More YouTube Videos

It includes the Peter Leidy song . . . kinda fun!

Here's the studio version MP3.





A few more to come. More video here. Campaign website here.
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The Light Week Ahead

Here's a few items of interest . . . mostly all Wednesday

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ROOM 201 CCB
- TIF Policy
- BioAg Gateway
- Keeping Capitol West TIF agreement in place
- Northeast Neighborhoods Plan

Wednesday, April 1, 2009
7:30 AM GREATER MADISON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: ROAD CONSTRUCTION SURVIVAL GUIDE UNVEILING 3500 UNIVERSITY AVE. COMMUNITY ROOM
- This sounds interesting, but very early.

12:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 525 CCB
- WOW! Updated personnel policies! It only took 39 years . . . .

5:00 PM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ROOM 313 MMB
- After council approval, presentation to EDC about BioAg Gateway . . . hmmm . . . .
- Discussion about helping small businesses.

5:00 PM HOUSING COMMITTEE ROOM 260 MMB
- Property Tax Exemption and blow off by Mayor's office

Thursday, April 2, 2009
5:00 PM EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION ROOM LL-120 MMB
- Curfew

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Another Demolition

Thanks to the update service, here's another one, that's 3 this week.

Please be advised that Joan Pregler will be filing a demolition permit application on April 24, 2009 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Single Family Residence located at 6202 N Highlands Ave 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 53562-0424 at jpda@chorus.net or (608)831-7733.

Applicant's Comments:
Owner Jan B. Terry proposes to demolish the residence on this property. There are no immediate plans to rebuild a replacement residence, but due to the deteriorating structure and the welfare of the neighborhood, demolition is needed now. A complete Recycling Plan will be filed as well as a report on how the property will be reclaimed following demolition.


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.

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Police Auction

Looking for a new bike?

This is from Ald. Robbie Webber:

Ah, spring, when the police auction off "recovered and unclaimed property." That means that volume-wise, it's going to be mostly bikes!

http://www.cityofmadison.com/news/view.cfm?news_id=1404

There are always some great deals, and also a great deal of junk. But if you are looking for parts, a rack, or just a winter/junker bike for commuting, this is a great place to pick those up. Being a decent mechanic helps, as there are always some bikes that would be nice, but need a bit of work.

May 2 at the Alliant Center

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Sign Up for Earth Day Projects!

From the Parks Department

April 18, 2009 and April 25, 2009
13^th Annual Earth Day Challenge: Coming Together for Our Community

April 18 and April 25, the Greater Madison community will be celebrating its 13^th Annual Earth Day Challenge in parks across Madison, coming together as neighborhoods, groups and individuals to pick-up trash, mulch, weed and work together to better our parks and our community.

“Each year the Earth Day Challenge allows Madison residents to unite as a collective force and take ownership of our community,” said Community Relations Coordinator Laura Whitmore. “Parks are more than an area of recreation; they are a part of our community. It is when we work together in support of our parks that we truly make them our own.”

The idea for Earth Day originated in Wisconsin in 1970 when Senator Gaylord Nelson set about to create a grassroots movement that would bring the environment to the forefront of the political spotlight. In its first year the event amassed more than 20 million participants and swiftly propelled the environment as a decisive issue in both the political and mainstream culture.

Over the years Earth Day has evolved into a global-wide event that celebrates environmental responsibility and mobilizes volunteers to take individual action to improve their local environment. Madison’s Earth Day is uniquely large, bringing in nearly 1,500 volunteers in over 75 parks in the last year and partnering with the United Way Youth Service Day to encourage community activism amongst young adults.

Individuals, neighborhood associations or groups of any size are encouraged to participate in the event and may join a current project or register their own project by no later than April 12^th. Those registering a project will need to submit the location and time of the event, number of participants involved, project details and type of tools that will be needed. To register a project, please call 266-5949.

Which park(s)

How many people will participate

Time of your event

The extent of your project (only trash pick up, mulching around trees, etc.)

Tools needed (rakes, shovels, trash bags)

This information will help us coordinate your specific project, our volunteer tool shed inventory and garbage pick up.

Participants can find details of registered projects on our website and should plan to work for around two or three hours, depending on the type of work for which they volunteer. Projects will focus on either clean-up or restoration and will take place at a variety of parks across the Madison area.

Individuals or groups are also encouraged to volunteer their time on community projects that extend beyond Earth Day. For volunteer opportunities or for more information on the Parks Division visit us at www.cityofmadison.com/parks or call 608-266-5949.

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Konkel on YouTube

Well, it couldn't be avoided . . . Facebook, Twitter and now . . . YouTube! Enjoy!

Here's the latest


And my welcome message


And Pocan's endorsement


More videos coming next week. You can find them here.



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Demolition Notification System Up and Running

Sign up to find out when demolitions are proposed!

Update on Demolition Notification system

The Demolition Notification system was recently activated. The system was developed to assist applicants for demolition permits and their agents with completing the required notification of the list of interested persons registered with the City prior to the filing of their application. The notification is required to occur either 30 or 60 days prior to the submittal of any application involving a demolition or removal of a building based on the age of the building. The default notification is 30 days is except for buildings built before 1940, where a 60-day notification is required.

Beginning March 19, 2009, all applicants for demolition or removal will be required to post their notifications to the list of interested persons before they may submit their application.

Those interested in being notified of upcoming demolitions should register at:
https://my.cityofmadison.com/

I got my first notification two days ago:

Dear sir or madam,

Please be advised that Don Esposito will be filing a demolition permit application on May 6, 2009 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Single-family houses located at 6210 Cottage Grove Rd Madison, WI 53718 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Don Esposito, Great Neighborhoods East, LLC, 6801 South Towne Drive Madison, WI 53713 at desposito@veridianhomes.com or (608)226-3100.

Applicant's Comments:
Demolition and CSM application

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.

And a second one:

Please be advised that Adam Coyle will be filing a demolition permit application on March 25, 2009 for Plan Commission review that calls for a Single Family House located at 2021 Monroe St Madison, WI 53711 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Adam Coyle, Landmark Builders, Inc, 5193 Nannyberry Drive Madison, WI 53711 at adam@smithbowden.com or (608)217-9696.

Applicant's Comments:
House was destroyed in fire - total loss. Would like to rebuild similar structure asap.


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.

I'm glad they finally got the system up and running. It should help curb the last minute surprises if the right people sign up for the system. Sign up now if you're interested! (before you forget.)
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Give Input on School District Goals

Here's your chance to help direct goals for the Madison School District.

*Community Engagement Sessions for the MMSD Strategic Plan*

You are invited to attend a Community Engagement Session to learn about and give feedback on the draft of the Strategic Plan for the Madison Metropolitan School District.

The school district is in the midst of developing a new strategic plan to guide its initiatives over the next few years. Already, a committee of over 60 persons has developed drafts of strategic priorities as well as goals, beliefs and current issues.

These two sessions will give attendees an opportunity to receive an overview of the draft strategic plan and to give feedback on it in small groups.

The sessions are scheduled for:

Wednesday, March 25
6:00-7:30 p.m.
La Follette High School LMC

Parents/guardians & MMSD staff are invited; all are welcome

Thursday, April 16
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Memorial High School, Wisconsin Neighborhood

Open to general public

More information about the Strategic Plan to date is at http://drupal.madison.k12.wi.us/node/2246

(Note that both are open to the public, but that parents and guardians are particularly invited to the first one - March 25.)

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Isn't this a Kick in the Head

Um . . . remember how we desperately needed the money from bus fares because of fuel costs . . . turns out . . .

From: Statz, Andrew
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 4:14:31 PM
To: ALL ALDERS
Cc: MY GROUP; Vandenbrook, Bill; Kamp, Charles; Brasser, Dean; Whitehead, Randy; Fruit, Tim; Bohrod, Daniel
Subject: fuel contract

Last Friday, we entered into a fixed-price contract for diesel and unleaded gasoline at Fleet Services and diesel at Metro Transit. The contract runs from January 2010 through the end of December 2010.

The contract amount for Metro diesel is $1.9784 per gallon. Fleet diesel is $2.2874 and gasoline is $2.139 per gallon. The higher rates for Fleet are due to an exemption from state excise tax that applies to public transit but not municipal fleet operations. By combining the Fleet and Metro bids, we saved two cents per gallon.

When dealing with fuel contracts, there is always a per gallon premium added to a vendor's bid. So, it is hard to compare the contract per gallon amount with prices at the pump.

The first attachment helps illustrate that it appears now is a good time to lock. These are "at the pump" prices for diesel, so it is not a direct dollar-for-dollar comparison but it illustrates the historic trends in diesel prices. We are currently back down to around the since-2000 average price. There appears to be more room for fuel prices to go up from today's levels and less room for them to go down for any extended period of time.

The second attachment is a history of fuel expenditures for Metro. With the 2010 contract, we will be slightly above 2005 costs and well below the total for every year since then. The third attachment is a similar history for Fleet. For diesel, we essentially return to the amount paid in 2006. For gasoline, we locked in well below 2006 and every year since.

Combined, the contract for 2010 is about $2.6 million less than the amount budgeted for 2009.

Hmmm . . . did really need those fares increased? All the fare increase might raise in revenues is $700,000.

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The rainy week ahead . . .

April showers are here a little early . . . and all the important meetings are once again piled on to a Monday.

Monday, March 23, 2009
4:30 PM BOARD OF ESTIMATES ROOM 260 MMB
- State Budget impact on Madison (no link)
- Stimulus money
- Alternate side parking
- TIF policy
- Modifying Alexander Co TIF deal on Capital West
- BioAg TIF request

4:45 PM LANDMARKS COMMISSION ROOM LL-130 MMB
- Definition of demolition
- Clarifying language for enforcement of demolition violaitons
- Discussion of demolition of 11 homes on N Blair and E Johnson
- Majestic Theatre marquee
- Meriter Campus Masterplan

5:30 PM PLAN COMMISSION ROOM 201 CCB
- Northeast Neighborhoods sustainability plan
- Stadium Bar conditional use

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
4:30 PM WATER UTILITY BOARD 119 E. OLIN AVE., ROOMS A & B
- Stimulus funds

5:00 PM PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE/MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION ROOM 260 MMB
- Alternate side parking in winter
- Reducing vehicle miles traveled

5:30 PM ZONING CODE REWRITE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MADISON SENIOR CENTER, 330 W MIFFLIN ST, ROOMS 1 & 2

Wednesday, March 25, 2009
3:00 PM HOUSING MERGER PLANNING AD HOC COMMITTEE ROOM 108 CCB
- Still trying to figure out what to do and come up with a work plan

5:30 PM CENTRAL LIBRARY DISPOSAL SURPLUS PROPERTY CRITERIA AND SELECTION COMMITTEE ROOM 103A CCB
- Presentation on rehabbing the library

Thursday, March 26, 2009
12:00 PM PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING COMMITTEE ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Continued efforts to prevent the loss of 100's of affordable housing units in Madison

4:30 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING ROOM 313 MMB
- Allied Drive and Villager Mall (links are on the agenda)

Another exercise in how to be multiple places at once tonight . . .

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Low Income Bus Pass - Limited to One per Family

Here it is . . . think it will work? Check out the bolded part - where'd those rules come from?

Passes Available at:

• Metro Transit (1245 E. Washington Ave.)
• Dane County Job Center (1819 Aberg Ave.)
• City of Madison Treasurer's Office (210 Martin Luther King Jr., RM 107)

Eligibility:

• A QUEST card must be shown to purchase pass.
• Only ONE pass will be sold per QUEST card.
• Only ONE pass will be sold per family.

Program Notes

• Passes only available at outlets listed above.
• Passes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis on the first business
day of each month.
• Supplies are limited. When an outlet has sold its monthly supply, low-income
passes will not be available at that location again until the beginning of the next
month.
• Metro 31-Day Passes are the only passes available at the low-income rate.

* This is a pilot program. Program usage will be monitored and evaluated throughout the year. Program details may be changed at a later date. A permanent program is expected to be in place in 2010.

Information on the low income bus pass program is here.

A printable bus flyer is here.

So, I realized that there would only be 400 passes available per month and that they were first-come, first-serve - but one per family?
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The Ask Yourself Why the Council Meeting Lasted So Long Council Recap

One word: Thuy.

Ok, there were a few other reasons, Thuy was just the most obnoxious reason why. The meeting didn't get started til 6:42 or so. Everyone there except Alder Clear. We started out by recognizing the efforts of the group that did the Stoughton Rd planning, that took about 5 minutes.

Next we did our consent agenda with took another 10 minutes or so, mostly because we were discussing if the BioAg Gateway resolution should be sent to the Commission on the Environment. We separated items 12 (Downtown Hotel Study), 13 (Public Market), 44 (Pleasant View Rd), 67 (Public Nuisance Ordinance), 68 (Opening car doors into bike paths) and 88 (Snow ordinance). We referred the Affirmative Action Report from the Mayors office to the Affirmative Action Commission to be fixed (#89), a project at 1900 - 1916 E Washington was withdrawn (#95), the BioAg Gateway resolution was referred to the Commission on the Environment and the Council meeting on the 31st (#118). We unanimously approved the budget amendments in number 11 (fire dept grant got 38,000), 16 (12,318 for a street vendor monitor) and 24 (using parkland impact fees for a 8 acre prairie resotration project in the 5th addition adjacent to Sherman Ave.)

We also had a group of people who were upset about being charged for some sidewalks. They showed up with signs and sat in the audience but weren't allowed to speak to us because the items was just being introduced. Upon prompting from the council, the Mayor told them that we wouldn't be discussing their topic, and then with further prompting, he informed them of when they could speak to the issue that they are concerned about. After I muttered a few things under my breath, someone leaned over to me and asked me if I thought the Mayor had been drinking before the meeting. I doubt it, but it made me laugh. So, by now, it was 7:00, not a good start to a long night of needlessly dragged out discussion.

So, back to the agenda.

DOWNTOWN HOTEL REPORT
Julia Kerr had some questions. They were asked and answered and the report was accepted unanimously.

PUBLIC MARKET
This discussion took about an hour, even tho we already approved it in the budget. It got a little obnoxious. Here's a few highlights, perhaps out of order.
- Schumacher thinks that if this is so important, the private market would provide for it.
- Clausius thinks that its a good idea, but is interested in having more than one and smaller ones, perhaps on one the far east and far west sides of Madison.
- There were some concerns that this was done on a "sole source" basis. I guess the thinking is that there was another group out there that had been working on a public market for years that could qualify to do this work?? (I wonder who??)
- Thuy accused Mark Olinger and Commonwealth of being "Sacred Cows" and was seemingly implying that she wasn't allowed to ask them questions, but that certainly didn't stop her and no one was objecting - at least not at first.
- They had some doosey quotes including the qualitification of "I just am stupid" prior to asking questions that had been asked and answered at the CDBG commission that she sits on.
- Mike Kohn was whispering questions in Thuy's ear as she was grilling Marianne Morton with quesitons that had been answered before.
- At one point, Marianne politely answered one of the questions by referring Thuy to the resolution that we were voting for.
- Alder Palm asked about the capacity of Commonwealth Development to do this work because they are also working on the Garver Feedmill (At which point he reminded people to vote April 7th).
- Alder Palm also suggested that the total cost of the project ($19M) was too much and that the project could be done with toothpicks, wire mesh and blue tarps.

I admittedly kind of couldn't really pay attention at one point, because Alder Bruer was talking to Alder Sanborn on one side of me and Alder Palm was talking to Alder Cnare on the other side of me and Thuy was not making sense and I'm sure I missed some other points during this discussion. We had some weird questions of Mike Kohn where Thuy was confirming that he wasn't her constituent and wanting him to answer the question as a "common citizen" and he was accusing us of being cavalier with our spending. The Mayor was wearily looking at the clock and Brian and Julia were trying to call the question as Thuy went on about how this was just a project for yuppies.

- Alder Gruber pointed out that we already voted on this in the budget and this is just following through on what we had already directed.
- Alder Rummel pointed out that some of the questions Thuy has asked were proprietary information and that this was all discussed at the CDBG commission that Thuy is a member of.
- Alder Schumacher said that this project could become a mini-Overture
- Alder Palm then moved for referral
- Alder Cnare politely suggested that we all go back and read the reports because most of the answers were in there and we've just forgotten them all.
- I couldn't resist pointing out that we are wringing our hands over $60,000 where we have reports and have discussed this for years, but with the BioAg Gateway we are just taking a leap of faith with $1.3M.
- This promted Alder Schumacher to ask staff to prepare a comparison - which I think would be fascinating, since the operating costs per year seem to be roughly the same, but BioAg Gateway will produce 100 jobs in 10 years whereas the Public Marker would produce "only 300" jobs according to Alder Thuy but 400 jobs according to Marianne Morton.
- The Mayor finally spoke and tried to address some of the twisting of words that was going on regarding his position and his budget. He explained that while he didn't want to commit large amounts of money for the project, that this money was being spent so that we didn't lose the work we had already done.

Then, I don't know what happened, but Alder Bruer asked if Alders wanted to ask the Mayor any questions - not allowed under Robert's Rules - but the Mayor played along. And then on cue, Thuy asked some question from her constituent forcing the Mayor to admit that he didn't realize that this was a sole source deal until it was brought up tonight but that he's comfortable with it. At which point Thuy accused him of "being the bachelor with the rose" and playing favorites with certain groups and not giving any one else a chance to work on these projects. (I wonder if she has someone else in mind that would do this?) And was complaining that she had to go home and aswer the phone and answer questions about why we are spending this money. At this point, there were multiple objections, mass confusion breaks out and some combination of Julia Kerr and Brian Solomon called the question to stop the madness.

Vote on calling the question: NO: Rummel, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway AYE: Sanborn, Schumacher, Skimore, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clausius, Cnare, Compton, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Monson and icing on the cake, Thuy first has to ask what we are voting on, and then says "please end this debate" and votes yes. Apparently oblivious that the only reason we had to take that vote was to get her to be quiet and that she was the one dragging out the debate. ABSENT: Clear Motion passes 15 - 4.

On the motion to refer so people could go read what they should have already read, because there were no additional requests for information: NO: Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway AYE: Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Clausius, Cnare, Compton, Monson, Palm, Pham-Remmele ABSENT: Clear So the motion fails 10 - 9 (Council rules require 11 votes for anything to pass, regardless of who is there).

Finally, the motion to adopt. AYE: Rummel, Schumacher, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Bruer, Clausius, Gruber, Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Rhodes-Conway NO: Sanborn, Skidmore, Cnare, Compton, Monson, Palm and Pham-Remmele. ABSENT: Clear Motion passes 12 - 7.

At this point, it was 8:30 and there was a request for a break from the clerk, but we ignored her and pushed on. I found that very disrespectful to our employees.

PLEASANT VIEW RD
Wow, this one was a blast from the past! I had to dig deep to remember all the issues and still don't recall how I voted 5 years ago, pre-legistar. This involves the UW radio tower and falling ice, the Theis farm and where exactly a road in the Pioneer plan was suppose to go. Oh, and stimulus money for a project that we have already had planned. We budgeted $1.8M for this year and $4.3M for 2010 in our capital budget, but the rush was to get this done to get stimulus money to pay for it. We had to table this issue to work out an amendment that we voted on at the end of the meeting that approved part of the project and directed them to continue to work with the Theis' on the location of the road. We did take a 5 minute at recess to get this resolved.

PUBLIC NUISANCE ORDINANCE
Alder Sanborn brought up an excellent point about how the name of this ordinance is non-descriptive. The city attorney said it was a drafting error in their office and that they would change that when it comes back.

CAR DOORS AND BIKES
Here's where Thuy displayed a complete and utter lack of understanding of how laws are written and enforced and said that traffic safety isn't a priority for the police department. Alder Webber pointed out for her that the police were in favor of this law, that the Public Safety Review Board and the Pedestrian Bike and Motor Vehicle Commission both voted unanimously for it and that it was in fact, the law in several other states. During this debate, one of the Alders from the other side of the room was sitting behind me and couldn't resist pointing out that apparently Thuy has two different concepts of time - she can waste our time, but we can't do business and waste hers. During this debate, she was apparently suggesting that we were close to passing an ordinance limiting how long you can spend in the restroom. This caused one alder to leave the room laughing and several dash to get of camera. It was just all so absurd and surreal.

SNOW
Alder Schumacher started off by saying that he gets lots of angry calls from people thinking that he is the streets superintendent Al Schumacher. Which prompted the Mayor to ask if Alder Schumacher could imagine the calls Streets Superintendent gets from people thinking he was Alder Schumacher. That kind of stopped Alder Schumacher in his tracks.

Anyways, this ordinance was intended to stop people from plowing the snow from their parking lots and driveways across the street and onto the terraces in front of their neighbors houses. Alder Schumacher was concerned that people would get tickets for shoveling the snow in the street onto the overflowing piles that land in the streets. We were assured that would not happen.

The ordinance passed unanimously.

SIDEWALKS
The issue was properly referred to committees.

We finished up number 44. Alder Verveer introduced an amendment to the TIF agreement with Alexander Company for Capital West and then Alder Bruer introduced his competing amendment.

Then, a perfect ending to the evening, Alder Thuy - completely out of order - went back to item number 16 and asked to be added as a sponsor.

You had to be there to fully appreciate how crazy it all was and it made for some very interesting comments that didn't make the blog - yes, this is edited (for content), there was much, much more I could have added but refrained.
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Poverty in Madison - Part One

Guess what, we have poor people in Madison, and with the economy, that number is growing! That's what some on the Council learned last night.

I have pages and pages and pages of notes on what people said. Here's the highlights:

- Alders who attended: Verveer, Cnare, Konkel, Solomon, Verveer, Bruer, Rummel, Palm, Compton, Clausius, Schumacher, Clear
- Alders out of the room for 75% of the presentation: Bruer
- Alders who made it to the end of the presentations (8:00): Konkel, Verveer, Rummel, Palm, Compton, Clear
- Staff who were there that didn't speak: Tim Cooley, Lucia Nunez, Ariel Ford
- 10 members of the public showed up including: Soglin, Shiva Bidar-Sielaff,Maya Cole, former S. Madison Weed and Seed coordinator Leslie McAllister, staff from South Madison Planning Council, Nieghborhood President from Darbo-Worthington area and a few others.
- Mayor, no where in sight. Sent Ray Harmon and Joel Plant.

Pat Schramm
- Even tho our unemployment rate is still relatively low, the scale in numbers is large and bigger than she's ever seen it.
- The gap between Madison and our 6 county area is narrowing, i.e. our economies are more alike.
- Up until the recession, our major concern was the shrinking workforce, the people entering the market are 15% lower than the people leaving.
- 22,000 people in Madison do not speak English or very little, which means we need bilingual capabilities
- 45% of our elementary school population gets free or reduced lunch and this is the workforce in 8 years and while there is no correlation between poverty and success, there is a correlation between poverty and opportunity. We need to find ways to get these people technical skills.
- Companies need to work on thinking about "career pathways" to move people up to more skilled jobs.

Lynn Green
- Poverty affects everything in your life.
- Poverty is hard to document, but it is on the rise.
- The affect of the rise in poverty on services is that we serve what we can (capacity limit), but the problems are getting worse.
- In child protective services, the injuries are worse.
- There is increased stress in families with more mental health and substance abuse, including more hopitalizations for psychiatric hospitalizations ($2M deficit in last year's budget, waiting lists for programs are longer.
- Joining Forces for Families social workers are working on basic needs - food, shelter, clothing.
- When they are hiring for entry level jobs that need a high school degree, they are getting applicants that have master's degrees.
- For energy assistance, from October 2007 to 2008 they gave out $2.6M to 7.000 familes. From Oct 2008 - Dec 11, 2008 they went through $2M and served 2,000 families.
- The staff dealt with 206 families that had been disconnected this winter.
- The housing assistance program - once a year you can get $150 per person in your family if you can prove you are homeless - is completely overwhelmed with applications at the moment.
- They had seen a 32.5% increase in applications for medical asistance, food stamps and W-2 last year - they had 133 requests per day last year. In January, they experiences another 21% increase.

Andy Heidt
– Housing is the foundation and keeps the family together.
- If you can't pay your rent, let other bills slide, get bad credit and then can't get new housing.
– We haven't build one new unit of public housing in 40 years and the housing we have is aging and not keeping up with technology for people with disabilities.
- Truax and its proximity to MATC holds some exciting possibilities for partnering with the services available there and the education opportunities.
- Tax exemption issue threatens 1,000 affordable housing units in Madison when we can't afford to lose a single unit and instead we need more units with services.
- The affordable housing trust fund needs to be used here in Madison ("We don't need to build Bayview in Belleville, light rail will take a long time to get there!"
- Housing issues are hitting the middle class with the foreclosure issues.
- We should not charge such high interest rates on seniors who can't pay their property taxes.
- We should be innovative and purchase properties, land bank and look for collaborations with private sector, government and non-profits.

Noble Wray
- We have a tale of two cities - police spending most of time working with only one of them.
- Poverty doesn't create crime, but it creates a negative synergy.
- Our housing patterns are part of the negative synergy.
- We need a regional approach to poverty.
- We need to address the fact that people come from Milwaukee and Chicago if we're going to be honest about the problem. 30 to 40% of arrests have social security numbers that are traced back to Chicago.
- Probation and parole need to place people where their families are.
- When gas prices went up - there were an increase in drive offs at the gas pump.
- Domestic violence is expected to rise.
- Problems with properties that have been abandoned.

Dan Nerad
- The children are not our future, we are their as we make decisions about how our community develops.
- He wants to see schools and the city working together.
– A tale of two school districts
- Early childhood development is key - kids who have not been read to or haven't used crayons and scissors start out behind.
- He handed out charts with poverty and achievement gap data. It's pretty staggering, I'll try to find a way to post those charts.
- For every child that wants to come into the district during open enrollment, 2 or 3 want to leave
- 50% of kids qualify for free or reduced lunch.
– 798 homeless kids in last school year – this year they've already reached 2/3s of that number.
- We need 4 year old kindergarden to help kids start off right.

That was the end of the presentations.

Alder Rhodes-Conway asked what one thing we could do, beyond what Andy mentioned (solve the tax exemption problem, build affordable housing and use the affordable housing trust fund)

Noble Wray - Study the nubmers in neighborhood indicators and push to operationalize it.

Lynn Green - Employment and training and self-sufficiency. Says W-2 program doesn't do enough training. Likes that we pushed to hire residents at Allied Drive in our project out there.

Dan Nerad - We have children in nursing offices with health and dental needs and we need 4 year old kindergarden.

Pat Schram - Housing, housing, housing and more affordable ousing. Inability to have a place to live with undo all the good work everyone has done.

More to come tomorrow.
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The "Spring is Here!" Week Ahead

Well, it doesn't officially start til Friday, but it sure is nice weather out there!

Monday, March 16, 2009
5:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL - DISCUSSION ROOM 201 CCB
- The "Poverty Forum" that no one knew about . . . I'll be interested to see how this is explained, and who shows up with such short notice given to alders.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ROOM 201 CCB

Wednesday, March 18, 2009
4:30 PM URBAN DESIGN COMMISSION ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Meriter plan
- 600 E Johnson St. block - tearing down 11 houses and building 3 buildings

Thursday, March 19, 2009
12:00 PM HOUSING AFFORDABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING COMMITTEE ROOM LL-130 MMB

4:30 PM LANDLORD AND TENANT ISSUES SUBCOMMITTEE ROOM LL-130 MMB

5:00 PM LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMISSION ROOM 300 MMB
- Discussions on intercity bus (Badger Bus) service
- RTA.

Friday, March 20, 2009
8:00 AM INCLUSIONARY ZONING ADVISORY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Closer to wrapping it up!


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Rent Going UP - $1-1.5 Million!

What happens when over 1,000 affordable housing units that were previous tax exempt suddenly have to pay property taxes? Evictions, rent increases, affordable housing gets sold and returns to market rate housing, defaults on loans, maintenance lags, etc. And it could happen right here in Madison!

How'd we get here? Don't ask, its an ugly tale. I wasn't involved with much of it, but to hear those who were talk about it, its pretty bad.

The issues of the tax exemption has been on various housing agendas for some time. It's been labeled one of the top two city lobbying priorities, it was supposed to be fixed in the legislature, but recently letters went out from the assessors office as they start to determine if the organizations will remain tax exempt. The list I saw had only about 5% remaining tax exempt and the other 200 or so properties having to be taxed. And there doesn't appear to be a fix in sight.

No one knows how much the properties will be assessed at, and I haven't really heard a definitive answer on what methodology will be used to assess the properties. As the non-profits scramble to try to figure out what they are going to do, estimates are that they will need to raise rent at least $100 per unit per month to pay for the taxes. Problem is, they can't just raise the rent with leases in place and many of the units have maximum rents that can be charged based on their various funding sources.

So, what's the alternative? Yesterday people gave us examples of what they would do. Options included raising the rent $100 per month, stop putting money back into the buildings, give the keys back to the city and walk away, selling parts of projects to keep the rest going, stopping supporting other services and efforts, including some of our neighborhood centers, entire organizations just going out of business. In other words, this could single-handedly put affordable housing out of business in Madison. And hundreds of people back in institutions or out on the streets.

So, what are we going to do? Stay tuned!
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Poverty Forum on Monday!!

Yesterday, the alders were told about a poverty forum (for us?) that is going to take place on Monday. And, I was asked by city staff to find someone to talk about poverty and housing. A little rushed/late, wouldn't you say? Here's about all I know about it:

In response to the growing concerns over the impact that the downturn of the economy is having on a cross section of our community, Council Leadership and the Mayor are planning a Common Council forum on poverty issues and needs. This forum is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 201, CCB. A second forum dealing with economic issues has also been scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 201, CCB. These forums will focus on the adverse effects the meltdown in the financial and real estate markets are having on our local economy in terms of jobs, economic development and the future of the city's tax base.

Hopefully you will find these forums beneficial in gaining a better understanding of the unprecedented challenges that we are all facing. Unfortunately at a time when the needs haven’t been greater, resources available to combat poverty or strengthen our city’s economic climate are falling far short.

Therefore we must continue to move forward aggressively with bold, progressive solutions in partnership with others to offset this declining environment. These forums will not only provide Council members with a better insight into existing and emerging concerns, but also give members the opportunity to dialog with others to explore ideas for expanding upon city strategies that will favorably impact current conditions and the future of our city’s quality of life.

Recognizing the tremendous time demands placed on your busy schedules if you are unable to attend any information provided at the forums will be made available to you.

We welcome any ideas or suggestions for these forums, so please don’t hesitate to contact Lisa Veldran or myself.

Ald. Tim Bruer
Common Council President

I can't tell if this was intended to be a non-vite or if it was just excruciatingly painfully poor planning. I don't know if the public is supposed to speak or if we're just going to be talked at by a series of talking heads. My guess is the amount of planning that has gone into this is indicative of how serious they intend to take the issues raised. Seriously, 6 days notice to get 20 alders to a meeting that they haven't requested - How many alders do you think show up? It might be useful if they'll tell us how and where people can purchase those low-income bus passes starting on April 1st? Or how that IZ replacement/Housing Diversity plan is coming along? (They still need to appoint people to the committee - isn't their report due in a few months?)
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A New Johnson St. Business!

Old Town Cycles will open its doors on Monday, March 16 in the space formerly occupied by the Glitter Workshop at 920 East Johnson Street.

See here for more information. His business will sell refurbished bikes and do repairs for commuters. The website also includes pictures and even you-tube videos of constructing the cabinets and benches for the new store.
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Should your group join Community Shares of Wisconsin?

Thinking about new fundraising opportunities? Want to reach more people with your fundraising message? Want to be an option for payroll deduction donations in many worksites? This might be the way to do it!

The cover letter, criteria and initial application are here. The deadline for the initial application is just 3 weeks away on April 1st. Please forward this to organizations that you think should apply or may be interested in applying. Its a great opportunity!
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City Historic Planner Needed!

This job opening was just posted yesterday! If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know.

Job Title: PRESERVATION PLANNER
Agency: Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development
Link

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The City Needs You!

It becomes harder and harder to convince people that sitting on city committees is worth the time and effort. Don't dispair! We need you! Without you, and active citizens, imagine what could happen! Thanks again to Alder Rhodes-Conway for making the un-user frienly report we get from the Mayor's office into something usable! Here's the committees that have openings:

- Affirmative Action Commission
- Community Development Block Grant Commission (low income rep)
- Downtown Coordinating Committee
- Economic Development Commission (high tech/biotech rep)
- Commission on the Environment
- Equal Opportunities Commission
- Housing Committee
- Parking Council for People with Disabilities
- Sustainable Design and Environment Committee
- Vending Oversight Committee
- Transit and Parking Commission
- Community Action Coalition
- Disabled Parking Enforcement Assistance Council

More information on City Committees is here. If you're interested, you can fill out an application here. A list of vacancies is here.
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Stimulus: How to give input.

After I blogged yesterday, the boys decided to update us on what they were up to . . . here's the memo. But, as the mayor said, the process is still very much up in the air.

Memorandum
To: All Alders
From: Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Ald. Tim Bruer, Ald. Mark Clear
Date: 3/9/2009
Re: Stimulus Funding Process

President Obama and Congress have created a brave new world with the $790 billion American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Never in our lifetimes has there been an attempt to spend this much federal funding this fast. The fact that this is all occurring outside the normal federal, state and local budget processes makes issues surrounding process and public input all the more challenging. But let’s not forget that these are good problems to have. This memo describes what we know about the process at this point.

The swiftness with which the President wants this money to “hit the streets” will sometimes make it a challenge to get all the alder and public input that we would like. But we will do our best. Approval will be sought through the normal budget amendment process before grant funding is received or new funds are expended. Furthermore, some of the projects on the stimulus list aren’t new. Many have already been approved by the Council through the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan or other vehicles.

Here’s how alders and members of the public can get involved now, before many funding requests are made:

• The Comptroller’s office will provide regular updates to the document that lists all proposed funding requests and their status.
• An update on stimulus funding has been added as a recurring item on the agenda of the Board of Estimates.
• The Mayor’s office is working on a website that he hopes to have up and running early next week that will provide regular updates on stimulus issues and collect comments from the public.

Most of the stimulus funding the City will likely receive falls into one of three categories:

1. Funds we receive through a formula allocation. We know how much we’re getting and in many cases, already have priorities in place to spend our allocation. Transit Capital grants, Public Housing Capital grants and Byrne grants are primary examples.

2. Funds we receive through a formula allocation that will be passed through to other agencies and non-profits. So, we know how much money we’ll be getting, but we don’t yet know how the money will be spent. For example, we know our allocations for CDBG and Emergency Shelter Grants, but Bill Clingan will be developing an expedited process for non-profits to apply for grant funding.

3. Competitive grant programs that will require an application from the City to either the State or Federal government. In these cases, we don’t yet know how much funding we will get or how it will be spent. City agencies will be developing grant applications in the coming weeks. The best examples of this type of funding includes COPS grants, public health initiatives and grants or loans from the Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act. We will do our best to give an early alert to alders on grant programs, such as the COPS Program, that would require a future City funding commitment.

We would encourage alders to take the initiative to get involved and actively participate now by attending Board of Estimates meetings, frequently checking the stimulus website and conferring directly with the Mayor’s office, Council Leadership and agency heads.

I attended the Board of Estimates meeting yesterday to ask questions about the list, but I'm not sure that I learned anything of great importance. Many of the department heads didn't get the memo that this is where we're supposed to talk about this and went home. I'll keep you updated as I learn more. Here's a few tibdits:
- Some agencies are not included here and might be added, Parks and Streets were specifically added.
- The Water Utility included projects already planned, not new projects
- There were 4 projects that didn't make the list (Police using transportation money for new cars, Fire Station #13 which would need to be moth balled after building, "Safety Town" which the mayor said he didn't understand what it was so he couldn't explain and fire department representatives went home and finally money for the new downtown library.)
- We're spending an additional $150,000 on transfer point security cameras to upgrade them and make them wireless

But that's about it. Mostly we received information, but without basic, concise information about what funds are available and what they can be spent on, we don't really have much ability to give input. However, if you have ideas, please let me know!
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Poetry on the Bus

Check out this new contest:

The Madison Arts Commission Announces A Call for Poetry for

BUS LINES

High School Poetry Competition
Poems on Metro Transit busses

Fabu, Madison's Poet Laureate, and the Madison Arts Commission (MAC) announce Bus Lines, a high school poetry competition that will print selected poems on the placards right above the seats on Metro Transit busses.

Teachers, parents, and anyone who interacts with Madison high school students should encourage them to submit poems to Bus Lines. Students, who are enrolled in a Madison high school during the 2008/2009 school year, are invited to submit up to three (3) original, unpublished poems to Bus Lines. Poems of any subject affirming poetry and life will be reviewed. Poems can be submitted in any language, but must also include an English language translation. Each poem must be no longer than eight (8) lines. There is no entry fee. There will be no monetary prize awarded to students whose work is selected.

BUS LINES Applications and Guidelines are available on the MAC Website or by calling the Arts Program Administrator at kwolf@cityofmadison.com or (608) 261.9134. Entries accepted through the end of March.

Deadline is: March 31, 2009
Bus Lines, is a collaborative project involving: Fabu, Madison’s Poet Laureate; Madison Arts Commission; Metro Transit; Madison public Library; and the Wisconsin Book Festival.

Bus Lines is live on MAC's website. Links on our partner's websites are here (Metro, Library)

Other places where Bus Lines is mentioned:
thedailypage
twitter
& Portal Wisconsin

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How Will Madison Be Stimulated?

Are these your priorities for how the City spends its stimulus money? Here's a summary

POLICE - $0
- COPS Hiring Recovery Program - Competitive Grant - currently $0 designated
- Byrne JAG Grants - Federal Formula Grant - joint application with various Law
- Enforcement Agencies - currently $0 designated
- Byrne JAG Grants - Federal Competitive Grant - currently $0 designated
- Byrne JAG Grants - State Formula Grant - for Task Force - currently $0 designated
- Byrne JAG Grants - State Competitive Grant - currently $0 designated
- Internet Crimes Against Children - State Competitive Grant - currently $0 designated
- National Service Funds - Federal money - investigate possibility of utilizing Americorps worker as community liaison - currently $0 designated
- The Police Dept is interested in pursuing the acquisition of a few energy efficient non-patrol vehicles as a pilot program. - not sure if Fed or State funds - currently $0 designated
- The Police Dept is interested in working with the Fire Dept to utilize either Fire Station construction funding or the public safety portion of State Stabilization Funds to build a joint use Training Facility. Fed or State? - currently $0 designated

FIRE - $9,335,000
- Admin Building Windows - Office Recovery & reinvestment - $500,000 from Energy Efficiency &Conservation Block Grants
- Station Windows Office Recovery & reinvestment - $250,000 from Energy Efficiency &Conservation Block Grants
- ReBuild-Mod Station #2 Homeland Security $5,000,000 requires the city to match 20% FEMA money
- Repair concrete driveway at Station#3 Homeland Security - FEMA $25,000 20% match from the city
- Admin Building addition $3,500,000 FEMA Homeland Secruity requires 20% match from the city
- Community Fire Safety Evaluation $60,000 State Stabilization Funds (already approved by the Common Council)

LIBRARY - $0
- Sustainable building systems,weatherization for South Madison Branch Library - EECBG Competitive grant - $0 currently designated

HEALTH DEPARTMENT - $1,574,698
- Community & Translational Research - funding from HHS/CDC-DHS - 171,927
- Well Woman Expansion - funding from HHS/CDC-DHS - $272,105
- WIC Expansion - funding from Agriculture - USDA - $205,000
- Community Mapping Technician - funding from HHS/CDC-DHS competitive grant - $90,000
- Oral Health Initiative 0 funding from HHS/CDC-DHS - $154,936
- ID Community Outreach - funding from HHS/CDC-DHS - $125,252
- Enhanced Vaccination Programming from HHS/CDC-DHS DHS formula allocation - $202,369
- Adult Vaccine Purchase - funding from HHS/CDC-DHS - $353,109

MADISON METRO - $9,745,534
- 1/2 funding of 1 Hybrid Bus - Section 5309 FTA Grant formula grant - $243,232
- 17 1/2 funding of Hybrid Buses - Section 5307 FTA Grant formula grant - $8,807,302
- 4 Low Floor Paratransit Buses - Section 5307 FTA Grant formula grant - $480,000
- Upgrade Security Cameras @ Transfer points - Section 5307 FTA Grant formula grant - $150,000
- Acquire add'l Electronic display signs & license fee - Section 5307 FTA Grant formula grant - $65,000

HOUSING - $1,435,583
Capital Fund Program - formula grant federal/HUD - $1,435,583

WATER - $21,925,000
- Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) - DNR Drinking Water Fund competitive loand w/ grant component $11,000,000
- Utility Operations Center Upgrade - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $3,500,000
- System Wide SCADA Upgrade - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $1,000,000
- UW 25 Pump Station Upgrade - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $250,000
- Chamberlain - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $350,000
- Division and Helena - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $100,000
- East Washington - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $750,000
- Edgewood Ave - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $250,000
- Few/Spaight - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $350,000
- Fox/Keyes - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $550,000
- Maple/Ludington Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $400,000
- Marquette St - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $150,000
- Marston Ave - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $250,000
- N. Few St. - Pipe Replacement DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $250,000
- Nakoma Backyard Mains - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $450,000
- Oak and Hoard Street - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $200,000
- Pickford/Knickerbocker - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $250,000
- S. Mills Street - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $350,000
- Terry Place - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $175,000
University Avenue - Pipe Replacement - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component - $700,000
- Sprecher Road/Highway T/Reiner Rd - Pipe Extension - DNR Drinking Water Fund Competitive Loan w/ grant component

ENGINEERING - $27,320,000 to be matched by City with $2,215,000
- Cannonball Bike Trail, Phase 1 - WIDOT Enhancement Funds Competitive Grant - requires 20% match - $1,050,000
- Cannonball Bike Trail, Phase 3 - WIDOT Enhancement Funds Competitive Grant - requires 20% match - $2,450,000
- Aberg Avenue Pedestrian Bridge - WIDOT Enhancement Funds Competitive Grant - 10% match required - $2,900,000
- Installation of Proprietary Stormwater Treatment Catchbasins (16) in the Capital Neighborhood - WDNR Clean Water Funds Competitive 80% Loan, 20% Grant, 20% match - $800,000
-STH 113 (Packers Ave/Northport Dr - Competitive 10% match WIDOT - we've already budgeted $640,000 for it - $7,040,000
- CTH MS - University Ave (Segoe Road to University Bay Drive) - Competitive Federal - $5,600,000
- CTH D - Fish Hatchery Road (Beltline Highway to Wingra Drive) - Federal Competitive - $2,590,000
- CTH S (Mineral Point Road) and Pleasant View Road Intersection and Pleasant View Road from CTH S to 0.5 miles South - Federal Competitive - $2,930,000
- CTH M, Valley View and Pleasant View Intersection and Pleasant View Road from Valley View Road to 0.5 miles North - Federal, Project includes $1,488,000 of STP-Urban funding) Compeitive - $3,290,000
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects at City Facilities - GO Funding from savings from other Capital Projects - $360,000 (This doens't seem to be stimulus money)
- Safe Route to Schools Project:Cesar Chavez Elementary School WIDOT Enhancement Funds - matched by Stormwater Utility money? - $525,000

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - $2,151,188
- Eviction Prevention - Emergency Shelter Grants Direct to the City - $817,092
- Foreclosed Property - Neighborhood Stabilization Program Application to HUD - $0 currently designated
- Projects to be determined - Community Development Block Grant direct to the City - $534,096
- Weatherization/Energy Conservation/Employment Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Direct to the City - $800,000
- Young adult employment - Employment and Training -$0 currently designated

CITY TOTAL - $73,487,003 with a $2,215,000 from our funds

Despite promises - this is the first update that we are getting from the Mayor or Council leadership, it just came out late Friday afternoon. It's not clear that there is any room for input - but if you're interested, I guess you could try to testify at Board of Estimates tonight.
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The What-will-the-weather-be Week Ahead

Here you go . . .

Monday, March 9, 2009
12:00 PM LANDMARKS COMMISSION SPECIAL TOUR NOTED IN BODY OF AGENDA
- Touring the 11 houses formerly owned by Bill Kozak that could be torn down to make way for a new development on the 600 block of E Johnson.

1:30 PM CCOC SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW CITY HIRING PRACTICES AND POLICIES ROOM 417 CCB
- When and how or should, alders have input into the promotion process at the police department.

4:30 PM BOARD OF ESTIMATES ROOM 260 MMB
- RFP to hire marketing people and facilitators to help the E Washington corridor
- Downtown hotel study
- Stimulus update

5:30 PM PLAN COMMISSION ROOM 201 CCB
- Try again on the Northeast Neighborhood plan sustainability goals.
- The first project (Dan Heffron, Pheasant Ridge, LLC) to rezone just so they don't have to do inclusionary zoning.
- W Washington Erik Minton/Dentist Office project

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
5:00 PM TRANSIT AND PARKING COMMISSION ROOM 260 MMB
- Low Income Bus Fares
- Reduction of Bus Routes on the Isthmus (starting now in the fall, and only for #28 and #38)
- Public hearing (6:00) and discussion on parking rates.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
6:30 PM BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS WARNER PARK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER, 1625 NORTHPORT DR
- Northeast Neighborhood sustainability goals
- Property left in parks
- James Madison Park report

Thursday, March 12, 2009
1:00 PM PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING COMMITTEE ROOM LL-120 MMB
- Continued attempts to figure out why the city sought a "clarification" that will cost non-profits who provide affordable housing nearly $1M a year. And where will that money come from?

4:30 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THE VILLAGER, 2202 S PARK ST, ROOM 310
- All the usual Lakepoint, Villager, Allied, Truman Olson, Truax etc etc updates
- How the stimulus package will affect the CDA
- CDA and the IZ units - will they purchase them?
- Screening criteria for Allied Drive Apartments

5:00 PM EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION ROOM 201 CCB
- Changing the curfew for young people.
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Help Dane County Families Stay in their Homes!

It's time for the Tenant Resource Center's "Iron Chef" Cook-off event. It will be at the Brink Lounge from 5 - 7 on Friday, March 27th. Find out how you can help keep Dane County families in their homes.

So, its that time of year again! When we raise money to help area families stay in their homes. As you probably all already know, the economy is hitting families hard, especially low income families so the need for our Housing Crisis Fund is greater than ever. Because we received funding from the State, this year 100% of what we raise will go directly to a family in need. So, here's how you can help!

1. Sponsor the event $1000, $500, $250, $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can spare!!! Your name will go out on the invitation and the promotional materials for the event. I need to know the sponsors by Monday (March 9) at noon.

2. Sign up to be a chef. We usually have 8 chefs that pair up and battle with 4 different ingredients (one ingredient per pair). We have half the slots filled, including a re-match between County Board Chair Scott McDonell and Michael Basford (their ingredient is beer!), and returning chefs Michael Jacob and Heidi Konkel but if you're interested in preparing 3 or 4 dishes for 75 people for a good cause, let us know!! We can tell you more about the rules, but you cook at home and bring in the food.

3. Be a judge! If you'd like to be a judge, let me know, some food may have meat in it, but we have figured out ways to have vegetarian judges as well.

4. Mark your calendar, Come to the Event, Bring your friends! The event will be March 27th at The Brink Lounge (701 E Washington Ave.) from 5 - 7:00.

There are many ways to donate!
- You can donate on-line at Tenant Resource Center's website
- Or checks can be made out to: Housing Crisis Fund and sent to Tenant Resource Center, 1202 Williamson St. Suite A, Madison, WI 53703
- Or, you can call the office and donate by credit card at: 608-257-0143 (For housing counseling call 257-0006)
- Or, you can donate on facebook
- Or, donate through Community Shares of Wisconsin

With all those options, how can you not donate RIGHT NOW!! :) :)

So, let me know (brendakonkel@gmial.com or 257-0143) by Monday at noon if you want to sponsor or want to be a chef or judge!

And thank you so much on behalf of struggling families in Dane County!!

Brenda

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This Summer's State St. Projects

Wondering what further construction will be happening on State St. this summer? Here's the list! This list was recently provided staff:

1) Gilman Street from University to State is on schedule for construction this summer.
2) Gilman Street from University to State to Henry will be constructed in 2010.
3) Gorham Street from Broom to State will be constructed this summer (as part of the larger University Ave project).
4) Broom Street from Gorham to State will be constructed this summer (also as part of the larger University Ave project)
5) The fountain for Frances Plaza is being fabricated in the artist's studio and should be installed later this summer.
6) Peace Park - Parks is working on getting a contract to Ken Saiki to do final design - Work hopeful to begin this fall/winter.

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Don't Forget! Donate to WYOU!

This is YOUR television station! If we want to continue to have the ability to have a television station that the public can program, we need to support WYOU! Here's a recycled action alert:

WYOU, Madison's Citizen Access channel, currently is in the middle of a fund drive, featuring a lot of live, local, prime-time programming.

This week is a good time to see the diversity and originality of WYOU's programming.

WYOU presents more original, local programming each month than any of the local commercial television channels (probably more than all of those channels combined).

WYOU also provides training to the general public in filming, editing and studio production. We do outreach to youth groups and media support for area non-profits.

WYOU does this with a staff of 3 and a miniscule annual budget.

As you know, because of recent changes in the state cable franchise law, over 80% of WYOU's funding soon will disappear.

Please take a look for future reference and if you are so inclined, now is a good time to help.

Please consider donating by visiting the WYOU web site www.wyou.org
or by calling 258-9644

Please consider alerting your friends and contacts of the need to support WYOU.

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The "Alder Rummel's Birthday" Council Recap

The meeting started 12 minutes late, Alders Solomon and Kerr were not there, Alder Palm was late. And, it was hard not to notice it was Alder Rummel's birthday! (It was just cute - heh, cute - when during roll call the clerk was calling the roll you know the routine. Clerk says "Rhodes-Conway". Satya says "here". Clerk repeats "Rhodes-Conway here." and on and on and on. However in Rummel's case, the third part of the routine turned into "Happy Birthday Rummel, here") Ok, looks like I took my cues from the council, not getting to business . . . here's the wrap up . . .

#1 - We declared it "Tap Project Week for Unicef" March 22 - 28 to bring awareness to water issues.
#2 - We declared it "Girl Scout Week" March 8 - 14.

Then, the "consent agenda" passing all the items on the agenda (82 items plus the addendum) but we referred items 42 (snow ordinance), 69 (sustainability plan for Northeast Neighborhoods), 79 (Economic Development Work Plan) and withdrew reconsideration of 105 (a rushed through, no longer needed right now resolution on Tenney Park Shelter).

We separated items 18 (housing committee appointment), 38 (smoke detectors), 82 (Affirmative Action Plan) and 104 (putting a Madison School District representative on Plan Commission) for discussion.

Next we went to public hearings - there was no discussion on any of the items except #8 which were assessments for Gilman St. Becky Anderson and Art Luedtke showed up to say that they were opposed to adding lights on the street. Verveer explained the process, why they were important and that Board of Public Works heard that same testimony and still wanted to add the lights. Because the assessments were higher, the property owners will have 15 years to pay it back if they need it. It passed with only Monson voting "no".

#18 - Housing Committee Appointment
There's a whole lot of confusion out there about why the Housing Committee was not asked to work on the "Merger" issue or the "Diversity" issue - the two recently created housing committees. The theory was that the "Merger" committee is supposed to work on a regional housing work plan. So, why we're appointing someone from outside the city to the housing committee because we need to work on regional housing. It seemed that he was being appointed to the wrong committee. I asked for an explanation - the mayor insisted that he answer because "its my appointment" and he said that after the merger committee is done, then the Housing Committee will work on the plan. He also said it would help with diversity on the committee. When I asked what special skills this person had that would help him work on regional issues and why people who live in the city but work in other areas can fill the same need - then the Mayor punted to Ray Harmon - suddenly not knowing what this guy brought to the table. Because it requires 2/3 votes to appoint someone who lives outside the City of Madison to a city committee, we had to do roll call and they just got the 14 votes needed to appoint the person. Everyone voted for it except Rummel, Webber, Cnare and Konkel. (Solomon and Kerr were absent)

#38 - The smoke detector ordinance passed unanimously. The family of Peter Talen was there, as was Nancy Jensen from the Apartment Association speaking in support and Alder Verveer spoke eloquently, as usual. I simply can't do it justice to try to write about it. Suffice it to say - we now have the most progressive smoke detector ordinance in the country. By 2010 all homes will be required to have either hardwired or 10 year lithium battery smoke detectors that can't be disabled and you will need one in every room - inside and outside the doorway.

#82 - We passed our 2009 - 2013 Affirmative Action plan. I'm not very happy that the 6 areas identified as problem areas did not include the fact that women are under-represented (taking into account their availability in the market) in 5 out of 8 categories of jobs in the City of Madison and the action plans don't include systemic ways to reduce these numbers. We knew women were underrepresented in top management positions (Officials and Administrators), but I didn't realize that it carried through to Professionals, Technicians, Skilled Crafts and Service/Maintenance. For comparison, people of color were only underrepresented in 1 of the 8 categories. None of the problem areas specifically addressed gender, so I expect nothing to change for women in the City of Madison.

#104 - We added a Madison School District representative to the Plan Commission. I think this was the first time in 8 years that the Council actually talked on the council floor about how the City of Madison relates to the schools. Of concern is the fact that the city boundaries and the school district boundaries are not the same. And, as a result, much of the areas we are building in on the periphery are in the Sun Prairie, Middleton/Cross Plains, Verona, McFarland and even now DeForest school districts - so the question was - why Madison Schools and what about the others. There was a good discussion of some of the issues. I just brought it up because it just doesn't seem like we're doing enough to coordinate our efforts with the schools. Especially given that we just raised the bus fares - costing the schools more money. Most people agreed that putting someone from MMSD on the plan commission was something that we would "try". And that it was a "goodwill gesture". I just think we need more. Lots more.

I didn't note what time we got out of there, but it was a short meeting. Afterward, we went to the Great Dane to celebrate Marsha's birthday. Joining us were Don't Eat My Fries Judge, Clear, Verveer, Birthday Rummel, Webber, Bruer, Sweetie Schumacher and Clausius.
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Tonight's Council Meeting Items of Interest

I didn't get to this yesterday, I should have known I wouldn't!

Here's the agenda and the items likely to be of interest this evening (you'll have to get your own links):

#17 - Reinstatement of some of the people who were kicked off committees last week because they didn't fill out their Statement of Interest forms.
#18 - Housing Committee Appointment - appointing someone from outside the city to serve on our housing committee.
#37 - Putting Brian Benford's idea about term limits on file (rejecting it)
#38 - Adopting the smoke detector ordinance
#39 - Giving the Building Inspection Department additional authority to deal with abandoned property.
#40 - This year's "Bruno" ordinance
#42 - Snow ordinance - increasing fines for people who dump their snow on other people's terraces - leaving them no place to put their snow.
#69 - Northside neighborhood sustainability goals
#79 - Economic Development Work Plan for the year
#82 - Affirmative Action Plan for the next 5 years for the City of Madison
#104 - Adding a School Board member to the Plan Commission

Sorry I didn't get that up yesterday, just too busy. Despite the long list, it should be a relatively short meeting.
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City Row: The 600 Block of E. Johnson

The Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association held a neighborhood meeting last night to provide information to the neighborhood about the project and to get their feedback so that they could make a decision about their support of the project. Here's where I think we are at after the meeting.

THREE ISSUES TO DECIDE
I think there are three issues to resolve or make a decision about.

1. Do the positives of the project outweigh the mass and the scale of the project and what it might mean for the future of the neighborhood? Will this set a precedent and bring more similar large/massive, out of scale development further into the neighborhood?
2. Do the positives of the project outweigh the demolition of the homes? What does it mean for the historic district/homes to the North on Gorham and the neighborhood if we tear down 11 turn of the century homes on an intact block? Can we agree on the condition of the homes and if they should be torn down? (See the homes here - not all of the homes listed will be demolished, only those 604-630 East Johnson Street, 309-323 North Blair Street.)
3. How do we deal with the fact that this project doesn't comply with the neighborhood plan? Do we make an amendment or an exception? If we make an exception, what are the details of that exception?

As for what I heard from the people who came to the meeting. I learned that the "Elizabeth St contingent" definitely is in support of the project, Michael Matty and Stonehouse Development. I heard that those who live closer to the project have a substantial list of questions and concerns that can likely be addressed, with the notable exception of the mass and scale and change in character of the neighborhood. And I heard that there are mixed feelings about the demolition of the houses and that most people haven't been in the houses to know if they feel that they should be demolished or not. There is some concern/heartbreak about the demolitions even from some who support the project.

CONS & QUESTIONS
I have 8 pages of notes, but here's a summary of the concerns I heard about the project, and some of the unanswered questions I heard (in no particular order):

1. Traffic - Headlights shining on the neighbors upon entry/exit, how much additional noise will it create with speeding up and slowing down, will it create traffic issues on Johnson as people enter/exit, will people have trouble exiting the driveway, should there be an entrance on Blair, how much local traffic will be generated by driving around the block, will the traffic coming out of the project conflict with the bike path traffic, will they have a community car, will large buildings add to the "highway effect" on Johnson, etc
2. Trees - will the mature trees be saved?
3. Neighborhood plan - its not consistent and how will we fix it?
4. Shade/Light - can they change the roof line to make more light for the people living on the sides of the buildings? How can you do gardens with the shade likely caused by the large buildings?
5. Construction - how much will it disrupt the neighborhood?
6. Demolition of 11 homes.
7. Will kids really live here? Should there be some playground equipment for the kids? Will their parents let them try to cross the streets on both sides of them? Can they get to the park? school?
8. Will there be green roofs?
9. Mass/Scale - The depth of the buildings going into the back yards, large buildings not in scale with single homes in the neighborhood. How much is the height of these buildings out of context with the buildings around them?
10. What happens if the homes are demolished and the project doesn't go forward?
11. Lack of green space.
12. How will it impact the rentals that others own?

PROS
The things people clearly liked about the project were as follows:
1. Affordable/Workforce housing.
2. Kids for Lapham and the possiblity of bringing more families to the neighborhood within this project and hopefully around it.
3. Quality of Construction/Nice housing for the neighborhood.
4. Energy efficiency and green building.
5. Underground wiring around the project.
6. Potential to increase owner-occupancy as they potentially convert to condos.
7. Removes backyard parking.
8. More people to support the business district.
9. Renovation of the homes on E. Gorham.
10. Better than doing nothing. May help with the large buildings being built on campus taking the students out of the neighborhood and leading the landlords to loosen their screening criteria.
11. Excitement about some innovative things they might do (bike washing station, energy efficiency, gardens).

CLOSE CALL/NEXT STEPS
So, as you can see, its a bit of a close call. The neighborhood has been thoughtful and careful in weighing their options and it will be interesting to see what happens on Wednesday. There are clear concerns from several in the neighborhood and some of those concerns can be addressed, others, can only be addressed by a complete revision of the project. And ultimately, the question is, is there enough "good" here to outweigh the "concerns"?

The meeting lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, the next step is that the nieghborhood association will discuss this at their meeting tomorrow and maybe (?) vote on if they support the project and if so, with what conditions. And then try to figure out how to address the neighborhood plan issue. This project won't get to the plan commission til April 20th.
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The Adam Walsh "Endorsement" Saga

At this point, I feel inclined to write this after Paul Soglin, John Nichols and now the Badger Herald have chimed in . . . Here's what happened.

Saturday, Feb. 14 - I run into Krysta Walsh knocking on doors for Adam, she tells me that if Adam doesn't make it through the primary, she and Adam will be supporting me.

Sunday, Feb. 15 - I run into Adam knocking on doors, he tells me, that if he doesn't make it through the primary, he and his wife will be supporting me.

Tuesday, Feb 17 - Adam tells the Cap Times "I went into this saying I wasn't the anti-Brenda candidate, and I am in support of Ald. Konkel," he said.

Wednesday, Feb 18 - Email from Krysta Walsh (9:07 am):

As i'm sure you can guess, i'm very disappointed at the outcome, but as I said b/4 you can count on Adam and my support. ...

I had sent this email to Adam (7:59 am):

Adam -
I knew it was close, but wow! I really did think you'd make it, but the low voter turn out was a bit of a surprise. Thank you so much for running a good campaign and for your comment in the Cap Times. I know you said on Sunday that you'd endorse me and Krysta told me that on Saturday, but I wanted to double check that it is official. I'm so sorry to be asking you this so quickly - you've hardly had time to sleep since the election results were in, but people/press will be asking today. We might be doing a press release, would you be willing to give a quote? Again, so sorry to be bugging you so quickly and thanks again for running a clean campaign.
Brenda

Adam responds (9:03 am):

Brenda,
Absolutely. Do you want to chat about what the quote should say?
Yours,
Adam Walsh
P.S.- Yes, I was fairly disappointed by the low turnout in Wards 37 & 38.

I meet with Adam at Barriques on W. Wash. (Sidenote: Brian Shimming sitting at the next table, tells me wonderful story about how his mother voted for me because I actually called myself to remind her to vote instead of doing a robocall.) Adam tells me that he might run against me some day, so he wants to be careful in what he does and I totally respect that. He says that of the two candidates left, he supports me. He gives me a quote as follows making it clear that he is choosing between the the candidates that are left:

When choosing between the two candidates I believe Brenda has the better vision for the neighborhood, the independence and the experience necessary in these times.

and tells me to put his and his wife's names on my website. We write up a press release and run it by him.

[Note: At this point, he and Krysta are getting ready to leave for Jamaica to go to her grandfather's funeral, so we try to get this done before he leaves, knowing he will be off line for several days.]

Adam sends me this email (9:12 pm)

Brenda,

People are slow in getting back to me. I will honestly get back to you as soon as I can. However, it is looking like it might be a couple of days. (For the first few days in Jamaica, we are going where there is no internet.)

For now, however, you can place mine and my wife's name on your list of supporters.

Friday, Feb 27
I get this email from Adam

My various advisors have (finally) convinced me not to issue any sort of formal endorsement in the race. {Edited out nice words said about me, so he doesn't say more publicly about me than he wants to} But I am afraid the Cap Times statement supporting you and listing my wife and I on your website is the most I can give. Perhaps you will understand. Best of luck.

This is the final email I will be sending from this account before shutting it down.

Yours,
Adam

Monday, March 2 - I get this email from Adam:

Brenda,

Now John Nichols is reporting that I am endorsing you, which I said I, unfortunately, cannot do. By putting my name on your webpage my assumption was that meant simply I would be voting for you (which I am), and nothing more. Apparently that is not the case.

Sorry, but I guess you had better take my name off the list. My wife wishes to remain on it, however.

Yours,
Adam Walsh

End of story. I did what he told me to do, and didn't make a big deal out of this endorsement/support because he was very particular about what he wanted and he was clearly waffling a bit and struggling to figure out what to do. When Paul wrote what he wrote, I called him to explain the above, but he was looking for "written proof" of the support - I didn't forward the emails from Adam, as I was still waiting to hear from him officially. Nichols, surprised me and set this other thing in motion. The Badger Herald reports fairly accurately where we're at and I'm glad Adam takes responsibility for this miscommunication. Nichols has a follow up this morning (after I posted this blog, scroll down to the bottom.)

I don't really know what to say beyond this. Adam was clearly a little confused about a formal endorsement and being listed as an on my web site (on the endorsement page) and that's all perfectly reasonable for someone new to politics like he is. I find Adam earnest and likable, and I really like Krysta. I'm sorry Adam and Krysta are still having to deal with this as I am sure they would like to put this behind them. I was happy to see Adam at the neighborhood meeting on the 600 block of E Johnson last night and I hope that he and Krysta continue to stay involved in the neighborhood and I wish them the best.
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Tonight: Neighborhood Meeting on 600 Block E. Johnson

What will be the future of the 600 block of E Johnson St. and how will it impact future development of the Tenney Lapham Neighborhood area? You input needed, please attend!

Public Meeting on the 600 E. Johnson Housing Proposal
Mon, 2-Mar-2009, 7:00 pm

TLNA is sponsoring a public meeting at Lapham Auditorium to hear about
the revised proposal for 600 E.Johnson from Stone House Development
(Rich Arnesen) and Rennaisance Property Group (Michael Matty). City
Planning staff will also attend. Doors will open at 6:30.

See this proposal for further information.

More information at http://www.danenet.org/tlna/RPG.pdf .

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The Week Ahead

A light week ahead except for the boatload of meetings on Wednesday, too bad we can't collectively plan this better or get some leadership from the Mayor's office to manage these meetings a little better . . . and, as always, who knows what will show up on the weekly schedule later today or tomorrow . . .

Monday, March 2, 2009
4:30 PM LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE (PARKS) ROOM 104 CCB
It's hard to know what is of interest without the attachments or further information, but these two things caught my eye.
- Dog Parks (sorry, no links)
- Olbrich Master Plan (sorry, no links)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
6:30 PM COMMON COUNCIL ROOM 201 CCB
- Will fill in the blanks later this morning . . . sorry, in a hurry for an early morning meeting.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009
12:00 PM PERSONNEL BOARD ROOM 525 CCB
- New Personnel Rules!!! That only took nearly 40 years.

4:30 PM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ROOM 108 CCB
- Stormwater Ordinance

4:30 PM URBAN DESIGN COMMISSION ROOM LL-110 MMB
- Meriter Campus Master Plan

5:00 PM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ROOM 313 MMB
- Report on Economic Impacts of Early Childhood Care and Education
- Downtown Hotel Study
- Discussion of possible small business assistance (no link, have to show up to hear about it)

5:00 PM HOUSING COMMITTEE ROOM 260 MMB
- A discussion on house the neighborhood indicators project can help with housing data (list of items to possibly be discussed is on the agenda)
- How the city screwed up the property tax exemptions for non-profit housing providers.

Thursday, March 5, 2009
5:00 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION MEADOWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, 5734 RAYMOND RD, CONFERENCE ROOM
- Public Comments on the new 5 year plan. This is where the direction is set!!

Enjoy the week!
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