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.
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New Year's Eve Round Up

There were too many items yesterday for me not to do a round up - so here it is . . .

COUNTY BOARD CANDIDATES
I checked the office yesterday, many people on the list got more papers in, but no new candidates. I may update later today. People can still file Monday or up until 5:00 on Tuesday to get on the ballot. 20 potential races so far.

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
Only on race at the moment, in the seat being vacated by Johnny Winston Jr. Tom Farley and James Howard are running for that seat. The only coverage I've seen so far, since their announcements was this little story about a cat fight. I hope the coverage gets better and they start talking about issues.

EDGEWATER COMPROMISE?
Schumacher says that there might be one. Here's the thing about compromise, both parties have to agree. Since no one I know in opposition to the project knows what the compromise is, its unlikely to be a real compromise. Instead, its likely one of those were people on one side decide that they are making some concession and call it a compromise, even if the other side doesn't agree. That's not a compromise. Any which way, can't wait to hear what it is. It's be cool if there really is something new. But, um . . . are we going to find out what it is on Tuesday?

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS, THIS WAY
Brad Murphy explains what projects like the Edgewater need to do to get approval.

All city zoning districts that allow for nonresidential development have permitted and conditional uses. The first requires no review by the city’s plan commission; the second does.

In addition, the city has so-called “overlay” districts that basically impose additional requirements on top of existing zoning requirements. With economic development projects, the two relevant types of overlay districts are urban design and local historic districts, Murphy said. For projects in the first type, developers need the OK of the Urban Design Commission. For projects in the second, they need the Landmarks Commission’s approval.

Otherwise, determining which projects are considered by which city bodies “really depends on the project, where it’s located and what the zoning is,” Murphy said.

So, a different project, located in a different location might not have had this kind of trouble. This was an extremely challenging project as proposed.

Interesting note. Is all new development "economic development"? Should we try to literally build our way out of this recession? Isn't that part of how we got here in the first place?

HOTEL REJECTION, WAS A GOOD IDEA
Former Mayor gently suggests that Edgewater Hotel rejection might not be the end of the world. Um, awkward.

THANK YOU GLENN GROTHMAN
He teed this one up for us! Um, yeah, maybe if the state paid us the money we should be getting for all the university and government buildings here in Madison we'd have more money to plow the streets. Paul Soglin calls it the gift that will keep on giving. So, thank you Grothman.

VOTING EARLY, GOOD OR BAD?
Personally, I like voting on election day. You just never know what might surface in those last days, and I want to make the most informed decision that I can. However, for many, voting early means the difference between voting and not voting, so, I have no problem with it. It's a good thing when used properly. This article takes a look at if there will be changes in the future to early voting.

POLICE TO DRIVE DODGE CHARGERS?
Really? I wonder how much more these will cost? Basic blue book values on a 2009 appear to be the same, but it depends up on what they get.

DRECKMANN ANSWERS REPUBLICANS
Plastic bag law could have been works, it could have been a complete ban. By the way, seems to be popular. Or maybe people were just saving them for months waiting to be able to recycle them. I guess only time will tell. But hopefully, as more and more people participate, the pace will remain the same or improve.

HOW'D THAT SMATH GROWTH LAW WORK OUT FOR YOU?
January 1st, 2010 is State Deadline to Adopt “Smart Growth” Plan ". Dane County finished their plan 2 years early. But here's how others are doing:

According to the state Department of Administration’s latest count in August, 28 counties have approved plans, 41 counties are in the process of adopting, 1 county was in the preliminary planning stage and 2 counties were not planning.

RICHARD RUSSELL ON MAYOR DAVE/OBAMA
An interesting point of view.

BUS SCHEDULES FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

SERVICE ON DECEMBER 31 & JANUARY 1

NEW YEAR'S EVE: Thursday, December 31
WEEKDAY Schedules
Buses follow regular WEEKDAY service on Thursday, December 31.

FREE NEW YEAR'S EVE RIDES
Thursday, December 31; Starts at 7 PM
Starting at 7 PM, Miller Coors Brewing Company and Metro will offer free extended service until approximately 3:30 AM.

For help planning your trip, call (608) 266-4466 or 1-800-FREE RIDES (1-800-373-3743).
Customer service representatives will be available from 6:15 AM through 1 AM.
New Year's Eve Schedules

NEW YEAR'S DAY: Friday, January 1
Holiday Schedules
Routes 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 30, 32, 36, 40, 50, 51, 59, 63, 67 and 68 operate
Holiday Schedules. These are the only routes that will operate on New Year's Day.

PARATRANSIT SERVICE ON DECEMBER 31
Free Extended Service Starts at 7 PM
Free paratransit service will be available starting at 7 PM until approximately 3:30 AM. Service depends on Metro fixed-route service operating in area of travel.

For help planning your trip, call (608) 266-4466 or 1-800-FREE RIDES (1-800-373-3743). Customer service representatives will be available from 6:15 AM through 1 AM on New Year's Eve.

Complete Info

PARATRANSIT SERVICE ON JANUARY 1
Standing Rides Cancelled
All standing and long term assignment paratransit rides will be canceled on Friday, January 1.
Paratransit passengers must schedule casual rides to travel on this date.

UPCOMING DETOUR
CAPITOL LOOP DETOUR: U.S. Bank Eve
Thursday, December 31; 5:30 PM - End of Service
Due to the U.S. Bank Eve event, Metro detours to the Capitol Loop starting at 5:30 PM on Thursday, December 31.
Buses return to the Capitol Square on Friday, January 1.

Paratransit riders are the losers again. While they might have some service, if they aren't going within 1/4 mile of the routes that are running, they likely won't get service.

That's it for now, there may be some posts later today, or maybe not. Maybe the Wii or the Roku will take over my life instead . . . or maybe, a nap. :) Oh, wait, I still have boxes to unpack . . .

Happy New Year! Have fun, but be safe tonight!
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New Year's (Slow) Week (Weak?) Round Up

Here's what I got . . . I'd have been tempted to skip it, but it looks like there are still plenty of people reading the blogs over the holidays . . . plus, I've broken readership records this month and might as well see where it goes. It's about as brief as the City and County meeting week ahead.

SNOW
You might have missed it, the Mayor released his rather weak 12 page snow report on Christmas Eve Day. No wonder you missed it. I'll have a blog post on it tomorrow, still looking for something I want to include, but Soglin has a bit to say about it. And he's right, there was no conscious decision made by the Council, some of us (Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Webber and myself) tried to get them to be accountable for the decisions being made and worked hard to make some improvements, but they didn't make it easy for us and make it clear they were annoyed we were "interfering". And it was difficult to get information we wanted. You can see some of it in my past posts (mostly) labeled snow.

FIX IT FIRST
Former Alder Robbie Webber has a good post where she puts the numbers for transportation projects in perspective.

METRO HOLIDAY SERVICE DREAM
The Cap Times reported:

On Christmas Eve next Thursday (Dec. 24), buses will follow their regular weekday schedules but will stop running at 6 p.m.

The former Transit and Parking Commission Chair, Carl DuRocher, who was not reappointed by Mayor Dave, and a paratransit rider, had this to say:

In the same way that Miller Beer voluntarily ponies up money to pay for extended service on New Year's eve, I dream of a benefactor who'd defray the cost of Metro running on Christmas Eve. It's a day when a lot of once a year opportunities are lost for transit dependent riders, especially paratransit riders.

HO CHUNK AND UNION CORNERS
Just to make it clear. This post has some details about ideas that might be pursued. The group's legislative council has not yet voted to pursue the project, but its still exciting to think about the possibilities. And its still impressive that this is where we are starting to talk about the project.

Yeah, that's about it for today . . . not much going on as most people take the week off. Not me, off to work! 9 - 6 Monday - Wednesday.
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Lazy Friday Afternoon Round Up

There's so much out there today . . . county and city. No snow or Edgewater today, that'll be saved for Monday.

WHERE'S THE GREAT BUS SERVICE
I understand cutting back on holiday hours for full route service, but I don't understand this:

The paratransit standing rides will end early on Dec. 24, with no rides given after 5:30 p.m. Customers who normally have rides after 5:30 should contact the customer service center (266-4466) by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, to arrange for an earlier travel time.

All standing and long-term paratransit rides on Christmas will be canceled. Passengers must schedule casual rides to travel.

Huh? Didn't metro have an extra $3M in their budget that helped bail out the city, couldn't they have saved some of that for holiday paratransit rides?

SHITTY CITY SERVICE
Yesterday I sent this message to city council staff Lisa Veldran:

Could I get a copy of the forms you use to track alder absences from the city for the last 6 months?
thanks!

She was out of the office, the other staff tried to get the info, but then I got this message from Veldran, coppied to the clerk and allalders.

Brenda Konkel can contact the City Clerk's office for official notices of absences. They should have them on file.

Now, remember, I was on the council for 8 years and was Common Council President for one year, I know the information is in the Council Office and that alders get emails informing them when alders are out of the city or country. The Clerk's office was very helpful and sent me this message:

Good afternoon. The City Clerk’s Office does not keep a file on Alderperson absences. However, I could have Information Technology do a search for any e-mail messages sent from the Council Office regarding Alderperson absences. Just let me know the time frame in which you are interested.
Thank you!
- Maribeth

As you can imagine, this refusal to give me the info the Council Office has didn't sit well with me. I'm not going to post what I wrote lest I further embarrass that staff member, but suffice it to say, I can hardly wait to see the results of my open records request and who she was trying to protect.

LOOKS LIKE THE SHERIFF'S AND FALK HAVE AN AGREEMENT.
All that, and they ended up with the same as everyone else.

Falk said the tentative agreement with the supervisors includes the same provision as all the other county unions have ratified: a 3 percent voluntary salary reduction for 2010 in exchange for eight additional days off and a guarantee of no layoffs in 2010. In addition, the agreement includes a 3 percent pay increase on December 17, 2011.

Why all the drama?

WHEN IS A 3% CUT NOT THE SAME AS A 3% CUT
Ok, the above just got my blood boiling all over again. How is it that the 3% for wages, benefits, overhead for non-profits equal to the 3% cut in wages only to the unions when they bargained and got various things (8 days off, promise of a 3% increase at the end of 2010, office space for unions, etc.) Can we get a 3% increase for 2011. I don't recall ever getting a 3% increase from the county.

JUST SAYIN'
When the County Board Supervisors attacked Kathleens appointments to the RTA last night, the separated Khristine Euclide from Dick Wagner, a former County Board Chair. Most, except Eileen Bruskewitz who attacked them for killing a county wide bus system, said they were both fine people, but they wanted someone from the Towns appointed, like in the resolution that the county board passed, but the corporation counsel said the decision was Falk's. What I found interesting was the difference in the votes:

Euclide
AYE: Erickson, Hesselbein, Hulsey, Levin, Manning, Matano, McDonell, Miles, Opitz, Richmond, Rusk, Schmidt, Stoebig, Stubbs, Veldran, Wheeler, Baryd, deFelice, DeSmidt, Duranzyck, Hendrick
NO: Ferrell, Gau, Hampton, Jensen, Martz, O'Laughlin, Ripp, Salov, Schlicht, Solberg, Wiggy, Willett, Bruskewitz, Downing. (All men except Solberg, Hampton and Bruskewitz)
ABSENT: Kostelic, Vedder
Passed 21 - 14 - 2 absent

Wagner
AYE: Erickson, Ferrell, Hampton, Hesselbein, Hulsey, Jensen, Levin, Manning, Martz, Matano, McDonell, Miles, O'Laughlin, Opitz, Richmond, Ripp, Rusk, Salov, Schmidt, Solberg, Stoebig, Stubbs, Veldran, Wheeler, Wiggy, Baryd, deFelice, DeSmidt, Downing, Duranzyck, Hendrick
NO: Gau, Schlicht, Willett, Bruskewitz
ABSENT: Kostelic, Vedder

I wonder what the difference was between the two in the minds of Ferrell, Jensen, Martz, O'Loughlin, Ripp, Salov, Wiggy, Downing. Like most county boards in Wisconsin, its an older white guys club, I don't know if that was a factor or not, but it looks wierd. Just sayin'.

OVERRIDE VOTE
Since I haven't gotten to the recap, here is how they voted:
AYE (Override): Ferrell, Gau, Hampton, Hesselbein, Jensen, Levin, Manning, Martz, McDonell, Miles, O'Loughlin, Opitz, Ripp, Salov, Schlicht, Schmidt, Solberg, Stoebig, Veldran, Wiggy, Willett, Bruskewitz, deFelice, Downing, Durancyzk
NO (stain veto): Erickson, Hulsey, Matano, Richmond, Rusk, Stubbs, Wheeler, Bayrd, DeSmidt, Hendrick
ASENT: Kostelic, Vedder

Override successful, 25 - 10, 2 absences

Here's Chariman Scott McDonell's explanation of his vote and urging colleagues to vote similarly:

Friends-
Some of you may have read or been contacted about the veto override vote tonight before the County Board on a 10 unit subdivision in the Town of Springfield. Just so you all understand that this is a rather nuanced issue from an environmental point of view, I thought I would share my thoughts with you on this topic.

Below is an email the County Board received from the Chair of the Town of Vienna. His central point is that the 10 unit subdivision is in the Town of Springfield Smart Growth Plan that the County Board adopted and the County Executive signed. This is true. While there is also language in the town plan regarding Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and Conservation Subdivision planning, this petition was found by the Zoning Committee (controlled by progressives) to comply with the Town Plan. Complying with adopted plans is a central and critical componant of environmental protection and should bind not only the Towns but also the County.

In addition, a county-wide TDR ordinance is now pending before the County Board which the Towns may veto under Chapter 10 of the state statute. I have worked on this ordinance for years and it would positively affect thousands of parcels of farmland accross Dane County. One of the central premises of that ordinance is that towns would not be mandated to adopt a TDR ordinance, but rather the County will help them administer and implement a it. This veto does just the opposite. It says that because there is no TDR ordinance in place in the Town of Springfield a petition that complies with the Town plan will be vetoed (a town may adopt their own local TDR ordinance but it would not have the legal protection and assistance of the County). I have no doubt that if the County tries to force TDR on the towns over a 10 unit subdivision, the TDR ordinance will be vetoed by the Towns and I would not blame them for that since they were sold on this ordinance being voluntary. Reasonable people can have different views on this issue, but I do not believe that is in the best interest of smart and innovative planning countywide to uphold a veto of this petition. In my opinion it sends the wrong message about Smart Growth and adherence to planning.

Thank you for your time and attention.
Scott McDonell
County Board Chair

I hope to get a recap up, because there was some good discussion and it revealed some interesting things about possible motivations behind the veto.

Eh, that's all I have for my day off, there's actually much more . . . but I'm done.
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Chilly Morning Round Up

A few topics to chew on as you drink your coffee or tea, or hot cocoa and try to warm up . . .

GOOD THING THE COUNCIL MEETING WAS CANCELLED
Maybe the Worker's Compensation Fund might not get so much money. They had slated it to get extra money from the general fund so that we spent up to our Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP) limit. But with this snowstorm that is supposed to break the bank, they'll like have to adjust that. Won't impact our general fund quite the way this article says, since they were going to put that money into the fund (optional), instead, it will go towards plowing. At least that is what should happen. Of course, the Governor did declare a state of emergency, so perhaps the state will come through for us?

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO WEIGH IN ON EDGEWATER
Gee, I wonder what they will say . . . I'm on the edge of my seat!

The Economic Development Committee hold a special meeting at 5:00 pm on Monday, December 14, in Room 260 of the Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Please use the Doty Street entrance to get into the building.

This meeting is a rescheduling of the December 8 meeting which was cancelled due to bad weather, and has the same agenda. The agenda may be found at: http://legistar.cityofmadison.com/meetings/2009/12/8792_A_ECONOMIC_DEVELOPMENT_COMMITTEE_09-12-14_Agenda.pdf

METRO SPINS
Sound like many bus riders spent extra hours on the bus yesterday. Tales of two hour bus rides seemed common among my facebook friends. Lots of kudos for the drivers for handling the snowy conditions and not many complaints as the buses were stuck in the same traffic with everyone else. What did make me laugh was this:

Morning Madison Metro Announcement

Due to icy road conditions, Metro buses are running approximately 10-15 minutes schedule.

Drivers are maintaining schedules as conditions allow. Delays may increase through the rush hour.

Please plan extra time in your commute.

Evening Madison Metro Announcement

Thursday, December 10: 4:09 PM.

Due to icy roads, many buses are running 10-30 minutes behind schedule. Drivers maintain schedules as conditions allow.

Please plan extra time for your commute.

Optimistic group of folks they are! Sounds like they should have added an hour to that notice.

CITY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

Sustainable Madison Information and Survey Available on the Web.

You can now view information regarding what Madison has done regarding sustainability and green initiatives from other cities.
You can also fill out an on-line survey and help the City priorities sustainability goals and initiatives.

http://www.cityofmadison.com/Sustainability/community/

BRUSH WILL BE COLLECTED
Sounds like the storm did quite a bit of damage to the trees . . .

Winter Storm – downed trees, branches and brush collection

Due to the heavy, wet snow Madison has many downed trees and branches. The city of Madison is asking citizens to do the following:

Street Tree – if a street tree or branch, by definition a tree planted in between the street and sidewalk, is blocking a street or sidewalk or if there is a hanging branch, please call 266-4816 to report the damage. City Forestry crews are currently responding to over 200 calls for service on damaged trees.

Private Tree – if your private tree was damaged, you may need to call a private contractor to address the damage.

Brush collection – please place the brush for collection on your property’s terrace just as you would normally. City crews will collect the brush after they have completed the clean up from Tuesday’s storm. The brush may not be collected immediately and we ask for everyone’s patience as city crews continue to work on the clean up.

You may also bring the brush to the Streets Yard Waste Sites. They are open Monday – Friday, 7:30a.m. – 3p.m.
East: 4602 Sycamore Ave. West: 1501 W. Badger Rd.
For more information on winter in Madison Parks, visit www.cityofmadison.com/winter

WOW, THAT WASN'T FAIR
The Tenney Lapham Neighborhood and others have been talking about a two-way Johnson and Gorham for years, its been in city approved plans for years. There are even plans for where the stop lights would go and that have identified costs and issues to be resolved. We just decided to get the Downtown Plan done first. When talking about this, the neighborhood was looking at slowing down traffic, returning the neighborhood to a more family friendly place with hopes of getting more owner-occupants downtown, quality of life issues like noise and actually being able to open your street facing windows in the summer and still hear the tv, making it easier to cross the streets and much, much, more. But how does the new alder frame the issue?

Ald. Bridget Maniaci, who lives on Johnson Street, has mixed feelings about the idea. "There are a lot of good reasons to do it, but we don't have a lot of data," she says. "We have to [show] why this is good for the city, not just that property values will go up."

What?! In all the discussions, pro and con, this hasn't been the issue. Every time she insults her constituents, I feel a greater sense of responsibility for letting my neighbors down. I think they deserve an alder that supports their positions, not insults and dismisses them.

STRANGER STILL
This is the email sent to the neighborhood listserve last week, in the middle of the Edgewater controversy:

On a non-Edgewater related topic...

A number of folks in the neighborhood have been interested in the long-term prospects of turning Johnson and Gorham Street back to two-way streets. Our council staffer, Lisa Veldran sent the following article to council members, and I thought it'd be worth it to send it on to you all and weigh in on. It's not that I've been totally skeptical, but such a prospect would require a lot of planning for our neighborhoods and a lot of city resources (millions of dollars) that requires broad city-wide buy-in. If our neighborhood wants this to happen, we need to embrace the full realization of what needs to happen and the full planning and impacts of the proposal. So let's try to be real and check the pie-in-the-sky philosophies at the door on this one moving forward and get working on the hard issues.

Some thoughts on how it could happen (maybe):

1) the major stumbling block to this idea is the intersection of Baldwin and Johnson/Gorham. One idea I've visualized is to put in a large roundabout to get access to both Johnson and Gorham Street. That roundabout would likely require the removal of the CDA assisted living facility on the peninsula between Johnson and Gorham to be consolidated with a new (larger, denser) replacement housing facility where the Baldwin Street facility and parking lot currently stands.

Pro: that housing could probably use to be upgraded & use more efficient use of the Baldwin lot.
Question: what happens to the residents of that housing while construction is underway?
Question: How much money would be required for new CDA housing & for the intersection reconstruction. My stabs in the dark: $3-4 million for the intersection, $7-10 million for the new housing (variable depending on underground parking).
Con: Streets city staff is totally opposed to this idea. Many alders are leery of this idea because of the impacts to their constituents' commutes and questions of manuverability (think Badger football weekends). Substantial studies need to be done to determine traffic flow patterns under this scenario. We need to hear what CDA's plans for their facilities are.

Question: who's going to pay/do those traffic studies? What reasons outside of our own parochial interests are there to convince Alders and city-staff that this is in the best interest of the city?

2) We usually talk about the farther end of the neighborhood, but what about the impact to the near isthmus neighborhoods?
Concerns I have: Blair Street is a small, residential sized road. We don't have our infrastructure built to handle the transfer of massive amounts of Johnson Street traffic to E Wash via Blair Street. -Blair St. reconstruction needs to get into the 5-year city budget & stop getting pushed back as it is because the road is falling apart.

Also, I'm very concerned with turning N Blair Street, which is residential, into a car-laden thoroughfare more than it already is (even if we physically had the street in a condition to handle the traffic). There is a great divide on S Blair between neighborhoods stemming from it's highway-like nature. N Blair has a very different character and I don't want to see a divide and disconnect develop when it's a continuous neighborhood from one block to the next. How do we mitigate that? -Could N Blair Street also turn 2 way? Would that do anything?

3) What is the cost to our neighborhood in real metrics under the current situation? What are our goals for change and can we make the case for millions of dollars such a plan would require for our neighborhood? How is our residential character & local businesses different/ more deserving of attention than other major thoroughfares throughout the city (Whitney Way, Midvale, Mineral Point Road, Bassett/Broom, Willy St.)

Some of these points are easier than others to work through, though none are simple. The Baldwin intersection/CDA tie-in is a 10 year plan idea. Other questions: Are any federal road funds available? This part of Johnson isn't a highway (like E Wash is). Are parking issues at all intertwined in this? What sorts of parking improvements could be made? Would we lose street parking by going 2-way? If so, how much?

The last sentence in the article hits the quandary on the head:
"I wouldn’t argue that two-way streets are any sort of panacea for urban revival, Vancouver’s experience notwithstanding. And I understand that they are not always practical. Some streets simply are too narrow to have traffic moving in both directions; others have to be designated one-way because their purpose is to feed traffic onto expressways. What I would say is this: When it comes to designing or retrofitting streets, the burden of proof shouldn’t fall on those who want to use them the old-fashioned way. It should be on those who think the speedway ideology of the 1950s serves much of a purpose half a century later."

Let's see if there's a way to work forward on this idea, but I ask you to acknowledge the amount of work and time ahead and realize that our neighborhood won't get everything we want out of this process. We have to be cost-conscious, realistic and pragmatic if we want this to go from a nice idea to a functioning, improved reality, if indeed this concept operates in the best interest of our neighborhood.

Like I said, Traffic Engineering has done the studying, and it will cost a little over $600,000 in 2008 dollars. There's so much else in there to respond to, I don't know where to begin.

IT'S ALL ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Immigration, that is:

Washington D.C. - The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Wisconsin's economy, labor force, and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as workers, consumers, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs. With the state working towards recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of the Badger State.

Highlights from Wisconsin include:

* Wisconsin was home to 252,150 immigrants in 2007.
* 41.2% of immigrants in 2007 (or 103,291 people) in Wisconsin were naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.
* Latinos accounted for 4.8% (or 268,879) and Asians 1.9% (or 106,431) of Wisconsinites in 2007.
* The 2008 purchasing power of Latinos totaled $5.3 billion and Asian buying power totaled $3.0 billion in Wisconsin in 2007.
* If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Wisconsin, the state would lose $2.6 billion in expenditures, $1.2 billion in economic output, and approximately 14,579 jobs.

There is no denying the contributions immigrants, Latinos, and Asians make and the important role they will play in Wisconsin's political and economic future. For more data on their contributions to the Badger State, view the IPC fact sheet in its entirety.

* New Americans in the Badger State (Wisconsin)

DIDN'T EVEN TRY
Our house was fully shoveled by 10:30 or so, but still, no mail. Here they explain why the creed is dead. Not a bad excuse, probably a good decision. Just sayin', the times they are a changin'.

SPEAKING OF CHANGES
You may have noticed I've been playing around with the look of my blog and what extra tools are available on it. And I'm allowing anonymous comments. It's all a big experiment, so let me know what you like, and what you don't. Looks like I may have added too much, as its loading a little slowly. It's work in progress, feedback welcome. Read more!

EEEE Round Up: Everything Else Except the Edgewater

That title sounds like it should be sung to the tune from "All Along the Watchtower" . . . but yes, there are other things going on around town . . .

WORTH READING
Here's another take on why the city has a budget problem. Tho a few of us tried to address this a few times, it is something the council never seriously considers. Sanborn was the only one hammering on the Capital Budget this year, but if others had tried to cut roads, especially ones in his district, he would have voted for them.

Barry Orton, on Soglin's blog, does a good job summarizing where we are at with the Cable Competition Act . . . more broken promises. This is what led to the the defunding of WYOU (donate now!) and an average 21% rise in cable rates in two years.

Check out the drop in our air quality! Full Dane County Environmental Health Card Report Card here.

I appreciated this call to have the County Board members to stand up to the sheriff's department . . . and the understanding that it could have political implications if they were to do so.

ART GALLERY OPENING

The Jackie Macaulay Gallery is hosting an artist reception for Desereé Nehrkorn

Friday, December 4, 2009 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

Wine and hor'devours to be served.

Located in the Social Justice Center,
1202 Williamson Street, Madison, WI

WISCONSIN ONCE AGAIN SHOWING IT IS PROGRESSIVE
From the Democracy campaign:

Impartial Justice bill signed into law
The Impartial Justice bill is officially the Impartial Justice law. Governor Jim Doyle signed the bill this morning. The governor's signing statement is here.

With today's action, Wisconsin becomes the first and only state to enact public financing legislation this year and joins North Carolina and New Mexico as the only states to ever create public financing systems for judicial elections.

The Democracy Campaign thanks Governor Doyle and all the legislators who acted to make this long-sought reform a reality. WDC also thanks the many other groups that worked for the bill's passage, most especially Common Cause in Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. And we owe a great debt of gratitude to the countless citizens who took the time to contact their representatives and the governor to urge them to take this important step toward cleaning up state Supreme Court elections.

This historic breakthrough for campaign finance reform was a decade in the making, as the Impartial Justice bill was first proposed in 1999. It is the most significant campaign reform in Wisconsin since 1977.

WATER RATES GOING UP!!!
According to the letter from the PSC,

Our proposed charge for public fire protection provides an increase of approximately 27 percent compared to a 21 percent increase in general service rates.

There is a public hearing next Tuesday. You can comment here.

DID YOU KNOW . . .
County board elections are coming up? People can start filing for that and school board starting yesterday. Seems really, really, really quiet this year . . . so far, Melissa Sargeant is running for a seat being vacated by Dorothy Wheeler and there's some action on campus . . . but I haven't heard a whole lot more, but I haven't been paying a whole lot of attention either and there is a virtual media blackout at the county and school board levels, making it hard to find news . . . but, at the county level, if you don't like what happened to human services this year, or are concerned about the sheriff's office and the immigration issues, or are passionate about land use (yes, there are some of you out there!) or [insert issue here], you should consider running! It's not as much work as the city council and there are important issues that need to be addressed! School Board info here. County Board info here. Of course, if you are interested, you might want to talk to some folks . . . feel free to call or email me or find someone who you respect or agree with! Candidates needed!

SMALL BUSINESS BUS PASS PROGRAM
Sometimes those crazy Progressive Dane ideas can even be supported by Jenifer Alexander of the Chamber of Commerce . . . for more info to get involved in the program, see here.

STALLED HOTEL
Hmmm, not returning phone calls . . . hard to buy the initial excuses about product not being available given the news of liens being filed against the property.

AIDS QUILT IN MADISON TODAY AND TOMORROW"

Overture Center Main Lobby
201 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin

Wednesday, December 2, 2009
11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Thursday, December 3, 2009
10:00 am - 10:00 pm

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is an expanding memorial to the lives of people lost to HIV/AIDS, created by those who loved them. It is the largest community art project in the world, totaling more than 45,500 individual panels that commemorate more than 91,000 people.

View 21 12'x12' blocks of the captivating quilt in person, brought to Madison in recognition of World AIDS Day (December 1) by the UW Health HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Care Program, with financial support from Becker Law Office, the Wisconsin AIDS/HIV Program and our many generous allies and friends.

JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT . . .
Do some shopping, help the community, get a good deal!

Help Promote Sustainability Statewide and these Community Causes: Dane County TimeBank, WYOU Community Access TV, Community Groundworks at Troy Gardens

PEACE RALLY TODAY
Wednesday, December 2 – March of the Dead & Placing Demands on Sen. Kohls Office Door & Rep. Baldwin’s Office Door.

11:00 AM – Gather at Lisa Link Peace Park, State St., Mad., WI and march to Veterans Park at corner of State St. and the Capitol Square.

We will have a somber March of the Dead to the Capitol Square where we will remember and mourn the dead by reading their stories. Will arrive at the Square at NOON. We will deliver our demands to Senator Kohl’s office at approximately 12:30 to 12:45 and to Congresswoman Baldwin’s office at 1:30 or 1:45 PM, calling on our legislators to refuse to fund the escalation for the wars.

MADISON LOBBIES
Check out what the City of Madison is paying money to lobby on. The question that always bothered me is . . . who decides what we lobby on? In the last few years there has been a minimal effort to involve the council in the decisions, but it mostly is just a report on what has already happened and a request to give input once a year.

YOUR ALDER SAID WHAT?
As a side note to the above issue, check this out, the audio of the meeting is available. It's the last link at the bottom of the links here. It would be sooooooo totally cool if that was made available for every committee meeting. Tho, that would probably scare the bejesus out most elected officials . . . but it also might make them think a little more about what they say. I wonder why this audio is available and if they plan to continue doing it?

CASEY JONES, YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR SPEED
Ticketing for speeding is once again a priority, kinda. There used to be two traffic enforcement teams called TEST teams. I forget when and how it went away, but I remember council members being concerned at the time and we were told to mind our own business . . . I remember thinking that the cops at the time just didn't want to give tickets, they wanted to work on "real crime" because it was more exciting. Glad to see that preventative safety is back on their minds . . . but I'm also bracing myself for that ticket and when I get it, I won't have any good excuses besides I just have a lead foot! But then again, the enforcement is still probably so light, I might never even notice.

WTF?
This is an account of a beating on Halloween weekend, which I don't think we ever heard about:

Because of his injuries, which medical records show also include bulging discs, Miller was unable to complete the fall semester at UW-Parkside, and it is uncertain if he will be able to start a theater job in New York City scheduled to begin in January, he said.

Miller said he told a paramedic, whom he thought was a police officer, that he had just been beaten and could not get up. He said the paramedic told him to get up or he would be taken to detox then pulled him up and took him back to the house of the friend with whom he had been arguing.

Miller said the paramedic asked if he needed an ambulance, and he replied that he had no health insurance. The paramedic then questioned whether he was refusing medical treatment, but Miller did not reply, Miller said.

Amesqua said the paramedic, Gary Schreiber, denied that Miller told him he had been beaten. Miller also had no apparent injuries, she said.

Schreiber told a police detective that Miller refused medical treatment, Amesqua said.

A Fire Department report indicates paramedics responded to "a man sleeping in a alley. We were able to get him up and inside his house."

I'm freaking speechless.
Read more!

A little more Round Up

There's a little bit out there to comment on . . .

EDGEWATER TOUR
I considered going, but didn't feel like listening to another sales pitch. Apparently Rummel concludes, yes, the huge building will change the views for neighbors (duh, but somebody had to say it) and Maniaci presents a false choice "Alder Bridget Maniaci, a member of the commission, said the group first has to figure out if ordinance language related to neighborhood's historic district is meant to "stop destruction of historic properties" or "stop new development in historic districts." I sat on the commission, I don't think the commission needs to figure that out, generally speaking, it is clear that development is allowed, and we even said many times it shouldn't look faux historic, but should reflect the time in which it is built. I think the ordinance is clear that new development is allowed, the question is, is it compatible? Here's the language about "New Development" in the Historic District:

(e) Guideline Criteria for new Development in the Mansion Hill Historic District.
1. The gross volume of any new structure shall be visually compatible with the
buildings and environment with which it is visually related (visually related
area).
2. In the street elevation(s) of a new building, the proportion between the width and the height in the facade(s) shall be visually compatible with the buildings and the environment with which it is visually related (visually related area).
3. The proportions and relationships between width and height of the doors and
windows in new street facade(s) shall be visually compatible with the buildings
and environment with which it is visually related (visually related area).
4. The rhythm of solids to voids created by openings in the facade of the new
structure should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with
which it is visually related (visually related area).
5. All new street facades should blend with other buildings via directional
expression. When adjacent buildings have a dominant vertical or horizontal
expression, this expression should be carried over and reflected.

There's other areas of the ordinance that come into play and the commissions job will be to try to balance it all and decide if it should get a certificate of appropriateness and consider:

c. Whether, in the case of any property located in an Historic District
designated pursuant to the terms of Subsection (6)(d) hereunder, the
proposed construction, reconstruction or exterior alteration does not
conform to the objectives and design criteria of the historic preservation
plan for said district as duly adopted by the Common Council.

So, the question becomes, should they get a certificate of appropriateness and does it conform with its plan. My guess is, they won't make a final decision on Monday, but you never know.

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING
Hmmm . . . Badger Depot closing causes confusion . . . no kidding, who didn't see that coming.

"CABLE COMPETITION" BILL NOT DELIVERING
Again, who didn't see this coming. Rates are up, union jobs are down, and its the beginning of the end of public cable access as we know it. In the Milwaukee area alone the they've lost 300 union jobs, or 15% of the jobs.

THE SAD STATE OF THE MEDIA
Sometimes, a picture is worth a 1,000 words. This used to be functioning media room at city hall . . . and now . . . its where they store the chairs.

Better yet, or I guess, worse . . .  the other day when I cut through there, one of the computers had a "blue screen of death" on it.

BANDS, PROMOTERS, SOUND GUYS (OR GALS IF THEY EXIST?), ETC, NO DRINKS FOR YOU!
I have the week off, so I was reading the . . .gasp . . . thedailypage forum. Generally, to be avoided as it just devolves into a nasty round of insults, but this discussion is of interest . . . as they note, while its hard to argue that bartenders should be able drink on the job, they bring up some good questions about brewmasters and others. Was the ordinance intended to be that broad? Here's the ordinance proposal in question proposed by Schumacher and the Mayor:

(8) It shall be unlawful for the licensee, agents, officers, directors, partners, members, managers of the licensee, or any employee or independent contractor of a licensed establishment, including members of the licensee’s immediate family, to drink or consume any alcohol beverage or to be under the influence of an intoxicant, or a controlled substance or a combination of an intoxicant and a controlled substance, while working or performing services on the licensed premises.

BURY THE BAD NEWS
Instead of discussing this during the budget, they release it during a slow news week/when no one is paying attention, but the city is facing a deficit for the first time in 20 years. Not by much given we have a $239M operating budget, but $3.4M still hurts when taking it out of our reserve. It's also interesting that when looking at the city budget, you can find 16 fund balances, but not the amount that is in the reserve listed anywhere.

Eh, that's all I got for today . . . Happy Thanksgiving. Read more!

Transit & Parking Tid Bits

This isn't a complete blow by blow or all the agenda items, but here's some highlights - Bus depot, route changes, Carl DuRocher, etc.

CARL DUROCHER
I walked in about 7 minutes late, Amanda White was in the chair (I don't think she was yet elected, but I consider that a good sign! And, for what it is worth, she did a really good job throughout the meeting.) and Carl DuRocher was there to speak to items not on the agenda. I missed most of it, but he was gracious and shared all the credit he had gotten over the last few weeks as the Mayor booted him off the TPC. They will have an honoring resolution next month.

BUS DEPOTS
Former Alder Webber talked about problems at Memorial Union with the buses, including the ruts in the streets and asking why the bus companies don't pay for the damage to the street and concerns about where they park and how hard it would be to get out of the

Some questions about the UW (Rob Kennedy) and their discussions with the bus companies. John Meyer, Badger Bus representative didn't have much to say, but available to answer questions. Mike Timman? from Greyhound, says Mr. Meyer's change in business will affect them alot, they will still facilities. They can do street corner operations but need to have other opportunities for those who are not internet savvy. Still need a facility. He asks for help to relocate to the best place and would like to locate with Metro, they can be rent paying tenants and will pay their fair share. VanGalder has a rep there too, no comment, no questions.

Susan DeVos spoke on behalf of MABAA. (Madison Area Bus Advocates) The official statement is here. They are urging delay of closing the Bus Depot.

Royce Williams also spoke for MABAA. He thinks that the real model we need to have is to have a multi-modal terminal and can't believe that we would be without a innercity bus terminal. Worried that this is going to the plan commission on Monday.

Ed Blume from the Peak Oil group spoke, complete with visuals.

Tim Wong also spoke against - we need a replacement and the condo market isn't really in need. Talked about experience riding bus and the small towns that have multi-modal stations. Wants city to take more interest in building a terminal. Says if high speed rail doesn't come downtown, if it is at the airport, then the feds should pay for a train link to downtown and then get trains to run downtown from the airport. People who are most likely to not have own transportation will be downtown and we should have transit available to the train.

Keith Pollack gave his update on the bus depot, works for City Engineering. Thanked the bus companies for sending representatives from long ago. Framed issue as being about closing the bus depot and the parking lot at Memorial Union. But he says bigger issue in that the TPC sets the intercity bus stops. This body will have the oversight. Says the approved current routes are on a website. Has a handout. Also hands out ordinance that gives TPC oversight. Says bus stop at Memorial Union was operating at capacity, it can handle two buses but they looked after school was out. But it doesn't look like it could handle additional buses.

Ken Streit asked what other cities were doing and if roadside pick ups were a trend. He said he'd have to look it up.

Gary Poulson asked how the routes were determined. Staff said that they would make a proposal.

Margaret Bergamini asked about staging issues. He said no discussions.

White explains it is just an update and they don't need to take action.

BUS ROUTE PRESENTATION
I think they basically presented this information - the overall map and the route by route information. The presentation was quick, lots of info, lasted 15 minutes or so.

Explains trying to use buses on the street to help heavily traveled areas. Extra buses for 2, 14, 15 etc. Some 15 minutes services. Timing is based on counts of riders. Sounds like most of the extra service is going to Sheboygan Ave, UW Hospital, etc.

Route 28 has 7.5 minutes service and they shifted some of those buses to route 9. Extra morning and afternoon routes for Johnson St. Also extra routes on Jenifer St. Most of the east improvements are not during summer hours.

Route 10 is back during the day - same except bus doesn't go to Union South, Mills St. instead. Should have buses every 15 minutes. Some confusion in the schedule but runs when 28/38 doesn't run.

Route 18 between West and South transfer points and can't get there in 25 minutes, so they cut the headway. This year, they added a bus and making connections at the south transfer point and at West there are more options.

Route 39 East to Dean Clinic/Dempsey. Adding trips.

Missed what he said about 34.

56 & 57 adding two trips in the morning to serve Toki Middle School and restores 57 routes lost last year.

Route 7 on weekends lost a few years ago, trying to get East to West transfer points in 41 minutes. Realigning the buses to have them be the first buses out, ahead of the pulse. They now have 45 - 47 minutes. Recovery time taken by changing route 68. 68 won't lose service.

Fitchburg also got more service out to Star Cinema.

Dave Tolmie asked about services further West, so get paratransit services to various housing places. Colin says it would be expensive, has looked at it, but its not viable.

[This presentation was SERIOUSLY on an overhead projector. Seriously!! And he kept putting the overhead pages backwards. I suppose it worked, but wouldn't a power point presentation have been better? Seems odd.]

BUS ROUTE PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Sharon Williams - you know, the bus driver lady that usually testifies. (THANK YOU!!!) Talks about recovery time and how bus drivers can't use restrooms and get breaks. She says after 10 years, she expects to have a good run, but still waiting. Says drivers won't call in sick if they have better runs and we'd save money. Says some drivers forced to speed or run lights to keep unrealistic schedules. Route 7, says if bus is late, how will they leave 3 minutes early if they. Says she'd rather have 17 than 18. Wants to get to Woodmans - from North to East. Wants 5 to go back to bottom of state to relieve 4. She has suggestions about 13 and how it could be improved, but I missed it. Also says she can't do the 3 in 45 minutes and some people get stranded. She says what looks good on paper isn't what happens in real life. Says she speaks for many drivers who are very frustrated.

Bergamini asks Williams what mechanism there is for drivers to have input. She says she's never been asked. Would like a driver on the TPC. Says supervisors might ask. They just wait for the fall ride guide to find out if it works. There are some good changes (6 & 20), but still very stressed. Thinks system was better when she first started (10 years ago)

Tim Wong says renumber 7 to 3. Supports 10 coming back. Supports expansion of service all the time, Jenifer is served well, would be even more riders if had every 5 minute service. Asks where the money is coming from. Asks to work towards a free service, paid for by property tax. He says he thinks we can do it with a modest increase in property taxes. He thinks ridership would increase greatly.

Laurie Wermter - only there to speak about the 10. Very much in support! Also added that the old route 8 circulator was also very helpful on the Westside. Says it is a big need and would have the same affect as adding the 10.

West side resident who used Metro for 9 years and has had lots of contacts with Metro staff. Wants route 15 and 14 expanded. Says nearest stop is 1.5 miles and not easy to walk in winter and can bike to stop if necessary. Has one car and his wife drops him off. They finally bought a second car because the routes never expanded. Says if the buses were more convenient, they will ride the buses in his neighborhood. He drives to bus stop and then takes the bus in. He only has one bus and it only comes every half hour. He lives in Valley Ridge.

Andy Lindgren - in support, available to answer questions. Written comments, would like later bus to airport. Works at airport and last bus leaves at 10:40. Also if buses ran later in the evening it would reduce driving and driving.

DISCUSSION ON ROUTE CHANGES
Poulson asks if street construction is taken into consideration with the bus routes. Does he build in time? He says if the schedule gets too soft, people get upset about having to wait. Only factors it in with temporary changes.

Poulson also asks about drivers needs. Open door policy, but not active solicitation of their feedback, but says he probably should. He says he basically responds to complaints and good ideas.

Kamp says that they are trying to figure out a more formal process.

Streit asks about driver accidents and if time schedules were a contributing factor. They have a safety committee looking at it. Colin Conn says that if he hears complaints he can look at it, but he doesn't know what is going on in the buss es. He says he tends to round up from .3 instead of .5 and tries to give them more info. She says that system was designed in 97 for 10M people, now 13M and some of the routes were gotten rid of to save money and it has a ripple affect. Says that there is a new attitude about fixing some of the problems in the system.

Susan Schmidt, says this is only her second meeting, but she asks if there is a wish list or priority list of what he wants? And asks how he gathers the info, not just ridership info but increasing service. He says through the feedback system.

Tolmie asks why East side gets more service and why West keeps losing service. Colin says he hears the same complaints from the East side. Reality is that everyone has lost service.

Tolmie asks about fare increases and how much money this is going to cost. Kamp says that these increases are covered for this year and when annualized, with the unlimited ride pass rates going up in 2010, they will be able to cover the costs.

Bergamini asks about cash revenues being down and several other questions about how this is going to be financed by the fare increases. Ridership up 2% in April, but it was spring break. He thinks that they will see an overall increase and is confident in their numbers. Kamp says that April isn't a good indicator.

Tolmie asks if it would be better to postpone expansions until have solid numbers? Kamp says that yes, better information always better. However, delay in decision in the fares and yet commitment to implement services. He says that they can move forward, and if they delay they won't be able to implement in August, and then it would be implemented in October, but that causes staffing issues. Kamp says there are some risks with the proposal, but some positives, State budget still has a 2% increase. In very difficult economic times, investments in public transit become more important.

Bergamini asks specific questions about a few routes on Old University and Johnson and Walter St. Colin also reiterates that this needs to get done for August and have a tight timeline.

White asks some questions on route 10. 4th most productive route, was the schedule similar to what is propsed today in regard to time of day. Says 3 & 4 just didn't hold as many people who want to ride the bus, and says it is close to what was needed. Also asks about how changes will be communicated and marketed. Says after Colin is done, need 3 to 4 weeks to get guides done. Flyers on buses, text message (I think he said 1,000 people?), Twitter, ride updates, some ads on buses, also some trades in advertising with television stations etc.

No discussion at all, just voted. I belive it was unanimous.

PARATRANSIT FARES
Kamp says they are looking at it to figure out how it could be revenue neutral.

Poulson asks why went to dual fare structure to spread out the riders, not to make money. Anne Gullickson said that goal of discounted fare off-peak time was to shift riders who had choices. Did have some affect for cash payers. Two factors that led to less success was that many have agencies that pay their fares and many need to travel for work. Didn't get the impact they really wanted.

I left after that . . . not much more of interest to me, routine items left.
Read more!

Regional Mass Transit in Action

Portage to Madison . . . started June 1.

As of June 1, 2009 there is a shuttle once a day from Portage to the
North Transfer Point! A small bus goes from Portage in the morning and
returns to Portage in the evening (leaves NTP at 5:30). The bus holds
12 ambulatory riders and up to 2 wheelchairs. It is equipped with a
bicycle rack. It operates on weekdays and is $200/month. The price
includes a 31-day Metro pass.

Read more!

Council Recap - The Rest of the Meeting

Continued . . . .

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
#40 SHERMAN TERRACE WATER MAINS

Robert Schniker - support - passes on speaking

Richard Meyer - Sherman Terrace was built in 1947, told that water mains put in there had a 50 year life expectancy, last two years spent $60,000 to fix water mains, trying to figure out how to do it piece by piece and came up with proposal. [The real credit here goes to Larry Nelson who met with myself and Nathan Brelsford and Jerry Rowe and came up with a solution. Thanks Larry!] Meyer explains that the highest selling units there go for $120K, they're not real fancy, good affordable comfortable housing. Many are on a fixed income, opportunity for this is that association couldn't borrow the money and have no assets, its a darn good thing if it goes through.

John Marhoefer - support - oldest member of board, served there for 12 years, investor, owns 7 units, wants to assure council has a professional board of directors, spends money prudently, $60,000 that they spent repairing broken water mains could have been spent on preventative maintenance. Will cost him personally $25,000 but still supports the installation of the new main and urges support.

Barbara Mazzoni - support - Sherman Terrace Condo Association - Very old established neighborhood, low income area, where people can afford to buy a small place to start or end up. Concern is that by fixing the water mains one at a time, wasting the water and natural resources and it will benefit the whole city to have the mains replaced. Needs council's help.

5 registrants in support not wishing to speak.

Palm asks any board member - Since board of public works, questions raised about one of the larger assessments. Says he expects amount of project to go down based on the bidding. Asks if they understand that if one assessment goes down, others might go up. Mazzoni says she just became aware the issue this afternoon with the commercial property. Been meeting, invited all the members of the condo association, notices went up in all the buildings, city engineers came to the meeting, but this is new.

# 41 - Reiner Rd - no registrants

# 42 - Lawrence St. - no registrants

Motion by Maniaci, refer item 40 to June 16 meeting. Maniaci says that this came up suddenly with he commercial owner. Says her understanding is that it won't impact the timeline for the project. Staff says schedule to bid wouldn't happen til after the next meeting anyways. Wanted to get project done in 2009 construction season. Leaks occur in winter and want to get it done before then.

41 & 42, move adoption.

PLAN COMMISSION
#43. Sign issue on Millpond Rd. One registrant - available to answer questions, no questions
#44. 12 single family homes and 2 school lots. One registrant, person from Middleton Cross Plains School Dist, in support, available to answer questions, no questions
#45. Union South - Gary Brown - support, available to answer question, no questions.

Approval, no discussion.

8:30, end of public hearings, now back to the separated items . . .

SEPARATED ITEMS
CITIZEN APPOINTMENTS
46 - Report of the Mayor submitting citizen committee appointments (introduced
5-19-2009; action 6-2-2009).

Moved adoption. There are speakers.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Carl DuRocher - no longer here.

Margaret Bergamini- there to speak to Transit and Parking Commission appointments, recommend that it be referred back to mayor and appoint Carl DuRocher. Explains that Carl DuRocher uses paratransit and his ride was scheduled and he had to leave [No irony there, eh?]. She says she felt strongly enough to come and speak because she relies on Carl and his knowledge and the relationships that he has built. Doesn't come here cuz always agrees with Carl, fundamentally disagreed on the fair increases but she respects his knowledge. Says he understands the ADA the way Bruer and Verveer understand liquor licenses. He knows staff and elected officials from other cities, and advocates throughout the region. Discussion of Metro budget isn't a simple topic, and not sexy. Says the council barely touched on the intricacies of paratransit. She's worried he also loses seat on other committees. Talks about contracted services oversight committee, says he was instrumental in getting that group started in working with partners and other regional partners. Carl is an excellent translator for everyone. She says at this moment in history when systems in a fragile state, fed and state funding changes (mentions risk of losing $2M although we may have patched together a solution) this is when we need Carl because this is what he is good at. Talks about the RTA, but we already have a semi-regional system, he is one that understands and helps us all understand, he can translate it with all the complexities with the funding, contractors, bids, etc. He's critical to the functioning of the group. Don't always agree, but deep respect for knowledge and commitment. Applauds the recommended person, but there are other ways to do get involved and build the expertise. Knows mayor has responsibly to make recommendations. Advise and consent is duty of the council. She says turnover is necessary and good, but this isn't the moment. Not when we are looking at threats to the funding in which he is an expert. Not good for partners or city of Madison.

DISCUSSION
Rummel - Says Bergamini did better than she could. At the last meeting she asked to have it referred even tho that is what would happen she wanted to raise the issues, met with Mayor and Skidmore, didn't expect anything to change [and it didn't]. Says Bergamini summed it up well. Understands that mayor has the discretion, appreciates that he gets to decide. However, DuRocher is progressive and experienced. Says she understands that council's role is advise and consent. She says she wants to remind you that not the same thing as Obama and Supreme Court. Those are lifetime appointments. And the Senate rejected - like senate who rejected Robert Bork - She says the council's role is to give appointment recommendations, but that she would appreciate it if the Mayor responded to her inquiries about appointments before she reads the results on the agenda. She can agree to disagree, but feels there is more ability for the council to get involved. She suggests that if Carl was here, she would ask for his phone number, because the TPC is going to need his advice.

Skidmore - Says it is not about DuRocher or Tolmie, who would be a great member of the Transit and Parking Commission, but more about the ability of mayor to make appointments. Says its his prerogative, respects his ability to do that. Says he had an interesting conversation with former Mayor Paul Soglin and that he agreed with Skidmore and Mayor Dave that there is not entitlement or right to be a member for a lifetime. He says it is the right and obligation of being the mayor. He says he lobbied to get some others to be kept on committees (Ped Bike and Public Safety Review Board). He thinks DuRocher is a great member, but many people are qualified to serve and they benefit by having turnover. Suggests DuRocher runs for alder, suggesting that of Dave Tomey as well.

The Mayor reminds Skidmore that DuRocher ran and was "crushed by Alder Rummel"

QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Clear asks what it means to serve at pleasure of the Mayor. Asks how people can be removed from committees? May says mayor appoints, council confirms. General rule is that all authorities that appoint have to be involved in removal, so it would take the Council and the Mayor to remove someone. Clear asks if the Mayor could appoint someone if their term is not over. May says no.

Pham-Remmele - Was going to ask for this item to be excluded, but Rummel did. Question for City Attorney, she says "I don't want to bother you, but I'm learning". She says that the City used to encourage citizens to step up to the plate and serve on commissions, do we sincerely do that? She thought it was a courtesy to approve the Mayor's appointments and never questioned it. [Can you say rubber stamp?] She saks what does serving the pleasure of the Mayor mean, are people expected to do that or serve in the best interest of the Madison resident? She says again that she tought it was a courtesy to approve the Mayor's appointments, and just say "aye".

May re-explains. The Council has no ability to tell the mayor who he has to appoint. You can say no to his appointments and then you have political fight if he comes back with the same person. He says that person serves their term unless they are removed or resign.

Pham-Remmele asks if they say "no" does that mean they don't respect the Mayor?

May says Council can say yes or no, but he can't tell you if it is about respect.

Pham-Remmele pressesfurther, she says if they don't rubberstamp the decision and say no, the person will still get appointed. May says the Mayor will have to continue to propose a person for that position.

BACK TO DISCUSSION
Skidmore talks about the "unfortunate headline" that DuRocher was "dumped". Reiterates it is the Mayor's prerogative. Says DuRocher was not removed, just not reappointed.

Solomon says he wasn't going to speak. Thanks DuRocher for his service. Can't begin to say how much he learned from him. No reason to doubt, that if Tolmie brings half as much as Carl brought, we'll be a fortunate city.

Kerr didn't want DuRocher's great service to get lost in the mechanical process. She talked about the fare increase hearings, and TPC meetings on bus service and DuRocher's remarkably knowledgeable service and we were fortunate to have him. She says she's sure Alder Skidmore's constituent will do well as well.

Mayor Dave speaks. Thanks DuRocher for his service. He wants to address arguments on his behalf. He says if he appointed only on experience, they would all have lifetime appointments. Expertise does and should reside in staff, needs to reside in staff, can't count on volunteers to have that expertise. Thinks turnover is a good thing. Tolmie is a good man, very bright, and while won't start with basis of knowledge that DuRocher had, he can acquire it over time.

Compton recommends that people who have served many years have to be acknowledged, need to have the Mayor's office say thank you to people leaving committees. Need some acknowledgment. She says that not all of them are her constituents, so the Mayor's office is probably the best one to do it.

The motion is to approve all the appointments except Tolmie. Voice vote, Pham-Remmele votes no.

Roll Call on the appointment of Tolmie (not DuRocher) passes 15 - 4:
AYE: Bidar-Sielaff, Bruer, Clausius, Clear, Cnare, Compton, Eagon, Kerr, King, Maniaci, Palm, Schmidt, Schumacher, Skidmore, Solomon
NO: Verveer, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel
ABSENT: Sanborn

#75 - Creating Section 8.32 of the Madison General Ordinances to create policies and procedures for removal of personal property from public lands.

Motion is to place on file.

QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Rummel's light is working! Rummel says she had conversations with Clingan and May, and has questions. She says state law has something to say about what happens and she had heard Mayor may be helping to resolve this. She says to May that it looks like we are not following the law. May says he can't speak to that, doesn't know what our practices are. [Well, isn't that convenient.] He explains that there are two different laws, one you hold the property for 30 days, one for 90 days. The distinction is about if the property is lost or abandoned. There are also distinctions based on the value of the property. He says he's not exactly sure what the practices are at this point in time. He says that the Mayor's office asked for legal background and he is working on it. Rummel asks again, May says he doesn't know the details. He says this ordinance is dealing with specific type [of the homeless] of property and if it is that type of property. Says they should have a more global procedure. Mayor suggests Plant is working on it.

Plant says he convened staff - fire, police, public works, city attorney [they conveniently did not invite me to the meetings, even tho I was the sponsor] They talked about how they handled property. Says police has a robust system [if so, that robust "system" was not used when they threw away the property of the people staying at the Brittingham Park shelter! or they system is simply not as "robust" as claimed]. He says the others had other policies. He says if there is a shredded piece of clothing or broken lawnchair left on a soccer field, it gets tossed. He says otherwise they hold them for a specified period of time if it is items like keys or a wallet. He says he asked for an opinion from city attorney on how to handle it in a city wide level. Not just homeless but all found property. He says there is a memo and cover letter recommending a charter ordinance. [Someone should have asked where the hell that memo and cover letter was!] He says state laws are old and confusing and not clear which applies, thinks a charter ordinance would set policy for all agencies. A uniform procedure for all agencies would have a distinction for $25 property, 30 day retention with procedures on how to turn property back to owner. They need to discuss what proof is required to retrieve property and he talked about posting requirements (in city hall) and on city webpages, and that the property would likely be stored at the police department.

Rummel asks about timeline. He says he doesn't have one. [i.e. he wasn't planning on working on it.] Says he can put it on the top of the list. Charter ordinance won't be available until 60 days after it is pissed. Rummel asks to work on it with them.

Palm asks why charter ordinance. And what harm by passing this? May says charter ordinance because there are 2 procedures that can apply and he thinks they are old, based on rules set up long ago and inconsistent. His opinion is that a charter ordinance says they can get out from under provisions in state law. Otherwise they would be stuck with those two inconsistent provisions. He says this is a state law not of statewide concern [seriously, what kind of a whack opinion is that? and why is he so bold here but not for other issues?] He says the authority has not been withdrawn by state legislature. [Again, they passed a law . . . how is it that they haven't legislated in this area? Seriously? I can't believe he is being so bold and aggressive about not following state law in this case.] He says the only reason it is on the agenda is because there is no sponsor, if someone sponsors it then it will go back to committee. Just wants to make sure it is consistent with what you might pass as a charter ordinance.

Palm asks why go back to committees? He points out this was introduced in Oct 2008, recommendations have been made by committees. If someone sponsored, why go back to committees? May looks confused [cuz he was wrong, there was no requirement for it to go back to committee], but then someone points out that PSRB has not made a recommendation and they are the lead committee.

Schmidt has a question for May - He asks why the provisions in this ordinance that were covered by state law why are we first discovering this in May 2009 when we knew there were laws in Oct 2008? Why can't we pass this if it doesn't conflict with state law? Why didn't we find out earlier that state law addressed this in conflict with our process? May repeats that he's not certain our practice violates state law. [Wow. This dude is losing all credibility at this point. The departments didn't like the ordinance because they were concerned they don't have storage for these items. His claims are making him look ridiculous.] He says that in terms of this ordinance, it imposes above and beyond state law, which city has authority to do. They have advised departments with what state law is, but didn't know that departments are always aware of the state laws. [Now that inspires confidence, doesn't it?]

Kerr is called on, asks the Mayor why he looks pained, he says she is not showing up on the board. Kerr asks Plant about posting in the Parks in English and Spanish, is that also under contemplation by the staff working on this? She says if she lost her keys or homeless, park shelter is likely where might go first. Plant says that the posting requirements as drafted are one of the reasons that city department heads had concerns about the language and its possible fiscal impact. Kerr clarifies that she wants postings in park, not just city hall and website. A generic notice, in English, Spanish and Hmong.

Bidar-Sielaff asks if someone sponsors it, could this serve as the base for the charter ordinance. May says that the issues in this ordinance are not the sort that require a charter ordinance. Normally don't use charter ordinance unless have to, might be a companion ordinance. He says the two would not be incompatible.

AND WE HAVE A SPONSOR, OR TWO! AND A MOTION!
Rummel says she wants to be added as a sponsor and refer to PSRB and CDBG with CDBG as the lead.

Bidar-Sielaff asks to co-sponsor.

Schumacher, asks for it to go back to Parks as well.

Passes on a voice vote, with some no votes but I wasn't sure who.

LOW INCOME PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
76 - Foley & Lardner, LLP attorney for Greentree Glen, LLC, c/o Midwest Affordable Housing Corp., 1560 East Blackthorne Pl., Whitefish Bay, WI - unlawful taxation - $71,922.54 plus interest.

Motion is to place on file.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Tim Radelet, neither support or opposition. Says they haven't quite decided what to do, file lawsuit or what for 2008 taxes. But, Joint Finance has added language that will, in large part, exempt low income housing and it is moving forward. There are some categories of housing that will be taxed, which is unfortunate. Thank you, Mayor Dave, Mario, and city attorney Mike May, Assessor, Bill and his staff, housing committee, prop tax subcommittee, former alder Brenda Konkel and to the Common Council, Julia and Michael, for advocacy both in meetings and outside of meetings. Knows that Mayor Dave and staff and certain alders spent time talking to governor and legislators, not just thanks from him, but his clients and all members of third sector. Thank you.

No questions.

DISCUSSION
Kerr - Says its a record for her speaking this many times in a meeting. Second what was said, thanks Tim Radelet, says he's deeply knowledgeable, she says working on this issue and this issue has befuddled everyone for 5 years. Acknowledge alders and Mayor for pushing this on the agenda and acknowledging how important it was to the City of Madison.

Mayor - special thanks to Mario, working on this for 5 years, says they were close a couple times, attended so many committee meetings in which he took many pointed questions on my behalf.

Passes on voice vote. [I think it was unanimous, but I didn't have any notes here.]

PRES HOUSE TAX EXEMPTION
77 - Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. for Presbyterian Student Center Foundation, 439 East Campus Mall, Madison - unlawful taxation - $238,565 plus interest.

Motion is to place on file.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Alice Honeywell - Presbyterian Center - Says she was taken by surprise when city attorney let the 90 days lapse. She was here to tell the Council about the Pres House [I took a break . . .] Says City of Madison won't go out of business if Pres House is not taxed, we Pres House might go out of business if City of Madison taxes them. She also says that the UW wants to buy their property, and if they do, the UW will be tax exempt. She says to please help us with the legislation that would include Pres House.

Rev Mark Elsdon - Disagrees with city's decision that they are taxable. Asks for help with legislation that does not provide provision for Pres House. Says Alice started to tell you why - religious, benevolent nonprofit for 100 years, mission is consistent, always have been exempt, truly unique, financed by WHEDA bonds, 20% low income, but benevolence isn't just low income, but activities and services.

QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Mayor asks City Attorney to explain, May says he thinks they will be exempt. [Wow! I know the Mayor's office and Mario don't understand the legislation they are so proud of, but I thought the City Attorney knew better. They clearly have no clue about affordable housing, how it is financed and the intricasies of the legislation that was passed. I can't believe May is shooting from the hip like that, he really is losing credibility tonight.]

QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANT
Eagon asks the Pres House folks why they think they are not exempt and what the discrepencies are between what the City Attorney is saying and their understanding of the law. Rev Elsdon comes back up and says that is great if the city attorney thinks they are exempt. But he explains that WHEDA description is specific, they don't have a first lien, they have a LURA (Land Use Restriction Agreement). So, if we were to find some other wording about a contractual agreement, then they might be in.

QUESTIONS OF STAFF AGAIN
Eagon asks assessor for comment. Assessor says he can look at it. If they don't have a first lien through WHEDA, that could be problematic. They might have to look at it.

QUESTIONS OF THE PUBLIC AGAIN
Rev Elsdon intercedes and says that Rep Spencer Black has language that would help Pres House. He says they tried and it hasn't happened thus far. City support would be helpful. Understands city needs money, would talk further about that if necessary.

Verveer, clarifies - will the building be tax exempt or just the apartments? Rev Elsdon saays yes, the Church has always been tax exempt, and will be exempt. The new building is not exempt. Apartment has been open for 2 years in July. They have been contesting the taxation from the begining.

QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Schumacher asks why this didn't come back with the others and how the 90 days lapsed without the council having a chance to act on it? May says this was an oversight in his office [Wow, another impressive moment for the city attorney's office tonight], not clear what happened. He says he gave strong instructions that is not to happen again and put a process in place in the clerk's office. He says there were meetings set up and didn't come to the council. Schumacher asks if the law allows for any compensation for these types of mistakes. May says 90 days is absolute.

Compton says she does not like to do committee work on the floor. Asks if not place on file, what happens? What happens in next assessment? May says, yes, the items before us are for 2008, legislation only impacts 2009. Compton asks again, if we do not place on file, what happens? He says, the law says it has been denied so council can't deny or approve. Court will decide. As mentioned in his memo, if legislature changes the law, then city should take that into consideration in resolving the court case.

Schmidt - Asks assessor, what part of the property is being taxed in this case? Assessor says its just the apartments, not the church. Asks May, if on file without prejudice, can we take an action later. May says not for 2008, but yes for 2009.

Bidar-Sielaff - Asks Mendoza to talk about compromise. Asks about Black language, any discussion on that? Mendoza says there are many proposals that have been contemplated, but not great likelihood of significant change, he says it was hard fought to get her, not everyone is happy. Clear indication not a big willingness to change the language to any significance.

Eagon - would it be possible to place on file but treat the same to work on their behalf? Lobbyist will pursue exemption for this property, by supporting Black amendment. Would like to place on file with understanding that city would pursue language to exempt Pres House. No objection by city attorney or mayor so Bruer says it is friendly. [Hmmm, I'm surprised by that public acknowledgement of whom Bruer is taking his cues from.]

BACK TO DISCUSSION, INCLUDING MAYOR DIRECTLY ENGAGING IN CONVERSATIONS WITH ALDER ON THE FLOOR.
Cnare - says ok with friendly amendment, but wants to pursue it on behalf of similarly situated organizations, Mayor says yes, as sense of council, and intent of council to exempt organizations similar to Pres House. Cnare says fine. Just doesn't want us to be pursuing something for one agency.

Bidar-Sielaff - all agreed legislation isn't perfect, and that we will continue to pursue perfect legislation. Mario will still be shooting for the sky, knowing that we have this. Wants to better understand where we are going, but we should say we are glad we got this far. Would like to continue pursuing language to cover all the entities that are proving housing and the like. We still want the perfect outcome

[I missed some discussion here.]

MOTION CONFUSION
Eagon withdraws his motion and says he would like to reintroduce as its own item at the end of the meeting, by title only. Then he says nevermind, keep it the way it is, since it won't be easier to introduced at the end of the meeting.

Mayor says the motion is to place on file, with understanding that city will pursue language in state legislation to exempt Pres House and similarly situated organizitions.

Cnare, is concerned that she thinks the Turners are going to say they are similarly situation, and doesn't think alders will agree on what "similarly situated" might mean. Cnare says that she'd like a separation on exemption for Pres House. Eagon clarifies what the amendment is, it passes on a voice vote.

Now thw motion is to place on file with City pursuing legislative fix for Pres House and similarly situated groups. There's a voice vote, it seems close. Roll call is called. [I have to laugh, people hated it when I did it, but it seems the call for roll call is alive and well without me there. I wonder who they will blame now?]

ROLL CALL
AYE: Bidar-Sielaff, Bruer, Clausius, Clear, Compton, Kerr, King, Maniaci, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Schmidt, Schumacher
NO: Verveer, Cnare, Eagon, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Skidmore, Solomon
ABSENT: Sanborn

Passes 12 to 7

TURNERS TAX EXEMPTION
78 - Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, S.C., for Madison Turners, Inc., 3001 S. Stoughton Rd., Madison - unlawful taxation - $24,686.50 plus interest.

Motion to place on file

PUBLIC TESTIMONY (9:40)
[I apologize, I missed this man't name, Morris?] Said he doesn't want to postpone momentum in the discussion. He asks people to reflect on comments from Brianna and her mother, says it has been a school for 150 years with no change in operation, staffing, ownership or procedures of the school. Looking forward to listenitng to spirited discussion.

Paul Wirch - President of Madison Turners, talks about turners and history, said they were in dire financial straights 5 years ago, hired new management, got donations, turned things around,. Lost money last year with the economy, but the taxes will have dire consequences and put them out of business. Talks some more about the history, says nothing has changed. He says he is also a doctor, concerned about children's health and epidemic of obesity. Massive obesity is up due to diet, exercise (physical activity) and behavior issues. Says less physical activity at school and less safe getting outside. He says chronic illnesses, bullying, self esteem and diabetes and joint issues are issues that will occur due to high obesity rates. Says health care system reform is needed and knows that needs to increase access to health care and need to reduce costs. Says kids are getting adult onset diabetes and seeing heart attacks in kids. Turners is trying to do something about these issues. Says he was here last time when council extended, now 90 days expired, would like to make his case.

Gibson - Director at Turners, 14 years in field. Works in schools, but also at Turners and they work with cheerleaders and kids with special needs. He outlines what their differences are from a gymnastics club. Says they are non-profit and there for the kids . . . talks about differences . . . got distracted . . . . [Buzzer goes off again, its being totally ignored this evening, the Mayor just lets them talk without asking for an extension from the council. Very, very, interesting - I wonder if the Mayor will be as generous next time an issue is before them when the speakers are saying something he doesn't want to hear.]

A person named David is called on and he passes.

Kristina Summers - Attorney for Turners, summarizes history, explains that they are proceding under different exemption than the previous cases - educational vs benevolent. Says the statute had to be changed, different here. Nothing needs to be changed, no legislative fix. The test is if they are education and have a systematic instruction, formal or informal. She talks about the class structure, that they follow school semesters, formed as a school, treat themselves as a school. Observe school holidays. Instructors have lesson plans, long term goals as well as step by step goals. City has not challenged that first point. Second requirement in the law is that education available to the general public. That has been challenged by the city. The city says only those involved in gymnastics participate but she gives the example of a daycare that qualified under this criteria. Last requirement is that these are services that should be provided by government or lessen the burden of government. She talks about the schools and concern about instruction and equipment that is available there and says it is a service ordinarily provided by government and that they lessen the burden of government by providing these services. She reminds people of Brianna and how physical fitness helps her. Happy to answer questions.

8 registrants in support, not wishing to speak.

QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANTS
Cnare - Asks about the ability to have birthday party there? Summers says that historically Turner's has had a banquet hall for funding to support other services. Have been working with city on this. Addressed the issue with the city. Says the entire building is 14,000 sqare feet, banquet hall is 4,680 sq ft. Says they also have volleyball leagues and space. Says that issue is more on the edge, but they tried to be reasonable. They said they agree the city can tax the banquet hall and volleyball and they are asking the city to provide a refund for 54% of improvements (not the banquet hall and volleyball) and the land.

Maniaci - Asks a question about the statute. She doesn't like it that only hockey is exempted in the ordiance. Wants all sports groups exempt. Asks about if it is a common practice to divide taxable and non-taxable parts of the property. [Ok, I was talking to someone, debating staying or cutting out and going to get a beer . . . ] Summers is explaining that it is a common practice to not have an all or nothing determination, law and supreme court case allows for partial determination.

Schmidt - asks if the IRS sees the Turners as fully non-profit. Summers says IRS says exempt for income tax purpose. So, says he's confused. He says assessors manual says may be assessed when partially taxable by IRS. She explains, if property has taxed income, that will correlate to taxation in WI, but not the only way that fed and state differ. Hospitals are exempt, but exclusion for commercial (fitness center, doctors office) not exempt. Use doesn't fit in state exemption.

QUESTIONS FOR STAFF
Kerr - question for Assessor or City Attorney - She says city attorney O'Brien told the council a few weeks ago that he evaluates these cases on a case by case basis. The answer is yes. She asks if there are no guidelines or policies for groups to look at to determine if they are exempt. They says they look at statutes and case law. No written policy on website or in assessors office? He says that they ask for information, and organizations provide the info they need based on what is listed on the form. She tries to ask again, uses example to help determine if they would be tax exempt - he says they just direct them to the statutes and require them to cite the statute that they qualify under. She asks if this can be simplified? He says its case by case. So, how do people have expectations? She says it sounds arbitrary, not that you are being arbitrary, but could be viewed that way. May interjects so the Assessor doesn't have to answers. He says the property assessment manual has factors they should look at. That might be the type of summary people might look for. Kerr asks if possible to post that? May says we could link to it. She says she is asking because she was struck by O'brien's testimony and says they were taken by surprise and wants to communicate more clearly? Assessor says can direct them to the manual, but difficult to put out information that would be clear to everyone who is seeking a exemption. [Yeah, he clearly doesn't want to do any more work. He basically was refusing to even try.]

Compton - asks if go to court, can they revert this back to 54% offered by the Turners? May says if court says they are educational they likely will. Says it is up to the court to decide, bottom line. Says if its a school, they'll get back their money, or at least up to 54% if that is what the court decides.

Cnare - Wants to know if we go to court will that be it, or will they be back again on another issue the next year or do they live by the court decision forever? May says yes. [Sounds a little crazy to me, since the city has been so aggressive with these cases, I don't believe it.] Cnare wants to clarify, he says yes [but starts backtracking and says . . . . ] unless there is a change in the operations. She asks if the assessor is bound as well? And will they look at everyone, every year? Yes, every other year the filings are required.

Maniaci - asks if there is anything in state statues that can be fixed, by changing youth hockey to youth sports, if state took out hockey language and then it might cover Turners? May says that could be done.

Solomon - asks May about a case he gave the council and how he decided Turners was more like Kicker's and explains the case was about if the group was more about recreation than education. Says he heard evidence tonight that sounds like Turners were different and wondering how that jives with the review your office did that seems inconsistent with what we heard. May says its not inconsistent. [Everyone is getting more an more skeptical, and May losing more credibility] May says it no about calling yourself educational and classes, he rattles off similarities in the cases such as physical education of students, health, organized sports, team work etc, almost exactly same arguments, that is the city attorney's bottom line.

Solomon -asks attorney for Turners- May interjects and says "I bet she'll disagree with me". He asks how they are different. She says that they have systematic instruction, formal or informal, available to general public, and they have services ordinarily provided by government. Basically they meet the criteria in state law. They are a school of gymnastics, they have not changed terminology or tried to cloak themselves in legal language. Solomon reads off goals in the case and says he doesn't see the goals of the Turner's being the same.

Solomon asks May - didn't see that Kickers case talk about distinction between educational institution vs recreation. May chastizes Solomon and tells him to "remember where we are", we have gone past 90 days, we can talk about substantive issues, but not in position to make those comparison tonght. [i.e. he avoids answering the question and falls back to the ruling he made that they can't talk about the issues.] He says of course there will be differences in the cases, court said that they are wonderful org and some educational value, but not the tax exempt question. Substantially and primarily devoted to educational is the test. He says physical education wouldn't be educational without rest of the school. [I missed a bit of what he said] May says you have no authority, next step is court. If come back next year you can take a look at it again.

Solomon says that doesn't leave him with a great deal of satisfaction.

MOTION
Manicaci - wants to add language to work on resolution in statute to have all sports exempt, not friendly. She makes a motion, no one seconds it. Cnare finally does [good alder buddy!!! New alders are assigned experienced alder buddies, Cnare is Maniaci's alder buddy].

DISCUSSION
Schumacher, says he understands that these decisions are not easy, these are great organizations doing great work. Also have property tax payers and if pursue policies to be agents of every org that seeks tax exemption, that means we are imposing more and more on property taxes on the fewer people who are paying them. Not about these establishments before us, somebody has to pay. Doesn't support exemption.

BACK TO QUESTIONS OF REGISTRANTS
Skidmore - apologizes, asks Summers about the amendment. She says she doesn't agree that this matter is out of the hands of the common council, the statute says that they governing body has to allow or deny, that didn't happen, that might limit what city can do. If a determination is made, says Council has the authority to make the claim. She says that in Milwaukee circuit court [I think she acknowledges that this isn't a binding case, but it is an example of a judge finding differently than May suggests] said that if not denied in 90 days, if doesn't follow law to letter, taxpayer rights are expanded. She talked about filing in court and if the city does settle she will be asking the vote to settle that action at 54%. Says amending the statute, that might be an option, but it might also not work out. Hate to leave it to potential legislative amendment. More direct for council to deny or vote to settle.

MOTIONS
Mayor explains the amendment is on the legislation.

Kerr, moves separation, but it is already separated, she explains she pushed her button a long time ago, button not working.

BACK TO DISCUSSION
Skidmore - passes.

Maniaci - passes.

Cnare - says she seconded but won't support it. Thinks Turner's has a good case. Clear definition, good works don't matter, but compelling information that indicates, despite kickers, if they go to court she thinks they will win and they City will learn a lesson.

Solomon - prefer we should give them their refund, same reasons as Cnare, understand where Maniaci is coming from, but agrees with Schumacher, we don't want to do that. Low income housing providers was an important place for us, but not athletic orgs.

Voice vote on the amendment - not a single vote in favor.

Back to the original motion.

MORE DISCUSSION/MOTIONS
Schmidt - could pontificate or substitute to grant the claim. Conflicting case law from two lawyers. Mayor says motion to grant the claim is not in order. [He and the city attorney are sticking to their overruling the Council] May says can't take a position unless he reads the case [I'm beginning what this guy gets paid for?]. May says he is concerned that this is before the council and doesn't tend to litigate before the council. All these are legal arguments that go to court, and then tells them again that they can't vote on to grant tonight.

Schmidt says right up against the deadline, and they found out about afterwards that they were out of order, its a mess and and he's "frustrated as hell". [It has been clear throughout the night, on multiple issues that the frustration of the continued staff blocks of actions they want to take is taking its toll on council members at a whole new level.] He brings back up the issue on the homeless property and asked why not take into account statute when presented back in October, says this is the same thing. He says he's been reading Kickers for two hours, said they were recreational, not in this case. Spent two or three pages talking about this. Wants to make his motion. Kerr seconds.

Kerr clarifies its a substitute.

Compton - clarify - going into last meeting, said they didn't know. Supported referral, because we didn't have the info they ahve now. Attonrey May said that if they did that, he warned us, Turners would have failed that night. THis window of time to prove they are a school, can we act on it, or should it go to court, vote to place on file so there is an official decision. Need sto be more solid for them, so not voting for the motion, but tends to agree to it. He told us three times during that meeting - it was tense, it was the only option Turners have.

Solomon clarifies if dollar amount is 54% in the motion. Palm groans, not sure what it was about but it distracts. Solomon asks if 54% is ok, Schmidt says people pressing to say yes, but he menat for it to be 100%. He comments that they are on shaky legal grounds, so why not. Statute is crazy, so sure, 54%, but his intent was otherwise. Objection to making it friendly. Amendment is to make it 54%. Solomon is called on to speak, but says he needs a minute.

Schumacher says we are debating things in state statute, May advised us last time that we are out of bounds, take it to court, organization has legal representation, [I'm sure that isn't cheap! Does he think all the non-profits can pay for that. If so, where does he think that money comes from?] He says that if you think this is hard, come to ALRC, constantly hitting our heads against the wall over state statute. Says they should take it to court. Says council should look to city attorney, not outside lawyers. [Maybe they would if he was credible, but he just keeps losing credibility.]

Mayor thanks Schumacher.

Rummel why Turners and not housing providers? May vote no on principle, but says I'm hungry, lets hurry up.

Mayor thanks Rummel as well. [He must be hungry too?]

Compton clarifies - Solomon amend to 54% and that they can't make another amendment.

Kerr won't vote in favor, worked hard on low-income housing. Legislative fix. Needed to take the strong stand to move the ball. Don't see that here. Respect Schmidt's assessment and the Turner's attorney, should place on file and she see's Schumacher's slippery slope. Can't support this. She differentiates this from the legislative fix.

BACK TO QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Solomon - two questions. If grant refund, what would it mean. You say we don't have the authority. May says he doesn't know what it means. [I'm pretty certain it means May will find a way to overrule the council again.] Solomon asks how we would know. If city wanted to go ahead and pursue. May says you'd have to get outside council.. May says action doesn't mean anything. [I thought so, why'd he say he didn't know?] Solomon asks if it goes to court to defend this, what will it cost. May says staff time, Walgreens and other cases took tremendous amount of time, this one is straightforward. Solomon says it will likely cost $14 - 15,ooo if goes to court, probably more in staff time. Says there are many good reasons to not place on file.

Bidar-Sielaff - if goes to court, will the council decide if they settle or it is fought aggressively? May says that settlement offer is made, has to bring it back to client. [That would be new. They settle cases all the time and they NEVER consult with the council.] She says there is an overwhelming sense that they do deserve tax exemption on the council. She suggests to go to court, settlement discussion will come back. Understand the frustrations in not taking final action, keeps coming back, deserve tax exemption, thinks it will settle it once and for all.

BACK TO DISCUSSION/MOTIONS
Mayor reminds, 54% is question. Cnare, says accept own offer, its what they asked for, its fair, we can set our own precedent. Pay half the bill and go home tonight. May shakes head.

Schmidt speaks to urge council members to kill the amendment and then he'd move to refer his motion for more info.

Mayor says only Solomon can refer. Schmidt is trying to clarify if what he wants to do is doable.

Mayor says May will not be here at the next meeting, so they need a longer referral. On this matter the Mayor says he wants May here. [Ya think? Always good to have a lawyer that is paid to give you the opinion that you want.]

Solomon amendment - voice vote fails [?].

Schmidt moves to amend motion to be referred to whenever May is available. He wants to hear Mays opinion on the issue of the 90 days and the issue that Summers brought up with the Milwaukee case. Kerr seconds for purposes of discussion. Checking May's availablility. July 7th is next date he will be here.

Rummel asks about how this impacts the Turners. She wants information or is it just academic? May says there are no appellate cases on the issue, only Milwaukee circuit court, doens't think it will have impact on his analysis. [No shit, he's clearly dug his heels in. He's being very stubborn and not serving the council at all, seems to just serve the Mayor.]

Voice vote - no's have it.

Back on original to place on file.

Compton tries to make an amendment. People are clearly not happy that she is trying to make an amendment. They are interrupting her. She finally explains that her motion is that if the Turners file in court, the common council will strongly consider request of 54% to the Turners. Originally, was going to settle at 54%, but this is a comfort resolution.

Mayor steps down from the chair. Bruer in the chair.

Schumacher says the city buys high, sell low. We're making a deal already, going into a court case telling the city attorney what the outcome is. He says they are tying the hands of the City attorney upfront. [Yes, I think they are, I think they are sending a strong message that the Assessor and City Attorney should not have been trying to make policy by aggressively pursing these cases.]

Compton clarifies that this is an amendment, not a substititue.

Bruer calls on "smoking Joe Claussius" - Claussius reminds people they have had this discussion, Attorney May said that they were on thin ice. Not supporting it. Says should go to court.

AND THE TRUTH COMES OUT- MAYOR DAVE WANTS THE TAXES!!
Bruer says this is the moment people have been waiting for and calls on Mayor Dave. The Mayor remarks that he is not sure anyone waiting for this moment. Understands and is sympathetic. Says body doesn't have authority. Attorney and Assessor interpret state law, for the Council to say they are wrong is extraordinary. Says it is an extreme mistake. He explains that the presumption is that land it taxable, and its up to the non-profits to make the case that they are exempt. In a few months we are going to debate the budget, and you're not going to be happy you don't have the money from these taxes then. These people don't want to pay their fair share. Attorney and assessor should make it hard. Very dangerous road to go down, to legislate here. City Assessor and Attorney can interpret law. He says he doesn't even like hockey, legislature can make that decision.

Compton repeats motion - Compton says doesn't prevent placing it on file, but we want to strongly consider exemption of 54%, not deciding outcome. [Yikes, I agree with Compton here and what she is trying to do.]

QUESTIONS OF STAFF AGAIN
Cnare question - if goes to court, court could determine otherwise something different even if we offer 54%. May makes it appear that they will. [Ok, he's a shittier attorney than I thought, he should have explained that it would be rare for the court not to agree to a stipulated agreement between the parties. Damn, the council really can't rely on this guy to give them good advice.]

Pham-Remmele says she has been sitting here patiently, putting up with debate, people like to hear themself speak, asks why are we going against city attorney and assessor, we are not qualified to decide the %, wants original language. [Again, she seems to think council is wasting time by debating issues.]

Schmidt says he respects city attorney and assessor, just disagrees. Whatever we decide, up to the court, this is just a strong suggestion, no a commitment.

Compton amendment fails on a voice vote.

Back to motion to place on file. They have a voice vote, chair rules the aye's have it. Roll call is requested.
AYE: Verveer, Bidar-Sielaff, Bruer, Clear, Cnare, Compton, Eagon, Kerr, King, Maniaci, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rhodes-Conway, Schumacher.
NO: Rummel, Schmidt (with annoyance), Skidmore and Solomon
ABSENT: Sanborn

Passes 15 - 4.

SHADY WOOD NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
118 - Adopting Phase 1 of the Shady Wood Neighborhood Development Plan as a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan, and authorizing the City’s application to amend the Central Urban Service Area to include the Phase 1 development staging area identified in the plan.

#118 - Clear defers to Rummel, Rummel moves adoption, someone seconds.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Trachtenberg says if the motion is to adopt and Rummel makes it, won't speak.

Satya asks for clarification. Is she moving recommendation of plan commission or whole plan. Rummel says plan commission recommendation to move it along.

Tractenberg now wants to speak - says all the landowners support it. Phase A, Phase B & C and ice age trail interests all agree with Plan Commission.

There are 4 others wishing to speak and 2 in support. They ask if anyone else wants to speak.

Gempler speaks, says it is unnerving to let Ron [Trachtenberg] talk for him. Says Ron is correct. Prepared to speak, but everyone agrees with Plan Commission.

No one asks any quetions, no one further speaks.

QUESTIONS OF STAFF
Rummel speaks, says she was struck by Cnare voting now and asks Wiedelich if they are doing something unprecedented. Wiedelich says it is unique, we don't do this in phases, discussed 3 hours at parks and plan and in the end best solution to timing issues. Staff can accept it. Explains that they will adopt non-controversial part and that, yes, the city does plan for property outside the city.

Rummel says it's a plan until someone does a project, not for 50 years. Open space is conceptual, exact boundaries will be negotiated and worked out with property owners. Asks if plan will impact value of property? Weidelich says that is up to Gempeler.

DISCUSSION
Rhodes-Conway. Dosn't think they should do this - precedent. Disappointed staff thinks this is ok.

Cnare, sole no vote at Plan - very, very slippery slope where we will approve neighborhood plans with only a house or two. She says the beauty and discomfort is that it is critical that there are reasons we plan the way we do. Would rather wait. The planning process isn't over, its not ready. We should wait until we have a whole plan. She likens it to Thanksgiving, she says they are getting the marshmellow and jello salad, no turkey.

There's a voice vote, roll call is called because it sounds close.
AYE: Bruer, Claussius, Clear, Compton, Eagon, King, Pham-Remmele, Schumacher and Skimore.
NO: Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Schmidt, Solomon, Verveer, Bidar-Sielaff, Cnare, Kerr, Maniaci, Palm
ABSENT: Sanborn

There is a second motion [out of order?] to refer it back to the plan commission. Motion made by Clear, seconded by Cnare. It took Clear forever to make the motion as the lobbyists tried to direct him what to say. He wants it to be referred to Plan Commission on the 15th and the Council on the 16th.

Rhodes-Conway asks to clarify. Says plan has to decide at the next meeting. She makes a substitute to let plan commission vote and have it come back to the council when they are done (i.e. not on the 16th). Motion is to refer to plan commission "full stop"

Compton - amend the motion. Once plan commission has made a decision it will come back to the next council meeting. Someone must have seconded.

Lots of confusion, lots of clarification by staff, Compton, etc.

May explains that there is notification issue with the meetings and Compton can't make her motion. [Again, bullshit!!! You can notice it and take it up if it is ready.] I believe the Compton motion is withdrawn and the motion is to refer to plan. Motion passes unanimously.

FINISHING UP
Introduction of items for referral. Very noisy, Clear has to ask for order.

Rummel introduces conservation district report for E Wilson, Shley pass neighborhood, refers to plan and council.

Clear has a resolution to have an agreement with the Board of Rebents to use the city's fiber optic strands, referred to Board of Estimates.

Clear also has a resoluion, by title only, to have the city continue contract for dispatch operations. Requires a 2/3 vote because it is by title only. Not sure I heard where it got referred.

With that they adjourn.

AFTER
Rummel and I went to the Great Dane. Other alders that went out include Claussius, Clear, Schumacher, Bruer, Maniaci, Solomon, Kerr, Palm, Schmidt. I was surprised they all went to the Dane again, I thought they were rotating the downtown bars, but it was late, and the Dane has food.
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