Still trying to Catch Up with the Round Up

Here’s a whole bunch of things not in the media per se. i.e. no links to local news stories in this post, just tons of direct information on a wide variety of items.

LIBRARY UPDATE

Greetings Alders and Library Board members:

Attached please find a memorandum from Library Board President Tripp Widder regarding the selection of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle as the architectural firm for the Central Library project. Also attached is the resolution authorizing the hiring of this highly-regarded firm. The resolution will be introduced to the Common Council on June 1 and will be taken up by the Board of Public Works on June 2, the Library Board on June 3, the Board of Estimates on June 7. It is expected back in front of the Council on June 15 for approval.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Joel

MAYOR’S OFFICE OPENING

Dear friends:

I am writing to let you know that I have accepted an offer to become the Chief of Staff with the Milwaukee Police Department. Pending approval by the Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission, my last day with the Mayor’s Office will be Monday, June 28. I will work with each of you to make the transition as seamless as possible.

I have truly enjoyed working with you and wish you all only the best. Margo, Milo, Oliver and I appreciate the friendship you have extended to us, and we will miss each of you.

Most sincerely,

Joel

Wanna place bets on who gets the job? I’m going with Larry Studesville!

IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION
Here’s the resolution and the police department policy. The police department policy might be another thing to make Blaska’s head spin.

ALL A TWITTER
A new way to find your (very little) county news.

CITY FUNDING PROCESS BEGINS
With new priorities, new applications and no council discussion about the priorities, it could get interesting this year.

Every two years the City of Madison conducts a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to secure the services of organizations who will offer vital services to the citizens of Madison. The City will accept proposals that meet the Community Resources Goals and Priorities and the Community Development Program Goals and Priorities for the 2011-2012 calendar years. An estimated $5.5 million dollars per year will be available for allocation. Program Goals and Priorities, as well as the application and other important information can be obtained through the website: http://www.cityofmadison.com/cdbg/cddapp.htm.

Applications are due to the CD Division Office no later than noon on June 25, 2010 and should be emailed to: CDDapplications@cityofmadison.com

ZONING CODE REWRITE PUBLIC HEARING
Wow, I bet you forgot about this, looks like our fits and starts on working on this project is at another “start”. You going to read the whole code? Has anyone, besides the paid lobbyists? Have they even done it?

On Monday, June 21th, 2010, the City of Madison Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft of the City’s zoning code. The public hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Room 201 of the City County Building which is located at 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Madison.

Since early 2008, the City of Madison has been working on the zoning code rewrite with a consultant team led by the Cuningham Group, P.A. The existing zoning code was last rewritten in 1966. The new zoning code will be easier to use and understand than the current code, better enable the City to implement its Comprehensive Plan and other plans, and help the community achieve its sustainability goals.

Please visit the project website www.cityofmadison.com/zoningrewrite for more information. Project information can also be found at the City’s Legistar site under file # 15932. And please, do not hesitate to contact staff if you have any questions:

Rick Roll, AICP
Senior Planner

HESSELBEIN IN!
In the Hesselbein v Hulsey competition, its probably no surprise that most people I know lean Hesselbein.

Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein Announces Candidacy for State Assembly
Dane County Democrat brings ‘proven record of achievement’ to the race

MADISON – Dane County Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein today announced her candidacy for Wisconsin State Assembly. The former Middleton-Cross Plains School Board member and education advocate is running to replace retiring Representative Spencer Black, promising to bring strong, progressive leadership to the state capitol.

“As a concerned parent, local elected official, and community advocate, I have fought hard to protect the things that matter most to Wisconsin families – good-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and quality education for our kids,” said Hesselbein. “We need real, progressive leadership on these important issues, and I’m running for State Assembly to take that fight to the state level.”

Joining Hesselbein in her announcement are environmental advocate Steve Hiniker and Madison Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, who will serve as the campaign’s treasurer.

“More than any other candidate, Dianne Hesselbein understands what it takes to build a strong community,” said Hiniker. “From tackling tough budget issues on the County Board to her tireless advocacy for quality, affordable education and a clean environment, Dianne has the energy and experience we need to get things back on track.”

“Dianne Hesselbein represents the best in a new generation of progressive leadership,” said Alder Bidar-Sielaff. “I encouraged Dianne to run for State Assembly because of her proven record of achievement on job creation, public safety, and so many other key issues. We need more leaders like her in the capitol.”

Supervisor Hesselbein was first elected to the Dane County Board in 2008, defeating a 16-year incumbent. Now in her second term, Hesselbein chairs the county’s Personnel & Finance Committee along with key posts on the Economic Development Committee and University Extension Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Monona Terrace and the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau. Dianne, her husband Bob, and their three children reside in Middleton, WI.

CHICKEN COOP TOUR, SIGN UP NOW!

Poultry Fans: The Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Tour Des Coops is happening again. The date is Saturday, June 28 from 1–4:00, rain or shine. We have several interested coop-keepers who will be on the tour, but want to make sure we reach everyone within the neighborhood. (Sorry to be restrictive, but coops to be viewed must be in the TLNA boundaries. Maybe next year we can coordinate a bigger tour) Please contact me, Gay Davidson-Zielske (608) 257-3844 (wipoet@aol.com ) or Bob Shaw (robert.e.shaw@gmail.com) . Please respond soon, however, since “summer’s lease hath all too short a date” as Shakespeare says, and we want your coop to be included if you wish. Details and map will be provided on the day of the tour once Bob and I receive all information.

STREET CLOSURES FOR MARATHON THIS WEEKEND

Hi Adam,

Routes with the Madison Police have been finalized for the May 30 Madison Marathon. Here is the link to our website that contains the information and pace chart of what time runners will be coming through. http://www.madisonfestivals.com/marathon/community.html

Here is a map showing streets that will be closed or have delays:
http://www.madisonfestivals.com/marathon/documents/2010Traffic_Patterns.pdf

I hope this will help the residents plan accordingly. We have worked directly with churches, the Lorraine and Inn on the Park for access in/out that day.

The map of the Square for our start/finish lines and parking is here: http://www.madisonfestivals.com/marathon/documents/2010_square_map_color.pdf

The Madison Marathon has had tremendous growth the past few years and that is due to the support the runners get from residents along the course, cheering them on and encouraging them to finish. That is so important and it’s what mades the Madison Marathon special. We hope many people from CNI will join us in welcoming the runners on the Square as they start and/or finish their race on Sunday. We are excited to have such a beautiful location for them and to highlight our gorgeous city. A Great Race in a Capital Place says it all. They, and we, appreciate your support!

Thanks,
Rita

Rita Kelliher
President, Madison Festivals, Inc.

GOOD NEWS FOR HOMELESS MEN
You can now sign up to be on a waiting list! It was so bad they weren’t even taking names of people waiting.

As of today 5/21/10, Porchlight is reopening its waiting list to all single men.

THIS MIGHT BE WHY, THE BAD NEWS
Despite all the stimulus money, we are getting less and less money for homeless services from the state.

Here is a short history of The City of Madison awards. The funds available section is taken from BSH instructions at the time of application and applies to the total for Metro, Other Metro and Balance of State:

2007-8 $308,335 Funds available $1,900,000 ESG + $375,000 THP + $1,400,000 HPP = $4,675,000

2008-9 $405,613 Funds available $1,960,000 ESG + $1,000,000 THP + $1,400,000 HPP = $4,360,000

2009-10 $281,754 Funds available $1,969,000 ESG + $775,000 THP + $1,400,000 HPP = $4,144,000

2010-11 $172,678 Funds available $1,800,000 ESG + $400,000 THP + $1,015,000 HPP = $3,215,000

We have less than half of what we had two years ago. That doesn’t sound good for the city.

BE CAREFUL ON CAMPUS TODAY

Full-Scale Emergency Exercise on the University of Wisconsin – Madison Campus Designed to Test Preparedness, Teamwork and Communications

On Wednesday May 26, 2010, the University of Wisconsin – Madison will conduct an all day full-scale emergency response exercise. This exercise will be held around Bradley Residence Hall, 1900 Willow Drive, and UW Lot 34, 1480 Tripp Circle. This exercise, which has been named Operation Badger One, was designed to simulate an incident on campus that will need a response from a number of emergency response organizations in Dane County. The planning for this exercise, facilitated by the UW – Madison Police Department Emergency Management Unit, has been ongoing over the last year and has involved a partnership between a number of different organizations.

These organizations include; UW-Madison, UW-Madison Police Department , Dane County Sheriff’s Department, Madison Police Department, Dane County 911 Center, American Red Cross, Dane County Emergency Management, Madison Fire Department, Dane County Coroner’s Office, Salvation Army, Shorewood Hills Police Department, UWPD First Responders, UW Hospital and Clinics, St. Mary’s Hospital, VA Hospital and Meriter Hospital.

This exercise will involve a high degree of realism, including actors posing as “victims” who may appear to be injured. There is the potential that members of the community traveling in the area will see police officers with weapons drawn. This exercise is designed to improve the University’s response to real emergency situations. One of the goals of this exercise is to test procedures that are in place and to do so in as realistic of an environment as possible. This exercise will give all organizations involved the opportunity to test their levels of preparedness, build as an emergency response team, and also test communications between the organizations.

The University is committed to safety and security. This exercise will not only allow local emergency response organizations the opportunity to improve their effectiveness but it will also allow the University the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the systems that have been put in place in case the worst were to strike the campus community.

HEAR ABOUT DOWNTOWN HISTORY

Conover & Porter
Madison’s Premier 19th Century Architects
An illustrated talk by Architectural Historian Gary Tipler.
Thursday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Holy Redeemer School, 120 W. Johnson, just north of State Street

Holy Redeemer School
Designed by Conover and Porter in 1892

Following an accomplished career in science, mathematics and engineering, Allan Darst Conover taught engineering and building construction at the University of Wisconsin in the 1880s. He became interested in architecture with the construction of Science Hall in 1884, with which he helped architect Henry Koch of Milwaukee. The following year, Conover started practicing architecture while he continued teaching, when he took on Lew Porter, a talented former student as a partner in an architecture firm. Together the firm designed scores of city, county, state and federal buildings, schools, banks, commercial buildings, churches and residences through 1899, when they dissolved their partnership. Their firm was a training ground for Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Claude and Alvin Small, among others, who became architects of some importance.

Conover & Porter’s office was based in Madison, though they had offices in Ashland in 1887-1889, and for a short time in Baraboo during the early 1890s.

The program will be profusely illustrated with projected images of photos and postcards of buildings designed by the firm. Additions and contributions of stories and photos are welcomed.

The event is free and open to the public. The talk will be held in the third floor auditorium. This historic building does not have an elevator. However, there is parking available on site or across Johnson St. in the city ramp. The program is sponsored by Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. For more information contact either:

Ledell Zellers (ledell.zellers@gmail.com or 231-1526) or Julie Wurl-Koth (knittingjulie@gmail.com).

Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. is made up of First Settlement, Bassett, Mifflin West, James Madison Park and Mansion Hill neighborhoods. Capitol Neighborhoods and State Langdon Neighborhood cover an area marked by Blair Street on the East, Lake Monona on the South, Park Street on the west and Lake Mendota on the north. More information about CNI is on the Web at: http://www.capitolneighborhoods.org/

WATER MAIN FLUSHING THIS WEEK

Water Main Flushing plans beginning Monday, May 24 (all flushing is daytime unless otherwise noted)

MAP: http://www.cityofmadison.com/water/Documents/flushingschedule.pdf

W57 NIGHTS (Area 24) — Blair St to Henry St from Lake Mendota to Lake Monona

W13 North East (Area 13) — West of Green Ave and then East of N Sherman from Wheeler Rd to Northport Dr

W1 East (Area 15) — Stoughton Rd to Packers Ave from Commercial Ave to Anderson St

W30 East (Area 7) — N Sherman Ave to Packers Ave from Commercial Ave to Northport Dr

W68 South (Area 18) — Park St to Fish Hatchery Rd from Wingra Dr to Badger Rd Post Rd

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

Event Offers Opportunity to Safely Dispose of Old TVs, Computers, & Other Electronics; Volunteers Needed!

Dane County is once again partnering with a national electronics recycling company headquartered in Janesville to offer a free electronic waste collection on Saturday, June 19th at the Alliant Energy Center. A similar event last May collected 800,000 pounds of old electronics. At the time it was believed to be the largest e-waste round-up of its kind in North America.

“It will be tough to top last year’s record performance but thanks to the generosity of our great partners, we’re once again offering this free service hoping to collect many tons of old TVs and computers and keep them out of our landfill,” County Executive Kathleen Falk said.

Falk noted more than 10,000 cars went through the lines at last year’s free e-waste collection. To help move people through quicker this year, the number of drop-off lanes has been doubled and more crates and trucks will be on site and ready for the June 19th free event. Normally private contractors charge fees to take old TVs and computers.

Janesville based Universal Recycling Technology (URT) is once again partnering with electronics manufacturers including the MRM Group which represents Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba and 20 other manufacturers to cover all the costs of this collection.

We are very excited to be working with Dane County again this year to collect and properly recycle used electronics from area residents, said Jim Cornwell, President of Universal Recycling Technologies.

The Dane County e-waste recycling event will be Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The drop-area will be set up in the back parking lot of the Alliant Energy Center. All vehicles must enter either the main entrance off Rimrock Road or the entrance off Olin Avenue. Electronics that will be collected during the event are: television sets of all sizes, personal computers (including keyboards and mice) and computer monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, calculators, cell phones, radios, stereos, telephones, DVD and CD players, and VCRs.

Because a large number of people are expected to take part, Dane County and its partner agencies need volunteers to help make June 19th a success. Volunteers are needed from 7a m to 3:30pm, in half day or full day shifts. Those interested in helping unload cars and/or direct traffic at the drop-off site are encouraged to contact Jan Neitzel-Knox at Dane County Public Works at 266-4029 or by e-mail at:

neitzel-knox@co.dane.wi.us

UPCOMING RTA MEETINGS
– Wednesday, May 26, 5:00 p.m., Middleton City Hall
– Wednesday, June 30, 5:00 p.m., Room 260 Madison Municipal Bldg
– Wednesday, July 14, 5:00 p.m., Fitchburg City Hall
– Thursday, July 29, 5:00 p.m., Room 260 Madison Municipal Bldg
– Wednesday, August 25, 5:00 p.m., Shorewood Hills Village Hall