Fiscal Note
This resolution appropriates $25,000 $15,000 from the Contingent Reserve for programming at Philosopher's Grove, consistent with the direction in the 2015 budget related to options for use of that area. Adoption of this and other proposed resolutions will leave a balance of $1,012,867 in the Contingent Reserve.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Amending the 2015 Adopted Operating Budget of the Planning Division by appropriating $25,000; $15,000 from the Contingent Reserve, $5,000 from the Planning Division Placemaking Budget, and $5,000 from the Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development Budget and to authorize the City of Madison to enter into a contract with the Madison Central Business Improvement District to fund the creation of an Activities Program at Philosophers' Grove located on the 100 Block of West Mifflin Street, and the performance stage on the 100 Block of North Carroll Street (4th AD).
Body
WHEREAS, the 100 block of West Mifflin Street, known as the Philosophers' Grove, was constructed in 2004 and includes a composition of granite and bronze "stones"; and
WHEREAS, in recent years there have been an increasing number of complaints about negative behavior in this area; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council included funding in the 2015 Capital Budget that specified that an inter-agency City staff team, led by the Planning Division and comprised of staff from Engineering, Parks, Traffic Engineering and others as necessary, will work in conjunction to develop options for area improvements for consideration by the Council in early 2015; and
WHEREAS, the staff team held two public meetings to receive public input on design issues and programming ideas for the space, and have been advised by the Downtown Coordinating Committee throughout this process; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Coordinating Committee recommended removal of a series "stones" in order to open up the middle of the space to allow for greater pedestrian movement; and asked staff to explore additional physical changes and ways to activate the space so that it is safe and welcoming to all; and
WHEREAS, additional city funding is required to support programming efforts for the area, as the TIF funds used to pay for physical changes are not eligible to be used for programming and placemaking activities.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Division, in coordination with the Madison Central Business Improvement District, as well as cultural partnerships such as the Madison Public Library, History Museum, Overture, etc., will develop programming and placemaking efforts to activate the areas known as the "Philosophers' Grove" and "30 on the Square" stage throughout the summer and fall of 2015; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council hereby authorizes the Planning Division to use up to $25,000 in City funds for such activities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract between the City of Madison and the Madison Central Business Improvement District, and if necessary in the opinion of the Risk Manager and City Attorney for insurance or liability reasons, with Downtown Madison, Inc., with terms as approved by the Director of Planning, Community and Economic Development and City Attorney, to administer the Philosophers' Grove activities program funding for up to $25,000; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Common Council hereby amends the 2015 Adopted Operating Budget of the Planning Division by appropriating $25,000 $15,000 from the Contingent Reserve $5,000 from the Planning Division Placemaking Budget, and $5,000 from the Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development Budget to fund the creation of an Activities Program at Philosophers' Grove located on the 100 Block of West Mifflin Street, and the performance stage on the 100 Block of North Carroll Street (4th AD).