Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Honoring the work and dedication of all those involved in the recent (and continuing) flooding event and expressing the support and sympathy of the Mayor and Common Council to those directly affected by the devastating flooding that occurred across the city on August 20, 2018.
Body
WHEREAS, a heavy rainstorm event brought severe and devastating flooding to the city of Madison and surrounding communities in Dane County on August 20, 2018; and,
WHEREAS, flooding of this magnitude has never been seen in this area before with nearly 12 inches of rain leading to flash flooding on the City’s west side and rising lake levels leading to sustained flooding on the isthmus and in other areas of the city that have never experienced flood damage before; and,
WHEREAS, City workers have tackled this flooding challenge with great dedication, spending long hours to map the most vulnerable areas, provided pumps to keep areas of travel open when possible, monitored and closed lanes of traffic to protect motorists, provided parking options for residents when needed, worked with staff, residents and volunteers to fill and place roughly 250,000 sandbags, completed immediate repairs on infrastructure affected by the water and provided important information to alders, residents, businesses and commuters using multiple methods from going door to door, press releases, press conferences, offering phone conversations, emails, text messages and other social media; and,
WHEREAS, response to this flood event has been a citywide effort, relying upon employees from virtually every agency to ensure that our residents can travel safely in spite of rising water conditions; and,
WHEREAS, employees from Engineering, Streets, Parks, Parks Forestry, Parks Construction, Mall Concourse, Fleet Services, Parking Enforcement, Madison Police Department, Madison Fire Department Madison Metro, Water Utility, Building Inspection, Information Technology, Parking Utility, Finance Department, Risk Manager, Mayor’s Office and the Common Council Office deserve special recognition for their extraordinary efforts to keep our city running smoothly during (and continuing to) this flood event; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council expresses its support and profoundest sympathy for the victims of this devastating flood that occurred across the city and the county; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council convey their gratitude to the local, state and federal officials, National Guard and emergency personnel who responded to the flooding and their continuing efforts to restore normalcy in the affected areas; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city of Madison also thanks the many volunteers, charitable organization, businesses and individual donors, churches and religious organizations for their generosity in this crisis; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the Common Council commend the residents of the City of Madison for their unshakable spirit and for the grace and generosity with which they have supported one another during the flooding and the continuing recovery efforts.