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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More Ho Chunk/Union Corners News

From, an unnamed source . . . some more points this person thought were of interest:

1. Ho-Chunk does not plan to need any of the Land Bank money, leaving that available for other projects.

2. They plan to keep their development (as much as possible) within already approved project parameters so as to speed the development process.

3. They have investigated the idea of using geothermal at the site but it appears that geothermal would not be practical due to the high water table. However, their stated intent is to be as green and energy sustainable as possible - incorporating the latest technologies.

4. The proposed health care clinic and day care center would include a strong educational component with emphasis on "wellness" and other proactive strategies. They also would emphasize education in other ways on site, not only for promoting tribal culture and history, but also for job training and youth activities.

5. They said they plan to use local contractors and suppliers whenever possible and said their practice is to pay very good wages.

6. They want to make the development walkable and well-connected to the surrounding neighborhood. They plan on building a significant amount underground parking (saying new technologies do make that possible in spite of the high water table).

7. They would be open to proposals for partnering with other entities both in development and later in ownership/management of the property.

8. They said they have an excellent staff of grant writers with a proven track record and expect to draw significant federal funding into the project, such as from HUD and WHEDA.

9. They said they plan to rebuild the French Battery Building.

10. They would provide security for the site.

11. To re-emphasize their main point: They very much want the development to fit into the neighborhood architecturally and economically, and to be something that the neighbors want.

I can't help but be struck by how much more in tune with the neighborhood and community the Ho Chunk folks were and how that is reflected in their first go at a proposal, than say, the Hammes Company and the Edgewater Hotel proposal. I'd like to thank them for showing there is another way to do development in our community.

Ha! Take that, Barrett! :) :)
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I lied/Can't Sleep Extra Round Up

So, I wasn't going to blog today, but . . . I came home last night after being sniffly all day, made dinner and laid down. I was freezing so I covered up and fell asleep. Now, in the early am, I'm awake, sick/can't sleep cuz of runny nose and cough and waiting for the cold medicine to kick in, so . . . here's what I have for today . . .

STILL, NO ANSWER
Looks like council leadership (Tim Bruer, President and Mark Clear, Pro Tem), Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Bob Dunn (Hammes Company) didn't come to any agreement today. They're meeting again on Tuesday.


CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG - HO CHUNK AND UNION CORNERS
I've been hearing about this, but was sworn to secrecy, that's why Barrett scooped me! :P Guess it's not a very big secret as this went out over a neighborhood listserve or two:

Today there was a meeting at the Ho-Chunk Nation office on Mendota Street to discuss their plans to develop the Union Corners property located at East Washington Avenue and Milwaukee Street. There were about 20 people including Alders Rummel, Palmer and Rhodes-Conway, reps from nearby neighborhood associations, including SASYNA, and other groups interested in development of this site (i.e. Commonwealth, Project Home, Eco Realty, Progressive Party, Urban Farming, etc.). The nation plans to purchase the entire property and would like to develop it over an eight year period. The very preliminary plans for the first phase include a building for nation offices and a nation museum, a health center and daycare center. The office/museum would be located at the very visible East Wash/Milwaukee Street corner. Phase 2 might include a gas station/convenience store. Phase 3 might include affordable apartments and senior housing with a public meeting hall. A grocery store is possible and the nation is open to partnerships with other businesses or organizations. There are no plans for a casino. The nation has similar types of developments elsewhere in Wisconsin including health care, child care and community centers.

Plans are very preliminary and will be open for input from surrounding neighbors and interested organizations. Joe Green from Ho-Chunk Nation discussed their plans. He grew up in the neighborhood and attended East High. He made it clear the nation wanted to create a project which benefited the neighborhood and city. The project would be affordable and environmentally positive including features such as solar panels and low energy consumption. It would fit into the existing neighborhood so buildings would be shorter than previously proposed for the McGrath development. They would not remove the property from the tax rolls so it would contribute property taxes for Madison schools and services.

A decision to pursue this project will be made by the nation during January. By the end of the January, preliminary plans for the property would be available for review by the public during meetings with interested parties. SASYNA was very involved in the original plans for Union Corners and will continue to involved. Stay tuned for more info during the new year.

There was a very positive reception to the Ho-Chunk plans for Union Corners. This is a very positive development for the neighborhood.

Looks like it wasn't a big secret if all those people were there and its on list serves and even Barrett knows about it. :) Giggle. I'm just always glad when someone tells me something is confidential, and I can't be accused of being the leak.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS FUNNY
Giggle. This article chooses a funny example (and picture) given the above. And points out how out of touch the council leadership is.

AN AGENDA FOR THE CITY
Joe Tarr from the Isthmus gets the Mayor to talk about his agenda for the city. And uses a progressive as Mayor Dave's foil. I suppose he had to, since I'm not sure others have a vision for what the city should be working on in the next year. I happen to agree with Satya Rhodes-Conway and I'm happy she was able to clearly articulate an alternative as good progressives do, I'm just frustrated that the story doesn't have an agenda from the moderates or conservatives on the council. Is this part of the positioning towards the right of the Mayor - or did no one else have an agenda? Or don't they want to admit what their agenda is?

The Mayor's agenda is crime. And then there's these other things:
- building support for a referendum on regional transit next fall
- breaking ground on the new Central Library
- winning federal support for high-speed rail
- improving relationships with the business community
- and pursuing green initiatives, like making the city more bike-friendly and energy-efficient.

Rhodes-Conway counters with:
- strong attention to economic development - she says. "I don't mean attracting large companies. I mean helping support and grow the businesses we have."
- review some basic economic development mechanisms, like tax increment financing and put a process in place for evaluating job creation proposals for TIF
- equal review of downtown and periphery projects
- help people in these tough economic times, pay attention to community services

Heh, people. Notice the mayor didn't mention people who are struggling or community services, even tho they are going through an extensive review of their funding processes and priorities.

Falk gets it right, focusing on jobs.

"ANOTHER DUDE"
This note from the Mayor was forwarded to me with the title above . . . can't say I'm surprised.

I wanted you to be among the first to know that I’ve made a decision about the City IT Director position. I’m pleased to welcome Paul Kronberger to the City of Madison.

Paul has an extensive background in IT. He started his career in the City of Milwaukee IT Department, has worked for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue as IT Director and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce as IT Director. After a few years in the private sector, Paul is eager to return to the public sector to serve the City of Madison.

This was certainly not an easy choice, as we had three very qualified finalists for the position. Dave Faust and Rich Beadles have been the consummate professionals throughout this lengthy process and throughout their careers. I thank them for that and I know that they will continue to make great contributions as we move forward.

You will have the opportunity to learn more as Paul’s confirmation comes through the Council. I look forward to you all having a chance to meet Paul.

I don't know what the applicant pool is, but I'm glad someone is noticing the trend besides me. It may or may not be a valid comment, but, I'd like to hear the Mayor articulate what they are doing to bring gender equity to the leadership in the city. Think maybe the next planning director might be a woman? Ok, I bet not.

MORRISEY ON POT
Um, no, he's not smokin' it. He has an opinion on it. An interesting one at that.

WORDS MATTER
Hmmm, I found this article curious. Joel DeSpain says the following:

"The crime took place outside, and one of the four suspects had a handgun," DeSpain said.

However, if you read to the end of the story you find out:

"Money and electronic items were taken during the robbery, and one suspect was found carrying at least one stolen item," DeSpain said. "Officers also recovered a facsimile handgun."

If the second statement is correct, shouldn't the first statement perhaps have been worded differently?

GOOD TO KNOW
Was I running against Noble Wray? David Blaska claims the following:

In the spring election, Police Chief Noble Wray and the police union defeated Brenda Konkel.

[NOTE: When I quote someone, I provide a link, to provide the reader with easy access to information and to ensure I don't take something out of context and to keep things honest. It would be kinda cool if professional newspapers would hold their bloggers to the same standards.]

Good night, happy holidays to those who will be celebrating over the next few days and stay safe on the roads. Read more!