Union Corners Neighborhood meeting
Monday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
2670 Milwaukee Street
CVS Pharmacy presents plans for a new store at the Union Corners site at the corner of East Washington Avenue and Milwaukee Street. A chain store is not exactly what the neighborhood was looking for, but hey, it's better than a vacant field, right? Right?
Common Council
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Room 201, City-County Building
The Madison Common Council meets to pick a replacement for Ald. Zach Brandon, who is leaving for a job in the Commerce Department. Last week, the council's organizing committee recommended Libby Monson, a former alder. Monson is currently a real estate agent and says she will not run for re-election in the spring.
The council will also issue a request for proposals for a new downtown library and consider an ordinance requiring energy-efficient light bulbs in the common areas of residential buildings.
Dane County Board
Thursday, September 18, 7:00 p.m.
Room 201, City-County Building
The County Board is taking up two contentious proposals tonight. The first would ban smoking in public workplaces, including bars. Since Dane County has no authority over the cities and villages, this only affects the towns. But the county will also consider a resolution urging the cities and villages to follow suit.
Next, the board is looking at a proposal to mandate that agencies with county contracts offer their workers domestic partner benefits. Agencies which have contracts worth more than $5,000 would have to offer domestic partners the same benefits that spouses of employees get, including health care, disability and family medical leave. Some of the building trade unions oppose the measure, saying it would take away their ability to negotiate on behalf of workers. But County Sup. Chuck Erickson says it's a fairness issue.
One agency that might struggle with the mandate, if it passes? The Salvation Army, which has a nearly $1 million contract to provide homeless services in the county. The Christian group's national organization has refused to allow its branch offices to offer domestic partner benefits.