Domestic Partner Benefits Approved & Other Stuff

After a lengthy debate that often seemed to circle around the underlying issue - whether to provide domestic partners access to family health insurance coverage - the Monona Common Council approved the health insurance benefits by a vote of 4-1 with Alder Suslick voting 'no' and Alders McKeever, Wiswell, Kugle, and me voting 'yes'. Alder Thomas was out of town. It was a proud moment for Monona's city government - and it's people who had voiced their support for the proposal in force and with passion.

The council also approved the operation of 'neighborhood electric vehicles' on city streets (I supported) and rejected a proposal to replace the stop sign with a yield sign at the curve/ramp on the north end of Winnequah Road. I opposed this change. The yield sign would have taken us back to square one and I think the stop sign is working OK after an adjustment period - and I know some people will disagree with that view.

The council approved join the ATC Beltline Coalition and contributing $5000 toward getting the PSC to consider putting the proposed 345 kv line underground. I opposed this one because I don't think our interests align with the other members of the coalition given that most of the route in Monona goes through wetlands. I am also very skeptical about the whole concept of putting this type of line underground at all. All power lines are not created equal - these 345 kv lines are a different creature from the much smaller lines that run along Monona Drive and Broadway that I have and do support putting underground.