Greyhound . . . oh, btw, we're moving. Tomorrow. In less than 12 hours.

The only story that ends up in my google reader to pass along to you. But the story is more about what you don't see. One might think this was some kind of April Fools joke.

From: Harmon, Ray
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 5:06 PM
To: ALL ALDERS
Subject:

Dear Alders-

I wanted to let you know that yesterday I was contacted by Greyhound and informed the lease on their current temporary space on Stoughton RD ends March 31, 2010 and begin temporarily operate a curbside service at the intersection of East Washington and Baldwin St., beginning Thursday, April 1. From this location, Greyhound will continue to run 10 daily schedules. Tickets can be purchased online. Greyhound is working closely with city officials to find a permanent location in Madison.

Please see attached release from Greyhound for additional information.

Sincerely,

Ray Harmon
Office of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz

Working closely with the city, they give them 24 hours notice and the alders get even less. Poor Alder Maniaci sent the notice out at 2am to her constituents with a note:

On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 2:00 AM, Maniaci, Bridget wrote:
Neighbors,
Please let me know of your thoughts.
Thanks,
Bridget

I'll tell you what I think, and I'm not directing these comments at Alder Maniaci but Greyhound . . . this is a shitty way to do business. If someone were leaving on a Greyhound bus today, do they wait by Pug Mahones, or EVP or on the other side by the old Marquip building? Where do people wait in bad weather? What restrooms can they use while waiting? What do they do in bad weather? Is our neighborhood coffee shop to become the Greyhound bus station? Were they consulted about this? Aren't there city approvals needed for curb side pick ups? Are they removing parking spaces? Are they sharing Madison Metro's bus stops and how will that work? And, um, what about those who don't have a credit card to buy tickets on-line, who are also likely the same people who don't have internet access except at public libraries?

For what it is worth, here's the press release:

DALLAS (March 31, 2010) – Greyhound will temporarily operate a curbside service at the intersection of East Washington and Baldwin St., beginning Thursday, April 1. From this location, Greyhound will continue to run 10 daily schedules. Tickets can be purchased online. Greyhound is working closely with city officials to find a permanent location in Madison.

For Greyhound ticket information in Madison, call 1-800-231-2222.

About Greyhound
Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 2,300 destinations across the continent. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the Web site at www.greyhound.com. Follow Greyhound on Twitter for the latest news and travel deals, http://twitter.com/GreyhoundBus.

So, if you bought tickets for this weekend to get out of town, SURPRISE! you're leaving from a new location, apparently, they'll twitter you about it? Or worse yet, if you left on spring break and left from Stoughton Rd, you're in for a surprise when you get dropped off at Baldwin and E. Washington Ave.

Don't get me wrong, its a much better location than Stoughton Road and I have at least one staff member who will be thrilled they don't need to bum a ride from friends to get to the station, but as I said before, this is a shitty way to do business. No notice, no working out logistics, no good information for the public.
Read more!

Short Week Monday Morning Round Up

Edgewater free round up . . .

CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MIA
So, where is our Economic Development Commission, our Economic Development Director and city leadership? With all the talk of jobs and the economy, wouldn't you think buying local would have been a top priority this shopping season?

NO WONDER THERE IS SO MUCH SHERIFF'S OVERTIME
What kind of management is this?

The biggest change in the Sheriff’s Office this year that reduced overtime was reversing a policy that allowed deputies to take whatever vacation days they wanted. In the past, the “red zone vacation days” — June, July, August and holidays — would have so many deputies out that the department had to schedule seven deputies on overtime each shift.

Holy crap, that's just irresponsible. Check out what Moody's has to say about it:

When Moody’s Investors Services downgraded the county’s bond rating — an indicator of the county’s financial health — in September for the first time in decades, the analyst pointed to the overspending in the Sheriff’s Office as one of the reasons why the county posted a $10 million deficit in 2008.

What bothers me even more is that I've heard County Board Supervisors defend the Sheriff by saying, "its what all the other sheriff's have done, so we can't blame Mahoney". I'm not sure I blame Mahoney, I blame the county board supervisors with that attitude.

WSJ AND SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION WANT YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE
I wonder what they would have to say about the above?

CLASS BASED AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
I found this article interesting. This isn't a new idea by any means, but its interesting to see people talking about it.

SEE A PROBLEM HERE?
The city kinda screwed up and as a result, some of the poorest people in the city had a huge rent increase with little to no notice. Months later, they have not been made whole. Now, it add insult to injury, if the city gets money from the federal government here's what they are going to do with it:

If the city gets the extra money, it will be distributed to landlords, who will be required to make refunds to tenants whose rent was increased, said Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.

Does that make sense to you? Sounds like a recipe for disaster as the tenants fight to get their money back. Why not give it directly to the tenants? How can we be sure they actually get that money back and that the landlord doesn't get paid twice?

GRINCHOR A SIGN OF HOW DESPERATE THE TIMES ARE?
Nobody likes to see this. I think it's a sad comment about how desperate some people have become.

IS OUR WATER SAFE?
This was a good recap of the issues. More here.

COUNCIL BLOOPERS
I've heard people talk about doing this for years, kudos to this rookie class for finally getting it done!

DO OVER
Without the racism this time. I missed the Hip Hop discussion at ALRC, but I have to say, I didn't have high hopes. I can't wait until they come out with best practices for County music. Or Jam Bands.

WHERE CAN YOU RECYCLE YOUR PLASTIC BAGS AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Cost first? Nothing? Or waste of resources? This article has two points of view:
From the Business Commmunity we have this:

Brandon Scholz, president and chief executive of the Wisconsin Grocers Association and an early critic of the program, said Thursday the program was an ineffective use of city resources because many private companies in the city already offer the same service. He also predicted the city's outdoor bins would be hard to keep clean and difficult to monitor for misuse.

From City Staff we have this:

Dreckmann said the plastic bag recycling bins would be emptied about every two weeks, depending on their level of use, and the program wouldn't pass any new costs onto taxpayers.

Which do you believe?

Second, when I first read about the new plastic bags recycling program, the options seemed really limited and seemed to lack downtown locations, but it turns out the list is much longer than reported on channel 15.
Here's the list.

City of Madison Self Help Drop Off Centers
- East 4602 Sycamore Av
- South 1501 W. Badger Rd
- West 402 South Point Rd

Other City Sites
- Glenway Golf Course Waste Oil Site
- Monona Golf Course Waste Oil Site
- Warner Park Community Recreation Center

City Program Participants
- Aldi Stores - 3925 Lien Rd & 8222 Watts Rd.
- University Bookstore - 713 State St
- Williamson Street Co-Op - 1221 Williamson St.

Other Plastic Bag Recycling Sites
Capital Center Foods - 111 N. Broom St
Copps Food Stores
- 3010 Cahill Main
- 620 S. Whitney Way
- 1312 S. Park St
- 2502 Shopko Dr
- 6540 Monona Dr
- 3650 University Av
- 261 Junction Rd.
- 6655 McKee Rd.
HyVee - 3801 E. Washington Av
Kohl's Department Stores - 2602 East Springs Dr. & 7401 West Towne Way
Metcalf's Market (Sentry) - 726 N. Midvale Bl
Pierce's Northside Market - 2817 N. Sherman Av
Sentry Foods - 4602 Cottage Grove Rd.
Trader Joe's - 1810 Monroe St.
Wal Mart - 7202 Watts Rd & 4198 Nakoosa Trl
Whole Foods Market - 3313 University Av.
Woodman's - 3817 Milwaukee St & 711 S. Gammon Rd

On a slow week, its a good thing I still have 20 - 30 more emails labled "blog topic" in my blog folder. Expect some more, perhaps more stale round up tomorrow.
Read more!

Hey! It's a Snow Day! Round Up

Eh, I slept in, went to Bizzardoke at the High Noon last night. Now I can't decide if its worth it to get my car out of the ramp, the streets don't really look all that plowed. I was kind of hoping for a plowed spot to move into before tonight. Problem is that if they're not plowed the spots will start filling in as people move their cars for tonight making it hard for the plows, resulting in moving all our cars for no reason at all. Seems silly to shovel to get your car into a spot, so you can shovel to get it back out. Plus, it's a delicate balance of how long to wait . . . and how long everyone else will wait . . . or should I just leave it there . . . uh, yeah, that's an idea. Luckily, I can afford it.

HEY, IT'S SNOWING - EVERYTHING IS CLOSED
I don't understand why the city was sooooooo slow to respond, this one was easy see coming, but they didn't declare a snow emergency for the city until around 5:00. They cancelled the council meeting just three hours before the meeting. They waited til the end of the day to determine that they would be closed the next day, giving city employees little time to prepare for being closed and cancel all the meetings for the next day. They waited til this morning to end Madison Metro service, and if you read the Mayor's blog, apparently the only way Mayor Dave Cieslewicz he could figure it out was by consulting a meteorologist Council member and having the governor tell them what to do, apparently there was no other way to find out how bad the weather was going to be. (If you want more snow links, look here.) Whenever I see him blowing smoke up someone's ass like that, he wants something . . . hmmmmmm . . . .what's going on that the Mayor might be interested in . . . . hmmmmmmmmm . . . . luckily, I think Chris Schmidt has more sense than that and won't let a little recognition sway his vote.

HEY, IT'S SNOWING - SO WE STILL HAVE TO TALK/HEAR ABOUT THE EDGEWATER
Bummer, eh. I think just about everyone from the developer to the alders to the public just wanted this to be over. But, no, we have another week! Sigh . . . so a whole new calculation of where the votes are. Apparently Judy Compton is gone. And Thuy Pham-Remmele might still be out due to the death in her family.

HEY, SOMETHING BESIDES THE SNOW
Where should I start . . . .

TAMBOURINE MAN
My co-worker told me yesterday that she had an idea about the little green box the panhandlers had to stand in. When she was walking down State Street the other day, there was a guitar player playing a few feet from the green box, right in front of the ATM and that was apparently legal so . . . you can see it coming, can't you . . . she was wondering if, well, I'll let her put it in her own (Facebook) words:

[Insert probably not so anonymous co-worker's name here] has a solution for the "corralled" panhandlers by peace park: casio keyboards. i noticed some sidewalk musicians a mere 8 feet or so from the new subway atm, playing music with their cases open... a nice keyboard beat with a preset or perhaps a tambourine...? you can stand anywhere...

Rock over Madison! (Of course, next musicians will be banned as well. They're just so noisy and bothersome to the shoppers with the kids eating their ice cream and holding their balloons.)

DENNIS DENURE IS RUNNING FOR . . .
Well, county board election seasons is coming up, so Dennis Denure is running!

IT'S ROUGH OUT THERE
Churches are feeling the crunch. Need is high, resources are low, stimulus money going out quickly.

GO RAINBOW!
20 years! And a questionable future. We live in interesting times.

You know, without the pressure of having to leave for work, it takes a whole lot longer for me to blog . . . and I didn't even have much . . .
Read more!

Continued Round Up for this Week

Less regurgitation of things you should know, more attitude! :)

BIGOTED FLASHBACK
As my co-worker and friend Megin McDonell says on my Facebook page "hello? 1999? is that you? can you come and get your talking points, please, and take them back to your own century? thanks."

Apparently, we're going to have the debate about if Section 8 causes crime, again. What's so galling is that is that it is the landlord's responsibility to screen their tenants just like any other tenant and if they find the tenant to be a problem - for a reason other than that they receive Section 8 payments to help pay their rents - then it is up to them to deny them. What I find concerning about the police department's current desire to map where crime and Section 8 vouchers might line up, is that it presumes that Section 8 somehow causes the crime, instead of recognizing that maybe, just maybe, those are the only landlords they can get to to rent to them because the other units are too expensive or they are being discriminated against. Another facebook friend notes "Of course, there's never any drug use, alcohol related violence, sexual assault, battery, theft, etc. happening at other concentrations of government assisted housing in town, i.e. the University." Good point. The final craziness here is that the section 8 program has their own requirements from HUD related to felony drug offenses and qualification to receive benefits of the program. On a final note, the landlord they are using as their poster child here is not the greatest landlord and I hear many concerns about his dealings. And I do believe he is in violation of the ordinance based on his comments in this article and previous articles on this matter. My personal opinion - not "according to sources at the Madison Tenant Resource Center"

SHAPIRO OUT, MERCER IN
Wow. Somehow, I don't think this is a very good decision. First of all, I don't think they can just decide who replaces Shapiro, I'm pretty sure the council will vote on it. Second, I really hope that cooler heads prevail and someone talks some sense into the Tavern League - Mercer certainly hasn't used good judgment lately, if the Tavern League wants to further alienate themselves, this is a good step, if not, I hope they reconsider.

HOW'D I MISS THIS
What? 12 Monona Terrace employees lost their jobs? Why? Just trying to be thorough, randomly. Do you believe it?

WOW

"In many ways, progressive Madison resembles a European-style monarchy. The king is called the mayor, and the council is a group of his advisers."

That kind of nailed it. This council has a council leadership that is an arm of the mayor. It's like they forgot there is an executive and legislative branch. The Mayor has 10 staff people, the 20 council members have 2 to share among them. They also all mostly have full time jobs in addition to serving our community. The problem I see is that the Mayor doesn't have to have all this power. The council could elect council leadership that will represent the council's interests, not the Mayor's. The council could take more initiative and show some leadership of their own, both individually and collectively. The Council could work in a more democratic manner instead of letting three guys make all the decisions behind the scenes and then call things "compromises" when 3/4 of the council and none of the community were involved in the discussion. Sigh . . . I could go on, but I better stop . . .

BONE MARROW DONORS NEEDED

Marrow Donor Registration
Antonio Rieder Drive
Saturday, November 21
10am-3pm
At Centro Hispano

Antonio is an adorable 6-year-old from Guatemala who was adopted by a family in Madison. During the fall of 2009, he was diagnosed with the blood disorder aplastic anemia. Antonio’s best treatment may be a bone marrow transplant. The best match for him and other patients of color is an unrelated donor from the same ethnic group. That’s why his family is encouraging donors from all ethnicities to join the Be The Match Registry.

You could help save a life.

Contact Todd Coleman at (866) 702-HOPE Or todd.coleman@bcw.edu

LANDBANKING WORKSHOPS

On November 11th, the Madison Common Council took the historic step of setting aside $5 million to establish a city land banking fund.

But how exactly will land banking work here in Madison? The details are still being worked out, but there is one thing that we know for sure: we increase the likelihood that our land banking efforts will be successful if we do a good job of learning lessons from successful land banking programs in other cities.

Join us for a discussion with two of the nation’s most innovative land banking experts from Denver, CO. Aaron Miripol is President and CEO of the Urban Land Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with a mission of land banking, preservation and development of urban property for the long term community benefit. Joining Aaron will be Dace West, Co-Director of the City of Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships, which serves as a catalyst to leverage the best of Denver's public and nonprofit sectors to engage in innovative and collaborative work.

Aaron and Dace will share their experiences and help build our knowledge base around issues such as:

* Models of land banking, including Denver’s Urban Land Conservancy,
* Developing collaborative projects between city government and nonprofits,
* Incorporating neighborhood needs through Community Benefits Agreements,
* Creating successful transit oriented development.

Land Banking Workshops (same workshop both dates)

* Monday, November 30th, 6:30-8:30 PM, at the brand new Urban League Center for Economic Development & Workforce Training, 2222 S. Park St.
* Tuesday, December 1st, 9:00–11:00 AM, at the Madison Municipal Building, Room 260, 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

Sponsored by the Center for Resilient Cities, Common Wealth Development, Housing Initiatives, Madison Area Community Land Trust, Project Home, Urban League of Greater Madison, and the City of Madison.

For more information, go to www.affordablehome.org/landbanking

Read more!

Short Recap of Short County Board Meeting

Watched it on TiVo . . . wasn't feeling well so went home. So, you don't really get the same information as if you are actually there, but here's what I got out of it.

A. ROLL CALL
And here is one area that watching on TV is difficult as the clerk doesn't repeat if people are here and you can't always hear if they say they are here.
It sounded like Gau, Kostelic, Levin, Manning, Matano, Miles, Richmond, Ripp, Solberg, Stubbs, Vedder, Bayrd were gone, Ripp, Gau, Manning and Levin showed up by the end of roll call. In the end, they ended up with 30 present and 7 missing. Vedder and Stubbs were excused, but I don't know who was absent for sure besides Kostelic, Miles, Matano and Solberg cuz I could see their empty seats - or maybe Solberg was just too short to see? I think Richmond or Bayrd were the other absent people, but I'm not sure. By the time they were voting on things, the 5 missing people in question had shown up.

1. Prayer/Inspirational Message – Supervisor Duranczyk (Supervisor Erickson next)
Hmmm, McDonell called on Downing, but that is not what the agenda said. Downing said that with the economy, it is important to think about in some parts of the world, instead of saying heloo, a common greeting is "have you eaten today". As we get ready to show thanks in this world of plenty, please join him in the pledge.

2. Pledge of Allegiance – Supervisor Duranczyk

B. SPECIAL MATTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Res. 183, 2009-2010 – Memorial to Mary Louise Symon
Rusk introduces members of the family and reads the resolution. Moved by Rusk, Seconded by Levin, passes on a voice vote. Rusk says that updating ethics ordinance tonight, says no one more ethical than Mary Louise Symon, and that she treated everyone with equal respect. Also respects that she was elected chair of the Counties Association back in the 80s. Many people wanted her to run for County Executive in mid-1980s after she left the county board, she said "leave me alone". She had many priorities outside of public life. Her daughter Judy said a few words. Thanks the county board. She enjoyed her 6 terms and proud of being chair for 3 years. Brought home stories of butting heads but always made sure each point of view was heard respectfully. Made many friends and stayed interested in county issues. Some issues she worked on here you are still working on today, but progress has been made. Thanks them.

2. Dane County Poverty Task Force Presentation
Michael Basford and Greta Hansen from the task force do a presentation.

Hansen says extra copies in the back. Read them again and often. Thanks them for taking the issue on. Many challenges and solutions. Thanks staff and supervisors Vedder and Wheeler for working on report. Thanks those who held a listening session in their district.

Basford thanks the staff as well, along with Vedder, Wheeler and those who hosted listening sessions. Says report was worked on since Sept. 2008. 12 meetings, 6 hearings, lists groups they worked with. Started their work with the knowledge that anti-poverty programs work. In a decade after Lyndon Johnson started the War on Poverty in 1964, national poverty rate lowered from 19% to 11.5%. Report was a result of listening, staff and research from individual members. They looked for research as it relates to children, people without health care, hunger and nutrition, public schools, seeking employment, caring for young children and seeking transportation and housing. Talks about work with homeless, homelessness isn't just about not having a place to stay at the end of the day. It is a struggle to get people into housing and keep them there. Poverty is not just the state of not having enough money, there are other issues that also need to be addressed. Encourages them to look at the data in the report. All of the indicators are on the downturn. Poverty rate in Dane County has gone from 10.9% to 11.5% from 2007 to 2008. .6% might not sound like a big deal, but that is the entire population of the Village of Cross Plains. So think of the entire Village of Cross Plains going into poverty. And that isn't the full brunt of the economic downturn, we don't have 2009 numbers yet. Based on everything else we know, those numbers will likely be worse. Says after report, still hearing more. They heard from the Madison Schools yesterday that they have seen a 19% increase in the last year of homeless children attending schools in Madison. Also heard yesterday that the HPRP program (stimulus money to help pay rent and prevent homelessness), in a little over 2 months spent 111,000 of 550,000 available to serve 125 families. They are receiving dozens of phone calls every day. Talks about funding for benefits specialist for homeless and mentally ill people to help them get the SSDI benefits. Dane County is one of most difficult places in the nation to get benefits you are qualified for. [Wait, what? I thought we had Cadillac services that were a magnet for people to move here? Did you know people can't get benefits that they qualify for? Hmmm . . . interesting myth vs reality moment!] This person helps people fill out the paperwork and do the appeals because almost all initial decisions are rejections. That position started June 1st, received 80 referrals and have a waiting list of 10 people. Inaction is not an option, current levels of poverty are affecting all areas of Dane County with increased strains on government services, municipalities, schools, businesses, non-profits, charities and families. Dane County government responsibility to rise to that challenge.

Hansen goes over the recommendations, asks them to put them in their heart and look at how it affects your life and people you know and the constituents in your district. They ask that when they make policy decisions to consider how it impacts people in poverty. If you're going to make a decision that negatively impacts people in poverty, at least do it with your eyes open. [No wonder they didn't want to hear about this report until after the budget was over . . . and they raised the sheriff's fees for evictions and cut struggling non-profits serving struggling people by 3% and spreading more of the pain to them than unions and their measly 3% pay cut or the slight increase in taxes.] Know what the impact is going to be so you can make plans to remedy the impact, if you want to. She says that they had an opportunity to restore the cuts . . .

Interrupted, McDonell calls on Hendrick to suspend rules to let them continue, they give them 5 more minutes. No one objects . . .

Hansen says they encouraged them and still recommend that they restore the cuts to human services. Next year you will be doing it again, you can address the cuts throughout the year and we don't want you to let that go by the wayside. Part of the way would be to make the task force a permanent commission to keep poverty on the agenda and on your radar. When life is good and poverty is gone, then you should disband it, but until that time you need citizens to partner with you on this work. She says that they should collaborate with municipal and school leaders, look at transportation in outlying communities who have few resources and how they get to resources, especially barriers for seniors. She says people who turned out care more about their neighbors than they do about themselves. That is a very telling value, that you probably already know and it was inspiring. Community and pantry gardens, common in city of Madison is growing in Dane County and think they need to look at it because of growing issue of access to local food. Asks them to look at the Elder Economic Security Index and look at how Dane County ranks. There are many self-sufficiency matrices that are used to measure poverty in various communities and we can use them to measure if we are making a difference. She thanks them, they want to continue working on the issue.

Stoebig asks about if you could separate the data by single family households vs two parent households and if they saw differences. He says he didn't see that in the data. He says that too often single parent households and average family households contribute to poverty throughout the nation.

Basford says the last 12 months stats for 2008 and in the back of teh report and that might be the best reference to answer the question. He says there are other areas of data in areas like housing that he can send to them, but that is a good starting point.

Stoebig asks about the transportation planning for senior service and was wondering if they worked with Human Services staff to better understand how county distributes specialized transportation money from the federal government and if they got any input from the county's mobility manager who is supposed to look at state and federal dollars and make sure options were available.

Hansen says that they did hear from staff, but they heard at the listening sessions that there are services, but we need to fine tune them, they are not working as well as they should and they are isolating and marginalizing people in the outer areas of the committee.

Basford says to look at the listening sessions notes, especially the ones from Sun Prairie, Stoughton and Mazomanie, you'll get alot of stories of the need for gas and transportation vouchers.

Hampton asks if the commission would be permanent, what would be your next objective.

Hansen says that part of what they learned, many systems operating to address poverty at some level, there is a need for greater communication, coordination and cooperation. A commission looking at poverty and how to address it can be a way to get people to the table to talk about common concerns and assets, but people in poverty are not getting what they need to move towards greater self sufficiency. Permanent commission would help move in that direction.

Veldran says hasn't read the report, asks about Dane County being one of the hardest places to get the benefits available to them.

Basford says to look at page 7. For Dane County residents with disabilities they are clearly eligible through SSDI, rejected, re-rejected and re-rejected. Wisconsin State Journal Article from September 20th of this year spells it out.

3. Announcements
Supervisor Levin introduces 4 resolutions since Stubbs is not here. Contracts for 2010.

Downing says resolution for giving prioritized zoning code revisions another term, it was extended once and sunsets at the end of the year. They have had 5 ordinance amendments, its been years and well into second list of priorities. He has another resolution about Planned Unit Developments this evening.

Richmond says a week ago event around Charter for Compassion, while talking about Poverty Task Force and cuts to human services, he would like them to read the charter and think about signing it if you agree with it. Now, with the economy, it is something to keep in mind every day.

Rusk says that Treasurer asked him to announce to check to make sure they are getting the Lottery Credit. You can save $70 - 100 on your tax bill. You can go to the Treasurer's website and check to see if you are there based on your last name. If you are, you need to send a form to the treasurer's office before Thanksgiving.

C. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS
1. Claims Recommended for Approval
Moved by Stoebig, seconded by Ferrell. No discussion. Passes on a voice vote.

2. Claims Recommended for Denial
Moved by Schlicht, seconded by Kostelic. No discussion. Passes on a voice vote.

E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Ord. Amdt. 25, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 17, Adopting Flood Storage District Maps (Adopt)
2. Res. 148, 09-10 – Resolution for Safer Beaches and Cleaner Lakes (Adopt)
3. Res. 161, 09-10 – County Executive Appointments (Adopt)
4. Res. 163, 09-10 – Authorizing Public Health-Madison and Dane County to Accept a Public Health
Emergency Response Grant Related to the H1N1 Response (Adopt)
5. Res. 169, 09-10 – Amending Supervisory District Boundaries 35 and 36 City of Stoughton
Ordinance #0-16-09 (Adopt)
6. Res. 170, 09-10 – Adopting the 2009 Update of Dane County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
(Adopt)
7. Res. 182, 09-10 – County Executive Appointments (Adopt)
Hendrick separates item 6. McDonell says he will record it as unanimous approval on items E 1 - 5 & 7. No objection and they are recorded as unanimous.

Hendrick says he wanted to speak in favor of this plan and although it is a multi-hazard plan, he wanted to emphasize flood mitigation aspects. In 2008 there were more claims for flood damage in hydric soils areas than in the flood plains and that includes the 100 year flood plains which they regulate and the 500 year flood plains. 134 complaints in flood plains but 150 complaints outside that area. These hydric soils were formed by flooding in the past and are a good way to predict future flooding. One of mitigation efforts that they should do it prevent building on hydric soils so they don't have the expensive flood plains. We won't want to buy houses because they continue to be flooded.

Hulsey asks staff how many homes are in 100 year flood plains. Staff doesn't know. Hulsey says its 665, staff agrees it is close. [One might ask, if he knew the answer, why he asked? I'm surprised he didn't have a chart for that. :)] He says that in the last budget they had a hazard buy out budget of $200,000. The staff says that is in another department budget. Hulsey says that he didn't see the total value of the houses in the 100 year flood plain. He says trying to mitigate losses in Belle Isle area but we need to prioritize.

McDonell says that they should try to make sure that they are asking questions. He says he seems to know the answers better than staff. [My point, exactly.[

Passes on a voice vote.

G. REPORTS ON ZONING PETITIONS
a. Map of Dane County
b. Summary of Grant as Modified Petitions
1. Petition 10082 – Town of Springfield – Springfield Highlands LLC (Grant as Modified)
2. Petition 10084 – Town of Cross Plains – John Kalscheur (Grant as Modified)
3. Petition 10107 – Town of Sun Prairie – Homburg Equipment Inc (Grant as Modified)
4. Petition 10109 – Town of Dunkirk – Richard Hagen (Grant as Modified)
5. Petition 10111 – Town of Rutland – Tim and Chris Properties LLC (Grant)

Richmond separates G1. On G2 - G5 they had registrants. Andrew and Chris Homberg registering in support and available to answer questions.

Martz asks if it is separated if they can comment? There is one registrant and they will hear from them.

Matano voting no on G4.

G 2 - 5 passes on a voice vote.

They have Roger Bowden available for information on item G1. Martz says the registrant might want to speak. McDonell explains to the registrant they might want to speak so people could ask them questions. [That's a nice difference between the city and county. The Mayor would have actively discouraged the person from speaking, McDonell, probably realizing it will save time in the long run, encouraged the person to speak.]

He says he doesn't have a presentation. Says this goes way back, talks about 2020 process, worked on subcommittee after subcommittee to come up with comprehensive plans was the notion to discourage scattered growth there ought to be incentive to develop a rural hamlet and that is what they are trying to do at Springfield Corner. Identified in comprehensive plan as an area to have small area of housing. This is the first phase of that cuz adjacent to the corner.

Richmond asks staff about how many acres being rezoned and how much of the acreage is in flood plains or wetlands? He says it looks like 26 of the 39 acres, is that correct. Yes, he agrees 26 in flood plains and wetlands.

Richmond asks about the page that says natural resources has open water and town comprehensive plan says to keep development away from those areas. Staff says that buildings should not be placed in those areas.

Richmond holds up a map that is gray where there is hydric soils and says that there are lots there that are 3 to 4 acres and they seem to go across a pond and hydric soils. He asks why? Staff says that is a questions for the developer.

McDonell suggests he word the question differently and tells him not to use staff to make a political point - Richmond says he wants to know if it is typical.

Staff says that there are alot of bodies of water in Dane County and its not atypical for property lines to cross streams and small ponds.

Richmond asks about the conservation subdivision and asks what size lots they should have.

Staff says that there is no designated acreage for a conservation subdivision. He says Town of Springfield plan suggests they be kept to 1.5 acres. It could be less than 1.5 if community septic system established.

Richmond confirms it is a unsewered subdivision. Says it sounds like the lots are large, but won't ask staff the question.

Richmond asks about the culdesac, the town plan seems to discourage that. Staff confirms.

Richmond asks if there would be plans to get rid of it. Staff says Town owns land that they could extend the road, but there was no discussion of that at the committee.

Richmond say bottom of page 95, number 13 says maximize public open space, is this maximizing common open space. Staff says they can't make that deicison, ZLR committee recommended approval.

Richmond asks if someone wanted to maximize open space, how would one do that, what suggestions would staff make? Staff says to look at town and county comprehensive plan to see if state or county parks department or if the town would be interested in purchasing that land.

Richmond says there are 12 acres in hydric soil area that is being rezoned ot what? Staff says conservancy? He asks what that means? Could be used by passive recreational area. Owned by? Homeowners association.

Stoebig asks about the working lands initiative conversion fee, is that applicable? 26 going from A-1 to housing. Is there a delayed effective date. Staff says conversion fees only apply after January 1.

Ripp says this is in his district. Hasn't walked the area for a while but spent time here when a kid. Says the stream is intermittent. There are no buildings or septic systems on hydric soils, they are larger lots, hydric soil in back is a prairie area. Parks could have taken it over if they wanted it, we didn't take it, didn't fit in the parks plan. Private park, if town or county interested we can have it. The culdesac, the town has plans for additional development, so they hope it is temporary.

Miles says that they talked about it in committee and the were hoping the culdesac was temporary. On the size of the lots, they are larger to provide an ag feel and accomodate one live stock per acre. On open space, he raised these issues as well, see the letter where they responded ot some of those questions. 3k. addresses the open space question. The outlot in the northwest corner is their open space. All of it will be held privately and that is consistent with the town plan. Regarding the map, there is a 100 year flood plan delineation on there, they required them to get the hydric soils determination and it is more consistent with the 100 year flood plain line, not the full gray area. If you look at G.b. the memorandum highlights the conditions of having no buildings on hydric soils.

Richmond says he highlighted on his map the hydric soils and if trying to preserve that area, why not make the lots the area the size that you can build instead of having them go across the pond.

Miles says that the size of the lots is to allow one livestock per acre. If they reduced it to lots outside the 100 year flood plain, they would have lost one of the lots and would have had to change the zoning so they could have no livestock.

Richmond asks if the intent is to have livestock? If so, what kind. [It was kind of cute, he's trying to get answers, but can only ask questions of the chair, so he's hypothetically tossing out questions that Miles can or might not answer. McDonell is answering some of them as they go along. Seems a little silly and prohibiting a dialog, but it is Robert's Rules which they adhere to strictly.]

Miles says they are debating what kind of livestock, it will be in the homeowners association agreement. McDonell says probably not loud animals. [Talking and jokes off mic I couldn't hear.]

Richmond talks again. [McDonell losing his patience . . . the tacos are probably getting cold . . . :) . . . they have their budget party planned for after the meeting.] McDonell notes he has spoken many times, Richmond says he is asking questions but now is ready to debate. He says he hasn't been following it, understands Miles assurance about the culdesac and it doesn't make sense to him considering what the town plan says. He is voting against, hopes that other will consider that. Supervisor Miles says it has been discussed for a while, but reading through staff analysis, knowing this is a wetland area, that there is going to be livestock and the way it is platted, doesn't make sense.

ROLL CALL
AYE: Downing, Druancyzk, Ferrell, Gau, hampton, Hesselbein, Jensen, Kostelic, Levin, Martz, Miles, O'Laughlin, Opitz, Ripp, Salov, Schlicht, Schmidt, Solberg, Stoebig, Veldran, Wheeler, Wiggie, Willett, Bayrd, Bruskewitz, [more liberal than Tammy Baldwin)deFelice, DeSmidt, McDonell
NO: Erickson, Hendrick, Hulsey, Manning, Matano, Richmond, Rusk
ABSENT: Vedder, Stubbs

Passes 28 -7 - 2

H. ORDINANCES
1. Ord. Amdt. 36, 08-09 – Amending Chapter 9, Updating the Dane County Ethics Code (Adopt Sub.2 with Amdts.)
Rusk says basically on consent agenda, but major update. Thanks the ethics board. Unusual process, they raise questions to be sent to the ethics board and they have been deciding what they think is best and agreed with them in almost every case. Wanted it ready by Dec 1 when people take out nomination papers.
- Clarified prohibition on use of county equipment for electoral purposes. - Pictures is a big thing, if a picture is taken in the public domain, you can't regulate that, if you are supervisor DeSmidt and you decide you want a picture with nurse friends and go out there and have a picture taken, that would not be appropriate. If want to take a picture on county property is should not be in areas that the public does not have access to.
- They added immediate family members to the section on prohibiting fees and expenses.
- New provision on statement of economic interests, clerk will be sending a list to ethics board of those folks who don't submit it and they can be fined.
- Complaint process has been revamped with deadlines and requirements, they are not happy when unfounded or frivolous complaints come at election time and they had that in mind when they made these changes.
Urges support.

Salov asks about public property, is it just Dane County property, does it include town hall etc.

Rusk says it is county property.

Passes on a voice vote.

I. AWARD OF CONTRACTS
1. Res. 136, 09-10 – Approving the Sale of the Surplus Cross Plains Highway Garage (Adopt Sub. 1)
No discussion. Voice vote with a bunch of nos. Wiggie, Martz, Gue, Ferrell, Schlict, Gau and Bruskewitz want to be recorded as voting no. Motion carries.

2. Res. 158, 09-10 – Authorizing Addendum of Agreement #2 with Strang, Inc. for Job Center Remodel (Adopt)
No discussion. Passes on a voice vote.

3. *Res. 175, 09-10 – Award of Contract for Site Excavation at Saddlebrook Storage Facility ( )
Passed finance unanimously earlier this evening. 6-0 and adoption 4-0 in Public Works and Transportation. Sub 1 is before them.

Richmond asks about the facility, is it being knocked down? McDonell says they are just redoing the floor.

Ripp says it was a horse facility, large arena with large doors, but have to grade the area and then they can store the vehicles inside.

Passes on a voice vote.

J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Res. 27, 09-10 – Authorizing the Marketing of Land in County Property in the Town of Westport for Mineral Extraction (Adopt/Deny/Adopt with Amdts.)
Several registrants in support, all AFSCME representatives.

One registrant in opposition but won't speak cuz they are postponing.

Hulsey moves to postpone to next meeting, deFelice seconds.

Downing wants to move denial. It would be appropriate now, but they could discuss that next time. Some parliamentary confusion about motions . . . but the motion to postpone to the next meeting passes.

K. ITEMS THAT REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSAGE
1. Res. 114, 09-10 – Authorizing Acceptance of Wisconsin Department of Commerce Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program Funds and Awarding of a Professional Services Contract Department of Human Services – CDBG (Adopt)
2. Res. 155, 09-10 – Transfer Between Information Technology (IT) Funds Human Services Administration and Badger Prairie Administration (Adopt)
3. Res. 160, 09-10 – Authorizing an Agreement to Accept the Highway Safety Grant Funds for a Community Traffic Safety Project “Alcohol Enforcement Project 2010” (No
Recommendation”/Adopt)

There is no requests for separation. Bayrd clarifies on 3 them motion is adoption. No objections to recording a unanimous vote.

L. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 2010 BUDGET DELIBERATIONS IF NEEDED
1. Res. 145, 09-10 – 2010 Dane County Operating Budget Appropriations Resolution (Adopt Sub. 1)
2. Res. 146, 09-10 – 2010 Dane County Capital Budget Appropriations Resolution (Adopt Sub. 1)
3. Ord. Amdt. 26, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 12, Establishing a Farmland Preservation Zoning Conversion Fee (Adopt)
4. Ord. Amdt. 27, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 12, Regarding Zoning Fees (Adopt)
5. Ord. Amdt. 28, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 62, Adjusting Fees Charged by Family Court Counseling Service (Adopt)
6. Ord. Amdt. 29, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 35, Huber Law Prisoner Fees (Adopt Sub. 1)
7. Ord. Amdt. 30, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 62, Increasing The Cremation Certificate Fee (Adopt)
8. Ord. Amdt. 31, 09-10 – Amending Chapters 45 & 46, Revising Fees Charged for Environmental Health Service (Adopt)
9. Ord. Amdt. 32, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 54, Regarding Parking Fees at the Alliant Energy Center (Adopt with Amdts./Adopt)
10. *Ord. Amdt. 33, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 62, Imposing a County Vehicle Registration Fee (“No Recommendation”)
11. Ord. Amdt. 34, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 62, Regarding Fees Charged by the Sheriff for Seizure of Property or Evictions (Adopt)
12. Ord. Amdt. 37, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 67, Airport Terminal Rent and Landing Fees (Adopt)
13. Ord. Amdt. 38, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 46, Regarding Collection of Fees for Private Sewage System (Adopt)
14. Ord. Amdt. 41, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 62, Regarding Fees for Deferred Prosecution Program (Adopt)
15. Ord. Amdt. 42, 09-10 – Amending Chapter 70, Increasing Fees at the Dane County Parking Ramp Consistent with the 2010 Budget (Adopt)
16. Res. 147, 09-10 – Setting the 2009 Tax Levy (Adopt)
These items were taken care of on Monday and so they were skipped.

M. SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS THE COUNTY BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BY LAW
McDonell invites them to the Essen Haus for an after budget party.

Downing wants to know what happened to his resolution he was circulating, McDonell asks them not to steal it.

N. ADJOURNMENT – Until Thursday, December 3, 2009, 7:00PM, Or Call of Chair
Move by Opitz, seconded Gau. Passes

8:15. They're outta here. Read more!

Monday Morning Round Up

So, it was a very busy week last week and this week looks to be more of the same. Anyways, here's a few items of interest to kick the week off! So much to catch uo on.

MORE EXPENSIVE POSTCARDS
So, several people got postcards that look something like this (side one, side two) from the Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance (a Realtor front group), the postcards direct you to go to www.danecountypropertyrights.com (who don't identify themselves) that directs you here, a conservative/republican group opposed to the RTA. Also with several realtors/lobbyists/real estate interests on their board. It all makes me wonder how many organizations the realtors need to create to create the illusion of support.

SOME SORT OF FREUDIAN SLIP
So, this is how the mayor describes his own budget and the council:

I thought they bought too much stuff at the grocery store and turned the heat up too high. They thought I blew too much money on a plasma TV and new golf clubs (but, hey, that new driver is sweet!).

So, the council wants basic needs like food and heat. The Mayor wants luxuries like plasma TVs and golf clubs . . . maybe he does understand how some people see the difference between Community Services and the Edgewater! And just doesn't care.

CENSUS JOBS
We wanted to make sure that you all are aware that the Census Bureau is accepting applications for Census jobs. For your reference, please see the WSJ article:

Interested citizens are encouraged to call the Census Bureau jobs line at 1-866-861-2010, call the local Census office at (608) 327-5600 or visit www.2010censusjobs.gov They are then directed to an application/testing site that is convenient for them.

The Census Bureau has established testing sites throughout the County and continues to add more sites. Here are some of the area testing sites:
-Stoughton Fire Dept.
-Verona Public Library
-Waunakee Village Hall
-Door Creek Church (Dominion Drive)
-Dane County Jobs Center (Aberg Ave.)
-Dane County United Way (Atwood Ave.)
-Upper Iowa University (Beltline and Midvale)
-UW Memorial Union (Langdon)
-Villager Mall (S. Park)
-Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center (Jenifer St.)

MADISON URBAN MINISTRY PRAYER AND MEDITATION VIGIL FOR HUMAN SERVICES

As you know, the Dane County Board of Supervisors will begin voting on the 2010 budget on Monday, November 16th, at 7:00 p.m. Madison-area Urban Ministry will be hosting an interfaith vigil for restoration of the proposed across the board cuts to human services, and for our most vulnerable neighbors.

We will gather at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, 11/16, at the steps of the City County Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Madison.

Citizens will not be able to speak at the County Board meeting so we are hoping that the vigil will send the message to Supervisors that we are asking the cuts be restored. The proposed cuts will undermine the social safety net in our County, non-profit agencies are already preparing their lay off lists if this budget passes, many plan to renegotiate the contracts with the county as they cannot continue to serve the same number of individuals with what is, in effect, a much greater reduction in funding when stagnant funding over the last decade and increased costs of business are factored in. We are hoping that an amendment to restore the cuts will be introduced from the floor of the meeting. Amendments made at the Committee level to restore the cuts have been defeated, in addition, the Personnel and Finance Committee last week voted to increase the amount of money an individual facing evicted is charged for the actual eviction from $15.00 an hour to $50.00 an hour (these funds are to offset costs to the Sheriff’s Department for the actual eviction).

Faith communities across our county are reporting up to 30% increases in requests for help and many people are being turned away. Our shelter system is full and people are being turned away nightly. The proposed cuts to human service provider agencies will further exacerbate the current problems. The budget also includes a provision to close the Joining Forces for Families office in Stoughton. That office provides crucial assistance to residents of Stoughton and surrounding communities. The budget proposes relocating the services to Madison, which creates additional transportation problems for families in need.

Please join us on November 16th, as we raise our voices for our neighbors, as we call for a budget that reflects our values as a community.

A DAY OR TWO LATE
It's that time of year!

A reminder that Alternate Side Parking goes into effect at 1 a.m. on Sunday November 15th. That means that you should park your car on the ODD house numbered side fo the street on Saturday evening November 14th.

Alternate Side Parking restrictions are in effect throughout most of the City of Madison sevend ays a week, regardless of weather conditions from November 15th through March 15th with the exception of the Downtown/Isthmus Snow emergency Zone where the restrictions are in effect only during a declared Snow Emergency.

For more information visit www.cityofmadison.com/winter.

DEVELOPERS GET BENEFITS OF IZ, DON'T HAVE TO PAY OR BUILD THE HOUSING
Looks like the University Square developers won their court case against the city. They got the benefits outlined in the inclusionary zoning ordinance, but did not have to make their payments for the affordable housing they did not build. Wow. Could the city attorneys mess this up any more than they have?

LABOR ENDORSEMENTS
I was wondering how labor endorsements lined up with the labor vote on the Edgewater. Thanks to Lukas Diaz for breaking it down.


x Read more!

Public Hearing on Poverty Tomorrow

The Poverty Task Force wants to hear from you!

Notice of Listening Session on Poverty

Date & Time: June 11, 2009 – 11:15 AM; Location: Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center (953 Jenifer Street, Madison, WI)

The Poverty Task Force is convening a listening session to take public testimony on Poverty. Members of the public and other agencies are invited to attend. Areas of interest are:

1) What is working well?
2) Where are the greatest needs?
3) What can be done to strengthen your community that does not require funding?
4) What are the top priorities that require funding to improve your lives?

PLEASE NOTE:
1) Persons requiring an interpreter, materials in alternate format or other accommodations to access this meeting are encouraged to contact the Human Services Department at 288-2513 or TDD 242-7556 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
2) A quorum of the Task Force on Poverty may be present, but they will not convene or conduct any business.
3) This listening session may be attended by other Supervisors and may result in a quorum of another committee being in attendance, but they will not convene or conduct any business.

Read more!

Closing of the Catholic Multicultural Center

As news trickled through the community about the closing (today!) of the Catholic Multicultural Center, I was impressed by the quick responses of so many and the concern about what would happen to the people served by the Center. I'm blown away by the short notice and can't help but wonder what made Morlino make such a drastic decision with so little notice - is it just mean-spirited? Or unthoughtful? Or a fundraising ploy? What ever the case, I'm proud of the quick response by the community. There are already two events planned that you may want to attend if you are concerned:

The first one is a vigil scheduled for Saturday at noon.

Community Alert! To all members of Madison Community!

Community members organize a Vigil to ask Catholic Dioceses to keep Centro Guadalupe’s doors open.

THE VIGIL WILL BE THIS SATURDAY AT NOON AT CENTRO GUADALUPE

Community members and organizations concerned with the dramatic loss for the community will organize a vigil this coming Saturday at the entrance of the Centro Guadalupe (1862 Beld St) starting at noon. The purpose of the event is to stress the long and successful history that the center and the community share together and the need to keep Centro Guadalupe open.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison announced yesterday the need to make a number of serious cutbacks. The changes will include the closing of the Diocese’s Catholic Multicultural Center. The center is one of the biggest support venues for immigrant families; literally thousands of families rely in one way or another on the legal, pantry, financial, education or advocacy services that the center provides. All thanks to the restless effort of the limited staff and the great and enthusiastic team of volunteers.

However, tomorrow at 4pm, the center will close forever. The history of Centro Guadalupe (CG) is the history of the Latino community as a whole. Many relate the current center to the legacy of OHAS, an organization in the 70s that started addressing the needs of the Latino community. Today, the center is a symbol of integration, support, and partnership for and from the Latino community.

The community is still absorbing the terrible news. Most social services providers agree that there is not one agency or a group of agencies that can pick up the number of services that will stop tomorrow. Especially in these economical times, the low income families that compose the vast majority of their clients are left in a vulnerable situation.

Organizations, activists, social workers, providers in the Latino community wonder the reason that made the Catholic Dioceses to act in such precipitated way “the decision come without give us an opportunity as a community to figure out how to keep this services running,” a long term social worker complains. Literally, closing the center in two days has left the community without time to work on a transition plan to address and protect hundreds of families that rely on the type of help that CG provides every day.

Many in the Latino community are asking for the opportunity of an open and sincere dialogue between the community and the Diocese to address the different options; “This should happen before closing the doors of the community center,” Alejandro R. explains, one of the thousands of clients that was helped by CG when he was homeless and “thanks to them I have medication to my medical disorder and a job, I am afraid that many people in my situation will not be so lucky if they close the center.”

LASUP, Latino Support Network has scheduled a special meeting open to the community for next Wednesday, June 3, from 9am to 11am at United Way to discuss the Catholic Diocese’s decision to close the Multicultural Center.

One of the ideas to save the Centro Guadalupe is to ask the Catholic Diocese to lend the building to a group of volunteers and organizations that would run the operation, initially on volunteer time until finding alternative funding. Another alternative is that the Dane County or Madison City administration would be willing to buy or rent the building to allow the programs to keep running.

The second is a meeting Wednesday morning:

We have scheduled a special meeting of La Sup for next Wednesday June 3 from 9am to 11am at United Way (Atwood Ave.) We will discuss the Catholic Dioceses decision to close the Multicultural Center. Members of the La Sup Exec Committee will facilitate the meeting. Please feel free to invite anybody who may be interested in this issue.

Along with these two formal meetings people are suggesting many solutions on-line and trying to figure out how to keep the services available to the community and asking how to volunteer to help. Its refreshing to see such a wonderful caring response from the community, too bad the Catholic Diocese wasn't as thoughtful and caring. Read more!

Lost Your Job, Worried About Your Housing?

Here's a meeting you might want to check out!

Letter of Invitation

“We’re Looking for Work” Town Meeting #3
Friday, May 29th, 4:50 to 9:15 PM
Stoughton High School Cafetorium, 600 Lincoln, Stoughton, WI

Have you or a friend been laid-off, downsized, or part-timed & now you’re looking for work?

We have organized a THIRD town meeting for workers who have lost their jobs, been part-timed or are underemployed. Workers and their partners living in Stoughton, southern Dane, northern Rock counties or other communities are invited to attend.

This free town meeting begins with a meal for families. The event brings together workers and their partners in a friendly environment to learn about health care resources, job search resources, and stretching your budget in hard times. Registration is free. Call early!

To register call (608) 873-2612

Persons at the last meeting, May 5th, said they are most interested in learning how to stay in their home or apartment. Thus the May 29th meeting will provide this workshop:

“Fighting to Stay in Your Home or Apartment During Hard Times”

Part I Developing a Family Budget to Help You Negotiate with Your Banker or Landlord

Part II Foreclosure & Eviction Law -- When & Where to Seek Legal Advice & How to Re-negotiate Rent Payments

Part III Federal Mortgage Adjustment Programs & How to Re-negotiate Mortgage Payments

Part IV Might “House Sharing” Be a Partial Solution for You?

We ask you to do these things:

1. Call the above number. Register now. Tell them how many people will be joining you. We invite you, your partner and any children you may wish to bring along. We will not be providing sitter services but some families bring small children and that is fine. Some bring their older children. That is good because it helps them to understand the situation your family is in and they see that many other families are in the same situation.

2. Call, invite and bring along any relatives, friends or former co-workers who have been laid off. Invite their partners also. Ask them to call the registration number or you call it for them with their names and telephone numbers, address, etc.

3. If you attended one of the first two meetings, please bring your three-ring resource manual to the meeting.

The town meeting is sponsored by the Stoughton Job Networking and Family Support Group and the Stoughton Chapter of the WI Alliance of Retired Americans and is co-sponsored by the Stoughton Area Resource Team, Inc. (START), American Federation of Teachers-WI, Unity Church of Madison, AFT-WI Retirees Chapter and other organizations

Lastly, with regard to the meeting topic avoiding foreclosure or eviction, it is regretful but many workers presently unemployed may be unemployed for 6 months or longer during this recession/depression. It is critical that your family avoid foreclosure/eviction. There are now programs to help you avoid these situations but, like everything else these days, the issues are complex and you have to study the issues. So please register today (the line is 24/7) and together we will learn about how we can keep our families in our homes during these most difficult times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Organizing Committee member Buzz Davis at 608-873-4886.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you and your family Friday, May 29th at the Stoughton high school. 600 Lincoln Ave., at 4:50 PM!

Read more!

County to Pass Financial Woes on to the Poor

So, when someone is getting evicted by the sheriff, it usually means one thing. They have no place to go or no resources to get there. They're broke, that's why 95% of the people get evicted. The money they make, doesn't cover their costs when the car breaks down, or they get sick and miss work, or their kid has to go to the hospital . . . or they lose their job, get their hours cut or are furloughed. So, to solve the problem of costs to the sheriff, what should we do? Charge the poor more!

That's the proposal tonight at the County Board (page 67). It's only going to bring in an anticipated $5,000 for Dane County, but it will help bury those already without resources even more.

I know some people may have thought this was no big deal because the landlords would have to pay this money, but that isn't the case. As I pointed out to a few folks, the costs get automatically added to the judgment and passed on to the tenant.

799.25 Costs. The clerk shall without notice to the parties tax
and insert in the judgment as costs in favor of the party recovering
judgment the following:

(6) SERVICE FEES AND OTHER CHARGES. Lawful fees or charges
paid to the sheriff, constable or other person for serving the summons
or any other document, and charges paid to the sheriff in
connection with the execution of any writ of restitution.

The rest of it is here.

Given that it already costs more to be poor (a very good article you should read, but here's an excerpt with just one issue)

Poverty 101: We'll start with the basics.

Like food: You don't have a car to get to a supermarket, much less to Costco or Trader Joe's, where the middle class goes to save money. You don't have three hours to take the bus. So you buy groceries at the corner store, where a gallon of milk costs an extra dollar.

A loaf of bread there costs you $2.99 for white. For wheat, it's $3.79. The clerk behind the counter tells you the gallon of leaking milk in the bottom of the back cooler is $4.99. She holds up four fingers to clarify. The milk is beneath the shelf that holds beef bologna for $3.79. A pound of butter sells for $4.49. In the back of the store are fruits and vegetables. The green peppers are shriveled, the bananas are more brown than yellow, the oranges are picked over.

(At a Safeway on Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda, the wheat bread costs $1.19, and white bread is on sale for $1. A gallon of milk costs $3.49 -- $2.99 if you buy two gallons. A pound of butter is $2.49. Beef bologna is on sale, two packages for $5.)

Read the article, really. It'll show you why it is so wrong for the county to be piling on at this time, especially for such a small return. Contact your sups or county_board_recipients@co.dane.wi.us! Ask them not to vote for this tonight. Make sure they realize the impact of this ordinance.
Read more!

Listening Session on Poverty

The County wants to hear from you, near east siders, about your thoughts on poverty!

Notice of Districts 2 and 6 Listening Session on Poverty
Date & Time: May 18, 2009 – 6:30 PM
Location: Hawthorne Branch Library
2707 E. Washington Avenue
Madison, WI

Dane County Supervisors Barbara Vedder, District 2, and John Hendrick, District 6, are convening a listening session to take public testimony on Poverty. Members of the public and other agencies are invited to attend. Areas of interest are:

1) What is working well?
2) Where are the greatest needs?
3) What can be done to strengthen your community that does not require funding?
4) What are the top priorities that require funding to improve your lives?

PLEASE NOTE:
1) Persons requiring an interpreter, materials in alternate format or other accommodations to access this meeting are encouraged to contact the Human Services Department at 288-2513 or TDD 242-7556 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
2) A quorum of the Task Force on Poverty may be present, but they will not convene or conduct any business.
3) This listening session may be attended by other Supervisors and may result in a quorum of another committee being in attendance, but they will not convene or conduct any business.

Read more!

County Board Recap - Basics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Motion is denial. No discussion. Passes unanimously.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Patricia and Lynette Anderson are registered in support as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See separate post (still working on it!).

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

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

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

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

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


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