It's hard to believe it's already August! I hope you made up for some lost time this summer. I took my kids on their first road trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and it was northing short of amazing. The photo below is from our hike on the Alpine Ridge Trail, the highest point in the park, about 11,796' above elevation. Glorious!
Below are some updates from the past month and some surveys where your opinions are requested. Yes! Someone actually wants to hear your opinions! ;)
If you're wondering why you are receiving this city update, I am one of your alders and I provide these monthly updates to help you know what is going on in your community. You can always unsubscribe by clicking the unsubscribe button at the bottom. As your alder, I am here to help you navigate solutions to problems that impact your daily lives. You can reach me by email at kgoforth@ci.monona.wi.us.
MASS TRANSIT COMMISSION SURVEY
The Mass Transit Commission has issued a transit survey for non-riders and riders to help us ensure that the service is meeting the needs of the community. It's a short survey and should take less than three minutes to complete. Our RFP for bus service for the next five years has been issued and we only had two respondents. Your input through the survey will help us know how we can serve you better and how you'd like to see our bus service enhanced (or not). Please make your voice heard especially if you don't ride the bus but wish you had more options!
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE SURVEY - OPEN THROUGH AUG. 30
Our parks board is working on the 2020-2024 open space plan and your input is needed. The survey is open until August 30. Click here to take the survey. At the July 19th city council meeting, we saw some renderings for the future public safety building and the project that UW-Milwaukee did for the parks department in 2020. You can see more images here. We are starting to embark on the future public safety building ($15 million estimate). You will see the public safety building location plotted in the images. The turf that is shown is not being done at this time.
STONE BRIDGE PARK UPDATE
I asked for an update on the Stone Bridge Park construction tonight at city council and heard that there was a delay on getting the poly wrap that will line the giant hole for the underground chamber. On Tuesday or Wednesday this week, the huge underground chamber will be dropped in. I was told that it would be something else to watch so, if you're free those days, you should probably check it out! Construction is supposed to be complete mid-September. This update was from our Public Works Director. I did not receive an update on the other part of the project involving the aesthetics of the park and the pagoda.
NEW MASK GUIDELINES FOR CITY BUILDINGS
As you know, the Delta Variant of the COVID-19 virus is spreading throughout Dane County among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. As such, the City of Monona has revised our COVID-19 policy slightly. We have not yet been informed if our committee or council meetings will revert to virtual formats but I will keep you posted.
Here is a summary of the changes:
· Visitors to all buildings will be encouraged to wear masks,
· All employees in the Community Center, included vaccinated employees, will be required to wear a mask in the building,
· Employees in other City buildings will not be required to wear a mask at this time, unless requested by a customer or a coworker to do so. Employees should continue to mirror customers – if the customer is wearing a mask, the employee should wear a mask – and respect that some coworkers may feel more comfortable masking because they or a family member is at risk.
· In-person meetings should be avoided. If meeting in-person, employees should wear masks,
· Employees who are ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and/or who have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-positive, will be required to quarantine and get tested, even if they are vaccinated.
SUMMER CONCERTS - WINNEQUAH PARK & DEAN HOUSE
On Tuesday, August 3rd, Concerts at Winnequah will feature Carl Davick & Friends. Music starts at 6:30pm and food carts will be present by 5pm-7:30pm. VIEW POSTER
The Dean House is also hosting its last concert of the summer on Thursday, August 5th. The band is Down from the Hills and they start at 7pm. They're also hosting their ice cream social fundraiser beforehand. MORE INFO
BRUSH COLLECTION STARTS AUGUST 2
The next round of free curbside brush collection is in the month of August. If you're unsure of which district you reside, visit http://mymonona.com/255/Brush-Leaves-Yard-Waste for a listing of districts by street and for information about the program.
District 1: Aug 2
District 2: Aug 9
District 3: Aug 16
District 4: Aug 23
MEET & GREET WITH DANE COUNTY SHERIFF CANDIDATE ON AUG. 4
You're invited to meet your candidate for Dane County Sheriff on Wednesday, August 4th from 6-7pm on the lawn at The East Side Club. This informal session will provide a Q&A opportunity for you to ask questions of the Sheriff. If you need to show up late, it's not a problem at this casual session. You'll find us on the lawn near the fence by Olbrich Park. This event is free and open to all.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE FOR BEST POLITICIAN!
I am incredibly honored to receive the award for Best Politician for Monona in this year's Herald-Independent Best of Monona poll for the second year! While I don't consider myself a politician but, instead a helper, please know that I am here to help you find solutions to the things that impact your daily life here in Monona. My sincerest thanks for your vote! You can see the full list of winners here.
FREE BIKES 4 KIDZ BIKE DONATION DRIVE ON SAT., SEPT. 18
My day job is ramping up to give away 2,000 bicycles to those in need in spring 2022. In order to make that happen, we have to have bicycles donated to us. We'll then refurbish them over the winter so we can give them away in spring. Last year, Monona's bike donation station was the best performing in the area with over 250 bicycles donated!
This year's site in Monona will be at WPS on West Broadway. You can bring your gently used bikes on Saturday, September 18 between 10am-2pm. We will make sure they go to someone who would love to have a bicycle but cannot afford one. All sizes and styles are needed. LEARN MORE