Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Commending and thanking Alder Nasra Wehelie for her dedicated service to the constituents in District 7 and to the City of Madison.
Body
WHEREAS, Alder Nasra Wehelie was appointed to the Madison Common Council on November 17, 2020, and elected to her first term on the Madison Common Council on April 20, 2021 and to her second term on April 18, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie made history as the first Somali-American and first Muslim woman to serve on the Council, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations of leaders from underrepresented communities; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie served on the Equal Opportunities Commission; Early Childhood Care and Education Committee; Transportation Commission; Committee on Aging; Economic Development Committee; Madison Area Transportation Planning Board (MPO); Sister City Collaboration Committee; Water Utility Board; Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee; President’s Work Group to Review and Revise the Chief of Staff Position Description; Common Council Executive Committee; Ad Hoc Task Force on the Structure of City Government (TFOGS) Final Report Implementation Work Group; President’s Work Group on Racial Justice, Antiracism and Equity; City-County Homeless Issues Committee; and Sustainable Madison Committee; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie worked in partnership with District 7 residents and the Parks Division to create Country Grove Park, a space that fosters connection, recreation, and joy for families and residents of all ages, through her budget amendment of $1.8m to build the community park shelter; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie successfully proposed a budget amendment of $225,000 to improve and extend the pathway through Manchester Park, which will increase connectivity and accessibility for area residents; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie sponsored an amendment to the 2023 Capital Budget to appropriate $300,000 of General Fund GO Borrowing to support graduates of the Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) program with pre-development costs; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie chaired the President’s Work Group on Racial Justice, Antiracism and Equity, which focused on providing recommendations on participatory budgeting frameworks and improvements to the City board, commission, and committee (BCC) structure; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie prioritized active dialogue through community engagement about developments coming to District 7 and worked to facilitate the communication of information to build trust and transparency in local government; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie leadership extended beyond legislation, as she regularly engaged with residents, hosted monthly Lunch and Learn forums, and collaborated with City department heads and Common Council staff about City resources for the community including topics such as winter operations, economic development, streets operations, transportation, and community development; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie demonstrated a deep commitment to strengthening local democracy in promoting a respectful and collaborative civic culture on the Common Council, notably introducing a Code of Conduct for the Common Council - a landmark effort to promote and foster civility, constructive dialogue and accountability among elected officials, setting a standard for how public officials engage with one another, City staff, and the community; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie throughout her tenure, was a steadfast advocate for equity, inclusion, and community engagement working to ensure that all voices - especially those historically marginalized - heard and represented in city policymaking; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie led and supported numerous community initiatives, including efforts to improve neighborhood safety, expand access to City services and promote economic development opportunities for underrepresented communities in both funding and policy, exemplifying her dedication to access to equitable services for all; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie extended her leadership beyond Madison by serving on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, ensuring that the voices and concerns of local governments - especially diverse and growing communities - were represented at the state level; and,
WHEREAS, Alder Wehelie leaves behind a legacy of bold leadership, courage, collaborative spirit, and deep-rooted care for her community that will continue to shape the future of District 7 and the entire city, and she will be remembered as a bridge-builder, and a true public servant;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison express their sincere appreciation to Alder Nasra Wehelie for her outstanding service and commitment to the residents of District 7 and to the city as a whole.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison hereby recognize Alder Wehelie’s vital contributions to both local and statewide municipal leadership, and wishes her continued success in all future endeavors, recognizing her as a lifelong advocate and visionary leader in our community.