Police: Central District Weekend Updates

From Lt. Gloede

The Central District had several major incidents over the weekend.

On 7/27 police responded to the 2300 blk of E. Mifflin St. A woman had her purse forcibly taken. A K9 search was conducted and a suspect was arrested.

On 7/28, Early Friday morning, there was a incident that was similar to the Patterned Robbery/Assaults. A group of 4-6 young males surrounded a man on E. Doty St. and demanded money. The group then punched the man and took his wallet. The suspects fled.

On 7/29 at 12:02am, there was an aggravated assault at the corner of Lake and Langdon. Police arrived and found a victim with a laceration to the neck. He was transported to area hospital. Laceration appears to be result of a fight out side of KK. Suspect at large, few witnesses of incident.

On 7/29 at 1:23am, there was a report of shots fired near the government ramp on Doty St. A vehicle in the ramp was located with a shattered window and evidence of a bullet whole in the vehicle. No victims or suspects located.

At about the same time there was a large disturbance/fight inside the Majestic. Unknown if the two incidents are related. As officers where in the area, additional shots were heard from the top of the ramp. No victims or suspects located.

On 7/30 at 2:16am, a victim arrived at a local hospital with a gun shot wound. Officers determined that the incident took place in the triangle lot in the 100 blk of King St. Evidence found in the lot was consistent with a shooting taking place there. NO calls reference a shooting from anyone in the area.

During the investigation a citizen informed officers that a man had a gun in a car. Officers observed the car and a subsequent stop led to the recovery of a weapon and drugs.

Central District deployed extra resources in response to the patterned attacks. No groups were identified Friday night, however officers did observe suspicious activity by a group on Saturday night. Further analysis will be conducted in the upcoming week.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Capt. Schauf is out of the office next week.
Lt. Carl Gloede
209-7063 (cell)

Urban Forestry Program and Channel 12

Capitol Neighborhoods' program on urban forestry was recorded by Madison
City Channel 12 and can be seen at the following times:

Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 5 at 12 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18 at 8 p.m.

Streaming video will also be posted to the City Channel Web site at
http://www.mcc12.tv/streaming.html

Amplified Sound Tenney Park 8/6/06

On Sunday, August 6, Physicians for Social Responsibility will use the Tenney Shelter for their annual Lanterns for Peace. They will have amplified sound from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Manganese Update 7/28/06

Manganese Sampling Update
July 28, 2006

Summary

The Water Utility has now collected and analyzed 998 household samples for manganese in the Well 3, Well 8, Well 10, and Well 29 flushing areas, which are the four wells producing the highest levels of manganese in our water system. This is about 80% of the total number of household samples we expect to collect during the flushing program in these areas. The results continue to show low levels of manganese at household taps (taken at outside hose-bib spigots). 90% of all samples were below the EPA aesthetic recommendation for drinking water of 50 parts per billion (ppb). 10% of the samples were above 50 ppb. 11 of the 998 samples (1.3%) were above the EPA lifetime health advisory level of 300 ppb.

The 11 samples containing more than 300 ppb manganese were collected at 8 sites. None of these 8 sites was found to have water consistently above 300 ppb manganese. Further details about these samples can be found in the table included with this report.

Based on these results, Dr. Thomas Schlenker, Director of Public Health for Madison and Dane County rescinded the limited health advisory for infants and persons with liver disease in the Well 3 and Well 10 areas on July 17. Dr. Schlenker said, “levels of manganese that have been and are being measured indicate that tap water is acceptable for daily consumption for the entire population.”

Well 3 Flushing Area

The Utility has completed flushing in the Well 3 service area. We have received the lab results of 361 samples from its post-flushing sampling in the area. We anticipate taking a total of about 400 post-flushing samples in this flushing area. All samples are taken at randomly selected sites in the area from hose-bib spigots.

300 out of the 361 samples (83%) were below 50 parts per billion (ppb), the EPA aesthetic guideline for drinking water. 55 out of the 361 samples (15%) were between 50 and 300 ppb. Six samples (1.7%) were above the 300 ppb EPA Lifetime Health Advisory Level for drinking water.

The 6 samples containing more than 300 ppb manganese were collected at 4 sites. None of these 4 sites was found to have water consistently above 300 ppb manganese. Further details about these samples can be found in the table included with this report.

Well 10 Flushing Area

Flushing operations continue in the Well 10 area. Over 200 samples were taken randomly at households in this area prior to start of the flushing operation, and the same households are being re-sampled one to three weeks after flushing is completed on their streets and will be re-sampled again 30 days after flushing.

Out of 286 pre- and post-flush samples collected, 271 samples (95%) were below 50 ppb, and 14 samples (5%) were between 50 and 300 ppb. One sample above 300 ppb was re-sampled four times at levels of 3 ppb, 57 ppb, 11 ppb and 3 ppb.*

78 of the 286 samples were collected after the water mains were flushed. 74 of these 78 (95%) were below 50 ppb. The two highest results were 96 and 127 ppb, both of which were probably influenced by nearby flushing; follow-up samples will be taken to confirm that this is the case.

Well 29 Flushing Area

The Utility has completed flushing in the Well 29 area. About 300 samples were collected following flushing, 257 of which have been analyzed. 241 of the 257 samples (94%) were below 50 ppb. 14 of the 257 samples (5.4%) were between 50 ppb and 300 ppb. Two samples (0.8%) were above 300 ppb and were re-sampled. One very highly discolored sample (10,100 ppb) cleared up quickly upon running the tap and re-sampled at 64 ppb.* Three more follow-up samples showed levels of 19, 6 and 9 ppb. The other site tested initially at 441 ppb, with follow-up samples of 4, 20 and 6 ppb.

Well 8 Flushing Area

The Utility has completed flushing in the Well 8 area. 94 post-flush samples have been collected and analyzed. 83 of the 94 samples (88%) were below 50 ppb. 9 of the 94 samples (10%) were between 50 ppb and 300 ppb. Two samples, both from the same site, measured over 300 at levels of 335 ppb and 1530 ppb.* These samples were taken from a basement tap that had apparently not been used in months or years. A sample from a more frequently-used tap in the same building measured 31 ppb.

* Temporary, short-term elevation of manganese at the tap may be caused by a variety of situations. In a number of cases, we are finding the high readings came from hose-bib spigots that had not been used frequently, allowing sediment to accumulate in a way that would not happen in taps used regularly. Short-term elevation may also be caused by a temporary hydraulic disturbance in the water distribution system. In each case where a sample result is above 300 ppb, the Utility is investigating to try to determine the reason for the short-term elevation.

Urban Forestry Program Tonight

Urban Forestry Program by Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc.

Thursday, July 27, at 7 pm
302 East Gorham Street, James Madison Park at N. Butler

The impact of trees in the city will be the focus when Capitol Neighborhoods
Inc. (CNI) presents a public program with experts from Madison, Milwaukee
and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Urban forestry has gained momentum in recent years as scientists better
understand the economic benefit of trees for cooling, air cleansing and
rainfall interception.

The CNI program will include Marla Eddy, city forester for Madison; Jim
Kringer, Milwaukee forestry inspector; and Jeff Roe, DNR urban forestry
coordinator. There will be time for questions from the audience following
the presentation.

The program is free to the public and sponsored by Daffodil Parker. It will
be taped and scheduled on Madison City Channel 12.

Sponsored by Daffodil*Parker Florists


http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/goh.html
www.capitolneighborhoods.org/resources/events.html

Gates of Heaven Celebrates 35 Years Tonight

Gates of Heaven Synagogue 35th Year Anniversary Open House

Thursday, July 27, 5-6:30 p.m.

302 East Gorham Street, James Madison Park at N. Butler

A reception marking the 35th anniversary of the preservation of the 143-
year-old Gates of Heaven Synagogue building in James Madison Park will be
held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 27. The brick and stone Madison
landmark was designed by noted architect August Kutzbock and is one of the
oldest surviving synagogue buildings in the United States. Gates of Heaven
was moved to its present site in James Madison Park in 1971 when threatened
with demolition. Friends of Gates of Heaven has organized the free event
which includes light refreshments and music by Yid Vicious.

The Gates of Heaven Synagogue, in Hebrew, Shaare Shomaim, was built in 1863
for the Ahavath Achim congregation of eighteen German Jewish immigrant
families. The synagogue, the first built in Madison and the third oldest in
the country, is German Romanesque Revival or Rundbogenstil, in its design
according to noted architectural writer Ada Louise Huxtable. Kutzbock had
also designed the second State Capitol building, the City Hall, and the
stately mansions at the intersection of East Gilman and N. Pinckney
including the Mansion Hill Inn. The building served the Ahavath Achim
congregation until 1879 when it was rented to the Unitarian Society. The
building was sold in 1916, and has had several uses subsequently.

In 1971, the Gates of Heaven Synagogue faced demolition to make room for a
new office complex to be built on its site, located at 214 W. West
Washington Avenue. Concerned citizens rallied to save the building by
forming the Gates of Heaven Foundation, organized by Norton and Lois Stoler.
The group raised over $20,000 and nominated the building to the National
Register of Historic Places. A partnership of the City of Madison and the
Foundation, led by Sol Levin, was successful in gaining federal matching
funds to complete the $60,000 moving fund. A local moving company estimated
the cost of the move at $45,000. The Belding Moving Company of East Chicago,
IL was the low (and only) bidder. Ninety-six airplane wheels were placed
under the structure and two tank retrievers from World War II lifted it from
its original site and pulled it through a mile of downtown Madison's streets
on July 17, 1971. The buff sandstone building was then restored and
landscaped. Saving the Gates of Heaven from demolition was Madison's first
successful historic preservation effort.

The Gates of Heaven is a Madison, Wisconsin, landmark owned by the Madison
City Park's Department. For information on reserving Gates of Heaven for
special events, call the Madison Parks Department, 608-266-4711.

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/goh.html



The landscaping is undertaken and facilitated by volunteers. Donations are
gratefully accepted for the gardening expenses. Checks may be written to
"Gates of Heaven Preservation Fund", PO Box 2023, Madison, WI 53701 and are
tax deductible.

For information contact Gigi Holland (Tenney-Lapham) 251-8586,
(gigiholland@sbcglobal.net) or Judy Sidran 256-4744 (JudySidran@aol.com)

We welcome old photos or remembrance stories that include the Gates of
Heaven and the neighborhood before James Madison Park.

Further photos and more information the Gates of Heaven Synagogue online:

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/advancedSearch.asp

Use Advanced Search, Keywords 'Gates' AND 'Heaven'

http://www.historicmadison.org/html/MadHist/Articles/GatesofH.asp

http://danenet.wicip.org/tlna/web-data/issues/july/gates25.html

More Storm Update

The Streets Division will maintain its regularly scheduled monthly collection of brush from the curb. This is a Friday brush collection week so residents with a Friday refuse/recycling collection should have their brush out to the curb today and we will collect it sometime this week.

We also have additional brush crews diverted from other facets working in Thursdays districts and then will work back into Wednesdays when they are completed in Thursdays area. When the Friday area is completed by the regular brush crews, those crews will work into the Monday district. All crews will then converge into the Tuesday area. Next week, the week of July 31st is a non-scheduled week for brush collection. As a result, all available crews will be working in storm related cleanup. We are hoping to have all storm related brush collected by the end of next week.

This storm was a citywide event and not just a storm that hit a few neighborhoods. It will take us some overtime to complete the task as I have authorized working 10 hour days to complete the task in the next two weeks. We also ask residents to be patient as we want to systematically go through the city in order to be more efficient and not jump around from area to area getting individual calls.

You Can Own a Historic Downtown Home

Historic Homes for Sale Downtown Madison
This Could Be Your Chance
Unique Historic Homes Now Available For Owner Occupancy in the Heart of Downtown Madison - Mansion Hill

August 8 at 6:30 pm
Meet at 512 Wisconsin Avenue
Walking tour of homes

Fifteen homes
A variety of sizes and architecture
Built from 1853 to 1923
All are in the Mansion Hill Historic District
Eligible for historic tax credits

Come and see what is available; decide if this might be for you. Talk to other downtown home owners who have or are in the process of rehabbing historic homes. While the interior of the homes will not be open for inspection, a number of interior photos will be available.

Schedule:
6:30 and 7:00 Hear about the dream and potential - Fred Mohs, long-time Mansion Hill resident
6:45 and 7:15 Walking tours identifying available homes -- Gene Devitt, long-time Mansion Hill resident and Michael Bridgeman, organizer Madison Trust for Historic Preservation Mansion Hill tours and downtown resident
7:00 and 7:30 Learn about potential financing options - Mark Olinger, Director Madison Department of Planning and Development
7:30 - 8:00 Reception for those who are seriously interested in the possibility of restoring a Mansion Hill Historic District home and conversation with neighbors who have or are restoring owner occupied historic homes

Storm Clean Up Update from Staff

Sorry, this one is a little late . . . was taking a day or two off for my birthday . . .

I just wanted to give you a little information about the cleanup from the storm of July 20th for you to be able to share with residents who call you.

As of Friday, July 21st, we are still assisting Forestry, led by Marla Eddy, in their efforts to remove dangerous and hazardous limbs that are still hanging from trees. All of July 20th was spent making sure streets were opened from where trees or limbs had fallen and closed the street. Crews worked last night until dark and will work tonight until dark.

The Street Division plan as of today is to continue with our normal scheduled once per month brush collection cycle. We will be collecting in Friday's collection district next week, the week of July 24th. We will have additional crews collecting brush in other parts of the City to assist in the storm cleanup. We pobably will work overtime next week due to the storm cleanup. The week after next is a non brush schedule week which means that we will work all week during the week of July 31st in storm cleanup.

We ask that all residents be patient as this storm unlike most storms was widespread and effected the entire city as opposed to just a few neighborhoods. It will take awhile to get everything collected.

TLNA Draft Agenda for August

Here's the Draft Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, August 2, 7 - 9 at Tenney Park Apartments

Dscuss TLNA support for planned Johnson Business District festival in late August
Discuss Sean's review of projects for which city is seeking federal funding and ways in which they involve the neighborhood
Discuss and act on neighborhood position re: James Madison Park and historic houses
Discuss Kozac properties
Discuss and act on latest on neighborhood plan

And likely the BUILD will also be on the agenda.

Downtown Muggings: Update regarding a Plan for the Fall

This message is from Chief Wray . . .

Mayor Dave

Just as a FYI a few weeks ago I requested that staff of the Central District put together a plan that will address the "robbery/mugging" issue. This is in anticipation of this fall when the students return. As you may recall these incidents were at their peak this past spring when we employed a number of strategies including additional staff during critical times. After the students left the number of incidents leveled off to the normal although unacceptable summer time rate. Capt. Schauf is working on providing me with a summary plan that I will share with you within the week. We are looking at three approaches. 1.) Operations strategy that focuses on the potential suspects 2.) Information strategy that will encourage protective behaviors for students and other citizens 3.) Some environmental considerations ( for example improved lighting in areas where previous incidents have occurred ). The Central District has done considerable work and analysis related to this problem and would be willing to share this information with you and others on request.

Thanks Chief Wray

Redevelopment Meeting Across E Wash . . .

Judy Olson asked me to share this with District 2 residents:

Neighborhood Meeting

Redevelopment of Badger Cab Site (S. Ingersoll/E. Wilson)

Meeting at Luke House, 310 S. Ingersoll St.

7:15 - 9:00 pm, Thursday, July 27, 2006

I invite you to attend a neighborhood meeting to discuss a proposal by Stonehouse Development to redevelop the site currently occupied by Badger Cab Company, who, in the next few weeks will be moving its operations to the far east side. Stonehouse envisions demolishing all the structures on the site and constructing three 4-story buildings containing a total of 75 rental housing units. The building will include underground parking for residents and surface parking for visitors. The exterior will be made of a mix of masonry, hardy plank, and stucco.

Stonehouse will apply to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for low-income housing tax credits to underwrite the cost of the housing, most of which will be affordable according to WHEDA standards. The project will exceed the affordability standards of the City of Madison Inclusionary Zoning ordinance. Stonehouse is exploring an option for creating rent-to-own housing on this site.

Stonehouse believes that they can demonstrate a need for tax incremental finance (TIF) assistance from the City. To provide TIF assistance, the City would have to amend the boundary of TIF District #36 which does not currently include this block.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me.

Ald. Judy Olson, District 6

Phone: 608-245-4557

e-mail: district6@cityofmadison

Health Advisory on Drinking Water Recinded

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 17, 2006

Contact: Dr. Thomas Schlenker, (608) 267-4122

Health Advisory Update: Drinking Water Advisory Rescinded

MADISON ... Based on the results of tap water sampling at hundreds of residences in the Well 3 and Well 10 services areas and other areas served by the Madison Water Utility, the public health advisory for infants less than 6 months of age and individuals with liver disease to refrain from drinking tap water is no longer in effect, Director of Public Health Dr. Thomas Schlenker announced today.

Levels of manganese that have been and are being measured indicate that tap water is acceptable for daily consumption for the entire population. As always, discolored or dirty looking water that may occasionally emit from household taps should not be drunk or used for cooking. If such water persists, it should be reported to the Water Utility at (608) 266-4665, or water@cityofmadison.com.

Analysis of 647 household tap water samples from the Well 3 and Well 10 areas collected since May 30^th shows 88% with manganese levels below the aesthetic standard of 50 parts per billion (ppb), 11% above 50 ppb and 0.6% above the health standard of 300 ppb. Repeated re-sampling indicated that each of the three samples with levels above 300 ppb collected as part of the ongoing random sampling, as well as each of the five samples above 300 ppb collected in response to consumer requests, measured at acceptable levels of manganese.

This suggests that occasional moderate elevations in manganese in drinking water may occur when hydraulic changes dislodge sediment but that such elevations are not sustained. Thus, unrecognized long-term exposure to moderately elevated levels that might prove harmful to susceptible individuals would be unlikely to occur.

Newly instituted flushing techniques have proven to be effective at removing naturally occurring sediment from service lines. To ensure sustained safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water, joint Madison Water Utility/Madison-Dane County Public Health ongoing monitoring and testing of well and tap water will determine where and when repeat flushing needs to take place. High manganese-producing wells will be considered for filtration or assignment to standby status.

Interim reports on drinking water will be shared with the public in the coming months and a full report and summary of results of manganese sampling for all wells and all areas of the community plus analysis relative to other contaminants will be published before the end of the year.

Gardeners Needed: This Week

The following message is from Ilse.

Hi garden enthusiasts:
Our flower beds at James Madison Park need weeding. If you could come for an hour any evening this week between 6 and 8 p.m. we could have it done in no time. Please let me know when you can make it and I'll meet you there. Thanks,
Ilse

If you'd like to help out, either get in touch with Ilse or let me know and I'll get you Ilse's contact info. I can be reached at 345-8720 or brendakonkel@yahoo.com.

PUD for 305 E Johnson to become Restaurant with Liquor License

This one likely sounds familiar, as this is the second time this project is going through the planning process. It's item number 26 on the Council Agenda. Public hearings start at 6:45 and all other items wait until after the public hearing end. This item, unfortunately, is after the Midvale Plaza project, which is likely to be controversial.

Here's the Neighborhood Association Comments on this project:

FROM JAMES MADISON PARK DISTRICT DATE: JUNE 22, 2006
141 N. Hancock St.
Madison, WI 53703

RE: PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE PROPERTY ON 305 E. JOHNSON ST.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Representatives from the James Madison Park District met with Messrs. Navin Jarugumilli owner and Mark Schmidt of Knapp Schmidt Architects on June 6, 2006 regarding the proposed conversion of the property on 305 E. Johnson St. into a restaurant on the first floor with renovated apartments on the second and third floors. James Madison Park District has been asked to provide a letter of support for this proposal.

On June 13, 2006 a meeting was called for members of the JMPD to further discuss the project proposal. In general, the group believes that the plan makes appropriate and good use of the site and expects that the new business and the renovations to the existing building will be an asset to the neighborhood.

We can offer our support of this proposal if it proceeds in good faith, sensitive to the needs of the neighborhood and the concerns of the JMPD and can satisfy the following conditions.

· That the restaurant be open from 6:30 am to 11 pm only and that both food and drinks will be served only during those hours. We understand that alcoholic beverages will be among the drinks offered.

· That the restaurant be vented upright to guarantee the maximum removal of cooking odors from the vicinity.

· That any outdoor seating be located only in the front of the building and not in the rear.

· That the architectural design and execution retain the historical aspect and appearance of the present building.

We wish the developers good luck in achieving success in their enterprise and welcome them as contributors to the improvement of our neighborhood.

Ilse Hecht
Chairperson and Representative of the JMPD to the Capitol Neighborhood Association

Landmarking 428 N Livingston

This item is on the Council agenda for Tuesday, July 18. It is item number 5 on the Council Agenda.

Landmarking 428 N Livingston

The meeting will be held at 6:30 in the Council Chambers. Room 201 City County Building (210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)

1322 E Mifflin St Zoning Variance

July 27, 2006, this item appears on the Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda:

Dino Maniaci, owner of property located at 1322 East Mifflin Street, requests side yard variances to contruct a second story addition with a second story deck.

Meeting starts at 5:00 Room LL-110 in the Municipal Builiding (215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)

Tenney Park Amplification July 23

On Sunday, July 23, the Madison Center for Creative and Cultural Arts will hold another of their series of Sunday Serenades, this one in Tenney Park, with amplified sound from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

James Madison Park Amplification July 25

On Tuesday, July 25, Foley & Lardner will have a lunchtime picnic for their employees at James Madison Park. They will put up a tent, and will have amplification, only from Noon - 1:00 p.m.