District Reports Podcast

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guests, First District Alderperson Jed Sanborn, and Fourteenth District Alderperson Tim Bruer (both members of the City’s Board of Estimates), discuss what impact the election of Scott Walker as Wisconsin Governor and the control of both the State Senate and the State Assembly by Republicans may have on the City of Madison.

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter and her guests, 10th District Alderperson Brian Solomon and 16th District Alderperson Judy Compton, took a look back at 2010 and ahead to 2011. Rather than focus on the obvious “big ticket” items such as Edgewater, Overture and the Downtown Library, the panel discussed the Council’s biggest accomplishments of 2010, their biggest disappointments, and issues to focus on in 2011.

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guests, Fourth District Alder Mike Verveer and Fourteenth District Alder Tim Bruer (both members of the Overture Ad Hoc Committee) discussed the Council’s impending discussion and vote on the future of Overture. The panel discussed the various ownership/operation models under consideration and what each would mean for the City of Madison and its taxpayers.

Host former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guests, 1st District Alderperson Jed Sanborn and 12th Distrixct Alderperson Satya Rhodes-Conway (both members of the City’s Board of Estimates) discussed the 2011 City of Madison budget. They discussed their general philosophies of approaching the yearly task of passing a budget, the role of the Council vs. the Mayor, and amendments they and others may be offering.

Host, former Alder Susan Hamblin and her guests, Third District Alder Lauren Cnare (a member of the Water Utility Board) and Water Utility Manager Tom Heikkinen provided an update on the status of the agency. They discussed plans to go to monthly billing, the improvement in the Utility’s image, plans to upgrade infrastructure, and the cost-effectiveness of drinking tap water vs. buying bottled water. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guests, Fifteenth District Alder Larry Palm and Richard Chandler, President of the Madison Public Library Foundation, discussed the progress of the plans to refurbish the Downtown Library. They discussed the change in plans from building an entirely new library as well as the role fundraising plays in this project. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host, former Alder Susan Hamblin and her guests, Third District Alderperson Lauren Cnare and Fourteenth District Alderperson Tim Bruer (both members of the City’s Ad-Hoc Overture Committee) discussed the City’s options in dealing with the Overture Center. Should the City decide by the end of 2010 to purchase Overture for $1? If so, what about the long term expenses (both operating and capital) that that ownership would commit the City to? If the City says, no thanks, will Overture go dark? For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guests, 11th District Alder Chris Schmidt and 17th District Alder Joe Clausius, discussed the efforts of the Economic Development Committee (of which both Alders are members) to examine the City’s approval process for development projects and look for ways to streamline it. This effort comes, of course, on the heels of the saga of the Edgewater Hotel project. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host former Alder Eve Galanter and her guests, 8th District Alder Bryon Eagon and 9th District Alder Paul Skidmore (both members of the City’s Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Motor Vehicle Commission) discussed bicycling in Madison. Topics covered included how bicyclists are informed of the proper rules of the road, when and how bikes must be registered, and future bike-friendly City initiatives. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guests, Julia Kerr, 13th District Alder, and Noble Wray, Madison Police Chief, discuss gangs in Madison and how they affect neighborhoods. They also talk about cooperative efforts between the City of Madison and Dane County to curb the spread of gangs and provide positive alternatives for youth.

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guest, Tom Carto, President and CEO of the Overture Center, discussed the status of Overture in light of the successful run of “The Lion King,” a 100% increase in season subscription, and a season loaded with high profile events. Tom and Eve also discussed the fiscal situation and plans to deal with the debt that resulted from the liquidation of Overture’s trust fund. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host former Alder Susan Hamblin and her guests, 1st Dist Alderperson Jed Sanborn, and 11th Dist Alderperson Chris Schmidt, discussed the recent decision to site Madison’s high speed rail station in the vicinity of Monona Terrace. They discussed the various funding options - both for construction and ongoing operation - and what this might mean for economic development in Downtown Madison. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host, former Alder Susan Hamblin, and her guests, 15th District Alder Larry Palm and Tripp Widder, Chair of the Madison Public Library Board, discussed the final plans for a new Downtown Library. The panel discussed how and why negotiations with the Fiore Company for an entirely new building broke down, and how the decision to completely remodel the existing building will save taxpayer dollars and actually result in a more useful facility. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.

Host, former Alder Eve Galanter, and her guests, 19th District Alder and new Common Council President Mark Clear, and 3rd District Alder and new Council President Pro Tem Lauren Cnare discuss plans for the next year on the Council; communication among the Alders; and relations between the Alders and the Mayor. For more information, click on the links icon located at the top left corner of the page.