Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Commending and thanking Alderperson Shiva Bidar for her dedicated service to the constituents in District 5 and to the City of Madison.
Body
WHEREAS, Alderperson Shiva Bidar was elected to the Madison Common Council on April 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar served on the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Alcohol Use in Parks and Central City; Ad Hoc Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee; Administrative Review Board; Alcohol License Review Committee; Alder Workgroup to Develop Logistics & Operational Details for MPD Independent Civilian Oversight; Board of Education-Common Council Liaison Committee; Board of Estimates; City-County Liaison Committee; Common Council Executive Committee; Common Council Organizational Committee; Community Development Block Grant Committee; Community Development Division Conference Committee; Community Services Committee; Complete Count Committee; Early Childhood Care and Education Committee; Education Committee; Finance Committee; Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award Committee; Joint Campus Area Committee; Judge Doyle Square Committee; Low Income Bus Pass Program Committee; Madison Food Policy Council; President’s Work Group on Police & Community Relations; and TIF Policy Review Ad Hoc Committee; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar was elected by her peers to serve as Common Council President in 2013 and again in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar brought to the Council an array of personal skills and gifts, including an ability to span and unite diverse communities; an almost superhuman work ethic; an understanding of the nuances of her district as well as other districts, helping her balance district needs with the needs of the city at large; a sense of urgency to prioritize action over rhetoric; and an overriding sense of compassion and professionalism; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar was an expert on policy making, from evidence-based best practice research to planning and budgeting and ensuring buy-in for adoption, all the way through equitable implementation and evaluation; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar was a master of non-verbal communication among council members, and could with one glance convey any emotion, from agreement to exasperation to “don’t even think about it;” and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar developed strong relationships with her colleagues, acting as an ongoing advisor, mentor, and true friend; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar is a great connector, able to connect “the dots” and, equally important, to connect people, bringing them together for a thoughtful, broad approach to issues; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar worked diligently with City staff on much needed improvements to the Randall School/Olive Jones Park and Stevens Park as well as numerous traffic calming projects in District 5; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar led the creation of the Emerging Opportunities Program to allow funding of unanticipated community services needs and innovative programs; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar championed many immigrant rights resolutions and Council actions affirming the City of Madison as an open and welcoming city, condemning the presence of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in our city, and ensuring a clear MPD standard operating procedure regarding non-cooperation with ICE; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar provided leadership and subject matter expertise to create the City of Madison Language Access Plan; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Bidar advocated for and cosponsored the creation of the MPD Policy & Procedures Review Ad Hoc Committee, the funding of the OIR report and the creation of MPD Civilian Oversight Board and Independent Monitor; and
WHEREAS, Alderperson Shiva Bidar, through her hard work and dedication to her aldermanic duties, has faithfully and with honor served her constituents and the City of Madison;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council commend and thank Alderperson Shiva Bidar for her dedicated service to her constituents in District 5 and to the City of Madison.