Monday Morning Round Up

Lots to comment on . . . not just the Edgewater . . .

MADISON SCHOOLS GET VISIT FROM POCAN AND MILLER
Last Monday they stopped by for a chat with the school board. Here's a report on their meeting. It's the only one I could find and I had been curious how it went as I had gotten an email about it. At the end of the post he includes this suggestion that I thought I'd share for those who care about school funding:

It isn’t easy to move elected officials from words to action. One thing that helps is a show of public support. You can do this in two ways (do both): First go to the Penny for Kids website and sign the petition; second, send Mark Pocan a quick email saying you support Penny for Kids and he should too. You don’t even have to explain why — he gets it.

OH . . . THE IRONY . . .
Apparently, this played right before the Joint Urban Design Commission and Landmarks Commission meeting. You know, the "handful of unelected people" that should be ignored because the Council knows better . . .

I don't know who took the time to do that, but I appreciate it. I had gotten a clip of it from a neighborhood person but the video wasn't working, only the sound. Their description with the video is as follows:

Madison, Wi Mayor Dave Cieslewicz bashed members of his Landmarks Commission after they ruled in a way he didn't like. He called them a "handful of unelected people on one committee" and described the process as "fundamentally undemocratic" even though he appointed them. In this PSA, Mayor Dave asks residents to serve on city committees. He does not mention that he'll publicly bash your hard work . See here.

THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG
Dorothy Borchardt was quick to respond to news of the RTA appointments on Friday:

I bet the Mayor won't think their decisions are "undemocratic."

The WSJ reported that the Mayor thinks "unelected people on a committee shouldn't be able to block important development it should be decided by the elected representatives of the people." TCT reported the Mayor thinks it is "undemocratic for unelected people" to make decisions."

If the Mayor feels unelected people shouldn't be making big decisions ...why did he support appointing an RTA Board before the referendum on an additional sales tax, to cover commuter rail, goes to the voters? Why didn't he let the voters decide? Or, does it only apply to decisions made by the unelected individuals that the Mayor agrees with? If that is the case ...look for trolleys to be added to the trains before Metro is expanded to meet the needs of the community.

HARSH WORDS FOR DAVE FROM FORMER CITY STAFF
Jay Rath continues his excellent coverage of the Edgewater issue. What surprised me tho, was this comment:

Kitty Rankin, for three decades the city’s preservation planner, is alarmed by such talk. "The mayor is in the development community’s lap by repeating a phrase that the Landmarks Commission process is flawed," she says. "I have yet to see that it is indeed flawed."

Ouch. Even more interesting is what Bob Dunn says:

"No, no," says Hammes president Bob Dunn. The company promised from the start that its project would not set a precedent for the neighborhood. Now, however, it could set a precedent for the entire city. Dunn has plenty of problems with the ordinance, and he’d welcome change, but that "in no way was the intention of this project."

Intention or not, that is the impact. Read the article, its good. I hear there is another one coming today.

STATE JOURNAL BACKFIRE?
Several folks have mentioned they'd like to thank the State Journal for urging people to contact their alders in support . . . they promptly contacted their alders in opposition. Alders have heard that as well from people who called.

SCREW THE LAW AND PUBLIC PROCESS
In the State Journal editorial on the Edgewater, they list 7 alders, who haven't been engaged to the extent of Rummel and Verveer, who have made up their minds that they are voting in support of the Edgewater. I find it interesting, because to date, there has been no testimony or evidence provided that there is a hardship for the owner (not Hammes). Just a reminder, this is what the council must find first, then also find that that the meet the criteria for a certificate of appropriateness or variance (more here):

after balancing the interest of the public in preserving the subject property and the interest of the owner in using it for his or her own purposes, the Council finds that, owing to special conditions pertaining to the specific piece of property, failure to grant the Certificate of Appropriateness will preclude any and all reasonable use of the property and/or will cause serious hardship for the owner, provided that any self-created hardship shall not be a basis for reversal or modification of the Landmark Commission’s decision.

SURVEY SUCKS
I didn't want to choose any of the option in the Channel 3 poll on the Edgewater, they too, are ignoring the law and just wanting people to vote on if they like the Edgewater project or not. The survey is really lopsided, but you can just keep voting, so its easy to manipulate. From the alders I've been talking to, their districts are either against or running about 50/50. No surprises that the downtown districts lean more against. As Alder Rummel put it, her constituents who live in historic districts don't understand why they have to follow the law when replacing a porch railing, but a huge developer with lots of money gets to just ignore the laws.

ZWEIFEL JOINS IN
No, not in criticizing Mayor Dave . . . but, I was pleasantly surprised to see Zweifel write this piece in support of state legislation that would, among other things, restore funding for WYOU. Thanks Dave!

WHY IS OLINGER LEAVING?
Most people know, I'm not a big fan of Olinger. Many I know and respect are. So, I'm torn by the news of his departure personally. Politcally, I'm very nervous. While no one is talking much, Bruer pretty much said it all:

City Council President Tim Bruer said Cieslewicz is exercising his authority to shape the city's administration, and that the mayor wants someone more in line with his vision and beliefs and desired management skills. Olinger has done nothing inappropriate, Bruer said

"The mayor is looking at changing demands and challenges facing the city and felt he needs to bring in a different manager," Bruer said, adding that he supports the mayor's decision.

Do we really want someone in line with his visions and beliefs?

STILL TIME TO GET YOUR SHOT
Public health is still hosting clinics for people to get their H1N1 flu shots. Here's who's eligible:
• Pregnant women
• Persons who live with or care for infants less than 6 months of age
• Children and young adults 6 months through 24 years
• People 25 through 64 years with underlying health conditions. For a listing of underlying health conditions
http://www.publichealthmdc.com/disease/swineflu/K12/UnderlyingConditions.cfm
More details here.

NEED TO HEAR FROM ARTS COMMUNITIES

Dear Madison Arts Community;

The City of Madison has been updating zoning codes to make them more user friendly, align with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and neighborhood plans, reflect newer growth and work patterns, encourage biking and transit use, facilitate mixed-use sustainable development, and achieve quality in-fill development. Roughly two months ago, a new draft zoning code was introduced to Madison’s Common Council. Last month, that draft zoning code was referred to the Madison Arts Commission for their review and recommendations.

On Tuesday, December 8, at their 5:00pm meeting in room LL 110 of the Madison Municipal Building the Madison Arts Commission will discuss Madison’s proposed new zoning code language and how it may affect area artists.

There have been many opportunities for public input during the process of developing the new zoning code. However, members of MAC feel that, because zoning codes affect so many artists in our community, extra efforts should be made to inform artists of when and where the Madison Arts Commission discussion of this item is taking place and to invite participation. The commissioners welcome citizen input as they formulate their thoughts and their recommendations to council.

At a previous MAC meeting, City staff briefed MAC on the rewrite and identified the areas of the new code that had the greatest potential to impact artists. Therefore, commissioners are paying particular attention to areas of the code that relate to live/work space and use of accessory dwellings for artistic production.

The proposed code can be found on the City’s Zoning rewrite website:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/neighborhoods/zoningRewrite/

If you cannot attend Tuesday night’s MAC meeting, please feel free to email your comments prior to or at their meeting and they will be shared with the commissioners (note: any written comments become a part of the permanent public record). There is also a “your thoughts” link on the zoning rewrite website that welcomes citizen input.

Sincerely,
Karin Wolf
Staff to the Madison Arts Commission

CANCELLED CITY MEETINGS
With snow coming, this is good timing. Looks like you can now sign up for an email list or rss feed to alert you to cancelled meetings. Much appreciated!
* RSS Feed: Cancelled Weekly Meetings RSS
* Email List: Cancelled Weekly Meetings (under City Hall), can subscribe at : https://my.cityofmadison.com/)

COUNTY ELECTIONS
It's widely rumored and I keep getting asked, but no, I am not running for County Board Supervisor. I like my supervisor Barbara Vedder just fine, thank you.
Read more!

Friday Round Up . . .

Ex-alder gives advice to colleagues, Olinger leaving the city, kudos to public health, Kailin service, Brews for WYOU, Homeless Memorial Day, composting, and more, more, more Edgewater . . .

ANOTHER EX-ALDER WEIGHS IN ON THE EDGEWATER . . . PROCESS
Former Alder urges colleagues to do the right thing, not the politically expedient thing. Good letter.

CLARENCE KAILIN MEMORIAL RE-PLAY

Clarence Kailin Memorial will play in its entirety ( 03:00Hrs) starting @ 3pm Saturday Dec.5 - WYOU ch 991 or WYOU ch 95 or wyou.org
Thanks to Judith leurquin and Russ Attoe for letting their program "third world view" be preempted
Peace
Luciano

OLINGER - OUTTA HERE!

From: Olinger, Mark
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 6:02 PM
To: ALL ALDERS
Cc: Mayor; Veldran, Lisa; 'Gregg Shimanski'; Harmon, Ray; Strauch-Nelson, Rachel
Subject: Information

Dear Alders:

I wanted to let you all know that effective January 5, 2010, I will no longer be under contract as the Director of the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development.

The Mayor has asked me to continue to serve as Director on a provisional basis subsequent to that date to help finish a number of projects that are in critical phases of implementation or financing. I have accepted the Mayor’s offer in order to make sure that these projects get across the finish line.

It has been a pleasure working with you as Director.

Thank you.

KUDOS
I happen to be one of the "lucky" people who have an "underlying condition" (Type 1/Insulin Dependent Diabetes) so I was able to get a H1N1 flu shot the other day. It reminded me how great our Public Health Department is. So, kudos! And thank you!

WHAT MY NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING ABOUT EDGEWATER (FROM LISTSERVES)
Why not East Washington.

I know most are getting sick about the Edgewater discussion. Everyone on this list is well aware of the condition of the commerce on East Washington -- or lack thereof. We have a newly abandoned Madison Dairy, a vacant Mautz paint factory, an almost vacant Marquip factory, Don Miller is almost completely gone, and we have a huge abandoned Union Corners development. Some influential people in this city are bending over backwards to give $16 million to a luxury hotel that will charge $300/night that none of us will ever stay in. No serious amount of long term jobs. The developer refuses to build to the standards of which the property sits, so let's wake up and kill this project now while we have a chance, and divert this money to a stimulus package to invite real jobs to town. Let's invite proposals for all these decaying properties and long lost jobs so that we can once again be proud to bring visitors up East Washington Avenue. I would bet the mayor never brings guests up East Washington -- and it is a shame that the gateway to our city is falling apart.

This is a shameful hour for our city.

Need a new leader.

I think it is time for a future mayoral candidate to step up and address the infantile, temper tantrum histrionics of our present mayor. I hope there is someone out there to step forward and challenge his ability to lead.

E-mail your alders

Please e-mail allalders@madison.com. This entire project is fraught with deception and inaccuracies too numerous to mention. For me, what really is at stake now is the democratic process – including the citizen committees which are a time-honored tradition in Madison. These largely consist of experts in their particular fields who give their knowledge, experience and time freely.

To see so many ordinances violated, as well as the process itself, puts our city at great risk.

Once again, please e-mail allalders@madison.com and let them know that they are accountable to all of us to uphold the ordinances as written, not to bend to the will of a capricious despot.

No TIF

There seems to be an assumption on the part of a lot of people that TIF is free. But the city issues bonds. Issuing bonds affects the city's credit rating. Issue too many and the credit rating goes down and the cost of issuing the bonds go up. Or, another way to look at it, issuing 16 million in TIF bonds for the Edgewater project reduces the amount of money available for other projects, or raises the cost of all city borrowing.

Second xxxxx mentions that TIF is an investment. Again there seems to be an assumption on the part of a lot of people that TIF districts always repay the investment. That assumption is based on the notion that the TIF district gets better as a result of the project, all property values raise, and over time more money comes back to the city. It very questionable whether the Edgewater project will ever pay back the TIF expense. What additional development is theproject going to cause? There is no vacant land in the area to speak of. There are no empty buildings to redevelop. It's a residential area. Is having a large hotel as a neighbor going to inspire landlords to maintain their buildings better? Or maybe they'll let them deteriorate to make it easier to get their own TIF handout. It will probably actually lower the value of nearby residential buildings.

The Edgewater project doesn't meet the city's stated TIF goals and objectives. Giving the project TIF will simply make it harder to say no to all future mediocre-to-bad projects.

More on TIF for Edgewater

I have issues with giving TIF money for a for profit company, if a business has to ask government for money to do something, that is bad business. It is not as if they are approaching the city and saying, "we have all the money, but 2 mil for the development, can you help in any way?" That is a little easier to understand, especially if the 2 mil was to be spent in "green" technology. I can see supporting something like that.

The developer spent, I do not know how much money in ads, TV, radio and newsprint, to out shout any opposition. I can see why the developer did not want supporters at the last meeting. I would ask how much they were paid.

I cannot see how the city council and mayor can add to the tax burden of Madisonians when State workers are taking 3-4% or higher pay cuts, as well as Dane county workers (most may not live in Madison). I would have to ask, "how is your raise from work this year, and how about that bonus". I don't plan on either this year, but I have a job. Another round of state worker layoffs.

The city council and mayor have put us on the hook for a new library for 47 mil. I am sure in years to follow library workers will be hired and cut as the budget needs. Why build something bigger requiring more staff if you are going to have to cut them in later years. Sorry for the digression.

I think there is a money printing press in the basement of the city county building and the mayor has the keys.

PRESERVATION STAFF OUT
Not only don't we have a full time Preservation Planner because the Mayor refused to hire one, but now, the very capable and wonderful Acting Preservation Planner won't be at the council meeting either.

I will be out of the office until Monday, December14th. If you need immediate help, please call the Planning Division at 266-4635.

Thank you. -Rebecca Cnare

I'm sure her supervisors Bill Fruhling and Brad Murphy will do a great job filling in, but if we ever needed a Preservation Planner, Tuesday would be it. How convenient the Mayor didn't do that hire.

CAP TIMES TAKES A SWIPE AT MAYOR DAVE
This surprised me. I always kind of considered them as apologists for Mayor Dave . . .

HOMELESS MEMORIAL DAY
December 21st, 4:15. From Madison Urban Ministry.

On Monday, December 21st (the longest night) we will be co-sponsoring a memorial service/vigil as part of the National Homeless Persons Memorial Day. The event will begin at 4:15 in front of the downtown library as we gather in community and concern with the men waiting to line up for the men's shelter at Grace Episcopal Church. We will wait with the men until the shelter doors open at 5:00 p.m., at which time we will proceed to the Capital square, to the bench where Dwayne Warren's body was found this summer. At the bench we will offer prayers and meditations for those in our community who were homeless and died this past year, for those who have lost friends and family, and for a home for everyone. Please join us for this memorial service.

IF DOROTHY BORCHARDT CAN DO IT
Someone on the Northside discussion list asked if anyone needed compost materials. I don't know why this surprised me, but it did . . .

I wished I could help you but we have more then enough. Work with your board to have compost bins. Everyone that can should compost to help save our lakes.

We started composting over 10 years ago. Our lot has lots of trees and we don't have to rake leaves on the terrace, to blow into the streets and end up in our lakes. It takes a little longer to break down, due to the shade, but it works and I never have to buy potting soil.

Hope someone takes you up on your offer. db

BREWS FOR WYOU
You, brew & WYOU

Beers and TV are natural companions, so it should be easy to come out and support WYOU Community Television at its first "Brews for WYOU" event on Saturday, December 5th at 8 p.m. at the Nottingham Coop at 146 Langdon St. Donated beer from Furthermore Brewing in Spring Green and Blucreek Brewing in Madison will be on hand, plus live local music - DJ Polarbear, hip-hop group The Crest, grunge rockers Axiom and the indie group The Sesters - will entertain revelers at this fundraiser for the city's public access TV station. Bob from "Cooking with Bob" will grill live on the ourdoor patio. Admission ranges from $8-$10 and includes complimentary beer.

Can't make it? Donate here.
Read more!

MedDrop this Saturday

Instead of throwing your medicines in the garbage where they leach into the water supply or flushing them down the toilet, dispose of them properly through med drop this weekend.

MedDrop
Unwanted, unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can be found in every household in the county. We know that it’s not safe to keep unneeded medicines in the house – children and others can accidentally take them.

But you’ve also heard that you shouldn’t flush medicines down the toilet or put them in the trash. We now know that these medicines are bad for our environment – our water, our lakes and the animals in them.

So... how should you get rid of your medicines?

Bring your unneeded medicine to MedDrop. This free service is available to all Wisconsin residents.

When
The next MedDrop has been scheduled for Sat., June 6, 2009 from 9a.m. - 1p.m. Mark your calendars!

Where
MedDrop will be held in two locations:

City of Madison Transfer Station
121 E. Olin Avenue

and

Middleton High School Parking Lot
2100 Bristol St.

This drive-through, drop-off service is available free to
all households.

Bring in all prescription and over the counter medicines
and they will be taken for proper disposal.


Event Sponsor
Madison Patient Safety Collaborative.

More info here. Read more!

County Board Recap - Basics

Yup - that's not a typo, I know I make lots of typos, but its really the County Board recap. 7 Swine Flu Cases and Update, County Exec talks to County Board about $5 - 6M budget gap, will county have to pay $19.5M for Family Care, Sheriff Mahoney and Checking Immigration Status and buying property in honor of Lyman Anderson. We'll see how this goes . . . comments about differences of interest that I observed between the Council and County Board are sprinkled throughout for those of you who are less familiar with the County Board. [Agenda on-line here, its one big document, without the ability to link to individual items on the agenda but all the attachments are there if you want to see specifics.]

Meeting called to order by County Board Chair Scott McDonell at 7:00 or a minute or two later. [Much better job of starting on time than the City Council.]

A. ROLL CALL: Hesselbein and Martz were notified absences on the agenda. Willet, Vogel and Jensen also excused. 3 others also absent but unexcused - Solberg, Erickson, Schlicht and others in and out of the meeting. Erickson showed up later, Schmidt and Solberg went home early at some point. [This seems kind of confusing with a bigger body. The politics of getting the votes you need much be so much harder for the county board because their items pass with a majority of the people there present voting in favor. With 8 or 9 absences, it seems that you have to count and re-count as people come and go from the meeting. On the council, you just need to count to 11 and keep those people in the room to get your votes.]

1. Prayer/Inspirational Message - Schmidt
- 1914 Mother's Day established as a holiday. Asked people to remember mothers who made a difference in their life. She dedicated her comments to her mother who died in a car accident two years ago. [The County Board is much more formal, they stand when they speak and they have quite a bit of pomp and circumstance. They seem a bit more old fashioned in their approach to things.]

2. Pledge of Allegiance led by Schmidt [See commend above. They also seem a little more patriotic with their little flags on their desks and the pledge. It gives the impression that they take their role as a governing body a little more seriously.]

Chair McDonell welcomes Supervisors Stubbs back. She has been out for an extended period of time after a car accident and back injuries. [Many of you know this, but the County Executive is not a member of the body as the Mayor is at the City. She does not chair the meeting and often is not even present. The county board elects their chair who actually makes appointments, chairs the meetings, truly sets the agendas and plays a much larger leadership role. On the council, the Council President is much more window dressing with much less actual power to get things done.]

B. SPECIAL MATTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Res. 1, 09-10 - Celebrating Marueen Arcand's 80th Birthday
McDonell says it will be postponed again until she can be present. There is no objection.

2. Res 15, 09-10 - Recognizing Luis Bixler, 2009 Wisconsin Telecommunicator of the Year
Bayrd and Rusk present the resolution - read by Bayrd. Motion to approve and second by Bayrd and Rusk. He speaks and thanks family for support and understanding for when he has to do extra shifts. He also thanks his fellow workers and says he really shares the award with his co-workers. [Here the members of the body actually honor people in the community, on the Council, only the Mayor does that.]

3. Res 16, 09-10 - Recognizing Broom Street Theatre on its 40th Anniversary
Hendrick reads it the resolution. Approval moved by Hendrick, seconded by Richmond. Artistic Director says a few words. His is honored to be part of cultural landscape of Dane County. He talks about the many actors who have performed at Broom St. He also says that they hope to be around for 40 more years.

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
NEW 4 - Dr. Thomas Schlenker, Director, Public Health Madison & Dane county - H1N1 Flu Update [This wasn't on the on-line version of the agenda, but instead on the desk of the supervisors and I got a copy as "the media". The media are treated well at the county board. Copies of the agenda are given to them and the staff make sure that they get copies of many things that are handed out. At the Common Council, they are largely formally ignored and its up to elected officials to advocate with them more informally. At least one supervisor seemed annoyed to see me sitting in the media row and told me I belonged sitting elsewhere, but many others were pleased that they would be getting some more attention.]

Dr. Schlenker says that two weeks ago the medical community began to be aware that something unusual was happening in Mexico. He says flu in the in spring is surprising. He also said that this was a swine flu type - the same kind of flu virus that killed people in 1918 and 1919. He said at first there was a great deal of conflicting information from Mexico - with many deaths and hospitalizations. He's happy to say that they know alot more about the virus and illness now. Good news is that it is not as severe as initially thought. Does not appear to be any more severe than normal flu, but it is spreading rapidly around world and in WI. There are now 7 confirmed cases in Dane County and they are pretty spread throughout the city. They are in east, west and south Madison as well as Sun Prairie. He expects many more tomorrow and that it will spread widely in Dane County and will continue for the next week or two. He expects alot of people to become ill and that means coughing, fever, body aches and typical flu symptoms for a few days and then they bounce back and be as good as new. He doesn't think it will be worse than the normal flu. He says the 7 cases are all children from 5 schools and day cares. He says not to expect schools to close, but rather people who are ill will be asked to stay home and stay isolated in homes for 7 days for the period they would be contagious. Most people don't need any treatment except rest, liquids and tylenol or motrin. Those who are at higher risk for which tamaful is recommended are if they have underlying conditions, particularly chronic lung problems, or if they are 65+ or 5 years old or younger. He says if those at higher risk are ill or exposed they should take the medication. Its a prescription available through doctor and no shortage of it. If they have no physician or insurance they should contact public health.

Hulsey asks about preventative measures? Schlenker says if you are sick, stay home. He recommends covering coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based liquid. He suggests that people keep hand sanitizers at their desk or in their purse or pocket. Hulsey makes a crack about how you should just listen to your mother and Schlenker agrees, especially with mother's day coming up.

Hulsey asks about the reported deaths and how big of a threat this really is. Schlenker says influenza recreates itself in a in new strain every year or two and it is a significant health problem because millions get it every year and about 30,000 die because so widespread. But he adds 99% are just sick for a few days and get better. People who die are at risk people because of underlying conditions or old or young.

Schmidt commends Dr. Schlenker and staff because of the long days they have worked, but also thanks him for the daily updates. She says the rational and accurate information was helpful and she said that the lack of information is what makes people worry. Schlenker says they did debate if that was appropriate to give daily updates and no one said they didn't want the information but many were grateful.

McDonell asks what to expect in the fall? Schlenker says that it is possible to come back in fall and be much worse. He explains that is the nature of influenza because the strains mutate. This one is very transmissible. He says it can become more lethal and it only takes one or two mutations to make that happen. He notes the virus likes cold and dry and we are lucky because of all the information now, more people will get vaccinated in the fall.

NEW 5 - County Executive Kathleen Falk - Report on County's Financial Situation [pursuant to Dane County Ordinances s. 29.52 (20)]

County Executive Kathleen Falk speaks about the current financial situation for the County. She hands out a three page written statement the is essentially what she tells the County Board. Here's a quick summary of the highlights:
- County has same problems as national and world economy and that has altered the state's fiscal situation and its taking a toll on County budget.
- The county needs to take steps now to address the situation.
- 2 weeks ago the County Controller [not Comptroller] found that they are projecting $2M less in sales tax revenue, $2M less in investment income and $1M less in recording fees and construction related permits.
- Depressed home sales and construction market, decrease in consumer confidence and spending, delays in large-scale, private sector development have led to these losses.
- Other factors are adding to the loss of revenues such as relatively high and increasing unemployment and stock market and pension losses which have slowed county retirements which means that they have had to have hiring delays and freezes and so they are not getting the projected savings they rely on in the budget.
- They are looking at a $5 - 6 million shortfall in their budget. [I've heard it is likely to be even more!]
- Some departments are further challenged such as some decisions about mental health and disability services which are making it difficult for Human Services to meet their budget.
- Overtime in the Sheriff's Department has improved but there is more work to do.
- Higher utility costs are larger than expected.
- They are taking steps to address problems such as they negotiated contracts to lock in fuel cost savings when fuel costs were low. They will get money from MG&E for their methane-generated electricity if the request is approved by the Public Service Commission. They are selling houses and buildings that they have acquired with land purchases. However, this only will bring in $1M.
- She says they need to take action on two other fronts cut operating costs and personnel costs.
- She has met with department heads and they have frozen all employment, conference, training and travel expenses. Only Certified Nursing Attendants and Registered Nurses at Badger prairie and 911 communicators supervisors are exempt from the the freeze. Appeals will be available for essential hiring and training for licenses and certificates.
- Department heads have been instructed to review all spending and pay special attention to LTEs and projects, initiatives or operations that they have not started.
- They are reviewing grant programs like B.U.I.L.D. and Cultural Affairs.
- Some departments, like Human Services, directors will have to look for modest but widespread cuts to stay on budget.
- Regarding personnel, the major driver of county spending, she is asking all county employees (elected officials, department heads, managers and non-represented and represented workers) to make reasonable and fair sacrifices.
- She says she has been talking to the nine unions.
- She says they need to save $3M in personnel costs.
- There could be 80 - 110 layoffs.
- Could delay contracted cost of living adjustments (COLA) or reduce salaries and wages.
- She believe furloughs could have the best results with least disruptions. She says that if they close 5 days they could save $2M. She suggests closing most government functions on Fridays or portions of Fridays during the summer or before long holidays.
- She notes some functions like law enforcement, 911, Badger Prairie Nursing home cannot stop, but people who work on those days would be expected to take another unpaid day.
- She says these ideas are illustrative and must be negotiated with the unions.
- Expects elected officials and contract managers to make the same sacrifices that employees take on.
- She will not take the 1% increase authorized by the County Board [at the city, elected officials cannot turn back in their pay.] and she will participate in any furlough or cost-cutting measures county employees have to endure.
- For next year's budget, they need to look to the stimulus money to help solve the problems, however stimulus funds cannot supplant budgeted funds.
- Need to rescrutinize capital expenses and projects to see what can be reduced or delayed. She notes this will not help this year's budget, but will aid with next year's debt service.
- She also expects more bad news to come.
- She thinks that they will have $1M in state aids starting July 1 (State's fiscal year.)
- Notes that with yesterday's news from the Governor, it could get even worse.

She thanks Chair McDonell and Hulsey, who chairs their finance committee, for their efforts.

Hulsey asks her to outline the furlough concept as opposed to lay offs. She says furlough needs to have several essential elements. She says it needs to cause the least disruption, they will be unpaid days and hopefully several days over the course of the year. She notes Fridays before holidays will have the least impact on constituents. Other critical elements are that employees are treated fairly. She notes that you can't shut down the jail and those who have to work would need to take another day off so they share in the pain. She says that 5 days could save $2M in savings. She notes that this needs to be negotiated with the unions.

Hulsey notes that this years operating and capital budget will be reviewed on Monday at their finance committee. [I forget the official name, will have to look it up. Personnel and Finance?] He also said that he would have several items introduced tonight to address these issues. [Instead of verbally introducing items at the end of the meeting, they pass items around and supervisors sign on and review the items, so the members of the public don't really get to hear what those introduced items might be.]

was 4. now 6. Collection of Flower Fund
A quick items were some people noted that they owed money because they missed it last time they requested money.

was 5. now 7. Announcements
Downing - MHAAA (Mt. Horeb Arts Group) and Dane County Arts Commission sponsoring art spring arts tour June 12 - 14. He says there is a display here in Madison and reception tomorrow evening at Overture 5 - 8.
Miles - EconDevo Comm resolution will be introduced tonight that will place a priority of spending recovery dollars locally when possible.
Schmidt - She said others signs of spring include the backyard compost bin sale ($40) 9 - 4 at the Alliant Center Saturday and she encouraged people to attend their local farmers market, including Monona 9 to 4 and Fitchburg and others.
Stubbs - thanks chair for visiting her in the hospital and supervisors who made phone calls, cards and visits. She had no idea would be gone so long. Thanks her constituents for being patient. Says she will try to stay the whole night if she feels well. Thanks to staff for calls and to HHN committee for working in her absence.
Hendrick - Invite supervisors to ceremony 11 am on Saturday to honor Gerald Stall. Notes that they adopted a resolution thanking him and his family last year. Says it was 51 years ago this week that while returning a jet to Truax there were problems and he intentionally directed the plane into Lake Monona to save the Hudson Park Neighborhood.
Bruskewitz - Challenges golfers to challenger her in the Madison Area Rehab Center (MARC) golf classic June 16. Invites them to join her foursome to help people with developmental disabilities.
Salov - June is dairy month and invites supervisors to the farm breakfast on June 13th. Its a dairy farm and he notes that milk prices are low right now.

[Council makes their announcements at the end of the meeting. It's better because it doesn't waste the public's time who are here to speak on other matters. But, it also defeats the purpose of the announcements if no one hears them - except those who are watching on TV.]

All of that was done in 40 minutes. [They seem so much more efficient than the Common Council.]

C. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS
1. Claims recommended for Approval
Ferrell, Gau move and second. There is no discussion and they pass on a voice vote.

D. APPROVAL OF PROCEEDINGS - April 2 & 23, 2009
Matano, de Felice move approval. There is no discussion and they pass on a voice vote.

E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Res 286, 08-09 - Authorizing Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Madison and Dane County Creating the City-County Health Department (Adopt)
2. Res. 293, 08-09 - Approving Lease with Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (Adopt)
3. Res. 295, 08-09 - Authorizing Grant Applications to the WI Department of Natural Resources (Adopt)

Veldran abstains on 2. The three items pass on a voice vote.

[When something comes from committee at the County Board, no motion is made from the floor, the item before the body is the recommendation of the committee. I think that is a more formal following of Robert's Rules and perhaps a more appropriate way to do it.]

F. [No items, so it just skips to G on the Agenda, there is also no K or L.]

G. REPORTS ON ZONING PETITIONS
a. Map of Dane County
b. Summary of Grant as Modified Petitions
1. Petition 10029 - Town of Pleasant Springs - Janell Julseth (Grant as Modified)
2. Petition 10033 - Town of Windsor - William Schwartz (Grant as Modified)
3. Petition 10037 - Town of Deerfield - Dale Liebert (Grant)

No separations - passed on a voice vote that seemed unanimous.

H. ORDINANCES
1. Ord. Amdt. 24, 08-09 - Amending Chapter 82, Incorporating the Grandview-Fitchrona Neighborhood Plan into the Dane County Comprehensive Plan (Deny)

Motion is denial. No discussion. Passes unanimously.

2. Ord. Amdt. 39, 08-09 - Amending Chapters 2, 11, 12 and 14, Regarding Erosion Control Provisions (Adopt with Amendments)

Motion is adoption with amendments, basically following the ERNR recommendation. [I hope I have that committee right]

Hulsey says that Lakes and Watershed is meeting next week and they haven't talked about this yet and moves to postpone to next meeting, Matano second. Passes unanimously.

I. AWARD OF CONTRACTS
1. Res 258, 08-09 - Authorizing the Acquisition of Land from the Lyman Anderson Family (Adopt)

1 registrant, Bill White [At the County Board, speakers get 5 minutes to speak instead of 3]

Bill White - is speaking on behalf of Lyman Anderson Family. He introduces Pat and Lynette Anderson - family members of the late Lyman Anderson who served on the County Baord for 27 years. As years pass, less remember him but he was a fiscal conservative, loved nature, and legacies for generations to come. They have worked with county and they think they have a proposal that works in the interest of the County. It is a phased purchase over 3 years. This is the first year and the sales price is 60 cents for each dollar of value at time of his death. The family will also create an endowment fund of $1000 per acre sold which will be used for maintenance and planning. There should be no on-going appropriations for several years to come for the county. He notes that the quarry on site will be donated with no additional cost at end of useful life of quarry. He suggests it could be used as an education center for geology of the area and to remember how roads built. They also see community farms, both active and passive recreation usses of the land including playing fields and other other activities. The family will continue using the houses on site. If they decide to sell outside the family - they will give county 1st right of refusal to buy the buildings. He thinks it is a good public-private partnership. Knows its tough times, but doesn't think we should we stop looking ahead. He says they tried to spread out costs over period of years and minimize costs for the County.

Patricia and Lynette Anderson are registered in support as well.

QUESTIONS
Stoebig asks about the quarry and the reclamation plan? Bill says that the county will be responsible for reclamation plan that would need to be changed as the educational opportunity isn't allowed. He says they are working with the Park Division to change the reclamation plan.

Richmond asks how long they have been working on this and what adoption means tonight. Bill says they've been working on it for 2.5 years. Bill says the deal has evolved. Says he understands the political realism, would like it approved tonight, but its not war if its not. He would like to get it on another agenda as soon as possible. He says that the economic circumstances have already been taken into account and incorporated into the plan.

DISCUSSION
Hulsey - Thanks family, says walked the land and its beautiful, tried to put conserve back in conservative, but also asks what would Lyman do? Given current budget circumstances need to make sure it fits into total budget picture.

Hulsey moves to re-refer to finance committee on Monday night. Second by DeSchmidt. No discussion, passes on voice vote.

2. Res 284, 08-09 - Authorizing Employment Agreement for Director of Public Safety Communications Center (Adopt)

No discussion. Roll Call vote:
AYE: Schmidt, Solberg, Stubbs, Vedder, Veldran, Wheeler, Bayrd, deFelice, DeSmidt, Downing, Erickson, Hampton, Hendrick, Hulsey, Kostelic, Levin, Manning, Matano, Miles, O'Laughlin, Opitz, Richmond, Rusk, McDonell
NO: Wiganowski, Bruskewitz, Ferrell, Gau, Ripp, Salov, Schlicht
ABSENT: Vogel, Willet, Hesselbein, Jensen, Martz

[My understanding is that some of the conservatives, after all of this, felt like $120,000 was too much to being paying the new director. Wiggy has another excuse later about why he voted the way he did. If his excuse were true, he could have just made a motion to postpone.]

3. Res 296, 08-09 - Award of Contraact for Tenant Improvement 1st and 3rd Floor - CCB (Adopt Sub 1)

Hulsey out of room. Matano moves referral to Personnel and Finance, second by Hendrick. Hulsy back and says same reasons as with item 1 (Lyman Anderson Land).

Gau asks question for committee. Wants to make sure that the capital funds from 2010 are relieved with stimulus funds.

Hulsey outlines some possibilities such as with the clean water legacy fund where they might get state money. Also looking into energy conservation bonds. He says they are also looking for other solutions.

Veldran - Energy task force and looking to add something as a project - not sure what.

The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

At this point, it was a few minutes before 8:00.

J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Res 294, 08-09 - Approving Billboard Lease on County Land (Adopt)
Hendrick asked to be recorded as voting no.
No discussion, several audible "no"s, chair ruled it carries. [Seemed close to me, I'd have asked for a roll call, but I'm just like that. :) ]

2. Res 300, 08-09 - Urging Equitable Funding for Long Term Care (Adopt with Amendment)

See separate post (Sorry, I can't blog at work, too much other stuff to do, it will have to wait til after work or later this weekend. I had hoped to get it done, but I failed!).

At this point is was 8:40. Items 3 & 4 in this section were taken up together. See separate post (hopefully this morning yet) on this item.

3. RE 13, 09-10 - Updating Dane County Privacy Policy Concerning Access to County Services (No recommendation)

Chair McDonell reported that the committee has not reported and that item 3 is not properly before the County Board. He will let people registered on 3. talk on 4. instead if they want to.

Bruskewitz rises for a point of information. Asks why not properly before them. Then she gets confused, and realizes that she understands what is going on. AFter the confusion is settles she still talks and says "My point is this" . . . there was a resolution that was to be presented to night to access to social security numbers and with register of deeds this was referred to this meeting.

Miles says the committee he is on is working on it, that at the last meeting questions were raised and they asked register of deeds to answer questions and it is postponed at this time. Chair explains that he expects it back at the next meeting . . . if the committee acts on it. He says he doesn't really have any control over that.

4. Res 14, 09-10 - Creating the Dane County Immigration Task Force (No recommendation)

See separate post (still working on it!).

M. SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS THE COUNTY BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BY LAW

Wiggy explains his vote on the 911 director. He says it would have been unanimous, but he hasn't ever met him. Would like to meet him and have him come to another meeting. Wants to let people know that there aren't any ill feelings. McDonell explains it was hard to get him here as he is still working at his old job.

Rusk says he met with 911 director last week talking about operability in our brand new system and that he went to Kansas City even though he wasn't even on payroll yet. Says he was impressed with the new director.

N. ADJOURN
Motion to adjourn - passes. It was about 10:20.

So, there you have it, most of my first county board blog. Feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions. I'm not sure that I will so thoroughly blog all meetings, this just had some items of interest. Sorry it was late this morning, too many other things going on!


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Free Recycling of Electronics!!

Dane County Residents can recycle your electronics for free this Saturday!

DANE COUNTY TV AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DROP OFF
SATURDAY , MAY 9TH 2009
9 A.M. TO 2 PM.

ALLIANT ENERGY CENTER - OLIN STREET ENTRANCE (1919 ALLIANT ENERGY CENTER WAY)

Electronic materials collected at the event will include all brands of televisions sets (all sizes), computer monitors, personal computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, calculators, cellphones, keyboards, mice, microwaves, vacuums, toasters, radios, stereos, telephones, DVD players, CD players and VCRs.

No air conditioners, dehumidifiers or large appliances.

THIS EVENT IS FOR RESIDENTS OF "DANE COUNTY ONLY"
NO BUSINESSES!
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT JOHN WELCH AT 267-8815

THIS EVENT IS ONE TIME *FREE* DROP OFF

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