Madison Common Council
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Room 201, City-County Building
The council considers amendments to the ordinance allowing Madison residents to keep chickens. Among the proposed changes: up to eight chickens per lot for two-family residences. You still can't keep roosters or slaughter chickens at your home, however, so don't get too excited. The council will also accept the new Economic Development Plan, which recommends the city update its zoning codes, add more "state-of-the-art facilities" for businesses, and be proactive about keeping employers in the city. See the full report here (PDF).
Other proposals up for consideration: Asking the state Department of Natural Resources to lower the levels of the city's lakes to avoid flooding; asking the Public Service Commission to reject a plan by ATC to build a massive, 345-kilovolt transmission line along the Beltline or at least make them underground it; setting a goal for the city to recycle or compost 65% of its waste by 2010; and banning alcohol from Eastmorland Park.
Whew! Once that's all done, the council takes its summer break and doesn't meet again until Sept. 2.
Public Hearing on Madison Budget
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m.
Ashman Library
So 2009 is gonna be a tough budget year. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has already offered up the Emerging Neighborhoods Fund, suggesting he could slash the $200,000 grant program to just $50,000. What else can or should he cut? Which programs should he leave untouched? Now's your chance to tell him, before the ax comes out.
Executive Committee
Thursday, Aug. 7, 6:00 p.m.
Room 321, City-County Building
Members discuss which firm should do the audit of Dane County's beleaguered 911 Center. May go into closed session to negotiate a price, if necessary.
Dane County Board
Thursday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m.
Room 201, City-County Building
Dane County's Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources committee has refused to act on a proposal that would ease restrictions on developing shoreland lots. Supv. Kyle Richmond, chair of the committee, has said the proposal goes against new guidelines being developed by the DNR to protect water quality. But that isn't stopping Supv. Eileen Bruskewitz from trying to yank the stalled ordinance amendment from committee and force it to a vote on the floor. Should be good times.
