Monona Doug

Mary O'Connor City Council Campaign Statement

2012-01-21T10:57:00.001-06:00

Here is Mary O's campaign statement, verbatim, unedited, and so forth:

O’Connor Campaign Announcement

Mary O’Connor recently announced her candidacy for Monona City Council. “I believe that the diversity of my volunteer experience in Monona has provided me with the background and preparation to be an effective member of the Monona City Council. I like to get things done and think I will bring a fresh perspective to the Council” says O’Connor.

An active supporter of the Monona Public Library, O’Connor is a long-time library board member and served as board President from 2000-07. During her time on the board, she helped oversee the $3.5 million library expansion project and many improvements in services and programming, which culminated in Monona’s being named the Wisconsin Library of the Year in 2010. Recently, as Treasurer of the Monona Library Foundation, she was heavily involved in their “Booked for Life” campaign, which raised $100,000 and earned a matching grant of $50,000 from the Madison Community Foundation. O’Connor has also been an active member of the Friends of the Library Board since its inception.

In addition to her library service, O’Connor currently serves as Secretary of the Monona Grove Education Foundation and as a Chief Election Inspector, helping to manage the St. Stephens’ polling site. As President of MG Sings, the Monona Grove High School choir boosters from 2007-09, she coordinated the annual Silver Stage Show Choir Competition which hosted 19 choirs and their supporters; and coordinated volunteers for the high school musicals. In addition, she served as a leader of both of her daughters’ Girl Scout troops and co-chaired the annual cookie sale in Monona for 12 years.

O’Connor believes that some of the critical issues facing the Council and community include:

· Maintaining city services in a time of severe fiscal constraint.

· Continued redevelopment of Monona Drive and the Broadway corridor, both to strengthen existing businesses and bring in new ones; thereby expanding Monona’s tax base and providing for a more vibrant community.

· Making Monona more attractive to young families which encourages investment in local housing and increases the school population.

· Continuing to support the needs of Monona senior citizens.

· Maintaining the city’s focus on sustainability which impacts city energy usage and lake preservation among other benefits.

· Improving Monona’s public transportation system.

· Working with other communities in the area to improve the quality of Lake Monona.

O’Connor is married to Bob Bocher. They have two daughters, both graduates of Monona Grove High School. Claire, her husband Andrew Pautz and their son Liam live in Minneapolis. Lauren is a student at UW-Madison. O’Connor received both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from UW-Madison and is currently employed as a librarian for UW-Extension.

Contact Mary at - oconnor4council@gmail.com

Brian Holmquist City Council Campaign Statement

2012-01-21T10:00:00.001-06:00

Brain Holmquist's campaign statement (unedited):

For Immediate Release

January 8th, 2012

Brian Holmquist has announced his candidacy for Monona City Council. Brian and his wife, Rebecca Holmquist, have two small children, Acacia and Porter. Acacia is a 3rd grader at Winnequah Elementary School, and Porter is in the pre-school program at Immaculate Heart of Mary School.

Brian and Rebecca relocated to the Madison area in 2001. It was Monona’s Fourth of July Festival that initially drew their attention to this community. Monona’s parks, pool, library, schools, and established neighborhoods strengthened this attraction. The Holmquists were moved by what they saw as the legacy of Monona. They bought and moved into their home in 2006.

Brian works as an Occupational Therapist with the Madison Metropolitan School District serving students at Sennett Middle School and LaFollette High School. He also is a small business owner working with children, adolescents, and their families who experience significant emotional and behavioral challenges, including autism. Prior to his work with Madison Schools, he spent 10 years working in the inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric hospital at Meriter. He serves as the Chair of the Occupational Therapy Credentialing Board for the state of Wisconsin. He also serves on Monona’s Family Attraction, Retention, and City Promotion Committee. Brian is actively involved in the Parks and Recreational programs including coaching baseball and soccer teams. He is leading the effort to form a not-for-profit group, Friends of Monona Parks and Recreation, to support the Park and Rec’s efforts in facility projects and programming.

Brian believes in strong communities that are actively raising its youth, nurturing neighborhood relationships, and embracing and honoring its elders. He believes city council decisions should support the diversity of our residents. Brian understands the wisdom in creating and supporting opportunities and experiences to help people be healthy, caring and responsible throughout life. Not only does a community need to support our seniors to “age in place,” but we must make our housing attractive to families just starting out. Just like we have provided incentives for energy efficiencies, we should consider incentives for modifications to support our seniors to continue to live in their homes and transition into supported/assisted housing if needed. Additionally, we should be providing incentives for first-time home buyers to consider investing in a starter home that may need some renovations, rather than purchasing a newer home elsewhere.

Our transit system is vital for many of our seniors and disabled residents, and an asset for residents who work downtown. We need to maintain these services and look for opportunities to meet the needs of additional residents. Brian supports the recent expansion of routes and increased hours of operation.

Although Monona is a land-locked community, there continue to be options as we look at development and redevelopment. We need to finish our commitment to the Monona Drive revitalization and Broadway developments. These commercial projects will provide a financial base for our community in the future and in turn, keep our property taxes low. In addition to the Monona Drive and Broadway developments, we need to consider developing a true “city center” at the heart of our city. This “city center” would add light commercial space, provide a down-town feel and support a communal space[3] .

We have a wonderful asset in our lake access; however the current status of the lake is poor making it less accessible for recreation. We need to continue to look at ways we can improve the quality of our lakes through individual and community decisions. Realistically, this is a larger issue beyond just Monona. Therefore, we need to engage in active problem-solving with other communities throughout our watershed to make substantial changes that will increase the quality of all the lakes and rivers in our area.

Brian Holmquist

holmquist 4 monona @gmail .com

www .holmquist 4 monona .com

www.facebook .com /holmquist 4 monona

508 Panther Trail

2012 Capital Budget Amendments

2011-12-10T19:57:00.000-06:00

The city council approved the 2012 capital budget with a number of amendments at the December 5, 2011 meeting. Here's what my notes show happened on the amendments.

The total 2012 capital budget will be $4,750,401 (of which about $2.3 million is for Monona Drive). Some items that remained in the capital budget may be funded from the city's reserve funds (i.e. not borrowed), based on the large savings the city will realize on group health insurance rates.

Amendment to reduce police car purchases from three to two (cut $26,000). Passed 3-2. I opposed.

Amendment to eliminate a new ambulance (cut $175,000). Failed 1-4. I opposed the amendment.

Amendment to reduce the proposed budget to $175,000 (from $250,000) for sanitary lift station in-place back-up generators passed 5-0.

Amendment to reduce reduce the proposed budget for SCADA system upgrade to $60,000 (from $100,000) passed 5-0.

Amendment to eliminate funding for 1/2 ton pickup failed for lack of a second.

Amendment to eliminate funding for pool concession area failed 2-3.

Amendment to transfer $25,000 from city hall rehab funding to valve maintenance machine passed 4-1. I opposed the amendment because I though the transfer should have come from some other Public Works item and not form the city hall rehab.

Amendment to reduce tree replacement funding from $45,000 to $30,000 passed 5-0. The revised funding is still more than we usually actually spend on tree replacement.

Monona City Council Report - December 5, 2011

2011-12-10T19:27:00.000-06:00

The Monona City Council met on Monday, December 5, 2011) and again had quite a heavy agenda. (My guess of adjournment at 11:30 p.m. was only six minutes off.)

City Council agenda or the complete city council packet.

a. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-629 Revising Title 8, Chapter 3 of the Monona Code of Ordinances Regarding Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling (Public Works Director) (Postponed 11/21/11). Passed 5-0.

b. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-630 Prohibiting Weapons in City Buildings (Police Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11). Passed 5-0.

c. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-632 Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning No Parking on Winnequah Road (Public Safety Committee, Public Works Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11). Passed 5-0.

d. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-633 Amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to Remove the Regulation of Massage Technicians (License Review Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11). Passed 5-0.

e. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1818 Adopting the 2012 Capital Budget (Mayor Miller) (Postponed 11/21/11). Passed 5-0 with numerous amendments. I'll see if I can figure out a way to report those and post it separately. We cut $156,000 from the 2012 capital budget. The total 2012 capital budget will be $4,750,401 (of which about $2.3 million is for Monona Drive. Some items that remained in the capital budget may be funded from the city's reserve funds (i.e. not borrowed), based on the large savings the city will realize on group health insurance rates.

f. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1813 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Dane County for the "DaneCom" Emergency Radio System (Police Chief, Fire Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11). Passed 5-0.

2.New Business.

a.Convene in Closed Session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session (International Association of Firefighters Local 311Contract; Group Health Insurance Plan).

b.Reconvene in Open Session Under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(2).

c.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1820 Approving Terms of Contract with International Association of FirefightersLocal311 (City Administrator). No action. Alder Busse requested more information on comparables.

d.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1821 Approval to Issue a Request for Proposals for Contracted Consulting Engineer Services (Public Works Director). No action.

e.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1822 Selecting a Group Health Insurance Plan(City Administrator). The city has obtained three proposals for a new group health insurance carrier. Note that this item is still under negotiation, so no data on the proposals is included. Each of the three proposals would result in substantial savings over our current carrier (WPS) and would provide the same level of benefits. No action.

Automated Trash Collection in 2012

2011-12-10T19:14:00.001-06:00

Monona Moves to Automated Trash Collection in 2012

Date: 12/02/2011

The City’s residential contract for curbside solid waste and recyclable materials collection expires December 31, 2011, and a new contract with Veolia Environmental Services will begin for 2012. As part of the new contract, the City will change to a fully-automated curbside collection program with with 65- or 95-gallon collection carts, similar to the blue recyclables collection carts we currently use.

The change to automated service for both recycling and trash collection will save about $144,000/year over the current system. This savings assumes about $65,000 in revenue from recycling "rebates", which will be based on market prices.

A few changes:

Collection routes will be completed in two days instead of the three days with our current program. Some residents will have a new collection day, which still needs to be determined.

Large item pickup. The Contractor will operate a Bulk Waste Collection Program through a direct service request and transaction with the resident. Residents will have to contact the Contractor directly for collection of large items that do not fit into the solid waste cart, and for other large items and electronics residents would like to dispose of. The Contractor will then bill the resident directly.

Please contact Public Works Director Dan Stephany at (608) 222-2525 with any questions.

Dean House - Second Sunday Christmas Open House

2011-12-06T00:31:00.001-06:00

From the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society:

The splendid black walnut curved front stairway banister of the restored Dean House, 4718 Monona Drive will welcome guests with a lavish display of greenery, garlands, ribbons and ornaments at the traditional Second Sunday Christmas Open House on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The public is invited Adding to the mansion's Victorian décor will be Christmas music by Mary Payton and a table of holiday cookies and hot apple cider. The public is invited to be the guests of the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society, which restored the 1856 house in the 1970's and continues to improve the 10-room country home of Madison civic leader Nathaniel Dean and his wife Harriet. A $2 donation will be appreciated.

Memorabilia on display will help visitors recall the fifteen years of activities of the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society volunteers and donors that provided the funds for the creation of the stairway and banister that is the crown jewel of the restored Dean House Re-creation of the stairway's 50 black walnut balusters and 27- foot handrail in 1988 was one of the challenges requiring an accomplished craftsman, as in the earlier use of the building as a club house for the golf course the stair railing had been lost. A Society Stairway Fund was created that grew through donations, Back Porch Concerts, Ice Cream Socials, sleigh rides and special fund-raising events, and a private donation of $1,000 to reach the $7,000 goal.

The newel post at the base of the railing was a rescue from the old Capital Hotel, which stood at 208 King Street in downtown Madison. It had been built in 1866 and was torn down in 1975.

For more information call 249-7920 or 222-5783.

Monona City Council Preview - December 5, 2011

2011-12-04T21:28:00.000-06:00

The Monona City Council meets tomorrow night (Monday, December 5, 2011) and again has quite the heavy agenda. The over/under on adjournment is 11:30 p.m.

Finance and Personnel (FPC agenda) starts at 6 p.m. City Council (agenda) begins at 7:30 p.m. Go here for the complete city council packet.

D. Appearances.

1. Dane County Supervisor Robin Schmidt, Presenting an Update on the 2012 Dane County Budget.

E. Public Hearing.

1. To Receive Public Input Regarding the Proposed 2012 Capital Budget.

G. Council Action Items.

1. Unfinished Business (Approval Requested Unless Otherwise Noted).

a. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-629 Revising Title 8, Chapter 3 of the Monona Code of Ordinances Regarding Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling (Public Works Director) (Postponed 11/21/11).

b. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-630 Prohibiting Weapons in City Buildings (Police Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11).

c. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-632 Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning No Parking on Winnequah Road (Public Safety Committee, Public Works Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11).

d. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-633 Amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to Remove the Regulation of Massage Technicians (License Review Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11).

e. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1818 Adopting the 2012 Capital Budget (Mayor Miller) (Postponed 11/21/11).

f. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1813 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Dane County for the "DaneCom" Emergency Radio System (Police Chief, Fire Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11).

2.New Business.

a.Convene in Closed Session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session (International Association of Firefighters Local 311Contract; Group Health Insurance Plan).

b.Reconvene in Open Session Under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(2).

c.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1820 Approving Terms of Contract with International Association of FirefightersLocal311 (City Administrator).

d.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1821 Approval to Issue a Request for Proposals for Contracted Consulting Engineer Services (Public Works Director).

e.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1822 Selecting a Group Health Insurance Plan(City Administrator). The city has obtained three proposals for a new group health insurance carrier. Note that this item is still under negotiation, so no data on the proposals is included. Each of the three proposals would result in substantial savings over our current carrier (WPS) and would provide the same level of benefits.

Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada

2011-12-04T17:54:00.000-06:00

I recently finished reading and highly recommend Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada. Fallada's this novel detailing resistance by a very ordinary couple to Nazi power. Written in 1947, the book was only recently translated into English.

Fallada was a troubled, but moderately successful German novelist who chose to stay in Germany when many others left, a decision led him to an ambiguous dance with Nazi authorities. In the National's review by Sam Munson - Unlucky Hans - Fallada is described as "vacillating unhappily between rebellion against and co-operation with Hitler's regime."

Fallada's was inspired (if that is the right word) by the true story of Otto and Elise Hampel, who scattered postcards advocating civil disobedience throughout war-time Nazi-controlled Berlin. The story takes the reader inside the the lives of ordinary Germans living under the Nazi regime - and much of it is not pretty: Pervasive fear, exploitation of the weakness of others, informing - not to mention brutal beatings, sadistic torture, and execution by guillotine for those swept up in the regime's system of control.

Comparing Every Man Dies Alone favorably to Thomas Mann's Doktor Faustus, Munson concludes that "The book's treatment of the Gestapo is perhaps the ultimate source of its particular greatness...the dismal everyday that Fallada chronicles so well and so relentlessly: the quantities of booze drunk by the miserable officers, the number of blows delivered in interrogations, the dimensions of prison cells, the colour and details of police and military uniforms, train schedules, back room low-level party meetings. Where Mann might use the police headquarters on the Prinz Albrecht Strasse as a chance to explain the dialectic between modern and medieval German architecture, Fallada sees only petty human evil in action..."

You can borrow this excellent book from your local library with a short wait at most (there are currently 8 holds for the 111 copies held in the SCLS system). http://www.linkcat.info/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=793764

Longest-Ever Monona City Council Meeting Finally Ends

2011-11-28T22:20:00.000-06:00

I am pleased to report that the Longest-Ever Monona City Council Meeting has finally ended. The meeting was just slightly shorter than the NBA lockout. The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011 and ended just 192 hours later...

Or maybe it just seemed that way.

The full agenda is copied below. The careful reader will note that the agenda included both the second reading of the 2012 operating budget as well as the first reading of the 2012 capital budget. Mixed in for fun was yet more consideration of the Belle Isle dredging project, a revision to the Foth engineering contract for Monona Drive Phase Two, real estate acquisition (right-of-way) for said Phase Two.

Oh, yes, and DaneCom (ouch...just typing that gives me a headache), amending a couple ordinances, and banning weapons in city buildings.

The council meeting went until about 12:30 a.m. The council adjourned after getting a lot done, but not close to all of it. The items in bold blue font are the ones we acted on. The rest will wait for another day.

We adopted an operating budget and levy (increasing property taxes by about 1%), went forward with the Belle Isle dredging project with provision for alternate bids without Lagoon du Sud and with Cove Circle Lagoon, amended the Foth contract to reflect the increased work performed and made decisions in closed session on how to proceed with certain Monona Drive real estate acquisitions (right-of-way).

One other oddity: Alder Wiswell referred to Alder Speight and me as "Mr. Speight" and "Mr. Wood". It occurred to me that perhaps I had been recalled, but nobody told me - in which case, I could have gone home early. For a fellow who is generally a stickler for formality, Alder Wiswell repeatedly neglecting to employ our honorific struck me as passing strange.

A. Call to Order.

B. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance.

C. Approval of Minutes from November 7, 2011.

D. Appearances.

E. Public Hearing.

1. To Receive Public Input Regarding the Proposed 2012 Operating Budget and Tax Levy.

2. To Receive Public Input Regarding the Proposed 2012 Capital Budget.

F. Consent Agenda.

1. Consideration Of 2011/2012 Class "B" Fermented Malt Beverage and "Class C" Wine Application For Huang & Lin China Star, LLC d/b/a China Star Restaurant, 111 River Place, Monona, Wisconsin, 53716, Agent Ming Yi Huang, 5902 Juniper Ridge, McFarland, Wisconsin 53558.

2. Consideration Of 2011/2012 Arcade License Application For Rossi’s Pizza, 4503A Monona Drive, Monona, Wisconsin 53716.

G. Council Action Items.

1. Unfinished Business (Approval Requested Unless Otherwise Noted).

a. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1815 Adopting the 2012 Operating Budget and Establishing a Tax Levy (Mayor Miller).

b. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-629 Revising Title 8, Chapter 3 of the Monona Code of Ordinances Regarding Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling (Public Works Director).

c. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-630 Prohibiting Weapons in City Buildings (Police Chief).

d. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-632 Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning No Parking on Winnequah Road (Public Safety Committee, Public Works Committee).

2. New Business.

a. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-633 Amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to Remove the Regulation of Massage Technicians (License Review Committee).
b. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1817 Determining the Scope of the Belle Isle Dredging Project (Public Works Committee).

c. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1818 Adopting the 2012 Capital Budget (Mayor Miller).

d. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1813 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Dane County for the "DaneCom" Emergency Radio System (Police Chief, Fire Chief).

e. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1819 Approving a Contract Amendment with Foth Infrastructure and Environment, LLC for Phase 2 of the Monona Drive Reconstruction Project (City Administrator).

f. Convene in Closed Session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session (Monona Drive Phase 2 Land Acquisition).

g. Reconvene in Open Session Under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(2).

H. Miscellaneous Business.

I. Reports of Committees, Commissions, Boards, Mayor, City Administrator, City Attorney, and Department Managers.

1. Agendas, Supporting Documents and Minutes are Available on the Monona Web Page – www.mymonona.com.

J. Appointments.

K. Adjournment.

Dredging Up the Past and Much, Much More

2011-11-19T08:51:00.000-06:00

The Monona city council meeting on Monday, November 21 promises to be a test of endurance. Not only do we have the second reading of the 2012 operating budget with 18 amendments but we also have a first reading of the2012 capital budget. And just because we all loooove talking about dredging at Belle Isle, we will be revisiting that topic; it's always a popular item and usually brings out the islanders in force (pro and con).

The major topic of debate on the operating budget is whether to cut the Monona police department staffing by one uniformed officer as Mayor Miller has proposed - or not as Alders Speight, Wiswell, and I have proposed. Chief Ostrenga provided some interesting data on crime stats and staffing (officers/1000 population). Kudos to Alder Busse for digging up the same (or very similar) data on his own. Wally put together a very useful summary memo that is in our paper packets, but not online (I think).

Profiles of some of the MOPD staff can be found here. The officer whose job is on the line is Officer Jared Wedig, a smart, motivated young guy in whom we have invested a lot of money and time. I can't see cutting an officer when we can afford to fund the position.

By the way, the budget still incorrectly states that the amendment I am co-sponsoring would be funded entirely from the fund balance. My original email said I wanted to use the small amount of room under the levy cap (around $50,000) first and then use the reserve fund. I restated that at the first reading, but it hasn't been changed. Reinstating the position would cost about $77K.

About the working capital reserve fund or fund balance. Back in 2003 when Robb Kahl took office, the reserve fund had shrunk to about 7%. The bond rating folks lacked gruntlement. They weren't happy peas in a pod. It looked like a listing fiscal ship. With Robb's leadership, the council adopted a policy of keeping the reserve fund between 15% to 20%. That policy was fundamental in the city's attaining a strong fiscal condition and thus, an extremely strong bond rating. I supported that policy and still do.

At the end of 2011, the city will have $977,069 or a reserve percentage of 20.71%. If we keep the fund balance at 17.5% (smack dab in the mid-range of our policy), we will have $831,934. Thus, we have $145,135 available to apply to the city's operating budget. I would argue that is fiscally prudent and fair to taxpayers to return that $145,135 to the city's residents either in services or lower taxes.

See the box at the bottom of page 1 of the revised executive summary of the operating budget .

I plan to propose that we apply both money from the fund balance and money from the property tax cap room to each and every amendment. More specifically, I plan to propose that we pro-rate the use of levy cap room and fund balance so that we apply the same proportion of property taxes and fund balance to each amendment. The proposed amendments total $130K. Assume we have $50K in levy cap room. We would apply 38.46% (50/130) from the property tax levy and 61.54% (80/130) from the reserve fund. That way the amendments are all on the same fiscal ground and rise or fall or on their own merits.

Out for now...

Power Line is Coming to Town

2011-11-19T02:57:00.000-06:00

Here's the schedule for ATC's construction of the transmission line across the Yahara Wetlands. Enjoy the view of the wetlands while you can. Helicopters will be setting the structures in the wetlands.

Energ!ze Monona: Buildings: Achieving Maximum Efficiency

2011-10-31T17:48:00.002-05:00

It's your money: how can Monona save $?

Efficient buildings save the city on energy costs, lowering our tax bills and lessening the harms of wasteful energy use. Please join us for this, the third of six Energ!ze Monona forums, and learn, share, and save!

Buildings: Achieving Maximum Efficiency.
Designer Christi Weber, LEED AP, Design Coalition; and Janine Glaeser, Projects Coordinator and GIS & IT Specialist, City of Monona.

This forum will look at what is being done and what can be done to increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings, and to make new development and housing more efficient from the start. What directions look most promising for the future? What kinds of zoning or building codes would promote building more energy-efficient buildings and homes?

Wednesday evening, November 2, 6:30 - 8:00
Monona Community Center, Main Hall, 1011 Nichols Road
Refreshments will be served.

Please join the City of Monona, the members of the city's Sustainability Committee, and The Natural Step Monona for this forum. Through February, The Natural Step Monona facilitates a forum around energy: a 20- to 40-minute presentation followed by group discussion of Monona's challenges and opportunities and the key actions to consider for moving our city toward ever less reliance on fossil fuels.

Energ!ze Monona forums are part of the City of Monona's outreach efforts around the "25×25 Plan," a blueprint for generating 25 percent of the energy the city uses from renewable resources by 2025. This plan came from Monona's participation in the state Office of Energy Independence's Energy Independent Communities program.

Yes and no

2011-10-21T22:07:00.000-05:00

Yes, my house is for sale. No, I'm not leaving Monona.

View the listing here.

Energ!ze Monona, Wednesday, October 19

2011-10-17T23:14:00.002-05:00

Economic Benefits of Sustainable Energy and Sustainability with Jessie Lerner,Sustain Dane, and Jeanne Hoffman, City of Madison

Wednesday evening, October 19, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Monona Community Center, Main Hall
1011 Nichols Road, Monona

Refreshments will be served.

Come learn about Sustainable Energy and how we can save money through sustainable measures.

Jessie Lerner, Director, Sustainable Business Initiative, Sustain Dane; and Jeanne Hoffman, Facilities and Sustainability Manager, City of Madison; with special guest Judy Ziewacz, who created the Energy Independent Communities program and has worked in government and in politics in Washington, DC and Madison for over 35 years.

This forum will give a summary of the benefits of moving toward more sustainable energy use. The advantages are varied and many. Despite often being depicted as too expensive, sustainable measures can and do save money. They also reduce costs for things we don't pay for on our energy bill, such as the health care costs of asthma from polluted air. How can we maximize the return on investment in Monona?

I hope you can join the City of Monona, the members of the city's Sustainability Committee, and The Natural Step Monona for this forum, the second of six. Once per month through February, The Natural Step Monona facilitates a forum around energy: a 20- to 40-minute presentation on the topic, followed by group discussion of our community's challenges and opportunities, and key actions to consider for moving toward ever less reliance on fossil fuels. If you're not from Monona, you are welcome to learn and share alongside us. There is much to learn, no matter where we live.

Energ!ze Monona forums are part of the City of Monona's outreach efforts around its "25x25 Plan," a plan to generate 25 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2025. The plan came from Monona's participation in the Energy Independent Communities program of the state Office of Energy Independence.

More at mymonona.com.

Green Tuesdays, October 11: Gasland

2011-10-10T15:46:00.005-05:00

FREE - MONONA PUBLIC LIBRARY - 6:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

This Tuesday, October 11: Gasland

"The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudi Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called GASLAND. Part verité travelogue, part exposé, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown."

Gasland will be paired with Forestry, a short film from Climate Wisconsin, a story of climate change from our own state.

Can't make it to this showing? These films will also be screened at the following Green Tuesdays & Thursdays: October 18, Oregon; and October 25, Mount Horeb.

Inflamed by hydraulic fracturing? Take action here.

Green Tuesdays & Thursdays: Creating awareness, sparking conversation, empowering change.

At Green Tuesdays & Thursdays Films & Lectures you can enjoy free screenings of films, presentations on a wide range of topics, and conversations about our world and how we can make it better, together. All are welcome.

Now in eight communities, Monona's Green Tuesdays are on the second and fifth Tuesdays of the month, from late summer through late spring. See the complete calendar here: www.tnsmonona.org/green-tuesdays-green-thursdays.

Whole Foods Market serves treats at Monona's Green Tuesdays, so come early and stay late for delightful food and drink.

The Green Tuesdays & Thursdays program is sponsored by The Natural Step Monona in collaboration with Oregon Working to Live Sustainably (OWLS), Mount Horeb Area Sustainability Network, RGPL Green Tuesdays (Cross Plains), the City of Middleton Sustainability Committee, Edgewood College, Sustainable Atwood, Madison College (MATC), and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Green Tuesdays & Thursdays are brought to you by The Natural Step Monona, supported by the Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, the Dane County Environmental Council, and Richard and Judy Fritz.

Door Prize!
Bring your own water bottle or cup and be entered to win Richard Fortey's book: Life: A Natural History of the First Four Billion Years of Life on Earth.

Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools Walk/Run/Eat on October 16th

2011-09-22T00:57:00.000-05:00

A group of MG parents/teachers are planning to walk in the GSAFE (Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools) Walk/Run/Eat on October 16th at the Goodman Community Center in Madison to raise money to help this great organization help prevent bullying and promote safe schools for all. In fact, the team is called MG Parents supporting MG kids (Team members so far are Team Leader Sue Carr, Chad Speight, Doug Wood, Leslie Frank-Taylor, Kris Lehker, Molly Crossen, Chris Whelley, Jim Keck, and Melissa Zietz!) and I know you would love to join this team!

Register before October 8th and get $5 off your registration fee. Early bird registration is $20 for adults, $15 for youth (ages 12 to 17), and $10 for children (ages 11 and under).

On-site registration and check-in will begin at 9:30AM on Sunday, October 16th. The walk/run will kick off at 11:00AM, and lunch will be served at 11:30AM.

If not, how about a donation? We have already had some great friends and allies donate to support us!

The theme of the walk is SUPERHEROES so we could get really fancy with t shirts and stuff....

You can go to this link: and find our team. And please forward on to MG parents that you think might be interested!

And there is a kids team too!

THANKS!

https://gsafewi.myetap.org/fundraiser/WRE2011/

Proposed City of Monona Operating Budget

2011-09-21T05:47:00.001-05:00

Mayor Bob Miller's first operating budget for the city of Monona is under review by the city council in Committee of the Whole meetings this week (Monday and Wednesday, September 19 and 21) (I missed the Monday meeting due to illness.). The capital budget for 2012-2013 will be reviewed soon after the operating budget review is reviewed.

The proposed 2012 operating budget is online. The most significant change is a reduction of one police officer. The budget also reflects increased employee contributions to retirement and, to a lesser degree, health insurance costs.

Next Wednesday: Energ!ze Monona

2011-09-15T15:49:00.004-05:00

Peak Oil and Monona with Justin Bloesch, UW Madison Student; and Bob Stoffs, Madison Gas & Electric.

The first of six free Energ!ze Monona forums is Wednesday, September 21 from 6:30 to 8:00 in the Monona Community Center Main Hall. Justin Bloesch, a UW-Madison student and graduate of Monona Grove High School who has extensively studied and presented on energy and sustainability, will give a short presentation on Peak Oil. Bob Stoffs, Community Services Manager for Madison Gas and Electric Company (MG&E), will share an overview of electric vehicles and MG&E’s charging stations, including two recently installed in Monona. The presentations will be followed by group discussion. Refreshments will be provided.

By learning about energy, and then discussing how Monona can work towards becoming more energy independent, Monona’s citizens can help the city realize its “25x25 Plan,” a blueprint for generating 25 percent of the energy the city uses from renewable resources by 2025. Says Bloesch, “The Energ!ze Monona forums are important because they help us prepare for the future. We must be prepared for a world in which more and more people compete for fewer and fewer resources.”

From his presentation on peak oil, attendees can “learn how the global oil market impacts people's everyday lives,” says Bloesch. “An event halfway across the world can affect even the economy of Monona.”

Stoffs will share information about electric vehicles (EVs), charging stations, and how MG&E is studying the stations. The information gathered from the study will help MG&E plan how to support the future energy needs of EV use in our area. This project is partially funded by a U.S. Department of Energy Stimulus Grant.

Asked about the biggest misconception about peak oil, Bloesch said it “is that the world will run out of oil. Instead, we will be finding expensive, hard to reach, inconvenient, and environmentally destructive forms of oil. The question is not ‘is it there?’ The question becomes ‘is it worth it?’”

Dave Toso, Electrical Engineer at MG&E demonstrates how to use this electric vehicle charging station, one of two just installed at the Monona Community Center.

Don't Look Now...

2011-09-11T11:13:00.000-05:00

...but the objects in the Brewers rear view mirror really are getting too close for comfort. Not only has their lead over the Cardinals shrunk to six games from a high of 10.5, but they have fallen behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second best record (the Phillies are running away with the best record). If the Brewers end up with the the third best record in the National League, then they would have to go on the road to Philadelphia for the first two games of the NLDS - just like 2008.

Does having the second best record matter. Check out this story on ESPN.

The Brewers are a better team than they were in 2008 - much better pitching - but so are the Phillies. Despite the Brewers improved starting pitchers, the Phillies still had the best of the pitching matchups in the four game series concluding today at Miller Park.

Game one on Thursday: Chris Narveson vs. Cole Hamels. Advantage Phillies. Duh.
Game two on Friday: Shaun Marcum vs. Roy Halladay. Advantage Phillies. Duh.
Game three on Saturday: Randy Wolf vs. Cliff Lee. Advantage Phillies. Duh.
Game four on Sunday: Yovani Gallardo vs. Vance Worley. Advantage Brewers.

Fortunately, the matchups won't go this way in the NLDS because the Brewers would probably start Zach Greinke in game one.

Playoff scenario against the Phillies:

Game one: Zach Greinke vs. Roy Halladay. Advantage Phillies.
Game two: Shaun Marcum vs. Cliff Lee Advantage Phillies.
Game three: Yovani Gallardo vs. Cole Hamels. Advantage Phillies.

So, still advantage Phillies, but the Brewers could certainly win any of those matchups. Nonetheless, their hitting has struggled. They could really use Rickie Weeks bat - he pinch hit on Saturday.

But, will we even have to worry about a first round matchup? A week ago, sitting fat and sassy, the Brewers seemed to have the NL Central title in the bag. Today they enter play with only a six game lead over the Red Birds. The magic number is still 11.

The Cards have 17 games left. Fortunately, four of those games are against the Phillies, but 12 of the 17, including the last 9, are against NL bottom feeders: Pittsburgh, Mets, Cubs, and Astros. After on an off day this Thursday, the Cards play everyday for the last 13 games.

The Brewers only have 15 games left thanks to a couple off days. After today's finale versus the Phillies, Milwaukee closes out with 2 at home versus Colorado, 3 games at Cincinnati and 3 games at Wrigley. They come home to finish the season with apiece against the Marlins and Pirates. Not exactly Murderers Row.

A six games lead on September 11 is pretty hard to overcome and the Brewers are finishing the last really tough stretch of the season, but remember the '64 Phillies! On September 20 of that season, the Phillies had a 6.5 game lead. They then proceeded to pull off the most massive choke job in sports history. Manager Gen Mauch panicked and started Jim Bunning (the crazy former US Senator from Kentucky) and Chris Short almost every other day! Now those were the days of four-man rotations, but a two-man rotation?! Guess what? It didn't work. Guess who slipped by them for the NL title? Yep, the St. Louis Cardinals.

***

But maybe it's better to play the Phillies in a short series? The way baseball sets up the playoffs with a short series (best of five) in round one followed by best of 7 in the next two rounds is counter-intuitive. The fewer times an inferior team has to beat a superior team, the more likely they are to pull off the upset.

I don't know what the historical outcomes show or how big the home field advantage is in a short series. I do know I would prefer to avoid the Phillies as long as possible and hope that somebody else pulls the upset in the NLDS.

Feel free to sort through the facts and report back! http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/

Dredging Delayed, Housing Approved

2011-09-07T07:08:00.000-05:00

Last night, the Monona City Council rejected the bids for the Belle Isle dredging project. The rejections does not mean that the project has lost support of the council, but rather that a majority decided to wait until 2012. Alder Speight and I voted to go forward with the project in 2011.

While the dredging project has widespread, possibly unanimous support on the council, it became clear to me that the project could unravel. The project includes three channels. Several residents on Lagoon du Sud want that channel removed from the project. Some residents on Sumac Lagoon have expressed the same sentiment. If one or two channels are removed, contractors will likely lose interest in bidding and will bid at higher unit rates.

The council approved the GDP for the 215 Femrite row housing project is on for a decision.

***

You can expect to hear in the very near future about a resolution to the M.Y. Dream Park shelter lawsuit filed by the city against the architect.

***

Wiseguy moment. During a roll call vote, as he is wont to do Alder Wiswell cast "a reluctant aye". Adding a descriptive term seemed like such a good idea, I couldn't help but cast "a regular aye". I was followed by Alder Kugle who cast an "enthusiastic aye."

Historical Sunday in Monona

2011-09-05T11:55:00.001-05:00

The Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society sent along the following announcement about two events next Sunday, September 11:

The Monona Landmarks Commission has updated and reprinted its book "City of Monona: Its Heritage and Landmarks" originally published in 1980. It will be for sale at Bungalowen Cottage, 5805 Winnequah Road, from 2-4 pm on Sunday Sept. 11th. The Cottage and other Monona landmarks will be open to tour.

ALSO, on Sunday Sept. 11th the DEAN HOUSE will be open for its regular Second Sunday Open House and Tours from 2-4 pm.

Make Sunday a special "history day" by visiting these historic landmarks.

Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society P.O. Box 6704 Monona, WI 53716 www.bloominggrovehistory.org hbghs@tds.net

***

Check out the Bungalowen historic marker.

Monona City Council Preview - September 6, 2011

2011-09-02T21:41:00.002-05:00

The Monona City Council will consider a number of important items next Tuesday, September 6. The GDP for the 215 Femrite row housing project is on for a decision. The project seems to have wide, but not unanimous support on the council.

Also up is a decision whether to accept the bids for the Belle Isle dredging project. The dredging project has widespread, possibly unanimous support on the council. The key question is whether to proceed in 2011 or re-bid it in early 2012. I'm undecided on the timing. We have received a lot of citizen input. Many of the comments center around various ways to calculate the special assessment.(See separate post for FAQs.)

On for a first read is the rejection of the bid for the Firemen's Park restroom/concession/storage building and instead combining replacement of the existing restrooms with a new open air shelter.

So, nothing really controversial or anything...

Dredging FAQs

2011-09-02T21:38:00.000-05:00

Begins on page 33 of the Belle Isle Dredging info.

Copied text from a memo from BT Squared to the City:

August 30, 2011
File No. 25211430.00
MEMORANDUM
TO:
City of Monona
F ROM: SCS BT Squared Project Team
S U B J E C T : Dredging Project – FAQ’s

Hydraulic Dredging vs Mechanical Dredging
The dredging process specified in the plans and specifications will be hydraulic dredging, and
not mechanical dredging. Hydraulic dredging will be something like taking a large “shop vac” in
the lagoon on a barge and pumping the muck along with some water from the bottom of the
channel to a dewatering location at Fireman’s Park.

Park Fill Material
Oneida Park is taking the roadway subgrade cut material (~11,000 cubic yards of material). The
plans for Oneida Park provided by the City of Monona Park and Recreation department with the
feedback from the residents does not allow for placement of the lagoon dredge material.
Park Restoration in Fireman’s Park
Park grading and restoration for Oneida park will not be part of the assessments provided to the
residents for the road project. The dredged material will be pumped to location in Fireman’s
Park that would need minimal site preparation to store the dredged material. No matter where
the dredge material ends up, the site would need to be prepared to accept the material and then
shaped and restored after dewatering. The Fireman’s Park was close to the channels for easy
return of the pumped water, and the site naturally was low and could accept fill without trucking
costs or additional grading that other sites might require.
What grants might be available?
The City applied for a Recreational Boating Fund (RBF) grant through the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources. The project scored low and did not receive a grant. To score
high for an RBF grant, dredging projects have to be for navigational channels that benefit the
public (e.g., provide access to a boat launch or connect two waterways). This is up to 50% cost
share, but more often in the 40 – 45% range. Grant applications must be submitted by June 1,
with awards likely sometime in August.
The Sport Fishing Grant uses the same application form as the RBF grant. This is a 50% cost
share. Applications are due February 15, but grants are not awarded/funded until August
because it is a federally funded grant.

There may be other local public or private funding sources, including Madison Fishing Expo
Group Funds and various Dane County funds. Many grants have similar requirements in terms
of demonstrating a public benefit from the project.
If we wait to dredge until 2012, will we need to reapply for permits?
The following permits have been obtained and are valid through the date listed.
• Chapter 30 permit – December 31, 2013
• Construction Site Erosion Control Permit – July 11, 2014
• WPDES Carriage Water Return Permit – July 2012, but can be extended as long as
project scope does not change
We are still awaiting approval/renewal of the Army Corps of Engineers permit; however, the
previous permit was valid for 4 years.

Pier/Lift Removal
The plans noted that piers would be removed prior to dredging. This note was based on
discussions with dredging contractors who confirmed that the best bid prices and removal of
material would come if the piers were removed. Pier removal letters were sent out as an early
notification to residents. After the bids were received and based on the feedback from the
residents, both contractors were asked if they could remove sediment with piers left in. Both
said “yes” but that they would not be responsible for any damage to any piers due to their
operations and removal of the project sediment. Landowners leaving piers in will need to sign
an indemnification form issued by the City allowing the contractor to perform dredging
operations around their pier and/or lifts and will not hold the contractor, City of Monona, SCS
BT Square, or any other entity working on the project responsible for any damage.
Plan Cross Section
s
The plans show cross section of the channel. The cross sections were based from a topographic
survey completed in June 2011. The cross sections show the amount of material that is proposed
to be removed at each location. The top of silt was the top of the muck as it existing in June.
The bottom of silt was the depth to which we could push the survey level rod down into the
muck in order to get to what we are calling the “hard bottom.”

Berms or Ground Giving Away
The purpose of the project is to remove the silt/muck from the lagoons. We are not proposing to
remove the actual hard bottom which forms the shape of the lagoon. The existing sideslopes are
3:1 sideslopes (3 foot horizontal to 1 foot down vertically) which are gradual enough to maintain
the banks.

Contractor Bidding
Bids were taken for the dredging project on August 3, 2011. The plan holders list was comprised
of 14 dredging companies and subcontractor / suppliers. There were 2 bids submitted: Gro America and PCI (Petersen Companies). The bids comprised of a base bid (dredge depth is ~ 5
feet, water surface at 845 and muck removal to 840), and an alternate bid to remove of all the
muck down to the harder lagoon depth.

Company Base Bid Alternate Bid Total Bid
GroAmerica $389,000 $67,151 $465,151
PCI $413,375 $61,325 $474,700

2012 Rebid
The option to rebid the project in 2012 has risk in that no one knows how many bids Monona
may get and prices could increase. Generally bidding in the early part of the year generates more
interest from contractors as they are trying to solidify project work for the year, but this does not
guarantee a project cost.

Special Assessment FAQs

2011-09-02T21:34:00.000-05:00

Go to page 33 of the Belle Isle Dredging Info for the FAQ section.

Q1. WHEN WILL THE BELLE ISLE 2011 STREETS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT APPEAR ON MY TAX BILL?
A1. The Belle Isle 2011 Streets Special Assessment will be included on your 2013 tax bill (mailed in December, 2012). In order for a special assessment to be included on your 2012 tax bill (mailed in December 2011), the City must send an invoice to residents by September 30, 2011. In order for this happen, the project must be completed and the City must have a final invoice from the contractor before September 30, 2011. Because this is not scheduled to happen on this timeline, the street special assessment will not be included on your 2012 tax bill.

Q2. ARE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
A2. Per the Internal Revenue Service, special assessments are not tax deductible.

Q3. WHEN WILL THE DREDGING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT APPEAR ON MY TAX BILL?
A3: If all of the phases of the project are completed by September 30, 2012 and the City receives the final bill from the contractor by September 30, 2012, then the dredging assessment will be included on your 2013 tax bill (mailed in December of 2012). If either of the two is not completed by September 30, then the special assessment will be included on your 2014 tax bill (mailed in December of 2013). If the dredging project is started in 2011, the special assessment will most likely appear on your 2013 tax bill (mailed in December 2012).

Q4. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TO PAY TO SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS?
A4: There are three options. Example assumes using an 8-year payback period:
Option 1: You may elect to pay the total amount of your assessment on or before October 31. By paying the full amount, you will avoid paying interest on the special assessment.
Option 2: You may elect to pay a portion of the total special assessment on or before October 31 in order to reduce the amount of the special assessment installment placed on the tax roll (tax bills that are sent out in December). The remaining balance will be amortized over 8 years.
Option 3: If you elect not to pay any amount of the special assessment by October 31, one-eighth (1/8) of the assessment total will be placed on your tax bill, plus two (2) months accumulated interest. The
remaining installments will be placed on future tax rolls at an interest rate of ???%. You are allowed
to make a partial or full payment at any time during the course of the eight (8) year repayment
period. Again, interest will only accrue beginning November 1.

Q5. HOW IS THE INTEREST RATE DETERMINED?
A5: The City charges residents an interest rate that is 1 percent more than the interest rate the City received when it borrowed the money. The City’s financial advisor estimates an interest rate of 2.5-3.0%.

Random Question?

2011-08-30T07:38:00.002-05:00

Got a question? Try me.

Who Do the Doo-Doo Belong To?

2011-08-30T00:03:00.001-05:00

I have proposed that Monona amend its ordinances to allow dogs in city parks if on a leash. Seems like a modest enough proposal, possibly even reasonable. But others say, "Ah-ha! What if reckless dog owners allow their dog to do more than just take a walk in the park? What if they let Fido take a dump in the park? And what if these owners then exit the park leaving said doo-doo behind, so to speak?"

Well, letting your dog do his bidness in a public park and not cleaning up violates city ordinances now and would still violate the ordinances. I'm just proposing to allow leashed dogs in the parks. I'm not proposing to allow owners to leave their dogs poo in the park.

"Ah, yes, but if you let people walk their dogs in the park, scofflaws will flock to the parks en masse to deposit mass quantities of sh*t!"

Capitalism and government regulation to the rescue! Require DNA testing of a dog's poop as a condition of getting a license! (Feel free to smack your forehead at this point.). Dog poop found in the parks could be tested and if it's your dog's doo, buddy, you are gonna pay!

Yes, believe it or not, DNA testing of dog poop is a growing industry. As a lawyer, my mouth waters at the thought of a new source of litigation. Just think of the chain of custody issues alone!

***

For the humor-impaired, I am not proposing forensic analysis of dog poopas a condition of getting a (dog license.)

The Ayes Have It

2011-08-29T23:37:00.000-05:00

The Belle Isle Neighborhood Association took a vote by email on the lagoon dredging project. Four votes were also cast by handwritten notes. The emails (and notes) are ‘yes’ or ‘no’ votes on dredging and also on whether to dredge in 2011 or 2012.

55 responses.

45 yes

9 no.

24 for 2011

27 for 2012

4 never

(A few of the no’s also said 2012, if the dredging happens.)

Dredging Up History

2011-08-27T09:38:00.000-05:00

The planned dredging project at Belle Isle is a major issue on the council's plate right now. I strongly believe the dredging will go forward either this fall or next year. It has been planned for a number of years, but a key difference that demonstrates the city's commitment to the project is that the city hired an engineering firm to prepare for the project. The lagoons have not been dredged since the early 1950's.

Under current ordinances, benefited property owners will pay 70% of the costs. Residents of that area also got hit with street special assessments this year, but the projects have both been in the works for years and it was known that both would likely take place in the same year or continuous years. (I note that when a road is first improved with concrete curb and gutter, abutting property owners pay 60% of the cost for the road work. The city taxpayers pay the other 40%. City ratepayers pay all of the costs for utility work.

Belle Isle residents are understandably upset that bids came in triple the amount of then-city engineer Rich Vela's estimate from a couple years ago. That cost jump is one reason we are considering re-bidding the project.

Here is a bit of history for the excellent Monona in the Making. Click to enlarge.

Taylor Defeats Stealth Write-In Effort

2011-08-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

Last evening the rumor mill was cranked up about a stealth write-in campaign in the 48th Assembly District race. Chris Taylor won the hotly contested Democratic primary last month and no other candidate was on the ballot.

Apparently there was a write-in campaign, but it was too stealthy to make much of a dent in Taylor's victory margin. She won with slightly over 90% of the votes cast.

While I was rightly skeptical of fears that such a write-in candidate might win, it does raise a question about the motives of those behind the write-in effort and their lack of respect for an open democratic process. Apparently they hoped to win the seat without actually facing the rigors of a contested campaign.

According to madison.com: Taylor, the public policy director at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, won with 5,459 votes. There were 591 write-in votes against her.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_848ae76a-c308-11e0-b940-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1UgRLwQ8h

Somebody Vote Tomorrow

2011-08-08T21:15:00.000-05:00

While hotly contested races are taking place around the state in tomorrow's recalls, we here in the 48th Assembly District have the race to replace former State Rep. Joe Parisi. Well, calling it a race now is kind of a misnomer because there's only one candidate, Chris Taylor on the ballot. She does need to get enough votes to beat out any write-in candidates, so a few of us really ought to vote. And besides, our city clerk Joan Andrusz has gone to all the trouble to get ballots and election workers and stuff.

So, vote, ok?

Sunny Side Down

2011-08-07T10:26:00.001-05:00

I get twitchy when our dear Sunny agrees with me. In this week's edition, she credits me for my comments that traffic signals are the obvious choice over a roundabout at Copps Avenue/Broadway. She then goes on to play whack-a-Chad because Chad didn't fold his tent and go home, but is pushing for the city to take another look at the roundabout option and get more data.

Background: The city is going to upgrade the Copps/Broadway intersection because of the increased traffic that will result from the two new clinics, the Menards expansion, and the eventual Whitehorse property development. The city administration said we would have the improvement done by the time the clinics opened and Meriter's clinic will be opening this fall.

Alder Speight (pronounced like "eight" NOT eighth") is asking us to look more closely at the total costs for each option. The total costs include societal economic costs, such as crash costs (property damage and injuries), wasted fuel, added pollution, and lost productivity from sitting at the traffic signals. On every measure, the total cost of traffic signals is higher, often much higher than the cost of a roundabout.

As I noted at the last council meeting (the scary one when I had the gavel), looking at total costs is not some wacky goofball idea. There is bloc of people who roll their eyes and close their minds whenever Chad says anything (OK, I know that he does tend to go on a bit, but that's because he's passionate about our city). We use net benefit analysis at my day job to help evaluate where to spend safety funds. Net benefit analysis is a very common practice in traffic engineering. The FHWA has a web page with links to various net benefit/cost models.

The rub here is that these are external costs to the city, i.e. they do not come out of the city's budget. They would not be imposed only on our residents, but on all users of that intersection. It makes complete sense to consider the external costs when using federal funds since those monies come from all of us (more or less) and thus should be spent in a way that benefits all of us.

Chad's persistence has caused me to take a second look. He and I requested that the city obtain these total costs from Vierbicher and they are working on it (at no added cost to the city). We shall see what the numbers say, but I fully expect the roundabout will be cheaper from the total cost standpoint. The analysis has to be tweaked to account for Copps/Broadway being a three-legged intersection in ways that will favor traffic signals (fewer T-bone crashes than you would expect at a 4-legged intersection), but I don't think that will change the total cost numbers.

The question then becomes whether we take money out of our own Monona pockets - and only our pockets - to cover these larger social/economic costs or not.

***

Here is one more website that does nice job laying out the factors to be considered.

Monona Park & Rec Board meeting

2011-08-06T11:24:00.001-05:00

The Monona Park and Recreation Board meets at 6:30 PM next Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at the Monona Community Center.

To say that we have a full agenda is an understatement.

A Discussion/Recommendation on Ordinance regarding Pets in Parks
I requested this item after numerous constituent contacts over the years asking for a dog park, which is not in the cards due to a lack of an adequate location in city parks. Right now, pets are excluded from all city parks, which seems silly and isn't enforced.

B. Discussion/Recommendation on donation of Pet Waste Station at Arrowhead Park

C. Discussion/Recommendation of update of the Geese Management Plan to include humane removal of geese

D. Review/Discussion of 2012 Operating Budget for Community Center, Recreation, and Outdoor Pool

E. Review/Recommendation of received bids for Firemen’s Park Shelter restroom project. This project is likely going to be delayed until 2012. Couple points: This facility is not just a "restroom", but will also include a concession stand and storage. Storage isn't sexy, but is necessary especially for all the rec program offerings. The storage at the M.Y. Dream Park shelter is cramped and crammed with stuff.

My understanding is that part of the reason the bids came in higher than the estimates is that the masonry construction was high, apparently due to several ongoing large masonry projects in the area.

Monona Plan Commission Takes Up Housing Proposal

2011-08-04T23:01:00.001-05:00

Next Monday, August 8, 2011, the Monona Plan Commission again takes up the (revised) proposed row house development on Femrite Drive at Roselawn.

What do you think?

Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Meeting

2011-08-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

Dane County Parks will be hosting a public information meeting to review proposed initiatives that will be included in the draft 2012-2017 Dane County Parks & Open Space Plan next week on Monday, August 8th, 7:00pm at the Lussier Family Heritage Center at 3101 Lake Farm Park Road. The meeting will also provide a summary of comments gathered throughout the public input process including the 4 quadrant meetings that were held throughout June. County Parks staff will be working on preparing the draft report throughout August and plan on having it available for review by the end of the month.

For any questions related to the plan, please contact Chris James, Park Planner at 608-224-3763 or by email at james@countyofdane.com.

Photos from Ireland

2011-07-31T18:00:00.000-05:00

Mayor Bob sent along these two photos. He knows I am a huge fan of the late author J.G. Farrell, who drowned at the spot shown in in 1979. Farrell authored a smashing trilogy on the British Empire. As described on the NYRB Classics website:

THE SIEGE OF KRISHNAPUR
Introduction by Pankaj Mishra
Farrell’s Booker Prize winning novel takes place in India in 1857, the year of the Great Mutiny.

TROUBLES
Introduction by John Banville
It’s 1919 and Ireland is experiencing the mounting violence of “the troubles” while outside the order of the British Empire totters. Troubles was recently awarded the “Lost” Booker Prize.

THE SINGAPORE GRIP
Introduction by Derek Mahon
It’s 1939, and the eve of World War II, in this novel that is a love story and a war story as well as a tragicomic tale of a city under siege and a dying way of life.

Who Benefits From Government Programs? "Not Me!"

2011-07-30T08:56:00.000-05:00

I picked this up from the LBO News blog by Doug Henwood, (who got it from Boing Boing). It may help explain why - oh, hell, I don't know, it makes my head hurt:

[A]bout half of beneficiaries of federal benefit programs don’t realize they’ve enjoyed benefits. See table 3, here. Exact numbers: 44% of Social Security beneficiaries say they “have not used a government social program.” Ditto 43% of those who’ve gotten unemployment benefits and Pell Grants, 40% of those on Medicare, and 25% of those on Food Stamps.

Keep your government hands off my Medicare!

Are people really this ignorant, brainwashed, or too stupid to understand that a check written by the US Treasury is from the bleeding government?!

Always Take Your Camera!

2011-07-30T08:46:00.000-05:00

Always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera, always take your camera.

I learned this lesson -again - last evening. Before leaving home for a bike ride on the Cap City Trail, I says to myself, "Self, should we take the camera with?". And, Self, the big dope, says, "Ohhhh, nooooo. What could we possibly see on the Cap City Trail that we haven't seen before?". "Quite right", quoth I. Camera remains hanging in the closet.

So, then on my way back, as I'm approaching the Lake Farm Park campground, I look up and see a gaggle of geese, large geese, really large geese. But they weren't geese, were they? Noooo! They were eleven Sandhill Cranes, followed a few hundred yards later by four more. Now that would have warranted a digitally-enhanced image or two.

But, no camera, no photos, just a dumb post.

Suggestion Box

2011-07-29T11:23:00.000-05:00

So until Mayor Miller returns to town, to quote Al Haig, "I am in charge" (except I actually have legal powers that Haig merely claimed).

Any suggestions on how I should abuse, err, exercise my vast authority? Be quick, times awastin'!

Monona City Council Preview

2011-07-29T11:20:00.001-05:00

The Monona city council meeting on Monday, August 1, 2011 has a shortish agenda, but several items of interest.
Consent Agenda.
1. Consideration Of 2011 Temporary Class “B” Fermented Malt Beverage Retailer’s License Application For National MS Society – Wisconsin Chapter, President Colleen G. Kalt, N61 W29576 South Woodfield Road, Hartland, Wisconsin 53029, For The Period Of August 7, 2011.

G. Council Action Items.
1. Unfinished Business (Approval Requested Unless Otherwise Noted) (None).

2. New Business.
a. Consideration of Ordinance 8-11-627 Amending Section 9-1-8 of the Code of Ordinances Regarding Fluorides in the Water System (Public Works Committee). This item relates to reducing the amount of fluoride in city water to 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water per federal recommendations. Current ordinances require one to one and a half parts fluoride per million parts of water.

b. Consideration of Resolution 11-08-1790 Approving an Agreement with the City of Madison for the Interconnection of Municipal Water Systems (Public Works Committee). The proposed agreement with Madison would finally make the long-considered emergency connection between the two cities water supplies.

c. Consideration of Resolution 11-08-1791 Award of Contract for Design Engineering Services for East Broadway/Copps Avenue Intersection Improvements (City Administrator, Public Works Director). This item would award an engineering design contract to Vierbicher for the Copps Avenue intersection.

A Litigation Status Report is also available.

Moving Shelters

2011-07-28T19:53:00.000-05:00

There is a silly rumor going around town that the city of Monona is going to move the Dream Park Shelter to Firemen's Park. This rumor is inaccurate. Here is the real scoop.

As you may have heard, yours truly is Acting Mayor while Mayor Miller is out of the country. Here is my plan: Build a tramway between the Dream Park and Firemen's Park and move the shelter back and forth as needed. Yep, shelter shuttle. It is the latest in urban mass transit. In this case, really massive transit. With some fancy staff work, I know we can get it done. In the short run, the tramway will be manually powered. Jake Anderson will man the ropes at one end and Dan Stephany will man the other.

The construction work crew is already lined up.

When the shelter is not rented, we can sell tram ride tickets. At night, we can suspend the shelter high above the city to keep out the vandals.

You have to admit is not run-of-the-mill Acting Mayor stuff.

And Bob thinks he's getting the gavel back! Bwa-ha-ha-ha!!

Broadway Study Revisited

2011-07-27T15:18:00.000-05:00

So my previous post about the Broadway Traffic Impact study was all bollixed up. Corrected version below.

Some of the major recommendations for intersection improvements (all intersections are with East Broadway) are described below. No major changes to E. Broadway itself are recommended.

Monona Drive. Extend the ~~east~~westbound left-turn in 2011 and add second left turn lane onto ~~north~~southbound Monona Drive by 2021. Add a right turn lane for northbound Monona Drive to eastbound Broadway.

"Copps Avenue. Construct a roundabout."Actually, the study presented a roundabout option (with two alternative designs) and a traffic signal option. Neither was preferred over the other. Rather the report presented recommended improvements for each option.

At the council meeting on Monday, it became clear to me at least, that the traffic signal option is clearly preferable. It costs much less, can be fully implemented this year, will work better with the traffic lights at Stoughton Road, and critically it will create needed traffic gaps for vehicles exiting the new developments.

"These gaps will provide access to East Broadway from the future Whitehorse Commons
Development, UW Clinic and Copps Avenue."

Purty Pictures

2011-07-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

Some photos I took of wildflowers along the Capital City Trail and of lily pads on Lake Wingra.

Monona City Council to Hear East Broadway Traffic Study Review

2011-07-16T09:15:00.002-05:00

NOTE: I updated the information below for the Monona drive intersection. The second left turn from EB Broadway to NB Monona Drive would be needed by 2021. The extension of the left turn lane would be built in 2011.

On Monday, July 18, 2011, the Monona City Council, along with the Public Works Committee, will hear a review of a Traffic Impact Study for East Broadway performed by KL Engineering and Vierbicher associates.. You can find the study at the link above. The study was commissioned primarily due to traffic impact from new developments, which will add 10,000 traffic movements by 2021, including 1004 in the PM peak hour.

A summary review can be found here.

Some of the major recommendations for intersection improvements (all intersections are with East Broadway) are described below. No major changes to E. Broadway itself are recommended.

Monona Drive. Extend the eastbound left-turn in 2011 and add second left turn lane onto northbound Monona Drive by 2021. Add a right turn lane for northbound Monona Drive to eastbound Broadway.

Copps Avenue. Construct a roundabout. Several alternatives are also included.

Sunset Over Lake Monona

2011-07-09T23:17:00.000-05:00

I happened to be driving home this evening and fortuitously captured some shots of a gorgeous sunset.

State Assembly Candidate Forum in Monona July 6 - Probably

2011-07-04T14:45:00.002-05:00

UPDATE: Apparently this forum has been on again/ off again. Information has not been equally shared with all the candidates. Mayor Miller had nothing to do with organizing the event, but simply agreed to moderate - and then he found himself in a crossfire. At one point 5 of the candidates did not plan to attend, but now it appears most or all will be there despite conflicting schedules.

A previous forum was organized by the Selkowe campaign or its adherents and questions were provided in advance to some but not all of the candidates. Thus, the other candidates were leery of another event whose sponsorship is unclear.

Mayor Miller will not only moderate, but is formulating the questions.

The silly season is in full swing!

************************************************************

In just over a week we'll have the opportunity to elect a new State Representative now that Joe Parisi is our County Executive. While the district covers the entirety of Monona, all of the candidate forums so far have been in Madison.

Not anymore! This Wednesday, July 6th from 7-9PM at the Monona Community Center, Monona Mayor Bob Miller will moderate the only candidate forum focused on issues facing us here in Monona. This is a great chance to hear where the candidates stand on important issues and there will be an opportunity to talk with candidates individually after the 90 minute forum.

State Assembly Candidates Forum

Wednesday, July 6th 7-9PM

Monona Community Center
1011 Nichols Rd, Monona

Mayor Bob Miller, Moderator

**********************************************************

Monona City Council Report - Some Stuff Happened

2011-07-04T10:38:00.001-05:00

The Monona city council met on Tuesday, July 5, this week due to the holiday. See the full agenda!

See the full packet.

G. Council Action Items.
1. Unfinished Business (Approval Requested Unless Otherwise Noted).
a. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1782 Authorization to Proceed with Planning for Tax Increment District Amendment (CDA). Adopted 6-0

2. New Business.
a. Consideration of Resolution 11-07-1786 Capital Budget Amendment for Winnequah Road Choker Project (Alderman Wood, Alderman Busse). The proposal is to straighten the entry/exits to the 'sidewalk' portions. Amendment is not likely to be needed. PW Director Dan Stephany developed a cheaper alternative solution that will be tried at one or two locations in the next few weeks.

On a related note, Mayor Miller did hand me the gavel at an upcoming meeting to put in his ideas about the location and/or need for the speed display signs on Winnequah Road. He had different distances than I came up with. His basic point is that doesn't like the location of one sign at Graham Park because he feels it is too close to Bridge.

I don't agree. Graham Park is about 1000' from Bridge Road. Mayor Bob said 600'. The entire stretch from Maywood Road to Bridge Road is 3200' (Mayor Bob said 1800'). And the speed detectors read the speed at some point upstream (i.e. more than 1000' from Bridge Road).

I attempted to stage a coup d'etat by holding to the gavel, but then the city attorney advised me that having the gavel wouldn't really make me mayor.

* b. Consideration of Resolution 11-07-1787 Accepting Offer from American Transmission Company for Transmission Line Easement (City Administrator). ATC has offered $75,000 for an easement through the wetlands for the giant transmission towers soon to come. And no, the city can't use its ownership as a way to stop the transmission line. Under chapter 196 stats., ATC could condemn the property.ADOPTED

* c. Consideration of Resolution 11-07-1788 Acceptance of Bid for 2011 Fire Department Remodel (Fire Chief). This proposal would add three individual bunk rooms and a remodeled kitchen to the fire station. Not acted upon; may need to re-bid because isn't clear that all bidders had the same information from the city.

d. Consideration of Resolution 11-07-1789 Supporting The Monona Fire And Emergency Medical Services Departments in their Application to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Seeking to be Licensed as a Paramedic Provider (Public Safety Commission).

Adopted. By approving this resolution the council basically just stated its support to upgrade emergency medical services from EMT's to paramedics. Several of current staff are retiring so that replacements will be hired at a lower rate of pay than the current veteran staff, which will offset the substantial training costs.

The proposal also stated support for a second ambulance. However, the intent is to keep the current ambulance when a new one is acquired within the next year.

Thank You, Mark Miller Picnic Photos

2011-07-03T21:46:00.001-05:00

Peter McKeever

The Honored Guest, Mark Miller

Alder Doug Wood

Alder Chad Speight

Joe Parisi and Mark

County executive Joe Parisi

Mark thanking Scott Walker for calling him a 'bastard'!

Mark walking home with his Thank You card

Damn Straight

2011-07-03T17:43:00.000-05:00

VanderLeast?

2011-07-02T11:05:00.000-05:00

David VanderLeest, the GOP challenger to State Senator Dave Hansen issued a statement asserting his innocence of criminal wrongdoing. I have not edited his statement, except to add bold font to help you find the spelling mistakes and deleting the first name of his son.

"I am an advocate for truth in Brown County. I have sued public officials for curruption and abuse of power, as an attempt to protect the hard working taxpayers, of NE WI. (see federal court case number 07-c-318) I am inocent of every criminal case ever brought against me. Every accusation ever brought fourth, happened because my then wife had a drinking problem, and made false accusations that she later recanted. These cases were intensified at the hand of currupt officials, who viewed me as a political threat, and wanted to silence, suppress, and minimize me, like Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate tryed to do today. Crooked public officals like this do not deserve the public trust. They fear my ability to polarize the public and expose true corruption that takes place at the hand of public officials who have different political views then me. People like this have no morals, and only care about winning, at any and all cost. These officials do not care who they hurt in the process, they are simply interested in protecting their place at the public trough. Hurting David VanderLeest and his seven year old son [], are just ways of getting currupt official the means they desire."

For the record, VanderLeest was in fact convicted of disorderly conduct charges in one of the various complaints filed against him.

Maybe folks are just spelling-challenged in Oconto County. Here's a headline about this race?

GOP candaidate VanderLeest still under investigation in Oconto County

DOA Letter to Local Officials on Collective Bargaining Changes

2011-07-01T22:43:00.001-05:00

Dear Local Official:

As you know, 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 made significant changes to public employee
compensation and collective bargaining provisions in order to provide state and local
governments with the flexibility needed to reduce costs and maintain essential public
services.

In addition, 2011 Wisconsin Act 32, the state's biennial budget bill, included a
number of important modifications to Act 10. This letter explains these changes and
discusses several important implementation issues, including the effective dates of
changes to employee health and pension contribution rates, changes to collective
bargaining provisions and the discontinuation of payroll deductions for union dues.
While Act 10 is now in effect, the effective dates of various changes are dependent on
the status of your collective bargaining agreements. Changes in Acts 10 and 32 will
not apply to employees that are covered under current collective bargaining
agreements until those agreements expire, are terminated, extended, modified or
renewed. The provisions in existing contracts must continue to be honored.

For collective bargaining agreements that have expired or been terminated, the
discontinuation of union dues collection should be implemented no later than
the first pay period after June 29th.

For Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), City of Milwaukee and County of
Milwaukee pension contribution rate changes, the effective date should parallel
as closely as possible the timing for state employees, who will first see these
deductions on their August 25th paycheck.

If your local governmental unit participates in a health insurance plan offered
by the Group Insurance Board (GIB), the health insurance contribution rate
changes are effective January 1, 2012.

Finally, local governmental units that do not have a civil service system as of
June 29th are required to establish a grievance system no later than the first
day of the fourth month beginning after the effective date of the bill. This
means that local governmental units must create these systems by October 1,
2011.

June 30, 2011
Page 2 of 3
Changes to Act 10

The following modifications, affecting local governmental units, were made to Act 10 in
the state's biennial budget bill and will be effective the day after publication of Act 32:

1) Transit workers, as defined by Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission
(WERC), are exempt from Act 10 provisions. In addition, WERC will be required to
provide training programs to prepare individuals for participation as arbitrators.
WERC is authorized to charge a fee for such training. Any labor organization
representing transit employees which violates the prohibition on strikes may not
collect dues for one year. At the end of the year, dues collection may be reinstated.

2) Emergency Medical Services providers were added to the definition of public safety
employees.

3) Arbitrators are required to give greatest weight to economic conditions relating to
settlement of disputes with public safety employees

4) The design and selection of health care coverage plans by the municipal employer
for public safety employees is no longer a subject of bargaining.

5) New public safety employees hired on or after the effective date of the bill are
subject to the requirement that they pay the same amounts toward their pensions
as general occupation employees as specified under Act 10.

6) In addition, new public safety employees hired by local governmental unit
employers who participate in health insurance plans offered by the Group
Insurance Board are required to pay at least 12 percent of the average premium
cost of the plan with the lowest premium cost, beginning on January 1, 2012.

7) School districts and technical colleges with collective bargaining agreements that
were initially entered into prior to February 1, 2011 are permitted to enter into a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) that reduces employer compensation or
fringe benefit costs. No MOU may be entered into later than 90 days after the
effective date of Act 32 and it must remain in effect for the duration of the existing
contract. As a result of this provision, every school and technical college district
should have the flexibility to realize pension and health savings comparable to what
the Governor projected they could.

8) Administrative Modifications

a) Employee contributions for retirement into the WRS must be made from the
employee's pre-tax income for the purposes of federal and state income taxes.
FICA tax calculations are unaffected. This reduces the employee's taxable
liability.

b) Employers are no longer required to recoup WRS or other local governmental
unit retirement payments from employees that were to begin on the first day of
the first pay period after March 13, 2011 under Act 10.

June 30, 2011
Page 3 of 3

c) Employees who serve under a fixed term appointment (e.g., Planning Board
Commissioner) are treated the same as elected officials in terms of the timing of
the change to WRS multipliers. The effective date of the 1.6% normal pension
benefit multiplier would occur on the first day of a term of office that begins after
the effective date of the bill. [Under Act 10, officials on fixed-term appointments
were not covered under the same delayed effective date as elected officials.]

d) The calculation of eligible wage increases under the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
has been modified such that the Department of Revenue would calculate the
average annual CPI for both state and local bargaining and that this calculation
only applies to base wages of represented staff to provide uniformity across the
state. The Department of Revenue will calculate the CPI upon a request from the
WERC. The CPI calculation will be based on the 12 months preceding the date
of the request from the WERC. If there is a decrease or no change in the CPI, the
base pay of employees in the collective bargaining agreement is frozen.

e) For those collective bargaining agreements that have expired or are operating
under an extension, the union certification vote as originally outlined under Act
10 must now occur in the third month after the effective date of Act 32. The
WERC is now required to assess and collect a certification fee for each election
that is conducted.

While implementation of Acts 10 and 32 will be challenging for all levels of the public
sector, I am confident that these changes will help set Wisconsin on a course toward
stable, affordable and effective government. State and local governments will become
more nimble in the face of change and be able to achieve continuous improvement.

Your thoughtful and measured approach to managing these changes along with
constant communication with employees will be critical to preserving government
services and Wisconsin's quality of life.

Sincerely,
Mike Huebsch
Secretary
cc: Governor Scott Walker
Keith Gilkes

Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society's Back Porch Concert

2011-06-27T21:42:00.000-05:00

Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society's Back Porch Concert series starts this Thursday June 30 at 7PM off the back porch of the Dean House with the Sound of Madison women's barbershop chorus.

The series will continue each Thursday night through July and culminate with the ice cream social on Aug. 4th when the New Horizons Band will perform.

Please come and enjoy an evening of music with your family and friends.

Soda and popcorn will be for sale. A free will donation is suggested.

We appreciate your participation and continued support of this annual fund raising activity.

Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society P.O. Box 6704 Monona, WI 53716 www.bloominggrovehistory.org hbghs@tds.net

Thank You, Mark Miller Picnic

2011-06-26T21:49:00.000-05:00

The Monona Progressives Cookie Group hosted a 'thank you, Mark Miller' picnic called Mark Fest (a take off on Fighting Bob Fest). A good time was had by the well-over 100 Monona progressives who showed up for the potluck picnic and political speechifying.

We heard from Peter McKeever, Doug Wood (yes, that's me), Chad Speight, Linda Rodolfo, Mark Pocan, Robin Schmidt, Joe Parisi, and the guest of honor, State Senator Mark Miller.

You can see pictures of the event at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monona-Progressive-Cookie-Group/232280933454672

(The only glitch came when Peter inhaled a bit of foam from the top of the microphone. I then followed him and did the same thing!)

Bikes on Monona Drive - The Broken Part

2011-06-14T06:32:00.001-05:00

Local biped Travis Youman sent along this comment and a link to his own blog at Stray Cat Bicycles.

Travis recently wrote a blog post about signage (particularly the "bicycles may use full lane" official MUTCD sign), and asked me whether I thought he should bring it up at the next council meeting. I said, "YES!" I did so partly because I think the signage may be a good idea and partly because I think it is worth having the discussion and partly because things have just been too damn boring around here lately.

Travis would like to do some driver (and cyclist) education, especially on Monona Drive south of Cottage Grove Road at least until the construction is completed. He says he has stirred things up at the city of Madison with Arthur Ross and Robbie Webber with regards to signage/markings/bike lanes on Monona Drive north of Cottage Grove Road.

http://www.straycatbicycles.com/blog/?p=517

MarkFest 2011

2011-06-13T06:57:00.001-05:00

The Monona Progressive Cookie Group is hosting a thank you picnic for Mark Miller at Firemen's Park in Monona on Sunday, June 26, 2011 from 4 pm to 7 pm.

[BEGIN PRESS RELEASE]

PRESS RELEASE

Date: June 12, 2011

For more information contact:

Peter McKeever, 223-0385

Monona Progressives Organize to Promote Community Values

On June 26 Monona Senator Mark Miller will be the guest of honor at “MarkFest”, a potluck picnic organized by the Monona Progressive Cookie Group. This will be an opportunity for local residents opposed to Governor Scott Walker’s assault on local communities, school boards, workers, and families to thank Sen. Miller for standing up for working family and local communities.

The Monona Progressive Cookie Group is a growing group of Monona residents organized to inform the community about progressive and liberal principles. It is important to keep these principles in the forefront as the city council and the school board deal with the attacks on local control and community values that are coming from the Governor and the current conservative-led legislature.

One of the cornerstones of our democracy is the important role that government plays to protect the general welfare. Local governments have a critical role in looking out for the interests of all members of the community, not just corporations and the wealthy. Coalition members are concerned that many of the programs and policies being pushed by the new administration hurt small businesses, public education, the environment, the elderly, local government, the middle class, and families, especially low-income households.

Coalition members are working to inform themselves and the community about the impact of these changes on our community. Rather than focusing on the next election or the latest legislative proposal, it is time to develop a long-term message and strategy. Members will promote local policies and programs that protect and advance the qualities that make Monona an attractive place to live, raise and educate children, and run a business. With the erosion of living standards for many, and new attacks almost daily from Wall Street-funded politicians, all Americans need a new contract, a binding relationship for their security, for their families, and for future generations.

Sen. Miller will attend and speak. Other invited speakers include State Representative Mark Pocan, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, local city council members Doug Wood, and Chad Speight, Dane County Board member Robin Schmidt, and Pilar Schiavo, an organizer with the national coalition promoting the Main Street Contract. (http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/03/11)

The picnic will be Sunday, June 26, from 4-7 pm, at Firemen’s Park. Bring a dish to pass, meat or vegetables for the grill, and your own plate, utensils, and drinks. Parking is tight; bike or walk if you can. Cookies and potato salad will be provided.

Kids are welcome. Firemen’s Park is located in the northwest corner of Winnequah Park. Facilities include a sand volleyball court, playground equipment, a baseball diamond, restrooms and a picnic shelter.

For more information, call Peter McKeever at 223-0385, or email petermckeever@charter.net.

XOXOXOX

[END PRESS RELEASE]

I found this nice piece of work at http://baileysbuddy.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-stand-with-wisconsin.html

Special Brush Collection

2011-06-12T09:29:00.000-05:00

SPECIAL BRUSH COLLECTION NEXT WEEK

Date: 06/09/2011

Due to the June 8 storm, the City will collect brush in districts 1, 2, and 4 beginning on Monday, June 13. (This is the regular collection week for district 2 and a special collection for districts 1 and 4.)

District 3 brush collection will occur as scheduled during the week of June 20.

District 4 brush will also be collected as scheduled during the week of June 27, in addtion to the special collection next week.

Residents should have all brush trimmed and placed at the curb by 7:00 am on Monday of the collection week. Once crews have collected from a street, they will not return until the next scheduled collection week.

Residents with questions can call City Hall at 222-2525.

IE 9 Blows?

2011-06-11T13:59:00.000-05:00

Or does it suck?

I recently installed Internet Explorer 9 on my home PC and I am now trying to decide which other browser to use: Firefox, Safari, or Google Chrome?

I am not a Microsoft hater and I usually like new applications and new technologies (OK, OK, cell phones were an exception; but now that I have a cell phone, I can honestly say it has been life-changing.). But so far I have not seen any improvement over IE 8. I now get pop ups quite frequently despite having my pop up blocker turned on.

Moreover, the pop ups flicker in a ghost-like fashion. Trying to close them is impossible. And Google Maps Streetview? Trying to use it is more like planning a trip on LSD than planning a trip to Colby. I suppose that could be considered an improvement.

***

Apparently there is a way to go back to IE 8.

Chris Taylor - Candidate in the 48th

2011-06-10T18:13:00.033-05:00

Chris Taylor is running for the 48th district state assembly seat representing Monona. The seat was formerly held by our new County Executive Joe Parisi.

I am proud to join Kathleen Falk, former Monona Mayor Dean Bowles in endorsing Chris Taylor in the Democratic primary being held on July 12, 2011.

And today, the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters announced their endorsement of Chris Taylor's candidacy!

According to WisPolitics.com:

“The [Wisconsin League of Conservation Voter’s (WLCV)] board was very impressed by Chris’ background, knowledge of environmental issues, and her experience getting things done in the Capitol. We were convinced she would be the strongest leader in protecting our environment and championing conservation issues,” said WLCV board member Tom Thoreson.

Also on WisPolitics: Executive Kathleen Falk:

“Chris Taylor is exactly the type of leader we need to send to the State Assembly now,” said Falk. “Our rights, our environment and our quality of life are under attack by the Walker Administration. Chris is not only a champion for our rights, but she has a proven track record of bringing people together and strategically moving progressive policies forward, even in difficult times. We can win these important battles if we continue to stand together and make sure leaders like Chris Taylor are there fighting for us in the legislature.”

Here is Chris Taylor's campaign announcement:

I am running for State Assembly because the ideals we care about collectively in Wisconsin, from our children's education to workers' ability to negotiate for a fair and living wage to women's ability to access basic health care, are all under attack. Our communities cannot stand for this any longer and neither will I.

As a young activist growing up in a union household, I knew what a difference a living wage meant to my family. My grandmother was left to support three children alone in the late 1940s. She got a job selling handbags at a department store and sold so many handbags her employer took her commission away and she couldn’t make it on her base salary. But when she got a job that was part of a union, she was able to earn a living wage and helped send all three of her children to college. They all became teachers.

As the daughter of a 26 year veteran public school teacher, I understand the equalizing power of a quality education and I want all children, including my own, to benefit from it. The experience of registering my older son Sam for Kindergarten cemented my decision to enter this race. In walking Sam through Lowell Elementary school, in looking at how excited he was, I knew that school, like every other public school, would not have the resources they need to give our kids the education they deserve because of Scott Walker’s unprecedented cuts to public education. I can not allow governor Walker to ransom our children’s future, to decimate our beautiful nature environment and to erode living wages by padding the bank accounts of his corporate fat cats. Not here, not now. Not ever.

I know that I am not only the most effective advocate on these issues, but that I have the skills to get things done in the most difficult circumstances.

I have spent most of my life advocating for people’s basic human rights, both personally and professionally. I came to Wisconsin 20 years ago to attend law school in Madison. As a practicing attorney for 6 years, I worked on cases and represented people in a variety of circumstances, including in employment discrimination, family law, as a Guardian Ad Litem and as a mediator. As an attorney, I became a skilled negotiator and problem-solver.

For the last eight years, I have worked at Planned Parenthood as the Public Policy Director, where I have been responsible for crafting and implementing our legislative and electoral agendas. In this capacity, I have helped move a progressive agenda forward in the most hostile of circumstances. I know how to be strategic and to navigate a highly contentious issue through the legislative process. Under my direction and advocacy, more pro-active reproductive policies have become law than in the entire history of the Wisconsin legislature, including Compassionate Care for Rape Victims, the Healthy Youth Act, Contraceptive Equity, Prescription Protection, and many others.

I had never seriously considered running for office until recently, but now I see that everything I’ve done in my life has led me to this point. As your representative, I promise you that I will fight tirelessly for the values I have spent my entire career promoting and protecting. But it isn’t enough to just fight for our progressive values. You deserve someone who will get things done by strategically moving the issues we care so deeply about forward, such as quality public schools and a clean environment. This is what I will do. And I will never give up on Wisconsin as a progressive leader for our country.

I am a wife, a mother, an attorney and an activist. My children have reaffirmed to me that I must always fight for the things that I hold most dear, as they are depending on me for that. And my run for public office is as much about their future as about anything.

I would be honored to have your support in becoming the next Representative for the 48th Assembly District. I look forward to working with you to move Wisconsin forward.

Thank you.

Chris Taylor

Chinese Art Comes to the Milwaukee Art Museum

2011-06-10T07:35:00.000-05:00

If you need a reason other than the Brewers to head to Milwaukee, here's good one (text copied from the MAM website):

Summer of CHINAJune 11, 2011–September 11, 2011

This summer, enter a realm of majesty and mystery. Experience three thousand years of Chinese art and culture in five exhibitions at the Milwaukee Art Museum. This ambitious series, titled the Summer of CHINA, is part of a year-long celebration honoring the ten-year anniversary of the Museum’s Santiago Calatrava—designed Quadracci Pavilion.

Visit exhibition website

Monona City Council Report

2011-06-09T21:10:00.000-05:00

The much awaited report of the June 7, 2011 Monona city council is finally here.

The Monona city council preview was here. Several items of interest are on the agenda.

*b. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1782 Authorization to Proceed with Planning for Tax Increment District Amendment (CDA). This resolution would begin the process of amending TID #2. City Redevelopment Districts can be viewed here (related but not the same as TIDs). Somewhat dated TID map.TID #2 is at the southern end of the city along Broadway. Approved.

By the way, the State Senate have passed a bill to enact much stricter 'blight' standards for redevelopment. In this case they have taken the nub of a good idea and distorted beyond recognition. One analysis concludes the bill effectively turn out the lights on most redevelopment authorities (“RDAs”) and community development authorities (“CDAs”):

Since a blight finding is necessary for most RDA and CDA activities, the new restrictive blight standard would shut down substantially all activities of RDAs and CDAs, including, for example, lease revenue bond financings for tax increment projects, revolving loan and grant programs, the negotiated purchase of private property on a voluntary basis, providing assistance to private redevelopment of property, and making available conduit double tax-exempt financing to private development projects.

The Renew Monona Housing Loan program would be at risk under this bill.

* c. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1783 Approval of Proposal from BT Squared for Design, Surveying, and Construction Engineering Services for 2011 Dredging Project (Public Works Committee). This item is a $54,000 engineering services contract. It concerns me that proposals were not sought from any other engineering firm. I copy the entire resolution below. BT Squared has done the engineering for the Belle Isle street project that is currently underway. Approved.

I ended up voting for the contract after one amendment). I still had strong reservations about the process, but was convinced that BT Squared will provide added value as a result of having been the engineer for the Belle Isle street project. They have developed a rapport and trust with the neighbors and they have developed more data beyond the street project that will be useful for the dredging project.

However, when Alder Wiswell not only supported the contract but also tried to sell the notion that the contract had received a full review through the proper procedures that was too much. City policy calls for getting multiple proposals on engineering services in excess of $15,000 and that was not done here.

Last, this alder just about suffered apoplexy on the council floor when Mayor Miller seemed to indicate a desire to reconsider part of the South Winnequah Road Safety Recommendations (City Administrator). It sounded to me like he was wavering on the necessity of the permanent speed display signs and that perhaps the Public Works Committee should take another look at it. Double apoplexy! The Council approved the plan so only the council can change the plan. We have beaten our heads against that wall too many times. Stop the madness!

Turtles Move In

2011-06-08T20:33:00.000-05:00

While the new Blue Park isn't quite ready for human use yet, that hasn't deterred this turtle from moving in.

Monona City Council Preview - June 6, 2011

2011-06-04T00:55:00.005-05:00

The Monona city council gathers next Monday. Several items of interest are on the agenda.

* a. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1781, 2010 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) Review and Recommendations (Director of Public Works).

b. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1782 Authorization to Proceed with Planning for Tax Increment District Amendment (CDA). This resolution would begin the process of amending TID #2. City Redevelopment Districts can be viewed here (related but not the same as TIDs). Somewhat dated TID map.TID #2 is at the southern end of the city along Broadway.

* c. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1783 Approval of Proposal from BT Squared for Design, Surveying, and Construction Engineering Services for 2011 Dredging Project (Public Works Committee). This item is a $54,000 engineering services contract. It concerns me that proposals were not sought from any other engineering firm. I copy the entire resolution below. BT Squared has done the engineering for the Belle Isle street project that is currently underway.

My concerns about the process are several:

Foremost is the lack of engineering proposals from other firms. We might have gotten a better proposal from another firm. BT Squared's involvement in the Belle Isle area gives them a better understanding of the issues relating to the dredging project. Is that factor enough to warrant exclusion of other firms from consideration?

Second, according to the resolution,"the Public Works Committee directed staff to work with BT Squared to develop a proposal to provide design and construction engineering services for the dredging...". Directing staff in that manner is not the PWC's role. I look forward to hearing more about the process at Monday's meeting.

Third, the absence of competing proposals is contrary to city policy for professional contracts in this amount.

WHEREAS

, the 2011 Capital Budget includes of total of $250,000 for Belle Isle dredging to be

completed in conjunction with the scheduled 2011 street improvements to Tecumseh Avenue,

Neponset Trail, Nishishin Trail, Nishishin Trail NE and Pocahontas Drive in the Belle Isle

neighborhood; and,

WHEREAS

, the Public Works Committee, acknowledging the work completed by BT Squared to date as

engineer for the 2011 Belle Isle street improvements project, and recognizing the benefits of project

continuity, directed staff to work with BT Squared to develop a proposal to provide design and

construction engineering services for the dredging of the lagoons on Belle Isle; and,

WHEREAS

, BT Squared submitted a proposal (attached) which includes planning, design, permitting,

bid document preparation, and construction administration services to dredge silt from Lagoon du

Nord, Lagoon du Sud, and Sumac Lagoon on Belle Isle and pipe the silt to Winnequah Park for

dewatering during the fall of 2011 (Phase 1), then use the dredged material for the grading of a

section of Winnequah Park in 2012 (Phase 2); and,

WHEREAS

, the Public Works Committee, at its regularly scheduled meeting on June 1, 2011,

recommended that the City contract with BT Squared to perform Phase I of the work.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,

by the Common Council of the City of Monona that Phase

I of the proposal by BT Squared to provide design, surveying, and construction engineering services

for the dredging of Lagoon du Nord, Lagoon du Sud, and Sumac Lagoon at a cost not to exceed

$54,130 is hereby approved, and the Director of Public Works is authorized to proceed with the

processing of an Independent Contractor Agreement with BT Squared to provide the aforementioned

services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED

, that the Director of Public Works is hereby directed to investigate the

cost and permit requirements needed to dredge the inlet between Cove Circle and Squaw Circle and

to issue a future amendment to the contract with BT Squared to include design and construction

engineering for dredging at this location.

***

* d. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1784 Award of Contract for 2011 Road Maintenance Program (Public Works Committee).

* e. Consideration of Resolution 11-06-1785 Award of Contract for 2011 Parking Lot Maintenance Program (Public Works Committee).

H. Miscellaneous Business.

1. Update on South Winnequah Road Safety Recommendations (City Administrator). I requested this report because I'm wondering what the status is of the actions required by the council (other than removing the Frost Woods stop signs).

APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL FROM BT SQUARED FOR DESIGN, SURVEYING, AND

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR 2011 DREDGING PROJECT

Divers Take a Stake in the Lake

2011-06-03T22:18:00.000-05:00

From Dane County Land & Water Resources Department:

Long-time Take a Stake in the Lakes participant, Four Lakes Scuba Club has scheduled their final clean up dive for Saturday, June 4, 2011, with a Dive for DAN event (Diver Area Network, a diver safety association) at Mendota County Park, Shelter #1 from10 a.m.-4 p.m. Madison Scuba will also be hosting a dive at Law Park from 10 am - 2 pm. The dives and clean ups are a part of Take a Stake in the Lakes Days, June 4-19, 2011, promoting public awareness of and celebrating Dane County’s lakes and streams.

Dives also took place on lakes Kegonsa and Waubesa on May 14 and 15, and on Lakes Monona and Mendota on May 21 and 22 to take advantage of the clear water. Items commonly found during clean-up dives are anchors, broken glass and ceramic, and other garbage and trash.

“Above water” clean ups are scheduled 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, June 11 and Saturday, June 18, 2011 (information center at Law Park on June 18 only). More information on Take a Stake in the Lakes Days is available at www.takeastakeinthelakes.com <http://www.takeastakeinthelakes.com>.

Over the years, thousands of volunteers have removed hundreds of tons of waste from the shores of Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Wingra and Kegonsa as well as rivers and streams in Dane County. During Take a Stake in the Lakes Clean Up events, groups, individuals and families adopt a beach, shoreline, boat launch, stream or river and collect litter and rake aquatic debris from the shoreline and shallow waters. Some volunteers collect trash while paddling their canoes or kayaks. Many groups then have a picnic in the park they’ve just cleaned up. Garbage bags, supplies and t-shirts are provided.

In addition to picking up garbage, volunteers also mark storm drains with colorful disks that are glued to the curb that remind folks to keep litter, leaves and grass clippings out of the gutters, which drain directly to the lakes.

To reserve your group’s favorite park, stream or stretch of shoreline, or to find out how you can help protect our beautiful lakes by sponsoring this annual event, contact Rhea Stangel-Maier at 608-224-3601 or stangel-maier@co.dane.wi.us <mailto:stangel-maier@co.dane.wi.us>. Volunteers may also go to the information center in Law Park on June 18 to register onsite.

To Dive for DAN, contact Ellen Evans at 835-9462 or president@FourLakesScubaClub.org <mailto:president@FourLakesScubaClub.org>. or to join Madison Scuba, contact Kim Olsen 279-3908 or kim@madisonscuba.com <mailto:kim@madisonscuba.com>.

Take a Stake in the Lakes Clean Up events are sponsored by the Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission, with support from Dane County Parks, Dane County Public Works and Dane County UW Extension, and is sponsored by many local businesses and organizations.

# # #

Sawyer Crossen Memorial Triathlon

2011-05-31T22:15:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that the 2nd Annual Sawyer Crossen Memorial Triathlon is this Saturday in Downtown Monona. Over 130 kids ages 4-17 will be swimming, biking, and running through Monona in honor of this little boy. There are tons of adult volunteers and a very active Steering committee who have been working hard to put together another great event. Bucky Badger will be here, as will Red Robin and Maynard. There will be a bouncy house, music, and food courtesy of Cousin's subs, Crema Cafe, and Monona Shaved Ice. This is a great community event that has gotten almost $10,000 of corporate support. Come join in the celebration of Sawyer, and of healthy kids in Monona!

You can sign up Friday night too! Information at the Monona Rec Dept home page!

Monona Pool is Opening!

2011-05-27T11:47:00.000-05:00

From the Monona Park & Rec Department:

It's pool season once again! The Monona Community Outdoor Pool is open tomorrow, Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 from 1-6:30 pm. The pool will also be open on Monday May 30th from 1-4:30 pm. Next weekends hours will be Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5 from 1-6:30 pm and then regular season hours will begin on Thursday, June 9th. We hope to see everyone there!

Also, beat the rush and come in for your season pool passes today (Friday) before 4:30!

Fred Clark for State Senate

2011-05-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

Fred Clark is running for the State Senate in the recall election of Luther Olsen in the 14th State Senate district. Fred is something of a citizen legislator. He had (and still has) a successful career as a highly respected forester and conservationist before he jumped into the political world. He has been an instructor at the Aldo leopold Foundation's Woodland School and many other places.

Visit Fred's website. Help him out with a contribution or lend a hand in his campaign and help return Wisconsin to the place we used to know.

The following is an unedited statement from Fred's website:

A Time to Stand Up

Dear Friends,

Several weeks ago I launched my campaign for the recall election to the Wisconsin 14th Senate District. We made the announcement in a former classroom full of supporters at the Baraboo Civic Center.

I'm proud of my supporters and I'm honored by the hundreds of people who've contacted me since then to offer their support.

I'm asking for your time and energy to help spread our powerful message at doorsteps throughout the 14th Senate district.

I put a great deal of thought into making this decision. I like my current job in the Assembly just fine, and prior to this spring it never occurred to me for a second to run for the Senate.

But when hundreds of thousands of citizens travel to the Capitol and almost every other small town in Wisconsin to make their voice heard, someone has got to listen.

Over 850 volunteers worked seven days a week in one of the worst springs in memory, collecting over 23,000 signatures from voters in the 14th Senate District. All of them asked to recall Luther Olsen and I believe they deserve to have a voice.

Will you help us phone bank and go door to door to ensure that every voter has a voice? Help me accomplish this by signing up for a volunteer shift today.

Instead of listening to the overwhelming desires of his constituents, Senator Olsen sided with the radical policies of Scott Walker. He's been willing to go along to get along and follow the leaders in Madison, even when it hurts the people he was elected to represent.

The stakes are simply too high to allow that to happen again.

I am asking for your help as we move to bring back balance to a legislature that is badly out of touch with the values and priorities of the strong majority of Wisconsin citizens.

We'll have a lot of activities and lots of need for volunteers and boots on the ground in the weeks ahead. Please sign up today.

Thanks for all you do, and we'll see you on the streets and at the doors this summer!

Sincerely,
Fred Clark

May 17, 2011

P.S. For those of you who've contributed already - thank you. And if you're in a position to make a financial contribution now of $250, $100, or even $50 that will go a long way toward getting us up and running in a fast and intense campaign.

Madison Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee Meeting - May 24

2011-05-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

Local biped Travis Youman sent me this info:

The City of Madison is having a bicycle/pedestrian committee meeting on Tuesday, May 24th as they look for input on bicycle projects that they should be looking at.
http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/article_01f18562-8095-11e0-ba9d-001cc4c03286.html

Travis writes:

I put my thoughts into projects that *I'd* like to see them at least take a look at (http://www.straycatbicycles.com/blog/?p=447) but the main one I'd like to focus on is expanding Monona Drive/Atwood to include bike lanes between Cottage Grove Rd and Walter St. I plan on making the case that bicycle lane projects should be looked at independently of resurfacing streets, as that section of Monona Dr doesn't need to be resurfaced any time soon (it's in great shape compared to the res of Monona Dr), which could leave us with the default "lake loop" being 95% on bike lanes/bike paths/side streets and 5% on a very bike-UNfriendly Monona Drive next year once the reconstruction from Winnequah to Cottage Grove Rd is completed.

That's also the main route that most cyclists that I know in Monona take to get either downtown or the East side of the Isthmus, so it's doubly important for Monona residents.

Autism in Life and Literature at the Monona Public Library

2011-05-19T20:50:00.000-05:00

From the Monona Public Library, next Wednesday, May 25, 6 pm to 7 pm, a program, Autism in Life and Literature:

This program is on Wednesday, May 25 ( 6-7pm) at the Monona Public library and tailored to parents and educators. It's a presentation by award-winning local author Jacqueline Houtman on her novel "The Reinvention of Edison Thomas," which has won Tofte/Wright Children’s Literature Award and has been selected by Read On Wisconsin!, the Kansas State Reading Circle, and CCBC Choices 2011. It concerns a middle school boy, but the issues it raises I think could easily apply through grade 12.

A. Here is an excerpt from Kirkus review on the wonderful book:

A middle grader with a high-function spectrum disorder finds some real friends in this wry debut...The author has a particularly engaging way of tracking Eddie's thought processes as he struggles to wrest order from a seemingly chaotic world...By the end readers will understand why Justin and Terry find Eddie worth knowing, but the way the central characters talk and think about science creates another theme that's just as strong and satisfying. --Kirkus Reviews

Along with the author will be guest presenter Dr Michael Shoultz who is a public school autism consultant and frequent speaker at the Wisconsin Autism Society. He will hold an interactive "Best Practices" strategies brainstorming session with the audience, described as follows:

Ms Houtman will read a section of the book, then we will talk about the issues it raises, and how to help kids deal with those challenges. She will read additional short passages that will illustrate the concepts Dr Shoultz will talk about. There will be abundant fiction and nonfiction books to check out on these issues and a list of resources available. Refreshments will be served.

We are hoping to get 30 to 40 attendees and need everyone to sign up on our website to get an idea of the crowd and how many handouts/refreshments to have available.

--

Toni Streckert, Outreach Coordinator
tonis@mononalibrary.org

Monona Public Library
http://www.mononalibrary.org/

1000 Nichols Road, Monona, WI 53716

608.222.6127

2010 WLA and SCLS Library of the Year

Sidewalk Near Mayor's House Gets Zapped

2011-05-15T18:25:00.001-05:00

A tree was uprooted at the corner of Frost Woods and Winnequah Road today. As it fell, the tree apparently took out a power line, which struck the pink bike/walk way blasting two smallish holes in it. This all occurred almost directly across the street from Mayor Bob Miller's home.

I don't recall this kind of thing happening when Robb Kahl was mayor!

[The original title of this post - Sidewalk Gets Zapped by Mayor's House - sounded like the mayor's house jumped across the street and zapped the sidewalk, which would be very unusual indeed. So I changed it.]

Chris Taylor's Campaign Announcement

2011-05-15T10:21:00.002-05:00

Here is the unedited text of Chris Taylor's announcement of her candidacy for the 48th Assembly District.

For Immediate Release Contact: Chris Taylor

April 7, 2011 608-886-2490

CHRIS TAYLOR ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR THE 48TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Progressive Champion and Life-long Advocate Will Fight for Workers, Women and Children

MADISON –Chris Taylor, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Public Policy Director and
life-long advocate for progressive issues, announced that she will run as a Democrat in the special election for the 48th assembly district. The 48th assembly district includes portions of Madison’s east side, Monona, McFarland, the Town of Blooming Grove and the Town of Dunn.

“I’m running for state assembly because the issues I have fought for my entire life are under attack like never before,” said Taylor. “The people of Assembly District 48 deserve a progressive champion like me who has experience in advancing progressive causes that help working people and families in these extremely challenging times. That is what I have done my entire career and what I will continue to do as state representative.”

As the Public Policy Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin for the last eight years,
Chris has been an advocate for women and their families. She has tirelessly and successfully worked to advance landmark legislation to protect women’s health, including the 2007-2008 passage of the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act through the then Republican controlled state assembly. This
law now ensures that rape survivors have access to Emergency Contraception to prevent pregnancy in all hospital emergency rooms.

As a state representative, Chris will:

• Protect all working families by fighting to restore and safeguard worker’s rights and creating living
wage jobs;

• Defend and expand women’s rights to access critical health care, such as breast and cervical cancer screenings and ensure fair treatment in insurance plan coverage;

• Stand up for our children’s future by fighting for good public schools, clean drinking water and safe lakes to swim in.

“As a mom, the daughter of a public school elementary teacher and as a human rights advocate, I will not accept Governor Walker and the Republican leadership’s war on working families, women and
children,” said Taylor. “The people of Assembly District 48 deserve better and I will fight every day to protect our values, make our voices heard and move a progressive agenda forward.”

Prior to joining Planned Parenthood, Chris was in private law practice for six years, advocating on a variety of issues affecting employees, women and children. Chris and her husband, Jim Feldman, a professor in the UW system in environmental studies, are raising their two childchildren on Madison’s east side, where they are long-time residents.

# # #

Selkowe Blogs Monona

2011-05-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

Vicky Selkowe is one of the many candidates running for the 48th Assembly District seat to replace Joe Parisi, who has a new job downtown.

Selkowe recently attended and then blogged the TNS Monona's Sustainable Monona 2025 event.

I met with Vicky a few weeks ago and was very impressed. I've also met with Chris Taylor, who was also very impressive. (I tried linking to Taylor's Facebook page and my browser started acting wacky. Google Chris Taylor for assembly and it's the first hit.) Their styles seem to differ, their politics are very similar. Chris has perhaps the more goal-oriented, practical approach to legislating. She learned that way of doing things in her eight years as the Public Policy Director at the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. They were able to get legislation passed during times when other progressive causes lagged.

Selkowe also touts herself as a pragmatic progressive, but I have heard her described as perhaps less flexible.

Principles and pragmatism, the yin and yang of politics, eh?

***

I'm meeting with Bethany Ordaz and Robin Schmidt later this week. I've also talked to Patrick Miles (County Board super for McFarland).

I've not heard from any of the other candidates - Dave DeFelice, Fred Arnold, or Andy Heidt). Am I leaving anyone out?

Monona City Council Preview - May 14, 2011

2011-05-14T09:57:00.000-05:00

The Monona city council will have a short-ish meeting on Monday, May 16. The council will likely approve the annual alcohol license renewals. The Monona LRC recommended approval of all the licenses, but imposed conditions on two of them. The East Side Club's license for its Tiki Bar continues to have minor restrictions to reduce noise impacts on their neighbors.

The Bourbon Street Grille agreed to add two conditions to its license: 1. To install 16 video cameras and 2. To develop a plan for patrons to safely exit the building when a large event is being hosted. The plan is subject to the approval of the Police Chief.

The best news are the reappointment of Mary O’Connor and Melissa Zietz to the Library Board (July 2011–July 2014).

The Personnel and Finance Committee will be discussing the purchase of "Laptop Computers / Notebooks for City Council." Actually, the proposal developed by staff calls for iPADs rather than laptops or notebooks.
Complete agenda.

Some items (formatting is funky):

D. Appearances.

1. A Proclamation Declaring June 12–18 Race Unity Week in the City of Monona.

E. Public Hearing (None).

F. Consent Agenda.

1. Consideration Of 2011 Temporary Class “B” Fermented Malt Beverage Retailer’s License Application For Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, President Father Bart D. Timmerman, 5101 Schofield Street, Monona, Wisconsin 53716, For The Period Of May 30, 2011.

2. Renewal Applications for 2011/2012 Class "A” Fermented Malt Beverage Licenses:

a. Inland Boat Works, LLC, d/b/a Inland Boat Works, 6320 Metropolitan Lane

b. PDQ Food Stores, Inc., d/b/a PDQ Store #123, 105 East Broadway

c. Speedway LLC, d/b/a Speedway #4088, 5450 Monona Drive

d. Speedway LLC, d/b/a Speedway #4533, 2500 Royal Avenue

e.Tienda Latina, Inc., d/b/a Super Tienda Latina, 6005 Monona Drive

f.Kwik Trip Inc, d/b/a Tobacco Outlet Plus #531, 6300 Monona Drive, Suite 2

3. Renewal Applications for 2011/2012 Class "A" Fermented Malt Beverage and “Class A” Liquor Licenses:

a. Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc./Ultra Mart Foods, LLC, d/b/a Copps Food Center #8181, 6540 Monona Drive

b. Fellerson, Inc., d/b/a Ken's Meats & Deli, 5725 Monona Drive

c.Licali’s Market, Inc., d/b/a Licali’s Market & Spirits, 6325 Monona Drive

d.Monona Mart, LLC, d/b/a Monona Mart, 1220 East Broadway

e. Walgreen Co., d/b/a Walgreens #4830, 5300 Monona Drive

f.

Wal-Mart Stores East LP, d/b/a Wal-Mart Supercenter #3857, 2151 Royal Avenue

4. Renewal Applications for 2011/2012 Class “B" Fermented Malt Beverage and “Class B” Liquor Licenses:

a. Patrick A. Augustine, d/b/a Angelo's, 5801 Monona Drive

b.Bourbon Street Grille, Inc., d/b/a Bourbon Street Grille, 6312 Metropolitan Lane

c.William D. Noltner, d/b/a Bridge Lounge, 6414 Bridge Road

d.Oscar Properties, LLC/Wings on Monona, LLC, d/b/a Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 6544 Monona Drive

e.Blake & Blake, d/b/a David’s Jamaican Cuisine, 5734 Monona Drive

f.The East Side Club, Inc., d/b/a East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive

g. Jing X Jiang/Edo Garden LLC, d/b/a Edo Garden Japanese Restaurant, 6309 Monona Drive

h. Fat Jack’s Monona, Inc., d/b/a Fat Jack's, 6207 Monona Drive

i. Conway & Conway, d/b/a Joe's Fire Station, 900 East Broadway

j. Monona Garden Family Restaurant, Inc., d/b/a Monona Garden Family Restaurant, 6501 Bridge Road

k. Red Robin International, Inc., d/b/a Red Robin America’s Gourmet Burgers and Spirits, 6522 Monona Drive

l. Rossario’s LLC, d/b/a Rossario's, 6001 Monona Drive

m. Valdimark, Inc., d/b/a Silver Eagle Bar & Grill, 5805 Monona Drive

n. Snick’s Sportsman’s Bar LLC, d/b/a Snicks Sportsman's Bar, 4605 Monona Drive

o. Tasting Room of Monona, Inc., d/b/a The Tasting Room, 6000 Monona Drive, Suite 103

p. Wiltzius LLC, d/b/a The Tower Inn, 1008 East Broadway

q. Leske's, Inc., d/b/a Tully’s II Food & Spirits, 6401 Monona Drive

r. Badger Bowl, Inc., d/b/a Village Lanes, 208 Owen Road

5. Renewal Application for 2011/2012 “Class A" Liquor License:

a.

Fraboni’s Italian Specialties, Inc., d/b/a Fraboni's, 108 Owen Road

6. Renewal Applications for 2011/2012 Class “B" Fermented Malt Beverage and “Class C” Wine Licenses:

a. The Noodle Shop, CO. – Wisconsin, Inc., d/b/a Noodles & Company, 6520 Monona Drive

b. Pizza Oven of Monona LLC, d/b/a The Pizza Oven, 5417 Monona Drive

c. Leung Brothers LLC, d/b/a Ruby Restaurant, 111 River Place

d. Jiang & Chen Enterprise LLC, d/b/a World Buffet, 2451 West Broadway

7. Renewal Application for 2011/2012 Class “B" Fermented Malt Beverage License:

a. Mitchell Marks, Monona Community Center, 1011 Nichols Road

8. Renewal Applications for 2011/2012 Arcade License:

a. Bourbon Street Grille, Inc., d/b/a Bourbon Street Grille, 6312 Metropolitan Lane

b. William D. Noltner, d/b/a Bridge Lounge, 6414 Bridge Road

c. Conway & Conway, d/b/a Joe's Fire Station, 900 East Broadway

d. Pizza Oven of Monona LLC, d/b/a The Pizza Oven, 5417 Monona Drive

e.

Valdimark, Inc., d/b/a Silver Eagle Bar & Grill, 5805 Monona Drive

f.

Snick’s Sportsman’s Bar LLC, d/b/a Snicks Sportsman's Bar, 4605 Monona Drive

g.

Wiltzius LLC, d/b/a The Tower Inn, 1008 East Broadway

h.

Leske's, Inc., d/b/a Tully’s II Food & Spirits, 6401 Monona Drive

i.

Badger Bowl, Inc., d/b/a Village Lanes, 208 Owen Road

j.

Wal-Mart Stores East LP, d/b/a Wal Mart Supercenter #3857, 2151 Royal Avenue

G. Council Action Items.

1. Unfinished Business (Approval Requested Unless Otherwise Noted) (None).

2. New Business.

* a. Consideration of Resolution 11-05-1780 Razing and Removing Parcels at 4505 and 4603 Monona Drive (CDA).

b. Consideration of Ordinance 5-11-626 Amending Section 7-10-3 of the Code of Ordinances Authorizing the City Clerk to Issue Arcade Licenses (License Review Committee).