Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Commending and thanking Alder Arvina Martin for her dedicated service to the constituents in District 11 and to the City of Madison.
Body
WHEREAS, Alderperson Arvina Martin was elected to the Madison Common Council on April 4, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Martin served on the Ad Hoc Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee, Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee, ADA Transit Subcommittee to the Transit & Parking Commission, Affirmative Action Commission, Common Council Executive Committee, Community Services Committee, Historic Preservation Plan Advisory Committee, Ho-Chunk Nation/City of Madison Joint Planning Committee, Joint West Campus Area Committee, Landmarks Commission, Madison Cultural Arts District Board; Madison Food Policy Council, President’s Work Group to Review and Revise the Chief of Staff Position Description, President’s Work Group to Review Council Communication Tools & Processes, Task Force on Equity in Music and Entertainment, Transit & Parking Commission, and Water Utility Board; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Martin, upon her initial election, became the first Indigenous, and more specifically, the first Hoocąk, person elected to Madison’s Common Council; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison was built upon land where members of the Hoocąk Nation have lived since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Martin consistently worked to connect the traditions of Madison’s original inhabitants with the city’s modern day needs and concerns; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Martin worked with former Alder Maurice Cheeks to update the city’s official flag, so that the original intent of the design was upheld, while removing culturally appropriative imagery that had no connection to the city; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Martin was able to cast a unique perspective on items related to Historic Preservation, including contributing to the Historic Preservation Plan Advisory Committee, The Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee, and the Landmarks Commission; and
WHEREAS, Alder Martin was instrumental in working with the Madison Fire Department on the creation and implement of the CARES program, providing non law enforcement options for those seeking help in the case of certain mental health emergencies; and
WHEREAS, Alder Martin consistently worked to share information on and support many development projects, including Madison Yards, which has been considered to be the largest development project in city history, that would provide more housing units to the city ahead of an anticipated population boom; and
WHEREAS, the storm of August 2018 created massive flash flooding, and severe damage to many residences on District 11; and
WHEREAS, Alder Martin worked with state legislators demanding that the Governor issue a State of Emergency order for the city, insuring that residents would be able to work with FEMA to receive financial assistance in their recovery, and championed stormwater management studies and plans to prevent such devastation from happening in the future; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Martin was elected by her peers to serve as Vice President of the Common Council from 2021-2022;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council commend and thank Alderperson Arvina Martin for her dedicated service to her constituents in District 11 and to the City of Madison.