I really believe there is something in that east side water that doesn't belong there. Well, that's not fair, there were people there from all over Dane County, and all the bad behavior didn't come from Madisonians.
I couldn't do my usual thorough summary on this meeting from Tuesday night cuz, well, they just kept saying the same things over and over and over and over and it amounted to "we don't know, there will be a process" to which the response was the equivalent of "there was no process to pick the station, why should we trust you." I don't know who didn't see that coming, and no matter how many times they said, "there was a process 5 years ago", no one was buying it. That about sums up the meeting, here's a few other nuggets of information or points of interest.
GETTING STARTED
The two presenters from the DOT were John Oimoen, High Speed Passenger Rail Program & Paul Trombino, Division Operations Director. [ooops, and Chris Klein, don't know how I missed that.]
Rummel did a welcome, introduced the mayor and city staff, indicated it was supposed to be a neighborhood meeting, the public process will come later, this is the first meeting. Intent is to let people who live along the rail ask questions.
Mayor says he started working on high speed rail 10 years ago, this is exciting, it will put us on the map, baby boomers will have other options, it will "mix people up", it will help exchange ideas and products and services and new products will be invented. Too early to answer questions about how high the fence is and what color it will be, there will be a public proess preview and opportunity to get questions and comments so as go forward on public participation process, thanks and compliments Rummel for setting it up so early.
There is a letter from the SASY Council and a map of the crossings, but they ran out of them.
PRESENTATION
Here's the powerpoint.
Highlights are
- Eventually you will be able to connect throughout the midwest, including cities like St. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul - 9 states.
- This will be 110mph speed service
- They will share the corridors with freight
- Prices will be competitive with air cuz you can get downtown
- They are doing a Madison to Minneapolis environmental study, a joint project of WISDOT and Minnesota Dept of Transportation. They are looking at which corridors they will use, they are looking at routes and alternatives, will pair down routes to alternatives, likely 3, there will be a lot of public involvement in the next 12 months
- The $810M in federal money includes stations for Madison, Brookfield, Oconomowoc and Watertown.
- They did a lot of work in 2001 to look at station alternatives, did an environmental assessment, proposed station locations, got their public hearings done, and had 6 alternatives for Madison.
- 3 alteratives were chosen for further analysis for Madison, the airport, Pennsylvania Ave and downtown Monona Terrace, the others were eliminated.
- Applied for funding in October 2009, projects had to be shovel ready.
- The did a feasibility study of the Madison stations, they went back to their previous work, updated it for current conditions, also added Yahara Station at First St and they chose Monona Terrace because it best meets the evaluation criteria. It was a re-validation of the environmental process.
- They still have to complete the preliminary and final engineering report, environmental document for the stations needs to be done, have grant agreement to start work on the station and will begin drafting work for the corridor design.
- There will be a public involvement process for corridor and station – workshops will be soon, starts in June, they will work with the alder and city, there will be public info meetings as well, and a public hearing.
- They want the draft document approved in 2011.
- This summer they will look at specific station it will be at 1 W Wilson or the DOR building.
- The corridor process will look at concerns about noise and vibration issues, corridor management plan, will do outreach to property owners.
- There will be a labor and business advisory committee to work with small and local businesses.
- There will be a stakeholder committee to look at mitigation options, come up with a corridor management plan, landscaping, fencing, signal and crossing devices – there will be public info meetings on a frequent basis.
- 2013 is the goal.
- There will be 6 daily round trips Milwaukee to Madison.
- It will be a 110 mph service by 2016, originally it will only travel at 79 miles per hour.
- It will take 1 hour 13 minutes to get to Milwaukee with stops, 1 hour 4 minutes express.
QUESTIONS/ANSEWERS AND COMMENTS AND OTHER ITEMS REVEALED BY THE DISCUSSION
Q: Is this a done deal? We'll get it whether we want it or not, and it is funded, right?
A: Yes.
Q: Will the stations be built on to an existing building?
A: That will be part of the public process.
C: They need to deterine if it will be the DOR or 1 W Wilson buidling in the next few weeks. Then they will have renderings to see what it will look like and they will get input then. (i.e. there is a process, you're not really included until after we decide)
Q: Why downtown where more crossings and traffic, John Nolan and Blair is bad enough already and to be multimodal downtown doesn't make sense due to all the traffic and the Isthmus?
A: We wanted to be downtown because there will be more ridership. They also based it on work done in 2000, they used that criteria to decide. Oh, and they are going to study it further. They may need to make improvements to intersections, re-time lights, add left turn lanes, etc to deal with traffic.
Q: Will there be improvements at Blair St?
A: They will study it.
Q: If so, who will pay?
A: There is money in the grant to deal with it.
Q: What three sites did you look at?
A1: They don't answer the question.
A2: They added Yahara Station and Kohl Center. (but they have another answer in a bit)
Q: How is the train powered?
A: They can buy 8 locomotives, they are diesel. The have less emissions, quieter engines, but if not ready to go in 2013, they can use Amtrack engines.
Q: What about air pollution?
A: They have to accommodate emissions under Monona Terrace, they need to study that. Ventilation system needs to be developed.
Q: Will the trains spend the night downtown?
A: No, they will be at the maintenance facility, that they still need to locate.
Q: Will there be engines on both ends?
A: Never answered.
Q: Where will passengers load?
A (3): They need to decide that in the next few weeks. 1 W Wilson was original idea, 2nd is DOA building, those were the only two that they looked at, they don’t have to purchase anything. The state investment board building was mentioned but they don’t own it and not a location they looked at.
Q: Will the train engines run all night?
A: That hasn't been determined yet.
Q: What will happen to property values and will they be compensated?
A: You will be compensated if they have to take your property. But mostly, this will be enhancements to the neighborhood.
Q: Will there be street closings?
A: Originally they looked at Brearly and Livingston, they need to look at that again.
Q: Will there be a fence the whole way?
A: They have to look at that.
Q; What will happen to quality of life if neighborhood is split, there will be more crime, drugs and they will need more police presence, will we get it?
A: No answer.
Q: What happens to our community gardens?
A: No answer, they will answer it later. (Answer is, of course, we don't know.)
Q: Have you looked at what will happen to the livibility of the area?
A: They will sit down with people with concerns and try to mitigate them and try to enhance the community, there are no pre-decisions, the process will decide.
Q: Who will buy our houses if we have to sell? Will you?
A: No answer.
C: Speaker says Milwaukee station is not downtown. The crowd argues about how far it is.
Q: What will be the traffic impacts?
A: They have to study that.
Q: Homeowners live downtown now, not when the study was done. Also housing market has changed. Will you redo the study?
A: No.
C: Rummel asked poor Rob Phillips to talk about the process. He did the best he could to say very little about the DOT process. He said when it is all said and done, not everyone will be pleased, but hopefully some of you will be or you will have a better understanding of the issues, that is what the meetings are about and the process going forward.
C: They said the original announcement was for the airport, that was recommended for trains to the Twin cities, after the announcement, there was tremendous public pressure to say the train should go downtown where the people are. That is when they re-evaluated and threw in the Yahara Station and Kohl Center. They decided the extra riders (60K/yr?) were why.
Q: What about Yahara Station?
A: Yahara was closer to downtown, they hadn't done any preliminary work, they would have to start over on the environmental study, the project would not get done by 2013. They got the money because the project was shovel ready. He says the traffic impacts are not much more and infrastructure is not in place at airport or Yahara Station.
Q: Why did you make the decision without public input?
A: They say that is not true, that 5 year old document was what they got the grant based on, it said if train terminated in Madison Monona Terrace is the choice, so its not a great surprise Monona Terrace was picked.
Q: What will the fence look like where the rail splits?
A: They will meet with property owners and help figure that out. Don't know right now.
Q: How do we get involved in the public process?
A: The public involvement team will be in the community with business cards and contacts. Contact them as frequently as you want, there will be workshops in June, they will update the website and work with the alder and city.
C: A train supporter says that the MPO (Metrpolitan Planning Organization) is responsible for picking a train station and they have to release the money. He says they will have a hearing on June 2. He says he doesn't want to see funds released for downtown station until we know what will be there, will it be an intermodal station. City will have to put money in, grant won't cover it all. 60% of people coming to use the train won't come from Maidson, that is why the airport makes sense with all the parking.
C: Lucy Mathiak said that she is worried about transportation costs for the schools if the kids can't safely walk or bike they will need to pay for buses and this splits several elementary school attendance areas in half. And 3 (or 4?) of the 4 schools are fragile and have been threatened to be closed in the last 4 years (Hawthorne, Schenk, Emerson, Marquette/Lapham) They're moving too fast and have not allowed enough time to study impacts on schools, small businesses and others impacted.
NOTE: Before I go on, its important to note that the sound system at Olbrich sucks, and people need to speak right into the microphone to be heard and several times, a very rude and obnoxious guy yelled from the back of the room to talk into the microphone. So much so, that almost every speaker that got up there asked him if they could hear and he would tell them if they were good enough.
NOTE: I should also note, that there were many developers in the room, as well as an attorney/lobbyist and members of DMI and the Chamber. I don't think any of them lived in the district, and certain not in the affected area. As the mom of one of my friends put it "I didn't expect to see so many suits, I expected to see my neighbors." She left very, very frustrated by the meeting with no answers to things she is interested in, and she lives right on the tracks.
Q: Are quiet zones in jeopardy because of the project?
A1: No.
A2: They will need to look at safety and will work with the city and evaluate as we go forward.
C: The person who asked the question asked them to give them straight answers.
Q: Speaker asks Mayor Dave why we won't protect the quiet zones?
A: Mayor Dave Cieslewicz "wait", we said at beginning of meeting we are coming to you early to frame the questions that you have [funny, do the public's questions need "framing"?], we said we don’t have answers and they outlined a process to get your questions, but your preferences are also important, so when talk we talk about siting or fences, those are open questions, they can’t tell you, they can’t tell you what the fence will look like.
Q: Is the fence a done deal?
A: Mayor says likely
Q: Everywhere?
A: Mayor is clearly exasperated and says it won’t come through the city at 110mph, but at 79mph, he's not sure if everywhere, no one knows, this is an iterative process that will take a year. He please with them for their patience, he heard a lot of conclusions drawn about property taxes, schools (He says, I don't know where that came from in an annoyed tone of voice), sitings, etc. we are getting ahead of ourselves, we want to hear you, this is an iterative process and we will come to conclusions that will ameliorate the issues or get you answers.
C: Same guy still talking that originally asked about the quiet zones, he says he tried to get answers, he found a phone number, called 4 times, message machine not working, then he called Donna Brown at DOT in Milwaukee 4 times, he could leave a message, waited 4 days, not a word, and he told her his questions, they were basic and simple. He then emailed, did get an reply, but no answer, if this is the process we can’t wait a year.
C: Someone says we need to decide in the next 90 days according to the grant.
C: Jerk in the back of the room who is not helping with a tense meeting yells at him to "sit down and shut up".
NOTE: I thought there was going to be a physical altercation as the quiet zones guy went back to confront the "sit down and shut up guy".
NOTE: I know the names of more than a majority of people who spoke and were involved, but I don't know everyone's names so I'm leaving them all out.
C: DOT apologizes for the phone number, will give his number 266-1114 (I think that was Paul) he will answer any question.
Q: What about the quiet zones?
A3: If infrastructure in place, can’t image why we would eliminate it.
Q: Fencing?
A: Don’t know answers to the questions don’t have them cuz we committed we won’t do it til we get public input, no decision on fencing or station design until public input, so no answers. They says they will have the same process they did for the Marquette interchange, they had over 3000 meetings since 1996.
C: Rummel thanks the quiet zone guy for working so hard on these issues.
NOTE: People have largely left as it is apparent there are no answers to the questions they came for.
Q: Will they use the whole right of way or can they keep the plantings they have in the right of way?
A: They will likely use the whole width of the railroad property on both sides of the tracks.
Q: Will there be two high speed rail and one freight track.
A: They have not determined if 2 or 1 track, that is part of the process, there will be a corridor management plan and that will determine the width of the right of way, they will be working with people. If community gardens are encroaching on right of way, they will have to look at it, may be opportunity to use some of that property.
Q/C: More worried about traffic (doesn't live on east side) How will this impact traffic on John Nolen and other places they have to travel around downtown? (Makes snide remark about not caring about the color of the fence.) Will there be groups to talk about permanent crossings and bridges so people can cross and walk freely? If not, leave it on the outskirts of town, no one would go back and put the trains where they are, but we can build bridges and pathways, should be done before more planning goes on.
A: They will do the traffic analysis, will try to mitiage and have efficient movement.
Q: I like trains, he lives close and deals with the noise, do people out there agree with me about trains being good?
A: Clapping.
C: Thanks, I just wanted to show that there are supporters in the room, looks like 50/50
Q: Will the trains be much lighter and shorter and not make the same noise, and is it possible to have lights timed so short commuter trains can come through?
A: They will work on quiet zones and safety yes, new passenger trains are primary safety issues, quieter, lighter and better on safety issues. This is not a freight train, you will not hear them the same, locomotives are different, may not hear or see as quickly as a freight train.
A2: They will run on welded rail, not 40 foot rail that makes more noise, concrete ties are also going to help with stability and quieter ride.
C: Speaker gets up to speak and says to the jerk in the back of the room "please don't yell at me, I'm a teacher and I get that all day long.
C: Homeowner in area, would like a fence, can’t build one cuz of easement.
Q: Asks how they chose this route instead of Canadian Pacific, which is more of a commercial area, why is it where all the neighborhoods are.
A: They looked at that, same number of crossings. Communities not the same, but not a time difference, this doesn’t preclude them using that line when they are going to the twin cities, that could be a route out.
Q: Guy says he's pro-rail, but the studies they based this on are old, there have been lots of expansions, in other suburb areas and as time goes on, the number of people who use the train will increase from outside the area, thought meeting was positive, but why downtown?
A: Not directly answered this time.
Q: Will it not go to St. Paul?
A: That will be studied. That will take 2 - 3 years to do the environmental study.
Q: Will they be building a second station in 2016?
A: That will be studied.
Q: Who will pay for that second station? People in City of Madison pay for it and 60% of the users are outside of City of Madison.
A: Station costs are included in the $810M includes cost to build stations so working through that.
C: Seems like there are more comments than questions, so I decided to add my comments, he wonders where all the fears are coming from with long trains, these are 8 cars long, they will be quicker than a stoplight if you are stopped, he says the fears are not warranted. Says the trains won't be more disruptive than the 60K cars on E Washington per day or the 80K cars on the beltline.
Q: Will this be an integrated multi-modal station? How will people get downtown?
A: They are working with the City to address elements of station from an inter-modal perspective.
Q: Why not delay to get it right?
A: We've been working on it for a long time.
Q: What about the tracks in Central Park can they be relocated?
A: Yes looking at it, have that info from the city, part of the consideration.
SUMMARY
We don't know.
There will be a process.
We will look at things you brought up.
Nobody believes them due to how the process has gone so far.
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Showing posts with label Dane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dane. Show all posts
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Is Your Beach Safe to Swim In?
Well, don't swim in the beach, swim in the water, or wait, don't do that either, check the list first! Here's how they tested. 10 beaches closed.
More info here.
Read more!
May 24th - Preliminary beach water quality testing has begun for the 2010 season. Please check back for water quality updates and other information regarding the opening of the 2010 beach season.
BB Clarke CLOSED May 24th - The water temperature was 73°F. This beach is closed for swimming due to blue-green algae. The beach will reopen when their levels decline. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Bernies Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 73°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Brittingham CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Esther CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Goodland County Park CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Governor Nelson State Park N/A
Hudson CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
James Madison Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 65°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Lake Kegonsa State Park N/A
Lake Mendota County Park CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Maple Bluff N/A
Marshall CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Memorial Union CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Olbrich Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 80°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Olin CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Spring Harbor CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Stoughton Mandt Park Pond N/A
Tenney Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 65°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swimat their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Verona Fireman's Park N/A
Vilas Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 81°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Warner Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 73°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
More info here.
Read more!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Immigration Issues Heating Up
A rally, city and county meetings all coming up in the next week or so!
So, here's my show from this weekend on Immigration, the Sheriff and Ice with guests Shiva Bidar-Sielaff and Ramona Natera. I special thanks to them for coming in when there was so much going on! (Just ignore the error in the beginning where it says something about the Edgewater, I PROMISE, NO EDGEWATER!) If the embeded video below is not working, you can click here.
As for other things going on, here's what I know at the moment.
SATURDAY, MAY 29TH
TUESDAY, JUNE 1st
There's a facebook group here that you can join with great information about how you can support Alder Bidar-Sielaff's resolution to end unjust immigration policies right here in Madison.
The Common Council will be considering her resolution (still by title only, but hopefully out soon) at their meeting. May be another late night!
NOTE: Here's the link to the full resolution and supporting materials.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2nd
The Dane County Immigration Task Force will be having their meeting to finalize their report and determine what policy they should recommend (and the sheriff says he'll ignore) about calling ICE for every person who was not born in the United States, even if they have identification.
Read more!
So, here's my show from this weekend on Immigration, the Sheriff and Ice with guests Shiva Bidar-Sielaff and Ramona Natera. I special thanks to them for coming in when there was so much going on! (Just ignore the error in the beginning where it says something about the Edgewater, I PROMISE, NO EDGEWATER!) If the embeded video below is not working, you can click here.
As for other things going on, here's what I know at the moment.
SATURDAY, MAY 29TH
National Day of Action Against Arizona's Racist Immigration Law! Madison, Presente!
Special Words from: Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff
What: A vigil to protest Arizona's racist immigration legislation
When: Saturday, May 29th. 6PM.
Where: Dane County Building. 210 Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Why: National Day of Action. Madison will show its solidarity with the people of Arizona against the backwards, racist legislation being passed there! If we are silent, it is as if we do not exist.
No Sheriff Mahoney, we will not let you make Dane County into another Arizona!
Who: Immigrant Community and Allies. With testimony from the immigrant community members and special words from Jorge Carrera of the Immigrant Workers' Union and Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff who will be introducing a resolution against Arizona's racial profiling law 1070 and calling for comprehensive immigration reformat the next Common Council meeting on Tuesday, June 1, 6:30pm City-County Building Rm. 201. Also, words from Will Willams of Vets for Peace; Jessica Ruiz and Claudia Gonzalez of UTI Youth; and music by local artists among them Sandra Rybachek and others.
TUESDAY, JUNE 1st
There's a facebook group here that you can join with great information about how you can support Alder Bidar-Sielaff's resolution to end unjust immigration policies right here in Madison.
The Common Council will be considering her resolution (still by title only, but hopefully out soon) at their meeting. May be another late night!
NOTE: Here's the link to the full resolution and supporting materials.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2nd
The Dane County Immigration Task Force will be having their meeting to finalize their report and determine what policy they should recommend (and the sheriff says he'll ignore) about calling ICE for every person who was not born in the United States, even if they have identification.
Read more!
Monday, May 24, 2010
This Week's Show on This Side of Town at WYOU
Immigration, the Sheriff and ICE with Shiva Bidar-Sielaff and Ramona Natera.
It will run from 5:30 - 6:00pm tonight, and again at 6 and 6:30 am on Tuesday on Channels 95 or 991.
I will have the internet version up likely tomorrow. This was the first show we did with Rob in the control room without assistance, so, there's a couple ooops' in there. But since he was running the cameras, the control room and the sound, he did an awesome job!
If you like the show and want it to continue, please consider donating to WYOU.
Read more!
It will run from 5:30 - 6:00pm tonight, and again at 6 and 6:30 am on Tuesday on Channels 95 or 991.
I will have the internet version up likely tomorrow. This was the first show we did with Rob in the control room without assistance, so, there's a couple ooops' in there. But since he was running the cameras, the control room and the sound, he did an awesome job!
If you like the show and want it to continue, please consider donating to WYOU.
Read more!
RTA Meetings This (County) Week Ahead
It's kind of a joke trying to review these agendas with very little information to go on and bad descriptions of what they are talking about.
MONDAY, MAY 24, 2010
12:00 noon TASK FORCE FOR THE PRIORITIZED REVISON OF CHAPTER 10 ...Rm. 309 CCB
- Limited Commercial (LC) Zoning Districts
- Preliminary discussion/presentation of staff recommendations on revising accessory structure regulations
5:30 p.m. PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE...Rm. 309 CCB
- Spending, spending, spending despite freezes, now that no one is looking
- Discussion of Property Tax Collections
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010
11:00 a.m. DANE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY ...2001 W. Broadway
- Contracting with Marquette University for Dane County Foreclosure Mediation Services (What, they couldn't find anyone local? Did they even try?)
5:00 p.m. REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY-Plan for Transit Committee...Rm. 321 CCB
- Presentation and Discussion of the Transport 2020 Plan (Trowbridge)
- Presentation and Discussion of Madison Metro Transit (Kamp)
5:30 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ...Rm. 315 CCB
- I didn't see anything special, you might.
5:45 p.m. HEALTH & HUMAN NEEDS COMMITTEE ...Rm. 310 CCB
- Res. 35, 10-11 – Establishing an Advisory Panel to Study the Treatment of Monkeys Used in Experiments in Dane County and the Ethics of Experimenting on Monkeys.
5:45 p.m. PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE...Rm. 309 CCB
- Ooops, bad attachment. Currently, its a copy of an email with an attachment that you can't access, that, of course, has the agenda on it.
7:30 p.m. ZONING & LAND REGULATION COMMITTEE ...Rm. 201 CCB
- Not sure if there was anything of interest here, hard to tell without attachments.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010
5:00 p.m. REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY ...7426 Hubbard, Middleton
REPORT ON ASSIGNMENTS (FROM STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS)
i. Bylaws and Agreements Committee
ii. Plan for Transit Committee
iii. RTA Advisory Committee
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
i. Review of Madison Area MPO/Metro Transit Development Program (TDP) Work Group
Activities To-Date
DISCUSSION AND ACTION BY RTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
i. Authorizing and Approving the RTA Advisory Committee Scope
5:45 p.m. LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE...Rm. 208 LFA
- I'm sure this is all important, but I know little about these items.
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
5:30 p.m. CDBG COMMISSION... 111 Lincoln St., Verona
- Information to be Provided to Citizens as Part of Public Hearing on Input on Substantial Amendment to 2010 Action Plan by Lori Bastean, Sr. Program Analyst/Manager
- Public Hearing for Citizen Input on Substantial Amendment to 2010 Action Plan
- Discussion and Action on Substantial Amendment to 2010 Action Plan
(Oooo, that is AWFUL public process. I don't even know what the change is or if I should care from reading this.)
6:30 p.m. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT...Rm. 309 CCB
Status of changes to Chapter 78 – Airport Height Regulation
Read more!
MONDAY, MAY 24, 2010
12:00 noon TASK FORCE FOR THE PRIORITIZED REVISON OF CHAPTER 10 ...Rm. 309 CCB
- Limited Commercial (LC) Zoning Districts
- Preliminary discussion/presentation of staff recommendations on revising accessory structure regulations
5:30 p.m. PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE...Rm. 309 CCB
- Spending, spending, spending despite freezes, now that no one is looking
- Discussion of Property Tax Collections
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010
11:00 a.m. DANE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY ...2001 W. Broadway
- Contracting with Marquette University for Dane County Foreclosure Mediation Services (What, they couldn't find anyone local? Did they even try?)
5:00 p.m. REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY-Plan for Transit Committee...Rm. 321 CCB
- Presentation and Discussion of the Transport 2020 Plan (Trowbridge)
- Presentation and Discussion of Madison Metro Transit (Kamp)
5:30 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ...Rm. 315 CCB
- I didn't see anything special, you might.
5:45 p.m. HEALTH & HUMAN NEEDS COMMITTEE ...Rm. 310 CCB
- Res. 35, 10-11 – Establishing an Advisory Panel to Study the Treatment of Monkeys Used in Experiments in Dane County and the Ethics of Experimenting on Monkeys.
5:45 p.m. PUBLIC PROTECTION & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE...Rm. 309 CCB
- Ooops, bad attachment. Currently, its a copy of an email with an attachment that you can't access, that, of course, has the agenda on it.
7:30 p.m. ZONING & LAND REGULATION COMMITTEE ...Rm. 201 CCB
- Not sure if there was anything of interest here, hard to tell without attachments.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010
5:00 p.m. REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY ...7426 Hubbard, Middleton
REPORT ON ASSIGNMENTS (FROM STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS)
i. Bylaws and Agreements Committee
ii. Plan for Transit Committee
iii. RTA Advisory Committee
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
i. Review of Madison Area MPO/Metro Transit Development Program (TDP) Work Group
Activities To-Date
DISCUSSION AND ACTION BY RTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
i. Authorizing and Approving the RTA Advisory Committee Scope
5:45 p.m. LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE...Rm. 208 LFA
- I'm sure this is all important, but I know little about these items.
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
5:30 p.m. CDBG COMMISSION... 111 Lincoln St., Verona
- Information to be Provided to Citizens as Part of Public Hearing on Input on Substantial Amendment to 2010 Action Plan by Lori Bastean, Sr. Program Analyst/Manager
- Public Hearing for Citizen Input on Substantial Amendment to 2010 Action Plan
- Discussion and Action on Substantial Amendment to 2010 Action Plan
(Oooo, that is AWFUL public process. I don't even know what the change is or if I should care from reading this.)
6:30 p.m. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT...Rm. 309 CCB
Status of changes to Chapter 78 – Airport Height Regulation
Read more!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Dane County Week Ahead
Sorry I skipped last week, ran out of time . . . here's this week . . .
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2010
6:00 p.m. LAKES & WATERSHED COMMISSION- Shoreland/NR 115/NR 151 Subcommittee ...Rm. 309 CCB
- Discuss strategic approach to shoreland zoning amendments
- Review timeline
- They'll probably also discuss how to . . . ok I was going to say something really rude, must be getting tired . . . anyways this is the center of all evil as you know from the postcards you got from the Realtors, Chamber of Commerce et. al. in the spring.
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010
Health and Human Needs and EANR are meeting, along with a few others, but I didn't find anything of interest on their agendas, check here to see for yourself.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010
1:00 p.m. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BOARD...Rm. 321 CCB
DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL, UPDATE
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON POLICY AND PROCEDURE 2.3.3 SERVICES DOCUMENT
AGREEMENT, UPDATE
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON POLICY AND PROCEDURE 1.0231 (formerly known as 2.3.3
addendum C).
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON 311 NONEMERGENCY CALL TAKING SYSTEM
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON DANECOM RADIO PROJECT
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON “911 STAY ON THE LINE” RECORDING
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010
4:30 p.m. MONONA TERRACE COMMUNITY AND CONVENTION CENTER BOARD...Monona Terrace, Hall of Fame Room
- High Speed Rail Update
5:00 p.m. HUMAN SERVICES BOARD...Rm. 309 CCB
- Continued discussion on viability of merging POS Agencies.
6:00 p.m. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE...Rm. 310 CCB
- Presentation: The Community and Economic Impact of the Overture Center
6:30 p.m. PARK COMMISSION...Rm. 315 CCB
- Dane County Parks planning staff will hold an informational session to provide an overview of the Capital Springs State Recreation Area Master Plan and answer questions about the plan.
7:00 p.m. DANE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS...Rm. 201 CCB
- Annual Dane County Economic Development Committee Report
- Res. 235, 09-10 – Creating a County Implementation Team on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System (Adopt/Adopt with Amdt.)
- Res. 293, 09-10 – Authorizing Conversion to a Medical Examiner (Adopt Sub. 1)
- 7:30PM -- Appeal of CUP #2126 – Town of Verona, LB Land Investments Inc.
FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010
9:00 a.m. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE...Rm. 315 CCB
- I didn't see an agenda for this one.
Read more!
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2010
6:00 p.m. LAKES & WATERSHED COMMISSION- Shoreland/NR 115/NR 151 Subcommittee ...Rm. 309 CCB
- Discuss strategic approach to shoreland zoning amendments
- Review timeline
- They'll probably also discuss how to . . . ok I was going to say something really rude, must be getting tired . . . anyways this is the center of all evil as you know from the postcards you got from the Realtors, Chamber of Commerce et. al. in the spring.
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010
Health and Human Needs and EANR are meeting, along with a few others, but I didn't find anything of interest on their agendas, check here to see for yourself.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010
1:00 p.m. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BOARD...Rm. 321 CCB
DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL, UPDATE
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON POLICY AND PROCEDURE 2.3.3 SERVICES DOCUMENT
AGREEMENT, UPDATE
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON POLICY AND PROCEDURE 1.0231 (formerly known as 2.3.3
addendum C).
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON 311 NONEMERGENCY CALL TAKING SYSTEM
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON DANECOM RADIO PROJECT
- DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION ON “911 STAY ON THE LINE” RECORDING
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010
4:30 p.m. MONONA TERRACE COMMUNITY AND CONVENTION CENTER BOARD...Monona Terrace, Hall of Fame Room
- High Speed Rail Update
5:00 p.m. HUMAN SERVICES BOARD...Rm. 309 CCB
- Continued discussion on viability of merging POS Agencies.
6:00 p.m. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE...Rm. 310 CCB
- Presentation: The Community and Economic Impact of the Overture Center
6:30 p.m. PARK COMMISSION...Rm. 315 CCB
- Dane County Parks planning staff will hold an informational session to provide an overview of the Capital Springs State Recreation Area Master Plan and answer questions about the plan.
7:00 p.m. DANE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS...Rm. 201 CCB
- Annual Dane County Economic Development Committee Report
- Res. 235, 09-10 – Creating a County Implementation Team on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System (Adopt/Adopt with Amdt.)
- Res. 293, 09-10 – Authorizing Conversion to a Medical Examiner (Adopt Sub. 1)
- 7:30PM -- Appeal of CUP #2126 – Town of Verona, LB Land Investments Inc.
FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010
9:00 a.m. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE...Rm. 315 CCB
- I didn't see an agenda for this one.
Read more!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
It's All About Transit
Here's the show that ran last Monday at 5:30 pm and Tuesday at 6:30 pm on WYOU. It's all about transit! Taped before the the Governor's announcement about Monona Terrace, but a good overview anyways!
Thanks to Robbie Webber for being the guest (and expert!) and sharing her knowledge with us!
Read more!
Thanks to Robbie Webber for being the guest (and expert!) and sharing her knowledge with us!
Read more!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Shelter is FULL.
It's not a surprise, but the homeless shelter for families is full. And so is the over-flow Warming Shelter. Check out the numbers.
In the last 19 days . . .
- The over-flow shelter has had 3 - 7 families in it per night
- The over-flow shelter has had 9 - 19 individuals stay per night
- There were only 5 nights it was not at or over capacity, 74% of the time it was at or over capacity.
I don't have new numbers on their waiting list at the moment, but there is no place to go, no wonder families are just moving into homes.
Read more!
In the last 19 days . . .
- The over-flow shelter has had 3 - 7 families in it per night
- The over-flow shelter has had 9 - 19 individuals stay per night
- There were only 5 nights it was not at or over capacity, 74% of the time it was at or over capacity.
Warming House numbers update (reminder: we are funded and best-able to serve 14-16 people; we are trying our best to help as many people as possible)
4/23 19 people (6 families)
4/24 17 people (5 families)
4/25 16 people (5 families)
4/26 18 people (6 families) *denied 1 family (1A1C); they arrived very late and reported they had another place they could sleep- we helped them get there in a cab
4/27 18 people (7 families)
4/28 16 people (7 families)
4/29 12 people (5 families)
4/30 13 people (5 families)
5/1 16 people (4 families)
5/2 18 people (5 families)
5/3 9 people (3 families)
5/4 15 people (5 families)
5/5 16 people (6 families)
5/6 9 people (3 families)
5/7 13 people (5 families)
5/8 15 people (5 families)
5/9 13 people (5 families)
5/10 13 people (5 families)
5/11 17 people (7 families)
I don't have new numbers on their waiting list at the moment, but there is no place to go, no wonder families are just moving into homes.
Read more!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
People's Affordable Housing Vision (Short Version) DRAFT is out!
If you have concerns, want to see some tweaks or love it, we want to hear from you, tonight at the Central Library at 6:00! Also, if you like the plan, we'll talk next steps!
PEOPLE’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING VISION
A vision for the Madison area to expand low income housing opportunities, ensure basic dignity and a path to stable housing for the homeless, provide greater accountability for violations of local housing laws and increase local government resources to support housing programs.
Pursue Innovative Permanent and Transitional Low-Income Housing Options:
Pursue development and prevent further demolition of single room occupancy housing (SROS); expand affordable housing options available through housing cooperatives, co-housing and community land trusts; explore a tenant Interim lease program (a program from NYC) in which tenants move into buildings purchased by the city with the opportunity for tenant management and eventual ownership as a low income housing cooperative.
Expand the Warming House:
The city and county should work together to study how warming house services could be expanded so no families/fewer families are turned away for shelter. More immediately, the city should appropriate $10,000 for the Salvation Army to use to secure alternate shelter for families using the Warming House who have sick children, as a public health measure.
Improve Homeless Services: Develop and enforce shelter standards needed to ensure the humane treatment, safety, security, health and sanitation of shelter residents and to recognize the dignity inherent in each shelter resident. A shelter monitoring committee should oversee these standards and a third-party grievance process should be available to those seeking or receiving services from shelter.
Expand Quality Case Management Services for Homeless and Formerly Homeless Individuals and Families:
More resources must be devoted to expand case management services and ensure case managers are well-trained, culturally competent, possess solid case advocacy skills, have vast knowledge of available resources (including public benefits), and experience working with low-income people and people of color. Case managers should carry a reasonable case load (Child Welfare League of America standard is no more than 17 families at a point in time).
Greater Enforcement of MGO Chapter 32 “Landlord and Tenant”:
The City Attorney’s office should hire a full time person to field tenant complaints of lease violations. Violations would be limited to those violations that do not need outside investigation, but can be determined by a trail of paper work. The City Attorney’s office should be given the authority to either ticket or file long form complaints based on the violations and investigate patterns of abuses if immediate resolution is not reached through discussions with the landlords. Based on the number of complaints, the city should study the feasibility of a housing court. A meaningful landlord registration ordinance should be passed, which would require landlords to provide the city with ownership and contact information and allow the city to collect information about rents, apartments and other data.
City Grant Writer:
Hire a city grant writer to seek federal and foundation funding for not only homelessness and housing issues, but staff support and training for funded agencies, training could be focused on sensitivity training for people providing direct services as well as administrative training and support.
Security Deposit Loan Program:
The Security Deposit Loan Program would be a jointly established program between a local housing organization and a local Bank to provide no-interest loans for rental security deposits. The program would maintain a pool of loan funds and contribute to a households' self-sufficiency through the establishment of a credit file or to repair bad credit. The loan program, based on one in Iowa City, would have a revolving fund of money, allowing additional loans to be made as payments are received.
Protect Tenants from Irrelevant, Unreliable and Dated Credit History:
Housing providers should be prohibited from denying an application for residential tenancy based solely on the filing of an eviction action which resulted in a dismissal, credit history which is unrelated to a housing obligation or which is more than two (2) years old.
Protect the Use of Service Animals:
We support specifically expanding local equal opportunity ordinances to prohibit discrimination in housing and public accommodations against persons who have animals which a qualified medical professional has recommended as providing a beneficial service or support.
Expand Language Access and Bilingual Information and Services to LEP Populations:
Hire more bilingual staff (Spanish and Hmong) in city departments including Housing Operations, Building Inspection, Municipal Court, etc. An ordinance should be passed which requires the use of leases, termination notices, non-renewal notices and court documents in Spanish and Hmong when that language is the primary language of the tenant.
Read more!
PEOPLE’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING VISION
A vision for the Madison area to expand low income housing opportunities, ensure basic dignity and a path to stable housing for the homeless, provide greater accountability for violations of local housing laws and increase local government resources to support housing programs.
Pursue Innovative Permanent and Transitional Low-Income Housing Options:
Pursue development and prevent further demolition of single room occupancy housing (SROS); expand affordable housing options available through housing cooperatives, co-housing and community land trusts; explore a tenant Interim lease program (a program from NYC) in which tenants move into buildings purchased by the city with the opportunity for tenant management and eventual ownership as a low income housing cooperative.
Expand the Warming House:
The city and county should work together to study how warming house services could be expanded so no families/fewer families are turned away for shelter. More immediately, the city should appropriate $10,000 for the Salvation Army to use to secure alternate shelter for families using the Warming House who have sick children, as a public health measure.
Improve Homeless Services: Develop and enforce shelter standards needed to ensure the humane treatment, safety, security, health and sanitation of shelter residents and to recognize the dignity inherent in each shelter resident. A shelter monitoring committee should oversee these standards and a third-party grievance process should be available to those seeking or receiving services from shelter.
Expand Quality Case Management Services for Homeless and Formerly Homeless Individuals and Families:
More resources must be devoted to expand case management services and ensure case managers are well-trained, culturally competent, possess solid case advocacy skills, have vast knowledge of available resources (including public benefits), and experience working with low-income people and people of color. Case managers should carry a reasonable case load (Child Welfare League of America standard is no more than 17 families at a point in time).
Greater Enforcement of MGO Chapter 32 “Landlord and Tenant”:
The City Attorney’s office should hire a full time person to field tenant complaints of lease violations. Violations would be limited to those violations that do not need outside investigation, but can be determined by a trail of paper work. The City Attorney’s office should be given the authority to either ticket or file long form complaints based on the violations and investigate patterns of abuses if immediate resolution is not reached through discussions with the landlords. Based on the number of complaints, the city should study the feasibility of a housing court. A meaningful landlord registration ordinance should be passed, which would require landlords to provide the city with ownership and contact information and allow the city to collect information about rents, apartments and other data.
City Grant Writer:
Hire a city grant writer to seek federal and foundation funding for not only homelessness and housing issues, but staff support and training for funded agencies, training could be focused on sensitivity training for people providing direct services as well as administrative training and support.
Security Deposit Loan Program:
The Security Deposit Loan Program would be a jointly established program between a local housing organization and a local Bank to provide no-interest loans for rental security deposits. The program would maintain a pool of loan funds and contribute to a households' self-sufficiency through the establishment of a credit file or to repair bad credit. The loan program, based on one in Iowa City, would have a revolving fund of money, allowing additional loans to be made as payments are received.
Protect Tenants from Irrelevant, Unreliable and Dated Credit History:
Housing providers should be prohibited from denying an application for residential tenancy based solely on the filing of an eviction action which resulted in a dismissal, credit history which is unrelated to a housing obligation or which is more than two (2) years old.
Protect the Use of Service Animals:
We support specifically expanding local equal opportunity ordinances to prohibit discrimination in housing and public accommodations against persons who have animals which a qualified medical professional has recommended as providing a beneficial service or support.
Expand Language Access and Bilingual Information and Services to LEP Populations:
Hire more bilingual staff (Spanish and Hmong) in city departments including Housing Operations, Building Inspection, Municipal Court, etc. An ordinance should be passed which requires the use of leases, termination notices, non-renewal notices and court documents in Spanish and Hmong when that language is the primary language of the tenant.
Read more!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Immigration Task Force Draft Recommendations (Final)
Ok - the committee is getting nearly done with their work. They have a list of 11 recommendations and they are working on finalizing them. A public hearing is coming up on the 13th at 6:30. And the sheriff remains as obstinate as ever, he's going to call ICE.
POUTY UNPROFESSIONAL MAHONEY
Before I start with the meeting, I have to say, I was kind of appalled by the body language and pouting done by Sheriff David Mahoney during this meeting. He basically didn't engage in any discussion unless he was being defensive. He pouted most of the meeting. And apparently, at the last meeting, he told them he didn't care what they recommended, the practice of calling ICE would not change.
GETTING STARTED
Meeting called to order, minutes approved with a spelling correction and a clarification. I'm pretty sure that meeting was not properly publicly noticed, I would have noticed it and noted it in the week ahead AND I double checked to see what time the meeting was and it wasn't there. They handed out the report. They review the report quietly to themselves.
HOW TO DISCUSS THE REPORT
Ramona Natera says that she is concerned about the recommendations, she wants to make sure that she correctly captured what they wanted.
Shiva Bidar-Sielaff says that they can do word-smithing, but between now and next committee read in more detail and bring track changes, maybe they should make sure all on same page on recommendations.
There is a letter from Luis Yudice, Jonathan Hawkins wrote the summary, Natera worked on the recommendations.
Luis Yudice, the chair, says that they should focus on the recommendations, they need to make sure that the majority of the group supports the report, not just one minority opinion.
Natera says the letter is from Yudice and not the committee, summary we can come back to but the recommendations are the key.
They decide to focus on the recommendations, can have a separate group other than the writers, Bidar-Sielaff volunteers good at word-smithing.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. ISSUE: Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations requires local law enforcement agencies to notify a detainee's home country consulate of their arrest.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office will continue the current policy under the Vienna Convention requirement to notify a detainee's home country consulate of their arrest.
DISCUSSION:
Natera say first one is from Hawkins, there is an actual written policy, they have been contacting countries under Vienna convention when an individual from a mandatory country are detained, others countries are voluntary, wanted to make sure it was not a basis for a call to ICE.
Shiva Bidar-Sielaff says it important that they call the the consulate, not ICE as a proxy, if someone is a Mexican national, under Vienna, and if says wants consulate then they contact the office.
Sheriff Mahoney says mandatory notifications are done, they ask whether want it or not, for those detained in the jail, of whatever nationality and ask if they want to be called, if Mexico, not mandatory, if they say yes, they provide them the opportunity or assist them in making the call.
Bidar-Sielaff asks if they give them the Chicago number?
Sheriff says yes.
Sheriff says the language should be broader, not just a sheriff’s issue, should be all law enforcement agencies.
Jonathan Hawkins says that not just at jail, sheriff says if detained, if in a holding cell in Middleton he thinks they are required to notify the consulate.
Natera says they don’t know if that is happening. Natera says all law enforcement agencies are mandated.
Bidar-Sielaff suggests that will notify home country consulate for all law enforcement agencies in Dane county and they change the language.
2. ISSUE: The Dane County Sheriff's policy of notifying the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of all undocumented detainees who are processed in the Dane County Jail (DCJ) has had the unintended effect of tearing families apart and undermining trust in local law enforcement.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office will end the current practice of contacting ICE for cases involving processing of non-UW citizen detainees.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says this would end the current practice, but need a discussion about what the practice should be.
Yudice says the committee has had a spirited discussion about where lines should be drawn or not.
Bidar-Sielaff says she read the minutes, the sheriff recommended that if going to recommend that he end the practice, we simply state that.
Yudice says they tried to come up with middle ground, wanted to come up with language to not totally eliminate it, but have some circumstances when appropriate to contact ICE, but that is where get into murky water and its hard to define.
Rabbi Renee Bauer says they want to end practice of always contacting ICE.
Bidar-Sielaff would not leave it open, felony charge vs. misdemeanor is not murky, murder or driving under influence or bar fight, the law distinguished between reasons for why booked. She is not advocating, ok to end with her, offering options to the group.
Natera says it’s still an alleged violation – until convicted, still alleged to have committed the crime and unfortunately the jail is calling for everything.
Hawkins says that he wanted absolute phrasing, this is a poisoned well situation where as long as law enforcement, which is connected to other law enforcement and they are connected to the jail, the jail considered law enforcement, which is associated with ICE, which means people not reporting, not assisting police cuz they are concerned about their families and people around them who are not committing crimes but might be picked up on suspicion.
Bauer asks if there are times when it is required to call ICE?
Sheriff Mahoney says it is never mandated, so no.
Dianne Hesselbein says it’s his supervision, he looks at the best interest of safety and security of the jail.
Sheriff Mahoney says that is the purpose.
Bidar-Sielaff says that she wants the jail to be safe, as well as the community, she understood issue of identification, and her question is what is identification? If someone does have clearly what looks like voter ID card from Mexico or a passport, that is clear identification. If someone doesn’t have any means to ID self and only means to ID them is to call ICE she can understand that, but what she fails to understand is how many times positive ID information from ICE comes back, that would be helpful. Would like ID to be wider than WI ID or not. She says even if she had ID and I said where I was born, they would notify ICE. If no identification, then only way to ID is ICE can understand, but wants some data to show that ICE can ID me. If someone is here undocumented, then ICE won't have a record of me, that is why she asks if we get something in exchange. [NOTE: Mahnoney just ignores the questions and offers no information.]
Natera says if Joe Smith is from the Ukraine and here illegally, ICE has no record of him being here. If he has no passport, that triggers ICE intervention. So how do we make it a recommendation?
Bidar-Sielaff says to Hawkins point, the lack of clarify of that exchange of information makes it hard to create a policy that allows for exception, the costs are too great.
Yudice asks Melanie Hampton (sitting next to Mahoney, she and Mahoney are sitting separate from the rest of the group.
Hampton says she has problems with how it is worded, she says it is important to work together as law enforcement agencies, there are 29 of them in Dane County, they need a relationship with ICE for other matters as well and to have the practice cuts off an avenue to provide a safer community for the immigrant population, it takes out a tool in the tool box to remove problem individuals with criminal records, so to make an exclusive recommendation is a problem.
Bidar-Sielaff asks if it is at the time of booking in the jail it happens or during the due process portion that ID is needed. She is not saying they can't contact ICE during the investigative process. If there is a murder charge, during that investigative process I see where you have a point, the law enforcement agency should contact ICE, but that is part of due process and eventually those cases serve a sentence and then at the end of sentence are deported. What we are doing is reporting everyone that is not a us citizen to ICE, is there a way to word it so contact ICE based on investigation, but why at the point of booking everyone into jail?
Yudice says another option discussed was the middle option, if the law enforcement agency is investigating a sexual assault and in course of investigation they discover information then it should be ok. – missed some - He says that if you have a case and charged with violent crime, a sexual assault, they have forwarded charges, is there something that prevents them from contacting ICE?
Hampton says that she is more comfortable with sheriff answering that question. [NOTE: This is the other odd thing about this discussion, Hampton is clearly on the committee because of her law enforcement background, but she seems reluctant to ever say anything about the Madison Police Department or their policies.]
Hampton says could work it differently to be consistent with recommendation from Racial Disparities Task Force, they discussed tailoring it to "serious offenses or other conditions if beneficial to investigation or security of the jail" instead of using misdemeanors and felonies.
Bidar-Sielaff says willing to figure out more comfortable language.
Sheriff said something I missed.
Hesselbein asks what is a serious crime? Not shoplifting, does felony do it?
Hampton says steer away from that language, doesn't want a bright line. She says that a domestic violence misdemeanor requires mandatory arrest, because it is serious, but it is a misdemeanor. That is another step, she wants sheriff’s office to decide. She says it would be for the sheriff to discuss that for traffic and – probation parole holds are another issue, that is something committee hasn’t discussed and it would be better for law enforcement agencies to determine this.
Hawkins says he understands the tool – he says dangerous people not being removed from the community. He says he had a student in class that was aware of a crime, they didn't want police to be contacted, but afraid that others related will be picked up so police would not notified of the crime. Hawkins says last week someone in his class didn’t call the police because of that fear and that involved people involved in the recent shooting on Fordem. Now he has one kid in class that is one who didn’t call police and one whose family member is dead. This removes a range of possibilities of people who would call, this is not a hypothetical situation, understands we need to keep community the safe, but if I knew that an adult in the house was committing a crime, makes sense to look at all of them, but if they are all processed and ICE noticed and now we have kids with no parents, and it might be just based on a suspicion, ICE notified before them, so people not notifying police. This isn't just affecting the undocumented, but documented and citizens, the larger tool of reporting is being removed by desire to hang on to this one tool. [NOTE: His comments were much better in person than how I captured them, I was kind of stunned by his statement and lost track a bit.]
Bauer says that they hear that people are being targeted for theft, targeted because they carry cash, police are not getting called, feels like a danger, even from the outside.
Bidar-Sielaff says they also heard about domestic violence and how people won't call if they hear it next door, they will not call the police. Bidar-Sielaff suggests instead a policy would be developed to determine when it is appropriate to contact ICE, she wants to make sure that there is a policy and not have nothing three years later. She says now the policy is all are notified, they may not have time to vet a new policy, but who is going to do it? She would like to know when it is developed or if jointly with all agencies, something needs to happen and wee need to be clear what the at policy is . . . wants to know when appropriate to contact ICE.
Bauer says that policy has to say what crimes and when in the process ICE would be contacted, that should be clear. It is different to contact after conviction then at time of the crime.
Yudice says that the proposal is to leave first sentences, except say “all cases” and then say (Bidar-Sielaff helps with the language) “instead a policy will be developed to determine what point in the investigative process and for what charges is appropriate to contact ICE”. (This will be referred to as Shiva's language, I may not have gotten her proposal in exact language at first) At what point in the investigative process is changed instead of when.
Bauer wants them to add and for what crimes. Who develops the policy?
Yudice says the sheriff.
Bidar-Sielaff says this should be for all of Dane County.
Hampton agrees.
Bauer says if the sheriff already has a policy and we are recommending for them to change it, why would people who wrote policy write a new one.
Bidar-Sielaff says she doesn’t get the policy, its been explained to her three different ways. They need the policy to identify the person or to remove the person. Maybe they just need a clear policy, I don’t think I’m that dumb, but I don’t get it.
Bauer says it should be someone appointed to do it. To say a policy should be made, who negotiates it.
Yudice says only law enforcement agencies can create the policy, we can’t force anyone to do it but making recommendations.
Bauer says that when they only ask for a new policy, she says it doesn’t feel like it’s enough of a discussion.
Yudice looks at racial disparities task force language and reads it. "The Dane County Sheriff should narrowly tailor the ICE notification policy so that the DCSO does not notify ICE about inmates being booked into the Dane County Jail who are charged with minor offenses, such as those driving without a license, or other minor ordinance violations." He says they use "minor offenses" and ask them to "narrowly tailor it". He suggest that they can follow their recommendations.
Hampton says she wants to follow their recommendation closely in language, its consistent in language and they use "should" as opposed to "will" – would like to change that, remove "wills" and "shalls". Hampton is comfortable if we have consistent information to have consistent recommendations.
Hesselbein agrees. She looks rather pained at the committee members reactions to her statement and then she says "we don’t all have to agree".
Natera says that they were charged with looking at county and testimony they heard all points to number 2, just stop doing it. She is willing to compromise, but also want to say that it needs to reflect what they were told and heard, if they got rid of recommendation number two it would not be a complete report. We can add a sentence, but this has such an impact on the community, it has to be in there.
Hawkins agrees, this needs to be strongly communicated. We are poisoning the well, there is complete distrust in community, the fact that the policy we have is to say we won’t contact ICE, brings up in public mind that they can call ICE. That summons up the fear, dispelling the fear only summons the fear and as long as this policy is there, this is a problem. He's willing to compromise, but his is a core issue that affects a broad spectrum of policies and services and people and people are being hurt because of it.
Bidar-Sielaff says that they could make a stronger statement, she hasn’t read the narrative, but they could express the strong feelings of consequences of current policies and express that as a compromise our recommendation is to pull the recommendation of the task force on racial disparities, so they have the comfort of having reflected the discussion. But at some time reflect that it is a recommendation of anther task force and is more palatable should than the other one that won’t be acted upon anyways.
Yudice says many issues drive fear, deportation is huge, but he things that this issue with the jail policy of notifying ICE is right up there, but other issues given climate in the country, people will continue to be afraid of law enforcement and part of task is to also erasure the equal protection to immigrant group, you could argue that even within the immigrant community, those among us victimize the community.
Natera says that she will be ok with the compromise but within our own community, people victimize others, why, cuz won’t call the police. They have the example of the collection agency that says if don’t pay up, they will call the police, victims won’t come forward cuz in other countries that is not what they know. She grew up being told, if you are in trouble call 911 and she was told this as soon as she could dial the phone, you call for help, you know police would help you, that is not what we heard from people who testified.
Bauer agrees with Hawkins and Natera, likes what Bidar-Sielaff just said even if vague instead of just doing what other task force said.
Yudice says liked Bidar-Sielaff’s version. Yudice says three options – stay with the way it is written, Bidar-Sielaff version and the task force recommendation.
Bidar-Sielaff says that issue is that a policy should be developed needs parameters – who will do it, when will they report back and how will it be vetted, and she thinks that cuz she participated in the discussion at the racial disparities task force, they went with that by saying minor crimes. She fears if they leave it as policy will be developed, the bar of the policy could be higher than they wanted. The bar could be anywhere if they don't set parameters.
Hawkins says its like asking a kindergartener to set a policy on how many cookies they can eat in a day. If they ask them to re-write the policy, nothing will change.
Yudice says county board could take it further, not to an agency, they make a recommendation to the board, board would have to take it up.
[NOTE: At this point, Blaska looks at me and asks, "Is this a comedy or a farce". Beyond that, he's been quietly reading the report and taking notes.]
Bauer says they need community input.
Bidar-Sielaff says the policy can to be to never contact ICE, or sometimes. Never is what was on the table, compromise is sometimes. Sometimes needs to be clarified for what reason and when, so, if sometimes then make a recommendations of where is it, that is sometimes, task force did make recommendation which was when minor crimes they should not act, some is ok and sometimes it is not.
Yudice wants all of us to participate in the discussion and the final decision on where to go, he wants to set this aside until Hesselbein gets back, he says they are beginning to narrow it down. [NOTE: Hesselbein is at another meeting across the hall.]
Natera says this is the hardest one.
3. ISSUE: Public testimony identified problems of undocumented individuals who are unable to obtain a Wisconsin identification or driver's license. These problem range form not being unable to pick up a child at an after school program to being cited for driving without a license to being unable to open a bank account.
RECOMMENDATION: Wisconsin should institute a driver's identification program that would allow undocumented individuals to drive in Wisconsin and obtain insurance.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says she did research and Tennessee and Utah have some programs, and the recommendation is worded this way because that was a problem with the REAL ID law. They could now drive but could not get an ID, if it is just a drivers card, the problem with that is in Tennessee they put not to be used for ID purposes on the card so you could drive, but the card could not ID you, so anyone with the card could drive but you couldn't id who had the right to drive, it didn’t make sense.
Sheriff says that is the mandate under REAL ID, you can drive and get lawful insurance, but not use the ID to board an aircraft or enter a government building.
Bauer asks about how people can get bank account, use libraries, enter after school programs, if not drive and get photo id?
Bidar-Sielaff says same requirements, need to have legal residency.
Natera asks if they can put "only for ID purposes in WI" so it is not used to board a plane. She wants to look at other states so we could learn from what didn’t work.
Bauer says it could say "not for federal identification purposes".
Bidar-Sielaff says since this goes to the Dane County Board, and the sheriff is on record with agreeing we need a drivers ID, they should ask Dane County Board to go on record too. This is a discussion for law enforcement and others, we should be on record to support. We can put parameters around it, but not get into nitty-gritty of what it will look like. - Missed some - Bidar-Sielaff says that Dane county should support.
I missed the end of this.
4. ISSUE: Inconsistent policies and practices among local law enforcement agencies when dealing with non-U.S. citizens results in arbitrary enforcement of state laws and is perceived as racial profiling.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office will develop a policy for its patrol unit on enforcement of immigration laws modeled on the Madison Police Department's (MPD) policy.
DISCUSSION
Natera says this is to help get consistent policy in local law enforcement agencies.
Bidar-Sielaff says they should change it to law enforcement agencies in Dane County – they say this is what sheriff wanted.
Hawkins add "and other law enforcement agencies". They heard that Middleton is an issue.
Sheriff says that it should be county wide.
Bauer says she thought he wanted that the way it was worded.
Sheriff says that was for the liaison, number 6.
Yudice says they are already consistent, why not put it in writing, he realizes there is a sensitivity of telling other chiefs what to do, but they are already doing it, already the practice and the sheriff supports it.
Bidar-Sielaff says sensitivity is great, it is the inconsistency that creates some of the barriers and fears and given the Metro areas we are in, we can see up to 4 law enforcement agencies in a 3 mile radius, if we make recommendation, it should be a recommendation to all law enforcement agencies in Dane County. They went to the Chief's Association early on and its great to work together, but if Middleton is different than Oregon its a problem. The wording is just a recommendation, no mandate, that is the point of recommendation with discussion setting with chiefs but important to have a broader statement than just the sheriff’s office. The MPD and sheriff can be consistent then still problems with perception – only one agency has to be inconsistent to ruin it.
Yudice agrees but Dane County Sheriff is largest and by having sheriff’s office put practices in policy, they can model it for others, wants sheriff’s office to be highlighted.
Bidar-Sielaff says second sentence should be added to "encourage other law enforcement in Dane county to crease other consistent policies."
5. ISSUE: Our nation's federal immigration policies are ineffective and negatively impact the lives of residents in Dane County by creating a climate of fear, marginalizing a vulnerable population and threatening public safety.
RECOMMENDATION: We urge legislators to work toward and support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship.
DISCUSSION
Bidar-Sielaff says they could add to comprehensive immigration reform something that is more than path to citizenship. "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" means different things to other people, Ithaca has more parameters, also Milwaukee has other parameters, it all seem like Kumbaya, but its not always that evident, not wedded to language, but more parameters would be helpful.
Hawkins says they could just say to model it on the Ithaca document.
Natera says they can't do that unless they attach it.
Bauer says it should says something about keeping family units together.
Hawkins suggests "respecting family unity".
There's a back and forth discussion I don't catch all of . . . . it results in they like the Ithica language. Well, the sheriff and Hampton don't say anything or participate in these discussions, they seem completely disinterested. They talk about adding language about human rights and dignity. They agree to wordsmith and come back to it later. Yudice has to ask if the Sheriff and Hampton agree or not because they are not participating.
6. ISSUE: Due to the actions of the Dane County Sheriff's Office, victims and witnesses of crime are afraid to contact and/or collaborate with local law enforcement agencies for fear of deportation.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane county Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies should increase outreach and education in the immigrant community. In order to effectively do this, we strongly encourage the recruitment, hiring and retention of personnel in these agencies that reflect the diversity of our community.
DISCUSSION:
There isn't much, they all agree they are ok with this recommendation.
7. ISSUE: The immigrant community does not distinguish one law enforcement agency form another and these agencies' collaboration with ICE.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies should not enter in 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) agreemenets with ICE. Officers should not enforce federal immigration law.
DISCUSSION:
Bauer asks if others are doing it.
Sheriffs says the DOJ (Department of Justice) is.
Hampton shakes head to indicate no one else is doing it and says that DOJ is the state.
They agree that they should say that they should continue this practice so it is praising and positive reinforcement.
Hawkins said that didn’t know that when writing, but if none are, then continue is good.
8. ISSUE: Use of social security numbers by government agencies and schools to identify program participants denies access to services for immigrants and their children who lack social security numbers but may be eligible for programs.
RECOMMENDATION: Social security numbers should only be requested when absolutely necessary. Schools, libraries and higher education institutions, should use means other than social security number for identifying participants.
DISCUSSION:
Hawkins says that school lunch program is required to ask – it gets complicated, he wants to add another recommendation for the schools. He says at least with the – food program the numbers are concealed and not distributed, there are other groups in schools that do request it and request multiple times.
Natera says trying to get at that it should only be requested if necessary and not if just to ID people, then they can use another means, for example food pantries don't need social security numbers.
Bidar-Sielaff says only when funding source requires it should they ask.
Bauer says that food does in some cases.
Hawkins says its the FDZ programs that do, they don’t need it to get benefits but have to disclose a social security number, some use ITINS instead or leave it blank but if they can prove they are at or below the poverty level they can get free and reduced lunch even without the Social Security number.
Natera says that unless they know that, they won’t do it.
Hawkins says they are not allowed to tell them their rights, because of the situation that creates, this is just one instance that creates a difficult situation then when bring in other programs.
Yudice says only when mandated by federal law should it be asked for.
Hawkins wants to have another recommendation focused on schools.
9. ISSUE: Lack of interpreters among county agencies results in creating a barrier to immigrant's accessing county services and at times families rely on children to serve as interpreters.
RECOMMENDATION: Dane County agencies should provide certified interpreters in order to better provide access to services for all residents.
DISCUSSION:
Bidar-Sielaff says take out "certified", only the court has certified, qualified interpreters. She also says that it should say "children friends and family" are used as interpreters in the issue statement.
10. ISSUE: Individuals detained in teh Dane County Jail are not always aware of their right to counsel in immigration proceedings.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County jail shall have language specific information available to detainees about their rights in immigration proceedings.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says she asked immigration attorneys about this, in criminal proceedings they read you your rights, in immigration have right to council, but it is not provided (not free), the reason they wanted it in there was that is they have a policy of contacting ICE then they need some information to be available to people. Not every ICE agent comes with "know your rights packets", people get a notice to appear and they explain where to show up but they do not tell you that you can have an attorney. You have a right to council you pay for, but people don’t know that. If sheriff is delving into ICE area then they need ICE information.
Hawkins says that they know that they can have council from criminal action, think it will be provided elsewhere.
Natera says something that brochures already exist, they just need to put them out.
Bidar-Sielaff says to have it available.
11. ISSUE: Victims and witnesses of domestic violence are afraid to call the police for fear of deportation of the victim, perpetrator and/or witness.
RECOMMENDATION: Dane County law enforcement agencies should collaborate with victim/witness programs to provide information to victims.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says that they heard about this at the hearing, people wouldn't call. This recommendation was hard to draft.
Sheriff asks if victims get deported?
Hawkins ask about if both parties are picked up on a domestic violence call.
Natera says that there was the woman who was asking for child support at court house, and in the situation of dual arrest.
Sheriff says that is rare.
Hawkins says it can happen and fear that is can happen leads to people asking if the risk of mom getting his vs mom might disappear, in that equation, it is clear what to do. They look at if the police might stop him vs. they might not have parents, the fear is real no matter how great the liklihood of arrest is.
Bauer says that financial support is a problem too.
Bidar-Sielaff says that item 6 covers it.
Yudice says not just county agencies, but private agencies too – domestic violence exists and they are afraid to report it so we need to encourage more outreach.
Bidar-Sielaff makes recommendations – some changes made.
Natera wants an additional sentence.
Yudice likes 11 as a standalone, fund victim/witness specialist or funding to private agencies to to victim outreach.
Bidar-Sielaff says that gone around people in field don’t feel comfortable to call 911 – outreach won’t solve the underlying issue.
Bauer says to keep 11.
Bidar-Sielaff wouldn’t keep it separate, she says it is a part of 6.
Bauer points out it is stronger.
Yudice says that recommend that they fund additional programs for community – safe harbor program for Latinos, county has influence over agencies, by fact that provide funding. Wants to see it separate. Yudice will work on the wording.
Bidar-Sielaff says that as a domestic violence advocate, she sees that child abuse is another huge issues, she does not want to decide what funding is priority over another, need is extraordinarily more with issues of child abuse, that is her discomfort, all issues are important, if narrow it to one then make statement about importance and priorities that are already heated discussion in human services
BACK TO ITEM TWO
Yudice says they need to go back and make a decision, they have 3 options. 1) stay with the language as is. 2) Add language to the written policy 3) Use the Task Force on Racial Disparities language.
Bidar-Sielaff clarifies – next step to have meeting with public hearing and outreach effort – Bidar-Sielaff says since they are having difficulties, they have the three options and have that as part of the public input around them. Also can go back and mull over it. Wants to think it through, that is an option.
NEXT STEPS
At this point, the discussion gets really conversational, but here's the main points.
- Concern about having the hearing next week is too soon. Public needs more notification.
- Others have already started telling people about it.
- There will be press for these hearings since the WSJ reporter is there. He does mention it in the article.
- There is concerns about conflicts with community events that evening.
- The meeting is at 6:30 so they think it is ok.
- Sheriff is concerned because there is a Chief's Association meeting that week and they can't get it on the agenda until June. He wants to see it go there before final recommendations.
- There are concerns about how much time it is taking, they've been working on it since August.
- They also want to get the information they need and make good decisions.
- They decide to have a meeting on the 13th at 6:30 and then will have another one if they feel it is necessary to get more input, meanwhile, they can work on the recommendations and what they heard.
- They hope to go to the chief's meeting on June 10th. Yudice will go at 9:30 am.
- They ask that the notices for the meetings be less wordy.
- Shiva says that everyone should try to bring 5 people.
And that was about it, I gave up at that point . . . Read more!
POUTY UNPROFESSIONAL MAHONEY
Before I start with the meeting, I have to say, I was kind of appalled by the body language and pouting done by Sheriff David Mahoney during this meeting. He basically didn't engage in any discussion unless he was being defensive. He pouted most of the meeting. And apparently, at the last meeting, he told them he didn't care what they recommended, the practice of calling ICE would not change.
Mahoney stated that while he appreciated the opposition the practice [it] will not change. Mahoney also reminded the committee that any recommendation seeking to do away with the policy will only serve to inflame the police chiefs in other jurisdictions because of their reluctance to take direction from Madison.I'm mostly just stunned by his unprofessionalism, especially given that committee members have been civil and professional to him throughout the committee discussions I attended.
GETTING STARTED
Meeting called to order, minutes approved with a spelling correction and a clarification. I'm pretty sure that meeting was not properly publicly noticed, I would have noticed it and noted it in the week ahead AND I double checked to see what time the meeting was and it wasn't there. They handed out the report. They review the report quietly to themselves.
HOW TO DISCUSS THE REPORT
Ramona Natera says that she is concerned about the recommendations, she wants to make sure that she correctly captured what they wanted.
Shiva Bidar-Sielaff says that they can do word-smithing, but between now and next committee read in more detail and bring track changes, maybe they should make sure all on same page on recommendations.
There is a letter from Luis Yudice, Jonathan Hawkins wrote the summary, Natera worked on the recommendations.
Luis Yudice, the chair, says that they should focus on the recommendations, they need to make sure that the majority of the group supports the report, not just one minority opinion.
Natera says the letter is from Yudice and not the committee, summary we can come back to but the recommendations are the key.
They decide to focus on the recommendations, can have a separate group other than the writers, Bidar-Sielaff volunteers good at word-smithing.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. ISSUE: Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations requires local law enforcement agencies to notify a detainee's home country consulate of their arrest.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office will continue the current policy under the Vienna Convention requirement to notify a detainee's home country consulate of their arrest.
DISCUSSION:
Natera say first one is from Hawkins, there is an actual written policy, they have been contacting countries under Vienna convention when an individual from a mandatory country are detained, others countries are voluntary, wanted to make sure it was not a basis for a call to ICE.
Shiva Bidar-Sielaff says it important that they call the the consulate, not ICE as a proxy, if someone is a Mexican national, under Vienna, and if says wants consulate then they contact the office.
Sheriff Mahoney says mandatory notifications are done, they ask whether want it or not, for those detained in the jail, of whatever nationality and ask if they want to be called, if Mexico, not mandatory, if they say yes, they provide them the opportunity or assist them in making the call.
Bidar-Sielaff asks if they give them the Chicago number?
Sheriff says yes.
Sheriff says the language should be broader, not just a sheriff’s issue, should be all law enforcement agencies.
Jonathan Hawkins says that not just at jail, sheriff says if detained, if in a holding cell in Middleton he thinks they are required to notify the consulate.
Natera says they don’t know if that is happening. Natera says all law enforcement agencies are mandated.
Bidar-Sielaff suggests that will notify home country consulate for all law enforcement agencies in Dane county and they change the language.
2. ISSUE: The Dane County Sheriff's policy of notifying the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of all undocumented detainees who are processed in the Dane County Jail (DCJ) has had the unintended effect of tearing families apart and undermining trust in local law enforcement.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office will end the current practice of contacting ICE for cases involving processing of non-UW citizen detainees.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says this would end the current practice, but need a discussion about what the practice should be.
Yudice says the committee has had a spirited discussion about where lines should be drawn or not.
Bidar-Sielaff says she read the minutes, the sheriff recommended that if going to recommend that he end the practice, we simply state that.
Yudice says they tried to come up with middle ground, wanted to come up with language to not totally eliminate it, but have some circumstances when appropriate to contact ICE, but that is where get into murky water and its hard to define.
Rabbi Renee Bauer says they want to end practice of always contacting ICE.
Bidar-Sielaff would not leave it open, felony charge vs. misdemeanor is not murky, murder or driving under influence or bar fight, the law distinguished between reasons for why booked. She is not advocating, ok to end with her, offering options to the group.
Natera says it’s still an alleged violation – until convicted, still alleged to have committed the crime and unfortunately the jail is calling for everything.
Hawkins says that he wanted absolute phrasing, this is a poisoned well situation where as long as law enforcement, which is connected to other law enforcement and they are connected to the jail, the jail considered law enforcement, which is associated with ICE, which means people not reporting, not assisting police cuz they are concerned about their families and people around them who are not committing crimes but might be picked up on suspicion.
Bauer asks if there are times when it is required to call ICE?
Sheriff Mahoney says it is never mandated, so no.
Dianne Hesselbein says it’s his supervision, he looks at the best interest of safety and security of the jail.
Sheriff Mahoney says that is the purpose.
Bidar-Sielaff says that she wants the jail to be safe, as well as the community, she understood issue of identification, and her question is what is identification? If someone does have clearly what looks like voter ID card from Mexico or a passport, that is clear identification. If someone doesn’t have any means to ID self and only means to ID them is to call ICE she can understand that, but what she fails to understand is how many times positive ID information from ICE comes back, that would be helpful. Would like ID to be wider than WI ID or not. She says even if she had ID and I said where I was born, they would notify ICE. If no identification, then only way to ID is ICE can understand, but wants some data to show that ICE can ID me. If someone is here undocumented, then ICE won't have a record of me, that is why she asks if we get something in exchange. [NOTE: Mahnoney just ignores the questions and offers no information.]
Natera says if Joe Smith is from the Ukraine and here illegally, ICE has no record of him being here. If he has no passport, that triggers ICE intervention. So how do we make it a recommendation?
Bidar-Sielaff says to Hawkins point, the lack of clarify of that exchange of information makes it hard to create a policy that allows for exception, the costs are too great.
Yudice asks Melanie Hampton (sitting next to Mahoney, she and Mahoney are sitting separate from the rest of the group.
Hampton says she has problems with how it is worded, she says it is important to work together as law enforcement agencies, there are 29 of them in Dane County, they need a relationship with ICE for other matters as well and to have the practice cuts off an avenue to provide a safer community for the immigrant population, it takes out a tool in the tool box to remove problem individuals with criminal records, so to make an exclusive recommendation is a problem.
Bidar-Sielaff asks if it is at the time of booking in the jail it happens or during the due process portion that ID is needed. She is not saying they can't contact ICE during the investigative process. If there is a murder charge, during that investigative process I see where you have a point, the law enforcement agency should contact ICE, but that is part of due process and eventually those cases serve a sentence and then at the end of sentence are deported. What we are doing is reporting everyone that is not a us citizen to ICE, is there a way to word it so contact ICE based on investigation, but why at the point of booking everyone into jail?
Yudice says another option discussed was the middle option, if the law enforcement agency is investigating a sexual assault and in course of investigation they discover information then it should be ok. – missed some - He says that if you have a case and charged with violent crime, a sexual assault, they have forwarded charges, is there something that prevents them from contacting ICE?
Hampton says that she is more comfortable with sheriff answering that question. [NOTE: This is the other odd thing about this discussion, Hampton is clearly on the committee because of her law enforcement background, but she seems reluctant to ever say anything about the Madison Police Department or their policies.]
Hampton says could work it differently to be consistent with recommendation from Racial Disparities Task Force, they discussed tailoring it to "serious offenses or other conditions if beneficial to investigation or security of the jail" instead of using misdemeanors and felonies.
Bidar-Sielaff says willing to figure out more comfortable language.
Sheriff said something I missed.
Hesselbein asks what is a serious crime? Not shoplifting, does felony do it?
Hampton says steer away from that language, doesn't want a bright line. She says that a domestic violence misdemeanor requires mandatory arrest, because it is serious, but it is a misdemeanor. That is another step, she wants sheriff’s office to decide. She says it would be for the sheriff to discuss that for traffic and – probation parole holds are another issue, that is something committee hasn’t discussed and it would be better for law enforcement agencies to determine this.
Hawkins says he understands the tool – he says dangerous people not being removed from the community. He says he had a student in class that was aware of a crime, they didn't want police to be contacted, but afraid that others related will be picked up so police would not notified of the crime. Hawkins says last week someone in his class didn’t call the police because of that fear and that involved people involved in the recent shooting on Fordem. Now he has one kid in class that is one who didn’t call police and one whose family member is dead. This removes a range of possibilities of people who would call, this is not a hypothetical situation, understands we need to keep community the safe, but if I knew that an adult in the house was committing a crime, makes sense to look at all of them, but if they are all processed and ICE noticed and now we have kids with no parents, and it might be just based on a suspicion, ICE notified before them, so people not notifying police. This isn't just affecting the undocumented, but documented and citizens, the larger tool of reporting is being removed by desire to hang on to this one tool. [NOTE: His comments were much better in person than how I captured them, I was kind of stunned by his statement and lost track a bit.]
Bauer says that they hear that people are being targeted for theft, targeted because they carry cash, police are not getting called, feels like a danger, even from the outside.
Bidar-Sielaff says they also heard about domestic violence and how people won't call if they hear it next door, they will not call the police. Bidar-Sielaff suggests instead a policy would be developed to determine when it is appropriate to contact ICE, she wants to make sure that there is a policy and not have nothing three years later. She says now the policy is all are notified, they may not have time to vet a new policy, but who is going to do it? She would like to know when it is developed or if jointly with all agencies, something needs to happen and wee need to be clear what the at policy is . . . wants to know when appropriate to contact ICE.
Bauer says that policy has to say what crimes and when in the process ICE would be contacted, that should be clear. It is different to contact after conviction then at time of the crime.
Yudice says that the proposal is to leave first sentences, except say “all cases” and then say (Bidar-Sielaff helps with the language) “instead a policy will be developed to determine what point in the investigative process and for what charges is appropriate to contact ICE”. (This will be referred to as Shiva's language, I may not have gotten her proposal in exact language at first) At what point in the investigative process is changed instead of when.
Bauer wants them to add and for what crimes. Who develops the policy?
Yudice says the sheriff.
Bidar-Sielaff says this should be for all of Dane County.
Hampton agrees.
Bauer says if the sheriff already has a policy and we are recommending for them to change it, why would people who wrote policy write a new one.
Bidar-Sielaff says she doesn’t get the policy, its been explained to her three different ways. They need the policy to identify the person or to remove the person. Maybe they just need a clear policy, I don’t think I’m that dumb, but I don’t get it.
Bauer says it should be someone appointed to do it. To say a policy should be made, who negotiates it.
Yudice says only law enforcement agencies can create the policy, we can’t force anyone to do it but making recommendations.
Bauer says that when they only ask for a new policy, she says it doesn’t feel like it’s enough of a discussion.
Yudice looks at racial disparities task force language and reads it. "The Dane County Sheriff should narrowly tailor the ICE notification policy so that the DCSO does not notify ICE about inmates being booked into the Dane County Jail who are charged with minor offenses, such as those driving without a license, or other minor ordinance violations." He says they use "minor offenses" and ask them to "narrowly tailor it". He suggest that they can follow their recommendations.
Hampton says she wants to follow their recommendation closely in language, its consistent in language and they use "should" as opposed to "will" – would like to change that, remove "wills" and "shalls". Hampton is comfortable if we have consistent information to have consistent recommendations.
Hesselbein agrees. She looks rather pained at the committee members reactions to her statement and then she says "we don’t all have to agree".
Natera says that they were charged with looking at county and testimony they heard all points to number 2, just stop doing it. She is willing to compromise, but also want to say that it needs to reflect what they were told and heard, if they got rid of recommendation number two it would not be a complete report. We can add a sentence, but this has such an impact on the community, it has to be in there.
Hawkins agrees, this needs to be strongly communicated. We are poisoning the well, there is complete distrust in community, the fact that the policy we have is to say we won’t contact ICE, brings up in public mind that they can call ICE. That summons up the fear, dispelling the fear only summons the fear and as long as this policy is there, this is a problem. He's willing to compromise, but his is a core issue that affects a broad spectrum of policies and services and people and people are being hurt because of it.
Bidar-Sielaff says that they could make a stronger statement, she hasn’t read the narrative, but they could express the strong feelings of consequences of current policies and express that as a compromise our recommendation is to pull the recommendation of the task force on racial disparities, so they have the comfort of having reflected the discussion. But at some time reflect that it is a recommendation of anther task force and is more palatable should than the other one that won’t be acted upon anyways.
Yudice says many issues drive fear, deportation is huge, but he things that this issue with the jail policy of notifying ICE is right up there, but other issues given climate in the country, people will continue to be afraid of law enforcement and part of task is to also erasure the equal protection to immigrant group, you could argue that even within the immigrant community, those among us victimize the community.
Natera says that she will be ok with the compromise but within our own community, people victimize others, why, cuz won’t call the police. They have the example of the collection agency that says if don’t pay up, they will call the police, victims won’t come forward cuz in other countries that is not what they know. She grew up being told, if you are in trouble call 911 and she was told this as soon as she could dial the phone, you call for help, you know police would help you, that is not what we heard from people who testified.
Bauer agrees with Hawkins and Natera, likes what Bidar-Sielaff just said even if vague instead of just doing what other task force said.
Yudice says liked Bidar-Sielaff’s version. Yudice says three options – stay with the way it is written, Bidar-Sielaff version and the task force recommendation.
Bidar-Sielaff says that issue is that a policy should be developed needs parameters – who will do it, when will they report back and how will it be vetted, and she thinks that cuz she participated in the discussion at the racial disparities task force, they went with that by saying minor crimes. She fears if they leave it as policy will be developed, the bar of the policy could be higher than they wanted. The bar could be anywhere if they don't set parameters.
Hawkins says its like asking a kindergartener to set a policy on how many cookies they can eat in a day. If they ask them to re-write the policy, nothing will change.
Yudice says county board could take it further, not to an agency, they make a recommendation to the board, board would have to take it up.
[NOTE: At this point, Blaska looks at me and asks, "Is this a comedy or a farce". Beyond that, he's been quietly reading the report and taking notes.]
Bauer says they need community input.
Bidar-Sielaff says the policy can to be to never contact ICE, or sometimes. Never is what was on the table, compromise is sometimes. Sometimes needs to be clarified for what reason and when, so, if sometimes then make a recommendations of where is it, that is sometimes, task force did make recommendation which was when minor crimes they should not act, some is ok and sometimes it is not.
Yudice wants all of us to participate in the discussion and the final decision on where to go, he wants to set this aside until Hesselbein gets back, he says they are beginning to narrow it down. [NOTE: Hesselbein is at another meeting across the hall.]
Natera says this is the hardest one.
3. ISSUE: Public testimony identified problems of undocumented individuals who are unable to obtain a Wisconsin identification or driver's license. These problem range form not being unable to pick up a child at an after school program to being cited for driving without a license to being unable to open a bank account.
RECOMMENDATION: Wisconsin should institute a driver's identification program that would allow undocumented individuals to drive in Wisconsin and obtain insurance.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says she did research and Tennessee and Utah have some programs, and the recommendation is worded this way because that was a problem with the REAL ID law. They could now drive but could not get an ID, if it is just a drivers card, the problem with that is in Tennessee they put not to be used for ID purposes on the card so you could drive, but the card could not ID you, so anyone with the card could drive but you couldn't id who had the right to drive, it didn’t make sense.
Sheriff says that is the mandate under REAL ID, you can drive and get lawful insurance, but not use the ID to board an aircraft or enter a government building.
Bauer asks about how people can get bank account, use libraries, enter after school programs, if not drive and get photo id?
Bidar-Sielaff says same requirements, need to have legal residency.
Natera asks if they can put "only for ID purposes in WI" so it is not used to board a plane. She wants to look at other states so we could learn from what didn’t work.
Bauer says it could say "not for federal identification purposes".
Bidar-Sielaff says since this goes to the Dane County Board, and the sheriff is on record with agreeing we need a drivers ID, they should ask Dane County Board to go on record too. This is a discussion for law enforcement and others, we should be on record to support. We can put parameters around it, but not get into nitty-gritty of what it will look like. - Missed some - Bidar-Sielaff says that Dane county should support.
I missed the end of this.
4. ISSUE: Inconsistent policies and practices among local law enforcement agencies when dealing with non-U.S. citizens results in arbitrary enforcement of state laws and is perceived as racial profiling.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office will develop a policy for its patrol unit on enforcement of immigration laws modeled on the Madison Police Department's (MPD) policy.
DISCUSSION
Natera says this is to help get consistent policy in local law enforcement agencies.
Bidar-Sielaff says they should change it to law enforcement agencies in Dane County – they say this is what sheriff wanted.
Hawkins add "and other law enforcement agencies". They heard that Middleton is an issue.
Sheriff says that it should be county wide.
Bauer says she thought he wanted that the way it was worded.
Sheriff says that was for the liaison, number 6.
Yudice says they are already consistent, why not put it in writing, he realizes there is a sensitivity of telling other chiefs what to do, but they are already doing it, already the practice and the sheriff supports it.
Bidar-Sielaff says sensitivity is great, it is the inconsistency that creates some of the barriers and fears and given the Metro areas we are in, we can see up to 4 law enforcement agencies in a 3 mile radius, if we make recommendation, it should be a recommendation to all law enforcement agencies in Dane County. They went to the Chief's Association early on and its great to work together, but if Middleton is different than Oregon its a problem. The wording is just a recommendation, no mandate, that is the point of recommendation with discussion setting with chiefs but important to have a broader statement than just the sheriff’s office. The MPD and sheriff can be consistent then still problems with perception – only one agency has to be inconsistent to ruin it.
Yudice agrees but Dane County Sheriff is largest and by having sheriff’s office put practices in policy, they can model it for others, wants sheriff’s office to be highlighted.
Bidar-Sielaff says second sentence should be added to "encourage other law enforcement in Dane county to crease other consistent policies."
5. ISSUE: Our nation's federal immigration policies are ineffective and negatively impact the lives of residents in Dane County by creating a climate of fear, marginalizing a vulnerable population and threatening public safety.
RECOMMENDATION: We urge legislators to work toward and support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship.
DISCUSSION
Bidar-Sielaff says they could add to comprehensive immigration reform something that is more than path to citizenship. "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" means different things to other people, Ithaca has more parameters, also Milwaukee has other parameters, it all seem like Kumbaya, but its not always that evident, not wedded to language, but more parameters would be helpful.
Hawkins says they could just say to model it on the Ithaca document.
Natera says they can't do that unless they attach it.
Bauer says it should says something about keeping family units together.
Hawkins suggests "respecting family unity".
There's a back and forth discussion I don't catch all of . . . . it results in they like the Ithica language. Well, the sheriff and Hampton don't say anything or participate in these discussions, they seem completely disinterested. They talk about adding language about human rights and dignity. They agree to wordsmith and come back to it later. Yudice has to ask if the Sheriff and Hampton agree or not because they are not participating.
6. ISSUE: Due to the actions of the Dane County Sheriff's Office, victims and witnesses of crime are afraid to contact and/or collaborate with local law enforcement agencies for fear of deportation.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane county Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies should increase outreach and education in the immigrant community. In order to effectively do this, we strongly encourage the recruitment, hiring and retention of personnel in these agencies that reflect the diversity of our community.
DISCUSSION:
There isn't much, they all agree they are ok with this recommendation.
7. ISSUE: The immigrant community does not distinguish one law enforcement agency form another and these agencies' collaboration with ICE.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies should not enter in 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) agreemenets with ICE. Officers should not enforce federal immigration law.
DISCUSSION:
Bauer asks if others are doing it.
Sheriffs says the DOJ (Department of Justice) is.
Hampton shakes head to indicate no one else is doing it and says that DOJ is the state.
They agree that they should say that they should continue this practice so it is praising and positive reinforcement.
Hawkins said that didn’t know that when writing, but if none are, then continue is good.
8. ISSUE: Use of social security numbers by government agencies and schools to identify program participants denies access to services for immigrants and their children who lack social security numbers but may be eligible for programs.
RECOMMENDATION: Social security numbers should only be requested when absolutely necessary. Schools, libraries and higher education institutions, should use means other than social security number for identifying participants.
DISCUSSION:
Hawkins says that school lunch program is required to ask – it gets complicated, he wants to add another recommendation for the schools. He says at least with the – food program the numbers are concealed and not distributed, there are other groups in schools that do request it and request multiple times.
Natera says trying to get at that it should only be requested if necessary and not if just to ID people, then they can use another means, for example food pantries don't need social security numbers.
Bidar-Sielaff says only when funding source requires it should they ask.
Bauer says that food does in some cases.
Hawkins says its the FDZ programs that do, they don’t need it to get benefits but have to disclose a social security number, some use ITINS instead or leave it blank but if they can prove they are at or below the poverty level they can get free and reduced lunch even without the Social Security number.
Natera says that unless they know that, they won’t do it.
Hawkins says they are not allowed to tell them their rights, because of the situation that creates, this is just one instance that creates a difficult situation then when bring in other programs.
Yudice says only when mandated by federal law should it be asked for.
Hawkins wants to have another recommendation focused on schools.
9. ISSUE: Lack of interpreters among county agencies results in creating a barrier to immigrant's accessing county services and at times families rely on children to serve as interpreters.
RECOMMENDATION: Dane County agencies should provide certified interpreters in order to better provide access to services for all residents.
DISCUSSION:
Bidar-Sielaff says take out "certified", only the court has certified, qualified interpreters. She also says that it should say "children friends and family" are used as interpreters in the issue statement.
10. ISSUE: Individuals detained in teh Dane County Jail are not always aware of their right to counsel in immigration proceedings.
RECOMMENDATION: The Dane County jail shall have language specific information available to detainees about their rights in immigration proceedings.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says she asked immigration attorneys about this, in criminal proceedings they read you your rights, in immigration have right to council, but it is not provided (not free), the reason they wanted it in there was that is they have a policy of contacting ICE then they need some information to be available to people. Not every ICE agent comes with "know your rights packets", people get a notice to appear and they explain where to show up but they do not tell you that you can have an attorney. You have a right to council you pay for, but people don’t know that. If sheriff is delving into ICE area then they need ICE information.
Hawkins says that they know that they can have council from criminal action, think it will be provided elsewhere.
Natera says something that brochures already exist, they just need to put them out.
Bidar-Sielaff says to have it available.
11. ISSUE: Victims and witnesses of domestic violence are afraid to call the police for fear of deportation of the victim, perpetrator and/or witness.
RECOMMENDATION: Dane County law enforcement agencies should collaborate with victim/witness programs to provide information to victims.
DISCUSSION:
Natera says that they heard about this at the hearing, people wouldn't call. This recommendation was hard to draft.
Sheriff asks if victims get deported?
Hawkins ask about if both parties are picked up on a domestic violence call.
Natera says that there was the woman who was asking for child support at court house, and in the situation of dual arrest.
Sheriff says that is rare.
Hawkins says it can happen and fear that is can happen leads to people asking if the risk of mom getting his vs mom might disappear, in that equation, it is clear what to do. They look at if the police might stop him vs. they might not have parents, the fear is real no matter how great the liklihood of arrest is.
Bauer says that financial support is a problem too.
Bidar-Sielaff says that item 6 covers it.
Yudice says not just county agencies, but private agencies too – domestic violence exists and they are afraid to report it so we need to encourage more outreach.
Bidar-Sielaff makes recommendations – some changes made.
Natera wants an additional sentence.
Yudice likes 11 as a standalone, fund victim/witness specialist or funding to private agencies to to victim outreach.
Bidar-Sielaff says that gone around people in field don’t feel comfortable to call 911 – outreach won’t solve the underlying issue.
Bauer says to keep 11.
Bidar-Sielaff wouldn’t keep it separate, she says it is a part of 6.
Bauer points out it is stronger.
Yudice says that recommend that they fund additional programs for community – safe harbor program for Latinos, county has influence over agencies, by fact that provide funding. Wants to see it separate. Yudice will work on the wording.
Bidar-Sielaff says that as a domestic violence advocate, she sees that child abuse is another huge issues, she does not want to decide what funding is priority over another, need is extraordinarily more with issues of child abuse, that is her discomfort, all issues are important, if narrow it to one then make statement about importance and priorities that are already heated discussion in human services
BACK TO ITEM TWO
Yudice says they need to go back and make a decision, they have 3 options. 1) stay with the language as is. 2) Add language to the written policy 3) Use the Task Force on Racial Disparities language.
Bidar-Sielaff clarifies – next step to have meeting with public hearing and outreach effort – Bidar-Sielaff says since they are having difficulties, they have the three options and have that as part of the public input around them. Also can go back and mull over it. Wants to think it through, that is an option.
NEXT STEPS
At this point, the discussion gets really conversational, but here's the main points.
- Concern about having the hearing next week is too soon. Public needs more notification.
- Others have already started telling people about it.
- There will be press for these hearings since the WSJ reporter is there. He does mention it in the article.
- There is concerns about conflicts with community events that evening.
- The meeting is at 6:30 so they think it is ok.
- Sheriff is concerned because there is a Chief's Association meeting that week and they can't get it on the agenda until June. He wants to see it go there before final recommendations.
- There are concerns about how much time it is taking, they've been working on it since August.
- They also want to get the information they need and make good decisions.
- They decide to have a meeting on the 13th at 6:30 and then will have another one if they feel it is necessary to get more input, meanwhile, they can work on the recommendations and what they heard.
- They hope to go to the chief's meeting on June 10th. Yudice will go at 9:30 am.
- They ask that the notices for the meetings be less wordy.
- Shiva says that everyone should try to bring 5 people.
And that was about it, I gave up at that point . . . Read more!
Gypsy Moth Spraying
Info from the County Parks Department including a map and spraying areas plus a hotline you can sign up for to get electronic notices when they will be in your area:
MADISON, May 3, 2010 – Aerial spraying to combat the potentially defoliating effects of the gypsy moth could begin in Dane County around May 10th according to Darren Marsh, Parks Director for Dane County and the county coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Gypsy Moth Suppression Program. This is the fourth year Dane County has participated in the state suppression program; however, the Madison area had similar treatments from 1998-2003 as part of the federal Slow the Spread Program.Read more!
There are 47 treatment areas (map) and approximately 3,015 acres in Dane County scheduled for an aerial spray treatment this spring. Exactly when those sites will be sprayed can only be estimated right now, according to Marsh. The treatment areas include locations throughout Dane County, including City of Fitchburg (2 areas, 80 ac.), City of Madison (35 areas, 1,862 ac.), City of Middleton (1 area, 483 ac.), City of Monona (3 areas; 244 ac.), City of Sun Prairie (2 areas, 66 ac.), Town of Middleton (2 areas, 141 ac.), Town of Pleasant Springs – Lake Kegonsa State Park (2 areas, 139 ac.).
Mark Guthmiller, Regional Coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources’ gypsy moth program says, “It all comes down to the weather.” The caterpillars must be of a certain size and the leaves on which they feed must also be large enough so that there’s a good cover to ‘catch’ the spray when it comes down. Both of those factors are influenced by the weather. “Then, when the caterpillars are the right size and the leaves are big enough, we have to have the right weather conditions just to get the planes in the air,” Guthmiller added “ Due to the early spring we are about two weeks a head of last year. ”
“People living near a treatment area can be notified through daily updates when treatment is planned for a given day,” Guthmiller advised. “They can call our toll-free information line 1-800-642-MOTH (6684) for daily updates as we get closer to our anticipated treatment dates, or they can receive updates via an electronic e-mail list.” Site specific maps of the spray blocks can be accessed by going to the gypsy moth web portal at http://gypsymoth.wi.gov and clicking on Dane County on the 2010 WI Cooperative Gypsy Moth Program Treatment Area link (yellow and blue Wisconsin map on right side of the page). To subscribe for e-mail notification, visit the above website and click on the DNR Gypsy Moth Spray Email Sign Up Link just under the WI maps in the gray shaded area.
Expect to hear loud low flying planes conducting the spray treatment. Similar to last year the planes will be either a yellow air tractor spray plane or a red and grey twin engine planes. The spraying typically begins in the early morning when weather conditions are generally most favorable, but it can happen at any time of the day if the wind is light and there’s no rain in the immediate forecast. The spray treatment uses a biological insecticide with the active ingredient Btk. Btk is a naturally-occurring soil bacteria that, when eaten by gypsy moth caterpillars, causes them to stop feeding and die. Btk is generally not harmful to people, pets or other wild species. In fact, the Btk formulation to be used this year has been listed as acceptable for use in organic production by the Organic Materials Review Institute. However, people who are concerned may wish to avoid areas to be sprayed on the day that spraying occurs or stay indoors during and for 30 minutes following the spray.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Guthmiller, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (608) 275-3223
Darren Marsh, Dane County Land and Water Resources (608) 224-3766
Monday, May 3, 2010
Renting from Apex: Where do you pay the rent?
Apparently, Apex Property Management and Anchor Bank are in a dispute, and their tenants are caught in the middle. To make matters more complicated, they have signed a confidentiality agreement and neither side can really talk. And here at the Tenant Resource Center, we're uncertain what to tell the tenants, this is as much as I know and can figure out.
1. Many Apex tenants got a letter telling them to make their rent check out to Apex and send it to Anchor Bank. I have no idea what authority they have to do this under.
2. Anchor Bank says that the property is in recievership, but I can't find any records. Given the long list of LLCs that Apex operates under, it would be a huge task to try to figure out what is going on. And, if it were in recievership, I think we'd see a more formal letter from someone other than Anchor.
3. Apex says that if you pay your rent to Anchor, then they won't do repairs or assist you because they will have no money to do so. If they are legally still the landlord, they can't do that. They can't waive the responsibilities, even when a tenant doesn't pay rent. But . . . they could start an eviction action, if they wanted to, if there is not some reason why they are no longer in the legal position of landlords.
4. Anchor Bank says if you don't pay the rent to them, then they can "go after" the tenant. I'm not sure what that means, I don't think they are in the legal position to be able to evict and unless there is some crazy agreement in the leases, I don't know what standing they would have to go after the tenants.
None of this makes any sense, in the 19 years I've volunteered or worked at the Tenant Resource Center I've never seen anything like it. The good news is that they are meeting tomorrow and will hopefully get something worked out. One might be tempted to just not pay the rent until Apex and Anchor sort it out. If you haven't gotten a 5 day notice in the last year I guess that might one option. If you do that, send a letter to both Apex and Anchor telling them you intend to pay the rent once you know which entity to pay it to. And then, the key is, DON'T. SPEND. THE. MONEY. so you have it when you need it. The other option is to pay the rent to one of the entities. If you do that, send a copy of the check to the other and keep a copy of it for yourself. Both seem like bad options at the moment. But since this isn't a foreclosure action, we're not sure what to tell folks at this point.
Finally, it will be interesting to see who is financing this project.
If we get any more clarity on the situation, I'll post it here.
Read more!
1. Many Apex tenants got a letter telling them to make their rent check out to Apex and send it to Anchor Bank. I have no idea what authority they have to do this under.
2. Anchor Bank says that the property is in recievership, but I can't find any records. Given the long list of LLCs that Apex operates under, it would be a huge task to try to figure out what is going on. And, if it were in recievership, I think we'd see a more formal letter from someone other than Anchor.
3. Apex says that if you pay your rent to Anchor, then they won't do repairs or assist you because they will have no money to do so. If they are legally still the landlord, they can't do that. They can't waive the responsibilities, even when a tenant doesn't pay rent. But . . . they could start an eviction action, if they wanted to, if there is not some reason why they are no longer in the legal position of landlords.
4. Anchor Bank says if you don't pay the rent to them, then they can "go after" the tenant. I'm not sure what that means, I don't think they are in the legal position to be able to evict and unless there is some crazy agreement in the leases, I don't know what standing they would have to go after the tenants.
None of this makes any sense, in the 19 years I've volunteered or worked at the Tenant Resource Center I've never seen anything like it. The good news is that they are meeting tomorrow and will hopefully get something worked out. One might be tempted to just not pay the rent until Apex and Anchor sort it out. If you haven't gotten a 5 day notice in the last year I guess that might one option. If you do that, send a letter to both Apex and Anchor telling them you intend to pay the rent once you know which entity to pay it to. And then, the key is, DON'T. SPEND. THE. MONEY. so you have it when you need it. The other option is to pay the rent to one of the entities. If you do that, send a copy of the check to the other and keep a copy of it for yourself. Both seem like bad options at the moment. But since this isn't a foreclosure action, we're not sure what to tell folks at this point.
Finally, it will be interesting to see who is financing this project.
If we get any more clarity on the situation, I'll post it here.
Read more!
Update on High Speed Rail - From Alder Rummel
This is information that she sent to her neighborhood listserves, but I think others may be interested as well. Input needed in the next week to three weeks, no public hearing on the location issue. So if you care, act now!
All- Here is a recap of the meeting I requested with WisDOT held on 4/28 in the Mayor's conference. Attending from WisDOT: Chris Klein (Exec Asst to Sec'y) and Paul Trombino (Operations Director) ; Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Janet Piraino, David Trowbridge, Rob Phillips, Brad Murphy, Chris Petykowski, Alder Satya Rhodes-Conway and myself.Read more!
If residents want to have an impact on the station decision, they should contact Gov. Jim Doyle governor@wisconsin.gov and Sec'y Frank Busalacchi Frank.Busalacchi@dot.wi.gov with location preferences Now. The window for public comment may be open for the next 1-3 weeks. The Gov and Sec'y will weigh the criteria and decide on a location -before- the corridor process starts. It sounds like the announcement will be in mid May. Chris Klein mentioned economic development would be one of the criteria which was a good sign for those who think the Yahara Station has the most potential for transit oriented development on the E Washington corridor.
There will not be a public hearing process to gather input on locations, but, after the location is chosen there will be a city type land use approval process, plus DOT public participation process with consultants doing environmental assessments for the station and operations/maintenance plan for the corridor.
When staff of the Federal Railway Administration came to town about two weeks ago, they were not authorized to finalize contracts with DOT for the two sets of consultants. Chris Klein anticipates that this will be done between mid May to end of May. But the consultants are reportedly ready to go as soon as the contracts are signed. I expect the WisDOT public participation process to start in June.
The Mayor agreed there has been a vacuum of info for Atwood residents and agreed that residents need to share their concerns about corridor issues soon. I stated my intention to hold a listening session and the Mayor and I set May 25 as a date we were both available. This is still tentative, I will have more info in a day or so with location, etc. I told DOT officials that I wanted them to attend but I would make it clear to residents this will be a District 6 meeting sponsored by the alder. Official WisDOT meetings will follow afterwards. Klein and Trombino reminded us that people will need to attend the public meetings their consultants organize in order to get their concerns/issues on the official record. The WisDOT sponsored meetings will notify the entire affected area which is why they are waiting until after the station location is chosen. I am also working with EINPC and east side alders to hold a meeting of NA leaders to help get info out.
Let me know if you have questions. Stay tuned!
Marsha Rummel
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