Do police come to your neighborhood meetings?

Last night I was at an Allied Drive meeting Ald Solomon held for tenants in some properties that are being foreclosed on and the police were there. Why?

The receiver for the property, the city attorney's office, the County Board Supervisor Carousel Bayrd and housing counselors from several agencies (CAC, Neighborhood Law Project, Tenant Resource Center) were all there with the tenants of the buildings to find out and share information about if these properties were going to be subject to the chronic nuisance ordinance, when repairs were going to get made, what happens when people have leases but the receivor doesn't want to honor those leases, what's going to be done with the lack of records of past rent payments, when will people get their mailboxes fixed and locks changed/fixed, which tenants are eligible for rent control, who has to move so repairs can be made and when, etc etc etc.

This was the second meeting that Ald. Solomon held for the tenants of those buildings. While there is lots to be said about the situation and the wrong information that the landlord and city attorney told the tenants about their rights at these two meetings, I'll get to that later.

Meanwhile . . . at both of these meetings, two Madison police officers stood in the corner for the entire meeting. They weren't there to contribute to the meeting in any way, they didn't say a word at either meeting, they didn't talk to people after the meeting, they just stood in the corner.

Why? What was their purpose there? And, given all the concern about crime, was this a good use of their time? Read more!

What's in a roll call vote?

One of the Mayor's big complaints about me . . . er, "that alder that had 44 [sic] of the 120 [sic] amendments", during this last budget is that I asked for roll call votes, "even when it was 18 - 2". Just in case it isn't obvious why, let me explain why one might do that:

• Sometimes about half the council votes audibly and its hard to know how/if they voted.
• Sometimes, it sounds like one thing on a voice vote and then when you do the roll call it turns out completely different. (At the budget meeting there was one vote where Jed leaned over and said, "wow, that turned out completely different")
• Sometimes someone votes one way when it is a voice vote and then if it is a roll call they change their vote due to . . . well, for whatever reason.
  
• Many of the votes were close (7-13, 8 - 12, 9 - 11, 10-10, 11-9, 8-12, 13-7) and if there is no roll call, the chair (Mayor) gets to decide what s/he thinks he heard.
• Accountability and having a clear record.

To me, these are good reasons to have a roll call vote.

One might wonder why I bring this up. Two reasons. First, in listening to Sly yesterday, the mayor was still whining about this, so I thought I should respond since he can't see to let it go. Second, a certain alder on the east side refuses to answer questions about why he voted on a particular item in a particular way. Without the role call vote, his flip-flopping would not have been noticed.

Additionally, at some point, it would be really nice to get the council chambers upgraded with the technology you see smaller towns and cities all over Wisconsin using that allow voting from your seat without the clerk calling the roll. That wasn't in this year's budget even though we've been talking about it for 7 (or more) years.

And, for the record, I counted one roll call vote that was 18-2, a few 16/4 and 15/5 votes, but the rest were closer. Take a look for yourself (Cap, Op 1, Op 2). Read more!

TONIGHT: James Madison Park Neighborhood

For one of the smallest neighborhood groups in Madison as far as geography goes, there is alot going on between Blair and the Capitol on the North side of E. Washington Ave. If you live in that area, I'd encourage you to attend the meeting this evening because your input is needed on up to 4 development projects in this little area as well as what improvements people would like to see in James Madison Park. These are the developments that prompted me to write my "Tearing Down the House" post a few months ago. Should the neighborhood just be torn down? Or is there something worth saving? Meeting notice and more info on developments below:

JAMES MADISON PARK DISTRICT—MONTHLY MEETING

The regular monthly meeting of the district on the third Wednesday of each month falls, in November, on the day before Thanksgiving. It has therefore been postponed to Wednesday the 28 at 7 pm. at the First Methodist church, 203 Wisconsin Ave.

Agenda:
· Update of the Fisher development project on North Butler/North Hancock. The Urban Development Committee (UDC) has referred the project back to the neighborhood for reconsideration.
· Update on the McBride project on North Hamilton/East Johnson/North Hancock.
· A much needed Neighborhood and Conservation district Plan.
· Update on James Madison Park: houses, improvements, gardening, etc.
· Other.

Info on two of the developments can be found here:

• “Pinkus McBride" or "Block 258 Project” More information about this project can be found here and detailed plans are here.
• "Fisher" or "N. Butler/N Hamilton Project” plans can be found here.
  

If you live in the area and can't make the meeting I'd encourage you to check out the neighborhood group as well as join the neighborhood listserve: jamesmadisonneighborhood@yahoo.com. If you need help getting on the list, let me know!

Also, if you know anyone at the church, please thank them for letting us use their space, we have been challenged in finding a space to meet and really appreciate their efforts! Read more!

Mountains out of Molehills and the Budget - Keeping Score

Yesterday, the Board of Estimates managed to make a mountain out of a molehill when they considered the resolution I submitted asking for suggestions for improvements to the budget process. And the Mayor and Alder Brandon got snarky.

Ald. Brandon led the charge to . . . I'm not sure what. It was clear Alder Brandon was upset that the Common Council Organizational Committee and not the Board of Estimates was chosen to look at the changes. There's a reason for that. The Common Council Organizational Committee (CCOC) is the committee that makes recommendations about how the Council functions, it is completely made up of alders and it is much more informal which more easily allows for mayoral and comptroller staff input. This is compared to the more formal televised Board of Estimates meetings. Also, 3 of the 7 members of CCOC are members of the Board of Estimates. Additionally, we explained that likely there would be a council president workgroup and that Ald. Verveer promised to appoint any alder who wanted to serve, regardless of who was on CCOC, since he has the ability to do that and the CCOC would likely agree.

That wasn't enough for Alder Brandon, who got all snarky, slightly belligerent and not very helpful. After a few classic indignant Brandon speeches, I had to ask what he actually wanted to have happen, because we were essentially giving him the everything that he seemed to want - the opportunity to be on the committee and changes to the language below. I gotta admit, the language was a moot point and process is one of those issues where about 5 people are probably interested in being on the committee and committing time to working on this issue, so Alder Brandon agreeing to be on the committee was just fine.

The other hilarious thing that Alder Brandon insisted on doing was removing the language in the resolution that made suggestions about the solution. I agreed and the body considered it friendly - no controversy. It was really a moot point, the suggestions were obvious and likely to be considered no matter if they were in the resolution or not, the offending language that was removed is as follows:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that recommendations to improve the process may include, but are not limited to, the following items:
a) Holding the department briefings on the budget before the full Common Council instead of before the Board of Estimates.
b) Holding the budget amendment process over a few weeks as opposed to a few days, possibly making amendments immediately after the night a department presents its portion of the budget.
c) Moving the amendment deadline up so that the public and alders have more time to consider the amendments.
d) Creating a process for amendments that are presented at the end of the budget process.
e) Limiting budget meetings to no longer than eight hours at a time.
f) Recommendations about the set-up of the room in which the budget meetings are held.
g) Recommendations about rotating the order in which the departments present and then are considered.
h) Recommendations about the public input process and a process for making amendments following the public input process.

Turns out, Alder Brandon believed, based on what the Mayor's office told him, that I only put that language in there to make a point to the media. First of all, if that was the point, the media certainly missed it! That's likely due to the second issue which is that I did ZERO media work on this. No press release, no phone calls, nothing. But someone was obviously promoting it to the press. Channel 27/47 was waiting in the wings for the meeting to get over with so that they could interview me about it even tho the resolution was only hours old and I only mentioned it to a few people. It thought it was strange as I considered this a boring, housekeeping item. Turns out, I think the Mayor's office had called them since Twigg mentioned to me that it was going to be the lead story for 27/47. Talk about desperate for content.

Anyways, now, on to the snarky Mayor who post-trolley has found a new obsession with opposing anything I propose or even support. You might have noticed that the mayor seems to be obsessed with one alder who sponsored 44 amendments. In fact, he has mentioned it again and again and again and again and again, but I can't figure out who that is. He's apparently keeping score and according to him Alder Brandon holds the all-time record for submitting the most amendments. Also, Alder Brandon also holds the all-time record for the most withdrawn amendments. He also is upset with the, what he says was over $1M in proposals in the CDBG and Office of Community Services offices. He also rattled off numbers about how many amendments have been made in the past and several other trivial things. So, I decided to do a little number crunching myself. Now, I don't have several staff that get paid almost $1M per year, but a real quick analysis by myself of the 153 amendments (Mayor said 120?) made at the Board of Estimates and Common Council is as follows:

Total Amendments Sponsored: Operating and Capital Budget, BOE and Common Council
3 - Skidmore, Pham-Remmele
4 - Judge
5 - Gruber, Clausius
9 - Bruer, Schumacher
10 - Kerr
11 - Webber, Palm, Compton
17 - Solomon
18 - Sanborn
19 - Cnare
20 - Clear
25 - Rummel
27 - Mayor
36 - Brandon
41 - Rhodes-Conway
60 - Verveer
67 - Konkel

Lead Sponsors of Amendments: Operating and Capital, Common Council only
0 - Skidmore, Gruber, Palm, Compton, Clausius
1 - Pham-Remmele, Schumacher, Judge
2 - Webber, Rummel, Bruer
3 - Kerr
6 - Solomon
10 - Sanborn
12 - Mayor, Cnare, Clear
15 - Brandon
21 - Verveer
23 - Rhodes-Conway
28 - Konkel

I really don't know where the Mayor got his numbers, but he's had trouble with that ever since his race for Mayor. A few things stand out for me:

• For a Mayor who worked on the budget for 4 to 5 months before it was public, I can't help but noting that he still sponsored 27 amendments to his own budget, 12 of which he is the lead sponsor. That may be a record in itself.
  
• The Mayor is in the top 5 people who made changes to the budget. Followed by Brandon, Verveer, Rhodes-Conway and myself.
• Not one alder proposed 44 amendments.

Additionally, instead of crunching numbers, maybe the Mayor should consider his role in the budget process. A few things that could be done differently:

• Meet with alders before the budget comes out and talk to them about what they are expecting in the budget. This was usually done in groups of 5.
  
• When he did meet with some alders individually, he could have told them that he wanted them to bring their budget suggestions instead of just mentioning it out of the blue without giving the alders time to think about it.
• Worry less about the press and the spin, worry more about the functioning of the government.
• Follow the laws, don't make them up.
  

And, now that I've caved in to the snark as well, let me just say a few more things.

• I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Of course the Mayor is going to say that the alder that proposed 44 amendments should exercise restraint. What he fails to mention is that if he's talking about me, I supported over $7M in cuts to the Capital budget and $1M in cuts to the Operating Budget.
  
• If the budget is the most important thing that we do during the year and is a statement of our values, if people disagree about the values, there will be conflict. And along with conflict, there will be amendments.
  
• The Mayor made this budget about CRIME - also recognized as "quality of life" issues. The Mayor's resolution to these issues was a costly addition of 30 police officers that are questionably sustainable in the future and will lead to additional costs in municipal court time, city attorney time and county costs in court and jail time. Others may have felt that there were less costly preventative measures that could have been taken.
• This is not the state government and stop trying to make the City run like State government. It's hardly a model to be aspired to.
• When you bill the budget as the most important thing we do in the City, you can't expect there not to be discussion, and disagreement, about it.
  

Ok - that's it for today. I've promised a short analysis of what happened at some point and I'll try to get some links thrown in here as well, but I'm having a staffing issue at work. Read more!

Vicki McKenna, Afraid of Debate?

So, I took a week off from blogging and there is so much to catch up on. One of the things that happened recently was a bit of a surprise to me. Everyone knows that AM radio and at least one TV station here in town and one newspaper is pretty much dominated by a more conservative/less liberal point of view. However, I always kind of thought that when you pressed them, they would at least try to appear just a little bit fair. They might disagree with "facts" and they won't provide equal time, but they at least try to put up the appearance of being fair.

That's why I was surprised when Michael Jacob called in to the Vicki McKenna show while Ald. Jed Sanborn was on the air and he was refused access. Flat out refused. At first, I thought there might be more to the story or that there was something that had happened that maybe Vicki was offended by. However, that wasn't the case. In fact, later, when I talked to Alder Sanborn who was on the air with Vicki at the time, he was equally surprised and I think disappointed by this refusal.

Turns out, Ald. Sanborn even asked Vicki why she wouldn't let Michael Jacob on the air and she said something to the effect that "Progressive Dane has their own show" for an hour on Saturday. Ok, what show? I asked around, no one has a clue what she is talking about. And even if it was true, one hour a week to balance out Vicki McKenna and Mitch Henck?

Now, I'm not really complaining at this point. I don't know who has time to listen to these shows. And worse yet, I don't know who has the patience to hear the same blather over and over and over again. I'm just surprised that when given an opportunity to debate or engage in a discussion, that they would pass and not even let someone on the air. What's Vicki afraid of? Read more!

Economic Development Talk - Tripping Over Itself

It's been 24 years since the City of Madison has had an economic development plan for the City. This, despite the splashy announcements and press releases by the Mayor's Office about appointing Mark Bugher (now resigned) and Ald. Zach Brandon to the Economic Development Commission and trying to heighten that committee's profile. So far, I'm not impressed, at all, by what the committee has done. And, in fact, it took two years of efforts during budget time by myself and others to make this happen. The first year it failed, the second year it passed and now in November two years later we're finally getting around to creating an economic development plan. There are several ways to give input into this process:

Session #1 – Targeted toward any business, non-profit, and the general public, Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm, Alliant Energy Center, Exhibition Hall, Monona Room, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way

Session #2 – Targeted toward small businesses, Thursday, November 29, 2007, 8:00-10:00 am, Overture Center, 201 State Street

Session #3 – Targeted toward medium and large businesses, Thursday, November 29, 2007, 2:00-4:00 pm, Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive

Session #4 – Targeted toward “high tech” businesses of all sizes, Thursday, December 6, 2007, 1:30-3:30 pm, MGE Innovation Center, Conf. Room 50, 510 Charmany Dr.

You also may email comments (if you cannot testify in person) to:
Peggy Yessa, City of Madison Office of Business Resources
PO Box 2983
Madison, WI 53701-2983
pyessa@cityofmadison.com
www.businessmadison.com

What struck me as odd is after all this time and planning and efforts to make Economic and Business Development the number one issue in the City of Madison, we're still tripping over ourselves. I was going through stacks of mail this weekend and I found the flyer for the County's 2007 Dane County Business Opportunity Forum and I laughed when I noticed that it is scheduled at the same time as session #3 above. I laughed even harder when I googled it the first information I found about it was on the City of Madison website - of course, it was on the Department of Civil Rights webpage, not the Economic Development webpage. You'd think that after 5 years of tripping over ourselves to talk about economic development, we could get some basics right and not schedule our listening sessions during other similar events. Read more!

2007 Emerging Neighborhoods Funds Left

The City of Madison is now taking applications for the remaining 2007 Emerging Neighborhoods grant funds. The purpose of this City program is to enhance the quality of life in our challenged neighborhoods where lower income people live, particularly through innovative and grassroots approaches to neighborhood-based community building. This program provides a unique opportunity for neighborhood groups and organizations to develop and propose a broad array of neighborhood-initiated improvements and organizing projects. A neighborhood group may be established just to undertake a project – the group does not need to be "incorporated."

I've copied the Proposal Guidelines below, but don't have the Application Form. A total of $25,400 is available for this second round of 2007 funding. Proposals must be received in the Mayor's Office by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, in order to be considered for funding. If you have questions or need further information, please contact the City staff listed in the Proposal Guidelines at the bottom.

*****************
City of Madison Allied And Emerging Neighborhoods Funds
Proposal Guidelines 2007

I. PURPOSE

The City of Madison is seeking proposals from neighborhood groups, non-profit agencies and other community-based organizations to fund programs which will enhance the quality of life in challenged neighborhoods in the City of Madison where lower income people live.

II. PROGRAM GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Goal: To enhance the quality of life in the challenged and other emerging neighborhoods.

Program Objectives:

• Promote innovative and grassroots approaches to neighborhood based community building.
• Improve neighborhood communication, particularly with non-English speaking residents.
• Promote community organizing and development of advocacy groups and neighborhood associations that are inclusive and incorporate all voices of their community.
• Promote economic development and creation of neighborhood-based jobs and business opportunities.
• Improve the access and delivery of human service programs at the neighborhood level.
  

III. ELIGIBILITY

Non-profit organizations and agencies which have obtained tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code and/or have incorporated under Chapter 181, Wisconsin Statutes, are eligible to apply for this program.

Unincorporated neighborhood resident groups are also encouraged to apply for this program. Prior to receiving funding, these groups (at the City’s discretion) may be required to secure a fiscal agent to disburse the grant monies received.

IV. FUNDS AVAILABILITY

Funds will be administered by the Mayor’s Office under the direction of the Neighborhood/Community Liaison. Funding requests will be reviewed by the Mayor’s Office in conjunction with representatives from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Community Services, Planning Unit, a neighborhood representative and the Common Council President or designee. Funding recommendations will be submitted to the Mayor and Common Council for approval.

A total of $25,400 is available for the remaining of 2007. Grant amounts may range from $2500 to $10,000.

Funding proposals may be for one year only or multi-year, if applicable, to correspond to funding timelines of the United Way of Dane County, Madison Community Foundation, City of Madison Community Development Block Grant Program and Community Resources Program, Dane County Human Services or other funding sources.

Funding can be used for childcare, tuition assistance, housing, neighborhood revitilization, early childhood education and other programs to enhance the quality of life in the City’s emerging neighborhoods, which includes:

• Costs for staff hours
• Operating costs such as office supplies, telephone, postage, printing, training, rent, transportation, insurance and bookkeeping/audit fees
• Fees and scholarships
• Program supplies and equipment
• Capital costs necessary to operate a program may be approved if integral to the program and funding is unavailable from other sources
• Other budget requests may be considered but will be at the discretion of the City of Madison review team.
  

V. REVIEW PROCESS AND CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

A review team comprised of representatives from the Mayor’s Office, CDBG, Community Services, a neighborhood representative, and the Common Council President, or designee will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:

• Extent to which the proposed program will build relationships, networks and alliances across the neighborhood and across issues.
• Extent to which the proposed program demonstrates an innovative approach to address a neighborhood need.
• Extent to which the proposed program documents the grassroots involvement of neighborhood residents, particularly their skills, knowledge and experience, to address a neighborhood issue or concern.
• Extent to which the proposed program strengthens existing services or builds on a neighborhood asset.
• Extent to which the proposed program demonstrates long-term sustainability through matching funds, volunteer support or other resources.
  

VI. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All grant recipients will be required to submit periodic service and financial reports for the term of the Agreement. Report deadlines and specific reporting agreements will be established in the agreement with the City.

VII. SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION

Submit your original proposal and six copies, either through the mail to the City of Madison, Mayor’s Office, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., Room 403, Madison, WI 53703, or hand deliver to the Mayor’s Office, Room, 403, City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd.

Proposals must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. onWednesday, November 28, 2007.

VIII. TIMELINE

Proposals due in Mayor’s Office 4:30 p.m., November 28, 2007
Proposed review November 30, 2007
Common Council December 4, 2007
Contracts prepared and programs initiated Week of December 10, 2007*
(Note, funds may be carried over into 2008 if needed to accomplish the initiative)

*Tentative dates subject to change

IX. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONTACT PEOPLE

Questions and requests for technical assistance or questions concerning the program guidelines or application form may be directed to either of the following people:

Enis Ragland, Office of Community Services at 266-6520 or eragland@cityofmadison.com or
Lorri Wendorf, Office of Community Services at 261-9121, Ext. 260 or lwendorf@cityofmadison.com Read more!

Day Three: Operating Budget Part II (Updated - Final?)

Pure lunacy. 11 hours later, as of 5:30 this morning, we have a budget. No votes were: Cnare, Konkel, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon. Here's what I started to blog last night. . . you'll have to check back later for more details that I'll try to update after my meeting this morning. I stopped blogging at some point out of frustration with the slow connection.

But first . . . . if the budget is supposed to be a statement of our values (beware the snark), this is what I would say our values are based on our votes in the Capital Budget:

• It's ok to possibly kill someone with a taser, but not with a semi-automatic military style "rifle"
• Structural deficits are a big concerns of the council.
• It's ok to move forward with remodeling a building based on a department reorganization that is half-baked.
• We don't have the guts to hold the County responsible for the costs of their county highways.
• Baseball is important.
• CDA should have a budget for their redevelopment activities.
• Slush funds are bad.
• The Mayor has to follow the Affordable Housing Trust Fund rules that the council passed.
• Habitat for Humanity is good.
  

The operating budget votes might lead you to believe our values were as follows (still snarky, too tired to be anything but . . . ):

• Yes, really, our budget should be sustainable.
• Sister cities are of value.
• Yes, when we said to do paid sick leave for City hourly employees we really meant it.
• Yes, really, our budget should be sustainable ($1.5M). Oh, wait, maybe not. (but not $2.4M)
  
• If some independent group wants to advise us on the Room Tax, maybe we should actually get the report.
• Police should get whatever they want.
• While we say the budget is about balance between police and social services, police get whatever they want and social services are iffy. Apparently $54M for police is balanced by $5M of services.
  
• Holding the police accountable or asking for information from them is called micromanagement.
• Did I mention, we should just give the police whatever they want.
• Give the Health Department whatever the County wants to give the Health Department.
• We don't need any additional staff for the City Council, part-time hourly staff for $16,000
  
• The Mayor's office staff deserve 22% raises ($20,000) in 5 years. The Mayor should be able to pay what he thinks is necessary.
• The clerk's office should just work harder cuz we have a tight budget.
• Lakes should be clean only if we can find another way to pay for it.
• Screw the homeless.
• A public pool should be run by the public.
• Pilots projects don't need to be done before you arbitrarily make new decisions without getting the results of the pilot project.
• Bus wraps pose no safety issues.
• We don't need to do neighborhood planning.
• Decisions about the Office of Neighborhood Support need to be made three times before anything hopefully happens.
• "Jobs with a Future" are in our future.
• CDA should have a budget and follow their contract.
• Try, try, try again on the reorganization of the Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development.
• No funding to promote IZ.
  
• Screw the homeless, again.
• The SW side doesn't get a neighborhood center.
• We can spend $7,500 for the year round homeless overflow shelter.
• Worthington Park kids should be given transportation to programs outside of their neighborhood.
• Youth employment programs are not a priority.
• Youth programs on the SW side are good.
• Weed and Seed is good
• Children can wait on a waiting list for assistance for quality child care.
• Child care centers should be helped to serve low income kids.
• Teaching Latino childcare providers is a good thing - despite some racist comments by at least one alder.
• Project HUGS is finally gone from our budget.
• West Senior Coalition can have their COLA.
• Girl Nieghborhood Power is good at Bridge/Lakepoint and Vera Court, but not Atwood.
• Emergency Housing vouchers for victims of domestic violence are good.
• Rape Crisis Center training to the police department is worth $10,000
• Cultural programs for 150 youth are not worthy/worth $20,404 (Canopy Dance, Millenium Soccer, Simpson St. Free Press Museum programs, Tap It, MLK Achievement awards and Vera Court funding.)
• Planning Councils are good.
• Libraries are good.
• MAP is good.
• Screw the homeless, again.
  

Here's my comments from last night:

I'm not sure if this will get live blogged tonight or not, the connection is not very fast and we're having some technical issues, so I'll see how long I can deal with this technology. It's was two minutes before when we are supposed to start and we don't have quorum, a Mayor, a clerk, and about 9 alders. We started around 7:10. There were several announcements. Mics are live all night unless we turn them off so there may be a few treats for those out there in TV land, and there were several other announcements which I have already forgotten as things are all discombobulated . . . the staff doesn't have microphones, Ald. Solomon is over in Siberia, we had some glitches with the internet connections, if we need to go to the restroom we need to go upstairs to use the bathrooms and the list of what is less than ideal goes on.

As we got started, the Mayor announced that former Alder King was in the room, to which some applauded. Then he announced that Alder King had left him a list of issues to work on . . . first he was met with groans, and I believe I was the only one who applauded. The Mayor said that Delora Newton from the Chamber of Commerce turned another shade of white.

Then, when the jokes were over, we got on to the budget around 7:15.

And by now I have gotten several comments from viewers about it not being streamed, the video being bad and not having sound . . . some of which may or may not be getting better depending upon who you hear from . . .

Here's the votes I noted and what I can remember at this point.

Amendment No. 4
Agency/Service: Miscellaneous Appropriations / Sick Leave for Hourly Employees
Page(s): 11
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Verveer, Rhodes-Conway, Gruber

Add $63,000 to provide funding for paid sick leave for hourly City employees.

Sick Leave for Hourly Employees $ 63,000
Total $ 63,000 Levy Impact: $ 63,000

The Mayor said he didn't put it in the budget because it was something better bargained. He did not explain why it was not implemented. This passed 19 - 1 with only Compton voting against. The Mayor asked us to refrain from calling roll call when it was obvious what the vote would be. Did you think that outcome was obvious?

Amendment No. 5
Agency/Service: General Fund Revenues / TIF Reimbursements
Workers Compensation Fund
Page(s): 14, 22
Sponsor(s): Alds. Brandon, Sanborn

Reduce TIF Reimbursements in General Fund Revenues by $1,500,000 and apply that amount to the Workers Compensation Fund Balance. This amendment will reduce the projected Workers Compensation Fund Balance deficit.

Workers Comp Fund Revenues (Incr.) $ (1,500,000)
Workers Comp Fund Balance (Incr.) 1 ,500,000
TIF Revenues - Reduction 1 ,500,000
Total $ 1,500,000 Levy Impact: $ 1,500,000

No one expected this motion to pass, but it did. AYE Cnare, Compton, Konkel, Palm, Rummel, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon, Brandon, Clausius. NO Clear, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Verveer, Webber, Bruer.

With this amendment passing we have $21,000 to spend before we go over the levy limit. For every dollar over the levy limit, we lose a dollar of state aid. Also, with the amendment we are $301,000 away from going over the Expenditure Restraint Program limit and if we go over that limit, we lose about $5M in state aids.

This amendment will be the subject of two motions to reconsider later in the evening. The first one was soon after the police were nearly done, that motion failed. AYE Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Bruer, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Clausius, Brandon, Skidmore, Sanborn, Schumacher

The second motion to reconsider will come at the end of the meeting.

Amendment No. 6
Agency/Service: General Fund Revenues / TIF Reimbursements
Page(s): 14
Sponsor(s): Alds. Brandon, Sanborn

Reduce TIF Reimbursements in General Fund Revenues by $2,400,000. This is a companion amendment to Capital Amendment No. 5.

TIF Revenues - Reduction $ 2,400,000
Total $ 2,400,000 Levy Impact: $ 2,400,000

Place on file.

Amendment No. 7
Agency/Service: Room Tax Fund / Uses / Other; Room Tax Fund / Fund Balance
General Fund Revenues / Other Local Taxes / Room Tax
Page(s): 16, 13
Sponsor(s): Alds. Webber, Konkel

Increase the amount of Room Tax transferred to the General Fund by $100,000 (from $600,000 to $700,000) specifically for the Downtown Public Safety Initiative. (Note: In 2007, the Room Tax transfer was increased from $500,000 to $600,000 to fund the Downtown Public Safety Initiative. In the 2008 Executive Budget, the transfer was maintained at $600,000, but it was not specified for any particular purpose.)

Room Tax Fund Expenditures $ 1 00,000
Room Tax Fund Balance (100,000)
General Fund Revenues (Incr.) (100,000)
Total $ (100,000) Levy Impact: $ (100,000)

Placed on file.

Amendment No. 8
Agency/Service: Room Tax Fund
Page(s): 17
Sponsor(s): Alds. Bruer, Brandon, Schumacher, and Mayor Cieslewicz

Add the following footnote: "During 2008 the Mayor will appoint a Room Tax Oversight Committee to establish policies and priorities for the future use of Room Tax revenues and to assure the future health of the Room Tax Fund balance."

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

There was some confusion and this amendment was placed on the table.

Amendment No. 9
Agency/Service: Police / Field Operations
Page(s): 28
Sponsor(s): Alds. Rummel, Konkel

Delete funding for six new police officers to begin training in May 2008. This would eliminate staffing of one full time beat.

Permanent Salaries $ (149,040)
Overtime Pay (9,000)
Fringe Benefits (73,560)
Purchased Services (5,100)
Supplies (51,390)
Inter-Departmental Charges (8,910)
Total $ (297,000) Levy Impact: $ (297,000)

This was placed on the table til the end of the meeting. We had to vote to table and it passed 16 - 4. NO Compton, Pham-Remmele, Skidmore, Brandon YES Clear, Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Sanborn, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Clausius, Bruer, Webber

Amendment No. 10
Agency/Service: Police / Field Operations
Page(s): 28
Sponsor(s): Alds. Kerr, Solomon, Judge, Rummel, Konkel

Delete funding for 12 new police officers and revise Highlight No. 1 to read: Add a total of 18 new police officers with as many as practical to start in the accelerated training academy as quickly as possible. An additional 12 officers may be considered upon completion of the police staffing study currently underway and a long-term fiscal analysis beginning in budget year 2010 by the Comptroller.

Permanent Salaries $ (298,080)
Overtime Pay (18,000)
Fringe Benefits (147,120)
Purchased Services (10,200)
Supplies (102,780)
Inter-Departmental Charges (17,820)
Total $ (594,000) Levy Impact: $ (594,000)

Chief spoke until 8:00, questions lasted until 8:50 and then the "debate" started. We took a break around 10:05 after voting against the amendment. AYE Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Webber NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Verveer, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius. I'll have to do more on this later.

At this point, we reconsidered amendment number 8 regarding the committee to study the room tax. The motion to reconsider passed. The amendment was amended to include a report by June 1, 2008 to the Board of Estimates, Economic Development Commission, the Mayor and the Council. That motion passed unanimously.

Next Alder Solomon moved reconsideration of the amendment that put us within $21,000 of the levy limit. That motion failed. AYE Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Bruer, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber. NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Clausius, Brandon, Skidmore, Sanborn, Schumacher.

Amendment No. 11
Agency/Service: Police / Field Operations
Page(s): 28
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel

Add to Highlight No. 1: At least five more neighborhood officers shall be added to neighborhoods that need them. The Police shall present to the Common Council by February 1, 2008 a plan for how to evaluate the neighborhoods that have neighborhood officers added to them and a plan for how neighborhood officers are withdrawn from neighborhoods that no longer need the officers.

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

This was amended to remove the first sentence to address the micromanaging issue. That was friendly. The police chief said they had that report that we were asking for and that he could give it to us, but . . . they still voted it down. Those voting for a community discussion about neighborhood officers were AYE Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Sanborn and Webber. NO Clear, Compton, Gruber, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon, Brandon, Bruer and Clausius.

Amendment No. 12
Agency/Service: Police / Field Operations
Page(s): 28
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel

Add to Highlight No. 1: The Police shall present to the Common Council by February 1, 2008 a plan for how Community Policing Teams will seek input from stakeholders and incorporate that feedback into their workplan and activities.

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

This one went a little better, there was a friendly amendment to have the report due April 1 and to have a plan "by police district". AYE Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Sanborn, Skidmore, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer NO Clear, Compton, Pham-Remmele, Schumacher, Brandon, Clausius. (I think I missed someone there)

Amendment No. 13
Agency/Service: Police / Field Operations
Page(s): 28; Highlight No. 6
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel

Delete funding for four fully-equipped marked squad cars. Revise Highlight No. 6 to add: The Police shall include in their staffing study a recommendation for reduction in the use of police vehicles to reduce mileage including putting two officers in one car, the use of bicycles, horses and foot patrol as well as staffing patterns that can reduce miles driven.

Fleet Service Inter-Dept'l Charges $ (184,000)
Total $ (184,000) Levy Impact: $ (184,000)

We're even arguing about tabling things at this point. On the motion to table AYE Cnare, Gruber, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Verveer, Solomon, Webber, Judge NO Clear, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Kerr.

On the main motion. AYE Konkel, Rummel, Solomon, Webber. NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sandborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Verveer, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Rhodes-Conway.

Amendment No. 14
Agency/Service: Police / Field Operations
Page(s): 28
Sponsor(s): Ald. Rhodes-Conway, Konkel

Police accountability language.

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

There was a substitute that we didn't have the language so it was placed on the table. When we got back to it, the big debate over making the police report to us seemed to be about if they should have to tell us about the complaints that the police department gets. Chief Wray, of course, doesn't want us to have the information. So Brandon made a motion to remove the language that required them to do this. That passed AYE Clear, Cnare, Compton, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Judge. NO Gruber, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Palm. Then it passed on a voice vote. Sorry I don't have the language on this one at the moment

Amendment No. 15
Agency/Service: Police / Field Operations
Page(s): 28
Sponsor(s): Alds. Kerr, Solomon, Clear

Revise the first sentence of Highlight No. 8 to read: By July 1 of 2008 and every subsequent year, the department shall prepare an annual report for the Mayor and members of the Common Council that includes, but is not limited to, the following summaries reported by police sector:

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

Also placed on the table pending language on 14. Later it passed on a voice vote.

Amendment No. 16
Agency/Service: Public Health / Health Promotion
Page(s): 34
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Schumacher

Add funding to restore the half-time Fit City Coordinator position. (Note: This position was deleted as part of Board of Estimates amendment #9.)

Permanent Salaries $ 2 1,366
Fringe Benefits 7 ,863
Payments from Dane County (Incr.) (16,143)
Total $ 13,086 Levy Impact: $ 13,086

There was a substitute that ended up with a bottom line of (368). I believe we essentially said that we agreed with the county's funding recommendations. Will get the language later. It passed on a voice vote.

Amendment No. 17
Agency/Service: Public Health / Animal Services
Page(s): 33

Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm
Replace two half-time hourly / LTE "Humane Agent - Officer" positions with one full-time "Humane / Animal Control Officer" position.

Permanent Salaries $ 40,460
Fringe Benefits 1 8,363
Hourly Employee Pay (Savings) (24,648)
Payments from Dane County (Incr.) (18,875)
Total $ 15,300 Levy Impact: $ 15,300

Passed on a voice vote.

Amendment No. 18
Agency/Service: Common Council
Page(s): 39
Sponsor(s): Alds. Verveer, Konkel, Webber, Rhodes-Conway, Bruer, Compton, Clausius, Schumacher

Add funding for an Hourly position to assist Alderpersons. Funding cannot be expended until the Common Council approves the creation of a new hourly position in the Council Office. This position will start no earlier than April 1, 2008.

Hourly Wages and Benefits $ 16,000
Total $ 16,000 Levy Impact: $ 16,000

This was placed on file unanimously so we could "share the pain."

Amendment No. 19
Agency/Service: Mayor
Page(s): 41
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel

Reduce funding for the proposed reclassification of two Mayoral Assistants such that the positions will remain at the Mayoral Assistant 1 level.

Permanent Salaries $ (18,000)
Fringe Benefits (6,552)
Total $ (24,552) Levy Impact: $ (24,552)

The Mayor's office was not asked to "share the pain" even though in 5 years some positions got a 22% raise, the salaries went from $580,000 to nearly $1M in 5 years. And yet, we couldn't cut the budget. Failed 4 - 16. AYE Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Sanborn. NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Webber, Verveer, Brandon, Clausius, Bruer, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon

Amendment No. 20
Agency/Service: Clerks' Office / Clerk
Page(s): 62
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Verveer

Add funding of $61,556 for restoration of the Clerk's Office Coordinator position, to work on lobbying, special projects with tracking sunset dates and reports, election official training, bus drivers that help with elections, and legistar oversight

Various $ 6 1,556
Total $ 61,556 Levy Impact: $ 61,556

The clerk's office gets to "share the pain". The Mayor broke the tie. Currently the clerks office has 4 fewer staff people than they had 10 years ago. AYE: Clear, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber NO: Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer and Clausius.

Amendment No. 21
Agency/Service: Engineering / Storm Water Management
Page(s): 91
Sponsor(s): Alds. Solomon, Rhodes-Conway

Provide funding to initiate a planning process to pull together stakeholders and community members to establish clear and achievable goals and an implementation plan for cleaning the lakes. This effort would work in tandem with County initiatives totaling $135,000 this year.

Purchased Services $ 25,000
Total $ 25,000 Levy Impact: $ 25,000

We voted to pay for this from the Stormwater Utility. That passed on a voice vote with Ald. Sanborn voting no.

Amendment No. 22
Agency/Service: Parks / General Parklands
CDBG - Provider to be Determined
Page(s): 103 (Highlight No. 3), 153
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel, Solomon

Remove funding for the hiring of two additional hourly Park Rangers. Provide funding in the CDBG budget to add two homeless outreach workers to deal with homelessness issues, including addressing issues surrounding car campers and issues relating to homelessness in the parks. An RFP process will be used to determine a provider.

CDBG: Purchased Services $ 70,000
Parks: Hourly Wages (13,514)
Benefits (1,486)
Total $ 55,000 Levy Impact: $ 55,000

The homeless get to "share the pain". Failed 7 - 13. AYE Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius.

At this point we took number 9 back off the table, which was cutting the 6 cops. We had to do this to let the cops go home since it was 1:30. Apparently, they are more important than all the rest of the staff that stayed there late into the evening. The vote to take it off the table was as follows: AYE Clear, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon, Verveer, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Cnare NO Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Webber, Rummel

This motion to cut 6 police officers then failed 13 - 7. Those voting for the cuts were Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Webber

Amendment No. 23
Agency/Service: Municipal Pool / Pool Operations
Page(s): 109
Sponsor(s): Alds. Sanborn, Compton

Add narrative requiring a Request for Proposal for complete operation of the pool.

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

Privatizing the public pool failed 3 - 16. AYE Compton, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn NO Clear, Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Brandon and Clausius. I think Rummel was out of the room.

Amendment No. 24
Agency/Service: Metro Transit / Fixed Route
Page(s): 120
Sponsor(s): Alds. Verveer, Konkel

Eliminate $50,000 in advertising revenues derived from the anticipated addition of more full-wrap advertising and maintain the current bus full-wrap advertising pilot program at 15 buses as authorized by the Council.

Revenues (Decrease) $ 50,000
Total $ 50,000 Levy Impact: $ 50,000

Bus wraps - you'd think it would be a public safety issue to see into the bus and a rider issue to be able to see out. Additionally, we're in the middle of a pilot project that isn't done, but we added more wrapped buses anyways. AYE (to not add more wraps) Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Webber, Verveer, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Skidmore NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Kerr, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Solomon, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius

Amendment No. 25
Agency/Service: Planning Division / Physical and Special Projects Planning
Page(s): 136
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Compton, Schumacher

Remove funding for the Neighborhood Wellness Indicators project.

Purchased Services $ (40,000)
Total $ (40,000) Levy Impact: $ (40,000)

We didn't even get to make this "tough choice" as the motion was withdrawn/placed on file.

Amendment No. 26
Agency/Service: Planning Division / Physical and Special Projects Planning
Page(s): 136
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel

Provide $30,000 in Neighborhood Planning Grants for a James Madison Park District Neighborhood plan.

Grants $ 3 0,000
Total $ 30,000 Levy Impact: $ 30,000

The staff recommended that I ask for $60,000. Said it was necessary and if it was done it would save staff time and lead to more predictability for the developers. You know, its customer friendly, so it failed. AYE Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber NO Compton, Kerr (very reluctantly), Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Clear

Amendment No. 27
Agency/Service: Planning Division
Page(s): 136
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel

Replace Budget Highlight #4 with the following language that mirrored the resolution we passed last March regarding the Office of Neighborhood Support to include a community process.

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

This was tabled while we got copies. Later, it passed on a voice vote with Julia and perhaps . . . Schumacher . . . voting against.

Amendment No. 28
Agency/Service: Economic and Community Development Division / Ofc. Of Business Resources
Page(s): 145
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Solomon

Provide funding for the "Jobs with a Future" program.

Purchased Services $ 5 ,000
Total $ 5,000 Levy Impact: $ 5,000

This passed. AYE Clear, Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer NO Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Clausius Rhodes-Conway had to abstain. And it sounded like Schumacher should have as well . . .

Amendment No. 29
Agency/Service: Economic and Community Development Division
Page(s): 145
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rhodes-Conway

Add a Budget Highlight as follows:
"By February 1, 2008, the CDA will report to the Council on its annual work plan for 2008. Absent such a plan, the Comptroller's Office will initiate billings to the CDA for all City personnel charges to the CDA for 2007 and for the remainder of 2008."

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

Passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Amendment No. 30
Agency/Service: Economic and Community Development Division
Page(s): 145
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rhodes-Conway

Add a Budget Highlight as follows:
"By April 15, 2008, in conjunction with the Comptroller's Office, staff will present to the Council an operating budget template for CDA Redevelopment Activities."

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

Passed unanimously with a voice vote.

Amendment No. 31
Agency/Service: Economic and Community Development Division
Page(s): 145
Sponsor(s): Mayor Cieslewicz; Alds. Bruer, Brandon, Konkel, Clear, Kerr, Clausius, Verveer, Compton, Gruber, Sanborn, Schumacher, Judge, Skidmore, Solomon, Cnare, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Weber, Rummel

Effective April 1, 2008, reorganize the Economic and Community Development (ECD) Division by creating two new agencies entitled the "Community Development Division" (CDD) and the "Economic Development Division" (EDD). Allocated from ECD to CDD will be the Office of Community Services, CDBG and Senior Center. The remaining services from ECD relating to Real Estate, the CDA, the Office of Business Resources and TIF will be allocated to the EDD. Each Division will be led by Directors who will report directly to the Mayor and to the Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development. Pending classification determinations by Human Resources, each Director position will be budgeted at a classification and pay range of 21-17. (This will result in a budget savings for the ECD Director position, which is currently budgeted at a pay range of 21-19.)

Current Director Sal. Svngs $ (109,547)
Current Dir.Fringe Svngs. (40,313)
New ECD Director Salary 6 7,500
New ECD Director Benefits 2 4,840
New CDD Director Salary 6 7,500
New CDD Director Fringe 2 4,840
Total $ 34,820 Levy Impact: $ 34,820

Passed unanimously on a voice vote, but not without comment. Rhodes-Conway appropriately was incensed by the illegal meeting of the Mayor, Brandon, Bruer, Clear, that led to this amendment being created.

Amendment No. 32
Agency/Service: CDBG
Page(s): 153
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel, Verveer

Provide $20,000 for an educational and training program targeted to potential buyers of Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) units and others involved in their marketing, such as referral groups, employers, brokers, lenders, attorneys, and developers. The specific activities would be undertaken with the advice of the IZ Subcommittee on Marketing.

Purchased Services $ 20,000
Total $ 20,000 Levy Impact: $ 20,000

Failed on a voice vote.

Amendment No. 33
Agency/Service: CDBG
Page(s): 153 - New Program: Eviction Prevention (Provider to be Determined)
Sponsor(s): Alds. Solomon, Konkel, Kerr, Verveer

Provide $50,000 for eviction prevention or entry funds (provider to be determined via a Request for Proposals).

Purchased Services $ 50,000
Total $ 50,000 Levy Impact: $ 50,000

The homeless got to feel some more pain, hand delivered by the Mayor. This one was a 10-10 tie with the Mayor voting no. AYE Clear, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber NO Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Cnare

Amendment No. 34
Agency/Service: CDBG
Page(s): 153 - New Program: Southwest Neighborhood Center Plan (Provider to be Determined)
Sponsor(s): Alds. Pham-Remmele, Compton, Gruber, Konkel, Rummel, Skidmore, Verveer; Mayor Cieslewicz

Provide $20,000 for a feasibility study for a neighborhood center to serve the greater Meadow Wood area. Based on indicators of neighborhood change and suggestions arising from the South West Neighborhood Planning process, the CDBG Commission would select an organization to develop this study of possible locations and feasibility.

Purchased Services $ 20,000
Total $ 20,000 Levy Impact: $ 20,000

Amendment No. 35
Agency/Service: CDBG
Page(s): 153 - New Program: Southwest Neighborhood Center Plan (Provider to be Determined)
Sponsor(s): Alds. Pham-Remmele, Compton, Gruber, Konkel, Rummel, Skidmore, Verveer; Mayor Cieslewicz

Provide $25,000 to initiate a neighborhood center in the greater Meadow Wood area to serve children, seniors, and families. It is expected that the center will operate initially on a facility use model, working with other community groups to increase the level of programming in this area. Funds would be directed toward set-up, staffing, and space costs.

Purchased Services $ 2 5,000
Total $ 25,000 Levy Impact: $ 25,000

34 & 35 were voted on together. The Mayor offered to pay for this out of the Emerging Neighborhoods funds. The motion was then to place on file. AYE Brandon, Clausius, Clear, Cnare, Judge, Kerr, Palm, Sanborn, Schumacher, Solomon, Webber. NO Bruer, Compton, Gruber, Konkel, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Skidmore, Verveer

At this point the most obnoxious suggestion of the night was made by the Mayor. He suggested that we place all the rest of the 21 amendments on file. Compton made the motion to do it, I missed who seconded it. The motion failed.

Amendment No. 36
Agency/Service: CDBG
Page(s): 158 - Program #33 - Salvation Army
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Solomon, Kerr, Verveer

Provide an additional $7,500 for a year-round overflow homeless shelter.

Purchased Services $ 7,500
Total $ 7,500 Levy Impact: $ 7,500.

This one was the one amendment for the homeless that passed 13-7. AYE Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clear, Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel NO Compton, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Clausius.

Amendment No. 37
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 161
Sponsor(s): Alds. Sanborn, Brandon

Remove funding of $65,000 to the Office of Community Services for the following Youth Programs:
1) $60,000 to Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin for Youth Employment programs; and
2) $5,000 to the Atwood Community Center for transportation of youth of the Worthington Park Neighborhood to attend Atwood Community Center events. (Note: This funding was included in the budget via Board of Estimates amendment #33.)

Purchased Services $ (65,000)
Total $ (65,000) Levy Impact: $ (65,000)

I divided the question. The $5,000 for Worthington Park passed 12 - 8. AYE Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer. NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon, Clausius.

The funding for the Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin Youth Employment Programs was cut. AYE Clear, Cnare, Compton, Konkel, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rummel, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Rhodes-Conway. NO Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Verveer, Webber

Amendment No. 38
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 161
Sponsor(s): Alds. Sanborn, Brandon

Remove funding of $65,000 to the Office of Community Services for after-school and summer programs administered by the Wisconsin Youth and Family Center, as follows:
1) $15,000 for elementary after school program;
2) $10,000 for an elementary summer program;
3) $20,000 for middle and high school after school programming; and
4) $20,000 for middle and high school summer programming.
(Note: This funding was included in the budget via Board of Estimates amendment #34.)

Purchased Services $ (65,000)
Total $ (65,000) Levy Impact: $ (65,000)

These cuts failed with the following AYES Clear, Compton, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore NO Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Kerr, Konkel

Amendment No. 39
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 161
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Solomon, Verveer

Provide funding for the 4th quarter of 2008 for the Weed and Seed coordinator and related programs in anticipation of the expiration of grant funds effective September 30, 2008.

Permanent Salaries $ 1 1,450
Fringe Benefits 4 ,214
Telephone 2 00
Room Rental 3 00
Purchased Services (Program Funding) 1 2,300
Total $ 28,464 Levy Impact: $ 28,464

This motion passed, AYE Clear, Cnare, Gruber, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clausius, Judge NO Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon

Amendment No. 40
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Child Care
Page(s): 161
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel , Rummel, Verveer

Provide an additional $42,500 for child care assistance to serve an additional 10 children on the waiting list.

Purchased Services $ 4 2,500
Total $ 42,500 Levy Impact: $ 42,500

This failed 6 - 14. AYE Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Rummel, Verveer, Webber NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius, Kerr

Amendment No. 41
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Child Care
Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 161
Sponsor(s): Alds. Sanborn and Brandon

Remove funding of $20,000 for child care assistance to help accredited child care programs that serve low income children and $26,985 to the Office of Community Services for a contract with Community Coordinated Child Care (4C) for a Latino Child Care program. (Note: This funding was included in the budget via Board of Estimates amendment #s 30 and 32.)

Purchased Services $ (46,985)
Total $ (46,985) Levy Impact: $ (46,985)

We divided the question on this one, voting on the $20,000 for stabilization funds to help daycares rent to low-income kids whose families have trouble paying. AYE Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon, Clausius NO Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer

Then we voted on the 4Cs funding. Alder Pham-Remmele was not at her finest on this motion, she was speaking to it out of order and was making what some might call racist remarks. She probably helped it pass. AYE Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Clausius NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer.

Amendment No. 42
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 166, Program #24 - Project HUGS
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm, Brandon

Remove funding for this program.

Purchased Services $ (5,873)
Total $ (5,873) Levy Impact: $ (5,873)

Passed on a voice vote, Alder Compton voting no.

Amendment No. 43
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 168, Program #40 - West Madison Senior Coalition
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm, Brandon

Reduce funding by $5,239 (from $223,544 to $218,305).

Purchased Services $ (5,239)
Total $ (5,239) Levy Impact: $ (5,239)

Was placed on file.

Amendment No. 44
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 168, Program #42 - Atwood Community Center
169, Program #46 - Bridge/Lakepoint/Waunona Neighborhood Center
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel, Verveer

Provide $4,000 to the Atwood Community Center for a middle school boys program and $18,000 in additional funding for Neighborhood Centers for Girl Neighborhood Power programs, as follows:
$6,000 for Atwood Community Center
$12,000 for Bridge/Lakepoint/Waunona Neighborhood Center
Note that the funding for the Girl Neighborhood programs is a one-time allocation conditioned upon an Office of Community Services staff review of the proposed programming and administration in order to facilitate quality after school activities for middle school girls at these sites. A written report shall be submitted to the Community Services Commission by July 31, 2008.

Purchased Services $ 2 2,000
Total $ 22,000 Levy Impact: $ 22,000

The motion was only made for the $12,000 for Bridge/Lakepoint/Waunona Girl Neighborhood Power. Passed 15 - 5. AYE Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clausius. NO Palm, Rummel, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon.

Amendment No. 45
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 170, Program #58 - Vera Court Neighborhood Center
Sponsor(s): Alds. Schumacher, Cnare, Verveer

On October 31, 2007, due to funding losses, the YWCA notified Vera Court Community Center of their cancellation of the Girls Neighborhood Power contract in the amount of $27,955 as of January 1, 2008.

The City recognizes that programming for girls at the Vera Court Community Center has been and shall continue to be an important resource for girls on the Northside of Madison.

Therefore, the City shall provide a one-time $12,000 additional allocation to Vera Court Community Center for 2008 with the condition that staff from the Office of Community Services reviews the proposed programming and administration to facilitate quality after school activities for middle school girls at this site. A written report shall be submitted to the Community Services Commission by July 31, 2008.

Purchased Services $ 1 2,000
Total $ 12,000 Levy Impact: $ 12,000

Passes 15 - 4. AYE Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clausius

Amendment No. 46
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 171, Program #64 - Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Solomon, Verveer

Provide $29,000 for homeless emergency vouchers for victims of domestic violence.

Purchased Services $ 2 9,000
Total $ 29,000 Levy Impact: $ 29,000

Passed on a voice vote.

Amendment No. 47
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 171, Program #66 - Rape Crisis Center
Sponsor(s): Alds. Judge, Verveer

Provide additional funding to the Rape Crisis Center for compensation for the training of new police officers in Sexual Assault counseling tactics, along with the continued knowledge provided to the force already in service. Funds would also be used to maintain or improve current levels of education, sexual violence prevention advocacy, and emergency counseling services for college-aged students in the City of Madison.

Purchased Services $ 5 0,000
Total $ 50,000 Levy Impact: $ 50,000

The amount of this request was changed to $10,000. It passed around 4:00. AYE Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer. Cnare, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon, Clausius ABSTAIN Clear

Amendment No. 48
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 171, Program #63 - Youth Integration into Recreation and Cultural Activities
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm, Brandon

Remove funding for this program.

Purchased Services $ (20,404)
Total $ (20,404) Levy Impact: $ (20,404)

This was funding for Canopy Dance, Millenium Soccer, Simpson St. Free Press, Tap It, Urban League and Vera Court. Failed 15 - 5. AYE Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Verveer, Webber NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rummel, Rhodes-Conway, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius.

We took the three neighborhood planning councils together.

Amendment No. 49
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 173, Program #85 - East Isthmus Neighborhood Planning Council
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm, Brandon, Compton

Remove funding for this program

Purchased Services $ (42,807)
Total $ (42,807) Levy Impact: $ (42,807)

Amendment No. 52
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 174, Program #88 - Northside Planning Council
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm, Brandon, Compton

Remove funding for this program.

Purchased Services $ (61,332)
Total $ (61,332) Levy Impact: $ (61,332)

Amendment No. 53
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 174, Program #89 - South Metro Planning Council
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm, Brandon, Compton

Remove funding for this program.

Purchased Services $ (55,292)
Total $ (55,292) Levy Impact: $ (55,292)

These made me really nervous, but they passed 11 - 9. Voting to cut AYE Clear, Cnare, Compson, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon, Palm, Webber NO Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Bruer, Claussius

Amendment No. 50
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 173, Program #80 - T.J. Support Brokerage Firm (Madison Apprenticeship Program)
Sponsor(s): Alds. Solomon, Konkel, Cnare, Verveer

Provide additional funding to the Madison Apprenticeship Program.

Purchased Services $ 2 5,000
Total $ 25,000 Levy Impact: $ 25,000

After all that powerful testimony and the fact that they actually get drug dealers off the streets, it passed but it only got 11 votes. AYE Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer NO Clear, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Schumacher, Brandon, Claussius

Amendment No. 51
Agency/Service: Office of Community Services / Community Resources
Page(s): 173, Program #78 - Porchlight, Inc.
Sponsor(s): Alds. Solomon, Gruber, Konkel, Kerr, Verveer

Provide an additional $40,000 for transportation assistance for low-income, Metro-dependent adults to search for or maintain income security.

Purchased Services $ 4 0,000
Total $ 40,000 Levy Impact: $ 40,000

The Homeless got another dose "sharing the pain". Even thought this got changed from $40,000 to $10,000 it failed 8 - 12. AYE Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Sanborn, Solomon, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius

Amendment No. 54
Agency/Service: Library / Neighborhood Libraries Services / South Madison Branch
Page(s): 177
Sponsor(s): Alds. Kerr, Konkel, Rummel, Solomon

Increase hours at the South Madison Branch Library from 45.5 to 58 per week to enable more access to high demand Internet PCs and spread out the use at this crowded and busy branch library. The new hours would be 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday.

Permanent Salaries $ 6 2,110
Hourly Employee Pay 1 1,343
Fringe Benefits 2 4,150
Total $ 97,603 Levy Impact: $ 97,603

This was modified to remove the last line to let the library staff determine the hours later. It passed 15 - 5 even though it put us way over our library limit. AYE Clear, Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, WEbber, Bruer, Clausius. NO Compton, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon.

Amendment No. 55
Agency/Service: Library / Neighborhood Libraries Services / Hawthorne Branch
Page(s): 177
Sponsor(s): Alds. Konkel, Rummel

Increase hours at the Hawthorne Branch Library from 47 to 58 per week to enable more Internet use, as well as more available time for small group meetings and individual research and study. The new hours would be 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday.

Permanent Salaries $ 6 5,636
Hourly Employee Pay 2 5,675
Fringe Benefits 2 7,081
Total $ 118,392 Levy Impact: $ 118,392
Net Total Levy Impact $ 3,138,737

This was modified to remove the last line to let the library staff determine the hours later. It passed with a little different vote with Schumacher flipping. 14 - 6 even though it put us way over our library limit. AYE Clear, Cnare, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, WEbber, Bruer, Clausius. NO Compton, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon, Schumacher.

There were a few other votes that night. We tried twice to recess the meeting instead of pulling an all nighter, but because the Mayor wanted to go deer hunting, we made our decisions in the dark of the night without sunshine and very little sleep. There were many times when alders Compton and Pham-Remmele had to stop in the middle of the vote to find out what we were voting on and sometimes the Mayor and the Attorney couldn't even tell us or agree.

The first motion to recess was around 1 or 1:30 by Rhodes-Conway. We would have adjourned until 9am on Saturday. Compton and Bruer said they couldn't be there. AYE Cnare, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Webber NO Clear, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, SKidmore, Verveer, Brandon, Bruer, Claussius.

The second motion to recess was around 3:30 by Judge (who had a mid-term the next day) and he wanted to recess to our council meeting on Tuesday since we have a light agenda. That failed 17 - 3. Solomon and I believe the Mayor would not have been there. AYE Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Webber. NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Pham-Remmele, Rummel, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon

The final issue of the evening we had to deal with was the fact that we were over the levy limit. We had to reconsider taking the $1.5M TIF money that we applied to the Worker's Compensation Fund. That tied 10-10 with the mayor breaking the tie. Those who didn't want to do that were as follows: NO Clear, Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Solomon, Skidmore, Brandon, Clausius AYE Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer.

Some people wanted to go back through all the amendments and make more cuts to get us under the levy. I asked the Comptroller to fill them in that we can't run this right down to the dollar because there are numbers that we don't get until into the year and they can still change, so we could be off by as much as $200,000 so we needed to cut about a half a million dollars yet. Cnare and Compton wanted to keep going at 5 am. After alot of discussion, they voted to end the debate. Those who wanted to end the debate were: AYE Clear, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Skidmore, Verveer, Webber, Brandon, Bruer NO Konkel, Palm, Rummel, Sanborn, Schumacher, Solomon, Clausius. .

Then, we finally got to the vote to change the $1.5M to $1M. There was more discussion, but we voted. I didn't vote and was ready to keep going because Alder Brandon kept saying that he had 1.5M of cuts but he wouldn't tell us what they were. And I knew that I had over $1M of cuts in the amendments that I passed. I passed when I got to the vote to see how people voted, Clausius was out of the room and the Mayor held the vote for him to get back, after waiting quite a while, I voted AYE simply because the outcome of the vote would have been the same either way. The motion would have resulted in a 10-10 tie with Clausius in the room and me voting no and the Mayor would have voted yes, so I voted AYE to end the waiting. The vote was AYE Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Konkel NO Clear, Cnare, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore and Brandon.

The final vote on the budget was only 13 - 7. AYE Clear, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Schumacher, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clausius. NO Cnare, Konkel, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Bruer

My favorite comment of the night . . . when I asked some of the comptroller staff how much money we wasted on staff costs over the last few nights . . . they replied "all of it".

That's all I got. I hope my memory and my notes are ok. If you spot any mistakes, feel free to let me know. brendakonkel@yaho.com or at any of my other email addresses you might have. More comments to follow after a little more sleep.

Read more!

Blog-o-mania: Budget and more.

In addition to the budget updates (Capital budget notes and start of the Operating Budget) there are quite a few announcements that are worth noting including:

Large item, leaf and brush pick up.
Input needed on Economic Development.
Winter Parking Rules.
Computer Round Up.

Tonight is our third night of budget deliberations. We have 52 amendments to go through. We only got through a total of 20 amendments before we quit at 1:15 last night. While we finished the capital budget and actually decreased the spending from the Mayor's budget, we only got through 3 amendments to the Operating Budget. We'd need to cover 8 amendments per hour to get done by 1:00 tonight. Which means we will likely be scheduling an additional meeting at some point or pulling and all-nighter.

The Mayor's proposed budgets are here.
The amendments are here (capital and operating).

We'll be at the Monona Terrace tonight.
I'll try live blogging again tonight, but I can't make any promises. The more my colleagues talk, the easier it is, but if we get on a roll, I might not be able to keep up.
Read more!

Large Item and Brush Pick Up

The fall schedule for what is being picked up when can sometimes be a mystery, hopefully this information from the Streets Superintendent helps!

Currently we have 65-70 employees assigned to leaf collection, not counting our sweepers, in an attempt to get all the leaves collected prior to heavy snow. We are working 10 hours per day and may work a Saturday or two as well. Remember that an inch or so of snow will not stop us from collecting leaves.

As a result, other services must suffer.

Brush collection is temporarily suspended or at best, a crew or two only is assigned. Brush is a scheduled collection for 7 months a year, from April through October. These same people then are assigned to leaf collection during this time of the year. We will assign crews back to brush collection as soon as the majority of leaves are collected. Our goal is to complete an additional round of brush before the first of the year.

Large Items is also slowed because of having to assign employees who normally are scheduled for large item collection and place them on leaf collection. We normally collect large items on the same day or the day after the normal collection. This process is now slowed. Our goal during this time is to complete one collection cycle every two weeks. If constituents ask, please ask them to be patient. A couple of things they can do to help is hold their large items until leaf collection is over, which should be by mid December or they can bring them into the drop off sites themselves at either Badger Rd. or Sycamore.

Read more!

Your Input Needed! Economic Development

Economic Development Listening Sessions have been scheduled to get your input! We need your help deciding the following:

• What role should the City of Madison play in promoting economic development over the next 3-5 years?
• Based on your experiences, are there programs, policies and projects that should be added, modified, or removed from the City’s economic development toolbox?
• What positive business experiences have you had while working with communities elsewhere that we could/should consider for the City of Madison?
  

There are several sessions planned:

• Session #1 – Targeted toward any business, non-profit, and thegeneral public, Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm,Alliant Energy Center, Exhibition Hall, Monona Room, 1919 AlliantEnergy Center Way
• Session #2 – Targeted toward small businesses, Thursday,November 29, 2007, 8:00-10:00 am, Overture Center, 201 StateStreet
• Session #3 – Targeted toward medium and large businesses,Thursday, November 29, 2007, 2:00-4:00 pm, Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive
• Session #4 – Targeted toward “high tech” businesses of allsizes, Thursday, December 6, 2007, 1:30-3:30 pm, MGE Innovation Center, Conf. Room 50, 510 Charmany Dr.
  

If you need an interpreter, translator, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this workshop, please call 267-8721 at least three business days prior to the meeting.

Although each session will have a different focus, please do not feel that one or the other is “right or wrong” for your business or non-profit. If you cannot attend the session that is targeted toward your business or non-profit please attend the session that is most convenient for your schedule. All questions concerning the workshops can be forwarded to Ms. Peggy Yessa with the City of Madison at 267-8721.

As an alternative to participating at a session you can email your thoughts regarding the questions noted above to obr@cityofmadison.com Read more!

Winter Parking Rules

Winter Parking Rules went into effect just a few hours ago. Make sure to read this and save yourself some money.

Madison's winter parking rules will go into effect at 1 a.m. on Thursday November 15th.

If you live outside the Downtown/Isthmus Snow Emergency Zone you should park your car on the odd house numbered side of the street tomorrow evening.

When there is no snow emergency in effect so the parking restrictions do not apply in the Downtown/Isthmus Snow Emergency Zone.

For complete details visit our web page www.cityofmadison.com/streets

And, it is useful to sign up for the listserve that alerts you via email when a snow emergency is in effect. Read more!

Computer Round Up on Saturday

Now is the time to get rid of your old computers cluttering up your house.

The semi-annual electronics drop-off will be held this Saturday, from 9 am to 1 pm at the City of Madison transfer station, 121 E. Olin Avenue, between the Alliant Energy Center and the Goodman Pool.

This event is limited to home electronics ONLY. No computers from businesses.There is a $5 fee for computer monitors and laptops and a $25 fee for televisions. There is no charge for other computer or electronics parts or components.This event is open to all -- people do not need to be a resident of the City of Madison to participate.

A webpage for the drop off is at http://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/computerRoundup.cfm. In addition, the Dane County recycling web pages list other places that take electronics year-round. Go to www.countyofdane.com and click on the recycling symbol. Read more!

Operating Budget: Part I

Ok - I might as well keep going at this point. It's 12:45 a.m. and we're not moving very fast so I think I can keep up.

Amendment No. 1
Agency/Service: General Budget Policy
Page(s): ii (new)
Sponsor(s): Alds. Brandon, Sanborn, Cnare, Palm, Schumacher

Add the following narrative:
General Budget Policy:
To avoid the creation of future structural budget deficits, the City of Madison will not use one-time revenue sources to fund on-going operating expenses.

$ -
Total $ - Levy Impact: $ -

There were several questions about what the language really meant and what impact it would actually have in the future but it passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Amendment No. 2
Agency/Service: Miscellaneous Appropriations / Sister City Program
Page(s): 11
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Palm, Brandon, Compton

Eliminate funding for the Sister City Program

Sister City Program $ (10,000)
Total $ (10,000) Levy Impact: $ (10,000)

Here we go again . . . . . . .
And it fails . . . again . . . .
AYE Cnare, Compton, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Skidmore, Brandon
NO Clear, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clausius

Amendment No. 3
Agency/Service: Miscellaneous Appropriations / Emerging Neighborhoods
Page(s): 11
Sponsor(s): Alds. Cnare, Brandon

Reduce Emerging Neighborhoods by $100,000 to restore to the 2007 level of $100,000.

Emerging Neighborhoods $ (100,000)
Total $ (100,000) Levy Impact: $ (100,000)

The Council is grilling the Mayor about this fund and its clear that there are various levels of understanding and misunderstanding. I'm not even sure if the Mayor understands his own program, but we're muddling through and even though it is now after 1:00, seems like we're getting a second wind. I think we're just practicing for tomorrow night cuz we're going to have the same arguments. AYE Cnare, Compton, Kerr, Palm, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Brandon, Bruer, Clausius. NO Clear, Gruber, Judge, Konkel, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber.

Looks like we are ending now (1:15). We'll pick up with amendment number 4 in the Operating Budget. We only got through 20 amendments. We have 52 amendments left. That would be 8 amendments per hour if we wanted to be done by 1:00. Could be an all nighter. Or we're going to have to set another date to meet.

Read more!