically, and so this looks like a decrease. He explains the imperfection in calls for service data, counts every incident and some of them might not be patrol related (drug investigation) and have nothing to do with patrol. Information or other calls might not get assigned to an officer, that counts as a call for service, but they aren't called. False alarms as well.
Skimore asks if it includes dropped calls. Wahl says yes.
Skidmore says has asked for number of dropped calls and never gotten it. Wahl says working to id dropped calls.
Smith asks how confident that 2007 to 2008 is apples to apples. Wahl says methodology he is very comfortable with. Have changed internal procedures to capture more, workload didn't go up 8% but maybe now they are capturing more. 08 to 09 will be more accurate.
Wahl goes over workload curve over the day. Midafternoon is peak every day. Shows consistency between 07 and 08.
Goes of over work by district and reminds them that this is "patrol only", not parking enforcement or detectives work.
Skidmore asks about neighborhood officers, EROs, neighborhood officers and CPT are included. He says yes, they stayed consistent with what Etico did.
Talks about workload by district by hours. He says Central bar time is purely weekend bar time. Have tried to address through downtown safety initiative, no other efficient way to do it.
Smith asks about if they have charts that compare the incidents by time and the staffing of patrol. Wahl says they are moving to 5 shift patrol. And they tried to do that when coming up with that plan. He says it is close to how the districts are staffed by number of calls.
Average time for patrol incidents went "down a little bit"
He talks about how they try to keep reactive time 28 - 30 so have 30 - 32 minutes of reactive time to be responsive to public. Not there yet. 32.5 to 32.4 time is result of increased staffing.
Scott asks what typical range is. Wahl says 28 - 30 is recommendation from Etico, nationally they are all over the board up to where reative is 50 - 55 minutes, and level of service is very low. Basically only run to emergencies. 25 - 35 is more the range of others. Scott suspected that they might have a more aggressive goal. Scott suggests 25 and Wahl likes that.
Scott lobs a softball and asks "Is one reasonable inference that we're understaffed?" Wahl says yes.
Next Wahl talks about staffing efficiency. Red line is daily staffing. Parts of the day where they are off, and this is why they are moving to 5 shift plan. Power shifts will be noon - 8 and 8 p to 4 a shift. He points out that right now they are at 78% efficiency.
Leave time is admin and benefit time or non-patrol time and sick/vacation time. Training, inservices, etc is non-patrol time. Wahl says not big change in practice but more accurate data collection.
Scott looks at 2008, says that biggest perception by public has a greatly inflated sense of how many are out there at one time. If 50% of officers are patrol and this says need twice as many police officers as you can put out there, so only 100 officers per day, which is only 33 cops per shift is pretty normal, for most citizens that is a pretty big gap. Don't see detectives and administrators. He says we need more like 6 police officers to have 1 on the street. Scott reminds them half are not patrol. Scott says most people think there are 10 times more cops on teh street than there are. Smith says that might act as a deterant.
Bell asks if that changes with 5 shifts, Wahl says it will stay the same. He says there may be some impact on time off and overtime, pools are smaller, one injury or leave can have a big impact on the shift.
Neighborhood, CPT, ERO now are in the other category, not counted as patrol officers when talking attrition.
Limited duty and medical leave is all built in to shift relief factor. So, that is all there, except for attrition.
Talks about attrition.
Wahl says that he has given this presentation to all the officers at the district briefings. [I get the feeling this powerpoint was shown to all the officers to get them to lobby for the 12 - 25 more officers.]
Smith asks about succession planning, Wray says that they track retirement projections, but probably on the younger or inexperienced side of that. Early 90's lost many experienced officers who had 17 - 18 years experience on average and that has gone down to 7 - 8 year average for patrol. Wray says it took 20 years to get 1st shift patrol when he was an officer an it is and now less than 8 years. They have been hiring and expanding at the same time. So we have a less experienced police force.
Scott questions the attrition numbers in working with younger people. Wray says haven't seen the change. Some leave and come back.
Range of need for more officers is for proactive and reactive time. 24 is 28 minutes, 12 is 32 minutes.
Wahl says workload doesn't count the self reporting unit, ideally we would respond to those things, if you lump that workload into this, we would have a different calculation. This is a snap shot. Plan to do this calculation every year. Applied for COPS grant, requested 6 for next three years, if granted that would address needs.
Scott says could reallocate from non-patrol to patrol. Smith points out there is a contract. Wray talks about work load and that would operationally would eliminate CPTs or TEST. [Ooops, looks like I need to add in the 8 TEST officers who are also not counted.]
Skidmore asks if the will be any changes from CPTs and Neighborhood officers, and they say no.
Skidmore asks about neighborhood officer spending time on non-neighborhood [i.e. patrol] work. Wahl doesn't seem to think they can track that, but they could approximate it.
Bell asks about CAD data and asks what cops are doing when sitting in the park. Wahl says CAD is tied to an incident. Bell asks where briefing time is? 15 minutes every day. Wahl says it is not built into this because it is overtime. They explain that is part of the contract. Bell says that is news to him. When he sees someone in the squad car working, is that admin time? Wahl says if doing a report, not captured, [well, except he says some cops count that in the incident time] but they have ways in methodology to estimate that. With dictated reports they know how long they are dictating. If on radar, they are doing traffic enforcement, that is an incident. Bell asks about false alarm, when they send out 2 officers, where is that time? Wahl says if they go to the alarm, it is an incident, if it is a pure boroadcast and file then that is not seen in the system. Broadcast and file is the way the call comes in and the officers volunteers to go to the call anyways. Wray justifies due to the burglaries.
Scott asks if they complete their report before clearing the call or not, so the CAD system may or may not capture that time. Wahl says there is no CAD code for reports. Varies by officers. Scott points out there is a little uncertainty.
Skidmore asks if just patroling, that is not recorded right. Wray says they asked officers to create an incident, and that is considered proactive work. Problem solving, community policing are starting to show up.
Graffiti going throught he roof.
Smith asks about the next steps. Asking if they will be asking for more staff and that seems to be agreed to and changing to 5 shits. Wahl says will look at leave time and non-patrol time as well as importance of training. But that's about it. Transition to 5 shift plan is significant. Etico report had recommendations and they have done some of the recommendations such as tracking dropped calls, monitoring times when only do emergency calls, etc.
Smith asks about staff reaction to power shifts. Wahl says he has presented at all district in-services so all have seen a version of this. He explains another change is that there is a transition geographically from beats to zones. Every shift has beats that are unique to the shift and changes every year and its a moving target and officers have too much ownership over that and they have found it to be problematic. He says the "officer ownership" impacts level of service and its complicated esp with 5 shift plan. They are moving to 15 patrol zones, 3 per district and staffing built around those zones. The way they had been doing it was "unique" and this will be more consistent. Most of questions and concerns from patrol were about the zones and not the shifts and specifically how will work be allocated.
Smith asks if lose intelligence that beat officers have developed. Wahl says that in practice the beats are large and much of the time officers are still reactive driving from call to call. Zone will be larger but officers can be assigned to focus on areas in depth. Shift relief factor and so much shifting and don't get alot of consistency anyways.
Bell asks about 5 shift system is going to scale over time in half. Wahl says he doesn't know. Hasn't put that forth as a benefit. Doesn't know the impact and hope is by having more officer will increase staff time. Wray jumps in, when reduce size of shift, more pressure on maintaining minimums and may increase over time. More officers out when they need to be out - routine an hold over overtime will have a good impact, but staffing minimums need to be closely monitored.
At this point I left. All they had left to do was talk about their committees.
Read more!
Ok, so I won't make you read all the way through this to figure out what the screw up is. I'll just let you know up front - its about how many police officers we need. Then, you can read the rest if you want to be educated and somewhat amused. Trust me, the secret election, the reason for the panhandling penalty increases and the 911 "contract" are very revealing.
Anyways - back to the "busted" part. The way the police figure how many patrol officers they need is a formula (explained further below during their presentation). The formula goes like this:
Workload & leave data + attrition buffer = number of patrol officers needed.Here's the rub. When counting the workload, they said they include incidents addressed by the neighborhood officers, the EROs (cops in schools) and the CPTs (Community Policing Teams) [Ooops, and TEST officers]. If I understand their chart right, that is 43 additional officers whose workload is counted to figure out how many officers they need.
However, when they count the number of patrol officers, they don't count the 43 neighborhood officers, the EROs and CPTs. [Plus 8 TEST officers, who's traffic incidents are counted in the workload so its up to 52 officers not counted.] So, they don't have 199 officers to do the workload they identified, they already have 242 [250] officers to work on the workload. Which looks like it is 18 [26] (but you need to subtract leave time and attrition calculations) more officers than they need to meet their goal. If you don't believe me, check out the bolded portions below. Unless someone mis-spoke or didn't understand the methodology set up by an outside company or explained it wrong, it seems they have a fatal flaw in their calculation.
I also think that if they measure the workload based on the number and time needed to respond to incidents that the patrol officers, neighborhood officers, CPTs and EROs enter as a record into the system, the more officers you have the more incidents you can [volunteer to?] respond to and the more time it takes, the more incidents you record, the more workload you have, the more officers you need. Unless there is more to it that they didn't explain.
I think they call that having your cake and eating it too. I only wish that the media would, instead of just reporting what the talking heads say, PAY ATTENTION!!! to what they are saying in the meetings. And then take the next step and think critically about what they have to say. And challenge them on their statements.
Perhaps, that is why I'm sort of stuck on reporting the details of the meetings . . . so, you can see what I see and think about it. I know it can take a while to read, but its shorter than sitting through the meeting. And so, without further adieu, the Public Safety Review Board/Committee meeting.
Oh, wait, one more thing. The committee members, especially Bell, Judge and Eagon asked really good questions, but then still rubber stamped everything. It was kind of disappointing to watch. Ok - now . . .
1. 14682 Election of Board Members: Chair and Vice-Chair
Chair Smith nominates Scott, seconded by Bell.
Eagon nominates Judge, seconded by Skidmore.
Next, Skidmore instructs the staff to hand out ballots. Staff wasn't aware they were supposed to do this so they tear up blank pieces of paper and hand them out. [Ok, I don't think that is the process! In fact, it might violate open meetings laws.] Even tho there are six people present to vote, the Chair announced vote is 5 votes, 3 votes Scott, 2 votes Judge.
[I can't tell who didn't vote. My guess is Skidmore, not wanting to vote against Judge or force a tie, opted not to vote. Is that why he wanted a secret ballot? Was this all set up ahead of time? Upon hearing the vote, Rosemary Lee is visibly upset by this, Chief Wray seems very, very pleased.]
Vice Chair, Scott nominated Judge, Skidmore seconds and moves unanimous consent. Passes.
ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL
2. 15003 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a second amendment of agreement with Dane County to extend the existing agreement for dispatch operations for not more than thirty (30) days.
Skidmore moves approval, seconded by Scott. Skidmore says coming for a long time, but not soup yet. Asks Joel Plant from the Mayor's office to comment.
Plant says that they are moving with deliberate speed on 911 dispatch services, a year ago passed a two part extension, 6 mos with an additional 6 mos and that expired in July, with hiring of John Dejoung they asked for an got a 30 day extension. They have had quite a few conversations with Chief Wray and Amesqua and City Attorney Carolyn Hogg. They have decided that they no longer need to enter a contract for services, which was suggested by Dejoung, but instead they would create a scope of services and talk about mechanisms to make changes to protocols. This would be a countywide protocol for all user agencies. It's a clean document, no exchange of money for services, universal for all users. We are the only one who has a contract at this point. Original agreement was about city property and employees transfer to county. We don't pay and never have, we gave them space, equipment and transfer of employees to staff the center. Never been a fee paid by any user agencies. Resolution will be modified, Mayor comfortable moving in this direction, but some points need to be ironed out such as the authority of the 911 center board, staff training, etc and that is all in the scope of services. Slightly different direction but universal and regional.
Skidmore asks if Dejoung is promoting this? Has PP&J reviewed this? Plant says County Exec supports, doesn't know about PP&J. 911 Center board will be vetting the scope of services and voting on it.
Skidmore asks about practical problems it might cause? Plant says business as usual. Dejoung has made some changes administratively. Nothing will change for us as users or for community members.
Scott asks about how uniform agreement will work for City of Madison given City needs certain procedures customized for the City of Madison. Plant says that one of the things missing is exactly how a customized protocol is handled by 911 center and the new scope outlines how those protocols would be made, who to make the request to, who makes decision and how it communicated, instead of being ad hoc.
Scott clarifies that it is ok to have a customized service. Plant confirms.
Smith asks about others beyond City? How do they feel about this? Plant says it is not universal. Welcome very consistent nature of the scope of services. Not a protocol manual, but a framework on how those decisions are made. 3 page document
Will it change how Middleton does things? They say no. It allows for independent service if they want. Middleton, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, UW and Capital police still have their own dispatch center.
Smith asks Plant about document. She says there is a gap in coverage right now. What is in force right now? Plant says there was an extension until Aug 3 and resolution that council will get next Tuesday outlines the changes and shifting course about the vehicle they are going to use. Affirmatively state that services will continue until the scope is changed.
Skidmore asks if they are being asked to vote Tuesday and when will they get it - Plant says tomorrow (That would have been yesterday at noon) at noon it will be out.
Skidmore asks Chief - since police and fire are 62% of workload of 911 center, this comes out of left field and does chief have any concern, because our noise complaints are more important then rural park? Wray supports the direction. Corp Council just gave opinion on role of Center Board. Procedures and scope of services is being developed by us and they will be used county wide. Chief also says that we have a method or process to make changes. For those three reasons he supports.
Fire says that Chief Amesqua is in agreement and no reason for concern from an operational points of view. Fire Dept has fewer variations because they use priority medical dispatch and priority fire dispatch and processes are in place already. As long as not changing our operational response, he doesn't see any problems or cause for concern.
Scott asks if Mr. Dejoung is a good working partner? Wray says it is an "excellent" working relationship and a week as not passed where he hasn't met with him once a week. Says it was their discussion that turned it around from contract to scope of service. Executives help solve that. Fire says Chief Amesqua is also working with him on a regular basis and there is a great deal of respect. Mayor's office agrees as well.
Discussion ends - motion carries. [I don't understand why they just voted on something they did not see and would be changed the next day. Not a very good review by their committee.]
3. 15061 Amending Sections 23.07(10) and 24.12(8) of the Madison General
Ordinances to increase penalty range amounts for Unlawful Trespass and
Menacing or Aggressive Panhandling Prohibited.
Skidmore moves approval, Scott seconds.
Eli Judge asks why they are doing this. Skidmore says aggressive panhandling at intersections on the west side. Vic Wahl says that it came from City Attorney and Chief Davenport. Also says it is at the top end of the range so no wiggle room for the municipal judge. Widen the range for judge for cases where it is appropriate.
Skidmore says that not looking to go after more people, just gives more leeway and another tool. [Great, a tool. This usually means trouble!]
Eagon clarifies that it is leeway for court not a greater deterrent? Wahl says push is from city attorney's office and court.
Scott says more significant change is judge has greater latitude. What advantage does it offer? Vast majority of people charged won't pay cuz won't have money.
Eagon clarifies again - Smith says drafters analysis isn't correct, maximum is changed. Smith says that her interpretation is that the lower amount still stands. $10 to $200 is what it was and not they can make them pay up to $500 and the previous classifications are gone.
Skidmore says municipal judge is neighbor and constituent and gives him more latitude. More ability for him to do his job. He doesn't typically go to maximum allowed to be charged but gives him latitude.
Scott says does away with sentencing guidelines, but that's ok cuz have reasonable municipal judge.
Skimore says this is what the judge likes, leeway and discretion.
Smith says that serial offenses is hard because has to be same offense and may be seeing these folks for other things and if they are repeat folks, they can get charged more, even if this is their first offense of this kind..
Eagon says that changing the maximum fines from $200 to $500 doesn't make much of a difference if the judge doesn't like to go to top anyways. Can see why remove steps but not change the fee from $200 to $500 is impactful.
Skidmore says he can't speak for the judge, but he is reluctant to go up to max.
Eagon asks if the judge doesn't go to $200 yet, why would he go to $350? Skidmore says that's his discretion.
Scott says he can see need for higher amount for trespass, but not panhandling. Scott asks when they use city vs state tickets. City is used alot says Wahl especially in challenged neighborhoods and multi-unit apartment complexes. Focus on residents or nonresidents causing trouble, good tool, Scott points out it generates warrants for failure to pay. [That's what gets people arrested and tossed in jail until their debt is paid off.] Wahl says judge is opting to go to collections and tax intercepts but some will go to warrant. That is not routine. Trespass is written alot.
Eagon asks about panhandling. Wahl says he is not as familiar. Far less frequent than trespassing, most likely downtown and State St. On periphery there is usually other types of offenses. Wahl talks about connections to other crimes for trespass.
Scott says city controls panhandling not through ordinances, but other methods and Memphis just sent people to Madison to see what we were doing.
Despite the concerns, it passes unanimously.
4. 15186 Repealing Section 12.26 of the Madison General Ordinances which created
restrictions on opening vehicle doors in traffic.
Skidmore moves, seconded by Scott. Not as onerous as it seems. State was considering it when it passed, time to repeal because state is pre-empting it. Ped Bike Motor Vehicle Commission already approved it.
Judge is concerned that the state statute applies only to highways, and the city passed it because of city streets. Wahl says that highway is all public roads. Smith says that it is the same for drunk driving.
Judge is concerned that there a different restrictions on bikers based on speed. Skidmore says it is any street in the state code.
Despite questions, passes unanimously. [I guess I'd like a city attorney opinion on that instead of relyig on Skimore to answer the question. Seemed like people in the room weren't real sure.]
PRESENTATIONS
5. 15395 Madison Police Department Patrol Staffing Report - Captain (Vic) Wahl
[The report was sent to some of the committee members around 2:00. They hand out copies of the report and the power point presentation. I have to walk up to the front of the room and ask for a copy for myself an Rosemary. Not sure the reporter got one. And its not available on line as of this morning, two days later.]
Wahl does presentation, goes over powerpoint presentation that is printed in full color. [Wow, most departments can't afford that!]
Wahl says police didn't have good benchmarks to measure needs and didn't have good methodologies. Talks about Etico and jow they look at officer time spent on incidents, not number of incidents. He says it is possible to pull data out of the CAD to find out time and then you have to factor in things like reports. .50 hr for noise complaint plus add report time and then determine average officer time by call type. Can find out what the actual workload is. [However, he admitted that some officers count their report time in the incident and others don't, so they may be double counting report time in some cases.] Doesn't count administrative time spent on checking out squads, making computers work, downloading video, downloading citation data and gassing up the car.
Also look at how much time they take off.
Proactive time vs Reactive Time - by having proactive time each hour it improves level of service to community. Traffic enforcement, foot patrol, etc.
Also factors in attrition.
They did their report a few years ago and they have the tools to repeat it and this is the 2008 data.
Incidents increased. Calls for service are about 150,000 per year typically, and so this looks like a decrease. He explains the imperfection in calls for service data, counts every incident and some of them might not be patrol related (drug investigation) and have nothing to do with patrol. Information or other calls might not get assigned to an officer, that counts as a call for service, but they aren't called. False alarms as well.
Skimore asks if it includes dropped calls. Wahl says yes.
Skidmore says has asked for number of dropped calls and never gotten it. Wahl says working to id dropped calls.
Smith asks how confident that 2007 to 2008 is apples to apples. Wahl says methodology he is very comfortable with. Have changed internal procedures to capture more, workload didn't go up 8% but maybe now they are capturing more. 08 to 09 will be more accurate.
Wahl goes over workload curve over the day. Midafternoon is peak every day. Shows consistency between 07 and 08.
Goes of over work by district and reminds them that this is "patrol only", not parking enforcement or detectives work.
Skidmore asks about neighborhood officers, EROs, neighborhood officers and CPT are included. He says yes, they stayed consistent with what Etico did.
Talks about workload by district by hours. He says Central bar time is purely weekend bar time. Have tried to address through downtown safety initiative, no other efficient way to do it.
Smith asks about if they have charts that compare the incidents by time and the staffing of patrol. Wahl says they are moving to 5 shift patrol. And they tried to do that when coming up with that plan. He says it is close to how the districts are staffed by number of calls.
Average time for patrol incidents went "down a little bit"
He talks about how they try to keep reactive time 28 - 30 so have 30 - 32 minutes of reactive time to be responsive to public. Not there yet. 32.5 to 32.4 time is result of increased staffing.
Scott asks what typical range is. Wahl says 28 - 30 is recommendation from Etico, nationally they are all over the board up to where reative is 50 - 55 minutes, and level of service is very low. Basically only run to emergencies. 25 - 35 is more the range of others. Scott suspected that they might have a more aggressive goal. Scott suggests 25 and Wahl likes that.
Scott lobs a softball and asks "Is one reasonable inference that we're understaffed?" Wahl says yes.
Next Wahl talks about staffing efficiency. Red line is daily staffing. Parts of the day where they are off, and this is why they are moving to 5 shift plan. Power shifts will be noon - 8 and 8 p to 4 a shift. He points out that right now they are at 78% efficiency.
Leave time is admin and benefit time or non-patrol time and sick/vacation time. Training, inservices, etc is non-patrol time. Wahl says not big change in practice but more accurate data collection.
Scott looks at 2008, says that biggest perception by public has a greatly inflated sense of how many are out there at one time. If 50% of officers are patrol and this says need twice as many police officers as you can put out there, so only 100 officers per day, which is only 33 cops per shift is pretty normal, for most citizens that is a pretty big gap. Don't see detectives and administrators. He says we need more like 6 police officers to have 1 on the street. Scott reminds them half are not patrol. Scott says most people think there are 10 times more cops on teh street than there are. Smith says that might act as a deterant.
Bell asks if that changes with 5 shifts, Wahl says it will stay the same. He says there may be some impact on time off and overtime, pools are smaller, one injury or leave can have a big impact on the shift.
Neighborhood, CPT, ERO now are in the other category, not counted as patrol officers when talking attrition.
Limited duty and medical leave is all built in to shift relief factor. So, that is all there, except for attrition.
Talks about attrition.
Wahl says that he has given this presentation to all the officers at the district briefings. [I get the feeling this powerpoint was shown to all the officers to get them to lobby for the 12 - 25 more officers.]
Smith asks about succession planning, Wray says that they track retirement projections, but probably on the younger or inexperienced side of that. Early 90's lost many experienced officers who had 17 - 18 years experience on average and that has gone down to 7 - 8 year average for patrol. Wray says it took 20 years to get 1st shift patrol when he was an officer an it is and now less than 8 years. They have been hiring and expanding at the same time. So we have a less experienced police force.
Scott questions the attrition numbers in working with younger people. Wray says haven't seen the change. Some leave and come back.
Range of need for more officers is for proactive and reactive time. 24 is 28 minutes, 12 is 32 minutes.
Wahl says workload doesn't count the self reporting unit, ideally we would respond to those things, if you lump that workload into this, we would have a different calculation. This is a snap shot. Plan to do this calculation every year. Applied for COPS grant, requested 6 for next three years, if granted that would address needs.
Scott says could reallocate from non-patrol to patrol. Smith points out there is a contract. Wray talks about work load and that would operationally would eliminate CPTs or TEST. [Ooops, looks like I need to add in the 8 TEST officers who are also not counted.]
Skidmore asks if the will be any changes from CPTs and Neighborhood officers, and they say no.
Skidmore asks about neighborhood officer spending time on non-neighborhood [i.e. patrol] work. Wahl doesn't seem to think they can track that, but they could approximate it.
Bell asks about CAD data and asks what cops are doing when sitting in the park. Wahl says CAD is tied to an incident. Bell asks where briefing time is? 15 minutes every day. Wahl says it is not built into this because it is overtime. They explain that is part of the contract. Bell says that is news to him. When he sees someone in the squad car working, is that admin time? Wahl says if doing a report, not captured, [well, except he says some cops count that in the incident time] but they have ways in methodology to estimate that. With dictated reports they know how long they are dictating. If on radar, they are doing traffic enforcement, that is an incident. Bell asks about false alarm, when they send out 2 officers, where is that time? Wahl says if they go to the alarm, it is an incident, if it is a pure boroadcast and file then that is not seen in the system. Broadcast and file is the way the call comes in and the officers volunteers to go to the call anyways. Wray justifies due to the burglaries.
Scott asks if they complete their report before clearing the call or not, so the CAD system may or may not capture that time. Wahl says there is no CAD code for reports. Varies by officers. Scott points out there is a little uncertainty.
Skidmore asks if just patroling, that is not recorded right. Wray says they asked officers to create an incident, and that is considered proactive work. Problem solving, community policing are starting to show up.
Graffiti going throught he roof.
Smith asks about the next steps. Asking if they will be asking for more staff and that seems to be agreed to and changing to 5 shits. Wahl says will look at leave time and non-patrol time as well as importance of training. But that's about it. Transition to 5 shift plan is significant. Etico report had recommendations and they have done some of the recommendations such as tracking dropped calls, monitoring times when only do emergency calls, etc.
Smith asks about staff reaction to power shifts. Wahl says he has presented at all district in-services so all have seen a version of this. He explains another change is that there is a transition geographically from beats to zones. Every shift has beats that are unique to the shift and changes every year and its a moving target and officers have too much ownership over that and they have found it to be problematic. He says the "officer ownership" impacts level of service and its complicated esp with 5 shift plan. They are moving to 15 patrol zones, 3 per district and staffing built around those zones. The way they had been doing it was "unique" and this will be more consistent. Most of questions and concerns from patrol were about the zones and not the shifts and specifically how will work be allocated.
Smith asks if lose intelligence that beat officers have developed. Wahl says that in practice the beats are large and much of the time officers are still reactive driving from call to call. Zone will be larger but officers can be assigned to focus on areas in depth. Shift relief factor and so much shifting and don't get alot of consistency anyways.
Bell asks about 5 shift system is going to scale over time in half. Wahl says he doesn't know. Hasn't put that forth as a benefit. Doesn't know the impact and hope is by having more officer will increase staff time. Wray jumps in, when reduce size of shift, more pressure on maintaining minimums and may increase over time. More officers out when they need to be out - routine an hold over overtime will have a good impact, but staffing minimums need to be closely monitored.
At this point I left. All they had left to do was talk about their committees.
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Northside TIF?
Find out more about it tonight!
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We invite you to a public meeting where we will discuss setting up a Northside Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) District. The meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday, July 16, 2009
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Warner Park Community Recreation Center, Community Room #1
1625 Northport Drive
City staff will be present to provide information and answer questions.
Ald. Satya Rhodes-Conway & Ald. Larry Palm
District 12 & District 15
242-4426 & 692-8416
district12@cityofmadison.com & district15@cityofmadison.com
Ald. Joe Clausius & Ald. Michael Schumacher
District 17 & District 18
244-5066 & 215-4848
district17@cityofmadison.com & district18@cityofmadison.com
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Partnership for Prescription Assistance Bus
Will be at Harambee on Saturday . . .
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The Partnership for Prescription Assistance bus will be at Harambee Friday, July 17, 2009 from 10am-1:00pm. The bus has staff to help low-income people without health insurance apply for free or low-cost prescription medications.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call Jennifer at 261-9614.
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Volunteers Needed for Foreclosure Workshop
This seems like a really important thing to do if you have time . . .
Details of the event are as follows:
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On Saturday, August 1, The Dane County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce is holding a huge workshop at MATC-Truax to help struggling homeowners modify their mortgages and learn about avoiding foreclosure. We need lots of volunteers to help make the workshop a success and to help reduce the skyrocketing foreclosure rate in Dane County. Please help!
We need volunteers from 7:30 am until 3:00 pm (at the latest). If you're only available to volunteer for a half day, that's okay too! Of course, lunch and breakfast will be provided.
Please contact Annie Beaman for more information or to sign up as a volunteer:abeaman@wisc.edu, or 608-695-7070.
Most volunteers will have the following roles:
* staffing intake tables / screening homeowners
* proctoring educational workshops
* working one-on-one with homeowners to complete and submit loan modification applications
* manage technology: copying, faxing, scanning, etc.
Volunteers will work with homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Homeowners will be able to:
* learn if they qualify for the federal “Making Home Affordable” loan modification program
* work with trained counselors to submit on-the-spot loan modification applications
* attend workshops on understanding the foreclosure process and financial literacy
Contact Annie Beaman for more information about volunteering. See also herehttp and RSVP to the workshop on facebook
Details of the event are as follows:
Fix Your Loan! Keep Your Home! Free event
Saturday, August 1, 2009
9:00 a.m.- noon @ MATC-Truax campus (3550 Anderson Street, Madison)
http://matcmadison.edu/matc/campuses/madison/truaxmap.shtm
Assistance will be available in English, Spanish, and Hmong
If you've experienced a financial hardship and are struggling to keep up with your mortgage, you're not alone. Attend this free event--Fix Your Loan! Keep Your Home!-- and work one-on-one with a trained counselor to submit a loan modification application to your lender.
You can also attend foreclosure prevention workshops.
Don't miss out because you may be eligible for a more affordable monthly mortgage payment!
Download a flyer from www.daneforeclosurehelp.org that has IMPORTANT information on what you need to bring. Please forward this e-mail and copy and distribute the flyer to everyone and anyone! If you have trouble downloading the flyer or need tons of copies, please contact 260-8098. Questions about the event, please contact 2-1-1, visit the website, or e-mail info@daneforeclosurehelp.org.
To volunteer, please contact Annie Beaman at abeaman@wisc.edu, or 608-695-7070.
This free event brought to you by the Dane County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce in collaboration with City of Madison and Dane County. Thank you to Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc; FDIC; HUD; MATC; UW-Madison; and WHEDA for sponsoring this event. Also, a big thank you to all the volunteers who are making this happen!
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Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Festival
A new neighborhood festival . . .
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Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Festival
Sat, 18-Jul-2009, noon - 7
The first annual Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Party begins at noon on Saturday, July 18 on Paterson street, behind Cork 'N Bottle and at Reynolds Park. The grills will be fired up behind the Cork 'n Bottle serving good food (donations gladly accepted). There will be a variety of salads and homemade ice cream for dessert. There will be lots of games and fabulous prizes at Reynolds Park. There will be old fashioned games like three-legged races and wheel-barrow races, mixed in with Bocce ball and ladder toss. Wander the Johnson Street Business District and don't forget to stop in for the Cork 'N Bottle Wine Tasting from 1-5 pm. All proceeds will go toward the Tenney Park Shelter. Stop by and be a part of a new tradition in the neighborhood.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday's Board of Estimates Recap!
There were a few items of interest: money for Catholic Multicultural center, new multi-space parking meters, bus tickets for working poor, state budget update, stimulus update.
The meeting was sparsely attended. Members of the 7 member board of estimates present were Mayor, Bruer, Verveer, Rhodes-Conway. Just barely quorum. Alders King and Bidar-Sielaff also joined them.
MISCELLANEOUS (Sorry, no links, I have an early morning meeting but for those looking for something in particular on the agenda, you can find the answers here.)
No public comment
1 - 6 - Personnel personnel issues. No discussion. All pass.
8 - ALERT Madison, text messaging. Passes no discussion.
9 - Library Tech funds, no discussion, passes voice vote.
10 - Hazardous materials, passes no discussion.
11 - Tank program substitute, no discussion. Passes.
13 - MPO office. No discussion, passes.
15 - Shorewood Hills. Passes.
18 - County M & Pleasant View - passes with no discussion
19 - University Ave - no discussion, passes.
20 - 2009 Capital Budget amendments - no discussion, passes.
Move to adjourn - 5:19.
CROSSING GUARD
7 - Crossing Guard - Rhodes-Conway asks why now, not during the budget? There seems to be confusion. Mayor says Traffic Engineering and Arthur Ross are requesting it, no one there to answer questions. No one is there to answer any questions. They suggested moving for referral. Rhodes-Conway said it was ok to pass it and ask questions before the council votes on it.
Passes.
CATHOLIC MULTICULTURAL CENTER
Spending $13,500 from contingent reserve for Catholic Multicultural Center. King and Bidar-Sielaff there to explain.
King says it indicates imporatance of what was happening in that building for the community. Need staff to plan what happens. There is an anonymous donor and the funds will be matched dollar for dollar. Core programs are starting up already and officially Aug 3 including ESL, food pantry and meal programs. This resolution just indicates city support.
Bruer takes a couple minutes and thanks everyone.
No further discussion, passes.
MULTI-SPACE PARKING EQUIMENT
Rhodes-Conway asks about various methods of these multi-space parking meeters - pay and display vs pay by space.
Knobloch explains they chose the type where you put your space number into the machine and do transaction at machine. There were 6 vendors, 1 came in less than projected and happy with it. Pay by space was on W Main & Henry, small machines, same style of operation. 15 will be installed this year (they will replace over 100 individual meters), 70 will be replaced next year which will replace most of rest of stock. Buckeye lot will get them. Two machines there replace 50 units.
Verveer asks about timeline. Knocloch says he got his first complaint about it taking too long last week. Have to negotiate the contract, and then they just need to be programed because they have them in stock. Expect 15 to come this fall, so they can use them over the winter. Almost all are solar, however there are too many transactions at Buckeye Lot so they use AC. 15 will be istalled in 2011. Then 1200 meters replaced, and they only have 1600. Then, every year in cap budget 15 more. The first should be installed by Thanksgiving. They also point out that they can double as bike racks, so there will be more parking spaces.
Passes.
BUS PASSES FOR WORKING POOR
Of course Porchlight got the contract, what else would you expect? There were three applications. The program is calld "Transit for Economic Self Sufficiency Program".
Rhodes-Conway asks how it will be implemented and what did we learn from pilot.
Clingan says that the Transit for Jobs bus tickets are more likely to be disbursed at Job Center and downtown but trying to distribute bus passes in this program at Broadway-Lakepoint, Allied, Meadowood and Centro Gualupe plus homeless consortium. He says all the passes will be used by the end of the year.
Rhodes-Conway asks why different than discounted ride passes.
Clingan says that they won't ask for eligibility. The tickets are targeted towards working poor. They will have to see how successful the program is.
Camp says that this addresses day passes and 10 ride tickets, not people who use monthly passes.
Rhodes-Conway says it is important to cover the range of needs, but we need more communication between the (now three) programs (Transit for Jobs, Transit for Self Efficiency, low-income monthly bus passes) and they should be working seamlessly together. It doesn't make sense to have these two programs. We should be looking at the needs and tailoring the program to the needs, not base it on the methodology of distribution.
Camp says many people can't get enough money together to afford the monthly pass is what they have found. Wants to see them work together.
Clingan says that Porchlight is a member of the low income bus fare committee. He points out that Transit for Jobs (TFJ) is different than Transit for Economic Self Sufficiency (TESS). TFJ was consortium, TESS is more targeted towards working people and getting tickets out to broader geography.
Mayor realizes there is difference between the two programs and he doesn't seem to grasp the difference and asks questions. (Psssst, Mayor, these were both your programs! Ahem, details matter.)
Passes
CDBG UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES
Rhodes-Conway asks to have it explained.
Clingan says its about customer service. He says the office had 3 different underwriting guidelines for programs in their office. Says there is no significant changes, and they are only changing them to be consistent. This was a staff driven request.
Bruer says commission was getting feedback too and thanks staff.
Passes.
WARNER PARK ROOF REPLACEMENT
Bruer asks Briski about history.
Briski says there were issues from the start with leaking. This time snow was heavy and caused issues with roof. They filed a claim with insurance and they are paying for it. Types of materials was a discussion with staff but settled on a replacement roof. Cost of replacement picked up by insurance.
Bruer asks if this is it, Briski says folks are confident this time. Shared design with many people and lots of input.
No further discussion. Passes.
STATE BUDGET IMPACTS
Statz updates the Board of Estimates. He reports last time he was at Board of Estimates they thought there was a $900,000 loss to the city, but now it is up to $1.4 or 1.5M. Tho he qualifies that by saying that there are still lots of formulas to be run and memos to be received before they know the total impact and it may get up to $2M. (This is where part of the budget slip and slide occurs).
Payments for Municipal Services - Biggest change was increased reduction in payments for municipal services - across the board cut and increased to 6% so $555,000 loss instead of predicted $90,000.
Levy Limit - Still need to nail down debt service to figure out levy limit but it will be 3 - 8%. [That's a pretty big range.]
Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP) - ERP is calculated by the value of new construction and inflation. The formula didn't anticipate deflation and so now the formula has a floor of 3%. They think our limit is 4%. Our floor is now $1.5M.
Shared Revenue - There was a $1.1M change.
RTA - RTA is not a binding referendum and they eliminated the provision that said 25% of money would go for roads. Otherwise, same as summarized last time.
Transit Aids - That funding is up $340,000. Highway aids are up $163,000.
Computer aids - Up $200,000 but that is kind of guessing.
Recycling aids - Goes up but favors other municipalities who are doing start up.
Tipping Fees - $160,000 increase this year, $405,000 next year.
Mendoza thanks Andrew Statz, calls him a "one person bureau" - has lots of info, allows us to react and he's a great part of what is a "formidable" team.
Bruer asks what is in store with $2M - Andrew says that he's not the rosy picture guy, hit we took this year could get worse in the future. Says shared revenue relies on fed stimulus ($75M) money so there may be a gap in the future. Current reduction $1.1M. He says he won't be surprised to see budget adjustment bill, but in the past the bills haven't affected the city.
Bruer asks about 911 revenue, Statz says they used a one time source which is the wireless 911 fund. Surcharge on cell phone bills to help with wireless 911 calls. There was a fund and that is what they used to plug some general revenue funding this year and there was a similar amount from a similar account with shared revenue and they used that too. That fund was to prevent lay offs.
Mayor says nonprofit housing issue resolved. [Funny, not for everyone . . . ]
Mayor says they had a pretty good experience with contract lobbyists, better than Alliance of Cities - more effective this way. Doesn't think Madison was singled out and we were treated fairly.
Bruer thanks the Mayor.
STIMULUS UPDATE
Paraino says mostly good news, but not much news.
COPS office will announce by July 21 if we got allocation. Len Simon, fed lobbyists says they are pro-rating the grants so no one community gets turned away. Won't get everything, likely to get something. They also asked for $3M in fiscal year 2010 as well, 1/3 of money being allocated now, thinks our application will roll over, but they are checking on it.
Energy efficiency and conservation block grants, met the June 26 deadline, but so many people filed the application that they crashed the federal computer system, now have til Aug 9 to apply. Looking at applicationss on first come first serve basis. Will hear mid to late august. Funding goes to city, contingent on plan, and so Jeannie and Bill are working on a plan and the public process.
Fire dept station two grant under consideration.
Metro capital grant funding of $9.7M, 10% can be used on operating expenses and that can be used in 2010. So they may purchase one less bus so they have more operating funding or they might swap a hybrid for a conventional bus.
Engineering got stimulus money and earmark for Starkweather Creek and Aberg bridge. They can't use both so they are in process of getting the money reobligated to another project.
CDBG R money will go to the CDBG Commission and they will vote Thursday and plan will be at council Aug 4.
In short, no bad news.
Read more!
The meeting was sparsely attended. Members of the 7 member board of estimates present were Mayor, Bruer, Verveer, Rhodes-Conway. Just barely quorum. Alders King and Bidar-Sielaff also joined them.
MISCELLANEOUS (Sorry, no links, I have an early morning meeting but for those looking for something in particular on the agenda, you can find the answers here.)
No public comment
1 - 6 - Personnel personnel issues. No discussion. All pass.
8 - ALERT Madison, text messaging. Passes no discussion.
9 - Library Tech funds, no discussion, passes voice vote.
10 - Hazardous materials, passes no discussion.
11 - Tank program substitute, no discussion. Passes.
13 - MPO office. No discussion, passes.
15 - Shorewood Hills. Passes.
18 - County M & Pleasant View - passes with no discussion
19 - University Ave - no discussion, passes.
20 - 2009 Capital Budget amendments - no discussion, passes.
Move to adjourn - 5:19.
CROSSING GUARD
7 - Crossing Guard - Rhodes-Conway asks why now, not during the budget? There seems to be confusion. Mayor says Traffic Engineering and Arthur Ross are requesting it, no one there to answer questions. No one is there to answer any questions. They suggested moving for referral. Rhodes-Conway said it was ok to pass it and ask questions before the council votes on it.
Passes.
CATHOLIC MULTICULTURAL CENTER
Spending $13,500 from contingent reserve for Catholic Multicultural Center. King and Bidar-Sielaff there to explain.
King says it indicates imporatance of what was happening in that building for the community. Need staff to plan what happens. There is an anonymous donor and the funds will be matched dollar for dollar. Core programs are starting up already and officially Aug 3 including ESL, food pantry and meal programs. This resolution just indicates city support.
Bruer takes a couple minutes and thanks everyone.
No further discussion, passes.
MULTI-SPACE PARKING EQUIMENT
Rhodes-Conway asks about various methods of these multi-space parking meeters - pay and display vs pay by space.
Knobloch explains they chose the type where you put your space number into the machine and do transaction at machine. There were 6 vendors, 1 came in less than projected and happy with it. Pay by space was on W Main & Henry, small machines, same style of operation. 15 will be installed this year (they will replace over 100 individual meters), 70 will be replaced next year which will replace most of rest of stock. Buckeye lot will get them. Two machines there replace 50 units.
Verveer asks about timeline. Knocloch says he got his first complaint about it taking too long last week. Have to negotiate the contract, and then they just need to be programed because they have them in stock. Expect 15 to come this fall, so they can use them over the winter. Almost all are solar, however there are too many transactions at Buckeye Lot so they use AC. 15 will be istalled in 2011. Then 1200 meters replaced, and they only have 1600. Then, every year in cap budget 15 more. The first should be installed by Thanksgiving. They also point out that they can double as bike racks, so there will be more parking spaces.
Passes.
BUS PASSES FOR WORKING POOR
Of course Porchlight got the contract, what else would you expect? There were three applications. The program is calld "Transit for Economic Self Sufficiency Program".
Rhodes-Conway asks how it will be implemented and what did we learn from pilot.
Clingan says that the Transit for Jobs bus tickets are more likely to be disbursed at Job Center and downtown but trying to distribute bus passes in this program at Broadway-Lakepoint, Allied, Meadowood and Centro Gualupe plus homeless consortium. He says all the passes will be used by the end of the year.
Rhodes-Conway asks why different than discounted ride passes.
Clingan says that they won't ask for eligibility. The tickets are targeted towards working poor. They will have to see how successful the program is.
Camp says that this addresses day passes and 10 ride tickets, not people who use monthly passes.
Rhodes-Conway says it is important to cover the range of needs, but we need more communication between the (now three) programs (Transit for Jobs, Transit for Self Efficiency, low-income monthly bus passes) and they should be working seamlessly together. It doesn't make sense to have these two programs. We should be looking at the needs and tailoring the program to the needs, not base it on the methodology of distribution.
Camp says many people can't get enough money together to afford the monthly pass is what they have found. Wants to see them work together.
Clingan says that Porchlight is a member of the low income bus fare committee. He points out that Transit for Jobs (TFJ) is different than Transit for Economic Self Sufficiency (TESS). TFJ was consortium, TESS is more targeted towards working people and getting tickets out to broader geography.
Mayor realizes there is difference between the two programs and he doesn't seem to grasp the difference and asks questions. (Psssst, Mayor, these were both your programs! Ahem, details matter.)
Passes
CDBG UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES
Rhodes-Conway asks to have it explained.
Clingan says its about customer service. He says the office had 3 different underwriting guidelines for programs in their office. Says there is no significant changes, and they are only changing them to be consistent. This was a staff driven request.
Bruer says commission was getting feedback too and thanks staff.
Passes.
WARNER PARK ROOF REPLACEMENT
Bruer asks Briski about history.
Briski says there were issues from the start with leaking. This time snow was heavy and caused issues with roof. They filed a claim with insurance and they are paying for it. Types of materials was a discussion with staff but settled on a replacement roof. Cost of replacement picked up by insurance.
Bruer asks if this is it, Briski says folks are confident this time. Shared design with many people and lots of input.
No further discussion. Passes.
STATE BUDGET IMPACTS
Statz updates the Board of Estimates. He reports last time he was at Board of Estimates they thought there was a $900,000 loss to the city, but now it is up to $1.4 or 1.5M. Tho he qualifies that by saying that there are still lots of formulas to be run and memos to be received before they know the total impact and it may get up to $2M. (This is where part of the budget slip and slide occurs).
Payments for Municipal Services - Biggest change was increased reduction in payments for municipal services - across the board cut and increased to 6% so $555,000 loss instead of predicted $90,000.
Levy Limit - Still need to nail down debt service to figure out levy limit but it will be 3 - 8%. [That's a pretty big range.]
Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP) - ERP is calculated by the value of new construction and inflation. The formula didn't anticipate deflation and so now the formula has a floor of 3%. They think our limit is 4%. Our floor is now $1.5M.
Shared Revenue - There was a $1.1M change.
RTA - RTA is not a binding referendum and they eliminated the provision that said 25% of money would go for roads. Otherwise, same as summarized last time.
Transit Aids - That funding is up $340,000. Highway aids are up $163,000.
Computer aids - Up $200,000 but that is kind of guessing.
Recycling aids - Goes up but favors other municipalities who are doing start up.
Tipping Fees - $160,000 increase this year, $405,000 next year.
Mendoza thanks Andrew Statz, calls him a "one person bureau" - has lots of info, allows us to react and he's a great part of what is a "formidable" team.
Bruer asks what is in store with $2M - Andrew says that he's not the rosy picture guy, hit we took this year could get worse in the future. Says shared revenue relies on fed stimulus ($75M) money so there may be a gap in the future. Current reduction $1.1M. He says he won't be surprised to see budget adjustment bill, but in the past the bills haven't affected the city.
Bruer asks about 911 revenue, Statz says they used a one time source which is the wireless 911 fund. Surcharge on cell phone bills to help with wireless 911 calls. There was a fund and that is what they used to plug some general revenue funding this year and there was a similar amount from a similar account with shared revenue and they used that too. That fund was to prevent lay offs.
Mayor says nonprofit housing issue resolved. [Funny, not for everyone . . . ]
Mayor says they had a pretty good experience with contract lobbyists, better than Alliance of Cities - more effective this way. Doesn't think Madison was singled out and we were treated fairly.
Bruer thanks the Mayor.
STIMULUS UPDATE
Paraino says mostly good news, but not much news.
COPS office will announce by July 21 if we got allocation. Len Simon, fed lobbyists says they are pro-rating the grants so no one community gets turned away. Won't get everything, likely to get something. They also asked for $3M in fiscal year 2010 as well, 1/3 of money being allocated now, thinks our application will roll over, but they are checking on it.
Energy efficiency and conservation block grants, met the June 26 deadline, but so many people filed the application that they crashed the federal computer system, now have til Aug 9 to apply. Looking at applicationss on first come first serve basis. Will hear mid to late august. Funding goes to city, contingent on plan, and so Jeannie and Bill are working on a plan and the public process.
Fire dept station two grant under consideration.
Metro capital grant funding of $9.7M, 10% can be used on operating expenses and that can be used in 2010. So they may purchase one less bus so they have more operating funding or they might swap a hybrid for a conventional bus.
Engineering got stimulus money and earmark for Starkweather Creek and Aberg bridge. They can't use both so they are in process of getting the money reobligated to another project.
CDBG R money will go to the CDBG Commission and they will vote Thursday and plan will be at council Aug 4.
In short, no bad news.
Read more!
Possible Housing Solutions
After brainstorming the various housing issues in the areas of tenant/landlord, homelessness, discrimination and affordable housing/development the three groups brainstormed possible solutions to the issues identified. This was a brainstorming session and the issues are organized by the most votes they got by category and the items within the most votes in each category are listed first. This is my no means an exact science and the next step is to have the group look at the solutions, see if there are things missing after looking at what issues the other groups identified. And then looking at which issues are viable for our community. So, without further adieu, here they are!
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Permanent Supportive Housing
- Mixed use projects cooperatively managed developed with social programs
- Moratorium on rent increases
- More subsidized/transitional/affordable housing – funding, political will, economic incentives
- Lower rents/higher rent subsidies
- More subsidized/transitional/affordable housing – more government housing
- Explore modular housing (ways to build cheaper)
- More subsidized/transitional/affordable housing – tax breaks
- Create more affordable housing
HOUSING FIRST/RAPID REHOUSING
- More Housing First Programs
- Implement “Housing First” – for families and people with children
- Funding for housing first and harm reduction models for folks not ready for treatment
- Building capacity in rapid rehousing
SHELTER MANAGEMENT ISSUES
- Complaint system for shelter residents – independent 3rd party grievance procedure or “shelter laws”
- More holistic shelter intake and assessment; connection & access & referrals to benefits & treatment
- Confront boards/non-profits about grievances
GET POLITICAL/ORGANIZING
- Get more low-income people on city committees
- Community organization and leadership – train people most affected
- “lobby day” regarding affordable housing/homelessness
- Have a public hearing (about homelessness/affordable housing)
- “Gang up” on politicians – do a report card on housing, shame them
- New elected officials
- Letter writing campaign to politicians and getting people more involved/rallies
- Put pressure on politicians (eg. MUM rally)
- Get those who are affected more involved
- Get people involved – get them to do something
- Leadership development/organizing
SAFETY/POLICE ISSUES
- Change debate from safety to creating opportunity
- Improving police policies with respect to t/ll disputes & d.v.
FUNDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Collaborative Lobbying for stimulus $ for affordable housing, Fed etc
- Incentive for developers/way for developers to borrow cheaper
- Take advantage of stimulus money in relation to foreclosures
FAIR HOUSING
- Challenge discrimination based on conviction record
- Private right of action in county fair housing ordinance
- More resources to fair housing
COURT RECORDS
- More public oversight of CCAP – complaints, problems, improvements
- County opt out of CCAP – right to know who is looking you up on CCAP
SERVICES
- Funding city housing staff – Spanish speaking, hotline?, outreach, education, eliminating barriers
- More social programs
- More case managers
- More complete outreach on the street – workers
CO-OPS/CO-HOUSING
- Zoning code rewrite for co-ops/co-housing, redefine family, political will
- Establishment of equity co-ops and expansion of types of co-ops
- Co-op housing/co housing
TENANT/LANDLORD & LEASE ISSUES
- % limits on other fees in leases + rental terms. More standard lease form – charges/fees are clear, not hidden
- Enforce LL/Tenant laws – landlords and set up enforcement mechanism
- Landlord licensing
- Cap or eliminate credits for lease compliance – abused
- Fund efforts to educate and enforce tenants’ rights
TREATMENT
- Fund more treatment slots – at all levels of treatment intensity
- Adequate universal health insurance for mental health and everything
- Longer duration of treatment
- Treatment of dual diagnosis at same time
NEIGHBORHOOD/PLANNING ISSUES
- Creating a minimum/base of commitment to including of supportive housing within neighborhoods – re-framing it
- Affordable Housing in high income neighborhoods
- Rewriting zoning code
JOBS
- Day labor site and access to services at that site (accessible and not for profit) cooperative non-profit?
- Employment
HOMEOWNERSHIP
- Re-introduce something like small cap TIF
PUBLIC EDUCATION
- Education on what spending on homeless
- Awareness/education
- Journalism school/unpaid internships/PSA campaigns/education
MISC
- Raise beer tax
- Client choice
- Look at other models (countries, cities, etc)
- Keep shelter funding – don’t take it for other programs
- Mandatory appeal process for denial of housing
- Increase penalties
- Right of first refusal
- Tapping into UW
Stay tuned for when we have the next meeting sometime in August.
Read more!
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Permanent Supportive Housing
- Mixed use projects cooperatively managed developed with social programs
- Moratorium on rent increases
- More subsidized/transitional/affordable housing – funding, political will, economic incentives
- Lower rents/higher rent subsidies
- More subsidized/transitional/affordable housing – more government housing
- Explore modular housing (ways to build cheaper)
- More subsidized/transitional/affordable housing – tax breaks
- Create more affordable housing
HOUSING FIRST/RAPID REHOUSING
- More Housing First Programs
- Implement “Housing First” – for families and people with children
- Funding for housing first and harm reduction models for folks not ready for treatment
- Building capacity in rapid rehousing
SHELTER MANAGEMENT ISSUES
- Complaint system for shelter residents – independent 3rd party grievance procedure or “shelter laws”
- More holistic shelter intake and assessment; connection & access & referrals to benefits & treatment
- Confront boards/non-profits about grievances
GET POLITICAL/ORGANIZING
- Get more low-income people on city committees
- Community organization and leadership – train people most affected
- “lobby day” regarding affordable housing/homelessness
- Have a public hearing (about homelessness/affordable housing)
- “Gang up” on politicians – do a report card on housing, shame them
- New elected officials
- Letter writing campaign to politicians and getting people more involved/rallies
- Put pressure on politicians (eg. MUM rally)
- Get those who are affected more involved
- Get people involved – get them to do something
- Leadership development/organizing
SAFETY/POLICE ISSUES
- Change debate from safety to creating opportunity
- Improving police policies with respect to t/ll disputes & d.v.
FUNDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Collaborative Lobbying for stimulus $ for affordable housing, Fed etc
- Incentive for developers/way for developers to borrow cheaper
- Take advantage of stimulus money in relation to foreclosures
FAIR HOUSING
- Challenge discrimination based on conviction record
- Private right of action in county fair housing ordinance
- More resources to fair housing
COURT RECORDS
- More public oversight of CCAP – complaints, problems, improvements
- County opt out of CCAP – right to know who is looking you up on CCAP
SERVICES
- Funding city housing staff – Spanish speaking, hotline?, outreach, education, eliminating barriers
- More social programs
- More case managers
- More complete outreach on the street – workers
CO-OPS/CO-HOUSING
- Zoning code rewrite for co-ops/co-housing, redefine family, political will
- Establishment of equity co-ops and expansion of types of co-ops
- Co-op housing/co housing
TENANT/LANDLORD & LEASE ISSUES
- % limits on other fees in leases + rental terms. More standard lease form – charges/fees are clear, not hidden
- Enforce LL/Tenant laws – landlords and set up enforcement mechanism
- Landlord licensing
- Cap or eliminate credits for lease compliance – abused
- Fund efforts to educate and enforce tenants’ rights
TREATMENT
- Fund more treatment slots – at all levels of treatment intensity
- Adequate universal health insurance for mental health and everything
- Longer duration of treatment
- Treatment of dual diagnosis at same time
NEIGHBORHOOD/PLANNING ISSUES
- Creating a minimum/base of commitment to including of supportive housing within neighborhoods – re-framing it
- Affordable Housing in high income neighborhoods
- Rewriting zoning code
JOBS
- Day labor site and access to services at that site (accessible and not for profit) cooperative non-profit?
- Employment
HOMEOWNERSHIP
- Re-introduce something like small cap TIF
PUBLIC EDUCATION
- Education on what spending on homeless
- Awareness/education
- Journalism school/unpaid internships/PSA campaigns/education
MISC
- Raise beer tax
- Client choice
- Look at other models (countries, cities, etc)
- Keep shelter funding – don’t take it for other programs
- Mandatory appeal process for denial of housing
- Increase penalties
- Right of first refusal
- Tapping into UW
Stay tuned for when we have the next meeting sometime in August.
Read more!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
James Madison Park Shoreline Reconstruction
Slowly but surely, after years of fighting for funding for James Madison Park . . . and then fighting with staff to actually find time to spend it . . .
Please join the Madison Parks Division at a short informational meeting where preliminary plans will be shown for the reconstruction of a part of the shoreline at James Madison Park. The southern limits of the shoreline repair starts just north of the beach. The northern limits of the shoreline repair will be the approximate center line of Blount St. extended. The project limits include the piers and staging area in front of the Bernard Boathouse.
The meeting will be held at the City of Madison Parks Division's Gates of Heaven Synagogue at 302 E. Gorham St., at 5:15 PM on Tuesday, July 21st.
Read more!
Please join the Madison Parks Division at a short informational meeting where preliminary plans will be shown for the reconstruction of a part of the shoreline at James Madison Park. The southern limits of the shoreline repair starts just north of the beach. The northern limits of the shoreline repair will be the approximate center line of Blount St. extended. The project limits include the piers and staging area in front of the Bernard Boathouse.
The meeting will be held at the City of Madison Parks Division's Gates of Heaven Synagogue at 302 E. Gorham St., at 5:15 PM on Tuesday, July 21st.
Read more!
Here we go again . . . the budget slip and slide!
WORST BUDGET YEAR EVER!!! The 10 steps we all must go through.
Ok, so you know the routine by now.
1. Mayor declares it the worst budget year ever.
2. Asks agencies except police and fire for drastic cuts. Given Dean's story that memo should be coming out today. Small agencies are impacted the worst. Police end up with more money for fill in the blank. (My guess is gang prevention is this year's pick up.) And even if the council votes no, the police will get what they want one way or the other.
3. Some agencies take the assignment seriously, some just play silly reindeer games.
4. The Mayor picks and chooses which items to cut, but all those services that lead to a high quality of life in Madison are cut slightly, not getting needed cost of living increases. Worse yet, many of the programs that could help with our issues in neighborhoods like Meadowood are cut in favor of police services.
5. The non-profits all show up, fighting for their meager crumbs. Yes, even tho the decisions are supposedly now made outside the budget process, if they're cutting 6% everyone knows who will be getting cut.
6. Mayor whines that the non-profits are just self-serving and he's tired of listening to the non-profits, despite his recent call for their help. I wonder which Executive Directors rushed forward to kiss his ass.
7. Council falls all over itself cutting $5,000 here and $10,000 there and ignoring substantial cuts (remember the whole "shut Brenda up" incident).
8. Everyone ignores the dirty little secret of the capital budget, but the Mayor seems to be catching on, but still ignoring the consequences:
10. Mayor and mayor's staff congratulate themselves for the hard work they have done and we all move on til next year when we lather, rinse and repeat.
Yes, this is how we ended up with bus fare increases, despite the news that we have an additional $900,000 coming from stimulus money for operating expenses for Madison Metro for 2010 and the decreased fuel costs.
Could it be that the Mayor has cried wolf one too many times? Could this be the year that all the threats are real? Or will it be more of the same where the sacred cows get everything they want and less favored agencies make valiant attempts and we end up with one staff person (low on the rung) doing the job of three?
This is an absurd process, with absurd outcomes. Interspersed with ridiculous public displays of hand wringing and attempts to make it look like this is not what is going on. I wonder what funding will be the target this year? And who will suffer as a result? Will the council stand up, or roll over? Who's the Mayor going to set up as his rival without Zach and I on the council? Will the council be given useful information, or will they again be faced with a treasure hunt of the silliest kind? The next 3 - 4 months will be entertaining and a little sad and scary to watch. So hang on, it should be a wild ride if the council does its job! But we'll all end up at the bottom of the slip and slide.
Read more!
Ok, so you know the routine by now.
1. Mayor declares it the worst budget year ever.
2. Asks agencies except police and fire for drastic cuts. Given Dean's story that memo should be coming out today. Small agencies are impacted the worst. Police end up with more money for fill in the blank. (My guess is gang prevention is this year's pick up.) And even if the council votes no, the police will get what they want one way or the other.
3. Some agencies take the assignment seriously, some just play silly reindeer games.
4. The Mayor picks and chooses which items to cut, but all those services that lead to a high quality of life in Madison are cut slightly, not getting needed cost of living increases. Worse yet, many of the programs that could help with our issues in neighborhoods like Meadowood are cut in favor of police services.
5. The non-profits all show up, fighting for their meager crumbs. Yes, even tho the decisions are supposedly now made outside the budget process, if they're cutting 6% everyone knows who will be getting cut.
6. Mayor whines that the non-profits are just self-serving and he's tired of listening to the non-profits, despite his recent call for their help. I wonder which Executive Directors rushed forward to kiss his ass.
7. Council falls all over itself cutting $5,000 here and $10,000 there and ignoring substantial cuts (remember the whole "shut Brenda up" incident).
8. Everyone ignores the dirty little secret of the capital budget, but the Mayor seems to be catching on, but still ignoring the consequences:
The biggest cost increase — $6 million more in debt payments — is caused mostly by street maintenance, the mayor said. He said he hopes to save money by delaying some projects in 2009 and having agencies cut requests for 2010.9. A MIRACLE!! The Mayor "finds" half a million dollars (the total operating budget is $238M so that's less than 1%), the world is saved, non-profits get no cola increases, police get more money, most agencies stay relatively the same.
But Cieslewicz still is open to building a new Downtown library.
10. Mayor and mayor's staff congratulate themselves for the hard work they have done and we all move on til next year when we lather, rinse and repeat.
Yes, this is how we ended up with bus fare increases, despite the news that we have an additional $900,000 coming from stimulus money for operating expenses for Madison Metro for 2010 and the decreased fuel costs.
Could it be that the Mayor has cried wolf one too many times? Could this be the year that all the threats are real? Or will it be more of the same where the sacred cows get everything they want and less favored agencies make valiant attempts and we end up with one staff person (low on the rung) doing the job of three?
This is an absurd process, with absurd outcomes. Interspersed with ridiculous public displays of hand wringing and attempts to make it look like this is not what is going on. I wonder what funding will be the target this year? And who will suffer as a result? Will the council stand up, or roll over? Who's the Mayor going to set up as his rival without Zach and I on the council? Will the council be given useful information, or will they again be faced with a treasure hunt of the silliest kind? The next 3 - 4 months will be entertaining and a little sad and scary to watch. So hang on, it should be a wild ride if the council does its job! But we'll all end up at the bottom of the slip and slide.
Read more!
No More Coal! 600 E Washington
No, not MG&E . . . it's the state heat and power plant . . .
The Wisconsin Department of Administration is switching its Capitol Heat and Power Plant (600 block of E. Washington Avenue) from coal to natural gas and ultra-low sulfur distillate oil. An Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared, and as part of that process, a scoping meeting has been scheduled:
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
6:00 p.m.
Department of Administration Building
101 E. Wilson Street
La Croix Room, First Floor
The details, for those of you who follow these kinds of things:
Read more!
The Wisconsin Department of Administration is switching its Capitol Heat and Power Plant (600 block of E. Washington Avenue) from coal to natural gas and ultra-low sulfur distillate oil. An Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared, and as part of that process, a scoping meeting has been scheduled:
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
6:00 p.m.
Department of Administration Building
101 E. Wilson Street
La Croix Room, First Floor
The details, for those of you who follow these kinds of things:
Changes to the plant will include the installation of four new gas and oil burners to replace two existing coal/gas burners and two gas/oil burners and the installation of 3,000 tons of electric chilled water capacity. The existing steam driven centrifugal chiller and two of the exiting absorption chillers will be demolished. The project will construct a chilled water storage tower and install a new CHPP boiler/chiller digital control system. The existing 1.5 MW steam turbine generators will be evaluated for future potential use along with the emergency generator. Ancillary equipment necessary to run the plant will be included, such as water treatment equipment, feed water pumps, compressed air, and condensate collection.
Read more!
A People's Vision - Affordable Housing and Development Issues
This one, the issue is obvious, so it was also a little hard to brainstorm around.
Here are the items that got the most votes:
- Lack of economic incentive
- Co-op housing/cohousing
- Lack of political will in “city hall” and county
- Long waiting lists for subsidized and transitional housing
- Ineffective government policy
- More TIF $ for affordable housing and less for other developers, less TIF use for high-end housing
- Lack of public transit & connecting housing and jobs, infrastructure/transportation/access to retail and services
- Profit & Non-profit partnerships lacking
These had a few votes
- Zoning code
- Financing options
- Racism and classism
- Property Tax Exemption
- Lack of county and state trust fund
- Lack of paid sick leave
- Not enough section 8 vouchers, projects, public housing, supportive housing
- Stronger requirements - # of units – affordable – larger units, 3 br+; very low income
- NIMBYism, stigma, Resistance to mix-income neighborhoods
- Predatory lending
- Lack of affordable housing in “desirable” areas
- Lack of revenue stream for city trust fund
- Lack of minimum requirement of affordable housing units w/in a neighborhood
- Lack of living wage
- Mobile home protections – need some more!
- Nimbyism regarding affordable housing
- Some communities more acceptive
These received no votes:
- First time homeownership
- Surplus of high-end housing (increase tax base)
- Metrics of growth, necessary?
- Quality of existing affordable housing pool, building inspections
- Cost of development of accessible housing
- Condo conversions – fees set artificially low, no reserve fund, special assessments
- Predatory practices – bad financial products, scams
- Distribution of Development
- Family size & ages
- Madison elitist city/culture
- Increased access to home loans
- Definition of affordable housing
- Lack of subsidies – developers or renters
Again, let us know what we missed.
Read more!
Here are the items that got the most votes:
- Lack of economic incentive
- Co-op housing/cohousing
- Lack of political will in “city hall” and county
- Long waiting lists for subsidized and transitional housing
- Ineffective government policy
- More TIF $ for affordable housing and less for other developers, less TIF use for high-end housing
- Lack of public transit & connecting housing and jobs, infrastructure/transportation/access to retail and services
- Profit & Non-profit partnerships lacking
These had a few votes
- Zoning code
- Financing options
- Racism and classism
- Property Tax Exemption
- Lack of county and state trust fund
- Lack of paid sick leave
- Not enough section 8 vouchers, projects, public housing, supportive housing
- Stronger requirements - # of units – affordable – larger units, 3 br+; very low income
- NIMBYism, stigma, Resistance to mix-income neighborhoods
- Predatory lending
- Lack of affordable housing in “desirable” areas
- Lack of revenue stream for city trust fund
- Lack of minimum requirement of affordable housing units w/in a neighborhood
- Lack of living wage
- Mobile home protections – need some more!
- Nimbyism regarding affordable housing
- Some communities more acceptive
These received no votes:
- First time homeownership
- Surplus of high-end housing (increase tax base)
- Metrics of growth, necessary?
- Quality of existing affordable housing pool, building inspections
- Cost of development of accessible housing
- Condo conversions – fees set artificially low, no reserve fund, special assessments
- Predatory practices – bad financial products, scams
- Distribution of Development
- Family size & ages
- Madison elitist city/culture
- Increased access to home loans
- Definition of affordable housing
- Lack of subsidies – developers or renters
Again, let us know what we missed.
Read more!
A People's Vision - Discrimination Issues
This was hard to brainstorm, because people just wanted to list the various types of discrimination and protected classes.
These are the items getting the most votes:
- Criminal record/Criminal background
- Landlords unevenly enforce rules – varies with size of landlord - Private landlord v management company
- Discrimination against marginalized groups, DV victims, LEP & non-English speaking, Social discrimination, Discrimination against renters, low income, Credit discrimination – pretext, rigid screening criteria
- Not enough understanding by landlords and tenants about fair housing laws, Untrained, misinformed managers of property, even in public housing, Landlord education, tenant education
- CCAP- misleading, mis-used
- Section 8
These items got fewer votes:
- Lack of enforcement
- Nimbyism
- Not enough testing
- Pockets of Poverty
- Fear of reporting – retaliation, lack of enforcement
- Subtlety/Subtle racism
- Race
These items got no votes:
- Steering based on family status
- Mentally ill
- Lack of accessible housing
- Arrest & conviction records – ordinance is confusing
- Fear to exercise discretion based on individual circumstances
- Improperly motivated references
- Require 6 month leases
- Past rental history
- Rent increases
- Families with children
- Steering
- Disability
- Landlords treat students better
- Screening of applicants
- Earnest money/application fees
Again, let us know what we missed!
Read more!
These are the items getting the most votes:
- Criminal record/Criminal background
- Landlords unevenly enforce rules – varies with size of landlord - Private landlord v management company
- Discrimination against marginalized groups, DV victims, LEP & non-English speaking, Social discrimination, Discrimination against renters, low income, Credit discrimination – pretext, rigid screening criteria
- Not enough understanding by landlords and tenants about fair housing laws, Untrained, misinformed managers of property, even in public housing, Landlord education, tenant education
- CCAP- misleading, mis-used
- Section 8
These items got fewer votes:
- Lack of enforcement
- Nimbyism
- Not enough testing
- Pockets of Poverty
- Fear of reporting – retaliation, lack of enforcement
- Subtlety/Subtle racism
- Race
These items got no votes:
- Steering based on family status
- Mentally ill
- Lack of accessible housing
- Arrest & conviction records – ordinance is confusing
- Fear to exercise discretion based on individual circumstances
- Improperly motivated references
- Require 6 month leases
- Past rental history
- Rent increases
- Families with children
- Steering
- Disability
- Landlords treat students better
- Screening of applicants
- Earnest money/application fees
Again, let us know what we missed!
Read more!
A People's Vision - Homelessness Issues
This was one of the topic areas with the most responses . . .
These are the items that got the most responses:
- Need for rapid rehousing/housing first
- Lack of SRO housing and transitional housing, Destruction/low stock of SROs
- Stigma associated with being homeless in search of housing – with police and community, criminalization of homelessness, scapegoating, targeting homelessness, Ignorance about homeless
- Lack of treatment – mental health, AODA, dual diagnosis, Lack of health care/mental health, facilities and insurance, Untreated mental health/drug/alcohol
- Lack of employment options, Lack of entry level jobs
- Lacking re-entry options, Lack of housing for ex-offenders
- Daytime shelter
- Problems with shelter management, mistreatment in shelter, Shelter Standards
- No safety net, time to get SSI, benefits takes too long; no general assistance
- Not enough shelter space, even overflow, More shelter & shelter options
- Subsidized housing application/search – red tape
- Lack of permanent supportive housing and case management
- “Wet” shelter
- Barrier for searching for work without facilities (showers, laundry, etc), Hygiene
- Subsidized housing “criteria”/procedures limiting
- Under-reporting of homelessness, Lack of visibility, uncounted homeless
Only received one or two votes
- Classism/racism
- More supportive services for those in shelter & moving out, Easy access to services
- Lack of affordable housing and rental increases
- Lack of transit – affordable, public
- NIMBYism
- Hard to take help (humiliation/pride)
- Limits on time in shelter, permanent bans from shelter
- Transitional housing – stricter rules, no time limit, nicer
- Lack of consensus/no agreement in community about homelessness
Items brainstormed which received no votes:
- Deaths/hospitalization + Death of homeless, lack of community response, coroner
- Rape – victimization of homeless
- Disparate treatment for families vs single homeless
- Destruction/low stock of SROs
- Nimby
- Lack of financial education
- Faith-based services
- Giving up on people too quickly
- Impact on children/education
- Lack of storage
- Where to put pets
- Lack of vouchers
Feel free to let us know what we missed!
Read more!
These are the items that got the most responses:
- Need for rapid rehousing/housing first
- Lack of SRO housing and transitional housing, Destruction/low stock of SROs
- Stigma associated with being homeless in search of housing – with police and community, criminalization of homelessness, scapegoating, targeting homelessness, Ignorance about homeless
- Lack of treatment – mental health, AODA, dual diagnosis, Lack of health care/mental health, facilities and insurance, Untreated mental health/drug/alcohol
- Lack of employment options, Lack of entry level jobs
- Lacking re-entry options, Lack of housing for ex-offenders
- Daytime shelter
- Problems with shelter management, mistreatment in shelter, Shelter Standards
- No safety net, time to get SSI, benefits takes too long; no general assistance
- Not enough shelter space, even overflow, More shelter & shelter options
- Subsidized housing application/search – red tape
- Lack of permanent supportive housing and case management
- “Wet” shelter
- Barrier for searching for work without facilities (showers, laundry, etc), Hygiene
- Subsidized housing “criteria”/procedures limiting
- Under-reporting of homelessness, Lack of visibility, uncounted homeless
Only received one or two votes
- Classism/racism
- More supportive services for those in shelter & moving out, Easy access to services
- Lack of affordable housing and rental increases
- Lack of transit – affordable, public
- NIMBYism
- Hard to take help (humiliation/pride)
- Limits on time in shelter, permanent bans from shelter
- Transitional housing – stricter rules, no time limit, nicer
- Lack of consensus/no agreement in community about homelessness
Items brainstormed which received no votes:
- Deaths/hospitalization + Death of homeless, lack of community response, coroner
- Rape – victimization of homeless
- Disparate treatment for families vs single homeless
- Destruction/low stock of SROs
- Nimby
- Lack of financial education
- Faith-based services
- Giving up on people too quickly
- Impact on children/education
- Lack of storage
- Where to put pets
- Lack of vouchers
Feel free to let us know what we missed!
Read more!
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Robust Meeting Schedule Week Ahead
This is very, very frustrating, not being able to access the agendas this morning . . .
Monday, July 13, 2009
9:00 AM SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE PRIVATE SECTOR WORK GROUP CONFERENCE CALL ROOM 107A CCB
- Once again, no freaking agenda. Seriously, this is about the third time!
4:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 501 CCB
- Special meeting to discuss new personnel rules.
4:30 PM BOARD OF ESTIMATES ROOM 260 MMB
- Raises in the Mayor's office and changes to structure of CDBG office
- Text messaging cost too much and they need to allocate more money
- City giving money for the staff of the Catholic Multicultural Center
- Changes to CDBG lending practices, city no longer would get money back when lending money
- Impacts of state budget
- Local stimulus impacts
4:45 PM LANDMARKS COMMISSION ROOM LL-130 MMB
- The Majestic fees exemption
- Increased penalties
5:15 PM MADISON BOARD OF POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY, 201 W MIFFLIN
- There is no agenda listed, which I believe must make their meeting illegal.
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL PRESENTATION ON CENTRAL LIBRARY PROPOSAL ROOM 260 MMB
- Mayor will present his visions, then the library board members, a little primer on the future of libraries and they are only talking about one choice, the Fiore proposal, the idea of rehabbing the current library is not on the agenda. Hopefully they televise this because it is right after the Board of Estimates meeting.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
4:30 PM MADISON ELECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ROOM 103 CCB
- Government Accountability Board Early Voting Proposal as well as initial talks about redistricting.
5:00 PM AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMISSION ROOM LL-120 MMB
- Should Affirmative Action Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission be able to introduce their own items without a Aldermanic or Mayoral sponsor?
5:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW COMMITTEE ROOM 525 CCB
- Increasing fines for aggressive panhandling and trespass
- Police staffing report (not currently available on-line, but they might link it later or not!)
5:00 PM TRANSIT AND PARKING COMMISSION ROOM 260 MMB
- Closing some bus stops on the Isthmus
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
8:00 AM EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Interesting, I'd love to hear the Mayor's budget announcement
10:30 AM MINORITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (MAC) ROOM LL-130 MMB
- Should AA and EOC be able to introduce items to the council?
- Committees and appointments (gender, disability and race)
5:30 PM BOARD OF EDUCATION - COMMON COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE ROOM 103A CCB
- I continue to be disappointed that we can't find more meaningful and innovative ways to collaborate with each other.
5:35 PM COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE WATER UTILITY OFFICES, 119 E OLIN AVE
- Again with the Mayor's announcement, I wonder how bad it will be this year? And why isn't the announcement available?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
4:00 PM HOUSING DIVERSITY PLANNING AD HOC COMMITTEE ROOM 260 MMB
Worst agenda ever. After they elect a chair, they will discuss "Explanation of Informational Materials Distributed" - materials of course, not available to the public. WTF?
5:00 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMITTEE WARNER PARK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER, 1625 NORTHPORT DR
- Security cameras for homeless shelter
- HPRP (eviction prevention and rent assistance funding)
- Other stimulus money decisions
5:30 PM DOWNTOWN COORDINATING COMMITTEE ROOM 108 CCB
- Hotel study discussion (study not available linked to the agenda)
I probably shouldn't have thanked the staff for fixing the legistar system so early in the morning, took much longer today . . . so that is why some agendas don't have links to the items and this post was done a little hastily.
Read more!
Monday, July 13, 2009
9:00 AM SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE PRIVATE SECTOR WORK GROUP CONFERENCE CALL ROOM 107A CCB
- Once again, no freaking agenda. Seriously, this is about the third time!
4:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 501 CCB
- Special meeting to discuss new personnel rules.
4:30 PM BOARD OF ESTIMATES ROOM 260 MMB
- Raises in the Mayor's office and changes to structure of CDBG office
- Text messaging cost too much and they need to allocate more money
- City giving money for the staff of the Catholic Multicultural Center
- Changes to CDBG lending practices, city no longer would get money back when lending money
- Impacts of state budget
- Local stimulus impacts
4:45 PM LANDMARKS COMMISSION ROOM LL-130 MMB
- The Majestic fees exemption
- Increased penalties
5:15 PM MADISON BOARD OF POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY, 201 W MIFFLIN
- There is no agenda listed, which I believe must make their meeting illegal.
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL PRESENTATION ON CENTRAL LIBRARY PROPOSAL ROOM 260 MMB
- Mayor will present his visions, then the library board members, a little primer on the future of libraries and they are only talking about one choice, the Fiore proposal, the idea of rehabbing the current library is not on the agenda. Hopefully they televise this because it is right after the Board of Estimates meeting.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
4:30 PM MADISON ELECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ROOM 103 CCB
- Government Accountability Board Early Voting Proposal as well as initial talks about redistricting.
5:00 PM AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMISSION ROOM LL-120 MMB
- Should Affirmative Action Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission be able to introduce their own items without a Aldermanic or Mayoral sponsor?
5:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW COMMITTEE ROOM 525 CCB
- Increasing fines for aggressive panhandling and trespass
- Police staffing report (not currently available on-line, but they might link it later or not!)
5:00 PM TRANSIT AND PARKING COMMISSION ROOM 260 MMB
- Closing some bus stops on the Isthmus
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
8:00 AM EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Interesting, I'd love to hear the Mayor's budget announcement
10:30 AM MINORITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (MAC) ROOM LL-130 MMB
- Should AA and EOC be able to introduce items to the council?
- Committees and appointments (gender, disability and race)
5:30 PM BOARD OF EDUCATION - COMMON COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE ROOM 103A CCB
- I continue to be disappointed that we can't find more meaningful and innovative ways to collaborate with each other.
5:35 PM COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE WATER UTILITY OFFICES, 119 E OLIN AVE
- Again with the Mayor's announcement, I wonder how bad it will be this year? And why isn't the announcement available?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
4:00 PM HOUSING DIVERSITY PLANNING AD HOC COMMITTEE ROOM 260 MMB
Worst agenda ever. After they elect a chair, they will discuss "Explanation of Informational Materials Distributed" - materials of course, not available to the public. WTF?
5:00 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMITTEE WARNER PARK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER, 1625 NORTHPORT DR
- Security cameras for homeless shelter
- HPRP (eviction prevention and rent assistance funding)
- Other stimulus money decisions
5:30 PM DOWNTOWN COORDINATING COMMITTEE ROOM 108 CCB
- Hotel study discussion (study not available linked to the agenda)
I probably shouldn't have thanked the staff for fixing the legistar system so early in the morning, took much longer today . . . so that is why some agendas don't have links to the items and this post was done a little hastily.
Read more!
A People's Vision - Tenant/Landlord Issues
I still don't have all the notes done, but this is a start!
Just a little background to get you started if you weren't there. About 30 people attended and we broke into three groups and people were asked to brainstorm issues in four different categories: Tenant/Landlord, Homelessness, Affordable Housing/Development and Fair Housing. The groups then voted to determine which issues they thought were most important. The groups also brainstormed solutions to the issues they identified.
I attempted to add all three groups together and group like issues to determine what issues seemed most important. Here's the list of items that got some votes, sort of in order of most to least, but there were several ties:
- Acceptance Criteria – criminal, credit, housing history, past rental history, including discrimination based on race/criminal background
- Leases including more charges for various fees, not clearly set out in the lease
- Bad landlords/bad tenants, vindictive landlords
- Low level harassment by landlord – selective enforcement of rules
- Renters in foreclosure – tenants not informed of new law protecting them
- Cash flow
- Lack of ability to break lease
- Knowing how to find housing/housing search + Lack of case management to assist in housing search
- Repairs and Promises to repair, failure to get promise in writing, tenants don’t know their rights, ordinance is too restrictive
- No enforcement mechanism of landlord/tenant laws/chapter 32
- Priority given to college students
- Price of Rent
- Failure to return security deposit, improper charges, charging for normal wear & tear
- Transportation access
- Landlord licensing
Items that were identified but did not receive votes were as follows, some items were identified in several groups and are identified with an *:
- Teenagers
- Overly strict rules regarding kids outside
- Over-showing of apartment, disrupting tenant’s quiet enjoyment – broad times in notices to enter
- Unlawful entry* – lack of remedy for tenants
- Deteriorating housing stock
- Technology (craigslist, etc)
- August 14/15 “homeless”
- Tenant complaints
- Chronic nuisance
- Lack of communication between tenant and landlord (i.e. repair issues)
- Earnest money being withheld
- Education for landlords
- Lack of financial education
Nothing earth shattering, as in most of the categories, but people really want to know the results and I'm slow at compiling them, so that's a start. Now that I have comments enabled, I can ask, what tenant landlord issues do you think we missed?
More to come, soon . . . .
Read more!
Just a little background to get you started if you weren't there. About 30 people attended and we broke into three groups and people were asked to brainstorm issues in four different categories: Tenant/Landlord, Homelessness, Affordable Housing/Development and Fair Housing. The groups then voted to determine which issues they thought were most important. The groups also brainstormed solutions to the issues they identified.
I attempted to add all three groups together and group like issues to determine what issues seemed most important. Here's the list of items that got some votes, sort of in order of most to least, but there were several ties:
- Acceptance Criteria – criminal, credit, housing history, past rental history, including discrimination based on race/criminal background
- Leases including more charges for various fees, not clearly set out in the lease
- Bad landlords/bad tenants, vindictive landlords
- Low level harassment by landlord – selective enforcement of rules
- Renters in foreclosure – tenants not informed of new law protecting them
- Cash flow
- Lack of ability to break lease
- Knowing how to find housing/housing search + Lack of case management to assist in housing search
- Repairs and Promises to repair, failure to get promise in writing, tenants don’t know their rights, ordinance is too restrictive
- No enforcement mechanism of landlord/tenant laws/chapter 32
- Priority given to college students
- Price of Rent
- Failure to return security deposit, improper charges, charging for normal wear & tear
- Transportation access
- Landlord licensing
Items that were identified but did not receive votes were as follows, some items were identified in several groups and are identified with an *:
- Teenagers
- Overly strict rules regarding kids outside
- Over-showing of apartment, disrupting tenant’s quiet enjoyment – broad times in notices to enter
- Unlawful entry* – lack of remedy for tenants
- Deteriorating housing stock
- Technology (craigslist, etc)
- August 14/15 “homeless”
- Tenant complaints
- Chronic nuisance
- Lack of communication between tenant and landlord (i.e. repair issues)
- Earnest money being withheld
- Education for landlords
- Lack of financial education
Nothing earth shattering, as in most of the categories, but people really want to know the results and I'm slow at compiling them, so that's a start. Now that I have comments enabled, I can ask, what tenant landlord issues do you think we missed?
More to come, soon . . . .
Read more!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Comments
Sigh . . . let it be so!
Conventional wisdom and advice from friends, family, colleagues, advisors, mentors, co-conspirators, professional associates, fellow activists, politicos and most importantly Rob, is that Brenda Konkel definitely SHOULD NOT enable comments on her blog. It will just allow the mean attacks on me and name calling to continue and open me up to be the subject of more nastiness.
The bloggers and techies I know seem split. While they would like to see my blog have comments, they CLEARLY understand the above concerns. Some say a blog is not a blog without comments, other don't agree. But most agree my blog is pretty good just the way it is, even if it doesn't have comments.
After much consideration, many technical glitches, deleting my blog and re-importing it and restoring most of the customizations I had in place (still need to add the links, let me know if you spot anything else), against all that advice, I have finally enabled the comments. It is going to be the grand experiment.
Is conventional wisdom correct? Will the trolls and nasty commenters ruin it for everyone? Will I end up with FAIL? Or can comments be enabled without it devolving into that nasty place that so many internet forums go? Will the comments end up being too time consuming? Will I end up disabling them and having to delete nasty comments? It's really up to you.
Meanwhile, I'm putting on my toughest skin and prepared to duck. Let the grand experiment begin!
Read more!
Conventional wisdom and advice from friends, family, colleagues, advisors, mentors, co-conspirators, professional associates, fellow activists, politicos and most importantly Rob, is that Brenda Konkel definitely SHOULD NOT enable comments on her blog. It will just allow the mean attacks on me and name calling to continue and open me up to be the subject of more nastiness.
The bloggers and techies I know seem split. While they would like to see my blog have comments, they CLEARLY understand the above concerns. Some say a blog is not a blog without comments, other don't agree. But most agree my blog is pretty good just the way it is, even if it doesn't have comments.
After much consideration, many technical glitches, deleting my blog and re-importing it and restoring most of the customizations I had in place (still need to add the links, let me know if you spot anything else), against all that advice, I have finally enabled the comments. It is going to be the grand experiment.
Is conventional wisdom correct? Will the trolls and nasty commenters ruin it for everyone? Will I end up with FAIL? Or can comments be enabled without it devolving into that nasty place that so many internet forums go? Will the comments end up being too time consuming? Will I end up disabling them and having to delete nasty comments? It's really up to you.
Meanwhile, I'm putting on my toughest skin and prepared to duck. Let the grand experiment begin!
Read more!
Friday, July 10, 2009
HANDS ON WYOU!!!
I'll be "bartending" at LeFete tonight 4:30 - 8:00 to remind people about the "Hands on WYOU" event coming up on Sunday at the High Noon Saloon! Stop by and say hello tonight or come to the fundraiser on Sunday to help save our Community Television Station - cuz even tho the PEG fees don't go away until 2011, your Mayor is cutting WYOU 2010 funding in half and we need the community to step in!
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009
Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: High Noon Saloon, 701A E.Washington Ave.
Silent Auction, become a member and for $10 you can make your own hand tile to join the wall of supporters, get a commemorative WYOU pint glass for only $2 and stop by and enjoy the music . . .
Baghdad Scuba Review
Adam Isaac and the People
Hot Cross Bones
Hope to see you there!!! Or, if you can't make it to the event, you can donate now!!!!
Read more!
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009
Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: High Noon Saloon, 701A E.Washington Ave.
Silent Auction, become a member and for $10 you can make your own hand tile to join the wall of supporters, get a commemorative WYOU pint glass for only $2 and stop by and enjoy the music . . .
Baghdad Scuba Review
Adam Isaac and the People
Hot Cross Bones
Hope to see you there!!! Or, if you can't make it to the event, you can donate now!!!!
Read more!
Gloomy Friday Round Up!
Here it is, lets find out who got screwed this week!
FEE SPEECH
While we continue to talk about the impact of money in local elections and if the Mayor's race should be publicly financed, or the alders too for that matter, a report comes out about the impact of money in state elections. It's ugly, as expected. Check out how the special interest sugar daddies impacted the races.
Who got screwed: Wisconsin Voters.
NOTHING MORE TO BE DONE HERE!
Bullshit! When the city wants to, it breaks the rules, doesn't follow its own ordinances and policies and generally just does what it wants. When the right powers that be decide something is important. Apparently, low income renters are not some of the lucky people like developers, who the city considers important. Some people who are section 8 renters are getting rent increases of $100 - $200 and were given less than a months notice. My staff have been tracking the people coming in and so far so that we can contact them if the community comes up with a solution the city government can't do. My staff reports that every single one of them who came in to the office was in tears. Imagine being low-income enough to be on section 8 and getting a notice that your rent just doubled from $150 to $300 and you have less than a month to figure out how to come up with the money. The sad part here is that last I heard, it was about a $500,000 shortfall that would have prevented these rent increases. Well, hmmmm . . . don't we have $4M in an Affordable Housing Trust Fund? Isn't that something that this money should be able to be used for? No other options? I disagree! I want my city to try harder!
Community meeting Tuesday at noon at the Social Justice Center Conference Room, 1202 Williamson St.
Who got screwed: Section 8 tenants.
NO MEETING HERE!
I love it when the city cancels a meeting and doesn't tell anyone. On Wednesday, the Housing Operations Committee was supposed to meet to discuss the section 8 issue above. Members were notified on Tuesday at 10:15 that the meeting was cancelled - no explanation, but as of this morning, the clerk's office weekly schedule (sorry, that's not a permalink and will change later today) still lists the meeting as follows:
Unlike cancelled meetings that get listed like this:
Who got screwed: Section 8 tenants and Madisonians wanting to attend the meeting.
THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN TO WATCH!
Wanna see the Mayor's head explode? It just might if Alder Schumacher's idea picks up speed. I'd refer you to his blog, but he only has two posts and this isn't one of them! I knew he said it would be sporadic, but its been a whole month since his last post . . . but I digress. Read here about the Council appointing its own members to committees. Could you imagine what happened if the council or council president got to pick who is on the Board of Estimates! My favorite line from the blog is here:
Who got screwed: The Council at the moment, could it be the Mayor in the future?
LMAO!
Ok, I seriously laughed out loud when I read this. Bill Lueders nails it on the Edgewater! On more than one point. First, he's the first one I've seen publicly question the Mayor's city sponsored clearly political "blog". Second, he points out how the Mayor doesn't understand basic internet ettiquette. But most importantly, he absolutely burned Bob Dunn of the Hammes Company. Who, if you ask me, is trying to be just a little too cute with his strategies to get his project developed. I get the feeling he thinks that Madisonians are just a bunch of country bumpkins and just disdains us. So, Lueders gave him a bit of his own medicine. I wonder what he "held back". What is in those documents to be submitted on July 15th that the neighborhood can't get a copy of and where they turned away neighborhood residents at the door at the meeting where they were discussed? And where are those damn lobbying reports? Am I going to have to file a complaint?
Who got screwed: First, Madisonians. Second, Bob Dunn! I guess he got to reap what he sowed.
MALT HOUSE WOES
$5,000, three picnic tables, zoning laws and a crappy parking lot. There's no doubt the parking lot needs to be improved. There's no doubt that the Malt House is a great place for great beer. There's no doubt that the picnic tables will not disrupt the neighborhood. The real issue here is, why won't the McGraths spend a relatively tiny amount of money to improve the area while their property across the street sits vacant. And if they don't plan to redevelop, why won't they sell? Or if the Malt House has enough resources to buy the property, why not enter a long term lease and let them make the improvements? The plan commission was really stuck on this one, and its not a matter of changing a bad policy, because the policy is a good one and if it is waived here, then other businesses will want it waived for them as well and the plan commission wasn't willing to do that.
Who got screwed: The Malt House and its patrons. And I'm sure the City will get screwed when they get blamed by actions of the McGraths - there's gotta be a private sector solution here.
KARMA BABY!
So, the Sconz challenged me, he didn't like my blogging style. Apparently, he claims I just report things, and don't have opinions! Ha! Then he attempted to do the same thing himself. FAIL!!!!
Who got screwed: The Sconz . . . oh, wait, maybe not, he apparently got alot of traffic from my blog.
I still have over 100 emails tagged "blog topic" from the last month alone . . . I don't understand these folks who only blog once a month . . . I've got so much to follow up on and write about!
Read more!
FEE SPEECH
While we continue to talk about the impact of money in local elections and if the Mayor's race should be publicly financed, or the alders too for that matter, a report comes out about the impact of money in state elections. It's ugly, as expected. Check out how the special interest sugar daddies impacted the races.
Who got screwed: Wisconsin Voters.
NOTHING MORE TO BE DONE HERE!
Bullshit! When the city wants to, it breaks the rules, doesn't follow its own ordinances and policies and generally just does what it wants. When the right powers that be decide something is important. Apparently, low income renters are not some of the lucky people like developers, who the city considers important. Some people who are section 8 renters are getting rent increases of $100 - $200 and were given less than a months notice. My staff have been tracking the people coming in and so far so that we can contact them if the community comes up with a solution the city government can't do. My staff reports that every single one of them who came in to the office was in tears. Imagine being low-income enough to be on section 8 and getting a notice that your rent just doubled from $150 to $300 and you have less than a month to figure out how to come up with the money. The sad part here is that last I heard, it was about a $500,000 shortfall that would have prevented these rent increases. Well, hmmmm . . . don't we have $4M in an Affordable Housing Trust Fund? Isn't that something that this money should be able to be used for? No other options? I disagree! I want my city to try harder!
Community meeting Tuesday at noon at the Social Justice Center Conference Room, 1202 Williamson St.
Who got screwed: Section 8 tenants.
NO MEETING HERE!
I love it when the city cancels a meeting and doesn't tell anyone. On Wednesday, the Housing Operations Committee was supposed to meet to discuss the section 8 issue above. Members were notified on Tuesday at 10:15 that the meeting was cancelled - no explanation, but as of this morning, the clerk's office weekly schedule (sorry, that's not a permalink and will change later today) still lists the meeting as follows:
| 4:30 PM | CDA HOUSING OPERATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE | ROOM 120 MMB |
Unlike cancelled meetings that get listed like this:
| 12:00 PM | CONTRACTED SERVICE OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE (Cancelled) | ROOM LL-110 MMB |
Who got screwed: Section 8 tenants and Madisonians wanting to attend the meeting.
THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN TO WATCH!
Wanna see the Mayor's head explode? It just might if Alder Schumacher's idea picks up speed. I'd refer you to his blog, but he only has two posts and this isn't one of them! I knew he said it would be sporadic, but its been a whole month since his last post . . . but I digress. Read here about the Council appointing its own members to committees. Could you imagine what happened if the council or council president got to pick who is on the Board of Estimates! My favorite line from the blog is here:
The mayor has often compared his appointments to Obama nominating a Supreme Court justice, but imagine Obama appointing the Senate Committee on Appropriations -- it probably would not go over particularly well.Mark your calendar for the next CCOC meeting! Usually the first Tuesday of the month at 4:30 room 103A at the City County Building.
Who got screwed: The Council at the moment, could it be the Mayor in the future?
LMAO!
Ok, I seriously laughed out loud when I read this. Bill Lueders nails it on the Edgewater! On more than one point. First, he's the first one I've seen publicly question the Mayor's city sponsored clearly political "blog". Second, he points out how the Mayor doesn't understand basic internet ettiquette. But most importantly, he absolutely burned Bob Dunn of the Hammes Company. Who, if you ask me, is trying to be just a little too cute with his strategies to get his project developed. I get the feeling he thinks that Madisonians are just a bunch of country bumpkins and just disdains us. So, Lueders gave him a bit of his own medicine. I wonder what he "held back". What is in those documents to be submitted on July 15th that the neighborhood can't get a copy of and where they turned away neighborhood residents at the door at the meeting where they were discussed? And where are those damn lobbying reports? Am I going to have to file a complaint?
Who got screwed: First, Madisonians. Second, Bob Dunn! I guess he got to reap what he sowed.
MALT HOUSE WOES
$5,000, three picnic tables, zoning laws and a crappy parking lot. There's no doubt the parking lot needs to be improved. There's no doubt that the Malt House is a great place for great beer. There's no doubt that the picnic tables will not disrupt the neighborhood. The real issue here is, why won't the McGraths spend a relatively tiny amount of money to improve the area while their property across the street sits vacant. And if they don't plan to redevelop, why won't they sell? Or if the Malt House has enough resources to buy the property, why not enter a long term lease and let them make the improvements? The plan commission was really stuck on this one, and its not a matter of changing a bad policy, because the policy is a good one and if it is waived here, then other businesses will want it waived for them as well and the plan commission wasn't willing to do that.
Who got screwed: The Malt House and its patrons. And I'm sure the City will get screwed when they get blamed by actions of the McGraths - there's gotta be a private sector solution here.
KARMA BABY!
So, the Sconz challenged me, he didn't like my blogging style. Apparently, he claims I just report things, and don't have opinions! Ha! Then he attempted to do the same thing himself. FAIL!!!!
Who got screwed: The Sconz . . . oh, wait, maybe not, he apparently got alot of traffic from my blog.
I still have over 100 emails tagged "blog topic" from the last month alone . . . I don't understand these folks who only blog once a month . . . I've got so much to follow up on and write about!
Read more!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
9th annual Streetball & Block Party
Just passing this along . . .
Read more!
Johnny Winston, Jr.
9th Annual Streetball & Block Party
“Slam & Jam for Peace”
SHORT PRESS RELEASE:
The 9th Annual Streetball and Block Party – “Slam & Jam for Peace” will be held on Saturday August 8th from 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Penn Park (South Madison). Activities include an adult men’s full and half court basketball tournaments, youth drill team competition, music, entertainment, free bingo sponsored by DeJope gaming, youth and family activities, information booths, food vendors and more. The rain date for basketball games only is Sunday August 9th. For more information please contact (608) 347-9715; johnnywinstonjr@hotmail.com or www.madisonstreetball.com.
LONG PRESS RELEASE (MORE INFORMATION):
The 9th Annual Streetball and Block Party – “Slam & Jam for Peace” will be held on Saturday August 8th from 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Penn Park (South Madison – Corner of Fisher and Buick Street). “Streetball” is a full court, “5 on 5” Adult Men’s Basketball tournament featuring some of the best basketball players in the City of Madison, Milwaukee, Beloit, Rockford and other cities. New this year, will be a Men’s over age 30 half court “3 on 3” basketball tournament.
There is an entry fee of $175 for full court and $80 for half court to participate in the basketball tournaments. The rain date for basketball games only is Sunday August 9th.
The “block party” activities for youth and families include: old and new school music by D.J. Latone Heart, Speakerboxx DJ’s and DJ Big Mike from 93.1 Jamz; youth drill and dance team competition, free bingo sponsored by DeJope Gaming; face painting and youth activities sponsored by Madison School and Community Recreation, YMCA of Dane County, Dane County Neighborhood Intervention Program; The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, the Madison Children’s Museum and more. This event includes information booths and vendors selling a variety of foods and other items.
This is a safe, family event that has taken the place of the “South Madison Block Party.” The Madison Police Department and other neighborhood groups are supporting this as a positive activity for the South Madison community. Over the past eight years, $15,000 has been donated to charitable programs that benefit South Madison and support education such as the 100 Black Men of Madison’s Backpack for Success Picnic, Boys & Girls Club and the Southside Raiders Youth Football and Cheerleading Teams.
The founder and organizer for the 9th Annual Streetball and Block Party is Johnny Winston, Jr. Mr. Winston is a firefighter for the City of Madison and currently serves as a member of the Madison Board of Education.
In all, this event will provide a wonderful organized activity for neighborhood residents to enjoy this summer. If you have any questions, would like to participate, perform, volunteer or discuss any further details, please feel free to call (608) 347-9715; e-mail at: johnnywinstonjr@hotmail.com or www.madisonstreetball.com. Hope to see you there!
Please feel free to forward this information to other interested persons or organizations.
Read more!
Disrespecting Your (Women) Colleagues
Watching a city committee meeting the other day, I was surprised by how the women were treated by some of the men in the room. I can't tell if the women were disrespected because they were women or because of another reason, but it really hammered home, once again, how incredibly frustrating City Hall can be for women in city government.
The meeting was the CCOC (Common Council Organizational Committee) and it happens to have all alders on it. Alders Tim Bruer, Michael Schumacher, Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, Marsha Rummel, Bryon Eagon and Chris Schmidt were in attendance. Alder Pham-Remmele and Verveer joined them in the room later. City staff Joel Plant, Michael May were there to participate in the discussion. Lisa Veldran was there to take notes. Debbie Fields, also from the Common Council office, was also present to observe for another item not discussed here along with Rose Mary Lee, Kristin C from the Cap Times and myself. So, the conversations went on regarding this topic between 6 men (Bruer, Schumacher, Eagon, Schmidt, May, Plant) and 3 women (Bidar-Sielaff, Rummel and Pham-Remmele).
What struck me was a series of relatively minor comments and actions. And again, I don't know if the disrespect, condescending language and patronizing was because they were women, or for another reason. But, the fact remains, it was the women in the room that were treated in this way.
The discussion was about city committees, how many alders should be on committees, how they decided which committees needed more alders, why citizens are being removed from committees in favor of alders, should the chair vote if there is an even number of people on the committee, etc, etc. The suspicion by many is that behind the scenes, various alders have requested to be on committees and did not get the assignments that they wanted and this is an attempt to give them what they want. It's unclear if this is an attempt to have alders get more control of committees. The Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC) and Public Safety Review Board (PSRB, actually, its now the PSRC or Public Safety Review Committee due to recent changes to committee names) each have 7 members and they want to have 3 of them be alderpersons. The Economic Development Commission (EDC, now the Economic Development COMMITTEE) has 11 people and they want to change that to 13 so that there will be three alders on that committee. So, that sort of sets the scene. Here's what happened.
1) Alder Rummel is trying to ask the sponsor, Tim Bruer, why they are doing this. There is lots of talking by Bruer and some talk about wanting to raise the profile of public safety, economic development and liquor licenses. Also some discussion about having more alders on these committees in the past. But when Alder Rummel pushes to get more satisfactory answers, Bruer says that she should just "trust me". It was sort of the equivalent of "don't you worry your pretty little head" and had this air of "I'm the man and I'll take care of it for you." That by itself, would have been annoying, but what happened next makes it kind of all the more annoying.
2) Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff was explaining how she thought that it was ok to add alders, but not at the expense of citizens. As she is talking, Bruer is talking to Schumacher. Schmidt and Eagon are listening to Shiva more or less and looking at their materials and thinking about things but not clearly actively listening but also not actively not listening. It appears that Alder Rummel is the only one actively listening and Bidar-Sielaff is actively looking at Alder Rummel who is the only one very obviously paying attention. It gets so bad, she finally just stops talking and looks at Bruer and Schumacher and says "excuse me". They stop talking, Bidar-Sielaff continues with what she is saying and about 10 seconds later, in a slightly lower volume Bruer and Schumacher resume their conversation. Again, not so atypical, but add that to the former item, combined with the next ones, got me wondering even more.
3) Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff makes a motion to add an alder to ALRC but keep the citizen seat that would be eliminated. She is about to start talking to her motion when Bruer interrupts her, allegedly to clarify the motion. He asks her if he understands her motion and then, instead of letting her continue, he calls on Alder Schumacher. Again, not that unusual that they slip up on usual protocol, but with the previous incidents and the ones that follow, its beginning to add up.
4) So, Alder Rummel finally speaks to the motion and she had mentioned that there was going to be a problem because many of the alders already have meetings on Wednesday nights. She is obviously frustrated as she has a Wednesday night meeting and so can't request to be on ALRC or EDC. While she is talking, Bruer interrupts again, and says "Ok, we got that point out of the way", dismissing her concerns and seemingly trying to get her to stop talking about that issue.
5) After the ALRC motion is done and Alder Rummel is talking about the EDC appointment and asking why the PSRB and ALRC membership is capped at a low number (7/8))and yet on EDC they have 13 members, Alder Schumacher gets up and leaves the room.
6) So, the next one is a little iffy, but, Alder Pham-Remmele asked Bruer a direct question, which he doesn't answer and asks Joel Plant from the Mayor's office to answer instead. The question was about how appointments are made and kind of derails the current discussion. When Joel gets done, Bruer suggests that Pham-Remmele can talk to Plant later about this issue. Pham-Remmele, obviously frustrated by the blatant attempt to have her be quiet, presses on and asks Bruer to answer the question she asked and not "push it off". On this one, she was a little bit off and derailing the conversation, and asking a question that was slightly uncomfortable to answer (Are you happy with the process the way it is?), but the way she was treated was not entirely respectful and in this case, she wasn't being all that obnoxious. (Yes, I just stood up for Alder Pham-Remmele, because she deserves respect and to be treated professionally if she is being respectful and professional.)
7) There is a motion made by Schmacher, which he admittedly is "under no illusion that the motion will pass", that brings up some very interesting issues (which I'm hoping someone else blogs about later today and I'll link it if they do or I'll put it in the weekly round up.) Bidar-Sielaff suggests that Alder Bruer should put this on the agenda for a future discussion. Bruer doesn't really commit to it. Conversation continues, then Alder Schumacher makes the same suggestion, at which time, Alder Bruer says it is a good idea and he will do it. That could have been just the momentum of the conversation, but given everything else going on, it seemed that when Bidar-Sielaff suggested it, it wasn't a good idea, but when Schumacher did, it was a better idea.
8) During the discussion of PSRB, Alder Rummel is asking about the role of alternates on committees. She suggests, twice, that this also be put on the agenda for a future discussion. Her suggestion is not recognized by Bruer.
This whole discussion took probably a little more than an hour. But, having been around for a while, it seemed to have more than its share of slightly awkward moments. And more concerning, is that the issues are coming directly from an attitude of council leadership and those who are close to the Mayor and Council leadership. Its a cultural shift that has gotten worse over the years and more and more obvious and blatant, especially, if you start looking for it.
So, just in case people wonder what the point of my post is and before it gets spun completely out of control as me just being hysterical, I'll be absolutely clear, I am asking people for two things:
1) Just watch. What do you see? Is it right?
2) Be aware. I'm hoping that some of the people doing it, might become a little more aware and think about how their action appear.
Cuz it doesn't look good if you pay close attention.
Read more!
The meeting was the CCOC (Common Council Organizational Committee) and it happens to have all alders on it. Alders Tim Bruer, Michael Schumacher, Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, Marsha Rummel, Bryon Eagon and Chris Schmidt were in attendance. Alder Pham-Remmele and Verveer joined them in the room later. City staff Joel Plant, Michael May were there to participate in the discussion. Lisa Veldran was there to take notes. Debbie Fields, also from the Common Council office, was also present to observe for another item not discussed here along with Rose Mary Lee, Kristin C from the Cap Times and myself. So, the conversations went on regarding this topic between 6 men (Bruer, Schumacher, Eagon, Schmidt, May, Plant) and 3 women (Bidar-Sielaff, Rummel and Pham-Remmele).
What struck me was a series of relatively minor comments and actions. And again, I don't know if the disrespect, condescending language and patronizing was because they were women, or for another reason. But, the fact remains, it was the women in the room that were treated in this way.
The discussion was about city committees, how many alders should be on committees, how they decided which committees needed more alders, why citizens are being removed from committees in favor of alders, should the chair vote if there is an even number of people on the committee, etc, etc. The suspicion by many is that behind the scenes, various alders have requested to be on committees and did not get the assignments that they wanted and this is an attempt to give them what they want. It's unclear if this is an attempt to have alders get more control of committees. The Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC) and Public Safety Review Board (PSRB, actually, its now the PSRC or Public Safety Review Committee due to recent changes to committee names) each have 7 members and they want to have 3 of them be alderpersons. The Economic Development Commission (EDC, now the Economic Development COMMITTEE) has 11 people and they want to change that to 13 so that there will be three alders on that committee. So, that sort of sets the scene. Here's what happened.
1) Alder Rummel is trying to ask the sponsor, Tim Bruer, why they are doing this. There is lots of talking by Bruer and some talk about wanting to raise the profile of public safety, economic development and liquor licenses. Also some discussion about having more alders on these committees in the past. But when Alder Rummel pushes to get more satisfactory answers, Bruer says that she should just "trust me". It was sort of the equivalent of "don't you worry your pretty little head" and had this air of "I'm the man and I'll take care of it for you." That by itself, would have been annoying, but what happened next makes it kind of all the more annoying.
2) Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff was explaining how she thought that it was ok to add alders, but not at the expense of citizens. As she is talking, Bruer is talking to Schumacher. Schmidt and Eagon are listening to Shiva more or less and looking at their materials and thinking about things but not clearly actively listening but also not actively not listening. It appears that Alder Rummel is the only one actively listening and Bidar-Sielaff is actively looking at Alder Rummel who is the only one very obviously paying attention. It gets so bad, she finally just stops talking and looks at Bruer and Schumacher and says "excuse me". They stop talking, Bidar-Sielaff continues with what she is saying and about 10 seconds later, in a slightly lower volume Bruer and Schumacher resume their conversation. Again, not so atypical, but add that to the former item, combined with the next ones, got me wondering even more.
3) Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff makes a motion to add an alder to ALRC but keep the citizen seat that would be eliminated. She is about to start talking to her motion when Bruer interrupts her, allegedly to clarify the motion. He asks her if he understands her motion and then, instead of letting her continue, he calls on Alder Schumacher. Again, not that unusual that they slip up on usual protocol, but with the previous incidents and the ones that follow, its beginning to add up.
4) So, Alder Rummel finally speaks to the motion and she had mentioned that there was going to be a problem because many of the alders already have meetings on Wednesday nights. She is obviously frustrated as she has a Wednesday night meeting and so can't request to be on ALRC or EDC. While she is talking, Bruer interrupts again, and says "Ok, we got that point out of the way", dismissing her concerns and seemingly trying to get her to stop talking about that issue.
5) After the ALRC motion is done and Alder Rummel is talking about the EDC appointment and asking why the PSRB and ALRC membership is capped at a low number (7/8))and yet on EDC they have 13 members, Alder Schumacher gets up and leaves the room.
6) So, the next one is a little iffy, but, Alder Pham-Remmele asked Bruer a direct question, which he doesn't answer and asks Joel Plant from the Mayor's office to answer instead. The question was about how appointments are made and kind of derails the current discussion. When Joel gets done, Bruer suggests that Pham-Remmele can talk to Plant later about this issue. Pham-Remmele, obviously frustrated by the blatant attempt to have her be quiet, presses on and asks Bruer to answer the question she asked and not "push it off". On this one, she was a little bit off and derailing the conversation, and asking a question that was slightly uncomfortable to answer (Are you happy with the process the way it is?), but the way she was treated was not entirely respectful and in this case, she wasn't being all that obnoxious. (Yes, I just stood up for Alder Pham-Remmele, because she deserves respect and to be treated professionally if she is being respectful and professional.)
7) There is a motion made by Schmacher, which he admittedly is "under no illusion that the motion will pass", that brings up some very interesting issues (which I'm hoping someone else blogs about later today and I'll link it if they do or I'll put it in the weekly round up.) Bidar-Sielaff suggests that Alder Bruer should put this on the agenda for a future discussion. Bruer doesn't really commit to it. Conversation continues, then Alder Schumacher makes the same suggestion, at which time, Alder Bruer says it is a good idea and he will do it. That could have been just the momentum of the conversation, but given everything else going on, it seemed that when Bidar-Sielaff suggested it, it wasn't a good idea, but when Schumacher did, it was a better idea.
8) During the discussion of PSRB, Alder Rummel is asking about the role of alternates on committees. She suggests, twice, that this also be put on the agenda for a future discussion. Her suggestion is not recognized by Bruer.
This whole discussion took probably a little more than an hour. But, having been around for a while, it seemed to have more than its share of slightly awkward moments. And more concerning, is that the issues are coming directly from an attitude of council leadership and those who are close to the Mayor and Council leadership. Its a cultural shift that has gotten worse over the years and more and more obvious and blatant, especially, if you start looking for it.
So, just in case people wonder what the point of my post is and before it gets spun completely out of control as me just being hysterical, I'll be absolutely clear, I am asking people for two things:
1) Just watch. What do you see? Is it right?
2) Be aware. I'm hoping that some of the people doing it, might become a little more aware and think about how their action appear.
Cuz it doesn't look good if you pay close attention.
Read more!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Badger Bus Depot Common Council Recap
GETTING IT STARTED
Um . . . Bruer? Bruer? He wanders in, talking to everyone . . . and attempts to call the meeting to order at 6:37. The Clerk and City Attorney are counting and counting. Bruer asks people to take their seats and they count, and count. 14! That's it, they finally have quorum and can start. Bruer announces that quorum is tight and tell the alders they can't leave the chambers because it will ruin quorum.
ROLL CALL
Notified Absences: Clear, Cnare, Compton, Sanborn made it on the agenda. Later Kerr also excused. Palm also excused. Palm eventually shows up.
Verveer moves suspension of the rules 6:40.
[Note: Thanks to whatever city employee gets to work at 6:30 in the morning and re-sets the server with the legistar information on it, allowing me to add in the links this morning. And making the agendas available early Monday morning. Much! Much! Apreciated!!!]
COMMENDING CHERYL ERICKSON
Resolution is read. Cheryl succinctly says "Thank you."
Al Schumacher, Streets Superintendent speaks to thank her for setting up her own programing for the GPS unit to run her salt route. They liked it and had her program the rest of the salt routes, and later refuse and recycling routes and now they are all on sim cards that can be checked out by the drivers. She did such a great job that the company sent a software engineer from France to see what she has done and is working to program their devices for others. [A birdy whispered in my ear and asked why we didn't just buy GPS systems that did this in the first place, instead of buying GPS systems so they can track where drivers are. And spending all this time reprogramming the units. Good question. Not to take anything away from Cheryl, as she was most appropriately recognized for her efforts and they should recognize city staff more often!]
PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS WEEK
Clerk, Tammy Peters, reads the resolution. They said thanks, pointed out several people's history with pancreatic cancer and introduced Lucia Nunez who beat the 75% odds of making it through the first year. They thanked the Council for the resolution and explained how it would help raise awareness.
RECOGNIZING FLEET SERVICE AND THEIR AWARD
It's referred without explanation. Passes on a voice vote.
PETITION OR COMMUNICATIONS
None.
EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
The pass the entire agenda with the recommendations listed on the agenda with the following exceptions:
Public Hearing Items 4 - 16 & 115 (See below for links)
They record an unanimous consent on item 53 (Annexation and ward assignment in district 18) which requires 14 votes.
They refer the following items
- Item 23 (Bayou Sidewalk Cafe) referred back to the ALRC - see below.
- Item 24 (Operator License for Edgewater Cafe Employee) to the July 21 meeting
- Item 27 (Change in License Whiskey River /Rev Jim's Roadhouse) to the July 21 meeting
- Item 50 (Shady Wood Neighborhood Plan) to the July 21 meeting
- Item 51 (Resolution to reduce vehicle miles traveled) to the August 4 meeting
Items separated for discussion are
- Item 17 (Mayoral appointments introduced at the last meeting) - Pham-Remmele requested separation.
- Item 18 (Mayoral appointments introduced for approval at the next meeting) - Pham-Remmel requested separation.
- Item 19 (Mayoral Aldermanic appointment) - Pham-Remmele requeste separation.
- Item 22 (Affirmative Action report on Committee Appointments and Gender, Race and Disability) - Rhodes-Conway requested separation.
[You go girls, with hyphenated last names! :)]
There was a registrant for Item 23 (Bayou sidewalk cafe) so that was also separated for discussion.
They also add the Long Range Transportation Committee as a referral to items 94 (Midvale-Westmorland Neighborhood Plan) and (Northport-Warner Park-Sherman Neighborhood Plan)99.
RECESSED PUBLIC HEARINGS
(See agenda for links)
Plan Commission
#4 - Development on Sargent St. - There is one speaker - Eric S is there for info only and to answer questions. There are no questions. There is a long pause as Ald. Solomon whispers something into Bruer's ear. Bruer fumbles, says there is no motion on the floor. Verveer points out, motion is adoption. The motion passes by a voice vote.
Bruer reminds everyone that Shady Grove [er, Shady Wood] Neighborhood Plan has been referred.
Report of ALRC
For some reason, today, instead of opening the public hearings on each of these items and passing them as one big motion, they painfully plod through them, one by one. So they methodically plod through them:
#5 - Change of Licensed Premise for 24 Pump - Verveer makes motion to place on file without prejudice. No speakers. Passes on a voice vote without discussion.
#6 - New License for Atomic Koi Cocktail Lounge - Verveer makes the motion to recess this public hearing. No registrants. King amkes a substitute to place on file without prejudice. He says he talked with the owner and the deal has fallen through. Motion passes on a voice vote without further discussion.
#7 - New License for Tutto Pasta - No speakers, Verveer moves to adopt report which is to grant. Passes on a voice vote without discussion.
#8 - New License Mundo Latino - No speakers, Verveer moves to re-refer, the public hearing is recessed. Motion passes with no discussion on a voice vote.
#9 - Fiesta Mexican Grill new license. Verveer moves to adopt recommendation of th ALRC which is to grant with conditions. Motion passes without discussion.
#10 - Hooters new license. There is a person available to answer questions. (Sort of missed it but presume it passed as recommended and there was no discussion.)
#11 - New License Coopers Tavern - There is one registrant available to answer questions. Verveer makes the motion to accept ALRC recommendations. Motion passes on voice vote without discussion.
#12 - New License Fat Sandwich Company - There are no registrants, Verveer moves to grant. The motion passes on a voice vote with no discussion. Tho, at some point, there is a little activity on the floor and they explain that Alder Schumacher is urging them to look at the names of the sandwiches. There is laughter and Bruer thanks him for pointing out. Chuckle, chuckle.
#13 - New License Eno Vino - There are no speakers, Verveer moves to grant. Passes without discussion on a voice vote. [My god, this is ridiculous!]
#14 - Cafe Porta Alba transfer of license. No registrations. Verveer moves to adopt report to grant. No discussion, motion passes on a voice vote.
#15 - Electric Earth Cafe new license. There are no registrants. Verveer moves to adopt report of ALRC to grant. No discussion, motion passes on a voice vote.
Bruer pauses to explain why they went through these all individually. He says its because "alders" requested it. [Where have I heard that before? Someone should ask who! My guess this is just another attempt to show how important the ALRC is. If I have time I'll blog a bit about the discussion about CCOC and you'll further understand.]
JT WHITNEYS
Bruer asks Verveer about #116. Verveer explains that was part of consent agenda, and points out it is #115 they need to discuss. Verveer moves to place it on file, without prejudice.
Verveer explains that JT Whitney's was supposed to have their
#115 - No registrants, place on file without prejudice, JT Whitneys. Verveer explains that understanding is that lease will be given to clerk's office by noon today and it did not happen, so Clear recommends that they go back to ALRC with new application.
[Pssst, Sconz, these are routine items and the only reason Verveer is making all the motions is because he is the senior person on the Council besides Bruer and someone needs to make the motions with the absence of the Mayor (usual chair) and Clear (Council Pro Tem). It has nothing to do with him being on ALRC, he made all the initial motions at the council meeting. And by the way, your blog of the meeting, weak sauce.]
#16 BADGER BUS
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Royce Williams - In opposition - With all talk of Madison being green, losing bus terminal is a great disgrace. Hopes the process will get the city moving on the longer term. Not a good trend going backwards. Proposal is not ready to go yet. Nothing about impact on the Union with 20% increase in riders. Nothing about stopping about Dutch Mill and what Van Galder and others are paying and the third is Greyhound and what they will do is not determined yet. Shouldn't go forward until that is resolved. City needs to be involved in this. Greyhound has 10 buses per day with connections to Tomah, LaCrosse, Chicago, Twin Cities and Milwaukee. Also connections to Fox Cities and Steven's Point. Why isn't this an LRTPC issue, they took no action. Also went to TPC, same thing, no action. Plan Commission said they had no obligantion to talk about transit impacts. Talks about Champaign Megabus model, its the model of the way it should be done and they are a city of 1/3 our size. Says don't approve project until Union, Dutch Mill and Greyhound are resolved and we have long term plans.
Rosemary Lee - Downtown resident, wasn't part of steering committee, Bassett neighborhood plan is a framework and not cast in concrete said developers and businesses around the area. This project will create jobs during construcion and will add dollars to tax rolls, will add stability to the neighborhoods. Greyhound is largest conglomerate in the world, don't feel sorry for them. Steering committee has been pleased with developer response. Don't hold developers responsible because the city has been negligent in creating a multi-modal transportation plan for a station.
Susan DeVos - MABAA representative. They and Madison Peak Oil group ask for it to be placed on file until there is a plan for a downtown multi-modal terminal. Eminent domain, lack of assurance of it being built after demolition and risk of it being illegal are major concerns. Eminent domain was ok for interchange on West side and Steve's liquor. [interrupted, didn't get it all] Talked about better vision for the property. What is the assurance that construction will begin after demolition? Also raises issues that the planned sidewalk pickup might be illegal? She says it is hard to get around in winter [Note, for those of you who do not know, Susan is in a wheelchair], ADA says that they need to be accessible and curb side pick up might not work. Should at least get a city attorney opinion and refer to commission on people with disabilities. Please delay.
Carl Durocher - He says that plan commission only looked at the mixed use devleopment on the site. That is entirely irrelevant, that is not what we should be talking about. We should be looking at what is being lost. Only one existing inter-city transportation hub, and this is it. It will be eliminated without viable alternatives. Comprehensive plan and vehicle miles traveled resolution will be passed and we shouldn't be blindly marching ahead. Without the terminal there is no clear idea about what will happen. Memorial Union is already stressed and there isn't a real plan. [Missed a bit.] Refer back to LRTPC (Long Range Transportation Planning Committee) to weigh in, along with DCC (Downtown Coordinating Committee). Where would an alternative be located? How do we coordinate with intercity rail? We need time to figure this out. [missed some more)]
Randy Bruce - Architect for the project, in support. [Usually would have gone first to present the project to the Council, its odd the way the speakers are all jumbled up tonight]. Talks about the project and process. Large and small neighborhood meetings, several UDC meetings, reviews with planning staff and they are ready for approval. Looked at surrounding buildings and the ones in the area are late 19th century warehouse buildings and want to fit in with that. 3 story building on Main and S Bedford, 4 story on Bedford and 5 story with commerrcial at Bedford and W Washington AVe. About 90 undergound parking stalls, 28 surface stalls. He shows pretty pictures. Talks about bike parking on site. Says they are looking into green built options with the development. The project is a long term investment, all masonry, timeless architecture.
Barbara Smith - opposition - Calls for delay until strong alternative plan. Alternatives offered are inadequate. Greyhound is homeless and unsustainable burden on Memorial Union. Loss of the depot will damage public interest by making bus service unreliable and inconvenient (and I think she said disorganized?). Memorial Union is a defacto bus depot. Chancellors office has said that the UW does not want to act as a bus depot. UW would disapprove of a Greyhound stop on Langdon. Understandable to want to limit additional bus loading. Currently Langdon is loud, polluted and potentially unsafe due to all bike and pedestrian traffic. Population growth and economic factors may lead to increased need for bus service, but they have no plans for that. UW currently gets 100,000 for selling tickets and that would support a bus terminal. Can't put off discussion of where the bus depot will go. Other sites will have issues and we need to deal with this now while we have more options. This is of regional importantance, can't look at from narrow neighborhood lens.
Beth Harper - opposition. Librarian at UW, Progressive Dane member and a bus rider. Chooses not to drive a car. Been riding the buses for 20 years for work and to visit family and for the first and last legs on vacation. Wants city to establish and maintain a transit depot in central madison. 20 years ago, Cedar Rapids already had a bus terminal with intercity and local buses, we are 20 years behind Cedar Rapids Iowa and that is not something city should be proud of. She talkes about a winter trip where she was able to wait in vestibule of Memorial union (which was closed), it offered warmth and protection, but only the early arrivers could fit in. It was a longer wait outside to get on the bus because the compartment doors had frozen in the near 0 degree weather, drivers of buses tried to get doors open, those with luggage had to wait outside and couldn't go in union becasue can't keep eye on bus and they don't have the ability to make announcements for the riders. She waited outside for 20 minutes at zero degrees. If it was a bus terminal they could have made and announcement. She says she has landed in strange cities off the bus and the station has maps of city bus routes, phone books, public phones, taxis, and people who can provide you with information. Having an address to be picked up is important. This is what Madison loses by not having a terminal. She talks about difference between airport vs bus being dropped off on the street. Urges to vote against and work on a true multi-modal station.
David Meier - support. Owner of Badger Coaches. Jim home sick, other partner will speak. 3rd generation owners in management since 90s. Why abaondon bus depot? 1. Bus industry has changed. More efficient cost effecitve method. Mega bus, on line ticket sales, curb side pick up. Low cost overhead, base model that industry moved to long ago. 2. Bus depots are inefficient, less and less demand as customers prefer to buy tickets and board at other locations. Each purchase is a vote on what kind of service they want. They love their bus depot and very proud of it, but customers don't value it. Must meet market demands. Other than Greyhound today, very few bus terminals, which is a public sector function. 3. Buses have wheels, can be flexible and don't need a bus depot to do this. Depot doesn't serve general public like it used to. Most won't be affected, and those who are will have other convenient options to get picked up. Finally, the real estate taxes are just a fraction of what the project will be later. He says the only jobs are 2 full time, 5 part time, but take up entire acre of downtown real estate. New project will bring more jobs to the area.
David Carrig. Opposition. Says as a bus rider and public transit user, most places have a terminal for cold nights and to help you get acclamated. Probably took bus and train more than he would have cared to and the buses are oriented to a younger persons, but as you get older and if you have children or health issues that limits your activity, a terminal is a welcoming spot that lets you unkink from a long trip and get your bearings. Hopes that an accomodation is made and that an alternate spot is found. City recognizes need for bus shelters at our city stops,why not here?
Tim Wong. Opposition. You've heard all the arguments. In general he supports downtown infill, great idea. Just concerned we need to solve the problems people are talking about. Need alternatives. Postpone until city comes up with a location. Not certain that this development is really needed. Lives down the street from the "Union Corners soccer field", all it is is an empty lot. Greyhound won't be able to go to Langdon. He has taken Greyhound, and doesn't know how he could have gotten on it without a station. Shocked no one from the city brought this up. Megabus models work for some poeople, young, with computers and credit cards. Alot of people on Greyhound need to pay cash and you don't want to stand around on a corner with cash waiting for the bus. At TPC the Greyhound rep said he didn't know what Greyhound is going to do. Talks about peak oil impacts. Says we need to get serious about our life style. By getting rid of bus station, seems the wrong way to go. Says Champaign Urbana model is a good one. Likes terminals with local and regional buses and trains.
John Meier - One of the business partners. Talks about other sites. Badger has 400 employees. When bus depot closes, they will work with Mem Union when they have 80% of their passengers, they do sell their tickets and get paid and give out schedule info. Says that there won't be more buses at Mem Union, traffic should be similar, only add one 6 am bus schedule. Has a letter of agreement with Kelly Williamson Mobile giving them permission to load in front of the filling station. Working with Pete Pollack to get permission from the city to load there. Will pay for ice and snow removal in the area. Has options for tickets - on-line and drivers can sell them. Also making plans to do a phone order with credit card. Will also pick up at Dutch Mill park & ride. Will work with Metro to load there. Says Greyhound has been involved with the city. He says he's been in conversations with the Mayor and Madison Metro to find a temporary site to load.
Sigrid Knutke (sp?) - She lives in the neighborhood and she will be pleased to see the bus station go. [2nd person to complain about the handicap accessible speaking area not being inviting.] Makes a Michael Jackson reference. Then says Van Galder bus has been allowed to be use madison streets and pay nothing to park and load and Badger Bus wants to get in on the great giveaway too. Buses do need stations, Van Galder just built two new stations, one in Janesville and Beloit and Montfort. Badger Bus will be the only ones without a bus station. City gets nothing to repair streets. This is a great sham. If she was an alder she would not want to be part of that. She also says she went to business school and she reminds/tells people that the lifespan of family owned corporation is usually 3 generations. The first one founds, the second one builds, the third on then wants money out of the business. You're allowing that to happen.
Dave Knutke (sp?) - with Madison Peak Oil. Opposed. Some of the issues have gotten lost in traffic and property rights. Says Megabus model is like health insurance. It only serves people who can function well and the long run affect will be to depress ridership. After terminal closes bus riding will be worse than before. Langdon will be crowded and not meant to be a bus station. Says important not to get lost in details. Transportation issues have not been dealt with. The city has only been concerned with property rights. This is a city system facility, not going out of bus service, just transfering their business costs to public space. We're told they should not be punished for the city's lack of preparation. Turn that around, they should not take advantage of that. They should help arrange an alternative situation. They intend to be part of the system in the future and they should slow down and do it right. Says that the Bassett Plan is not the same as transportation plans, and transportation plans are the relevant plan. Says this has regional consequences. Traffic at union will be increased. Pollution generator is given free pass to create problems down stream. This is a complex issue that needs city intervention. There should be conditions on the demolition permit. Bruer interupts, 5 minutes are up. Says city should adopt a formal commitment to intercity bus service and give instructions to staff to look at ordinances to control the bus traffic and enforce bus regulations. Finally, he says city should assess their own transportation ordinances and have a franchise fee and boarding fee for those using the streets. Terminal is not a thing of the past and Madison needs to plan.
Angela Black, Attorney at Michael Best - Support. Part of project team. Says that even if project did not go forward, no guarantee the bus terminal would continue to operate and city can't make them do it. Points out 80% of riders get on at union and it won't change, only one additional bus. She says that relationship with UW is not temporary, the relationship has been going on for 20 years and should continue because its a good revenue source for them. Greyhound is a big company, faced this around the world and they are giving info to Greyhound and Badger Coaches but can't control what they should do. Talks about neighborhood and regional plans and that none of them identify this site for multi-modal stations. Also says that the financing of the project is a condition from the plan commission. Clarifies the Van Galder didn't build depots, just vending and bathrooms and some are in conjunction with other businesses. Her clients want to continue to invest and expand involvedment in the community.
2 other registrants in opposition.
QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANTS
Maniaci asks about what they are going to do, especially at Memorial Union and tells them that the parking lot will be going away, so what are the long term plans? John Meier says that they want to stay there long term. Doens't know how many pull in and park and if they drive they can go to Dutch Mill and Kelly Williamson. People wait in cars at other locaions and it works well.
Maniaci asks why Kelly Williamson? Says its close by.
Maniaci asks about regional transit and what they would do, have service at airport? Or really staying downtown. He says hard to say. Depends upon what the city puts together out there. But good service, most of customers are students and in the area. His clients come from downtown area.
Maniaci asks about Milwaukee - selling terminal in Milw and planning on going into the intermodal terminal project. Says clients are moving in Milwaukee. Only 20% go downtown.
Rummel asks about jobs per square foot? Says they don't have info. 12,000 sq ft of commercial space, anticipate more than 2 full time and 5 part time.
Rummel asks about leases? He says he talks about some of them.
Rummel says she appreciates the Kelly Willaimson deal - has friend that lives in condo, chose Metro Place so coul ride bus to Milwaukee.
Schmidt asks about time line. When will it be closed? End of August.
Schmidt asks about buses and accessiblity and ADA issues and curb side pick up? How would that work? He says just like they do at Langdon and Dutch Mill. They have lifts, have to give 48 hour notice.
Rhodes-Conway - asks about Milw inter-modal station. Who created the station? How have other stations been developed. Built with government funds. Milw was complex funding from county, state and fed funds. That's as much as they know, no private funding. No question stations being built are with gov't funding.
Bidar-Sielaff - How flexible is August closing? They say no flexibility. Plan on September 1 operating that way.
Bidar-Sielaff - Asks about $100,000 from Van Galder. How much paying at union - $48,000 in commissions. Also adds that timeline is because they are offering apartments, if don't get started will have to wait another year.
Verveer asks about Greyhound. Are they aware of timeline? Any comfort that Greyhound has an interim plan? He says he doesn't know what internal plans are, but there have been discussions. Greyhound wants to be close to transfer point, Metro is trying to sort that out. Will talk again next week. Also engaging state DOT. Doesn't know more than that, more coming up this week.
Solomon asks, apologizes before asking, wondering if in a different time where there was an RTA and interest in a multi-modal downtown transit hub and there was funding, how would you feel? They say that they think the city has id'd other locations and are not interested in their site. But they say that any other site, they would participate in. Depends upon the market at the time, but would be interested in future conversations. Closing bus terminal, not shutting down bus service.
Bidar-Sielaff - Asks about people walking to the union, is that a survey or anecdotal. She says her experience is that people tre dropped off. They say there is no survey, its a guess.
DISCUSSION
Verveer makes motion to adopt report of Plan Commisison with recommendation. He says that they should start with staff questions.
STAFF QUESTIONS
Verveer asks about appropriateness of tying rezoning/land use discussion and bus terminal and transportation planning around intercity bus service. Brad Murphy responds that many of the issues raised are about intercity tranportation and bus service by not only the owner of this property but others. He says permanent solution for multi-modal transportation is beyond the scope of what can be linked to the owner of the zoning lot. Before them is a demolition, which have demolition standards that look at the proposed alternative use, a PUD changing M-1 to PUD and the requirements from map amendments and PUD were considered. Proof of financing condition recommended by plan commission which will be a condition of approval. Some of the conditions requested tonight go beyond what the owner of the properoty can deliver and represents a broader issue to be solved by the community.
Attorney May adds that standards that they look at are future use, conditions on development and neighborhood plans. He agrees we need to look at the other issue, but it doesn't relate to how they use the property. They could just stop using the depot tomorrow and nothing the city can do. Some of the conditions are beyond the standards and beyond the control of the people who own the property. City should be looking at other issues, but it doesn't fit.
Rummel asks about email she sent to Trowbridge and Dryer. She notes they are not there, so asks someone else, do we have permits for street use? Do we get revenue? She says we are socializing something that has been a private cost. Can we say they can't load in front of union? May says he thinks we don't charge fees for using the streets.
Rummel realizes he is wrong and says we have parking permits. May says we can limit where they can pick up, but it has to be a reasonable regulation. Not aware of ability to charge fee for picking up and parking on the street.
Rummel says Traffic Engineering does look at the routes, is that just staff or does it go to commmittee? May says he thinks it might go to TPC. [Mays guessing is always where we get into trouble . . . I wish we would get real answers instead of guessing. Obviously, he can't answer everything off the top of his head, but that should be the answer, not wild speculation.]
Rummel asks Murphy where we are in planning a multi-modal station. Murphy says Transport 2020 has some tentative plans for routes and general station location at Kohl Center, but no exact location. Downtown plan has id'd issue and tentatively id'd an area by Regent/W Wash intersection with bike path and rail corridor as a general location. That was discussed at the last public meeting, but not firm recommendations at this point. Implementation tools, costs and ability to move forward have not been discussed at this point.
Rummel asks if staff made it a priority. Murphy says it is up to decisions made by commissions and the council. Murphy says staff believe it is very important and has been on the table onngeneral terms for many years.
Rummel asks how to sieze this sense of urgency? Murphy says that they should look at alternative locations and find the highest priority locations. It would take several city agencies working with service providers and they would have to look at the costs, resources would have to be allocated and it would have to be a prioirty. Some ot that staff are alreayd working on other projects.
Rummel asks about paying for street use. Murphy has nothing to add, but says he has little knowledge, its outside his area.
Schmidt asks about desire to take action, can they amend it to take action to direct city staff. May says you can amend the motion to direct staff to do something not related to the zoning propoal. Says maybe they could talk to the mayor's office and make the recommendation informally. [Wow, watching the mayor's back . . . making sure he has as much control as possible. At least its transparent!]
Maniaci asks Murphy what historical research they have done on past locations that have served as transportation hubs? He says they haven't done historical research. He talks about old passenger train stations that were along rail line and says some of those locations are still good for stations, but most are in private ownership and use. Have looked at rail corridor for possible stations and several alternatives were considered in the late 1990s. MPO also did a study that recommendated intercity bus passenger station and the current location was looked at for that service, but that was like 20 years ago or more. So, it depends up on how far you want to go back.[Maybe if we had a preservation planner they could do that work, but the position is frozen and the Mayor won't fill it.]
Maniaci clarifies that this is an area that they were looking at in the future. Says she went to historical society and looked at old maps, E Wilson or this location seem to be the only options. I think that was a questions. Murphy says nothing.
Bidar-Sielaff asks about conversations the Mayor's office was having. Harmon says that Greyhound rep was at TPC and talked with him, had a telephone conference. They talked about alternatives, Dutch Mill and East Transfer point, another meeting next week. They said they have no alternatives at this point. [Not real comforting, it seemed to me from Verveer's questions that there might be more to this, but they weren't spilling it.]
DISCUSSION
Verveer says that when he got the first call, he asked mostly about intercity bus service, because it is a serious concern. Appreciates that the adovcates have been working on this and sounded the the alarm in all the appropriate venues. They consulted with Verveer and did what they were asked. Talks about Greyhound not wanting to leave the community. Says that plan with Badger Bus plan is solid and heartened to know that the corridor will continue to have the services. Discussion about other ways they will make up for the loss of the depot, but they have done what they can. Doesn't think city can force them to keep operating their depot. Rezoning proposal went through the time consuming public process and neighborhood process and steering committee statement is in the packets/on legistar. Extremely warmly recieved by the neighborhood. Well designed, mixed use neighborhood development that fits with the neighborhood plan. No concerns with the proposed building. The only issue is, and it is a big one, is the multi-modal transporation hub. Directs them to the answers by Murphy an May and says it is not appropriate to link them, and that is written in the staff report. Reads instructions from staff about what they can decide. But the proposed conditions are not legally possible. Says he is hopeful that there will be movement in the future, asks that they don't try to add something at this time, but that he will introduce a resolution at a later date and they need more facts and discussion. Demolition concerns have been addressed. Neighborhood is excited about it, will be a good addition to the downtown and wants them to support the rezoning and the transporation plan needs to be addressed at a later time. Says appropriate site is not this one, but across the street. Says that this deserves the support and the transportation issues need to be worked out and he hopes to introduce a resolution.
Rhodes-Conway says the need is real, and it needs to be taken seriously, doesn't need to be this spot, needs to involve government, perhaps in downtown plan or through the RTA and she hopes staff will continue to work on this to help the community to decide where a but terminal might be and where train service might go as well.
Bidar-Sielaff says she appreciates that developers are workign on this and says they should be honored that we feel so strongly about their service and terminal. She is supportive but personally she thinks she has failed some of her own strong beliefs in public transportation by not being as strong of an advoacate to make sure there is a short term plan. We need a more comprehensive plan. That doesn't speak well to our planning process that in 60 days the bus depot will be closed and we don't have a comprehensive plan. Glad to hear there is a future resolution in the works. Would also like to have staff come back with recommendations about what will happen in the short term and have some strong conversations with Greyhound. There is not a summary that tells a citizen what is going on, but there are pieces here and there in the documents and a summary would be helpful. She says the Mem Union and UW are very imporant in this discussion and she is very diappointed that they are not here and part of the conversation and obviously the UW is a big part of what is going on.
Schmidt echos Bidar-Sielaff and thanks everyone who came out. He says he is on LRTPC, TPC and MPO and no one felt they had the authority to take a role in the short term solution. [WOW! Now that is a statement! Sometimes, when there is no leadership, sometimes you just need to create it. But at least he took the first step in identifying the gap! I'd suggest just making it happen and not accepting that no one has authority.] Who is responsible for that? He's hoping that the comments from May and Murphy show that they don't need to make a motion. In the short term he d like to see the solutions. UW should be part of the solution, they take a fee to park and load on our streets. He would like to see them be more proactive.
Rummel makes a motion to have staff look at this separate from the zoning action. Asks that traffic engineering and Mayor's office look at short term solutions and report back in 60 days. May says that would be an amendment. Rummel says that this is a good development and location, but all the issues raised are important. She is uncomfortable with having random spaces for bus, there has to be a downtown location. She thinks that they need some action. May clarifies, council asks for a report back. Verveer says its friendly. Schumacher has concerns.
Schumacher asks staff, is 60 days enough and how does that work with the downtown plan. Murphy says that is enough toime to provide a report on the status, there might not be a full resolution. But he can do the report. Downtown plan is on a separate process and they will have preliminary recommendations by the end of the summer - hopefully. It might take til fall.
Schumacher says no objection.
Passes unanimously on a voice vote.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
Verveer moves grant 17, refer 18 to next CC meeting and 19 confirmed.
- Item 17 (Mayoral appointments introduced at the last meeting)
- Item 18 (Mayoral appointments introduced for approval at the next meeting)
- Item 19 (Mayoral Aldermanic appointment)
Pham Remmele says that she wants to bring up that unlike 20 elected alders who serve two years and have to be re-elected to that we have near 1,000 people making decisions for the city, but she was told today there are only 500, and her reservation is that the she takes her job serioulsy and there are 5 alders gone and the mayor is not here and it has always been a courtesty, with the mayor not here, can't ask questions, at CCOC the committee was kind to consider this is an issue worth while to consider and she is working for people who have negative feeling about city hall where we are working too close together and glad ccoc will take over the issue and wants to they need to reform the process. She votes no, doesn't want to vote yes just to be nice. [That's the best I could do.]
Passes unimously on a voice vote, Thuy doesn't vote no?
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION REPORT
Rhodes-Conway thanks staff for staying and says she likes the report better than data from the mayor's office. She asked Nunez to talk about process and recommendations and what role council should take on the recommendations in the report. Nunez says she is working with Pam Williamson in the mayor's office and they re-did the application and self-identiy form and trying to track that info now. They are getting printed reports with all the info. She says that Nunez is now involved in the meetings in the Mayor's office where the applicants are discussed. She said that many people don't fill out the self disclosure form and when they do there is room for interpretation. So, they don't have accurate information. She says bottom line is that they can always do better. She says there are 3 committees with no women, 40 committees with not people of color and many, many more with no people with disabilities. They are working with city channel to get PSAs on the air, working with Communities United to get more people to apply, says alders can help cast a wider net. They are thinking about educational programs. She says that it a wide perception that some applicaitons are rejected, but they keep the applications for years. All apps are kept, no one is denied. They are working with department and division heads to keep an eye on diversity on the commissions. This report just shows you a benchmark to look at and we can keep doing better.
Rhodes-Conway confirms that they should work with Nunez to identify candidates and ways to get info about vacancies to a broader community. Nunez says yes and if you have people in neighborhoods who want to serve, if don't have access to computer, they can mail things out to people.
Adoption passes unanimously.
ITEM 23 - BAYOU SIDEWALK CAFE
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Referral to ALRC is motion. Dale Beck in support and wishing to speak. Confused about why referred. just got phone call this afternoon.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS OF ALDERS??? (This is a new one!)
Bruer asks Rummel to explain. Rummel says there are many layers of confusion. Bayou was approved last fall before we passed the sign ordinance, and the neighbors are no longer sent postcards and so the clerks office did not give Beck the sign and not sure what all happened. So, he didn't follow the sign regulations. Felt that due diligence wasn't done to tell neighborhood about the change. Beck volunteered to do a neighborhood meeting and only two people showed up and needs the hearing to be done right. No disrespect to the applicant.
DISCUSSION WITH ALDERS AND PUBLIC
He says he disagrees because he applied before the ordinance went into affect. He says he did due diligence.
Rhodes-Conway asks for a point of order - says the back and forth is not appropriate. Bruer says its ok, but we are on a tightrope, but says registrant can finish raising his questions and then the alders can ask questions.
RESUME PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Says neighborhood had a meeting. He wasn't notified about the sign, says his application was referred for 6 months, then another 3 months and he did his due diligence and he should not be punished for not knowing about the new ordinance that went into affect after he applied.
QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Rummel asks City Attorney to help clarify. May says that Brist can answer. Rummel thanks him for staying. Brist says that that Beck and Rummel are both correct. Beck followed the rules, application was in a long time ago, it was a two part application. Notice was mailed out a long time ago, but ALRC granted the change in premise but did not consider the sidewalk cafe and that showed up on the agenda at the last meeting and what happened was that the ordinance had changed from postcard to sign ord - he corrects himself and says the clerks procedure changed - and Mr Beck did what he needed to in the application process but there wasn't parctical notice as Rummel stated and neigbhors may not have known the application was still before the ALRC.
Schumacher asks what will be accomplished with referral and what they expect to be different? [Was he listening to the meeting and paying attention, it seemed quite clear.]
Rummel says they need a legally noticed meeting. She says they need to follow the spirit of the law. There should be a sign up for 10 days so people can learn about the issues and attend a meeting if necessary.
Bruer clarifies sign is needed and doesn't blame Beck. Hopefully this is the last glitch.
Palm asks if they can put up the sign and have the hearing at the Common Council instead of the ALRC.
May says Palm could do that. [Wow, another shot from the hip!] Rummel agrees that is ok.
Rummel says she is working to fix the sign stuff. Clerk says that it will be referred to the next council meeting, substitute motion and that is friendly. No further discussion.
Passes unanimously on voice vote.
ITEMS FOR INTRODUCTION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Verveer moves to adjourn.
Bruer wishes Clausius a fast recovery (knee surgery).
Bruer says see you on Saturday - the Council Betty Lou cruise.
Motion to adjourn passes.
Read more!
Um . . . Bruer? Bruer? He wanders in, talking to everyone . . . and attempts to call the meeting to order at 6:37. The Clerk and City Attorney are counting and counting. Bruer asks people to take their seats and they count, and count. 14! That's it, they finally have quorum and can start. Bruer announces that quorum is tight and tell the alders they can't leave the chambers because it will ruin quorum.
ROLL CALL
Notified Absences: Clear, Cnare, Compton, Sanborn made it on the agenda. Later Kerr also excused. Palm also excused. Palm eventually shows up.
Verveer moves suspension of the rules 6:40.
[Note: Thanks to whatever city employee gets to work at 6:30 in the morning and re-sets the server with the legistar information on it, allowing me to add in the links this morning. And making the agendas available early Monday morning. Much! Much! Apreciated!!!]
COMMENDING CHERYL ERICKSON
Resolution is read. Cheryl succinctly says "Thank you."
Al Schumacher, Streets Superintendent speaks to thank her for setting up her own programing for the GPS unit to run her salt route. They liked it and had her program the rest of the salt routes, and later refuse and recycling routes and now they are all on sim cards that can be checked out by the drivers. She did such a great job that the company sent a software engineer from France to see what she has done and is working to program their devices for others. [A birdy whispered in my ear and asked why we didn't just buy GPS systems that did this in the first place, instead of buying GPS systems so they can track where drivers are. And spending all this time reprogramming the units. Good question. Not to take anything away from Cheryl, as she was most appropriately recognized for her efforts and they should recognize city staff more often!]
PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS WEEK
Clerk, Tammy Peters, reads the resolution. They said thanks, pointed out several people's history with pancreatic cancer and introduced Lucia Nunez who beat the 75% odds of making it through the first year. They thanked the Council for the resolution and explained how it would help raise awareness.
RECOGNIZING FLEET SERVICE AND THEIR AWARD
It's referred without explanation. Passes on a voice vote.
PETITION OR COMMUNICATIONS
None.
EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
The pass the entire agenda with the recommendations listed on the agenda with the following exceptions:
Public Hearing Items 4 - 16 & 115 (See below for links)
They record an unanimous consent on item 53 (Annexation and ward assignment in district 18) which requires 14 votes.
They refer the following items
- Item 23 (Bayou Sidewalk Cafe) referred back to the ALRC - see below.
- Item 24 (Operator License for Edgewater Cafe Employee) to the July 21 meeting
- Item 27 (Change in License Whiskey River /Rev Jim's Roadhouse) to the July 21 meeting
- Item 50 (Shady Wood Neighborhood Plan) to the July 21 meeting
- Item 51 (Resolution to reduce vehicle miles traveled) to the August 4 meeting
Items separated for discussion are
- Item 17 (Mayoral appointments introduced at the last meeting) - Pham-Remmele requested separation.
- Item 18 (Mayoral appointments introduced for approval at the next meeting) - Pham-Remmel requested separation.
- Item 19 (Mayoral Aldermanic appointment) - Pham-Remmele requeste separation.
- Item 22 (Affirmative Action report on Committee Appointments and Gender, Race and Disability) - Rhodes-Conway requested separation.
[You go girls, with hyphenated last names! :)]
There was a registrant for Item 23 (Bayou sidewalk cafe) so that was also separated for discussion.
They also add the Long Range Transportation Committee as a referral to items 94 (Midvale-Westmorland Neighborhood Plan) and (Northport-Warner Park-Sherman Neighborhood Plan)99.
RECESSED PUBLIC HEARINGS
(See agenda for links)
Plan Commission
#4 - Development on Sargent St. - There is one speaker - Eric S is there for info only and to answer questions. There are no questions. There is a long pause as Ald. Solomon whispers something into Bruer's ear. Bruer fumbles, says there is no motion on the floor. Verveer points out, motion is adoption. The motion passes by a voice vote.
Bruer reminds everyone that Shady Grove [er, Shady Wood] Neighborhood Plan has been referred.
Report of ALRC
For some reason, today, instead of opening the public hearings on each of these items and passing them as one big motion, they painfully plod through them, one by one. So they methodically plod through them:
#5 - Change of Licensed Premise for 24 Pump - Verveer makes motion to place on file without prejudice. No speakers. Passes on a voice vote without discussion.
#6 - New License for Atomic Koi Cocktail Lounge - Verveer makes the motion to recess this public hearing. No registrants. King amkes a substitute to place on file without prejudice. He says he talked with the owner and the deal has fallen through. Motion passes on a voice vote without further discussion.
#7 - New License for Tutto Pasta - No speakers, Verveer moves to adopt report which is to grant. Passes on a voice vote without discussion.
#8 - New License Mundo Latino - No speakers, Verveer moves to re-refer, the public hearing is recessed. Motion passes with no discussion on a voice vote.
#9 - Fiesta Mexican Grill new license. Verveer moves to adopt recommendation of th ALRC which is to grant with conditions. Motion passes without discussion.
#10 - Hooters new license. There is a person available to answer questions. (Sort of missed it but presume it passed as recommended and there was no discussion.)
#11 - New License Coopers Tavern - There is one registrant available to answer questions. Verveer makes the motion to accept ALRC recommendations. Motion passes on voice vote without discussion.
#12 - New License Fat Sandwich Company - There are no registrants, Verveer moves to grant. The motion passes on a voice vote with no discussion. Tho, at some point, there is a little activity on the floor and they explain that Alder Schumacher is urging them to look at the names of the sandwiches. There is laughter and Bruer thanks him for pointing out. Chuckle, chuckle.
#13 - New License Eno Vino - There are no speakers, Verveer moves to grant. Passes without discussion on a voice vote. [My god, this is ridiculous!]
#14 - Cafe Porta Alba transfer of license. No registrations. Verveer moves to adopt report to grant. No discussion, motion passes on a voice vote.
#15 - Electric Earth Cafe new license. There are no registrants. Verveer moves to adopt report of ALRC to grant. No discussion, motion passes on a voice vote.
Bruer pauses to explain why they went through these all individually. He says its because "alders" requested it. [Where have I heard that before? Someone should ask who! My guess this is just another attempt to show how important the ALRC is. If I have time I'll blog a bit about the discussion about CCOC and you'll further understand.]
JT WHITNEYS
Bruer asks Verveer about #116. Verveer explains that was part of consent agenda, and points out it is #115 they need to discuss. Verveer moves to place it on file, without prejudice.
Verveer explains that JT Whitney's was supposed to have their
#115 - No registrants, place on file without prejudice, JT Whitneys. Verveer explains that understanding is that lease will be given to clerk's office by noon today and it did not happen, so Clear recommends that they go back to ALRC with new application.
[Pssst, Sconz, these are routine items and the only reason Verveer is making all the motions is because he is the senior person on the Council besides Bruer and someone needs to make the motions with the absence of the Mayor (usual chair) and Clear (Council Pro Tem). It has nothing to do with him being on ALRC, he made all the initial motions at the council meeting. And by the way, your blog of the meeting, weak sauce.]
#16 BADGER BUS
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Royce Williams - In opposition - With all talk of Madison being green, losing bus terminal is a great disgrace. Hopes the process will get the city moving on the longer term. Not a good trend going backwards. Proposal is not ready to go yet. Nothing about impact on the Union with 20% increase in riders. Nothing about stopping about Dutch Mill and what Van Galder and others are paying and the third is Greyhound and what they will do is not determined yet. Shouldn't go forward until that is resolved. City needs to be involved in this. Greyhound has 10 buses per day with connections to Tomah, LaCrosse, Chicago, Twin Cities and Milwaukee. Also connections to Fox Cities and Steven's Point. Why isn't this an LRTPC issue, they took no action. Also went to TPC, same thing, no action. Plan Commission said they had no obligantion to talk about transit impacts. Talks about Champaign Megabus model, its the model of the way it should be done and they are a city of 1/3 our size. Says don't approve project until Union, Dutch Mill and Greyhound are resolved and we have long term plans.
Rosemary Lee - Downtown resident, wasn't part of steering committee, Bassett neighborhood plan is a framework and not cast in concrete said developers and businesses around the area. This project will create jobs during construcion and will add dollars to tax rolls, will add stability to the neighborhoods. Greyhound is largest conglomerate in the world, don't feel sorry for them. Steering committee has been pleased with developer response. Don't hold developers responsible because the city has been negligent in creating a multi-modal transportation plan for a station.
Susan DeVos - MABAA representative. They and Madison Peak Oil group ask for it to be placed on file until there is a plan for a downtown multi-modal terminal. Eminent domain, lack of assurance of it being built after demolition and risk of it being illegal are major concerns. Eminent domain was ok for interchange on West side and Steve's liquor. [interrupted, didn't get it all] Talked about better vision for the property. What is the assurance that construction will begin after demolition? Also raises issues that the planned sidewalk pickup might be illegal? She says it is hard to get around in winter [Note, for those of you who do not know, Susan is in a wheelchair], ADA says that they need to be accessible and curb side pick up might not work. Should at least get a city attorney opinion and refer to commission on people with disabilities. Please delay.
Carl Durocher - He says that plan commission only looked at the mixed use devleopment on the site. That is entirely irrelevant, that is not what we should be talking about. We should be looking at what is being lost. Only one existing inter-city transportation hub, and this is it. It will be eliminated without viable alternatives. Comprehensive plan and vehicle miles traveled resolution will be passed and we shouldn't be blindly marching ahead. Without the terminal there is no clear idea about what will happen. Memorial Union is already stressed and there isn't a real plan. [Missed a bit.] Refer back to LRTPC (Long Range Transportation Planning Committee) to weigh in, along with DCC (Downtown Coordinating Committee). Where would an alternative be located? How do we coordinate with intercity rail? We need time to figure this out. [missed some more)]
Randy Bruce - Architect for the project, in support. [Usually would have gone first to present the project to the Council, its odd the way the speakers are all jumbled up tonight]. Talks about the project and process. Large and small neighborhood meetings, several UDC meetings, reviews with planning staff and they are ready for approval. Looked at surrounding buildings and the ones in the area are late 19th century warehouse buildings and want to fit in with that. 3 story building on Main and S Bedford, 4 story on Bedford and 5 story with commerrcial at Bedford and W Washington AVe. About 90 undergound parking stalls, 28 surface stalls. He shows pretty pictures. Talks about bike parking on site. Says they are looking into green built options with the development. The project is a long term investment, all masonry, timeless architecture.
Barbara Smith - opposition - Calls for delay until strong alternative plan. Alternatives offered are inadequate. Greyhound is homeless and unsustainable burden on Memorial Union. Loss of the depot will damage public interest by making bus service unreliable and inconvenient (and I think she said disorganized?). Memorial Union is a defacto bus depot. Chancellors office has said that the UW does not want to act as a bus depot. UW would disapprove of a Greyhound stop on Langdon. Understandable to want to limit additional bus loading. Currently Langdon is loud, polluted and potentially unsafe due to all bike and pedestrian traffic. Population growth and economic factors may lead to increased need for bus service, but they have no plans for that. UW currently gets 100,000 for selling tickets and that would support a bus terminal. Can't put off discussion of where the bus depot will go. Other sites will have issues and we need to deal with this now while we have more options. This is of regional importantance, can't look at from narrow neighborhood lens.
Beth Harper - opposition. Librarian at UW, Progressive Dane member and a bus rider. Chooses not to drive a car. Been riding the buses for 20 years for work and to visit family and for the first and last legs on vacation. Wants city to establish and maintain a transit depot in central madison. 20 years ago, Cedar Rapids already had a bus terminal with intercity and local buses, we are 20 years behind Cedar Rapids Iowa and that is not something city should be proud of. She talkes about a winter trip where she was able to wait in vestibule of Memorial union (which was closed), it offered warmth and protection, but only the early arrivers could fit in. It was a longer wait outside to get on the bus because the compartment doors had frozen in the near 0 degree weather, drivers of buses tried to get doors open, those with luggage had to wait outside and couldn't go in union becasue can't keep eye on bus and they don't have the ability to make announcements for the riders. She waited outside for 20 minutes at zero degrees. If it was a bus terminal they could have made and announcement. She says she has landed in strange cities off the bus and the station has maps of city bus routes, phone books, public phones, taxis, and people who can provide you with information. Having an address to be picked up is important. This is what Madison loses by not having a terminal. She talks about difference between airport vs bus being dropped off on the street. Urges to vote against and work on a true multi-modal station.
David Meier - support. Owner of Badger Coaches. Jim home sick, other partner will speak. 3rd generation owners in management since 90s. Why abaondon bus depot? 1. Bus industry has changed. More efficient cost effecitve method. Mega bus, on line ticket sales, curb side pick up. Low cost overhead, base model that industry moved to long ago. 2. Bus depots are inefficient, less and less demand as customers prefer to buy tickets and board at other locations. Each purchase is a vote on what kind of service they want. They love their bus depot and very proud of it, but customers don't value it. Must meet market demands. Other than Greyhound today, very few bus terminals, which is a public sector function. 3. Buses have wheels, can be flexible and don't need a bus depot to do this. Depot doesn't serve general public like it used to. Most won't be affected, and those who are will have other convenient options to get picked up. Finally, the real estate taxes are just a fraction of what the project will be later. He says the only jobs are 2 full time, 5 part time, but take up entire acre of downtown real estate. New project will bring more jobs to the area.
David Carrig. Opposition. Says as a bus rider and public transit user, most places have a terminal for cold nights and to help you get acclamated. Probably took bus and train more than he would have cared to and the buses are oriented to a younger persons, but as you get older and if you have children or health issues that limits your activity, a terminal is a welcoming spot that lets you unkink from a long trip and get your bearings. Hopes that an accomodation is made and that an alternate spot is found. City recognizes need for bus shelters at our city stops,why not here?
Tim Wong. Opposition. You've heard all the arguments. In general he supports downtown infill, great idea. Just concerned we need to solve the problems people are talking about. Need alternatives. Postpone until city comes up with a location. Not certain that this development is really needed. Lives down the street from the "Union Corners soccer field", all it is is an empty lot. Greyhound won't be able to go to Langdon. He has taken Greyhound, and doesn't know how he could have gotten on it without a station. Shocked no one from the city brought this up. Megabus models work for some poeople, young, with computers and credit cards. Alot of people on Greyhound need to pay cash and you don't want to stand around on a corner with cash waiting for the bus. At TPC the Greyhound rep said he didn't know what Greyhound is going to do. Talks about peak oil impacts. Says we need to get serious about our life style. By getting rid of bus station, seems the wrong way to go. Says Champaign Urbana model is a good one. Likes terminals with local and regional buses and trains.
John Meier - One of the business partners. Talks about other sites. Badger has 400 employees. When bus depot closes, they will work with Mem Union when they have 80% of their passengers, they do sell their tickets and get paid and give out schedule info. Says that there won't be more buses at Mem Union, traffic should be similar, only add one 6 am bus schedule. Has a letter of agreement with Kelly Williamson Mobile giving them permission to load in front of the filling station. Working with Pete Pollack to get permission from the city to load there. Will pay for ice and snow removal in the area. Has options for tickets - on-line and drivers can sell them. Also making plans to do a phone order with credit card. Will also pick up at Dutch Mill park & ride. Will work with Metro to load there. Says Greyhound has been involved with the city. He says he's been in conversations with the Mayor and Madison Metro to find a temporary site to load.
Sigrid Knutke (sp?) - She lives in the neighborhood and she will be pleased to see the bus station go. [2nd person to complain about the handicap accessible speaking area not being inviting.] Makes a Michael Jackson reference. Then says Van Galder bus has been allowed to be use madison streets and pay nothing to park and load and Badger Bus wants to get in on the great giveaway too. Buses do need stations, Van Galder just built two new stations, one in Janesville and Beloit and Montfort. Badger Bus will be the only ones without a bus station. City gets nothing to repair streets. This is a great sham. If she was an alder she would not want to be part of that. She also says she went to business school and she reminds/tells people that the lifespan of family owned corporation is usually 3 generations. The first one founds, the second one builds, the third on then wants money out of the business. You're allowing that to happen.
Dave Knutke (sp?) - with Madison Peak Oil. Opposed. Some of the issues have gotten lost in traffic and property rights. Says Megabus model is like health insurance. It only serves people who can function well and the long run affect will be to depress ridership. After terminal closes bus riding will be worse than before. Langdon will be crowded and not meant to be a bus station. Says important not to get lost in details. Transportation issues have not been dealt with. The city has only been concerned with property rights. This is a city system facility, not going out of bus service, just transfering their business costs to public space. We're told they should not be punished for the city's lack of preparation. Turn that around, they should not take advantage of that. They should help arrange an alternative situation. They intend to be part of the system in the future and they should slow down and do it right. Says that the Bassett Plan is not the same as transportation plans, and transportation plans are the relevant plan. Says this has regional consequences. Traffic at union will be increased. Pollution generator is given free pass to create problems down stream. This is a complex issue that needs city intervention. There should be conditions on the demolition permit. Bruer interupts, 5 minutes are up. Says city should adopt a formal commitment to intercity bus service and give instructions to staff to look at ordinances to control the bus traffic and enforce bus regulations. Finally, he says city should assess their own transportation ordinances and have a franchise fee and boarding fee for those using the streets. Terminal is not a thing of the past and Madison needs to plan.
Angela Black, Attorney at Michael Best - Support. Part of project team. Says that even if project did not go forward, no guarantee the bus terminal would continue to operate and city can't make them do it. Points out 80% of riders get on at union and it won't change, only one additional bus. She says that relationship with UW is not temporary, the relationship has been going on for 20 years and should continue because its a good revenue source for them. Greyhound is a big company, faced this around the world and they are giving info to Greyhound and Badger Coaches but can't control what they should do. Talks about neighborhood and regional plans and that none of them identify this site for multi-modal stations. Also says that the financing of the project is a condition from the plan commission. Clarifies the Van Galder didn't build depots, just vending and bathrooms and some are in conjunction with other businesses. Her clients want to continue to invest and expand involvedment in the community.
2 other registrants in opposition.
QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANTS
Maniaci asks about what they are going to do, especially at Memorial Union and tells them that the parking lot will be going away, so what are the long term plans? John Meier says that they want to stay there long term. Doens't know how many pull in and park and if they drive they can go to Dutch Mill and Kelly Williamson. People wait in cars at other locaions and it works well.
Maniaci asks why Kelly Williamson? Says its close by.
Maniaci asks about regional transit and what they would do, have service at airport? Or really staying downtown. He says hard to say. Depends upon what the city puts together out there. But good service, most of customers are students and in the area. His clients come from downtown area.
Maniaci asks about Milwaukee - selling terminal in Milw and planning on going into the intermodal terminal project. Says clients are moving in Milwaukee. Only 20% go downtown.
Rummel asks about jobs per square foot? Says they don't have info. 12,000 sq ft of commercial space, anticipate more than 2 full time and 5 part time.
Rummel asks about leases? He says he talks about some of them.
Rummel says she appreciates the Kelly Willaimson deal - has friend that lives in condo, chose Metro Place so coul ride bus to Milwaukee.
Schmidt asks about time line. When will it be closed? End of August.
Schmidt asks about buses and accessiblity and ADA issues and curb side pick up? How would that work? He says just like they do at Langdon and Dutch Mill. They have lifts, have to give 48 hour notice.
Rhodes-Conway - asks about Milw inter-modal station. Who created the station? How have other stations been developed. Built with government funds. Milw was complex funding from county, state and fed funds. That's as much as they know, no private funding. No question stations being built are with gov't funding.
Bidar-Sielaff - How flexible is August closing? They say no flexibility. Plan on September 1 operating that way.
Bidar-Sielaff - Asks about $100,000 from Van Galder. How much paying at union - $48,000 in commissions. Also adds that timeline is because they are offering apartments, if don't get started will have to wait another year.
Verveer asks about Greyhound. Are they aware of timeline? Any comfort that Greyhound has an interim plan? He says he doesn't know what internal plans are, but there have been discussions. Greyhound wants to be close to transfer point, Metro is trying to sort that out. Will talk again next week. Also engaging state DOT. Doesn't know more than that, more coming up this week.
Solomon asks, apologizes before asking, wondering if in a different time where there was an RTA and interest in a multi-modal downtown transit hub and there was funding, how would you feel? They say that they think the city has id'd other locations and are not interested in their site. But they say that any other site, they would participate in. Depends upon the market at the time, but would be interested in future conversations. Closing bus terminal, not shutting down bus service.
Bidar-Sielaff - Asks about people walking to the union, is that a survey or anecdotal. She says her experience is that people tre dropped off. They say there is no survey, its a guess.
DISCUSSION
Verveer makes motion to adopt report of Plan Commisison with recommendation. He says that they should start with staff questions.
STAFF QUESTIONS
Verveer asks about appropriateness of tying rezoning/land use discussion and bus terminal and transportation planning around intercity bus service. Brad Murphy responds that many of the issues raised are about intercity tranportation and bus service by not only the owner of this property but others. He says permanent solution for multi-modal transportation is beyond the scope of what can be linked to the owner of the zoning lot. Before them is a demolition, which have demolition standards that look at the proposed alternative use, a PUD changing M-1 to PUD and the requirements from map amendments and PUD were considered. Proof of financing condition recommended by plan commission which will be a condition of approval. Some of the conditions requested tonight go beyond what the owner of the properoty can deliver and represents a broader issue to be solved by the community.
Attorney May adds that standards that they look at are future use, conditions on development and neighborhood plans. He agrees we need to look at the other issue, but it doesn't relate to how they use the property. They could just stop using the depot tomorrow and nothing the city can do. Some of the conditions are beyond the standards and beyond the control of the people who own the property. City should be looking at other issues, but it doesn't fit.
Rummel asks about email she sent to Trowbridge and Dryer. She notes they are not there, so asks someone else, do we have permits for street use? Do we get revenue? She says we are socializing something that has been a private cost. Can we say they can't load in front of union? May says he thinks we don't charge fees for using the streets.
Rummel realizes he is wrong and says we have parking permits. May says we can limit where they can pick up, but it has to be a reasonable regulation. Not aware of ability to charge fee for picking up and parking on the street.
Rummel says Traffic Engineering does look at the routes, is that just staff or does it go to commmittee? May says he thinks it might go to TPC. [Mays guessing is always where we get into trouble . . . I wish we would get real answers instead of guessing. Obviously, he can't answer everything off the top of his head, but that should be the answer, not wild speculation.]
Rummel asks Murphy where we are in planning a multi-modal station. Murphy says Transport 2020 has some tentative plans for routes and general station location at Kohl Center, but no exact location. Downtown plan has id'd issue and tentatively id'd an area by Regent/W Wash intersection with bike path and rail corridor as a general location. That was discussed at the last public meeting, but not firm recommendations at this point. Implementation tools, costs and ability to move forward have not been discussed at this point.
Rummel asks if staff made it a priority. Murphy says it is up to decisions made by commissions and the council. Murphy says staff believe it is very important and has been on the table onngeneral terms for many years.
Rummel asks how to sieze this sense of urgency? Murphy says that they should look at alternative locations and find the highest priority locations. It would take several city agencies working with service providers and they would have to look at the costs, resources would have to be allocated and it would have to be a prioirty. Some ot that staff are alreayd working on other projects.
Rummel asks about paying for street use. Murphy has nothing to add, but says he has little knowledge, its outside his area.
Schmidt asks about desire to take action, can they amend it to take action to direct city staff. May says you can amend the motion to direct staff to do something not related to the zoning propoal. Says maybe they could talk to the mayor's office and make the recommendation informally. [Wow, watching the mayor's back . . . making sure he has as much control as possible. At least its transparent!]
Maniaci asks Murphy what historical research they have done on past locations that have served as transportation hubs? He says they haven't done historical research. He talks about old passenger train stations that were along rail line and says some of those locations are still good for stations, but most are in private ownership and use. Have looked at rail corridor for possible stations and several alternatives were considered in the late 1990s. MPO also did a study that recommendated intercity bus passenger station and the current location was looked at for that service, but that was like 20 years ago or more. So, it depends up on how far you want to go back.[Maybe if we had a preservation planner they could do that work, but the position is frozen and the Mayor won't fill it.]
Maniaci clarifies that this is an area that they were looking at in the future. Says she went to historical society and looked at old maps, E Wilson or this location seem to be the only options. I think that was a questions. Murphy says nothing.
Bidar-Sielaff asks about conversations the Mayor's office was having. Harmon says that Greyhound rep was at TPC and talked with him, had a telephone conference. They talked about alternatives, Dutch Mill and East Transfer point, another meeting next week. They said they have no alternatives at this point. [Not real comforting, it seemed to me from Verveer's questions that there might be more to this, but they weren't spilling it.]
DISCUSSION
Verveer says that when he got the first call, he asked mostly about intercity bus service, because it is a serious concern. Appreciates that the adovcates have been working on this and sounded the the alarm in all the appropriate venues. They consulted with Verveer and did what they were asked. Talks about Greyhound not wanting to leave the community. Says that plan with Badger Bus plan is solid and heartened to know that the corridor will continue to have the services. Discussion about other ways they will make up for the loss of the depot, but they have done what they can. Doesn't think city can force them to keep operating their depot. Rezoning proposal went through the time consuming public process and neighborhood process and steering committee statement is in the packets/on legistar. Extremely warmly recieved by the neighborhood. Well designed, mixed use neighborhood development that fits with the neighborhood plan. No concerns with the proposed building. The only issue is, and it is a big one, is the multi-modal transporation hub. Directs them to the answers by Murphy an May and says it is not appropriate to link them, and that is written in the staff report. Reads instructions from staff about what they can decide. But the proposed conditions are not legally possible. Says he is hopeful that there will be movement in the future, asks that they don't try to add something at this time, but that he will introduce a resolution at a later date and they need more facts and discussion. Demolition concerns have been addressed. Neighborhood is excited about it, will be a good addition to the downtown and wants them to support the rezoning and the transporation plan needs to be addressed at a later time. Says appropriate site is not this one, but across the street. Says that this deserves the support and the transportation issues need to be worked out and he hopes to introduce a resolution.
Rhodes-Conway says the need is real, and it needs to be taken seriously, doesn't need to be this spot, needs to involve government, perhaps in downtown plan or through the RTA and she hopes staff will continue to work on this to help the community to decide where a but terminal might be and where train service might go as well.
Bidar-Sielaff says she appreciates that developers are workign on this and says they should be honored that we feel so strongly about their service and terminal. She is supportive but personally she thinks she has failed some of her own strong beliefs in public transportation by not being as strong of an advoacate to make sure there is a short term plan. We need a more comprehensive plan. That doesn't speak well to our planning process that in 60 days the bus depot will be closed and we don't have a comprehensive plan. Glad to hear there is a future resolution in the works. Would also like to have staff come back with recommendations about what will happen in the short term and have some strong conversations with Greyhound. There is not a summary that tells a citizen what is going on, but there are pieces here and there in the documents and a summary would be helpful. She says the Mem Union and UW are very imporant in this discussion and she is very diappointed that they are not here and part of the conversation and obviously the UW is a big part of what is going on.
Schmidt echos Bidar-Sielaff and thanks everyone who came out. He says he is on LRTPC, TPC and MPO and no one felt they had the authority to take a role in the short term solution. [WOW! Now that is a statement! Sometimes, when there is no leadership, sometimes you just need to create it. But at least he took the first step in identifying the gap! I'd suggest just making it happen and not accepting that no one has authority.] Who is responsible for that? He's hoping that the comments from May and Murphy show that they don't need to make a motion. In the short term he d like to see the solutions. UW should be part of the solution, they take a fee to park and load on our streets. He would like to see them be more proactive.
Rummel makes a motion to have staff look at this separate from the zoning action. Asks that traffic engineering and Mayor's office look at short term solutions and report back in 60 days. May says that would be an amendment. Rummel says that this is a good development and location, but all the issues raised are important. She is uncomfortable with having random spaces for bus, there has to be a downtown location. She thinks that they need some action. May clarifies, council asks for a report back. Verveer says its friendly. Schumacher has concerns.
Schumacher asks staff, is 60 days enough and how does that work with the downtown plan. Murphy says that is enough toime to provide a report on the status, there might not be a full resolution. But he can do the report. Downtown plan is on a separate process and they will have preliminary recommendations by the end of the summer - hopefully. It might take til fall.
Schumacher says no objection.
Passes unanimously on a voice vote.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
Verveer moves grant 17, refer 18 to next CC meeting and 19 confirmed.
- Item 17 (Mayoral appointments introduced at the last meeting)
- Item 18 (Mayoral appointments introduced for approval at the next meeting)
- Item 19 (Mayoral Aldermanic appointment)
Pham Remmele says that she wants to bring up that unlike 20 elected alders who serve two years and have to be re-elected to that we have near 1,000 people making decisions for the city, but she was told today there are only 500, and her reservation is that the she takes her job serioulsy and there are 5 alders gone and the mayor is not here and it has always been a courtesty, with the mayor not here, can't ask questions, at CCOC the committee was kind to consider this is an issue worth while to consider and she is working for people who have negative feeling about city hall where we are working too close together and glad ccoc will take over the issue and wants to they need to reform the process. She votes no, doesn't want to vote yes just to be nice. [That's the best I could do.]
Passes unimously on a voice vote, Thuy doesn't vote no?
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION REPORT
Rhodes-Conway thanks staff for staying and says she likes the report better than data from the mayor's office. She asked Nunez to talk about process and recommendations and what role council should take on the recommendations in the report. Nunez says she is working with Pam Williamson in the mayor's office and they re-did the application and self-identiy form and trying to track that info now. They are getting printed reports with all the info. She says that Nunez is now involved in the meetings in the Mayor's office where the applicants are discussed. She said that many people don't fill out the self disclosure form and when they do there is room for interpretation. So, they don't have accurate information. She says bottom line is that they can always do better. She says there are 3 committees with no women, 40 committees with not people of color and many, many more with no people with disabilities. They are working with city channel to get PSAs on the air, working with Communities United to get more people to apply, says alders can help cast a wider net. They are thinking about educational programs. She says that it a wide perception that some applicaitons are rejected, but they keep the applications for years. All apps are kept, no one is denied. They are working with department and division heads to keep an eye on diversity on the commissions. This report just shows you a benchmark to look at and we can keep doing better.
Rhodes-Conway confirms that they should work with Nunez to identify candidates and ways to get info about vacancies to a broader community. Nunez says yes and if you have people in neighborhoods who want to serve, if don't have access to computer, they can mail things out to people.
Adoption passes unanimously.
ITEM 23 - BAYOU SIDEWALK CAFE
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Referral to ALRC is motion. Dale Beck in support and wishing to speak. Confused about why referred. just got phone call this afternoon.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS OF ALDERS??? (This is a new one!)
Bruer asks Rummel to explain. Rummel says there are many layers of confusion. Bayou was approved last fall before we passed the sign ordinance, and the neighbors are no longer sent postcards and so the clerks office did not give Beck the sign and not sure what all happened. So, he didn't follow the sign regulations. Felt that due diligence wasn't done to tell neighborhood about the change. Beck volunteered to do a neighborhood meeting and only two people showed up and needs the hearing to be done right. No disrespect to the applicant.
DISCUSSION WITH ALDERS AND PUBLIC
He says he disagrees because he applied before the ordinance went into affect. He says he did due diligence.
Rhodes-Conway asks for a point of order - says the back and forth is not appropriate. Bruer says its ok, but we are on a tightrope, but says registrant can finish raising his questions and then the alders can ask questions.
RESUME PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Says neighborhood had a meeting. He wasn't notified about the sign, says his application was referred for 6 months, then another 3 months and he did his due diligence and he should not be punished for not knowing about the new ordinance that went into affect after he applied.
QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Rummel asks City Attorney to help clarify. May says that Brist can answer. Rummel thanks him for staying. Brist says that that Beck and Rummel are both correct. Beck followed the rules, application was in a long time ago, it was a two part application. Notice was mailed out a long time ago, but ALRC granted the change in premise but did not consider the sidewalk cafe and that showed up on the agenda at the last meeting and what happened was that the ordinance had changed from postcard to sign ord - he corrects himself and says the clerks procedure changed - and Mr Beck did what he needed to in the application process but there wasn't parctical notice as Rummel stated and neigbhors may not have known the application was still before the ALRC.
Schumacher asks what will be accomplished with referral and what they expect to be different? [Was he listening to the meeting and paying attention, it seemed quite clear.]
Rummel says they need a legally noticed meeting. She says they need to follow the spirit of the law. There should be a sign up for 10 days so people can learn about the issues and attend a meeting if necessary.
Bruer clarifies sign is needed and doesn't blame Beck. Hopefully this is the last glitch.
Palm asks if they can put up the sign and have the hearing at the Common Council instead of the ALRC.
May says Palm could do that. [Wow, another shot from the hip!] Rummel agrees that is ok.
Rummel says she is working to fix the sign stuff. Clerk says that it will be referred to the next council meeting, substitute motion and that is friendly. No further discussion.
Passes unanimously on voice vote.
ITEMS FOR INTRODUCTION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Verveer moves to adjourn.
Bruer wishes Clausius a fast recovery (knee surgery).
Bruer says see you on Saturday - the Council Betty Lou cruise.
Motion to adjourn passes.
Read more!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Property Tax Exemption Party
Time to Party! Then get back to work and fix the rest of it! (Hope you can read this . . .)
Read more!
Read more!
Demolition Watch - One more!
Some seem more important than others, but for what it is worth . . .
Read more!
Please be advised that Alex King will be filing a demolition permit application on August 1, 2009 for Plan Commission review that calls for a commercial building located at 1809 W Beltline Hwy Madison, WI 53713 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Alex King, K.F.Sullivan Co., 1314 Emil St. Madison, WI 53713 at alex@kfsullivan.com or (608)257-2289.
If you have any questions about the Plan Commission demolition permit approval process, please contact the City of Madison Planning Division at (608) 266-4635.
Read more!
Bad (Edgewater) Process
Ok - I'll try this one more time - more Edgewatermania. Sure, a developer can hold private meetings on their project. They just shouldn't be so obnoxious about it. Sometimes an example can help make that more clear. When you brag about holding 225 meetings in an attempt to show how hard you are working with the neighborhood, maybe you should think about what really happened (and what is easily trackable). Here's an example of how the process was a little tortuous for the neighborhood, while others were getting much more attention.
FEB 6
Hello Bob and Amy,
The Mansion Hill steering committee members have been holding Tuesday February 10 for another meeting with you to get any further information or updates on your thinking about the Edgewater property. Do you have additional information you are prepared to share with the group? If not, the next date we are tentatively holding for you is Monday February 23. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Ledell
FEB 9
Ledell –
Thank you for your note. As we discussed at our last meeting, we are working on a number of issues that we would like to develop in order to have productive conversations with the Neighborhood Committee. Additionally, we are reviewing the materials you have provided to us to better understand the issues and concerns of the neighborhood. We feel as though we are making some strides toward understanding and addressing some of the overall issues with the project. That said, I think it is most useful at this time if we continue to work through some of these issues before we ask members of the Neighborhood Committee to commit additional time to these discussions. I am sensitive to not wanting to call upon people’s time if we don’t have something more developed and definitive to discuss. I sense from our last conversation that you are in agreement with this approach.
I would suggest that we not hold a meeting on Feb. 10th or Feb. 23rd. I think this will give us enough time to advance some of the work we are doing to the point that we have something substantive for our next discussion. I am pushing on the various members of our project team to move things along but as you know this type of effort takes some time.
Please call me if you’d like to discuss this further or if you are thinking differently about these meetings.
Thanks
Bob
Ledell –
I will be in New York this week. Let me visit with our design team and get a sense of timing to complete several of the things they are working on for us. I will circle back with you by the end of the week to discuss timing for our next meeting
Bob
A MONTH GOES BY . . .
MARCH 8
Hello Bob,
I have not yet heard back from you about when you might be ready to meet. We have reserved this Thursday March 12 and Thursday April 9, both at 5:30 to get together with you. Please let me know what your intentions are. Thank you.
Ledell
MARCH 10
Ledell –
Thanks for the note. We are working on firming up our schedule so your email was timely. We are out of the office this entire week in project planning sessions. We have a series of meetings scheduled to address Edgewater issues. We feel we have made significant progress in the development of our plans and will continue to work through important issues.
Given that we are out of Madison the entire week this Thursday will not work on our end. We could make the April 9th date work although I will be traveling that week and not able to attend. I can have our development team available if we want to hold that date. Otherwise, we may want to look at alternate dates the 1st of 3rd weeks of April. What do you think will work on your end?
Bob
Ledell –
We’ll wait to hear back from you after your Thursday meeting. I am traveling part of that week but our group will be available those dates whether I’m in Madison or not. I’ll make every effort to be in Madison on the day that works for the group
Thanks
Bob
MARCH 11
Bob,
We were trying to accommodate your schedule. Given your email re availability (i.e. you suggested that rather than the 9th since you would be traveling that week, we should look at the 1st or 3rd weeks of April), it appeared the 13, 14, and 15 would be good for you. As you know it is difficult to schedule times so your help in being more specific as to your availability would be helpful.
Thanks.
Ledell
MARCH 15
Bob and Amy,
Since it appears with Bob’s ever-shifting travel schedule that he is unlikely to be able to make meetings this month or next, we may as well go ahead and firm something up so others can get it on their calendars and we can at least meet with other members of the Hammes team. Let’s lock in April 13 since that works for Brenda and a number of others on the neighborhood steering committee.
Thank you for making your development team available on that date Bob. Amy, we look forward to seeing you and other members of the team to hear about progress you may have made on planning/designing and progress you have made on resolving serious neighborhood concerns. We will look to schedule the Lutheran Chapel on Gilman Street again with a start time of 5:15. Once we have been able to talk with the Lutheran Chapel we will confirm location with you…but please do lock in the time.
Ledell
AND THEN . . .
Offense is taken, communication breaks down, 7 or 8 more emails are exchanged that end in this . . .
MARCH 25
Ledell –
I understand from Amy that the meeting is confirmed for April 13th. The purpose of my March 11th email was to confirm that you pick the time and our team will be available. Unfortunately, I am scheduled to be traveling that day and will not be available for the meeting. Amy will lead the discussion on behalf of our firm. While you may feel that these are long gaps between meetings it takes time to work through design concepts.
In order to facilitate your desire for more direct dialogue I would suggest that you work directly with Amy Supple. I can speak firsthand about her ability to maintain clear and consistent communication with broad groups on complex projects. I don’t expect you’ll have any difficulty communicating with her. I am confident this will address any void that you have suggested exists.
We will be prepared to talk through our design efforts on the 13th. We have been working on a number of design concepts that will be presented at the meeting. I’m sure it will prompt an important dialogue on a number of issues.
Look forward to further discussion.
Bob
APRIL . . .
MAY . . .
JUNE . . .
The neighborhood still does not have a copy of the plans to review. And they can't get them until July 15th when they are submitted to the city. It just seems like they are being blown off. Its one thing to have honest disagreements based on discussions that happened on concrete items. Its another thing to be toyed with.
To make matters worse, at their last neighborhood meeting, members of the public were asked to leave, by the alder, on behalf of the developer. And, lets just be clear, the neighborhood is not just Fred Mohs and two other people. They formed a steering committee of about 10 - 12 people who live in the neigbhorhood who were sincerely interested in being a part of a process to make sure that their neighborhood concerns were met and several other people were turned away when they showed up to learn about the project.
I can't wait to see the lobbying reports! From both last year and this year.
Read more!
FEB 6
Hello Bob and Amy,
The Mansion Hill steering committee members have been holding Tuesday February 10 for another meeting with you to get any further information or updates on your thinking about the Edgewater property. Do you have additional information you are prepared to share with the group? If not, the next date we are tentatively holding for you is Monday February 23. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Ledell
FEB 9
Ledell –
Thank you for your note. As we discussed at our last meeting, we are working on a number of issues that we would like to develop in order to have productive conversations with the Neighborhood Committee. Additionally, we are reviewing the materials you have provided to us to better understand the issues and concerns of the neighborhood. We feel as though we are making some strides toward understanding and addressing some of the overall issues with the project. That said, I think it is most useful at this time if we continue to work through some of these issues before we ask members of the Neighborhood Committee to commit additional time to these discussions. I am sensitive to not wanting to call upon people’s time if we don’t have something more developed and definitive to discuss. I sense from our last conversation that you are in agreement with this approach.
I would suggest that we not hold a meeting on Feb. 10th or Feb. 23rd. I think this will give us enough time to advance some of the work we are doing to the point that we have something substantive for our next discussion. I am pushing on the various members of our project team to move things along but as you know this type of effort takes some time.
Please call me if you’d like to discuss this further or if you are thinking differently about these meetings.
Thanks
Bob
Bob,
You indicated you are thinking somewhat beyond either Feb. 10th or 23rd. Do you have an approximate timeframe in mind? Thanks for getting back to me.
Ledell
Ledell –
I will be in New York this week. Let me visit with our design team and get a sense of timing to complete several of the things they are working on for us. I will circle back with you by the end of the week to discuss timing for our next meeting
Bob
A MONTH GOES BY . . .
MARCH 8
Hello Bob,
I have not yet heard back from you about when you might be ready to meet. We have reserved this Thursday March 12 and Thursday April 9, both at 5:30 to get together with you. Please let me know what your intentions are. Thank you.
Ledell
MARCH 10
Ledell –
Thanks for the note. We are working on firming up our schedule so your email was timely. We are out of the office this entire week in project planning sessions. We have a series of meetings scheduled to address Edgewater issues. We feel we have made significant progress in the development of our plans and will continue to work through important issues.
Given that we are out of Madison the entire week this Thursday will not work on our end. We could make the April 9th date work although I will be traveling that week and not able to attend. I can have our development team available if we want to hold that date. Otherwise, we may want to look at alternate dates the 1st of 3rd weeks of April. What do you think will work on your end?
Bob
Bob,
I spoke to Brenda today. It looks like April 13, 14 and 15 will work for her. Our team will go ahead and meet this Thursday. At that time we will identify what will work best for the most people and get back to you but you may want to hold those three dates since it will most likely be one of those.
Ledell
Ledell –
We’ll wait to hear back from you after your Thursday meeting. I am traveling part of that week but our group will be available those dates whether I’m in Madison or not. I’ll make every effort to be in Madison on the day that works for the group
Thanks
Bob
MARCH 11
Bob,
We were trying to accommodate your schedule. Given your email re availability (i.e. you suggested that rather than the 9th since you would be traveling that week, we should look at the 1st or 3rd weeks of April), it appeared the 13, 14, and 15 would be good for you. As you know it is difficult to schedule times so your help in being more specific as to your availability would be helpful.
Thanks.
Ledell
Ledell –
I will make every effort to be available for meetings. However, my travel schedule has me gone from Madison many days each week and it tends to change frequently. The weeks I gave you I plan to be in Madison a few days each of those weeks. The second week of April I know I am traveling that entire week. Therefore, I suggest we go ahead and schedule meetings that work for the entire group and I will make sure our development team is available to attend. I would only ask that you coordinate these dates with Amy Supple. She travels as well but not with the same frequency as I do. I will make every effort to be available as I stated above. In my absence I have every confidence that our development team can represent our interests.
We look forward to getting together with you in the next few weeks. Thanks
Bob
MARCH 15
Bob and Amy,
Since it appears with Bob’s ever-shifting travel schedule that he is unlikely to be able to make meetings this month or next, we may as well go ahead and firm something up so others can get it on their calendars and we can at least meet with other members of the Hammes team. Let’s lock in April 13 since that works for Brenda and a number of others on the neighborhood steering committee.
Thank you for making your development team available on that date Bob. Amy, we look forward to seeing you and other members of the team to hear about progress you may have made on planning/designing and progress you have made on resolving serious neighborhood concerns. We will look to schedule the Lutheran Chapel on Gilman Street again with a start time of 5:15. Once we have been able to talk with the Lutheran Chapel we will confirm location with you…but please do lock in the time.
Ledell
AND THEN . . .
Offense is taken, communication breaks down, 7 or 8 more emails are exchanged that end in this . . .
MARCH 25
Ledell –
I understand from Amy that the meeting is confirmed for April 13th. The purpose of my March 11th email was to confirm that you pick the time and our team will be available. Unfortunately, I am scheduled to be traveling that day and will not be available for the meeting. Amy will lead the discussion on behalf of our firm. While you may feel that these are long gaps between meetings it takes time to work through design concepts.
In order to facilitate your desire for more direct dialogue I would suggest that you work directly with Amy Supple. I can speak firsthand about her ability to maintain clear and consistent communication with broad groups on complex projects. I don’t expect you’ll have any difficulty communicating with her. I am confident this will address any void that you have suggested exists.
We will be prepared to talk through our design efforts on the 13th. We have been working on a number of design concepts that will be presented at the meeting. I’m sure it will prompt an important dialogue on a number of issues.
Look forward to further discussion.
Bob
APRIL . . .
MAY . . .
JUNE . . .
The neighborhood still does not have a copy of the plans to review. And they can't get them until July 15th when they are submitted to the city. It just seems like they are being blown off. Its one thing to have honest disagreements based on discussions that happened on concrete items. Its another thing to be toyed with.
To make matters worse, at their last neighborhood meeting, members of the public were asked to leave, by the alder, on behalf of the developer. And, lets just be clear, the neighborhood is not just Fred Mohs and two other people. They formed a steering committee of about 10 - 12 people who live in the neigbhorhood who were sincerely interested in being a part of a process to make sure that their neighborhood concerns were met and several other people were turned away when they showed up to learn about the project.
I can't wait to see the lobbying reports! From both last year and this year.
Read more!
Upcoming City Discussions
At the end of every agenda, are items introduced for discussion by committees that are supposed to come back every 45 days, but many take much longer, some miraculously are pushed through more quickly. Now is the time to start paying attention, while these items wind their way through committees and changes are more likely to be made . . . instead of the craziness that happens on the council floor. This agenda had several interesting items, that I thought you might be mildly interested in.
Increasing penalties for violations of Landmarks Ordinance
The committee was working on increasing the penalties for people who demolished landmarks or otherwise failed to follow the law. Looks like they are finally moving forward increasing fines from $200 for each violation to:
Repealing Car Door/Biker Ordinance
Since the state also passed a law, ours is no longer necessary. Apparently the police are ticketing people with the city ordinance instead of state law and this is an attempt to remedy this.
Revising Landlord Entry Ordinance
Currently, landlords must give a 24 hour notice to enter an apartment unless the tenant gives permission to enter on a case by case basis or there is an emergency. For showing an apartment, those notices can't be more than 3 days and 3 hours per day. This is an attempt to clarify that the landlord has to give the specific date and time or window of time they are going to enter . . . but it also widens the window to 4 hours per day. I'm not sure this helps tenants as written and ultimately just allows the landlord an extra hour in each three day period to show the apartment. But, I know that members of the tenant/landlord subcommittee of the housing committee have been working on this for a few months.
FIXING THE MAJESTIC MARQUEE ISSUE
This ordinance allows the city to not charge for encroachments on properties where the property that is encroaching is a landmark and the item that encroaches contributes to the property being a landmark.
These always make me nervous
This is an exercise in trust. Would you approve this?
Increasing late fees for alcohol licenses
Basically, it raises the fees by no more than about $100 or so. You'd have to read it to see the specifics, but it looks pretty minor.
Fixing the Issuance of Liquor Licenses to "Dirt"
This ordinance allows the revocation or suspension of liquor licenses if there is no premises or the license is not in use for 15 days or more. This should fix the issue on Monroe Street with Bob Seeger.
More pay raises for the Mayor's Office
These reclassifications may not cost money at the time they are approved, but slowly, over time, increase the city's obligations for payroll. While there is a freeze on filling positions, apparently, people can still get these raises. Worse yet, the materials are confusing and you need to search for the information on the amount of the increased obligation (about $1,000 in salary in this case, and more in benefits etc.).
Allowing Supervisors to Live outside of the City or even Dane County without a Pay Penalty
That about explains it. Details as to why an the impact it will have are here. Currently, there is a 1% longevity penalty.
Another exercise in trust
Would you approve this? A better explanation about the unspent money and which projects went over costs here.
Giving Away the City's Equity
I'm torn on this one. If the city invests in property, shouldn't it get a cut in the profits? Which is then put make into more projects? Or should it just be given away to the non-profits (who will put it to good use - but perhaps different uses?)
Urging state to allow on-line voter registration.
There must be a press release on this somewhere.
Funny what they will use the contingent reserve for
Don't get me wrong, I support text messaging, as does likely most of the council members, which is why this is kinda "funny". Typically, departments are told to "find money" in their budgets, but then there are these exceptions. Hopefully some extra attention will get more than 2,200 people to sign up for the service.
Well, there you have it, more items of interest than usual.
Read more!
Increasing penalties for violations of Landmarks Ordinance
The committee was working on increasing the penalties for people who demolished landmarks or otherwise failed to follow the law. Looks like they are finally moving forward increasing fines from $200 for each violation to:
1st violation - $250 - 500These are daily fines for each day of the violation. The ordinance also makes it clear that property owners cannot hide behind LLCs or other legal entities to avoid the increased penalties.
2nd violation in 3 years - $500 minimum
3rd violation in 3 years - $1000 minimum
Repealing Car Door/Biker Ordinance
Since the state also passed a law, ours is no longer necessary. Apparently the police are ticketing people with the city ordinance instead of state law and this is an attempt to remedy this.
Revising Landlord Entry Ordinance
Currently, landlords must give a 24 hour notice to enter an apartment unless the tenant gives permission to enter on a case by case basis or there is an emergency. For showing an apartment, those notices can't be more than 3 days and 3 hours per day. This is an attempt to clarify that the landlord has to give the specific date and time or window of time they are going to enter . . . but it also widens the window to 4 hours per day. I'm not sure this helps tenants as written and ultimately just allows the landlord an extra hour in each three day period to show the apartment. But, I know that members of the tenant/landlord subcommittee of the housing committee have been working on this for a few months.
FIXING THE MAJESTIC MARQUEE ISSUE
This ordinance allows the city to not charge for encroachments on properties where the property that is encroaching is a landmark and the item that encroaches contributes to the property being a landmark.
These always make me nervous
This is an exercise in trust. Would you approve this?
Increasing late fees for alcohol licenses
Basically, it raises the fees by no more than about $100 or so. You'd have to read it to see the specifics, but it looks pretty minor.
Fixing the Issuance of Liquor Licenses to "Dirt"
This ordinance allows the revocation or suspension of liquor licenses if there is no premises or the license is not in use for 15 days or more. This should fix the issue on Monroe Street with Bob Seeger.
More pay raises for the Mayor's Office
These reclassifications may not cost money at the time they are approved, but slowly, over time, increase the city's obligations for payroll. While there is a freeze on filling positions, apparently, people can still get these raises. Worse yet, the materials are confusing and you need to search for the information on the amount of the increased obligation (about $1,000 in salary in this case, and more in benefits etc.).
Allowing Supervisors to Live outside of the City or even Dane County without a Pay Penalty
That about explains it. Details as to why an the impact it will have are here. Currently, there is a 1% longevity penalty.
Another exercise in trust
Would you approve this? A better explanation about the unspent money and which projects went over costs here.
Giving Away the City's Equity
I'm torn on this one. If the city invests in property, shouldn't it get a cut in the profits? Which is then put make into more projects? Or should it just be given away to the non-profits (who will put it to good use - but perhaps different uses?)
Urging state to allow on-line voter registration.
There must be a press release on this somewhere.
Funny what they will use the contingent reserve for
Don't get me wrong, I support text messaging, as does likely most of the council members, which is why this is kinda "funny". Typically, departments are told to "find money" in their budgets, but then there are these exceptions. Hopefully some extra attention will get more than 2,200 people to sign up for the service.
Well, there you have it, more items of interest than usual.
Read more!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Preparing to be Taxed
Non-profits previously tax exempted prepare to be taxed . . . despite recent fixes to the state law.
Read more!
ATTN: Be Prepared - The Tax Man Cometh
While recent legislation did permanently exempt low-income housing owned by nonprofits from paying property taxes, the same exemption does not apply to non-housing property owned by nonprofits.
What exactly does that mean? Well, if you are a nonprofit and you own a building and lease space to another nonprofit or for-profit tenants - you may be subject to paying real estate taxes in 2009.
* What you need to do NOW is prepare your organization for understanding the tax assessment on your property - and how you can work with the city assessor if you have questions or if you elect to challenge the assessment.
* You also need to understand what you can do to meet the "rent-use" restrictions so that your property may qualify for tax-exemption in 2010.
On Wednesday, July 15, Forward Community Investments will host a workshop designed to help you navigate your way through this maze of assessments and leases.
TIME:
8:00 to 10:00 AM (registration starts at 7:30 AM)
LOCATION:
Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison WI 53704 [map]
COST:
$20 per person (Note: if you are a current borrower of FCI, the cost to attend will be waived.)
PRESENTERS:
Sharon McCabe and Melissa Auchard Scholz
Sharon McCabe is a Wisconsin Assessor and Wisconsin Certified Appraiser. She is currently the Associate Director for the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, UW - Madison. She brings with her valuable hands-on experience gained when she was a commercial appraiser for the City of Madison for eight years; in that capacity, she was responsible for assessing commercial properties in downtown Madison. Sharon knows firsthand how assessors value your property and can give you tips on reviewing your assessment and working with your municipality's assessor.
Melissa Auchard Scholz is principal attorney of Scholz Nonprofit Law; there she brings her experiences as an attorney, community leader, organizer and fundraiser to help nonprofits resolve their legal issues. Melissa was active behind-the-scenes in the recent budget process, advocating and working on behalf of nonprofit property tax exemption. She understands the "rent use" issues and has prepared leases that meet the rent-use requirements.
How to register: Please register by emailing or calling Mike Sweitzer-Beckman at mikeb@forwardci.org or (608) 257-3863.
Read more!
The Basic Week Ahead
(Updated) Nothing fancy or out of the ordinary, but here it is . . . illegally noticed meetings, low-income people have to pay more rent, adding alders and removing citizens from committees, security cameras to catch staff responses to the homeless and stopping the city from breaking the law by throwing out items found on public property.
Monday, July 6, 2009
9:00 AM SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE PRIVATE SECTOR WORK GROUP CONFERENCE CALL ROOM 107A
- Again, no agenda or indication about what the are talking about???
5:30 PM PLAN COMMISSION ROOM 201 CCB
- More Findorff Yards development
- Malt House picnic tables
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
4:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEE ROOM 108 CCB
- Moving backwards, adding more alders to more committees, which is the opposite of what we did a few years ago because the alders felt they were too busy. The ALRC (Alcohol License Review Committee) will replace a citizen with an alder making it 3 alders and 4 citizens, Economic Development Commission will add two seats and two alders to the committee, and the Public Safety Review Board will replace a citizen with an alder, making it one mayor's rep, 3 alders and 3 citizens. Perhaps Thuy will finally get her seat on her committee? Actually, its hard to tell what the justification for this is. It's being done by Council leadership and it might be a continued response to the power struggle between the Mayor' office (executive) and the Council (legislative) or it could be a continued move to take away the power of citizens. Either way, its an interesting set of committees to try to "beef up" and changes the balance of alder vs citizens on two of the committees.
- Allowing the Council President to appoint temporary ad hoc subcommittees of the Common Council. Well, this one is interesting too. I'm not so sure that this couldn't have already been done anyways, by just saying that a group of people were going to get together and then publicly noticing it. But . . . this looks like another power move. It will be interesting to see how the Mayor responds. If he has a fit, its a power grab. If he doesn't, it likely means its some deal he worked out with leadership likely tied to the other three ordinances on this agenda and there was some log rolling going on.
- Possible changes to the process for revoking people from committees for failure to fill out their statement of interest forms.
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ROOM 201 CCB
- Bus Depot Demolition
- Emerging Neighborhood Funds
- Committee appointments and gender, race and disabilities.
- Shady Wood (NOT!) Neighborhood Plan
- East Wilson/Schley Pass Conservation District
- Alcohol ban at Lake Edge Park
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
12:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 525 CCB
- Changes to CDBG office staff, Mayor giving his staff a raise, report from CCOC committee, and the new personnel rules.
4:30 PM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ROOM 108 CCB
Alot of same old, same old. But this caught my eye, mostly because there is no information so if you wanted to come and talk about it, you essentially can't.
4:30 PM CDA HOUSING OPERATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ROOM 120 MMB
- Revising the payment standard.
I wonder how many people even understand what that means? You can kind of get it from the resolution. Or the letters sent to tenants and landlords, but essentially, people who get housing assistance from the CDA (Section 8) will now be getting less money to pay their rent. Details of how much per person are not really available because it changes person by person based on several variables, but needless to say, tough economic times just got tougher for those who were already struggling.
- Smoking Policy discussion. Hard to know exactly what they are discussing, but they were given a copy of the smoking ordinance. I'm guessing they are discussing smoking at Allied Drive, but that discussion may have set off discussions in other apartment buildings.
6:30 PM BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS WARNER PARK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER, 1625 NORTHPORT DR
- Many updates with no information available.
- Property left behind in parks and other public spaces
No information on the legal implications appears to be provided. I guess I'll just provide that information again. How is the Parks Commission supposed to discuss this without information from the City Attorney?
- Pesticide policy Hmmm, are the looking at making it stricter, or looser?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
4:30 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY EAST MADISON COMMUNITY CENTER, 8 STRAUBEL CT
- Lakepoint Condos, Truax (they got their tax credits and explain how this will not be like Allied Drive), Allied Drive Update, Truman Olson (doesn't look like any new info or written updates), Villager Mall (some are getting leases, others haven't gotten theirs yet), Burr Oaks Senior Housing discussion (no materials)
- Raising the payment standard (see above).
5:00 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMITTEE ROOM 300 MMB
- For once, security cameras I can support! These are not only to capture the actions of the homeless, but the STAFF as well! Good move!
- Property tax exemptions. (I wonder if they have taken the time to find out how many of the groups they fund will be impacted?)
Friday, July 10, 2009
10:00 AM CCB SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE WORKGROUP ROOM 406 CCB
- No agenda, just a time and place to meet, no idea what they are talking about. Someone really needs to fix this! They are meeting illegally. This is not adequate notice:
Read more!
Monday, July 6, 2009
9:00 AM SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE PRIVATE SECTOR WORK GROUP CONFERENCE CALL ROOM 107A
- Again, no agenda or indication about what the are talking about???
5:30 PM PLAN COMMISSION ROOM 201 CCB
- More Findorff Yards development
- Malt House picnic tables
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
4:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEE ROOM 108 CCB
- Moving backwards, adding more alders to more committees, which is the opposite of what we did a few years ago because the alders felt they were too busy. The ALRC (Alcohol License Review Committee) will replace a citizen with an alder making it 3 alders and 4 citizens, Economic Development Commission will add two seats and two alders to the committee, and the Public Safety Review Board will replace a citizen with an alder, making it one mayor's rep, 3 alders and 3 citizens. Perhaps Thuy will finally get her seat on her committee? Actually, its hard to tell what the justification for this is. It's being done by Council leadership and it might be a continued response to the power struggle between the Mayor' office (executive) and the Council (legislative) or it could be a continued move to take away the power of citizens. Either way, its an interesting set of committees to try to "beef up" and changes the balance of alder vs citizens on two of the committees.
- Allowing the Council President to appoint temporary ad hoc subcommittees of the Common Council. Well, this one is interesting too. I'm not so sure that this couldn't have already been done anyways, by just saying that a group of people were going to get together and then publicly noticing it. But . . . this looks like another power move. It will be interesting to see how the Mayor responds. If he has a fit, its a power grab. If he doesn't, it likely means its some deal he worked out with leadership likely tied to the other three ordinances on this agenda and there was some log rolling going on.
- Possible changes to the process for revoking people from committees for failure to fill out their statement of interest forms.
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ROOM 201 CCB
- Bus Depot Demolition
- Emerging Neighborhood Funds
- Committee appointments and gender, race and disabilities.
- Shady Wood (NOT!) Neighborhood Plan
- East Wilson/Schley Pass Conservation District
- Alcohol ban at Lake Edge Park
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
12:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 525 CCB
- Changes to CDBG office staff, Mayor giving his staff a raise, report from CCOC committee, and the new personnel rules.
4:30 PM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ROOM 108 CCB
Alot of same old, same old. But this caught my eye, mostly because there is no information so if you wanted to come and talk about it, you essentially can't.
34. 15262 Ordering Property Owners to Replace Substandard/Defective Sidewalks and Ordering Property Owners to Install Sidewalk. (2nd, 6th, & 15th ADs)
4:30 PM CDA HOUSING OPERATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ROOM 120 MMB
- Revising the payment standard.
I wonder how many people even understand what that means? You can kind of get it from the resolution. Or the letters sent to tenants and landlords, but essentially, people who get housing assistance from the CDA (Section 8) will now be getting less money to pay their rent. Details of how much per person are not really available because it changes person by person based on several variables, but needless to say, tough economic times just got tougher for those who were already struggling.
- Smoking Policy discussion. Hard to know exactly what they are discussing, but they were given a copy of the smoking ordinance. I'm guessing they are discussing smoking at Allied Drive, but that discussion may have set off discussions in other apartment buildings.
6:30 PM BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS WARNER PARK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER, 1625 NORTHPORT DR
- Many updates with no information available.
- Property left behind in parks and other public spaces
No information on the legal implications appears to be provided. I guess I'll just provide that information again. How is the Parks Commission supposed to discuss this without information from the City Attorney?
- Pesticide policy Hmmm, are the looking at making it stricter, or looser?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
4:30 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY EAST MADISON COMMUNITY CENTER, 8 STRAUBEL CT
- Lakepoint Condos, Truax (they got their tax credits and explain how this will not be like Allied Drive), Allied Drive Update, Truman Olson (doesn't look like any new info or written updates), Villager Mall (some are getting leases, others haven't gotten theirs yet), Burr Oaks Senior Housing discussion (no materials)
- Raising the payment standard (see above).
5:00 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMITTEE ROOM 300 MMB
- For once, security cameras I can support! These are not only to capture the actions of the homeless, but the STAFF as well! Good move!
- Property tax exemptions. (I wonder if they have taken the time to find out how many of the groups they fund will be impacted?)
Friday, July 10, 2009
10:00 AM CCB SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE WORKGROUP ROOM 406 CCB
- No agenda, just a time and place to meet, no idea what they are talking about. Someone really needs to fix this! They are meeting illegally. This is not adequate notice:
If the public is interested in participating, please contact Jeanne Hoffman at (608) 266-4091 or jhoffman@cityofmadison.com.Why would anyone be interested if they don't know what they are talking about?
Read more!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
(Late) Thursday Round Up
I've been on vacation this week, so that's why the blog has been a little sparse and erratic with the postings. Also, there will be no blog tomorrow because I will be up north camping, so here's the weekly round up, a day early.
EDGEWATER
Jay Rath does a good job of telling the "secret" story of the Edgewater and how it is developing. While the public sits in the dark, Alder Maniaci is having weekly meetings about the project and the Mayor is being heavily lobbied about plans most have not seen, yet many support. And meanwhile, where are those lobbying reports from last year? I told the reporter I had been lobbied in November and December, but checked my calendar and it started the 1st week in September. Just how much money is being spent on these private meetings? And to hear the tale told, some of these meetings come complete with dinner. I'd love to see the how much they've spent so far. At least maybe we will get a partial report in July now that they registered 6 months after the lobbying began. More on the Edgewater here. And a student/neighborhood perspective here.
SOGLIN COMPLETELY MISSES THE POINT, AGAIN
Soglin defends the Edgewater group's right to have private meetings. I don't think anyone said that they couldn't have private meetings. That misses the point. They were touting their 225 meetings as if they had worked things out with the neighborhood, or at least that is how some of the commenters had interpreted it, and I just wanted to make it clear that wasn't the case. No one said they couldn't meet. It just kinda sucks when there are 225 and less than 10 are with the actual neighborhood association and they are actively excluded from the other 200 meetings. And attempts to meet with the developer were pushed off repeatedly.
DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL TOMORROW
Anyone see the irony in the Mayor's latest call for ideas from Non-profits for his Mayor's group? This, from a Mayor who is has a city attorney working 60% time trying to figure out how to tax non-profits that provide low-income housing and other non-profit groups, won't consider more than a true cost of living increase for the groups as health care costs and gas prices rose leaving them to scramble to cover increased costs and even considered giving away the entire non-profit funding process to United Way so that he wouldn't have to deal with it in the budget. This is the mayor now getting credit from Obama and seeking good ideas which he can what, take credit for? Barf.
ASM FINALLY STEPS UP
After all these years, they are finally doing something on August 14th/15th to help the temporarily homeless students. It's about time!
IS MADISON MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY? WRONG QUESTION? WRONG WAY?
So, is the goal to be business friendly? If it is the goal, what will the results be? What is the city trying to achieve? I agree, we don't want to be chasing businesses out of Madison, but what are we trying to do? What are the bigger goals? A city with a high quality of life? How is that defined? And can we have a city with a high quality of life and be business friendly at the same time? If we just give away lots of money to keep businesses that are already here, what do we accomplish? If we let developers develop whatever they want without regard to the people who live near, will they really want to still live there? (I know I was glad to move away from that piece of crap in my old backyard.)
Even worse, the whole measure of it we are business friendly seems to be how many events we hold to have elected officials get buddy-buddy and drink with the business community. Is that the goal? To make people be friends? Why not build professional relationships? Through professional discussions about matters that are important. Educating each other on issues, helping businesses understand government and helping government understand businesses with facts and figures and discussions that are open to the public. Wouldn't that be a better methodology?
THE IDAHO STOP
After the recent death of the bicyclist at Baldwin and Wilson, there have been many discussions about what types of actions need to be taken to prevent this from happening again. Not blowing through stop signs and wearing a helmet, highly advised! But beyond that, there are other issues, sightlines are bad at that corner and cars are speeding. Proposals to improve the intersection include 4 way stop, traffic calming islands, painting on the street to indicate there is a bike lane or drawing attention to the intersection with a mural type painting. One of the other proposals is to adopt an ordinance similar to Idaho state law, where bikes can treat stop signs like yield signs. While all the suggestions are interesting, I wonder if any of them will actually happen. I know that portion of the bike trail sort of freaks me out, both while on bike and while driving my car. I hope they are able to work out some solutions before someone else gets seriously injured or worse.
WE GOT OUR RTA, NOW WHAT?
Is anyone else more than a little nervous that it is the beginning of another decline in bus service for those who use the buses? As the bus service expands to other areas of the county, will it mean that there is less service to Madison? How do we make sure that doesn't happen? What guarantees can we get?
DON'T CELEBRATE TOO QUICKLY
While some might want you to believe that the non-profit property tax exemption issue is resolved, it isn't. Non-profits that rent to other non-profits will still be taxed (Social Justice Center) and there is still the issues of taxing mixed use housing and non-profits that grow too large. Issues outlined here.
Ok, that's it for this vacation week. My blogging will resume to normal next week.
Read more!
EDGEWATER
Jay Rath does a good job of telling the "secret" story of the Edgewater and how it is developing. While the public sits in the dark, Alder Maniaci is having weekly meetings about the project and the Mayor is being heavily lobbied about plans most have not seen, yet many support. And meanwhile, where are those lobbying reports from last year? I told the reporter I had been lobbied in November and December, but checked my calendar and it started the 1st week in September. Just how much money is being spent on these private meetings? And to hear the tale told, some of these meetings come complete with dinner. I'd love to see the how much they've spent so far. At least maybe we will get a partial report in July now that they registered 6 months after the lobbying began. More on the Edgewater here. And a student/neighborhood perspective here.
SOGLIN COMPLETELY MISSES THE POINT, AGAIN
Soglin defends the Edgewater group's right to have private meetings. I don't think anyone said that they couldn't have private meetings. That misses the point. They were touting their 225 meetings as if they had worked things out with the neighborhood, or at least that is how some of the commenters had interpreted it, and I just wanted to make it clear that wasn't the case. No one said they couldn't meet. It just kinda sucks when there are 225 and less than 10 are with the actual neighborhood association and they are actively excluded from the other 200 meetings. And attempts to meet with the developer were pushed off repeatedly.
DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL TOMORROW
REV. JAMES C. WRIGHT HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDOH, NOW NON-PROFITS ARE IMPORTANT
The Madison Department of Civil Rights (DCR) is seeking nominations of individuals who have served the Madison community in the area of civil rights for the Annual James C. Wright Award. The Award is presented annually at our Summer Diversity Picnic, which will be held on July 16, 2009. Individuals should share Rev. Wright's dedication to and compassion for civil and human rights and conduct their daily life consistent with these values. The nomination deadline is June 26, 2009, award criteria and nomination forms are available on the Equal Opportunities Division’s website at: www.cityofmadison.com/dcr.
*Members of the Department of Civil Rights, its staff and/or volunteers will not be eligible to receive the award.
Please contact Annie Weatherby-Flowers at the Equal Opportunities Division of the Department of Civil Rights at 608.266.6577 with questions or other requests for information.
Anyone see the irony in the Mayor's latest call for ideas from Non-profits for his Mayor's group? This, from a Mayor who is has a city attorney working 60% time trying to figure out how to tax non-profits that provide low-income housing and other non-profit groups, won't consider more than a true cost of living increase for the groups as health care costs and gas prices rose leaving them to scramble to cover increased costs and even considered giving away the entire non-profit funding process to United Way so that he wouldn't have to deal with it in the budget. This is the mayor now getting credit from Obama and seeking good ideas which he can what, take credit for? Barf.
ASM FINALLY STEPS UP
After all these years, they are finally doing something on August 14th/15th to help the temporarily homeless students. It's about time!
ASM initiated the event entitled Move Out Night. It is essentially to give students a place to stay between the gap in leases and show property owners that this is an issue that greatly impacts the lives of students. Beginning on August 14th through the morning on August 15th, the SAC will be open 24 hours. During this period there will be free food, entertainment, a raffle, Wii, and an ASM sponsored movie on the study steps.You can join a facebook group here.
IS MADISON MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY? WRONG QUESTION? WRONG WAY?
So, is the goal to be business friendly? If it is the goal, what will the results be? What is the city trying to achieve? I agree, we don't want to be chasing businesses out of Madison, but what are we trying to do? What are the bigger goals? A city with a high quality of life? How is that defined? And can we have a city with a high quality of life and be business friendly at the same time? If we just give away lots of money to keep businesses that are already here, what do we accomplish? If we let developers develop whatever they want without regard to the people who live near, will they really want to still live there? (I know I was glad to move away from that piece of crap in my old backyard.)
Even worse, the whole measure of it we are business friendly seems to be how many events we hold to have elected officials get buddy-buddy and drink with the business community. Is that the goal? To make people be friends? Why not build professional relationships? Through professional discussions about matters that are important. Educating each other on issues, helping businesses understand government and helping government understand businesses with facts and figures and discussions that are open to the public. Wouldn't that be a better methodology?
THE IDAHO STOP
After the recent death of the bicyclist at Baldwin and Wilson, there have been many discussions about what types of actions need to be taken to prevent this from happening again. Not blowing through stop signs and wearing a helmet, highly advised! But beyond that, there are other issues, sightlines are bad at that corner and cars are speeding. Proposals to improve the intersection include 4 way stop, traffic calming islands, painting on the street to indicate there is a bike lane or drawing attention to the intersection with a mural type painting. One of the other proposals is to adopt an ordinance similar to Idaho state law, where bikes can treat stop signs like yield signs. While all the suggestions are interesting, I wonder if any of them will actually happen. I know that portion of the bike trail sort of freaks me out, both while on bike and while driving my car. I hope they are able to work out some solutions before someone else gets seriously injured or worse.
WE GOT OUR RTA, NOW WHAT?
Is anyone else more than a little nervous that it is the beginning of another decline in bus service for those who use the buses? As the bus service expands to other areas of the county, will it mean that there is less service to Madison? How do we make sure that doesn't happen? What guarantees can we get?
DON'T CELEBRATE TOO QUICKLY
While some might want you to believe that the non-profit property tax exemption issue is resolved, it isn't. Non-profits that rent to other non-profits will still be taxed (Social Justice Center) and there is still the issues of taxing mixed use housing and non-profits that grow too large. Issues outlined here.
Ok, that's it for this vacation week. My blogging will resume to normal next week.
Read more!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Edgewatermania
Alot can be said about the the Edgewater project, but I'd start here. Worst. Public. Process. Ever.
225 MEETINGS?
Is that a joke? Do people believe that is 225 public meetings about the project? Or is that what they are supposed to believe? Is that how that is going to be spun? I mean, who took the time to count those meetings and for what purpose? I'd be interested in finding out how many of those 225 meetings were with Capital Neighborhoods or the Mansion Hill Neighborhood Association or public meetings.
The first meeting I attended was the first week of September 2008. I was alder in the area for 8 of the 10 months this project has been talked about so far and I maybe attended 20 - 30 meetings. There were about 8 meetings with the neighborhood steering committee and one or two with the whole neighborhood. But, admittedly, one was just a big sales pitch about the company (too slick, as Verveer notes). One or two with the TIF and Planning staff and about 8 more meetings with the developer. I'm sure there were several other miscellaneous meetings thrown in there, but I certainly didn't attend 50, or 100 or 150 meetings. Just exactly what were these 225 meetings? I know he met with the Mayor about 10 times while I was involved, never with the Mayor, staff and myself at the same time (again, divide and conquer). I know he got Downtown Madison Inc and the Chamber of Commerce to, for the first time ever, support the project specifically. And then there were the meetings with the newly formed neighborhood group (organized by Bob Dunn) of property owners who have business interests in the area, largely not people who live there. Those meetings were happening every other week meanwhile Dunn wasn't meeting with the neighborhood association because Dunn was always out of town when they wanted to meet.
So, lets be clear, there was not a transparent, elaborate community process where input was gathered and responded to and changes were made to the project as a result. I think Dean Mosiman captured it best when he said "Hammes spent months quietly seeking support from political and business leaders in the neighborhood . . . " But I'm not sure that "adjusting and refining plans along the way." means that the plans for the hotel changed, because based on the picture in the article, its the same project it has been since about the 3rd or 4th attempt I saw about 6 months ago, when the public process was put on hold until after the election.
Sadly, there was a clear divide and conquer strategy. With people drawing lines in the sand, opposing or supporting a project that we largely haven't seen any details on. By the time this project hits the City process, people will not be wanting to talk about any of the details of the project that are reviewed by staff and the city committees, they will just spout the various talking points that are the same as they were last November. Instead of talking about the many details and concerns yet to be worked out below.
I had hoped that in April, there would be a meeting with all the parties involved, alders, Mayor, staff, neighborhood association and business community. A meeting held before the students left town. A meeting where all the parties aired their grievances and we started to sort out, as a community, where the real issues lie. Instead of "he said, she said" and different information being provided to different groups.
At this point, its just a mess and I'm not sure how you get a decent community dialog out of it. The political lines are drawn and I'm not even sure the parties involved know what they are fighting about, it's just a fight. And sadly, all the issues below are kind of secondary to the ridiculous situation we now have ourselves in.
VIEW
Where is the Tower going to be? Is it in the public right of way that was guaranteed in an agreement in the 1960's or not? Much of the discussion about the project is really about the fact that there was an agreement years ago that guaranteed public access and a view to the lake in exchange for allowing the Edgewater to build in the right of way. The street used to go down to the lake and the city still owns the land under the Edgewater.
Years ago, after the agreement was struck, the Edgewater built a building that was taller than it was supposed to be, blocking more of the view than they were supposed to and provided crappy access to the lake and basically hid the public access to the rooftop that was supposed to be public.
And then there is the matter of the view shed to and from the capital. I repeatedly asked for view studies, and was told they were working on them, but never got to see them. Mostly because I think they were working on moving the building over so that there weren't building into the right of way, requiring them to build on the National Guardian Life property (also partners in the Edgewater project). The building I last saw was about 20 feet into that right of way, blocking the promised view to the lake. But that was more detail than was shared more generally with the neighborhood. So, its easy to see how the neighborhood would be concerned about blocking the view when they were working in an information vacuum.
If they found a way to move the building over, then a major portion of the discussion about the view is over, but not all of it. There still remains the question of how much whatever is on the plaza will block the view and the issue of public access. I suppose there is also a bit of a question of how close the 11 story addition to the 7 story building is to the water and how much of the peripheral view is blocked - but again, we need some view studies to determine that. And I haven't seen those.
AND PUBLIC ACCESS (PLAZA, STAIR AND PIER)
My big concern about public access is that we do not repeat the sins of the past. How will we guarantee that the "public stair" and "public plaza" and "public pier" don't come to be viewed by the community as being for hotel guests only. What kinds of design features and signage would ensure that we don't end up where we are now, with the public not knowing about the access to the rooftop and the stair to the water. I don't think my concerns were ever addressed in this matter. There was some resistance to signage that would make it clear that it was public access, after all, you can't have an exclusive upscale hotel where they publicly advertise that the public has general access.
My other concern was about how that plaza and pier would be managed. Would there be private events there where the public access was blocked. If so, how often and under what circumstances? Who decides when these events occur? Do they need city permission? After all, the public is going to be giving TIF dollars for these portions of the project and I think there is a fair expectation that they have access to the property built with public dollars.
MESSY TECHNICALITIES
So, the city still owns portions of the right of way and in order for the developer to build on the property the city needs to vacate the street. The laws and process for that are fairly specific and I presume the developer is working on getting that all worked out with the neighboring property owners, but it is also a public process. The city has to agree to vacate the property and I believe there are real questions about what we get paid for it and what the conditions are. When the project first started, the Mayor swore up and down we would never do it, now he appears to be in support of the project, so I'm not sure what they have worked out - but it needs 11 votes.
There is also the problem with the height restrictions. The building is already 7 stories and they want to add 11 more. That's an 18 story building that goes all the way up to the capital height limit. I'm not sure that is necessarily a bad thing - except it blows any height standards for the neighborhood completely out of the water. And, without standards that mean something, developers have carte blanche to build whatever they want. And the community needs standards, even if we have to change them, we can't just ignore them. [Note, Soglin has been a paid lobbyist for an 11 story building on Iota court and that is likely why he is in support of the height in the Edgewater project. Tho, I think he has some of the issues confused about which height restrictions apply and why. He's concerned about the 5 story cap in the downtown design zones which apply on Iota Court for the project he was paid to lobby for and for this project, it is about the 50 foot height restriction in a historic district. You'd think he'd get the details right after all these years.]
Then, there's the issues that go along with shoreline development. And, I'm not sure what else the staff might come up with once they actually get to review the project. But my guess is, that there are many other issues that will need to be resolved that will only be determined once the plans are submitted and staff have a chance to review the details.
RENOVATION OF HOTEL
This part looks exciting. Again, haven't seen any details, just a pretty picture, but I think that it could be exciting to renovate the older portion of the hotel and restore it to its former glory. Again, need to see the details.
IMPACT ON NEIGHBORHOOD
Buses, Traffic, Noise, Parking. All legitimate concerns, all manageable, IF there is a decent dialog about them. I know that there are plans for the buses to be able to park underground. And there is a significant increase in parking, but without knowing the final count of the rooms, the number of employees and the proposed uses, its hard to know if there is enough parking. And the noise and traffic discussions I think got lost in all the fighting about the view. They are important issues that still need to be addressed. And I hope they don't get lost.
TIF
Verveer said $5M, I had heard up to $11M. And I suspect, if the building was moved out of the right of way, the cost of the plaza has increased. The curious thing here is that 50% of the TIF is usually used by the developers and 50% is usually used for public infrastructure (streets, etc). I think the way this project is being proposed, this isn't in the 50% used for the developer, its the 50% used for public infrastructure. But again, we didn't get that far in those discussions to know much more.
MANIACI MIA - VERVEER ON THE JOB!
Verveer wasn't involved with any of the discussions about the Edgewater while I was alder. I'm glad to see he stepped up to fill the void. I really wish they had scheduled a neighborhood meeting before the students left (I'd have had the meeting end of April, 1st week of May - instead Maniaci spent her time working on the Mifflin St. block party which is in Verveer's district.) and I hope Verveer's years of experience can help steer the discussion back towards a neighborhood oriented, transparent, inclusive (yes, business community and property owners too), balanced process that includes a true dialog instead of political fighting and grandstanding. And there we are, back to the beginning. Worst. Public. Process. Ever.
The only way to discuss this project in a meaningful way is to fix the public process, and soon. People need to be talking to each other, instead of about each other. Otherwise, they'll just be talking at each other as the project moves forward, ignoring serious concerns that will fail to get addressed.
Note: Sorry this is so long, I actually have other issues to talk about with the project as well, but felt that some basic understanding of some of the issues was important. But this is just the beginning of what I hope is a better inclusive, transparent community discussion.
Read more!
225 MEETINGS?
Is that a joke? Do people believe that is 225 public meetings about the project? Or is that what they are supposed to believe? Is that how that is going to be spun? I mean, who took the time to count those meetings and for what purpose? I'd be interested in finding out how many of those 225 meetings were with Capital Neighborhoods or the Mansion Hill Neighborhood Association or public meetings.
The first meeting I attended was the first week of September 2008. I was alder in the area for 8 of the 10 months this project has been talked about so far and I maybe attended 20 - 30 meetings. There were about 8 meetings with the neighborhood steering committee and one or two with the whole neighborhood. But, admittedly, one was just a big sales pitch about the company (too slick, as Verveer notes). One or two with the TIF and Planning staff and about 8 more meetings with the developer. I'm sure there were several other miscellaneous meetings thrown in there, but I certainly didn't attend 50, or 100 or 150 meetings. Just exactly what were these 225 meetings? I know he met with the Mayor about 10 times while I was involved, never with the Mayor, staff and myself at the same time (again, divide and conquer). I know he got Downtown Madison Inc and the Chamber of Commerce to, for the first time ever, support the project specifically. And then there were the meetings with the newly formed neighborhood group (organized by Bob Dunn) of property owners who have business interests in the area, largely not people who live there. Those meetings were happening every other week meanwhile Dunn wasn't meeting with the neighborhood association because Dunn was always out of town when they wanted to meet.
So, lets be clear, there was not a transparent, elaborate community process where input was gathered and responded to and changes were made to the project as a result. I think Dean Mosiman captured it best when he said "Hammes spent months quietly seeking support from political and business leaders in the neighborhood . . . " But I'm not sure that "adjusting and refining plans along the way." means that the plans for the hotel changed, because based on the picture in the article, its the same project it has been since about the 3rd or 4th attempt I saw about 6 months ago, when the public process was put on hold until after the election.
Sadly, there was a clear divide and conquer strategy. With people drawing lines in the sand, opposing or supporting a project that we largely haven't seen any details on. By the time this project hits the City process, people will not be wanting to talk about any of the details of the project that are reviewed by staff and the city committees, they will just spout the various talking points that are the same as they were last November. Instead of talking about the many details and concerns yet to be worked out below.
I had hoped that in April, there would be a meeting with all the parties involved, alders, Mayor, staff, neighborhood association and business community. A meeting held before the students left town. A meeting where all the parties aired their grievances and we started to sort out, as a community, where the real issues lie. Instead of "he said, she said" and different information being provided to different groups.
At this point, its just a mess and I'm not sure how you get a decent community dialog out of it. The political lines are drawn and I'm not even sure the parties involved know what they are fighting about, it's just a fight. And sadly, all the issues below are kind of secondary to the ridiculous situation we now have ourselves in.
VIEW
Where is the Tower going to be? Is it in the public right of way that was guaranteed in an agreement in the 1960's or not? Much of the discussion about the project is really about the fact that there was an agreement years ago that guaranteed public access and a view to the lake in exchange for allowing the Edgewater to build in the right of way. The street used to go down to the lake and the city still owns the land under the Edgewater.
Years ago, after the agreement was struck, the Edgewater built a building that was taller than it was supposed to be, blocking more of the view than they were supposed to and provided crappy access to the lake and basically hid the public access to the rooftop that was supposed to be public.
And then there is the matter of the view shed to and from the capital. I repeatedly asked for view studies, and was told they were working on them, but never got to see them. Mostly because I think they were working on moving the building over so that there weren't building into the right of way, requiring them to build on the National Guardian Life property (also partners in the Edgewater project). The building I last saw was about 20 feet into that right of way, blocking the promised view to the lake. But that was more detail than was shared more generally with the neighborhood. So, its easy to see how the neighborhood would be concerned about blocking the view when they were working in an information vacuum.
If they found a way to move the building over, then a major portion of the discussion about the view is over, but not all of it. There still remains the question of how much whatever is on the plaza will block the view and the issue of public access. I suppose there is also a bit of a question of how close the 11 story addition to the 7 story building is to the water and how much of the peripheral view is blocked - but again, we need some view studies to determine that. And I haven't seen those.
AND PUBLIC ACCESS (PLAZA, STAIR AND PIER)
My big concern about public access is that we do not repeat the sins of the past. How will we guarantee that the "public stair" and "public plaza" and "public pier" don't come to be viewed by the community as being for hotel guests only. What kinds of design features and signage would ensure that we don't end up where we are now, with the public not knowing about the access to the rooftop and the stair to the water. I don't think my concerns were ever addressed in this matter. There was some resistance to signage that would make it clear that it was public access, after all, you can't have an exclusive upscale hotel where they publicly advertise that the public has general access.
My other concern was about how that plaza and pier would be managed. Would there be private events there where the public access was blocked. If so, how often and under what circumstances? Who decides when these events occur? Do they need city permission? After all, the public is going to be giving TIF dollars for these portions of the project and I think there is a fair expectation that they have access to the property built with public dollars.
MESSY TECHNICALITIES
So, the city still owns portions of the right of way and in order for the developer to build on the property the city needs to vacate the street. The laws and process for that are fairly specific and I presume the developer is working on getting that all worked out with the neighboring property owners, but it is also a public process. The city has to agree to vacate the property and I believe there are real questions about what we get paid for it and what the conditions are. When the project first started, the Mayor swore up and down we would never do it, now he appears to be in support of the project, so I'm not sure what they have worked out - but it needs 11 votes.
There is also the problem with the height restrictions. The building is already 7 stories and they want to add 11 more. That's an 18 story building that goes all the way up to the capital height limit. I'm not sure that is necessarily a bad thing - except it blows any height standards for the neighborhood completely out of the water. And, without standards that mean something, developers have carte blanche to build whatever they want. And the community needs standards, even if we have to change them, we can't just ignore them. [Note, Soglin has been a paid lobbyist for an 11 story building on Iota court and that is likely why he is in support of the height in the Edgewater project. Tho, I think he has some of the issues confused about which height restrictions apply and why. He's concerned about the 5 story cap in the downtown design zones which apply on Iota Court for the project he was paid to lobby for and for this project, it is about the 50 foot height restriction in a historic district. You'd think he'd get the details right after all these years.]
Then, there's the issues that go along with shoreline development. And, I'm not sure what else the staff might come up with once they actually get to review the project. But my guess is, that there are many other issues that will need to be resolved that will only be determined once the plans are submitted and staff have a chance to review the details.
RENOVATION OF HOTEL
This part looks exciting. Again, haven't seen any details, just a pretty picture, but I think that it could be exciting to renovate the older portion of the hotel and restore it to its former glory. Again, need to see the details.
IMPACT ON NEIGHBORHOOD
Buses, Traffic, Noise, Parking. All legitimate concerns, all manageable, IF there is a decent dialog about them. I know that there are plans for the buses to be able to park underground. And there is a significant increase in parking, but without knowing the final count of the rooms, the number of employees and the proposed uses, its hard to know if there is enough parking. And the noise and traffic discussions I think got lost in all the fighting about the view. They are important issues that still need to be addressed. And I hope they don't get lost.
TIF
Verveer said $5M, I had heard up to $11M. And I suspect, if the building was moved out of the right of way, the cost of the plaza has increased. The curious thing here is that 50% of the TIF is usually used by the developers and 50% is usually used for public infrastructure (streets, etc). I think the way this project is being proposed, this isn't in the 50% used for the developer, its the 50% used for public infrastructure. But again, we didn't get that far in those discussions to know much more.
MANIACI MIA - VERVEER ON THE JOB!
Verveer wasn't involved with any of the discussions about the Edgewater while I was alder. I'm glad to see he stepped up to fill the void. I really wish they had scheduled a neighborhood meeting before the students left (I'd have had the meeting end of April, 1st week of May - instead Maniaci spent her time working on the Mifflin St. block party which is in Verveer's district.) and I hope Verveer's years of experience can help steer the discussion back towards a neighborhood oriented, transparent, inclusive (yes, business community and property owners too), balanced process that includes a true dialog instead of political fighting and grandstanding. And there we are, back to the beginning. Worst. Public. Process. Ever.
The only way to discuss this project in a meaningful way is to fix the public process, and soon. People need to be talking to each other, instead of about each other. Otherwise, they'll just be talking at each other as the project moves forward, ignoring serious concerns that will fail to get addressed.
Note: Sorry this is so long, I actually have other issues to talk about with the project as well, but felt that some basic understanding of some of the issues was important. But this is just the beginning of what I hope is a better inclusive, transparent community discussion.
Read more!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Too Cool for Pool
Pool and Beaches Closed today . . .
Read more!
Due to the chilly weather, Goodman Pool, Madison Parks Beaches and Cypress Spray Park will be closed today. The only exception will be for Goodman Pool swimming lessons - those will be held as scheduled.
Read more!
Another Demolition
Torn down to expand a yard . . . because the house was neglected.
Read more!
Please be advised that Edwin Tallard will be filing a demolition permit application on July 15, 2009 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Single Family Home located at 5722 Lake Mendota Dr Madison, WI 53705 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Edwin Tallard, 5718 Lake Mendota Dr Madison, WI 53705 at edwintallard@gmail.com or (608)235-8494.
Applicant's Comments:
The dilapidated building we bought in Nov of '08 is in a severe state of disrepair. It was built in 1955. In heavy rain, water flows down through the garage and throughout the utility room. Due to numerous leaks in the roof over the last 15 yrs the home is filled with mold and decay. The future plans for the lot are leveling it to expand my yard. I also will be planting a vegetable garden, planting grass, and several small evergreen trees on the perimeter.
If you have any questions about the Plan Commission demolition permit approval process, please contact the City of Madison Planning Division at (608) 266-4635.
Read more!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Meetings only 3 days Week Ahead
Really short week ahead or the schedule isn't updated yet . . .
Monday, June 29, 2009
9:00 AM SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE PRIVATE SECTOR WORK GROUP CONFERENCE CALLS ROOM 107A CCB
What the hell kind of a notice is this? It doesn't say what they will be talking about.
4:30 PM BOARD OF ESTIMATES ROOM 260 MMB
Yawn. This looks like a 15 minute meeting, max.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
4:30 PM URBAN DESIGN COMMISSION ROOM LL-110 MMB
1900 E Washington Ave
Lisa Link Peace Park
5:00 PM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ROOM LL-130 MMB
Economic Development Workplan
5:00 PM HOUSING COMMITTEE ROOM 260 MMB
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Thursday, July 2, 2009
4:30 PM MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD SOUTH MADISON BRANCH LIBRARY, 2222 S PARK ST
Planning for the new Central Library
Read more!
Monday, June 29, 2009
9:00 AM SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY COMMITTEE PRIVATE SECTOR WORK GROUP CONFERENCE CALLS ROOM 107A CCB
What the hell kind of a notice is this? It doesn't say what they will be talking about.
4:30 PM BOARD OF ESTIMATES ROOM 260 MMB
Yawn. This looks like a 15 minute meeting, max.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
4:30 PM URBAN DESIGN COMMISSION ROOM LL-110 MMB
1900 E Washington Ave
Lisa Link Peace Park
5:00 PM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ROOM LL-130 MMB
Economic Development Workplan
5:00 PM HOUSING COMMITTEE ROOM 260 MMB
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Thursday, July 2, 2009
4:30 PM MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD SOUTH MADISON BRANCH LIBRARY, 2222 S PARK ST
Planning for the new Central Library
Read more!
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Big Friday Round Up
Oh my goodness, where to begin . . .how about the hairbrained ideas coming out of Meadowood . . .
SCREW THE 4TH AMENDMENT
Is the City Attorney Michael May smoking crack? Or maybe he's still out of town? Looking for more work for his office? Or maybe the Mayor failed to consult with him? I wonder how much money its going to cost the city when they go all the way to the Supreme Court to litigate the new search and seizure practices proposed by the Mayor and police department? Seriously, warrantless searches. What happens when something besides a gun turns up? What if its just a baggy of pot? Will the kids or their parents be prosecuted for that instead? I mean, once the parents consent, what protections do they and their children have? Are they banking on everyone being low income and not being able to get an attorney who will challenge this?
IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME, LOITERING IS BACK
MORE OFFENSIVE THAN EVER!
Those darn constitutional rights, they are so bothersome to the City!
Thought #1. Ok, now I'm really beginning to think the City Attorney's office is raiding the police evidence room for personal use on a regular basis. Loitering laws that only apply to certain geographic areas of the city? Wow, are they really that afraid of budget cuts that they are trying to ensure that they have continued employment. Looks like another case to be taken to the Supreme Court at our expense.
Thought #2. Get me a map, we can just circle the areas of the city where there are concentrations of people of color, and that is where the law will be applied. I mean, why even bother trying to legally figure out how to have a law that applies in only come areas of the City? Seriously, it's the only place it will be enforced anyways. Someone call the ACLU!
Thought #3. Emily Mills does another good job breaking down the issue. I especially like how she points out the criminals drive cars, why don't we just let police pull over cars without reason.
MEANWHILE, A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST
With all this talk about safety you'd think that the public hearing on how the police department is going to spend $200,000 would have gotten some attention. But no . . . Kristin Czubkoski was the only one to show up. I guess I called it. Sometimes I wish I wasn't right. But I maintain, why would anyone show up if they don't have anything provided to comment on? Apparently police think its the time of the meeting that is the problem. Not.
COPS WILL GET THEIR RIFLES, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER
Ah, now I know why they didn't tell us what they wanted to spend the money on BEFORE the public hearing! Somewhere in the city, Satya Rhodes-Conway's head exploded when she opened the email and found out the money will be spent as follows:
I'm going to say something nice about the Madison Police Department. At the rally for driver's cards and tuition cuts for immigrants in Wisconsin, a uniformed City of Madison Police Officer showed up to the rally, spoke, fielded questions from local media and I presume helped lobbying for the right thing! Thank you!
OH, NOW ITS A GOOD IDEA
Remember the budget last year, when I had all those lousy amendments that were just a waste of time and annoying. Well, turns out, that my amendment that would have implemented landlord registration and paid for itself is now a good idea according to the Mayor. Good thing Alder Julia Kerr worked with city staff and has had the ordinance drafted for months cuz the Mayor can just take credit for it when it passes without doing any of the work. Glad he finally came around and see the merit . . . or more likely, he has his eye on the revenue stream.
WYOU GOES PLATINUM
Great article on Barbara Bolan, the new Executive Director. Donate now. Or come to the fundraiser July 12th at 4:00 at the High Noon Saloon. Details here. Lend your hand to the wall of support and help save this valuable community resource. It is, after all, our television station.
HOMELESS, DON'T CALL US UNLESS ITS BETWEEN 8:00a.m. & 4:00p.m.
Wow. Why would it take weeks to get voice mail up and running? They've already been having problems for days.
ALDER SHIVA BIDAR-SIELAFF REMINDS US
Friday at dusk: please light a candle to show your support for the brave people of Iran who are fighting for freedom. (Iranian prodemocracy leaders have called for this international show of solidarity)
HOUSING UPDATE - A PEOPLE'S AGENDA
Thanks to everyone who showed up last night, it will take a bit before the notes are all typed up, but when they are, they will be sent to the participants and I'm sure I'll blog some part of it. There were also reporters there from the Cap Times (Kristin and Pat), as well as the Isthmus and Street Pulse, so you might find something there. Thanks to Kristin who chose to spend her birthday with us!
Sorry to disappoint you and end on a positive, positively unsnarky note or two, but the items were timely and people will be asking. And, I had more, but ran out of time . . .
Read more!
SCREW THE 4TH AMENDMENT
Is the City Attorney Michael May smoking crack? Or maybe he's still out of town? Looking for more work for his office? Or maybe the Mayor failed to consult with him? I wonder how much money its going to cost the city when they go all the way to the Supreme Court to litigate the new search and seizure practices proposed by the Mayor and police department? Seriously, warrantless searches. What happens when something besides a gun turns up? What if its just a baggy of pot? Will the kids or their parents be prosecuted for that instead? I mean, once the parents consent, what protections do they and their children have? Are they banking on everyone being low income and not being able to get an attorney who will challenge this?
IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME, LOITERING IS BACK
MORE OFFENSIVE THAN EVER!
Those darn constitutional rights, they are so bothersome to the City!
Thought #1. Ok, now I'm really beginning to think the City Attorney's office is raiding the police evidence room for personal use on a regular basis. Loitering laws that only apply to certain geographic areas of the city? Wow, are they really that afraid of budget cuts that they are trying to ensure that they have continued employment. Looks like another case to be taken to the Supreme Court at our expense.
Thought #2. Get me a map, we can just circle the areas of the city where there are concentrations of people of color, and that is where the law will be applied. I mean, why even bother trying to legally figure out how to have a law that applies in only come areas of the City? Seriously, it's the only place it will be enforced anyways. Someone call the ACLU!
Thought #3. Emily Mills does another good job breaking down the issue. I especially like how she points out the criminals drive cars, why don't we just let police pull over cars without reason.
MEANWHILE, A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST
With all this talk about safety you'd think that the public hearing on how the police department is going to spend $200,000 would have gotten some attention. But no . . . Kristin Czubkoski was the only one to show up. I guess I called it. Sometimes I wish I wasn't right. But I maintain, why would anyone show up if they don't have anything provided to comment on? Apparently police think its the time of the meeting that is the problem. Not.
COPS WILL GET THEIR RIFLES, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER
Ah, now I know why they didn't tell us what they wanted to spend the money on BEFORE the public hearing! Somewhere in the city, Satya Rhodes-Conway's head exploded when she opened the email and found out the money will be spent as follows:
The City of Madison Police Department will receive $171,142 which shall be used as follows:The council has removed finding for rifles from the budget and had this discussion on more than one occasion. From the 2008 budget process:
$34,228 toward the salary and benefits of a Dane County prosecutor position
$20,000 for the Dane County Drug Court program
$10,000 for the Dane County Victim Witness program
$24,300 for the purchase and equipping of a detective vehicle
$9,500 for licenses for specialty software to be used to investigate computer crime
$10,500 for a server to store evidence collected from computers
$18,700 for evidence drying cabinets$42,214 for rifles$1,700 for a powerpoint projector and screen
Amendment No. 3WHO EVER THUNK IT
Agency/Project: Police / Project #3 - Rifle Acquisition Project
Page(s): 17
Sponsor(s): Alds. Brandon, Rhodes-Conway, Solomon
Remove funding for the rifle acquisition program, including the estimated funding amounts in 2009 and 2010 ($25,000 G.O. and $25,000 grant funding in each year).
General Obligation Debt $ (20,000)
Other Funding (20,000)
Total $ (40,000) Levy Impact: $ (2,590)Some remained consistent in the arguments to trust the police and they need the tools to do their jobs as with the tasers. Others, pointed out that we've used a rifle once that they fired the weapon. We don't need our average officers to have these military style automatic rifles since we have a sniper/swat team on staff of the MPD for the extreme circumstances. Lots of questions, some debate. Alder Webber called the question, I was the only who hadn't spoke but I didn't object. The motion passed 11 - 9. AYE Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Brandon, Bruer. NO Clear, Compton, Gruber, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Clausius, Cnare. Cnare originally passed and voted at the end.
I'm going to say something nice about the Madison Police Department. At the rally for driver's cards and tuition cuts for immigrants in Wisconsin, a uniformed City of Madison Police Officer showed up to the rally, spoke, fielded questions from local media and I presume helped lobbying for the right thing! Thank you!
OH, NOW ITS A GOOD IDEA
Remember the budget last year, when I had all those lousy amendments that were just a waste of time and annoying. Well, turns out, that my amendment that would have implemented landlord registration and paid for itself is now a good idea according to the Mayor. Good thing Alder Julia Kerr worked with city staff and has had the ordinance drafted for months cuz the Mayor can just take credit for it when it passes without doing any of the work. Glad he finally came around and see the merit . . . or more likely, he has his eye on the revenue stream.
WYOU GOES PLATINUM
Great article on Barbara Bolan, the new Executive Director. Donate now. Or come to the fundraiser July 12th at 4:00 at the High Noon Saloon. Details here. Lend your hand to the wall of support and help save this valuable community resource. It is, after all, our television station.
HOMELESS, DON'T CALL US UNLESS ITS BETWEEN 8:00a.m. & 4:00p.m.
Wow. Why would it take weeks to get voice mail up and running? They've already been having problems for days.
The Salvation Army continues to have major phone system malfunctions. As of today, we have learned that we will not be able to have voice mail until 7/15/09. All families needing shelter and/or individuals needing help with Rx need to call 250-2223 Mon-Fri 800am-400pm. There will be a staff person answering this line, recording messages and contact information. Do not use 250-2298 any longer. 211 website has been updated.
ALDER SHIVA BIDAR-SIELAFF REMINDS US
Friday at dusk: please light a candle to show your support for the brave people of Iran who are fighting for freedom. (Iranian prodemocracy leaders have called for this international show of solidarity)
HOUSING UPDATE - A PEOPLE'S AGENDA
Thanks to everyone who showed up last night, it will take a bit before the notes are all typed up, but when they are, they will be sent to the participants and I'm sure I'll blog some part of it. There were also reporters there from the Cap Times (Kristin and Pat), as well as the Isthmus and Street Pulse, so you might find something there. Thanks to Kristin who chose to spend her birthday with us!
Sorry to disappoint you and end on a positive, positively unsnarky note or two, but the items were timely and people will be asking. And, I had more, but ran out of time . . .
Read more!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tonight! People's Vision for Affordable Housing
To hear the City's Economic Development Director and the Mayor speak, we don't need any more affordable housing, in fact, we need to send it outside of the city. Is that your vision for Madison? Join us tonight!
Do we really have too much affordable housing? Are we really needing to "diversify" our housing by adding more high end housing to the city so we can increase the tax base? Is that the direction you think the city should be headed?
Read more!
Do we really have too much affordable housing? Are we really needing to "diversify" our housing by adding more high end housing to the city so we can increase the tax base? Is that the direction you think the city should be headed?
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Downtown Public Library, 201 W Mifflin St
We've been talking about it for years . . . we've taken some steps forward and more lately, a few giant leaps backwards (property tax exemption and the death of inclusionary zoning). We have committees and task forces and workgroups and lots and lots of talking, but not much action. In fact, we don't even have a plan! The government doesn't have a plan. There is no plan as the economy crumbles, stimulus money gets gobbled up and nothing changes.
That's where you come in! We're creating a people's vision for affordable housing! That's right, no expertise needed! Just you, your brain and some common sense! What should the City of Madison look like? What is your vision for housing? What does this community need?
Please come and share your thoughts and opinions!!
Read more!
Chicken Coop Tour, Garden Tour and Art Walk!
Wow, its a downtown/near east neighborhood pride weekend!!!
On Saturday, June 27 from 1-4 will be the "Tour de (Chicken) Coops" - a free, self-guided tour of five chicken coops in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood. Maps will be available Saturday at the start of the tour - 917 East Dayton Street. See here.
The eighth annual Tenney-Lapham Art Walk will be this Sunday, June 28 from 1-5. Maps will be available at 408 Washburn Place and Burnie's Rock Shop the day of the walk. A complete listing of all the artists along with a map can be found here.
The Capitol Neighborhoods Inc (CNI) 2009 Garden Walk is Saturday, June 27 from 11 am to 4 pm. Tours begins at The Loraine, 123 W. Washington Ave. Tickets are $10. Although the flyer indicates a rain date, there will not be one. For more info please visit: www.capitolneighborhoods.org
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On Saturday, June 27 from 1-4 will be the "Tour de (Chicken) Coops" - a free, self-guided tour of five chicken coops in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood. Maps will be available Saturday at the start of the tour - 917 East Dayton Street. See here.
The eighth annual Tenney-Lapham Art Walk will be this Sunday, June 28 from 1-5. Maps will be available at 408 Washburn Place and Burnie's Rock Shop the day of the walk. A complete listing of all the artists along with a map can be found here.
The Capitol Neighborhoods Inc (CNI) 2009 Garden Walk is Saturday, June 27 from 11 am to 4 pm. Tours begins at The Loraine, 123 W. Washington Ave. Tickets are $10. Although the flyer indicates a rain date, there will not be one. For more info please visit: www.capitolneighborhoods.org
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Economic Development Plan - Recommendations 4 - 6
Junkets to Southern California and Germany, yeah, that's what will help economic development . . .
RECOMMENDATION # 4 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT
RECOMMENDATION # 5 – PUBLIC/PRIVATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM
RECOMMENDATION # 6 – ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
CONCLUSION
So, there you have it. How many jobs will all this create? How much will it all cost us? What will we expect to see that is different in a year? Or two, or three? What are the top priorities? Who's going to do the work? etc. etc. etc. It all seems to be missing. I'm actually quite shocked that in the entire document, jobs are only mentioned twice. And in relation to supporting "physical connections" for "quality jobs" in one place. With the economy in the shape it is in, shouldn't that be the number one priority. Especially if you are concerned about disposable income. It seems this plan is focused on bringing people who will have high paying jobs here, but not creating jobs for the people who live here. Is that what our tax dollars should be spent on?
This is actually quite the departure from the plans originally laid out in the original plan. Just take a look at page 27 here for an exaple of how shockingly devoid of details this workplan is and how far they have strayed from the original intent. I have no problem with adjusting to the economy, but if newsletters and annual reports were recommended to enhance communications and those are still goals, why did those types of details disappear? Why are low priorities now high priorities? Why didn't the work get done? Why were high priority projects shelved? Why are projects like the East Capital Gateway (East Washington Ave) not major workplan items if they are about to decide who to hire to market the area? What happened with all the groups and task forces and advisory groups that were supposed to be formed? Why did some items change categories from the original plan?
I'm not sure there is anything bad going on here, but there's no explanation of anything. If you're making these changes, you should probably lay the foundation to explain what is happening. Yes, we all know the economy changed and that was a catalyst, but what was the thinking behind all of this? What do we hope to accomplish as a result of these changes? And why, or why, did all the details just disappear?
For information about the presentation by staff and questions the council asked, see here.
For recommendations 1 - 3, see here.
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RECOMMENDATION # 4 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT
ED PLAN *** Promotion of Available City Financial Assistance
Ok - how are you promoting these funds? How do people find out about them? Are they doing anything to increase the visibility of the funds? Or, do only those with special connections find out about the funds? Even more interesting to me is, why aren't there competitions for these funds instead of "first come, first served"?
Continued promotion of financial assistance available through the City of Madison, including BREWD, TIF, Capital Revolving Fund, Facade Improvement Grant, Housing Revenue Bonds, Home Ownership loans, Energy Efficiency Stimulus Funds, and other CDA-sponsored economic and neighborhood revitalization projects.
__________ Federal, State, Foundation Funding GuideThis makes sense, I think they should do the same for city funding or just combine the efforts.
A more proactive review/promotion of federal, state, and foundation funding options available to the City or directly to businesses for economic development activities.
__________ Commercial Real Estate DatabaseThis is the one where Cooley said Madison would bully the entrenched business community interests by taking advantage of being the 800 pound gorilla to make this happen. Great. So much for all this talk about regional collaboration.
Collaboration with the local commercial brokerage community, and allied economic development partners, to enhance the type and accessibility of information about available commercial real estate.
ED PLAN___ Promotion of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)No problem with this one, I'm just surprised it isn't happening already and that we don't have another BID yet, especially since talking with Susan Schmidt from DMI (Downtown Madison Inc) you just can't help but get excited about them!
In partnership with neighborhood business districts, promote the use of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to enhance and capture opportunities within those corridors.
__________ Economic/City Financial MetricsGood. But I wonder, will it be things like measuring "demographics" that say that only high income people should live in Madison?
In coordination with the Madison Measures project, develop additional metrics to measure the state of the Madison economy.
__________ “Madison” Branding CampaignI'm interested in how much this one is going to cost? I'm presuming it will involve hiring a consultant.
Develop a campaign for branding Madison as a preferred/competitive location for business.
__________ Explore Future TIF OpportunitiesFinally!!! Pro-active decisions about what types of TIF projects we want!!! However, I'd like to see them tell us what their priorities are and how they will determine which areas have these opportunities.
In the context of the economic development emphasis of the recently adopted TIF Policy, review and map opportunities where the use of TIF could leverage additional private investment over the next five-ten years.
__________ Community ToursHere it is! Junkets! When Chris Schmidt asked where to, it sound like Southern California, Germany and Sweeden were mentioned. While everyone else is having their budgets frozen, especially around travel, they want to increase theirs. In the age of electronic and video conference technology can't they find a better way to gather information about what works in other cities and countries? And wow, more than one person was very adamant with me that looking to Southern California for solutions might not be the best model to follow.
Meet/tour other Wisconsin/Midwest communities to learn more about their economic development approaches in an effort to gain additional ideas for Madison. This could also include tours of businesses within Madison.
__________ Business AppreciationI don't object to this, but I hope its not something that they spend alot of time on, given they are concerned about staff and not being able to do other higher priority items. We have several business organizations in Madison that should be able to do these types of activities that we could just "add on" to, instead of creating our own programs.
Events/activities in recognition and appreciation of businesses located within the City. This could be in partnership with community organizations directly supported by the business sector.
ED PLAN *** Continued Partnership with the CDA for Economic Development ProjectsSo far, that partnership doesn't seem to be working out so well. I'd like to hear wht the priorities are, what are measurements of success of those projects and what types of future plans they are thinking of. Also, does the CDA have the capacity to do more.
Per the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, further explore ways in which the Community Development Authority (CDA) can continue to promote economic development within the community.
________*** Home Ownership and Rehabilitation ProgramsOffice of Economic Revitalization? Wow. I wonder how many people know what that is, cuz its not part of the regular city language. It's Percy Brown who administers a few housing programs for the city, but I"m not sure that they are the types of housing that Cooley was talking about. And there are several other programs in the city in the CDBG office and then there is the goofy TIF program to promote homeownership. Again, I find it intriguing that housing programs are not considered economic development. I'd love to hear more about the goals and priorities and specific activities that might be done.
Continued promotion of the home ownership and rehabilitation programs managed by the Office of Economic Revitalization.
ED PLAN___ Benefit/Cost Model:) Yes! Let's do it! I would like to see what the cost/benefit analysis would have been on Tomo Therapy or BioAg Gateway. The first project never happened and the second one hasn't happened yet either. And if I heard Cooley, he seemed to be backing away from the BioAg Gateway project, saying that biotech isn't the area where we are going to create alot of jobs.
As recommended in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, develop and utilize a benefit/cost model to measure the fiscal impact of key development projects and to align TIF and other City economic development tools with the benefit received.
ED PLAN___ Project Facilitation FundI think this is a great idea. It would be great to be able to say, "here is the money for economic development" and here are our priorities and projects we want to fund. I also think that if we can put $1M in for Economic Development, I think we they should also put $1M in for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, because the workers are going to need some place to live.
As recommended in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, capitalize a Project Facilitation Fund (beginning with $1 million annually and adjusting as needed) to provide needed incentives to develop infrastructure or provide direct financial incentives to critically important high fiscal impact, high quality job-generating projects.
RECOMMENDATION # 5 – PUBLIC/PRIVATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM
ED PLAN *** Evangelism of Business Resources and Vision
In partnership with other economic development and business organizations, do more to share the resources available in Madison with employers who are looking elsewhere for possible expansion/location, and the vision of a great business sector throughout the entire community.What does "do more' mean? What do they plan to do? Again, this is supposed to be a workplan.
__________ City Partnerships
Similar to the “Sister Cities” concept, develop relationships with U.S. cities in other regions of the Country for the purpose of generating leads of businesses looking for Midwest locations.Giggle. I hear originally these were called "Brother Cities" . . . back to the junkets. And when he talked about this at the briefing for the council, he really did talk more about overseas opportunities.
ED PLAN *** Better utilization and partnership with allied business and economic development organizations
Ok - again how, and what are the items that will be accomplished as a result?
Promote better utilization and partnership with the City’s allied business and economic development organizations, including: Chamber, CVB, THRIVE, MAGNET, BID, DMI, Smart Growth Greater Madison, Dane County, UW, MATC, Urban League, MMSD, business incubation facilities, Central BID, neighborhood business associations, neighborhood planning councils, etc.
RECOMMENDATION # 6 – ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
ED PLAN __ Mission StatementThis was the rallying cry of the EDC back when Zach was still on the council, I can't believe they just haven't done it already. And, I was very surprised to see Cooley poo-poo the idea and say that it wasn't a priority.
As outlined in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, revise the DPCED mission statement to include “economic development in support of high qualify of life” as a fundamental goal.
ED PLAN __ StaffingAgain, Larry Palm tried to ask what this meant? Didn't get an answer. Not even close. I would think if you really wanted more staff, you'd come forward with a proposal.
As outlined in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, fully staff the Economic Development Division.
ED PLAN *** TrainingI have no problem with this, in fact, citywide we need to spend more money on training for our staff. I'd just want to make sure that they are getting the best bang for their buck and not wasting money.
As outlined in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, expand funding for professional training of Economic Development Division staff.
CONCLUSION
So, there you have it. How many jobs will all this create? How much will it all cost us? What will we expect to see that is different in a year? Or two, or three? What are the top priorities? Who's going to do the work? etc. etc. etc. It all seems to be missing. I'm actually quite shocked that in the entire document, jobs are only mentioned twice. And in relation to supporting "physical connections" for "quality jobs" in one place. With the economy in the shape it is in, shouldn't that be the number one priority. Especially if you are concerned about disposable income. It seems this plan is focused on bringing people who will have high paying jobs here, but not creating jobs for the people who live here. Is that what our tax dollars should be spent on?
This is actually quite the departure from the plans originally laid out in the original plan. Just take a look at page 27 here for an exaple of how shockingly devoid of details this workplan is and how far they have strayed from the original intent. I have no problem with adjusting to the economy, but if newsletters and annual reports were recommended to enhance communications and those are still goals, why did those types of details disappear? Why are low priorities now high priorities? Why didn't the work get done? Why were high priority projects shelved? Why are projects like the East Capital Gateway (East Washington Ave) not major workplan items if they are about to decide who to hire to market the area? What happened with all the groups and task forces and advisory groups that were supposed to be formed? Why did some items change categories from the original plan?
I'm not sure there is anything bad going on here, but there's no explanation of anything. If you're making these changes, you should probably lay the foundation to explain what is happening. Yes, we all know the economy changed and that was a catalyst, but what was the thinking behind all of this? What do we hope to accomplish as a result of these changes? And why, or why, did all the details just disappear?
For information about the presentation by staff and questions the council asked, see here.
For recommendations 1 - 3, see here.
Read more!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Economic Development Plan - Recommendations 1 - 3
Ok, lets rip into this plan and figure out what its about . . .
First, here is the code to understand some of the designations of the items in the plan:
Third, where is the report on what they are accomplishing this year? It's kind of hard to review this workplan without a status update on what has happened and is expected to happen this year. Clearly, much has changed in the economy and I would hope staff are taking steps to address issues, but what are they and how does this work plan build on current efforts?
Now, the plan as presented . . .
RECOMMENDATION # 1 – CUSTOMER SERVICE
I'm unclear about why "physical space development of a center" is on this list, as it is essentially on hold while they try to determine what is going to happen with the Marcus Hotel and the Municipal Building and the Government East parking ramp. We objected to the $1.6M being in the budget for this a few years ago, and the money remains in the budget so people don't think we forgot it, but its not going anywhere and it seems silly to even include it in the work plan if its not happening. If something is happening on this item, it should be detailed.
RECOMMENDATION # 2 – QUALITY JOB CREATION/RETENTION/EXPANSION
???? Why wouldn't they? Does the staff have other suggestions about what should be done to support small businesses in lieu of not doing the conference? Why is this a question?
RECOMMENDATION # 3 – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
I appreciate the questions the alders tried to ask at the meeting. With Cooley answering the questions, however, there wasn't much hope of getting a straight answer that wasn't thrown back on their laps.
Recommendations 4 - 6 tomorrow . . . plus what's missing and some comments about the introductory remarks from the presentations.
For information about the presentation by staff and questions the council asked, see here.
For recommendations 4 - 6, see here.
Read more!
First, here is the code to understand some of the designations of the items in the plan:
ED PLAN - A recommendation that is found within the acceptedSecond, this isn't a work plan, there was more detail in the 3 - 5 year Economic Development Plan. This is a reprioritization of recommendations to work on with a new set of recommendations sprinkled throughout. But there are no time lines, no specific work items to accomplish, no designation of which staff will be working on them and quite frankly, at that end of the year, how will you measure what was accomplished? It's shocking that there was more detail in the original plan than in this "workplan". Obviously, some of these recommendations are on-going items and I'd like to see what steps are being prioritized by staff.
3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan
*** - A project or program already underway
ED PLAN *** - A recommendation of the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan that is already underway
__________ - An idea for a project or program not currently underway, and not found within the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan. It is a recommendation for a new program/project from City staff or the EDC.
Third, where is the report on what they are accomplishing this year? It's kind of hard to review this workplan without a status update on what has happened and is expected to happen this year. Clearly, much has changed in the economy and I would hope staff are taking steps to address issues, but what are they and how does this work plan build on current efforts?
Now, the plan as presented . . .
RECOMMENDATION # 1 – CUSTOMER SERVICE
ED PLAN *** Zoning Code Modernization
Complete re-write of the City’s Zoning Code.
ED PLAN *** Development Services Center
Development Services Center website, implementation of ELAM permitting software, and physical space development of a center.
ED PLAN *** Dept. of Planning & Community & Economic Development website
Complete re-design of the DPCED website.These items are all well underway and being done by people not in the Economic Development Unit, but primarily in the Planning Unit. Therefore, when Cooley talks about staff resources, these shouldn't have any impact in his unit.
I'm unclear about why "physical space development of a center" is on this list, as it is essentially on hold while they try to determine what is going to happen with the Marcus Hotel and the Municipal Building and the Government East parking ramp. We objected to the $1.6M being in the budget for this a few years ago, and the money remains in the budget so people don't think we forgot it, but its not going anywhere and it seems silly to even include it in the work plan if its not happening. If something is happening on this item, it should be detailed.
________*** Road Construction Information/Assistance
Continued partnership between the Office of Business Resources, City Engineering, and the Chamber Small Business Advisory Council, and Central Business Improvement District to use the Road Construction Survival Guide and Road Works website developed in 2009 to outreach to and help prepare business owners who will be impacted by road construction in 2010.This item is essentially done. Here's the guide and website. I think the plan is to do outreach - I'd like to see the workplan contain specifics about that outreach.
__________ Streamlining Process
This effort would include a closer look at the City’s current development review process in concert with the new ELAM permitting software and proposed Development Services Center to see if further efforts can be made to streamline approval processes within the City of Madison.How'd this creep back in here? When the whole "Madison is unfriendly to business" campaign started (you know, backlash about local minimum wage and paid sick leave and inclusionary zoning), this was number one on the list. Studies were done, plan commission got a presentation by UW students who studied the process and facts were gathered. Recommendations were made and discussed. So much so, that it didn't really make it into the 3 - 5 year plan and instead there was the re-write of the zoning code, purchase of software to help process applications and the development services center, but now, it's back again. I think we need to let those items work and re-evaluate once they are in place.
ED PLAN___ Monitoring/Benchmarking Customer Service
As outlined in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, this recommendation calls for a formalized approach to gather and measure customer feedback (such as through a Baldrige or similar process).I thought this was kind of basic and would have been one of the first things to get done, so that we could see progress. This is now a plan for the 2nd year of the 3 - 5 year plan and frankly, it should already be in place, otherwise at the end of the plan, there will be no trend information.
ED PLAN___ Communication/Collaboration/Attitude
Work with existing business organizations (region/City/district) to participate in implementation of the work plan objectives, develop and communicate an overall regional/city competitiveness vision, and develop/evangelize with internal/external markets the “why” and necessity of the vision, strategy, and action plans.I'd like to see what details on this item, what does this mean? It doesn't really say anything, how will I know if at the end of the year we have accomplished this item?
RECOMMENDATION # 2 – QUALITY JOB CREATION/RETENTION/EXPANSION
ED PLAN__ Proactive retention/expansion
As outlined in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, this project would include the purchase of retention/expansion software to manage a proactive effort on the part of City staff and other economic development partners to reach-out to businesses in a proactive manner to determine their future retention/expansion needs.Hmmmm . . . I thought it was pretty clear that this software would require us to keep track of confidential information, which would be an open record and therefore would make it difficult to have businesses talk to them. So, what is the purpose of the software. I guess I want to see the "why" at this point and what purpose it will serve.
__________ Proactive retention/expansion (revised)
The approach above requires allocation of financial resources to purchase software, additional staff capacity (as outlined in the 3-5 Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan), and availability of volunteers in the private sector to assist with the effort. The current economic recession puts the likelihood of all three of these components in jeopardy.
One of the goals of this effort is to determine what business needs are at the moment, and where there may be opportunities for expansion. Given that all businesses have unique needs at the moment, an alternative approach in lieu of purchasing software and starting a new effort at this time, is to do more to promote the resources that are already available to businesses within the community, while working with those businesses that contact us.Larry Palm did his best to try to get them to tell him what this means? How much staff do they need? Cooley just turned it around on them, and said it was up to them. What kind of a game is that? Isn't it staff's job to make a proposal and then have the council determine what they support? This sounds like it is just here to say "see, we told you it wouldn't happen". Promoting resources already available to people who contact them isn't anything new is it? Isn't it what they do now? This item is mildly disturbing, as the whole point of the 3 -5 year plan was to make the city more pro-active, not reactive.
________*** Small Business Conference
If the City wishes to host a fourth bi-annual small business conference in 2011, planning will need to being during the second half of 2010.
???? Why wouldn't they? Does the staff have other suggestions about what should be done to support small businesses in lieu of not doing the conference? Why is this a question?
__________ Workforce Summit
The 2009 Economic Development Work Plan called for a Workforce Summit in 2009. Given staffing demands, we will not be able to host this event in 2009.
__________ Workforce Development
In lieu of, or in addition to, a Workforce Summit continue the work of the Workforce Development Sub-Committee of the EDC to further explore the role the City should play relative to workforce development throughout the community.If I understood Cooley right, this simply isn't a priority for them as they feel that others are already doing it. The committee has been meeting for some time, or at least appointed and supposed to be working, their work should be done by the end of 2009 I would thin, this item should probably say that they would act on recommendations and implement them. I suspect, however, that this item will just drop off the radar screen.
ED PLAN*** Business Requests/Prospects
City staff receives numerous unsolicited requests on a weekly basis from businesses, site selectors, developers, the Department of Commerce, etc. with ideas for businesses interested in expanding within Madison or re-locating to Madison. Economic Development Division staff serves as a lead on these prospects by providing information about available space, demographic information, and financial assistance.Ok, but what are the goals here? How many people do they plan to assist with what type of activities and what do they expect their success rate to be? How do they prioritize these requests?
__________ Business Creation/Talent Portal
Major economic recessions, such as the one we are currently facing, result in a significant number of highly skilled unemployed/underemployed individuals along with opportunities for new business development. The City could foster the connection of individuals with opportunities through the development of an online business creation/talent portal.Huh? The Job Center for the middle and upper class? What is this? Is it for entrepreneurs who want to create businesses? What would be the outcomes? How does this benefit the City? Will it create a certain number of jobs? So, its sounds like a fine idea, but when they are saying they don't have the resources, is this where we get the biggest bang for our buck?
__________ Product Beta-testing in Appropriate Clusters (such as “Green Industries”)
Businesses often require beta-testing of new products with potential customers. Madison is already recognized as a “green community,” taking a lead in new efforts for sustainability. There may be opportunities to reach-out to companies in the growing “green” business cluster to complete their beta-testing here. Especially in cases where are firms are not already familiar with Madison, this could be an effective way to introduce them to Madison, with the goal of accommodating their future expansions here.Again, this sounds like an idea just thrown out there. At least it has some goals to attract businesses and introduce them to Madison, but is this the best use of resources? Shouldn't we be focusing on the low hanging fruit? Do they have the staff and time to do this? If they do, how will we know success when it happens? Is it one product tested or 100?
__________ Common Council – Business RelationsHere's an idea, how about just including alders when the staff are having discussions with businesses in their districts? This also says "employers" not businesses. Is there a focus on employment and jobs? Are they focusing on major employers? Or small businesses? Shouldn't alders already be doing this on their own and does staff really need to spend time working on this? Again, I think they could just be included when discussions are happening in the district.
Arrange additional opportunities for Alders to tour and meet with employers within their Districts.
__________ Economic Development Impacts of Projects/Policies
Greater utilization of the EDC for review/input of projects and policies from an economic development standpoint.BAH HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! Too funny. This is the same EDC that is the only committee I remember in 8 years that REJECTED referrals we tried to make. Now, they want referrals. Toooooooooo funny!!!! I wholeheartedly agree with this recommendation. But the committee members have to be on board and they have to not ask "why is this here" and "why are we wasting our time with this" and then they actually have to give meaningful feedback. Complete with recommendations on how to change proposals if they think the proposals merit it.
__________ Demographic Shift
Further explore the impact that shifting demographics will have on the Madison economy.Wow. Just wow. To me, it was pretty clear what this meant. But I'd like to hear this justified. I'd like to hear what they will be looking at. Are they concerned we have too many poor people here - and yet don't want to work on workforce development? What other demographics are they worried about changing? Explain yourself please. Just say it, in plain English. What are you worried about?
ED PLAN *** Small Business Assistance
As outlined in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, continue/strengthen outreach/cooperation with organizations that provide small business planning assistance.Ok, again, more specifics please.
RECOMMENDATION # 3 – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
________*** Community Infrastructure (roads, facilities, etc.), including related real estate transactions
Continued investment in City infrastructure (roads, facilities, etc.), including the necessary real estate transactions for said projects.I'd really like to hear more details about how the staff work on this, how they prioritize these projects and what they measure about the projects when making them a priority. How do staff intervene on behalf of businesses? And what did they mean "including the necessary real estate transactions for said projects"? Did they mean TIF dollars?
ED PLAN *** Physical Development Projects
Implementation of physical development projects, including but not limited to: UW Research Park II, Capitol Gateway, BioAg Gateway (including BioLink), Truman Olson, Royster Clark, Garver, Union Corners, Edgewater Hotel, Public Market, Marcus Hotel (and related private development), and the Downtown Library (and related private development), the Villager, Allied Drive, Badger/Ann/Park projects, Truax, and the Lake Point redevelopment.Again, what are the staff doing? Why this list of projects? Are these projects prioritized? What is needed on these projects? Is this just things that the Planning Department is already doing, or is futher intervention or work needed?
__________ “Green” Workforce and Business “Homesteading”
Given its central location, available transit, mixed-use neighborhoods, etc. living or locating a business within the City of Madison provides individuals with a greater opportunity to live or run their businesses in a more sustainable manner than most other locations within the region. As a way to retain/attract a quality workforce within the community and employers who consciously wish to be more “green,” promoting the concept of “green” workforce and business “homesteading” could be further explored.Interesting, again, more details, please. What activities would staff do to make this happen?
ED PLAN__ Business Incubator Study
As outlined in the 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan, study the demand/appropriateness of additional business incubators within the City of Madison. The concept of a “green business” incubator and free incubator space could be included.Are we hiring someone to do a study? Is the staff doing an informal study? How will this be determined? How would free space be maintained? Again, what is the work plan in this item?
__________ Job Creation – Physical Development Connection
On a more formalized level, consider the strategic connection between physical development projects within the City of Madison and their ability to provide space for quality job creation.?? What does that mean? What action items? How would it be formalized?
__________ Neighborhood (including downtown) reinvestment
Continued investment in older housing stock and older neighborhood commercial areas (including downtown).Again, what does this mean? More TIF dollars? Does this mean tear downs or fix ups? Does this mean new housing programs to entice middle class home owners to fix up housing downtown? How is this an economic development item? (Note: I think it could be, I'd just like to hear it explained. I mean, housing as economic development is not really something we have been talking about.)
I appreciate the questions the alders tried to ask at the meeting. With Cooley answering the questions, however, there wasn't much hope of getting a straight answer that wasn't thrown back on their laps.
Recommendations 4 - 6 tomorrow . . . plus what's missing and some comments about the introductory remarks from the presentations.
For information about the presentation by staff and questions the council asked, see here.
For recommendations 4 - 6, see here.
Read more!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
2010 Economic Development Plan . . .
So, guess how late they started and who was in charge of starting the meeting . . . and look for the comments in red that seem to be sending some interesting messages.
Wait for it . . . wait for it . . . we waited for it, 13 minutes before Alder Bruer came in the room and started the meeting, then he babbled for a short minute or two and then introduced Clear who described how we got where we are [It made me smile, knowing how badly the conservatives did not want to do the Economic Development Plan.] and made excuses about why the Economic Development Plan for this year got approved so late. Bruer says the reason more people are not here is because they were out of town and that is wasn't a scheduling conflict [Is he that oblivious? Verveer and Maniaci came in at the tail end of the meeting when the State St. Oversight committee was done discussing Peace Park. Who knows who went to the Zoning Code meeting, but I'm guessing that is where Rummel was.] or lack of interest.
Alders Present: King, Bidar-Sielaff, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Clear, Schmidt, Clausius, Bruer, Pham-Remmele (Late, when the meeting was over, Verveer and Maniaci)
No Shows: Sanborn, Cnare, Rummel, Eagon, Skidmore, Solomon, Kerr, Compton, Schumacher
EDC Members Present: Julia Stone (and Alder Clear)
Members of the public: About 6, I think when you remove the reporters/bloggers and Thuy's husband who attends most meetings with her.
Please note some of the concerning statements made in red below. Will comment more tomorrow.
6:17. Finally Cooley gets started with his powerpoint presentation.
Why are we doing this? Cooley says we have a false sense of security because "Madison Best" awards are abundant. [Pause to get microphone, where Bruer admits he is "sitting in back cuz he can hardly hear him back here". He spends the whole meeting in the back of the room talking to business community folls.] Cooley points out the "best" awards look at the Metro area and that they are not for Madison only, but the Madison area. Cooley says Madison is lagging the rest of the county in median income by 18% (Madison's median income is $50 - 55K and the rest of the county is $60 - 65K), wealth (and their discretionary income) is moving to the suburbs and businesses will follow. He talks about how this isn't unusal in many cities. [Wow, was he just comparing us to inner cities that experience white flight? Do you think they have median incomes of $50K?] Fitchburg and Sun Prairie show and even more stark changes in incomes with nearly $70K and $65K median incomes respectively. [Ok, so this is even more ironic as Fitchburg doesn't have a downtown.] He says the velocity and trends of change are really concerns because the outlying areas have much higher incomes. Fitchburg had a 37.6% increase, Sun Prarie a 25.9% and Madison 21.2% in median incomes 2000 - 2008. [Its disturbing he doesn't mention the numbers of residential homes built during this period and the fact that you could buy more home for the same dollars in some of these areas. Finally, he doesn't mention that other areas of the state and country are losing population and we are lucky to have growth. He makes it sound like people are moving out of Madison, when in fact we are growing as well.] He says that Madison jobs grew 10% and the county's jobs grew 15% and he points out this is a 50% difference. Again the slide says "as household and discretionary income moves, jobs follow" seeming to imply people are leaving Madison. Says we need jobs throughout the spectrum (low end jobs and high end jobs) and we needs jobs that are stable. The slide says "One of the most important functions that a city can provide
is an environment of stable, quality jobs for its citizens." He says the City is driven off property tax and property tax is direct reflection of average incomes and wages. 70% of our revenue is from property taxes. Says the latest numbers that show an increase in property taxes for Madison but that doesn't include the residential and that the increase was in commerical construction - he says it doesn't count tho because they are projects that were in the works before the economy crashed.
Commercial property increased $377.8M
Residential property decreased through re-evaluations by $233.8M
Property Formerly Exempt increased by $12.3M [Now you can see what that fight is about.]
Total increase $224.5M [I didn't detail everything.]
[Hmm, residential property values are down, but over all the city is up due to commercial real estate values and yet he is trying to tell us that we are in serious trouble? I don't quite think his numbers or anecdotes are backing him up.]
Residential property values are down in 2009 by 1% and not increasing at the same rate (7 - 8% 2002 - 2006) as in previous years. [Again, he fails to mention the real estate market and what affect that has on all this.] He says we need high income jobs and properties so we can continue to keep the quality of life we enjoy here in Madison.
How economic development has changed? No longer chasing smokestacks, but looking at the environment we create and how we can encourage businesses and what barriers we create to businesses moving here. [He presents an interesting chart that I couldn't successfully replicate for you.] They have done a SWOT analysis.
Strengths: Innovation, Existing Clusters (biotech), Workforce, Culture & Character (Cooley makes a snarky comment about the "character" of Madison and not needing to comment further), Quality of Life
Opportunities: Outperform region/state/nation, Emerging clusters, Build awareness
Weakness -Core perceived as inhospitable to business [Core what? He skipped over this and moved on quickly. I think he was talking about the alders.], Lack of risk capital, State business environment, Lack of awareness
Threats - Lingering recession/ paralysis, Anti-growth contingent - “BANANA”, Core asset values [Again, core what? I think he is talking about the property values in the downtown alder districts], Status quo attitude, Competition
6:28 - Matt M now explains the suggestions for the 2010 plan, explains where it came from (Based on 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development, Implementation Plan. Adjustment for current economy. Guidance needed from Common Council and EDC.) Says that they need funding and staffing because can't do it all. Goes over hand out, didn't add much that wasn't printed on the hand out. [I'll put this up tomorrow with editorial comments about what is missing and further needed. Perhaps one of the first things they could do it become more public friendly and get the materials out ahead of time and provide them on their website? A link instead of handed out paper.]
DISCUSSION
Rhodes-Conway asked how to give input. Matt M says annotated handout is fine. Suggests that within each of the recommendation areas to mark priorities, note top 3 or 4, let them know where you have questions. No one right way to provide the feedback.
Clear says council leadership has added 2 additional alder positions to the Economic Development Commission. It will be discussed at CCOC July 7 and back at council on July 21st. Mayor and leadership feels this will help strengthen the committee.
Pham-Remmele - Says it is a well thought out and impressive plan, needs more time to go through and observe and compare to what she knows. Unprecedented economic downturn, just came from a special meeting with commerical real estate owners. Says we are discussing this as a family matter so she will discuss it openly - talks about Meadowood Mall which has Anchor Bank, branch library, Walgreens, barbershop, dry cleaner, chinese take out and pizza and hardware store. Heart of community and having alot of problems she doesn't want to bring up. She says she has 2 questions but then talks [!] about how they can't keep this confidential any longer, wants businesses to stay, says they have lost some businesses, butcher shop became a community center, hardware store wants to be guaranteed that it will be stable or they will leave to their second store in Cottage Grove. She wants to ask him to please stay, and notes that "many man in the area would find an excuse to go to the hardware store 3 times a day, you know that". She says she asked him not to put a closing sign up. She asked "what chip do I exchange with him?" [Wow, almost sounds like bribery the way she said it. I wonder if the businesses asked her that question.] On the other side people who live in the neighborhood want businesses to come to the mall. So, she trusts staff to be open and tell her how they are doing this. [Why does she feel the need to say that?] The question she has, how firm and how flexible is the 3 - 5 year plan? What about the urgent needs? We don't want to lose any more of the tax base. Please be a honest as possible with me. [Sigh . . . ]
Cooley says it is tough, we need to change the entire city, it has to become more sensitive to bringing up disposable income and bring up wages. Otherwise stores will be moving. Talks about Willy Sutton when asked why he rob banks, Willy said "that is where the money is". Businesses will move to suburbs if we do not change the dynamic. Downtown has to appeal to all people, not just students and state workers. Older areas of the city need to be redeveloped. Some of the workforce, affordable housing and homeless shelters have to be shared with the other communities - otherwise it won't work. This isn't a city or zoning decision, its a business decision. People look at the demographics and what the demographics will support. He says right now, there is nothing we can do.
Pham-Remmele says she wants to have a private meeting, they agree. Says we can't wait 5 years.
Cooley says that we can be as flexible as we need to be. Some of the suggestions in the handout he suggest are not as important using the example of mission statement and website, but working on more direct efforts to figure out from a city perspecive what should we be?
Pham-Remmele asks about UW, but she says we need entry level jobs. Even low income to (need to?) bring home the bacon. Very important, start from the bottom up.
Clear says that Pham-Remmele asked a fundamental question, why should a business locate here instead of Sun Prairie, why should business staM in an at risk neighborhood (Meadowood vs Monroe St) not Cottage Grove. Clear asks how you address at risk neighborhood. How do we reverse the trend of hardware store being replaced with check cashing or . . . Pham-Remmele steps back in and adds liquor store?
Cooley doesn't answer, says he is glad Clear said it was a rhetorical question. [I'm quite certain Clear never said that and it was odd how he sidestepped that question.]
Cooley says city is a wonderfully care giving society and it has changed the demographics of the city. Suburbs can do things that we can't. We don't have housing for middle, or upper management. It's a race to the bottom. Maybe Madison [housing] should be a little higher priced than the rest of the area. It may take a fundamental change. And we need to do this with fact driven inforamtion. If we are going to be a successful city, we need to take a long hard look at what we are doing now. [Ok, his use of the word "demographics" is just starting to get a little creepy. It seems like it is code for something. Low-income? People of color?]
Pham-Remmele talks about how Judy Compton sold houses to many of the people in her neighborhood. [Why, wasn't quite sure.]
Cooley says we need to have low crime and good schools. Companies can locate anywhere, but families will move somewhere because of the schools and crime. We have to be very aware of where we are today and if that is a compelling reason to attract the kinds of people we need to support the community.
Pham Remmele says she is very painful, but talks about schools and says people vote with their feet and move and as a compassionate city we think about those who don't have that option.
King says there is some urgency, and the preception that Madison is unfriendly and asks how to turn that ship around. Says people like the older homes with character and they need alot of work and they don't want to touch those houses, how will we reinvest in neighborhood? He talks about how the process is hard? How do we do that? [I'm completely confused, what process, its a "free market" process at the moment.] Cooley says "you are an alder and you can change that."
King asks how they will communicate that thinkgs have changed. Someone with a bad experience will tell 20 people and someone with a good experience will sell one. Cooley points out the Mike Ivey article about the new very expensive building on W Johnson and how that developer couldn't say enough nice things about Madison's process. Also talks about how Full Compass has good stories to tell - however, he couldn't seem to remember the name of the company. He talks about how perception becomes reality, says it has gotten better but still convoluted. Talks about Landmarks, Urbran Design Commission & Plan commission and about how things get sent to subcommittees [seriously? how often does that happen?] and referrals back and forth - he says more study doesn't result in better end results. He then notes "historic is always old, old is not always historic".
Clear says he is hearing the city process is improving but it takes a long time to get past the reputation.
Cooley says we can benchmark that - look at approval times in other cities and we can measure that. Madison's unique way of doing things - everyone has a voice in it all the time. We can keep that character and work with it. Suburbs are taking it away from us.[Um, someone should give him the study the plan department did a few years ago that noted how long our approvals took and how we ranked with other cities.]
Bidar-Sielaff says that she has been to the suburbs and they are not taking anything away from her. She suggests we need to tell our own good stories. Need something besides the website. How can we highlight, with our partners, the good stories. Business of the month. Says those who live and work here has a story to tell.
Cooley says it is kind of in the plan, marketing both internally and externally. Will do it through website and using technology within constructions of state laws. They may do a blog "and the like".
Clausius asks about recommendation 3 - community infrastructure. He talks about a roundabout and extensions for Parkside Drive and there is talk that the projects won't stay in the budget. Steinhaufels is concerned about the projects not going through. How much support can he get from EDC with the capital budget. Round about was pushed back last year - its important for the Lien Road project. He says needs support for that project.
Cooley said that EDC should be weighing in on alot of things from crime statistics and ordinances. [Duh, remember when Zach very plainly told the council that the EDC didn't want to get tied up considering ordinances that the city was passing and that they just wanted to do their work. We tried to refer items there, but they didn't want that. Perhaps Cooley should have a conversation with (past?) EDC members about this.] He says we are blessed to have Matt, Michael, Don Marx and Percy who can find money.
Clear tells Clausius he should talk to alders on Board of Estimates. [Clausius is on BOE.]
Clausius asks about recomnedation #4 - commercial database. Right now major fast food franchise that wants to come in to Madison, but they want a regional training center. He says it would be good to have EDC out there to help. Doesn't want to see it go to Fitchburg or Sun Prairie. Cooley says that Michael Gay has info, but database is not as developed. Individual brokers want to keep their own inforamtion. Milwaukee has a system that is now the de facto standard. Matt has been working with THRIVE for the past three months, but there are intrenched interests. Cooley says tho that "we will drive it [getting a commercial database] out of the City of Madison and take advantage of being the 800 pound gorilla."
Schmidt asks about jobs and what the software will do to create jobs. Cooley says CRM (Customer Relation Management) is really the problem, we are our own worst enemy - anything that comes to city is open record. He says they are talking to companies about confidential matters, we don't want to put that into a database that is readily accessible. We know what is going on, and we keep a good database ourselves, written contacts and in our minds. No real need to get that CRM database right now. The software could do follow ups, newsletters and ticklers.
Schmidt also says he never heard of the phrase "business homesteading". Cooley says he made that up. Says the idea not quite flushed out. He talks about the Mayor's ideas of green building and how the city could define buiding standards for city controlled land and that a couple could come in and build to these standards and if they stay there for a period of time, the land could be sold to them cheaply. He suggests that we do the same with businesses, if you do it this way, over time we might be able to make a deal. He asks how do we incent from a policy prospective. He says they are playing with the concept to see if it is going anywhere.
Schmidt asks about the community tours, where would they go? Cooley says Southern California, several looking for lower cost areas for manufacturing. Some have customer bases that need warehouse or distribution centers. They are looking at Mexico and others. He said "nobody in their right mind wants to go down there, espeically border towns." 30% differential in costs by locating in midwest. He says we can do the same thing internationally. He says 2nd tier German and Sweedish companies want to have a US presence. He says their industry clusters and demographics that match ours.
Schmidt asked about cities that had similiar challenges as ours and were successful. Cooley says no one has had similar experiences. The recent economy changes are a "major reset", jobs of the past are no longer going to be the jobs of the future. The way we used to cope with recession was to have safety nets, jobs aren't going to come back this time, need to find those jobs that will have a competitive advantage, we need to work to grow our own and agreesively pursue more. Work with MATC to train people, we will lose and gain some people - we just need to make sure we gain the right people.
Schmidt asks how we can avoid common mistakes. Cooley says that we can't over micromanage the workforce, we can't become enamored with the next cool thing, which he points out is biotech and biopharma but then quickly notes that those are not big job creators. He says that biotech plays better in Madison and that we have a better shot here but every state and many cities think that and most of the centers are in Boston, San Diego and ?? South San Francisco?? Says we have a better chance because we have the workforce and university.
Palm asks about the perception of Madison. He points out that there have been a number of situations where the city was accused of putting up barriers, the projects were approved, but the businesses didn't move forward. The businesses backed away. He says we are spending alot of energy helping someone who makes a stink and then we don't get the benefits of all that work.Palm says that we can't serve all of our customers if some of them are just playing with us.
Palm asks how do we assess which project get a priority, how do you decide? Is it first come first serve? Cooley says it is partially triage, partially opportunistic. Says TIF changes concentrate on creating jobs.
Maniaci and Verveer arrive.
Palm asks if additional city financial assistance. He notes that we had $1 for a revolving fund, how do we expand the dollars available. Cooley says that we need to take advantage of all the programs out there. He talks about a program he just found out about this morning, for city owned land, feds pay us back 45% of interest to purchase the land. There is also a program for privately owned land. Says an allocation has been made to Madison. Cooley notes communications are important and we need to be making sure we don't leave things on the table, need to be time effective, need to make better use of consultants and the legislative side.
Palm asks about the workforce conference that was delayed because the staff says they don't have enough staff. He asks "what is full staff?" Cooley says they are putting numbers to it now and they need to pick and choose and find out what the priorities are of the executive and legislative arms of government. He says that its not that they don't care about the work force, but other people are working at it and they are at the table with them. [Sounds like they don't intend to follow through on the workforce development work.]
Palm tries to ask the question again about how much staff they need. Cooley avoids answering the question. Says that is why they are here, to ask the council what their priories are.
Mendoza commends staff, Tim, Matt, Michael, Peggy. Work hard and you're looking at a snapshot. They know the work plan is not all inclusive. Thanks council for interest and Bruer and Clear for remaining engaged as they are. Says there will be a menu of options, many of which will relate to the city budget. The question is what will the prioritize if they costs dollars, where will they devote limited resources. Says this is the next step in the conversations. Thanks Julia Stone from EDC for coming.
They ask if Julia would like to add anything ? She's only been on EDC for one month but she " fully agrees with Tim's synopsis".
7:35 ends, kinda.
They quickly annouce that this will be at the EDC at next two meetings (July 1 and Aug 5). [Wow, nice to do it while people are out on the summer vacations!]. They says they will have a bigger room because it has been crowded. They may have a broader public input session late summer or fall as well.
Everyone starts talking - Thuy yells at them to be quiet in her best teacher voice.
Cooley asks the alders to look at the increased use of BIDS, looking at map for logical places and they are looking to get together with alders and business leaders in that area to talk about the success. Says government can't maintain the level of services the downtown bit is doing and wants others to have those advantages.
Then, I think they are done and adjourn again.
For recommendations 1 - 3, see here.
For recommendations 4 - 6, see here.
Read more!
Wait for it . . . wait for it . . . we waited for it, 13 minutes before Alder Bruer came in the room and started the meeting, then he babbled for a short minute or two and then introduced Clear who described how we got where we are [It made me smile, knowing how badly the conservatives did not want to do the Economic Development Plan.] and made excuses about why the Economic Development Plan for this year got approved so late. Bruer says the reason more people are not here is because they were out of town and that is wasn't a scheduling conflict [Is he that oblivious? Verveer and Maniaci came in at the tail end of the meeting when the State St. Oversight committee was done discussing Peace Park. Who knows who went to the Zoning Code meeting, but I'm guessing that is where Rummel was.] or lack of interest.
Alders Present: King, Bidar-Sielaff, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Clear, Schmidt, Clausius, Bruer, Pham-Remmele (Late, when the meeting was over, Verveer and Maniaci)
No Shows: Sanborn, Cnare, Rummel, Eagon, Skidmore, Solomon, Kerr, Compton, Schumacher
EDC Members Present: Julia Stone (and Alder Clear)
Members of the public: About 6, I think when you remove the reporters/bloggers and Thuy's husband who attends most meetings with her.
Please note some of the concerning statements made in red below. Will comment more tomorrow.
6:17. Finally Cooley gets started with his powerpoint presentation.
Why are we doing this? Cooley says we have a false sense of security because "Madison Best" awards are abundant. [Pause to get microphone, where Bruer admits he is "sitting in back cuz he can hardly hear him back here". He spends the whole meeting in the back of the room talking to business community folls.] Cooley points out the "best" awards look at the Metro area and that they are not for Madison only, but the Madison area. Cooley says Madison is lagging the rest of the county in median income by 18% (Madison's median income is $50 - 55K and the rest of the county is $60 - 65K), wealth (and their discretionary income) is moving to the suburbs and businesses will follow. He talks about how this isn't unusal in many cities. [Wow, was he just comparing us to inner cities that experience white flight? Do you think they have median incomes of $50K?] Fitchburg and Sun Prairie show and even more stark changes in incomes with nearly $70K and $65K median incomes respectively. [Ok, so this is even more ironic as Fitchburg doesn't have a downtown.] He says the velocity and trends of change are really concerns because the outlying areas have much higher incomes. Fitchburg had a 37.6% increase, Sun Prarie a 25.9% and Madison 21.2% in median incomes 2000 - 2008. [Its disturbing he doesn't mention the numbers of residential homes built during this period and the fact that you could buy more home for the same dollars in some of these areas. Finally, he doesn't mention that other areas of the state and country are losing population and we are lucky to have growth. He makes it sound like people are moving out of Madison, when in fact we are growing as well.] He says that Madison jobs grew 10% and the county's jobs grew 15% and he points out this is a 50% difference. Again the slide says "as household and discretionary income moves, jobs follow" seeming to imply people are leaving Madison. Says we need jobs throughout the spectrum (low end jobs and high end jobs) and we needs jobs that are stable. The slide says "One of the most important functions that a city can provide
is an environment of stable, quality jobs for its citizens." He says the City is driven off property tax and property tax is direct reflection of average incomes and wages. 70% of our revenue is from property taxes. Says the latest numbers that show an increase in property taxes for Madison but that doesn't include the residential and that the increase was in commerical construction - he says it doesn't count tho because they are projects that were in the works before the economy crashed.
Commercial property increased $377.8M
Residential property decreased through re-evaluations by $233.8M
Property Formerly Exempt increased by $12.3M [Now you can see what that fight is about.]
Total increase $224.5M [I didn't detail everything.]
[Hmm, residential property values are down, but over all the city is up due to commercial real estate values and yet he is trying to tell us that we are in serious trouble? I don't quite think his numbers or anecdotes are backing him up.]
Residential property values are down in 2009 by 1% and not increasing at the same rate (7 - 8% 2002 - 2006) as in previous years. [Again, he fails to mention the real estate market and what affect that has on all this.] He says we need high income jobs and properties so we can continue to keep the quality of life we enjoy here in Madison.
How economic development has changed? No longer chasing smokestacks, but looking at the environment we create and how we can encourage businesses and what barriers we create to businesses moving here. [He presents an interesting chart that I couldn't successfully replicate for you.] They have done a SWOT analysis.
Strengths: Innovation, Existing Clusters (biotech), Workforce, Culture & Character (Cooley makes a snarky comment about the "character" of Madison and not needing to comment further), Quality of Life
Opportunities: Outperform region/state/nation, Emerging clusters, Build awareness
Weakness -Core perceived as inhospitable to business [Core what? He skipped over this and moved on quickly. I think he was talking about the alders.], Lack of risk capital, State business environment, Lack of awareness
Threats - Lingering recession/ paralysis, Anti-growth contingent - “BANANA”, Core asset values [Again, core what? I think he is talking about the property values in the downtown alder districts], Status quo attitude, Competition
6:28 - Matt M now explains the suggestions for the 2010 plan, explains where it came from (Based on 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development, Implementation Plan. Adjustment for current economy. Guidance needed from Common Council and EDC.) Says that they need funding and staffing because can't do it all. Goes over hand out, didn't add much that wasn't printed on the hand out. [I'll put this up tomorrow with editorial comments about what is missing and further needed. Perhaps one of the first things they could do it become more public friendly and get the materials out ahead of time and provide them on their website? A link instead of handed out paper.]
DISCUSSION
Rhodes-Conway asked how to give input. Matt M says annotated handout is fine. Suggests that within each of the recommendation areas to mark priorities, note top 3 or 4, let them know where you have questions. No one right way to provide the feedback.
Clear says council leadership has added 2 additional alder positions to the Economic Development Commission. It will be discussed at CCOC July 7 and back at council on July 21st. Mayor and leadership feels this will help strengthen the committee.
Pham-Remmele - Says it is a well thought out and impressive plan, needs more time to go through and observe and compare to what she knows. Unprecedented economic downturn, just came from a special meeting with commerical real estate owners. Says we are discussing this as a family matter so she will discuss it openly - talks about Meadowood Mall which has Anchor Bank, branch library, Walgreens, barbershop, dry cleaner, chinese take out and pizza and hardware store. Heart of community and having alot of problems she doesn't want to bring up. She says she has 2 questions but then talks [!] about how they can't keep this confidential any longer, wants businesses to stay, says they have lost some businesses, butcher shop became a community center, hardware store wants to be guaranteed that it will be stable or they will leave to their second store in Cottage Grove. She wants to ask him to please stay, and notes that "many man in the area would find an excuse to go to the hardware store 3 times a day, you know that". She says she asked him not to put a closing sign up. She asked "what chip do I exchange with him?" [Wow, almost sounds like bribery the way she said it. I wonder if the businesses asked her that question.] On the other side people who live in the neighborhood want businesses to come to the mall. So, she trusts staff to be open and tell her how they are doing this. [Why does she feel the need to say that?] The question she has, how firm and how flexible is the 3 - 5 year plan? What about the urgent needs? We don't want to lose any more of the tax base. Please be a honest as possible with me. [Sigh . . . ]
Cooley says it is tough, we need to change the entire city, it has to become more sensitive to bringing up disposable income and bring up wages. Otherwise stores will be moving. Talks about Willy Sutton when asked why he rob banks, Willy said "that is where the money is". Businesses will move to suburbs if we do not change the dynamic. Downtown has to appeal to all people, not just students and state workers. Older areas of the city need to be redeveloped. Some of the workforce, affordable housing and homeless shelters have to be shared with the other communities - otherwise it won't work. This isn't a city or zoning decision, its a business decision. People look at the demographics and what the demographics will support. He says right now, there is nothing we can do.
Pham-Remmele says she wants to have a private meeting, they agree. Says we can't wait 5 years.
Cooley says that we can be as flexible as we need to be. Some of the suggestions in the handout he suggest are not as important using the example of mission statement and website, but working on more direct efforts to figure out from a city perspecive what should we be?
Pham-Remmele asks about UW, but she says we need entry level jobs. Even low income to (need to?) bring home the bacon. Very important, start from the bottom up.
Clear says that Pham-Remmele asked a fundamental question, why should a business locate here instead of Sun Prairie, why should business staM in an at risk neighborhood (Meadowood vs Monroe St) not Cottage Grove. Clear asks how you address at risk neighborhood. How do we reverse the trend of hardware store being replaced with check cashing or . . . Pham-Remmele steps back in and adds liquor store?
Cooley doesn't answer, says he is glad Clear said it was a rhetorical question. [I'm quite certain Clear never said that and it was odd how he sidestepped that question.]
Cooley says city is a wonderfully care giving society and it has changed the demographics of the city. Suburbs can do things that we can't. We don't have housing for middle, or upper management. It's a race to the bottom. Maybe Madison [housing] should be a little higher priced than the rest of the area. It may take a fundamental change. And we need to do this with fact driven inforamtion. If we are going to be a successful city, we need to take a long hard look at what we are doing now. [Ok, his use of the word "demographics" is just starting to get a little creepy. It seems like it is code for something. Low-income? People of color?]
Pham-Remmele talks about how Judy Compton sold houses to many of the people in her neighborhood. [Why, wasn't quite sure.]
Cooley says we need to have low crime and good schools. Companies can locate anywhere, but families will move somewhere because of the schools and crime. We have to be very aware of where we are today and if that is a compelling reason to attract the kinds of people we need to support the community.
Pham Remmele says she is very painful, but talks about schools and says people vote with their feet and move and as a compassionate city we think about those who don't have that option.
King says there is some urgency, and the preception that Madison is unfriendly and asks how to turn that ship around. Says people like the older homes with character and they need alot of work and they don't want to touch those houses, how will we reinvest in neighborhood? He talks about how the process is hard? How do we do that? [I'm completely confused, what process, its a "free market" process at the moment.] Cooley says "you are an alder and you can change that."
King asks how they will communicate that thinkgs have changed. Someone with a bad experience will tell 20 people and someone with a good experience will sell one. Cooley points out the Mike Ivey article about the new very expensive building on W Johnson and how that developer couldn't say enough nice things about Madison's process. Also talks about how Full Compass has good stories to tell - however, he couldn't seem to remember the name of the company. He talks about how perception becomes reality, says it has gotten better but still convoluted. Talks about Landmarks, Urbran Design Commission & Plan commission and about how things get sent to subcommittees [seriously? how often does that happen?] and referrals back and forth - he says more study doesn't result in better end results. He then notes "historic is always old, old is not always historic".
Clear says he is hearing the city process is improving but it takes a long time to get past the reputation.
Cooley says we can benchmark that - look at approval times in other cities and we can measure that. Madison's unique way of doing things - everyone has a voice in it all the time. We can keep that character and work with it. Suburbs are taking it away from us.[Um, someone should give him the study the plan department did a few years ago that noted how long our approvals took and how we ranked with other cities.]
Bidar-Sielaff says that she has been to the suburbs and they are not taking anything away from her. She suggests we need to tell our own good stories. Need something besides the website. How can we highlight, with our partners, the good stories. Business of the month. Says those who live and work here has a story to tell.
Cooley says it is kind of in the plan, marketing both internally and externally. Will do it through website and using technology within constructions of state laws. They may do a blog "and the like".
Clausius asks about recommendation 3 - community infrastructure. He talks about a roundabout and extensions for Parkside Drive and there is talk that the projects won't stay in the budget. Steinhaufels is concerned about the projects not going through. How much support can he get from EDC with the capital budget. Round about was pushed back last year - its important for the Lien Road project. He says needs support for that project.
Cooley said that EDC should be weighing in on alot of things from crime statistics and ordinances. [Duh, remember when Zach very plainly told the council that the EDC didn't want to get tied up considering ordinances that the city was passing and that they just wanted to do their work. We tried to refer items there, but they didn't want that. Perhaps Cooley should have a conversation with (past?) EDC members about this.] He says we are blessed to have Matt, Michael, Don Marx and Percy who can find money.
Clear tells Clausius he should talk to alders on Board of Estimates. [Clausius is on BOE.]
Clausius asks about recomnedation #4 - commercial database. Right now major fast food franchise that wants to come in to Madison, but they want a regional training center. He says it would be good to have EDC out there to help. Doesn't want to see it go to Fitchburg or Sun Prairie. Cooley says that Michael Gay has info, but database is not as developed. Individual brokers want to keep their own inforamtion. Milwaukee has a system that is now the de facto standard. Matt has been working with THRIVE for the past three months, but there are intrenched interests. Cooley says tho that "we will drive it [getting a commercial database] out of the City of Madison and take advantage of being the 800 pound gorilla."
Schmidt asks about jobs and what the software will do to create jobs. Cooley says CRM (Customer Relation Management) is really the problem, we are our own worst enemy - anything that comes to city is open record. He says they are talking to companies about confidential matters, we don't want to put that into a database that is readily accessible. We know what is going on, and we keep a good database ourselves, written contacts and in our minds. No real need to get that CRM database right now. The software could do follow ups, newsletters and ticklers.
Schmidt also says he never heard of the phrase "business homesteading". Cooley says he made that up. Says the idea not quite flushed out. He talks about the Mayor's ideas of green building and how the city could define buiding standards for city controlled land and that a couple could come in and build to these standards and if they stay there for a period of time, the land could be sold to them cheaply. He suggests that we do the same with businesses, if you do it this way, over time we might be able to make a deal. He asks how do we incent from a policy prospective. He says they are playing with the concept to see if it is going anywhere.
Schmidt asks about the community tours, where would they go? Cooley says Southern California, several looking for lower cost areas for manufacturing. Some have customer bases that need warehouse or distribution centers. They are looking at Mexico and others. He said "nobody in their right mind wants to go down there, espeically border towns." 30% differential in costs by locating in midwest. He says we can do the same thing internationally. He says 2nd tier German and Sweedish companies want to have a US presence. He says their industry clusters and demographics that match ours.
Schmidt asked about cities that had similiar challenges as ours and were successful. Cooley says no one has had similar experiences. The recent economy changes are a "major reset", jobs of the past are no longer going to be the jobs of the future. The way we used to cope with recession was to have safety nets, jobs aren't going to come back this time, need to find those jobs that will have a competitive advantage, we need to work to grow our own and agreesively pursue more. Work with MATC to train people, we will lose and gain some people - we just need to make sure we gain the right people.
Schmidt asks how we can avoid common mistakes. Cooley says that we can't over micromanage the workforce, we can't become enamored with the next cool thing, which he points out is biotech and biopharma but then quickly notes that those are not big job creators. He says that biotech plays better in Madison and that we have a better shot here but every state and many cities think that and most of the centers are in Boston, San Diego and ?? South San Francisco?? Says we have a better chance because we have the workforce and university.
Palm asks about the perception of Madison. He points out that there have been a number of situations where the city was accused of putting up barriers, the projects were approved, but the businesses didn't move forward. The businesses backed away. He says we are spending alot of energy helping someone who makes a stink and then we don't get the benefits of all that work.Palm says that we can't serve all of our customers if some of them are just playing with us.
Palm asks how do we assess which project get a priority, how do you decide? Is it first come first serve? Cooley says it is partially triage, partially opportunistic. Says TIF changes concentrate on creating jobs.
Maniaci and Verveer arrive.
Palm asks if additional city financial assistance. He notes that we had $1 for a revolving fund, how do we expand the dollars available. Cooley says that we need to take advantage of all the programs out there. He talks about a program he just found out about this morning, for city owned land, feds pay us back 45% of interest to purchase the land. There is also a program for privately owned land. Says an allocation has been made to Madison. Cooley notes communications are important and we need to be making sure we don't leave things on the table, need to be time effective, need to make better use of consultants and the legislative side.
Palm asks about the workforce conference that was delayed because the staff says they don't have enough staff. He asks "what is full staff?" Cooley says they are putting numbers to it now and they need to pick and choose and find out what the priorities are of the executive and legislative arms of government. He says that its not that they don't care about the work force, but other people are working at it and they are at the table with them. [Sounds like they don't intend to follow through on the workforce development work.]
Palm tries to ask the question again about how much staff they need. Cooley avoids answering the question. Says that is why they are here, to ask the council what their priories are.
Mendoza commends staff, Tim, Matt, Michael, Peggy. Work hard and you're looking at a snapshot. They know the work plan is not all inclusive. Thanks council for interest and Bruer and Clear for remaining engaged as they are. Says there will be a menu of options, many of which will relate to the city budget. The question is what will the prioritize if they costs dollars, where will they devote limited resources. Says this is the next step in the conversations. Thanks Julia Stone from EDC for coming.
They ask if Julia would like to add anything ? She's only been on EDC for one month but she " fully agrees with Tim's synopsis".
7:35 ends, kinda.
They quickly annouce that this will be at the EDC at next two meetings (July 1 and Aug 5). [Wow, nice to do it while people are out on the summer vacations!]. They says they will have a bigger room because it has been crowded. They may have a broader public input session late summer or fall as well.
Everyone starts talking - Thuy yells at them to be quiet in her best teacher voice.
Cooley asks the alders to look at the increased use of BIDS, looking at map for logical places and they are looking to get together with alders and business leaders in that area to talk about the success. Says government can't maintain the level of services the downtown bit is doing and wants others to have those advantages.
Then, I think they are done and adjourn again.
For recommendations 1 - 3, see here.
For recommendations 4 - 6, see here.
Read more!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Yet Another Demolition
Another house outlived it's practical usefulness?
Read more!
Please be advised that Joan Pregler will be filing a demolition permit application on August 19, 2009 for Plan Commission review that calls for a single-family house located at 1119 Merrill Springs Rd Madison, WI 53705 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Joan Pregler, Joan Pregler Design Associates, LLC, 7919 Airport Road P.O. Box 620424 Middleton, WI 53562 at jpda@chorus.net or (608)831-7733.
Applicant's Comments:
Many design attempts to remodel this 1948 Single-Family Home proved unsuitable for retrofit. Demolition & construction of a new home on the R-1 zoned property will: achieve accessibility for Aging-In-Place using ADA principles, locate the garage at grade level, obtain energy efficiency, & correct drainage and water issues.
Owners will contact neighbors & the Association to preview their proposed new home. Historic Preservation indicates there are no historical or neighborhood issues.
Read more!
There is Free Lunch!
At the Goodman Community Center!
Read more!
WHAT: Free Lunch and recreation program!!
The Goodman Community Center is offering a free lunch and recreation program for any children under age 18. Any child 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult or a sibling over the age of 10.
WHEN: Monday-Friday
June 22- August 21
Lunch: 11:30-12:30 for all ages
Open supervised recreation: 12:30-2:30 in the gymnasium for all ages
Supper : 3:30-6:30 for youth 12 and older in the Lussier Teen Center
Middle and high school activities available until 9 pm
Where: Goodman Community Center Gymnasium
149 Waubesa St.
CONTACT: Tanya Martinez-Knauer at 241-1574 ext 237 or tanyamk@goodmancenter.org
Read more!
Some things, make too much sense!
How could safe roads be politicized and controversial?
Read more!
Coalition for Safe Roads
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 06/19/09
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Christine Neumann Ortiz or Jeanne Geraci
Office: 414-643-1620
Cell: 414.736.2835 or 414.426.6891The Coalition for Safe Roads and Law Enforcement Urge Legislature to Adopt Driver Cards
Here's some other things going on today in this regard:
The Coalition for Safe Roads, a broad coalition of law enforcement, dairy farmers, labor unions, faith leaders, and advocacy groups, will be holding a Press Conference and lobby day on Monday, June 22 to urge the Wisconsin State Legislature to adopt the Assembly version of the driver cards provision in the Wisconsin State Budget. The driver cards would serve as limited purpose driver's licenses for undocumented and legal immigrants who are currently unable to provide documentary proof of their legal status but who otherwise qualify for driver's licenses.
The driver card is of urgent necessity to ensure the safety of our roads and communities in Wisconsin. It has received support from the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, the Wisconsin Troopers Association, as well as numerous local law enforcement officials around the state including Milwaukee Chief Flynn, Madison Chief Wray, Whitewater Chief Coan, Beloit Chief Lathrop, Appleton Chief Walsh, Green Bay Chief Arts, and the Village of Dorchester Police Department.
After the Press Conference, Coalition leaders will lobby legislative leadership in support of the Driver Card provision.
What: Coalition for Safe Roads Press Conference in Support of Driver Card Provision
When: Monday, June 22,10:00 - 10:30am
Where: Assembly Parlor, Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison
Speakers:
Officer Carlos ValentÃn, Amigos en Azul, City of Madison Police Department
John Rosenow, Rosenholm-Wolfe Dairy, Cochrane, WI
Christine Neumann - Ortiz, Executive Director, Voces de la Frontera
SEIU Representative
URGENT Action for Driver's Licenses and In State Tuition!
Madison, Monday June 22nd
10:00am - 10:30am: Coalition for Safe Roads Press Conference in Support of Driver Cards Provision
10:30am- 12:00pm: Presence in capitol and lobby
12:00pm: Voces de la Frontera Rally on State Street Capitol Steps to support Driver Cards and In State Tuition
Read more!
The "What Not To Do" Week Ahead
Well, this week is kind of discouraging, its a great example of what not to do (list at the end of the post)!
Monday, June 22, 2009
4:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: 2009 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT TOWN OF MADISON TOWN HALL, 2120 FISH HATCHERY RD, MADISON 53713
- How should the police spend their money they get from this grant? My guess is, no one shows up. And even if they do, nothing will change.
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMUNITY SUMMIT 211 STATE ST. PROMENADE HALL
- It's getting closer to a final proposal. Unfortunately, there is so much info, I think it is hard to have a meaningful public process. Especially when they didn't tell anyone about the meeting til last week. And when the Alders asked on Tuesday how it was being advertised, they said the Mayor was doing a press release. Which went out on Friday . . . wow, you'd think they didn't want people to show up.
6:00 PM COMMON COUNCIL - DISCUSSION ROOM 201 CCB
- Council leadership gets an "F" in scheduling this. Brilliant, schedule a council briefing for the same time as a Community Summit on the Zoning Code. Or, perhaps they don't want anyone to see what they are doing with Economic Development (yawn . . . my guess is that they're doing nothing to address the current economy or create jobs unless they are high end biotech type jobs. Note, the notice says addressing the "business climate", not the people who suffering as a result.) This article makes it sound like the council will actually make decisions - but I don't think they can during a "discussion" where quorum is not required.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
12:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 501 CCB
- Here it is folks, the new personnel rules, city staff should be paying attention!
5:30 PM EAST WASHINGTON/CAPITOL GATEWAY BUILD STEERING COMMITTEE ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Holy crap! I wonder if anyone will show up, I don't think this committee has met in nearly two years, in fact, there are 6 vacancies. Too bad the ordinance isn't available, I'm sure that will also cut down on the public input. And I wonder if they will get quorum in the summer with all those vacancies.
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MADISON CENTRAL LIBRARY, 201 W MIFFLIN ST, ROOMS 202 & 204
- That's alot of topics to discuss with a large group in 90 minutes.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMUNITY MEETING 4340 TOKAY BLVD.
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMUNITY MEETING 1625 NORTHPORT DR
- These two agendas look pretty much the same as Monday's community summit. So, I think they are all the same, but I don't know why they have different names?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
I got nothing. But that's ok, you can come to the "People's Vision for Affordable Housing" at the Public Library at 5:00. We really DO want your input, please!
So, I'm not sure if its a naturally slow week, or if many more meetings will get added to the agenda, but I suggest that you check back later in the week to see if items got missed?
WHAT NOT TO DO
This weeks "what not to do" list.
1. Hold a public hearing with no specific information available so the public won't have anything to comment on. (Police, East Wash)
2. Take an extremely complex and complicated topic and try to summarize for the public and leave little time for questions. (Zoning Code)
3. Schedule a council briefing AND a community summit on the same night. (Council Briefing on Economic Development Work Plan)
4. Don't advertise your community meeting in a meaningful way and wait to send out the press release until Friday when the meeting is on Monday. (Zoning Code)
5. Label your events in a confusing manner so people don't know which meetings to attend. (Community Summit and Community Meetings with same agendas)
6. Appoint a HUGE (over 20 people) committee, don't meet for nearly two years, then schedule a meeting on a summer evening. (E Washington)
7. Have a meeting about an ordinance that is several pages long and don't have it available to the public. (E Washington)
8. Schedule a discussion for 90 minutes with a HUGE (over 20 people) committee with a long list of topics that could each be discussed for 90 minutes. (Zoning Code)
Read more!
Monday, June 22, 2009
4:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: 2009 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT TOWN OF MADISON TOWN HALL, 2120 FISH HATCHERY RD, MADISON 53713
- How should the police spend their money they get from this grant? My guess is, no one shows up. And even if they do, nothing will change.
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMUNITY SUMMIT 211 STATE ST. PROMENADE HALL
- It's getting closer to a final proposal. Unfortunately, there is so much info, I think it is hard to have a meaningful public process. Especially when they didn't tell anyone about the meeting til last week. And when the Alders asked on Tuesday how it was being advertised, they said the Mayor was doing a press release. Which went out on Friday . . . wow, you'd think they didn't want people to show up.
6:00 PM COMMON COUNCIL - DISCUSSION ROOM 201 CCB
- Council leadership gets an "F" in scheduling this. Brilliant, schedule a council briefing for the same time as a Community Summit on the Zoning Code. Or, perhaps they don't want anyone to see what they are doing with Economic Development (yawn . . . my guess is that they're doing nothing to address the current economy or create jobs unless they are high end biotech type jobs. Note, the notice says addressing the "business climate", not the people who suffering as a result.) This article makes it sound like the council will actually make decisions - but I don't think they can during a "discussion" where quorum is not required.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
12:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 501 CCB
- Here it is folks, the new personnel rules, city staff should be paying attention!
5:30 PM EAST WASHINGTON/CAPITOL GATEWAY BUILD STEERING COMMITTEE ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Holy crap! I wonder if anyone will show up, I don't think this committee has met in nearly two years, in fact, there are 6 vacancies. Too bad the ordinance isn't available, I'm sure that will also cut down on the public input. And I wonder if they will get quorum in the summer with all those vacancies.
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MADISON CENTRAL LIBRARY, 201 W MIFFLIN ST, ROOMS 202 & 204
- That's alot of topics to discuss with a large group in 90 minutes.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMUNITY MEETING 4340 TOKAY BLVD.
5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMUNITY MEETING 1625 NORTHPORT DR
- These two agendas look pretty much the same as Monday's community summit. So, I think they are all the same, but I don't know why they have different names?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
I got nothing. But that's ok, you can come to the "People's Vision for Affordable Housing" at the Public Library at 5:00. We really DO want your input, please!
So, I'm not sure if its a naturally slow week, or if many more meetings will get added to the agenda, but I suggest that you check back later in the week to see if items got missed?
WHAT NOT TO DO
This weeks "what not to do" list.
1. Hold a public hearing with no specific information available so the public won't have anything to comment on. (Police, East Wash)
2. Take an extremely complex and complicated topic and try to summarize for the public and leave little time for questions. (Zoning Code)
3. Schedule a council briefing AND a community summit on the same night. (Council Briefing on Economic Development Work Plan)
4. Don't advertise your community meeting in a meaningful way and wait to send out the press release until Friday when the meeting is on Monday. (Zoning Code)
5. Label your events in a confusing manner so people don't know which meetings to attend. (Community Summit and Community Meetings with same agendas)
6. Appoint a HUGE (over 20 people) committee, don't meet for nearly two years, then schedule a meeting on a summer evening. (E Washington)
7. Have a meeting about an ordinance that is several pages long and don't have it available to the public. (E Washington)
8. Schedule a discussion for 90 minutes with a HUGE (over 20 people) committee with a long list of topics that could each be discussed for 90 minutes. (Zoning Code)
Read more!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Help Needed to Pay for Funeral Services for Homeless Man
Since I know that many of you might be interested in helping, I thought I should pass along this information:
Read more!
Dear Ms. Wallinger:
Thank you for sharing with me information regarding the City's Homeless programs and the Block Grants you administer. This information is helpful to me and my interest in improving homeless access to healthcare.
Additionally, I thought you might also like to know that I am communicating with Dwayne Warren's mother and collected monies for his funeral and burial. Currently, Dane County is providing 2,000 dollars which is all the money that is available for these services. I am collecting money because I believe that the funeral will expense out at around 5,000 dollars. Dwayne's family is without resources and I am making arrangements for his mother's transportation. However, I am very pleased and grateful to the Salvation Army who is donating a plot a Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery off of Mineral Point Road.
I am opening an account at M&I for contributions to the Dwayne Warren Memorial Fund, the residual will be split between the family and a health care provider that provides free healthcare.
Please pass this information along to those you believe may be interested, as well as those who may wish to attend his funeral.
PAYABLE TO:
Dwayne Warren Memorial Fund
C/O Todd Hunter Law Office
115 West Main Street, 2nd Floor
Madison, WI 53703
If anyone wishes to help me with this endeavor, please provide to them my
telephone number (608) 255-8678 and address.
Again, thank you for your work and providing me with the outline of services
the City of Madison helps support.
Sincerely,
Todd Hunter
Read more!
It's Friday . . .
So, its time for comments on a smattering of things that went on this week and other miscellaneous items!
VERVEER SAYS HE IS NOT BAD
I've been asked to clarify. Verveer has not actually introduced, nor does he plan to at the moment, anything to do with the street musicians. He simply intends to talk about it at the next meeting. Apparently, the issue he sees is that the musicians are in the places that the vendors at the Farmer's Market have paid for. If that's the only issue, then why not just address that? I guess I'll have suspend my judgment about if Verveer is BAD or not.
CRAZY COUNCIL MEETING
I blogged about the insanity at the council meeting this week. It had several county board members last night rightly feeling pretty smug that they run a good meeting. Several people thanked me for shining a light on this matter and I got several new followers on Twitter and Facebook as a result. However, while my description was mostly a blow by blow of the meeting with a few comments interspersed, Dusty's description was much better. This week's "bad" designation goes to Dean Mosiman and his editors! I think they should be made to watch that segment of the meeting over, and over and over and over!
SPEAKING OF THE COUNTY BOARD (STICKING IT TO THE SHERIFF?)
I nearly fell off my chair last night when the County Board refused to change the ordinance that would allow the sheriff to charge the eviction fees that they had passed in the budget. I wonder if they were sticking it to the sheriff because he refuses to listen to them on the immigration issues, or if that is just wishful thinking? Either way, its good news for both landlords and tenants in that the landlord will be charged less to do an eviction therefore less money will get passed along to the tenants! It was freaky to record a vote with both Vedder and Bruskewitz!
WHAT'D WE MISS?
I sent out the blog posts of Forward Our Motto and myself responding to Blaska's plan for addressing issues in Meadowood. I asked people what solutions we missed. I got very few responses, but there were some interesting things I thought I should share:
- Some people think that the neighborhood is already meeting and trying to solve the problems.
- The community gardens and the new farmer's market are two positive steps that the community is taking. And of course, they have their neighborhood center which their Alder voted against! grrrr . . .
- Some people appreciate that landlords will do month to month leases with probation and parole clients. I appreciate it too, I just don't think it should be mandated. Unless we mandate that they have to rent to people on probation and parole! :)
- I thought some might be interested in what faith communities are doing in the Allied Drive Neighborhood:
ALLIED DRIVE PEACE MARCH
One of the responses I got mentioned that this was going on and I thought I should pass it along:
SORRY IF I MADE YOU CRASH!
On Monday I started getting calls from City staff that my blog was down. They were upset, they needed their fix! So, I didn't think anything of it because it worked for me on several computers in several locations, but I got more complaints and then tried to think about what would be doing it. At first I assumed it was a blogger issue, then I remembered that I added the "share" button to my posts late last week. And come to think about it, the views of my blog were down quite a bit. So, I removed the share button, had someone test it and voila! the website worked on the city machines. IT staff explained that "It looks like the share button is hosted on a website that is blocked by our Internet Content Filter." Well, that explains it! But, when sharing this story with others, I learned that apparently I was crashing computers all over the city. My humble apologies!!!
IF A HOMELESS MAN DIES DOES ANYONE KNOW
Usually not. Unless he dies on the Capital grounds! Of course, that limited recognition only lasted a few moment as hours later they were setting up for a noon event in the very same area.
ALDERS REFUSE THEIR SALARIES!
Ok, not so much. Remember the hoopla Pham-Remmele made over the ordinance change that would allow alders to turn in their salaries if they didn't want them? Well, they had 30 days from the day that they were sworn in to notify the clerk if they wanted to refuse a portion or all of their salary. Well, the first opportunity to do so was with the last election and how many do you think turned in a portion or all of their pay. Zero. Zip. Nada. Not even the Queen of Grandstanding herself, the sponsor of the ordinance Ms. Pham-Remmele. Hmmm . . . some might say that was a waste of time.
THANK YOU!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the blog readers for your lovely comments over the past few weeks. I'm glad so many find value (information) and humor in my posts. And thanks to those who said they voted for me in the Isthmus poll. I'm glad that so many are finding that they know so much more about what is going on in local government these days. And I appreciate everyone who thinks I should get paid to do this . . . the only problem is . . . while I could use a copy editor (sigh!) I don't think I'd want to give up my content control!
Read more!
VERVEER SAYS HE IS NOT BAD
I've been asked to clarify. Verveer has not actually introduced, nor does he plan to at the moment, anything to do with the street musicians. He simply intends to talk about it at the next meeting. Apparently, the issue he sees is that the musicians are in the places that the vendors at the Farmer's Market have paid for. If that's the only issue, then why not just address that? I guess I'll have suspend my judgment about if Verveer is BAD or not.
CRAZY COUNCIL MEETING
I blogged about the insanity at the council meeting this week. It had several county board members last night rightly feeling pretty smug that they run a good meeting. Several people thanked me for shining a light on this matter and I got several new followers on Twitter and Facebook as a result. However, while my description was mostly a blow by blow of the meeting with a few comments interspersed, Dusty's description was much better. This week's "bad" designation goes to Dean Mosiman and his editors! I think they should be made to watch that segment of the meeting over, and over and over and over!
SPEAKING OF THE COUNTY BOARD (STICKING IT TO THE SHERIFF?)
I nearly fell off my chair last night when the County Board refused to change the ordinance that would allow the sheriff to charge the eviction fees that they had passed in the budget. I wonder if they were sticking it to the sheriff because he refuses to listen to them on the immigration issues, or if that is just wishful thinking? Either way, its good news for both landlords and tenants in that the landlord will be charged less to do an eviction therefore less money will get passed along to the tenants! It was freaky to record a vote with both Vedder and Bruskewitz!
WHAT'D WE MISS?
I sent out the blog posts of Forward Our Motto and myself responding to Blaska's plan for addressing issues in Meadowood. I asked people what solutions we missed. I got very few responses, but there were some interesting things I thought I should share:
- Some people think that the neighborhood is already meeting and trying to solve the problems.
- The community gardens and the new farmer's market are two positive steps that the community is taking. And of course, they have their neighborhood center which their Alder voted against! grrrr . . .
- Some people appreciate that landlords will do month to month leases with probation and parole clients. I appreciate it too, I just don't think it should be mandated. Unless we mandate that they have to rent to people on probation and parole! :)
- I thought some might be interested in what faith communities are doing in the Allied Drive Neighborhood:
Faith communities are already involved in the Allied Drive Neighborhood – Fountain of Life holds services there, the Allied Partners (a collaboration of MUM and about fifteen other faith communities) is actively engaged, supporting community events like the Allied Festival and Community Meals, the food pantry, eviction prevention, the Allied Wellness Center, special funding to the Urban League to help them get a transportation component for a new jobs initiative off the ground, and support of the Neighborhood Association. And the group is working with the Wellness Center and others to develop a cooperative program that emphasizes responsibility, accountability, empowerment and community development from the grassroots level. I just wanted to make sure that people understand that faith communities are involved, those who are not as involved often don’t know that. Faith Communities involved in the Allied Drive Community include First Baptist, Society of Friends, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Westminster Presbyterian, Fountain of Life, Bethany United Methodist, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Memorial United Church of Christ, Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ and others.I'm still kinda surprised I didn't get more responses about what people thought was needed. Perhaps community policing instead of more police and human services are just the answer. However, I do have to note, while many say that the police are not in the area enough, I have also heard others refer to it as a "police state". Interesting differences of perception.
ALLIED DRIVE PEACE MARCH
One of the responses I got mentioned that this was going on and I thought I should pass it along:
The Allied Drive Neighborhood Association is planning a peace march next Thursday 6/25 at 8:00 p.m. beginning in front of their offices. Those who would like to participate in a prayer session pre-march can come at 7:30.
SORRY IF I MADE YOU CRASH!
On Monday I started getting calls from City staff that my blog was down. They were upset, they needed their fix! So, I didn't think anything of it because it worked for me on several computers in several locations, but I got more complaints and then tried to think about what would be doing it. At first I assumed it was a blogger issue, then I remembered that I added the "share" button to my posts late last week. And come to think about it, the views of my blog were down quite a bit. So, I removed the share button, had someone test it and voila! the website worked on the city machines. IT staff explained that "It looks like the share button is hosted on a website that is blocked by our Internet Content Filter." Well, that explains it! But, when sharing this story with others, I learned that apparently I was crashing computers all over the city. My humble apologies!!!
IF A HOMELESS MAN DIES DOES ANYONE KNOW
Usually not. Unless he dies on the Capital grounds! Of course, that limited recognition only lasted a few moment as hours later they were setting up for a noon event in the very same area.
ALDERS REFUSE THEIR SALARIES!
Ok, not so much. Remember the hoopla Pham-Remmele made over the ordinance change that would allow alders to turn in their salaries if they didn't want them? Well, they had 30 days from the day that they were sworn in to notify the clerk if they wanted to refuse a portion or all of their salary. Well, the first opportunity to do so was with the last election and how many do you think turned in a portion or all of their pay. Zero. Zip. Nada. Not even the Queen of Grandstanding herself, the sponsor of the ordinance Ms. Pham-Remmele. Hmmm . . . some might say that was a waste of time.
THANK YOU!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the blog readers for your lovely comments over the past few weeks. I'm glad so many find value (information) and humor in my posts. And thanks to those who said they voted for me in the Isthmus poll. I'm glad that so many are finding that they know so much more about what is going on in local government these days. And I appreciate everyone who thinks I should get paid to do this . . . the only problem is . . . while I could use a copy editor (sigh!) I don't think I'd want to give up my content control!
Read more!
County Board Recap
Meeting started promptly at 7:00 and ended at 8:35. 55 minutes of Special Matters and Announcements, 40 minutes of business.
A. ROLL CALL - Excuse Supervisors Hampton and Richmond [Announced on the Agenda]
Stubbs, Veldran, Downing, Rusk, Schmidt, Erickson, Wiganowsky all also absent.
Chair McDonell announced 27 present - 10 absent and Hampton, Richmond, Rusk and Wiggy are all excused. [I missed one of the absenses because the County Clerk doesn't repeat the roll call and it is hard to hear who says they are here.]
1. Prayer/Inspirational Message - Supervisor Stubbs (Veldran next)
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Supervisor Veldran
Stubbs not there, so Chair McDonell had them rise and recite the pledge.
B. SPECIAL MATTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Dane County Lakes and Watersheds State of the Waters Presentation
- Sue Jones, Office of Lakes & Watersheds Coordinator
Talks about Take a Stake in the Lakes events and other projects that they worked on in the last year: Turville Bay Research Project to try to get more native plant growth, Aquatic Invasive Species Planning, Municpal Storm Water Partnership including salt use recommendations, myfairlakes.com activities, working on activities in the Memorandum of Understanding with others to clean up the lakes, working plan to deal with nutrients and sediment, etc.
- Dane County Lakes & Watersheds 2009 Waters Champions Recognition
Jones introduced the three individual honorees.
2. Dane County Housing Authority Presentation - Supervisor Bayrd
Kate Nardi from the Dane County Housing Authority share information about foreclosures and what activities they are working on.
- In 2008 there was a 50% increase in foreclosures
- From 2008 to 2009 there was a 39% increase for the first quarter according to information that comes from CCAP (court records) and the UW
- In May of this year foreclosures increased 20% over last year with 650 court filings this year and 543 in 2008
- She explains that the 650 filings don't represent the struggles that the families are facing
- Nardi explained that the Housing Authority is the HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency, they get HUD funding for their activities.
- In addition to trying to help people in foreclosure, they also try to support people before the foreclosure is filed.
- They serve City and County residents. 60% county, 40% city.
- They also have HCRI funding to help 14 households and FEMA funding to help 15 households if no job which is the 2nd wave of funding.
- They educate people about the legal process, talk to them about alternatives, go to court as advocates as well.
- She talked about local lawyers crafting a local rule for the court system that would require mediation in foreclosure cases.
- She said that they have a Pay for Performance Contract to pay for staff to work on the cases and they are one of the few who respond to a national 800# line.
- Welcomes ideas on how to increase capacity and number of people they can support.
3. Library Board's Plan for Service - Supervisor Martz
Martz & Wheeler came forward, Martz says they all got the plan in their mailboxes. He introduces the President of the Library Board.
- He thanks current and former Library Board Supervisors and introduces Julie Chase who is the Director of Library Services.
- Talks about article in WSJ yesterday by the Historical Society about how libraries used to be run.
- He says service demands are up.
- He highlighted challenges of building a new library in Fitchburg and Cottage Grove and how that would impact the library services county wide.
- Says they are doing well despite challenged.
- Thanks them for continuing to support the 100% funding for municpal reimbursements and the guidelines they adopted.
- He says the 100% reimbursements prevent libraries from having to cut hours.
- He asks them for input.
- Shares he heard from two library directors that they appreciate the comprhensive guidelines.
QUESTIONS
Hendrick says he supports 100% reimbursement, but says it won't be viable to have a stand alone library service in Fitchburg. He characterized the situation as hopeless and asks if that is correct.
Library Board President says they hired consultants a few years ago to try to figure out how to give services county wide if no Dane County library service, he said they had quite a few recommendations but each have pros and cons and there needs to be a public discussion before decisions are made.
4. Res 55,09-10 - Congratulating Ben Brummel for his Division 1 State Championship in Wrestling for Middleton High School
Supervisors from the Middleton School District Ferrell, Opitz & Ripp joined Hesselbein as she read the resolution.
Opitz thanks Hesselbein for writing the resolution and the Coach. Congratulates Ben for academic and athletic accomplishments and his community involvement in the bike and pedestrian plan for the City of Middleton. Quips that he is well equiped to wrestle with issues in the future.
Ben thanked them for the honor and thanks his family, coach, friends and team mates. Good four years and looking forward to college.
5. Res 56, 09-10 - Recognizing Dale Bruhn for his Years of Service to the Community
Matano reads the resolution with a long list of accomplishments. Lynn Green from Dane County Human Services as well as Vedder, DeSmidt, Wheeler and Willett(?) joined him to honor Bruhn's work on the Long Term Care Committee for the county.
Bruhn thanks them for the honor, says its almost overwhelming. Appreciated working on the committee that worked on critical needs for vulnerable populations and appreciates the support the Board has provided for statewide and nationally recognized programs.
Vedder says only known him for a few years, that when he announced he was leaving after 14 years there was agony and tears. His last meeting they had cake and champaign and broke all the rules.
Matano moved approval, Wheeler seconded. It passed on voice vote.
6. Announcements
Salov was recognized, but Jensen talked about the Fair. McDonell asked to make sure there would be Ponies this year, because his daughter was upset last year that they weren't there. Jensen plugged various activities during the fair. Dane County Fairest of the Fair winner also joined him. He explained it was the first ever and will compete in a statewide competition - her job is to promote the county.
Salov said Thursday is Military Appreciation Day and there is free admission and red white and blue ribbons for military and their families. He asks for volunteers from 2:00 on to help hand out the ribbons.
The Dane County Fairest of the Fair winner Molly talked about her role, the entertainment of the fair, what she has learned going to the Fair and invites people to the fair July 15th - 19th and says to look at the Dane County Fair website.
They also Announced the runner up and other contestants.
Downing - said resolution next month in honor of passing away of Linda Farley. Talked about her lifelong work as a physician, that she looked for the special light in everyone, was an activist and had a deep caring for vulnerable and social justice issues. He reminded them that she appeared before the county board on resolution supporting single payer health care and urging state to take action. She was huge advocate for the single payer system and believed that health care is a human right. She said once you realize that, then the only question is how to get people the care they need.
Sheriff - introduce recruiting class. Some are not newest class but newest deputies.
Veldran talked about recent shooting death of the 17 year old student. Says he was at the meeting with the Mayor and others to talk about solutions. He said they talked about police solutions, but also how community could reach out. He said the community had already started a community garden and June 24th they had already planned a farmer's market at the Orchard Ridge Church with 15 vendors. He says this is the grand opening 3:00 - 7:00 and talked about other activities that will be there. Said the farmers market will be on Wedensdays all through the growing season
Veldran also announced he was circulating a letter in light of the PSC decision to grant the ATC power line. He said that the original bill at the state allowed change in rules for condemantion with limited attorney fees which will prevent people from bringing cases. The letter urges reps and senators to reconsider that.
McDonell announed that there was a card circulating for Rusk who's sister passed away.
[That took til 7:55! Now, on to actual business of the board!]
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS
1. Claims Recommended for Approval
They were approved with a few abstentions and at least one vote no on one of the items. But they all passed without discussion.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Ord Amdt. 3, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 17, Regarding Official Map Revisions Incorporating a Dam Failure Analysis Approved by the WDNR for Across Moen Creek in Steward Park (Adopt)
2. Ord Amdt. 5, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 69, Adjusting Speed Limits on County Highways (Adopt)
3. Res 2, 09-10 - Authorizing Dane County Participation in an Intergovernmental Agreement to Fund a Position for Storm Water Information, Education and Outreach Coordination for the Madison Area Municipal Storm Water Partnership (MAMSWaP) (Adopt)
4. Res 28, 09-10 - Encouraging Dane County Municipalities and Residents to Prevent Phosphorus Runoff into the Counties Lakes and Streams by Proper Disposal of Leaves and Yard Waste (Adopt)
5. Res 37, 09-10 - County Executive Appointments (Adopt)
6. Res 46, 09-10 - Supporting a Wisconsin Payday Lending Consumer Protection Act (Adopt)
7. Res 53, 09-10 - Establishing the Dane County 2010 Census Complete County Committee (Adopt)
8. Res 54, 09-10 - County Executive Appointments (Adopt)
Matano noted that DJ Laurie she graduated from law school and asked for that to be corrected.
Salov noted that the resolution on Payday Lending is important. We have had caps on loans but they are disappearing, loans going to 500 - 600% and should encourage legislators to pass a bill to fix this.
All of the items passed on a voice vote.
G. REPORTS ON ZONING PETITIONS
a. Map of Dane County
b. Summary of Grant as Modified petitions
1. Petition 9982 - Town of Primrose - Theodore White (Grant as Modified)
2. Petition 10049 - Town of Verona - Doerfer Brothers Inc (Grant as Modified)
No registrants, passes on a voice vote.
I. AWARD OF CONTRACTS
1. Res. 7, 09-10 - Award of Contract for New Badger Prairie Health Care Center (Adopt Sub 1.)
2. Res. 29, 09-10 - Authorizing the Purchase of Land at Cam-Rock County Park - Christensen (Adopt/Adopt with Amdt.)
REGISTRANT
One registrant, Finch in opposition. Says he is speaking for himself only. Says udgets are tight, county workers are furloughed and the purchase of the park shouldn't be a priority when people are concerned about losing jobs and homes. He said he has questions about what the impact of the delay would be.
McDonell explains that the public doesn't ask questions that he should ask his questions and they will try to address the questions during debate.
Finch asks if what other costs will be incurred if they purchase the property and how it will be paid for.
QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANTS
Salov asked if he has been monitoring purchases. Finch says no. Salov explained that there are many purchases the county is making (Anderson property and the Mazomanie Park) and suggests he looks at them in context
MOTION
Hendrick moves EANR amendment, Ferrell second. The amendments says that the proceeds from sales of house go to Conservation Fund. Passes voice vote with a few nos.
QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Hulsey - Says he understands that the property will generate rent and taxes. Asks about impact of delay. Staff says purchase contract is in place, seller may not sell if they wait past July. Says the trail is being constructed and it is hard to stop a project when ready to go. She said rent will be $700 per month plus they pay utilities and taxes. Hulsey says it will cover interest on money borrowed to purchase the land. He said they plan on selling property in the future. This helps complete trail and pays for itself.
McDonell asks about the accounts that Personnel & Finance froze.
Staff says Land and Water Legacy Account was frozen and $2.3M of projects won't go forward.
In the Conservation fund they only spent $1M of $7.5M planned.
Ripp explains that staff "low balls" estimates and they might make money on the deal. He said this is the last part to get the trail complete and usually they have to pay more than market rate. He says this is a good deal and the only issues is that they have to buy the whole property. The next person who buys the property might not be willing to sell. He says they are basically held harmless.
Stoebig asks staff why the money going in the Conservation Fund instead of General Fund. McDonell says that is a political question and not for staff to answer.
deFelice - Asks a question about selling the land. Staff says to look at the map - lot is .5 acre in size, so you can see that yellow cross hatching is the .3 of the acre that would be sold with the house.
DISCUSSION
The chair asks for discussion on the motion as amended.
Stoebig asks why money goes to Conservation Fund even tho already voted on it - wants an explanation. Seems concerned that the Conservation Fund is borrowing.
McDonell says maintenance fund will be from GPR.
Hendrick says that policy is that proceeds form Conservation Fund projects go back into the Conservation Fund, but that he can't speak to specific amendment.
Passes on voice vote - Schlict, DeFelice, Martz, Willett ?? recorded as no. [If you want to know exactly who asked to be noted as voting no, you should probably look at the minutes when they come out.
3. Res. 39, 09-10 - Authorizing Memoranda of Understanding Regarding 2009 Personnel Savings
Schmidt - Urges Supervisors to take a pay cut. She says that even though she is also taking a cut of 16 days in her day job, she is going to take a pay cut.
Passes without further comment, sounded unanimous.
4. Res. 40, 09-10 - Authorizing 2009 Personnel Savings Initiative for Unrepresented Employees
No discussion, passes and sounded unanimous.
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Res 31, 08-09 - Support State Action on Electronics Recycling (Adopt with Amdt.)
No disccuison, sounded like it passed unanimously.
2. Res 32, 09-10 - Opposing State Landfill and Solid Waste Budget Measures (Adopt with Amdt.)
Schmidt says she is concerned that the reason to raise tipping fees was because out of state garbage is being brought in to Wisconsin because our fees are lower. Torn because she thinks that there is a merit to the reason for raising the fees and she says the issue is deeper than in the resolution.
Ripp says that we pass through whatever fees the State adds. They only accept Dane County waste in their landfill. Big chunk of the fee is City of Madison - will add several hundred thousand dollars to the City's budget. He says this is a bad deal because of how it impacts the taxes of the municipalities.
Willet says it impacts businesses as well. Already received notice that his fees going up. Businesses are struggling to keep people employed and it will just get passed through. State is being greedy and taking it out on the rest of us. [I found it amusing that he also said that his fees were going up likely more than the fees actually costs and sort of complains that another business is taking advantage of the situation.]
Stoebig explains the recycling law of 1990 that created the fund. He says the fund helped pay for recycling programs in municipalities and state programs. At that time it made sense, communities supported recycling, but over the years the legislature looked to tap that fund. Suddenly we had self-supporting programs that went away. He says the increase won't go to recycling but to balance state budget and that is why they introduced this resolution, out of frustration.
deFelice points out that state did promise to pay for 66% and only paying 30% and increasing the fees in the middle of the budget cycle. We cut employee wages tonight in the middle of the budget while already have a hole to fix. State constantly passes on costs to us and we are left holding the bag. Missed some of what he says, but he wants the fees renegotiated.
It passes on a voice vote.
K. ITEMS THAT REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSING
1. Ord. Amdt. 4, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 54, Regarding Parking Fees at the Alliant Energy Center (Adopt)
2. Ord Amdt 6, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 62, Regarding Fees Charged by the Sheriff for Seizure of Property of Evictions (Adopt with Amdt.)
3. Res. 25, 09-10 - Acceptance of a WI DNR Grant - Survey of Three Floodplain Lakes of the Lower WI River (Adopt)
4. Res 26, 09-10 - Authorizing Acceptance of Funds for Dane County Streambank Easement Program (Adopt)
5. Res 33, 09-10 - Authorizing Acceptance of Grant from teh Nature Conservancy (Adopt)
6. Res 35, 09-10 - Setting Up Accounts to Recieve Donations for the Lyman Anderson Center Woods (Adopt)
7. Res 42, 09-10 - Transferring funds in the Capital Budget for Asbestos Remediation at 501 E Badger Rd. (Adopt)
8. Res 43, 09-10 - Approving a Change Order and Transferring Funds for Installation of a Heat Exchanger to Serve the Public Saftey Communications Center and other First Floor CCB (Adopt)
Item 2 is separated, Gau asks if the revenues on parking at the Alliant Center will go to the general fund or the Alliant Center Operating Fund, staff says Alliant Center.
All items pass unanimously on a voice vote except item 2 that was separated.
2. Ord Amdt 6, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 62, Regarding Fees Charged by the Sheriff for Seizure of Property of Evictions (Adopt with Amdt.)
McDonell steps down as the chair, Hendrick is in the chair.
Ferrell tries to amend the ordinance to say that the fee would be $50.
Hendrick rules him out of order. He says that it is similar to what they discussed at the last meeting. He also explains that McDonell ruled that his own proposal was not similar as $53 is not the same as $40. He asks if Ferrell wants to appeal the ruling of the Chair, Ferrell declines.
Ferrell makes another motion to change the fees to $45. Hendrick asks if someone will second while he consults with corporation council. He rules that motion is also not in order as they discussed various amounts at the last meeting.
Ferrell appeals the ruling of the chair this time. Willett seconds it, if a second is required. Hendrick says challenging the ruling of the chair is non-debatable so they vote.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Vedder, Veldran, Vogel, Wheeler, Bayrd, deFelice, DeSmidt, Downing, Erickson, Hesselbein, Hulsey, Jensen, Kostelic, Levin, Manning, Matano, McDonell, Miles, O'Laughlin, Optiz, Salov, S???, Stoebig, Hendrick
NO: Willett, Ferrell, Gau, Martz, Ripp, Schlict, Solberg, Bruskewitz (originally out of the room)
ABSENT: Stubbs, Wiggy, Hampton, Richmond, Rusk, S???
[Sorry, I missed two votes there.]
Hendrick calls on Wiggy. Laughter erupts. McDonell is sitting in Wiggy's seat as Wiggy is absent. McDonell announces that there will be a two for one special at the bar after the meeting and that it is half price box wine night.
McDonell explains that the basic objection to the ordinance change was that it was mid-year. He said the reason for this change came from statute. He says that there was a concern that we would be raising cost on individuals who would be paying in tough economic times. He says this change just acknowledges what they passed in the budget. He says he hopes he will be remembered as the patron saint of "what is in the budget is in the ordinance" and explains that they need to passed at the same time. He reiterates, this just aligns ordinances with the budget.
Hendrick clarifies that teh PP&J recommendation of $40 per hour is what is before them.
.
No further discussion.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Veldran, Vogel, Wheeler, Willett, deSmidt, Downing, Hesselbein, Hulsey, Jensen, Kostelic, Levin, Martz, Miles, O'Laughlin, Opitz, Ripp, Salov, Schmidt, Solberg, Stoebig, McDonell
NO: Vedder, Bayrd, Bruskewitz, deFelice, Erickson, Ferrell, Gau, Manning, Matano, Schlicht, Hendrick
ABSENT: Stubbs, Wiggy, Hampton, Richmond, Rusk
Motion fails, Hendrick explains it requires a 2/3 vote of those elected, not those present.
M. SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS THE COUNTY BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BY LAW
None.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Opitz/Gau passes unanmiously.
KONKEL EXCLUSIVE
[Shoot me now, I sound like the Critical Badger!]
Apparently, there is an amendment to their rules circulating that would prevent the long special matters items in the beginnings of the meetings. It would eliminate memorial resolutions, proclamations and special presentations leaving only presentations by the County Executive and Announcements (limited to 2 minutes). It was sponsored by Hendrick, deFelice and Opitz when I saw it, but there were others signing on.
It is a little crazy that they spend more time on announcements and presentations than they do on actual business.
NOTE: I had some technical problems with my computer so my notes from this meeting were a little sketchy, my apologies in advance for this likely not being my best work.
Read more!
A. ROLL CALL - Excuse Supervisors Hampton and Richmond [Announced on the Agenda]
Stubbs, Veldran, Downing, Rusk, Schmidt, Erickson, Wiganowsky all also absent.
Chair McDonell announced 27 present - 10 absent and Hampton, Richmond, Rusk and Wiggy are all excused. [I missed one of the absenses because the County Clerk doesn't repeat the roll call and it is hard to hear who says they are here.]
1. Prayer/Inspirational Message - Supervisor Stubbs (Veldran next)
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Supervisor Veldran
Stubbs not there, so Chair McDonell had them rise and recite the pledge.
B. SPECIAL MATTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Dane County Lakes and Watersheds State of the Waters Presentation
- Sue Jones, Office of Lakes & Watersheds Coordinator
Talks about Take a Stake in the Lakes events and other projects that they worked on in the last year: Turville Bay Research Project to try to get more native plant growth, Aquatic Invasive Species Planning, Municpal Storm Water Partnership including salt use recommendations, myfairlakes.com activities, working on activities in the Memorandum of Understanding with others to clean up the lakes, working plan to deal with nutrients and sediment, etc.
- Dane County Lakes & Watersheds 2009 Waters Champions Recognition
Jones introduced the three individual honorees.
2. Dane County Housing Authority Presentation - Supervisor Bayrd
Kate Nardi from the Dane County Housing Authority share information about foreclosures and what activities they are working on.
- In 2008 there was a 50% increase in foreclosures
- From 2008 to 2009 there was a 39% increase for the first quarter according to information that comes from CCAP (court records) and the UW
- In May of this year foreclosures increased 20% over last year with 650 court filings this year and 543 in 2008
- She explains that the 650 filings don't represent the struggles that the families are facing
- Nardi explained that the Housing Authority is the HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency, they get HUD funding for their activities.
- In addition to trying to help people in foreclosure, they also try to support people before the foreclosure is filed.
- They serve City and County residents. 60% county, 40% city.
- They also have HCRI funding to help 14 households and FEMA funding to help 15 households if no job which is the 2nd wave of funding.
- They educate people about the legal process, talk to them about alternatives, go to court as advocates as well.
- She talked about local lawyers crafting a local rule for the court system that would require mediation in foreclosure cases.
- She said that they have a Pay for Performance Contract to pay for staff to work on the cases and they are one of the few who respond to a national 800# line.
- Welcomes ideas on how to increase capacity and number of people they can support.
3. Library Board's Plan for Service - Supervisor Martz
Martz & Wheeler came forward, Martz says they all got the plan in their mailboxes. He introduces the President of the Library Board.
- He thanks current and former Library Board Supervisors and introduces Julie Chase who is the Director of Library Services.
- Talks about article in WSJ yesterday by the Historical Society about how libraries used to be run.
- He says service demands are up.
- He highlighted challenges of building a new library in Fitchburg and Cottage Grove and how that would impact the library services county wide.
- Says they are doing well despite challenged.
- Thanks them for continuing to support the 100% funding for municpal reimbursements and the guidelines they adopted.
- He says the 100% reimbursements prevent libraries from having to cut hours.
- He asks them for input.
- Shares he heard from two library directors that they appreciate the comprhensive guidelines.
QUESTIONS
Hendrick says he supports 100% reimbursement, but says it won't be viable to have a stand alone library service in Fitchburg. He characterized the situation as hopeless and asks if that is correct.
Library Board President says they hired consultants a few years ago to try to figure out how to give services county wide if no Dane County library service, he said they had quite a few recommendations but each have pros and cons and there needs to be a public discussion before decisions are made.
4. Res 55,09-10 - Congratulating Ben Brummel for his Division 1 State Championship in Wrestling for Middleton High School
Supervisors from the Middleton School District Ferrell, Opitz & Ripp joined Hesselbein as she read the resolution.
Opitz thanks Hesselbein for writing the resolution and the Coach. Congratulates Ben for academic and athletic accomplishments and his community involvement in the bike and pedestrian plan for the City of Middleton. Quips that he is well equiped to wrestle with issues in the future.
Ben thanked them for the honor and thanks his family, coach, friends and team mates. Good four years and looking forward to college.
5. Res 56, 09-10 - Recognizing Dale Bruhn for his Years of Service to the Community
Matano reads the resolution with a long list of accomplishments. Lynn Green from Dane County Human Services as well as Vedder, DeSmidt, Wheeler and Willett(?) joined him to honor Bruhn's work on the Long Term Care Committee for the county.
Bruhn thanks them for the honor, says its almost overwhelming. Appreciated working on the committee that worked on critical needs for vulnerable populations and appreciates the support the Board has provided for statewide and nationally recognized programs.
Vedder says only known him for a few years, that when he announced he was leaving after 14 years there was agony and tears. His last meeting they had cake and champaign and broke all the rules.
Matano moved approval, Wheeler seconded. It passed on voice vote.
6. Announcements
Salov was recognized, but Jensen talked about the Fair. McDonell asked to make sure there would be Ponies this year, because his daughter was upset last year that they weren't there. Jensen plugged various activities during the fair. Dane County Fairest of the Fair winner also joined him. He explained it was the first ever and will compete in a statewide competition - her job is to promote the county.
Salov said Thursday is Military Appreciation Day and there is free admission and red white and blue ribbons for military and their families. He asks for volunteers from 2:00 on to help hand out the ribbons.
The Dane County Fairest of the Fair winner Molly talked about her role, the entertainment of the fair, what she has learned going to the Fair and invites people to the fair July 15th - 19th and says to look at the Dane County Fair website.
They also Announced the runner up and other contestants.
Downing - said resolution next month in honor of passing away of Linda Farley. Talked about her lifelong work as a physician, that she looked for the special light in everyone, was an activist and had a deep caring for vulnerable and social justice issues. He reminded them that she appeared before the county board on resolution supporting single payer health care and urging state to take action. She was huge advocate for the single payer system and believed that health care is a human right. She said once you realize that, then the only question is how to get people the care they need.
Sheriff - introduce recruiting class. Some are not newest class but newest deputies.
Veldran talked about recent shooting death of the 17 year old student. Says he was at the meeting with the Mayor and others to talk about solutions. He said they talked about police solutions, but also how community could reach out. He said the community had already started a community garden and June 24th they had already planned a farmer's market at the Orchard Ridge Church with 15 vendors. He says this is the grand opening 3:00 - 7:00 and talked about other activities that will be there. Said the farmers market will be on Wedensdays all through the growing season
Veldran also announced he was circulating a letter in light of the PSC decision to grant the ATC power line. He said that the original bill at the state allowed change in rules for condemantion with limited attorney fees which will prevent people from bringing cases. The letter urges reps and senators to reconsider that.
McDonell announed that there was a card circulating for Rusk who's sister passed away.
[That took til 7:55! Now, on to actual business of the board!]
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS
1. Claims Recommended for Approval
They were approved with a few abstentions and at least one vote no on one of the items. But they all passed without discussion.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Ord Amdt. 3, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 17, Regarding Official Map Revisions Incorporating a Dam Failure Analysis Approved by the WDNR for Across Moen Creek in Steward Park (Adopt)
2. Ord Amdt. 5, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 69, Adjusting Speed Limits on County Highways (Adopt)
3. Res 2, 09-10 - Authorizing Dane County Participation in an Intergovernmental Agreement to Fund a Position for Storm Water Information, Education and Outreach Coordination for the Madison Area Municipal Storm Water Partnership (MAMSWaP) (Adopt)
4. Res 28, 09-10 - Encouraging Dane County Municipalities and Residents to Prevent Phosphorus Runoff into the Counties Lakes and Streams by Proper Disposal of Leaves and Yard Waste (Adopt)
5. Res 37, 09-10 - County Executive Appointments (Adopt)
6. Res 46, 09-10 - Supporting a Wisconsin Payday Lending Consumer Protection Act (Adopt)
7. Res 53, 09-10 - Establishing the Dane County 2010 Census Complete County Committee (Adopt)
8. Res 54, 09-10 - County Executive Appointments (Adopt)
Matano noted that DJ Laurie she graduated from law school and asked for that to be corrected.
Salov noted that the resolution on Payday Lending is important. We have had caps on loans but they are disappearing, loans going to 500 - 600% and should encourage legislators to pass a bill to fix this.
All of the items passed on a voice vote.
G. REPORTS ON ZONING PETITIONS
a. Map of Dane County
b. Summary of Grant as Modified petitions
1. Petition 9982 - Town of Primrose - Theodore White (Grant as Modified)
2. Petition 10049 - Town of Verona - Doerfer Brothers Inc (Grant as Modified)
No registrants, passes on a voice vote.
I. AWARD OF CONTRACTS
1. Res. 7, 09-10 - Award of Contract for New Badger Prairie Health Care Center (Adopt Sub 1.)
2. Res. 29, 09-10 - Authorizing the Purchase of Land at Cam-Rock County Park - Christensen (Adopt/Adopt with Amdt.)
REGISTRANT
One registrant, Finch in opposition. Says he is speaking for himself only. Says udgets are tight, county workers are furloughed and the purchase of the park shouldn't be a priority when people are concerned about losing jobs and homes. He said he has questions about what the impact of the delay would be.
McDonell explains that the public doesn't ask questions that he should ask his questions and they will try to address the questions during debate.
Finch asks if what other costs will be incurred if they purchase the property and how it will be paid for.
QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANTS
Salov asked if he has been monitoring purchases. Finch says no. Salov explained that there are many purchases the county is making (Anderson property and the Mazomanie Park) and suggests he looks at them in context
MOTION
Hendrick moves EANR amendment, Ferrell second. The amendments says that the proceeds from sales of house go to Conservation Fund. Passes voice vote with a few nos.
QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Hulsey - Says he understands that the property will generate rent and taxes. Asks about impact of delay. Staff says purchase contract is in place, seller may not sell if they wait past July. Says the trail is being constructed and it is hard to stop a project when ready to go. She said rent will be $700 per month plus they pay utilities and taxes. Hulsey says it will cover interest on money borrowed to purchase the land. He said they plan on selling property in the future. This helps complete trail and pays for itself.
McDonell asks about the accounts that Personnel & Finance froze.
Staff says Land and Water Legacy Account was frozen and $2.3M of projects won't go forward.
In the Conservation fund they only spent $1M of $7.5M planned.
Ripp explains that staff "low balls" estimates and they might make money on the deal. He said this is the last part to get the trail complete and usually they have to pay more than market rate. He says this is a good deal and the only issues is that they have to buy the whole property. The next person who buys the property might not be willing to sell. He says they are basically held harmless.
Stoebig asks staff why the money going in the Conservation Fund instead of General Fund. McDonell says that is a political question and not for staff to answer.
deFelice - Asks a question about selling the land. Staff says to look at the map - lot is .5 acre in size, so you can see that yellow cross hatching is the .3 of the acre that would be sold with the house.
DISCUSSION
The chair asks for discussion on the motion as amended.
Stoebig asks why money goes to Conservation Fund even tho already voted on it - wants an explanation. Seems concerned that the Conservation Fund is borrowing.
McDonell says maintenance fund will be from GPR.
Hendrick says that policy is that proceeds form Conservation Fund projects go back into the Conservation Fund, but that he can't speak to specific amendment.
Passes on voice vote - Schlict, DeFelice, Martz, Willett ?? recorded as no. [If you want to know exactly who asked to be noted as voting no, you should probably look at the minutes when they come out.
3. Res. 39, 09-10 - Authorizing Memoranda of Understanding Regarding 2009 Personnel Savings
Schmidt - Urges Supervisors to take a pay cut. She says that even though she is also taking a cut of 16 days in her day job, she is going to take a pay cut.
Passes without further comment, sounded unanimous.
4. Res. 40, 09-10 - Authorizing 2009 Personnel Savings Initiative for Unrepresented Employees
No discussion, passes and sounded unanimous.
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Res 31, 08-09 - Support State Action on Electronics Recycling (Adopt with Amdt.)
No disccuison, sounded like it passed unanimously.
2. Res 32, 09-10 - Opposing State Landfill and Solid Waste Budget Measures (Adopt with Amdt.)
Schmidt says she is concerned that the reason to raise tipping fees was because out of state garbage is being brought in to Wisconsin because our fees are lower. Torn because she thinks that there is a merit to the reason for raising the fees and she says the issue is deeper than in the resolution.
Ripp says that we pass through whatever fees the State adds. They only accept Dane County waste in their landfill. Big chunk of the fee is City of Madison - will add several hundred thousand dollars to the City's budget. He says this is a bad deal because of how it impacts the taxes of the municipalities.
Willet says it impacts businesses as well. Already received notice that his fees going up. Businesses are struggling to keep people employed and it will just get passed through. State is being greedy and taking it out on the rest of us. [I found it amusing that he also said that his fees were going up likely more than the fees actually costs and sort of complains that another business is taking advantage of the situation.]
Stoebig explains the recycling law of 1990 that created the fund. He says the fund helped pay for recycling programs in municipalities and state programs. At that time it made sense, communities supported recycling, but over the years the legislature looked to tap that fund. Suddenly we had self-supporting programs that went away. He says the increase won't go to recycling but to balance state budget and that is why they introduced this resolution, out of frustration.
deFelice points out that state did promise to pay for 66% and only paying 30% and increasing the fees in the middle of the budget cycle. We cut employee wages tonight in the middle of the budget while already have a hole to fix. State constantly passes on costs to us and we are left holding the bag. Missed some of what he says, but he wants the fees renegotiated.
It passes on a voice vote.
K. ITEMS THAT REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSING
1. Ord. Amdt. 4, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 54, Regarding Parking Fees at the Alliant Energy Center (Adopt)
2. Ord Amdt 6, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 62, Regarding Fees Charged by the Sheriff for Seizure of Property of Evictions (Adopt with Amdt.)
3. Res. 25, 09-10 - Acceptance of a WI DNR Grant - Survey of Three Floodplain Lakes of the Lower WI River (Adopt)
4. Res 26, 09-10 - Authorizing Acceptance of Funds for Dane County Streambank Easement Program (Adopt)
5. Res 33, 09-10 - Authorizing Acceptance of Grant from teh Nature Conservancy (Adopt)
6. Res 35, 09-10 - Setting Up Accounts to Recieve Donations for the Lyman Anderson Center Woods (Adopt)
7. Res 42, 09-10 - Transferring funds in the Capital Budget for Asbestos Remediation at 501 E Badger Rd. (Adopt)
8. Res 43, 09-10 - Approving a Change Order and Transferring Funds for Installation of a Heat Exchanger to Serve the Public Saftey Communications Center and other First Floor CCB (Adopt)
Item 2 is separated, Gau asks if the revenues on parking at the Alliant Center will go to the general fund or the Alliant Center Operating Fund, staff says Alliant Center.
All items pass unanimously on a voice vote except item 2 that was separated.
2. Ord Amdt 6, 09-10 - Amending Chapter 62, Regarding Fees Charged by the Sheriff for Seizure of Property of Evictions (Adopt with Amdt.)
McDonell steps down as the chair, Hendrick is in the chair.
Ferrell tries to amend the ordinance to say that the fee would be $50.
Hendrick rules him out of order. He says that it is similar to what they discussed at the last meeting. He also explains that McDonell ruled that his own proposal was not similar as $53 is not the same as $40. He asks if Ferrell wants to appeal the ruling of the Chair, Ferrell declines.
Ferrell makes another motion to change the fees to $45. Hendrick asks if someone will second while he consults with corporation council. He rules that motion is also not in order as they discussed various amounts at the last meeting.
Ferrell appeals the ruling of the chair this time. Willett seconds it, if a second is required. Hendrick says challenging the ruling of the chair is non-debatable so they vote.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Vedder, Veldran, Vogel, Wheeler, Bayrd, deFelice, DeSmidt, Downing, Erickson, Hesselbein, Hulsey, Jensen, Kostelic, Levin, Manning, Matano, McDonell, Miles, O'Laughlin, Optiz, Salov, S???, Stoebig, Hendrick
NO: Willett, Ferrell, Gau, Martz, Ripp, Schlict, Solberg, Bruskewitz (originally out of the room)
ABSENT: Stubbs, Wiggy, Hampton, Richmond, Rusk, S???
[Sorry, I missed two votes there.]
Hendrick calls on Wiggy. Laughter erupts. McDonell is sitting in Wiggy's seat as Wiggy is absent. McDonell announces that there will be a two for one special at the bar after the meeting and that it is half price box wine night.
McDonell explains that the basic objection to the ordinance change was that it was mid-year. He said the reason for this change came from statute. He says that there was a concern that we would be raising cost on individuals who would be paying in tough economic times. He says this change just acknowledges what they passed in the budget. He says he hopes he will be remembered as the patron saint of "what is in the budget is in the ordinance" and explains that they need to passed at the same time. He reiterates, this just aligns ordinances with the budget.
Hendrick clarifies that teh PP&J recommendation of $40 per hour is what is before them.
.
No further discussion.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Veldran, Vogel, Wheeler, Willett, deSmidt, Downing, Hesselbein, Hulsey, Jensen, Kostelic, Levin, Martz, Miles, O'Laughlin, Opitz, Ripp, Salov, Schmidt, Solberg, Stoebig, McDonell
NO: Vedder, Bayrd, Bruskewitz, deFelice, Erickson, Ferrell, Gau, Manning, Matano, Schlicht, Hendrick
ABSENT: Stubbs, Wiggy, Hampton, Richmond, Rusk
Motion fails, Hendrick explains it requires a 2/3 vote of those elected, not those present.
M. SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS THE COUNTY BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BY LAW
None.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Opitz/Gau passes unanmiously.
KONKEL EXCLUSIVE
[Shoot me now, I sound like the Critical Badger!]
Apparently, there is an amendment to their rules circulating that would prevent the long special matters items in the beginnings of the meetings. It would eliminate memorial resolutions, proclamations and special presentations leaving only presentations by the County Executive and Announcements (limited to 2 minutes). It was sponsored by Hendrick, deFelice and Opitz when I saw it, but there were others signing on.
It is a little crazy that they spend more time on announcements and presentations than they do on actual business.
NOTE: I had some technical problems with my computer so my notes from this meeting were a little sketchy, my apologies in advance for this likely not being my best work.
Read more!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Westside Crime: In Search of Solutions
So, people have weighed in through several newspaper articles, the Mayor sends staff off to work on various tasks, some emails to alders are sent, and Blaska weighs in on his blog about what might be solution to Westside crime. Forward our Motto beat me to it in the Blaska underwear critique, but all this talk makes me think that there are some things missing or some of the solutions miss the point, so here's my additions and suggestions:
NEIGHBORHOOD SUGGESTIONS
From the Wisconsin State Journal article on residents calls for action
Thumbs Down: Stereotypes and blaming. More police.
The key to the brainstorming efforts is making sure that everyone feels included, that their ideas are equally considered and do not feel like they are being targeted by others suggestions. It can be done, but I haven't seen it done well in Madison.
Calling people freeloaders isn't helping.
With the "more police" I support it if they mean police should focus their efforts on crime in the area, implement meaningful neighborhood/community policing practices and use their resources wisely. I don't support it if it is a blanket call for 30 more police officers. This isn't about the number of police we have, its about what they do.
MAYOR'S SUGGESTIONS
Also from the Wisconsin State Journal article on residents calls for action:
Thumb's Down: Having the solution process be an internal staff process and not including the community or Council in the discussions of the solutions.
If Nobel Wray creates a task force on gun violence, the meetings are unlikely to be publicly noticed. And the Clingan/Nunez/Hank proposals should be discussed by the committees that they staff (Community Development Block Grant Commission, Community Services Commission, Senior Advisory Commission, Early Childhood and Education Board, Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunities Commission, Housing Committee). We should use this opportunity to create a true community dialog instead of hatching plans in private.
BLASKA'S SUGGESTIONS
Thumbs Up: "Police Surge", train neighbors on safety precautions, promote positive values, supporting libraries and schools, enforce current ordinances, neighborhood clean ups, safe schools.
Thumbs Down: Appoint Pham-Remmele to the Public Safety Review Board and Community Development Block Grant Commission, Stronger Curfew laws, renew and aggressive use Chronic Nuisance Ordinance, train neighbors to physically intervene, politicalization of victimization language, mandating specific books to be read, criminalizing free speech and underwear, violating fair wage laws, repealing fair housing laws, attacking immigration status and denying people housing based on
NEIGHBORHOOD SUGGESTIONS
From the Wisconsin State Journal article on residents calls for action
Ernie and Joan Horinek, who own apartment buildings near the site of the fatal shooting last week, are organizing tenants, landlords and homeowners to brainstorm ways to change a troubled street, Balsam Road, in the Meadowood neighborhood.and
Florenzo Cribbs, the new president of the Allied Drive Neighborhood Association, is reaching out to leaders in other neighborhoods with a message of personal accountability, cooperation and community involvement.
And the Rev. David Smith of Faith Community Christian Church is trying to get churches and schools to help give kids more options to keep them off the streets.
Other residents and business owners in Madison and Fitchburg demanded more police and city services — and taking a stand against trouble-makers.Thumbs Up: My favorite is Rev. David Smith's efforts. A very close second is Florenzo Cribbs solutions. I even support the landlord's efforts to have brainstorming sessions, but have a few concerns. And I think I support more city services, depending upon what that means, hopefully it means building inspection enforcement (inside and out), supporting inclusive community center programming and after school activities.
“As a community, we facilitate freeloaders and bad lifestyles,” said Dennis Lochner, who owns a hardware store in the Meadowood Shopping Center on Raymond Road.
Thumbs Down: Stereotypes and blaming. More police.
The key to the brainstorming efforts is making sure that everyone feels included, that their ideas are equally considered and do not feel like they are being targeted by others suggestions. It can be done, but I haven't seen it done well in Madison.
Calling people freeloaders isn't helping.
With the "more police" I support it if they mean police should focus their efforts on crime in the area, implement meaningful neighborhood/community policing practices and use their resources wisely. I don't support it if it is a blanket call for 30 more police officers. This isn't about the number of police we have, its about what they do.
MAYOR'S SUGGESTIONS
Also from the Wisconsin State Journal article on residents calls for action:
The mayor asked Madison Police Chief Noble Wray to create a task force on gun violence. He also urged Community Development Director Bill Clingan, Department of Civil Rights Director Lucia Nunez, and Neighborhood Preservation and Inspection Division Director George Hank to bring proposals on what the city can do.Thumb's Up: Looking for solutions
Thumb's Down: Having the solution process be an internal staff process and not including the community or Council in the discussions of the solutions.
If Nobel Wray creates a task force on gun violence, the meetings are unlikely to be publicly noticed. And the Clingan/Nunez/Hank proposals should be discussed by the committees that they staff (Community Development Block Grant Commission, Community Services Commission, Senior Advisory Commission, Early Childhood and Education Board, Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunities Commission, Housing Committee). We should use this opportunity to create a true community dialog instead of hatching plans in private.
BLASKA'S SUGGESTIONS
Thumbs Up: "Police Surge", train neighbors on safety precautions, promote positive values, supporting libraries and schools, enforce current ordinances, neighborhood clean ups, safe schools.
Thumbs Down: Appoint Pham-Remmele to the Public Safety Review Board and Community Development Block Grant Commission, Stronger Curfew laws, renew and aggressive use Chronic Nuisance Ordinance, train neighbors to physically intervene, politicalization of victimization language, mandating specific books to be read, criminalizing free speech and underwear, violating fair wage laws, repealing fair housing laws, attacking immigration status and denying people housing based on