Budget Updates, Stormwater Ordinances, and Surviving the Pandemic
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Yogesh Chawla and marsha rummel photographed at table wine
Dear Neighbors,
Dane County recently passed our 2021 budget. There are a number of projects to highlight along with some disappointing outcomes. It was a challenging budget in light of Covid-19 and we expect more challenging budgets in the coming years. I am grateful for how diligent everyone has been in pulling together to survive this pandemic.
In this update, I will also cover stormwater and illicit dumping ordinances, arts funding, medicare for all, and new colleagues on the board. I always want to give a special sendoff to Alderperson Marsha Rummel who has represented our district with dignity and grace for the last 14 years.
Budget Recap
There are a number of positive investments to highlight in the 2021 budget. Here are some highlights:
$7 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
$2 million for Westgate Commons which does include workforce and senior housing.
$6.5 million for the Lower Yahara Trail Phase 2.
$2 million to assist in purchasing the San Damiano property in Monona adjacent to district 6.
I added an amendment for an additional $2 million to purchase land to increase our flooding resiliency emphasizing purchasing property in the Yahara watershed where possible.
A total of $6.5 million for sediment removal in the Yahara watershed to increase water flow to improve flooding resiliency.
$3 million for a men’s shelter.
$810,000 to help acquire land for the Center for Black Excellence and Culture.
For a full budget recap, this article provides pretty solid details (thanks to our local journalists for their coverage of local government).
There were also a number of disappointments.
I strongly supported a motion to fund $3.7 million for planning, development and acquisition costs for a mental health crisis center. A nominal amount of $300,000 was allocated for a study. We have studied this issue extensively. As part of resolution 556 that passed in 2015, this language was included: “A stand-alone facility that serves individuals with: 1) mental health needs and who are not incarcerated by the Sheriff, 2) mental health needs and who are in police custody and need an alternative to jail placement, and 3) mental health needs and who are in the Sheriff’s custody. As part of a potential facility, investigate a mental health crisis intervention field team that can be available to all Dane County law enforcement, fir and emergency entities, 24 hours a day.“ The time for study and talk is over. We need urgent action and another study just won’t cut it.
I also supported amendment to reduce Sheriff personnel by $188,868 to support a City of Madison’s mental health ambulance pilot. We urgently need to handle mental health crises with appropriately trained public health personnel. It is disappointing that the County will not support this effort. In my floor speech, I talked about a walk I took through our neighborhood where I passed by the location of 3 officer involved shootings. We know that we can save lives if we just make the policy changes and provide funding.
I try to keep our district regularly updated in real time on social media primarily through my Facebook page.
Stormwater and Flooding Updates
image courtesy of dane county land and water
Dane County is working on two important initiatives: a stormwater ordinance and an illicit dumping ordinance. Here are some really exciting developments for a County wide stormwater ordinance:
Use Runoff rate controls for a 200 year storm event. This is very important as these estimates are more realistic for actual rainfall projections in the coming years with climate change.
Show flood elevation and lowest opening on project plans. This is important to give developments an accurate picture of flooding risks and what parts of projects are most affected.
Require green infrastructure for the 1/2 inch of rainfall. This is huge as smaller rainfalls will be handled by green infrastructure and keep this water and the pollution that comes with it out of our lakes. It is a win/win/win for flood control, pollution control and phosphorous control to help prevent algae blooms.
Long term, we are looking into creating a stormwater credit trading system where developments which are unable to provide infiltration can buy excess credits from those that exceed infiltration targets.
We also had a detailed quarterly Lake Levels Task Force update. I want to give you a heads up that there will likely be an effort led by boat owners and recreational lake users to raise lake levels in the spring. We are no more resilient to flooding that we were in 2018 when we got hit hard by flooding. Time may have passed but the risks have not. I will continue to keep you updated on any government action to raise lake levels. I will also vehemently oppose any efforts to do so until we can fully implement the Lake Levels task force recommendations.
Guidance from public health
Covid-19
The pandemic has tested our mental and physical fortitude. For many it has caused irreparable damage to physical and mental health and caused acute financial hardships and personal anxiety. It is encouraging to now see that the number of people I know getting the Covid vaccine is starting to catch up to the number of people I know who have had Covid.
With a little patience and cooperation, we are going to finally beat this pandemic. Then we can reckon with all the unnecessary death, suffering and damage the pandemic caused mostly in our community by state inaction/obstruction and federal incompetence/indifference.
I know many are confused by changing messaging from different public health leaders and public health departments. My suggestion is to make one final push for vigilance and deep empathy for our neighbors. Let’s work hard to physically distance, mask up and not take unnecessary risks. That might mean our kids going to school a few months later, working from home a little longer and continuing to pressure our government to provide the needed policy change and financial stimulus to protect people’s livelihoods. Let’s do our best to support our neighbors and local business/organizations and work through this together.
Quick Updates
It is hard for me to put into words how much the leadership of Alder Marsha Rummel has meant to me the last 14 years. As I said to the Cap Times, Marsha has been “a mentor, a friend and a real calming force in my life”. No matter the controversial topic, Marsha always brought perspective, a sense of calm and solutions to people. She will have huge shoes to fill and I am confident we have the leaders in our district to step up to do so.
Congratulations to our new appointed board members Larry Palm in District 12 and Cecely Castillo in District 4. There will be elections this spring to fill these seats. Speaking of, if you are thinking of running for office in District 6 or elsewhere, please reach out and I will be happy to talk about the mechanics of running for office and answer any questions.
The Dane County Board voted to enter into a contract with Occupy Madison in the amount of $200,000. OM is raising funds to finish landscaping and building 12-18 homes. None of would be possible without the sustained efforts of Sup Wegleitner and Brenda Konkel and countless others. Kudos to everyone who has supported this effort.
Please join your SASY neighbors (virtually) to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Recently, I celebrated Diwali, the Indian festival of lights with my daughter. We will all emerge from the darkness of the solstice into the light.
It is my honor to serve on the Dane Arts commission and invest over $200,000 in our local artists and organizations in 2020. Please see this video for some more details on some of the great groups we supported.
Dane County/City of Madison Public Health and Dane County Land and Water Resources Dept. receives reports of possible illicit discharges, however they currently don't have enforcement authority outside the City of Madison. An updated ordinance will provide Dane County/City of Madison Public Health the authority to enforce violations, and require cleanup across the county. I will keep you updated as this ordinance amendment evolves.
A resolution in support of Medicare for All is working its way through the board. I was happy to co-sponsor it and support it in executive committee. I look forward to supporting this when it comes to the full board.
I want to wish you all Happy Holidays no matter how you celebrate. Please reach out to friends and family to offer love and support. I know it is hard to be physically apart; I miss my parents more than I can express but let’s keep each other safe. If there is ever anything I can do to help you get through the holidays safe and healthy, please reach out. I can’t wait to hear from you.