Oscar Mayer
In October, in conjunction with the OSCAR Group, I hosted a public meeting about the future of the Oscar Mayer site. City staff, residents and I engaged in a wonderful conversation about what we currently know and our next steps.

Alder Kemble and I will be introducing a budget resolution to support a fully engaging planning process that will recognize the community’s interest while maintaining a realistic expectation of what can and should happen on the site. If the resolution is approved, our city planning staff will have more resources to strengthen the process.

The more the community knows about these processes, the better we can respond when a proposal is brought forward. Ultimately the Special Area process will have a citizen committee to guide the decisions. If you’re interested in participating or engaging in such a process, I encourage you to familiarize yourself by attending these informational sessions.

City Budget
By the time you read this, the city should have approved a 2017 Capital and Operating Budget. Just like your personal budget, it is a guide for the priorities for the city.

We’re making incremental improvements, but our most effective work is around partnerships with other governmental agencies, nonprofits, businesses and the community to leverage what we have available to support more activities.

Also, I will continue to make sure that the Public Market is in the Capital Budget and on track for completion sooner rather than later. The city has done extensive work on ensuring it is at the right location, that we have a plan to engage small and minority businesses, and have a compelling reason why this will not just be a “specialty” shopping destination.

Comprehensive Plan
The city will also be updating our adopted Comprehensive Plan. This yearlong process will lay the foundation for the next decade. Kickoff Community Meetings will be held Monday, Dec. 5, 5:30–8 pm, at the Central Library, and Wednesday, Dec. 7, 5:30–8 pm, at Village on Park. Visit the Imagine Madison website at http://imaginemadisonwi.com.

I can be reached at lpalm@cityofmadison.com.