Madison Board of Estimates
Monday, Oct. 27, 4:30 p.m.
Room 260, Madison Municipal Building
The board goes through amendments to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's proposed operating budget for 2009. As expected, alders have introduced several amendments to restructure Madison Metro's budget and eliminate the mayor's proposed 50-cent hike in bus fares. Some alders also want to add $150,000 to Madison Metro for service expansion.
Two more amendments would require the Dane County Humane Society to report its animal statistics to the city, and allow Dane County and the city of Madison to appoint representatives to the Humane Society's board of directors. Alds. Mark Clear and Mike Verveer say this is necessary because the Humane Society receives $527,000 in public funding. (A similar amendment will be introduced at the Dane County Board.)
Other amendments include eliminating $50,000 in funding for the Emerging Neighborhoods grants and protecting the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau's share of the hotel room tax.
See here for the full list of amendments.
Madison Common Council
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m.
Room 201, City-County Building
The council considers doubling fines for violating parking regulations during a snow emergency, from $30 to $60.
School Referendum Information Session
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m.
Sennett Middle School
The Madison school board holds its last information session on a proposed referendum to raise $13 million over the next few years. School officials say the increase is necessary to avoid massive budget cuts. The referendum is on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Listening Session on Idling Ban
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 4 - 6 p.m.
TA Truck Stop on Highway 51, south of I-90/94
Dane County Supv. Brett Hulsey has taken a little heat from truck drivers for his proposal to ban diesel truck idling. Hulsey will now face the irate truckers at a listening session, in which he'll explain his pro-environment rationale for the ban. Truck drivers oppose it, saying they need to keep the engines running for heat and air conditioning, since they often live in their trucks while on the road.
Vending Oversight Committee
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 5 p.m.
Room 108, City-County Building
The committee considers whether to ban late-night food carts from North Frances Street. Neighbors have complained about the noise. North Frances Street is one of only four areas downtown where food vendors are allowed to operate after bar time.
