Dane County Board
Monday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. (if needed)
The County Board takes up the $450 million budget for 2009. Here's guessing it won't be quite as contentious as the Madison Common Council's two-day budget battle last week. The county's budget includes funding for the troubled 911 center, three new social workers for Child Protective Services and a cost-of-living increase for social service agencies.
The county's budget currently has nearly $10 million set aside for land purchases, but some board conservatives want to lower that to $5 million. Some board members also want the county to pay the $7 million cost of a new emergency radio system for municipalities.
Commission on the Environment
Monday, Nov. 17, 4:45 p.m.
Room 108, City-County Building
The commission takes up a proposal to strengthen recycling requirements for construction companies. Under the ordinance, sponsored by Alds. Tim Gruber and Satya Rhodes-Conway, companies would have to recycle 50% of the waste from demolition or remodeling projects in 2009 and 75% by 2010.
Public Hearing on Dog Parks
Monday, Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
The city's Parks Division, together with five alders, is hosting a meeting to identify possible sites for dog parks on the east side. The city is considering creating "pocket" parks -- small areas where dogs could run off leash. Ald. Marsha Rummel, who is taking the lead on the issue, notes that no new dog parks have been created since 1993.
Common Council
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m.
Room 201, City-County Building
The council takes up a resolution that would force the owner of A Place for Friends, a bar on Sherman Avenue, to appear before the Alcohol License Review Committee. The city is taking disciplinary action against the bar, which has been the site of several incidents, including one in which a patron was beaten and threatened with a gun. Police say the bar has also exceeded capacity limits and sold alcohol after bar time.
The council is also considering creating a Housing Diversity Planning Committee, to investigate alternatives to replace the failed inclusionary zoning program. Inclusionary zoning, which required developers to include affordable housing in new projects, will sunset in January.
Dane County Board
Thursday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
Room 201, City-County Building
The board holds its regular meeting, but may use the time to finish debate on the 2009 budget, if necessary. Otherwise, it will consider a proposal to give the county executive a raise, to $117,000 in 2009, with further increases annually through 2012.
