They actually discussed many of the items on this agenda. When can we use Google to plan Madison Metro trips, buying less hybrid buses to have operating costs for Madison Metro, new personnel rules, residency for managers and supervisors (ended up referred), Pham-Remmele against her own neighborhood plan, CDBG stimulus funding projects, stimulus funding updates and MAJOR changes to TIF policy rammed through quickly! Plus, closed session. Yeah, and they had a short agenda!
Bruer kicks the meeting off – late, since the Mayor is not there.
GOOGLE TRANSIT?
Clear asks if this is Google Transit (a program that allows us to plan Madison Metro bus trips by google maps) and will this help get us there. Kamp explains no, it just lets them use google format (i.e. students can get data to study issues), trip planning not happening yet. Clear asks what the stumbling block is, Camp says issue of liability. City Attorney May refuses to speak to the issues, Clear says other cities have figured it out. Passes on a voice vote.
HYBRID BUSES/OPERATING FUNDS
Kamp explains that original stimulus money they were going to buy 16 buses, amendment was made to the funding to use 10% to have operating funding, so getting 14 buses instead. Clear asks how the operating money will be used. Kamp says discussing with Comptroller and Mayor, but not TPC. Sanborn says he hopes that the funding will not create obligations for future years when they don’t have the money. No response. Clausius asks what the buses will look like. Kamp says that roof will be different plus the windows will be more open. The look will help distinguish the hybrid buses from the old buses. Also, hears from other communities say its more European look and it provides more light. Clausius asks if they can wrap the buses. Kamp says yes. Kamp says that they will stay within the existing standards. Passes on voice vote.
No discussion on item 3, well rebate. Passes.
PERSONNEL RULES
One registrant. Lori Wendorf, President of Madison Professional and Supervisory Employee Association (MPSEA). Thanks Mayor and Staff for the fact that they redid the rules, doesn’t agree with everything in there, but they appreciate the ability to comment and appreciates that they have been updated because they get lots of requests for the rules. [Previously MPSEA created their own document for their members, which I believe they used to update the rules.] Schumacher asks what they don’t agree with. She says that comp group 44 [Madison Metro] is not in here. They need their own set of personnel rules. Would like 18 & 44 rules to align more. They voted and it passed.
Schumacher, who isn’t even on the committee, had a question for staff so they did a do over, no motion to reconsider, they just kind of ignored that they just voted.. Schumacher says thanks for everything they did.
Schumacher asks if the Personnel Committee should have knowledge of the merit system, do they? Brad Wirtz, Human Resources Department Head says yes.
Schumacher asks about the analysis of a job, he asks why there is no timeline. Wirtz says they get to them as soon as they can. Some are move extensive so it could be hard. Schumacher says that this is usually driven by individual who has concerns, so a timeline would be helpful. Wirtz says “ok” [in a tone of voice that makes it clear it is not “ok” with him. He clearly bristles at being asked to do things differently in ways that take away his discretion] Schumacher asks what timeline would be appropriate? Wirtz says it depends, wants to do it as time permits. Also asks what if they don’t meet the timeline? He prefers no timeline. Schumacher presses on. Wirtz says they will do it and they might not approve the request. Schumacher explains that this could sit there for years, Wirtz says he thinks it could, but he says it hasn’t happened.
Schumacher asks about eligibility lists that are good for 6 months but can be extended for 2.5 years. Wirtz says they don’t do it, but that was existing. Schumacher says that is a long time. He says that in 2.5 years alot of strange options could emerge. Wirtz says that this is up to the HR Director [him] and 98% of the time he wouldn’t extend it, but there might be someone really good on the list and they might want to fill the position quickly. So, he is comfortable with it the way it is, [go figure, would you expect any other answer?] but he has never used it and can’t remember his predecessors doing that. Schumacher says that this could be a backdoor deal made. Wirtz says that no one else could apply. 2.5 years later someone could get the job. Schumacher asks if it concerns him. Wirtz says no, because he makes the decision. [I’ll give him props for being honest and transparent, but damn he is arrogant and no one says anything. Makes me sad for city employees.]
Schumacher asks a question about 3 days to appeal, Wirtz explains that they actually get 13 days. Schumacher asks if holidays could be a problem.
Schumacher makes some minor suggestion and then asks why Council also doesn’t approve every 5 years. He says that if they make any changes, the Council would have to approve. Schumacher asks if this will go to the Council? They all say yes. Says he will add Common Council at the Council level.
They added personnel board clarification and it is a friendly amendment to what they already voted on.
Clear says thanks for the hard work and good summary.
Mayor has joined the meeting.
RESIDENCY
Lori Wendorf and Eric Keston representing MPSEA. Wendorf says that 10% of work force is in comp group 18 & 44 which they represent. She thanks Schumacher and says that they have been working with Schumacher for 2 or 3 years on this. She says MPSEA represents employees who are not represented by unions and don’t have memorandums of understanding or contracts. They have identified this as a priority for 6 to 8 years and think it is an equity issue. The last time this issue came up, 5 years ago, stumbling block was impact it would have on police and fire supervisors. Fire has their own 15 mile radius requirement and no “me too” clause. Now police have same 15 mile radius requirement but they have a “me too” clause and so if they change this it would change for police. However, the police have one person who lives outside the 15 mile radius from the Capital and they have a waiver, so it would have no impact. She explains that people with blended families, people who have spouses who work in another city, child with special needs and didn’t want to move child out of school district are examples of people impacted. She says she has never heard that the reason they want to live outside the city is cheaper taxes or cheaper housing. Many who live outside the city have been granted waivers from the Mayor and some have a 1% penalty and some do not.
Rummel asks how often the Mayor is asked about a waiver, he’s not sure, says Wendorf would know better than him, thinks it might be once or twice a year.
Pham-Remmele asks about if police and fire are required to live in the City of the Madison, says she hears that if they don’t live here, they don’t understand the people they are working for and protecting. [She said that in way many more words.] Wendorf says that it is easy to assume that if you don’t live here, you care less about what is going on here, but she says that of the 88% of the workforce who can choose where they can live includes garbage, police, first responders, etc. They already don’t have to live here. The MPSEA folks are not those people. Wendorf says issues about work performance should be dealt with in performance reviews.
Pham-Remmele says it has nothing to do with performance, but it reflects on people if they won’t live where they provide the service. Says people question city officials and we are working for the taxpayer, we say we believe, but we practice differently.
Wendorf says that it could be a debate on residency, but this is an equity issue since so many other employees can already live outside.
Kestin says decision was made a long time ago, nearly 90% of the employees already don’t live here. Everyone else can do it already.
Schumacher agrees with Wendorf and Kestin – its an equity issue with pay. He also says that it is demoralizing.
Mayor is back facilitating meeting. They start to vote, but there is no motion.
Verveer says he can’t support it. Says he has been consistent, the made a tragic mistake long ago and sympathizes what Wendorf and Kestin are saying, but thinks City of Madison is a good employer and have good compensation packages. He thinks this is different is because 18 & 44 are highest paid employees. So, he doesn’t see why they can’t just live in Dane County. He says he has a bigger issue with giving up a 1% longevity because it makes them think. It was a compromise when they waived the residency. Think about who the comp group is, think about AMPS and the “me too” provision, just because one person has a waiver doesn’t mean this won’t change that. Would support a substitute that says they don’t have to live in Dane County, but has a bigger problem with the 1%, which is just a token incentive for supervisors and professional managers to live in the city that pays them for their great work. He says the only labor agreements he has voted against was when the residency issue was given away.
Clear thanks Verveer for bringing up the issue, Clear agrees from a moral perspective. He thinks it is a shame people see it as a value to move outside the city, but he’s supporting it anyways. [Really, morally opposed but supports anyways? Again, props for the honesty, thumbs down on the integrity.]
Bruer echos both comments. He says that he was with Verveer up to the point they gave it away to the City Attorney’s but the writing is on the wall and he thinks the police supervisors will be gone next. Reluctantly is voting for it.
Schumacher says that if this was about all removing all residency the sentiment might be stronger. He says that we’re talking about regionalism and we want to attract the best and the brighest and we are going to have alot of turn over coming up. Why restrict ourselves? We need to think about people who want to live in the country. We are going to see major changes in the workforce. He says this will attract people to city government.
Pham Remmele says in an ideal world, people would have freedom to choose and be fluid, but reality is that city is falling behind in quality of life and to say that it is already happening, but to make it even easier and not looking at it as a value, we are kidding ourselves. We should be a leader and we are losing the high income families to help the family and we are condoing that. And we are attracting what in their place. [Stunned silence – her disdain for people she doesn’t want to live here was palpable and stunning. Mayor cautiously wades in after prompting from Bruer.]
Mayor says when they changed residency for others a while ago, we didn’t just give it up, we did it in exchange for health care co-payments. He doesn’t want to give this up for nothing in exchange. That is his concern. Someone asks Brad Wirtz a question – Mayor hesitates, Wirtz argues it is “their issue”, Mayor says its Schumachers issue. Wirtz is trying to explain that they don’t negoitate with MPSEA like they do with the unions. Mayor then clarifies that it isn’t the same as negotiating with the union. Mayor says he doesn’t support it. [Wow! That was kind of stunning. Basic misunderstanding of how the city operates after all these years?]
Bruer is confused. Mayor says this isn’t jihad, but this is a mistake. Bruer moves to refer to next BOE. Bruer says he assumed there were trade offs so that there can be further discussion. Doesn’t want to turn it down without an opprotunity to see if they can make that parallel. Referred.
6 MetroTech land sale passes no discussion
7 facade improvements grants, no discussion, Sanborn faithfully votes no.
MIDVALE WESTMORLAND NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
Pham-Remmele asks for a presentation. Jule Stroick explains that the plan has a 5 – 10 year vision, working since 2007, extensive public participation process. Says neighborhood plan similar to comp plan with titles with high priority recommendations identified and outline how the City or other organizaitons can help make it happen. Chris Schmidt was co-chair for this plan until he became an alder.
Pham-Remmele says she has concerns and can’t support it, she respects the process, but this is a bible for development and she says that her constituents are calling and saying they had no say. She says the 11 priorities were come up with at open house, and she says there were not alot of people there who were not there. She says that it was a private meeting, and wasn’t done in a democratic way. Says 11 priorities do not represent the area. Will they still go forward and carve this in stone?
Stroik says that neighborhood plans are a point in time project, they did alot of things to get public input, focus groups, neighborhood survey, newsletter articles and info at public library. In the best world they would hear all the input, appears you have heard something different, but this neighborhood plan was the top 11 that gives guidance for what is most important, but it doesn’t limit other ideas from going forward if people are willing to make it happen. Other recommendations can be worked on. [Pham Remmele seems to ignore that good advice and presses on]
Pham-Remmele says top 11 are not top choices. She says that she had someone who asked for a hearing device and it was not provided. She says that the neighborhood plan is grassroots but if you just work through neighborhood association then you have a small group making decisions. Some people in the association attend the meetings and make the choices that become carved in stone and then we take away choices for the citizens of the city. So if there is a development coming in, a small group of people who take the time to go to meeting then the whole area is dictated by that. She knocked on lots of door and they were not aware. People are shocked. People don’t want rain barrels, they don’t want bike paths or dog paths [I believe she meant parks]. That is scary. Local people have local businesses and they are scared. The neighborhood plan had programs to help them maintain the business and get more jobs, the neighborhood plan refused them to put that in there. She like the process, wants to support but can’t support or sponsor.
Without further comment, Mayor quickly has them vote and it passes.
CDBG FUNDING
Bruer moves substitute on Higher Ground Urban Farm portion referred back to CDBG and Council. Staff think that is acceptable. Clear clarifies it won’t come back to BOE. Mayor asks Clingan to describe the projects. 4 different RFPs, foreclosure prevention, employment, economic development, housing rehabilitation. This approves the rehab, employment and part of the economic development piece. Mayor asks about specific projects and groups that will get money, Bill explains what is in the packet. YWCA employment programs will work with homeless and near homeless. Commonwealth program is loan program for solar energy.
There are questions about the referred part. People seem concerned that this won’t come back to BOE. Clear argues it won’t slow it down to come back to BOE. Clingan says that they were waiting for HUD guidelines and then once they came they wanted the money committed by mid-August. Clear says he was mistaken. Clingan says the Higher Ground proposal is an urban farm on the northside to grow herbs, fish, hire 4 low-income individuals and an on-going business. Mayor asks if it is like growing power from Milwaukee. Clingan says yes. They have a lease worked out. Sanborn asks if they have it come back to BOE if that is a problem, Clingan says yes, because it won’t hit the HUD timelines. Not sure what HUD will do if they miss the timeline. Sanborn is ok if there is a true time pressure.
Comptrollers staff explains to them that if they strike the language and send a portion to CDBG that will be a problem. She doesn’t know how to do that with the resolution. She says maybe they need something different. May suggests that they approve with the proviso that it go to CDBG for further consideration. Pham-Remmele asks Clingan to give them copies of the proposal, Bruer wants it sent to the council. Mayor reiterates the motion, Bruer tries to make it clear he is trying not to debate this on the council floor. Passes.
MORE STIMULUS CDBG/HPRP MONEY
$800,000 for recovery dollars, you amended the plan, did an RFP, CAC worked with 10 groups (CAC, Porchlight, TRC, Legal Action, Ind Living, Tellurian, YW and so forth) Homeless prevention services, similar to ESG program you have approved in the past. Sanborn asks about the criteria used to determine who gets the money. Clingan says that the need in this category far outstrips the resources. Likely won’t go up to a higher income bracket without changing eligibility. It will serve 600 unduplicated individuals. Outcomes are laudable. 75% landlords will report they are still in housing 6 months later, 60% will report that still in housing 12 months later. Idea is to do case management. Sanborn says people will be facing eviction and we use the usual AMI levels. Clingan thinks so, says it won’t be middle income people. Clausius asks about CAC being lead agencies and disseminated to the other 8 groups by end of September. Clingan says that is doable and also adds that the program will be using Service Point to track information. Pham-Remmele asks about goal to prevent eviction, so she asks what about accountability? Is there a time when we get a report to show how successful we are? Clingan says that the outcomes are important. They need to work to keep themselves in housing. Says they will get a report. No more discussion. Passes.
BUDGET PROCESS
Bruer moves adoption of 11. Budget process. Clear asks comptrollers office if the dates are ok. He asks about the short turn around. Staff asks if that is about amendments? Simon says that used to get Wed and turn around by Fri and now Tues for Thurs but of course, the earlier the better. Don’t wait til Tuesday. They can do it. Mayor snarkily points out that the amendment process is completely unnecessary. Passes.
STIMULUS MONEY REPORT
Staff report on stimulus money. She says this morning they did the ground breaking of the first stimulus project. Shovels are in the ground. Not so good news is WISDOT Hwy 113 money was denied for stimulus, still interested and still doing planning and design. Metro the number of hybrid has gone down 16 to 14 because can use 10% for operating. $1.1M for capital, they have to spend $100,000 on capital costs which will be spent for items that went over budget. $2.75M application for public housing upgrades. Heard CDBG allocations moving forward. City is partnering with County to do foreclosure prevention fairs. Can come in and talk to mortgage brokers and get them renegotiated and Rachel will send out info tomorrow. The first fair is Saturday and there will be more. Schumacher asks about Hwy 113 (Northport) and he says he just had a meeting last week, this is news to him. Janet can’t answer questions. Janet says she heard beginning of July. No further questions.
TIF POLICY
Bruer moves referral to EDC, CCOC and BOE.
Mayor asks about the Danisco resolution by title only that was introduced at the last meeting. He says that the discussion of that resolution will be the vehicle to discuss the change in TIF policy. [Interesting, cuz it sounded like it was a resolution to address the needs of one company, not change the whole policy, tho I’ve heard rumblings that this is what was happening and that is why they were supposed to have this discussion.] Mayor says they can refer the discussion until EDC takes up the resolution on August 5th.
Compton says that this is a grave situation, but she says that there are so many variable in interpretations of TIF statutes, and it is frustrating to turn people away or have people walk away because we have no carrots to offer them. Denisco was going to do a $50M expansion and they were going to move their world head quarters to Madison, when found out TIF was closing, they walked away. Once TID 39 reopened, they came back for a $70M expansion, but the “but for” clause doesn’t work. They have purchased property NY. Expansion is now $13m, but after meeting with them, they will be back in the ballgame, but we have to see what we can do for them. Industrial TIF are different than residential TIF and are we using them to the full potential? We are looking for Oscar Mayer to expand. We have to re-visit it. You will likely get alot of information and keep an open mind and think about economic devleopment and we need to take some of these major players away from Verona, Cottage Grove, McFarland, Middleton and Sun Prairie, and, she stresses again, Cottage Grove.
Bruer says he’ll put it on the CCOC agenda as well. [WHAT? It wasn’t referred there, he’s just putting it on the agenda, that’s interesting. CCOC has never discussed TIF before.]
Mayor says they can schedule a discussion on the issue.
Bruer says he wants all legal opinions that come forward go to all council members.
Clear asks Compton when more info beyond the title will be available. Mario says by the end of this week, so it can be posted for EDC meeting. Compton said the presentation was supposed to be tonight so people wouldn’t be blindsided. Compton doesn’t want to lose Denisco.
Bruer again asks about a city attorney opinion and getting it done in a timely manner.
Mayor says no action required and asks for a motion to go into closed session.
