[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477574,"mediaKeyId","5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa","parentId",5711608,"title","Madison Council authorizes bids to dismantle Dairy Drive campground after weeks of debate; two‑week pause added to seek funding","audioSeconds",7813,"startMs",2862000,"endMs",10675000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa&start=2862&end=10675","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa/thumbnail_2862000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477574/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Madison-Council-authorizes-bids-to-dismantle-Dairy-Drive-campground-after-weeks-of-debate-twoweek-pause-added-to-seek-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477574-3794bae6f278dc9caafc2ece080e6eef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508909&Signature=YK0Abtf~~Rxh~JedU-Vz9zhxRjYXj29Z-tNrB~suc7AIHbWEryMjqdF-E~sRWkCatmRrePGTdNz9d1xJvLPoWHT6wbEPU2i2S2PefiAAeYb2u8atdoN87gpYXHyd2JKGyIZC7yws6UONAXRyKIlKER6u~aHbj4Mg-hUu2omWH-0GX9YHzVZ0AC2NHlcYm76hTBT6fP4dD0yvICf3TRYHeuARmxfbf4HVX9M0S1eQfyRkT~vNHlA3I-IkkcXtx28fgDzrPWFVN6EIPZqgvLJXQbDngn05A23dX5dN0llko5N4sDVEUUbi621vCRsQEO1qMw4uOqOF~oLR5PtaTYkoGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Madison, WI","date","2025-09-03T04:23:59.263Z","article","The Madison Common Council on Sept. 2 authorized city engineering to advertise for bids to dismantle and restore the Dairy Drive temporary campground, approving a resolution to solicit demolition and site‑restoration work but attaching a late amendment that delays parts of the action until the Council’s Sept. 16 meeting.

The vote on the amended motion was recorded without objection. Council members noted the action starts a public bid process; city staff said the work would include removal of structures, recycling and site restoration and that the city would attempt to auction reusable materials before disposal.

Why the council acted: Council and staff said the campground, set up during the COVID pandemic as a temporary response, was not intended to be permanent. Community Development staff and engineering said the city has one‑time funds available in 2025 for site restoration that would lapse to the general fund if not spent this year, and that restoring the site now reduces future budgetary and permitting complications.

What supporters of the campground said: More than two dozen registrants, including on‑site staff, case managers, residents and public health workers, urged the council not to close the site immediately and asked for an extension through winter or next spring. Savannah Harpel, a case manager who has worked at Dairy Drive since July 2024, said 13 of 45 people she served had moved into permanent housing and described on‑site case management as key to those outcomes. “When someone is no longer in survival mode, you're able to begin to process trauma, to trust again, to build and strengthen relationships,” she said.

Brenda Conkle, identified in the meeting as the on‑site director for the provider operating the campground (Madison Street Medicine), told aldermen the site had secured a mix of funding sources including a HUD grant and county support and said several residents were already moving into housing. Conkle said the program had a 77% exit‑to‑positive‑destination rate, and staff were pursuing additional funding, but that some grants must be spent by September 30 or will be returned.

Public health and county officials echoed those concerns. County Supervisor Heidi Wegleitner, speaking for the county Health and Human Needs Committee, urged the council to extend contracts “at least through April” so providers can continue winter operations and pursue additional funding and placements. Supervisor Michael Mayer (questioning and referrals were logged during the meeting) and other supervisors described limited available county funds; County staff later explained there was a potential county contribution of roughly $100,000 but that timing and eligibility limits made that uncertain.

City staff and engineers: City Community Development Director Jim O’Keeffe and engineering staff described the site’s operating and restoration budgets. Staff said the community development project budget for the campground is approximately $602,000 in 2025: a combination of HUD funds, county contributions and city one‑time levy funds. Engineering estimated the demolition and restoration public‑works contract at roughly $185,000 plus $35,000 in staff and soft costs, for a $220,000 total estimate earmarked for site restoration; staff told council that proceeds from any auction of reusable items (pallet shelters, fencing, a converted bathroom trailer) would reduce the net cost.

Timing and contingency: Staff said if the council authorizes the advertisement for bids, the bid timeline would allow a start‑work letter in early November. Council adopted an amendment offered by Alder Mayer that delays certain steps in the resolution until the Sept. 16 meeting; staff said they could pause the bid advertisement if Council chooses to reconsider on Sept. 16. Engineering said many reusable items would be offered for auction and the city would attempt to reuse or recycle materials where practical.

Council action and next steps: The motion to authorize advertising for demolition and restoration, amended to delay specific steps until Sept. 16, passed without recorded objection. If the Council does not reverse course in two weeks, staff said contracts and site work would proceed under the advertised schedule; if the Council acts to extend operations the staff would remove the bid advertisement and keep the site operating under existing contracts.

Community reaction and next steps: Public commenters warned that closing the site without a clear path for residents risks pushing people back into unsheltered situations during winter. Providers and supervisors asked for clearer funding commitments and more time to place residents into permanent housing. City and county staff said they would continue to explore funding avenues and coordinate placements through the county’s housing and coordinated‑entry processes.

Ending: The decision begins a procurement process that could result in dismantling, reuse and site restoration if the Council does not act on Sept. 16 to extend operations or commit additional funding. Council members and staff said they will continue to brief the body and the public about placement results and any additional funding options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council: Meeting of September 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Madison Common Council on Sept. 2 authorized city engineering to advertise for bids to dismantle and restore the Dairy Drive temporary campground, but added a short delay to parts of the process to allow Council members two weeks to consider additional funding and placements.","taxTitle","Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",2852,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477556,"Neighbor opposition to Davidson Street reconstruction plan draws council attention; consent item approved",7759,2288000,10047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa&start=2288&end=10047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa/thumbnail_2288000.jpg","/articles/6477556/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Neighbor-opposition-to-Davidson-Street-reconstruction-plan-draws-council-attention-consent-item-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477556-4b91d6614e482854fa3ea9dd78dd2a32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508909&Signature=naOdKw5Aw2WStJWN4IeBF3aO6rf6p9sKFw-5ucIlc0aScPDmWrtGxq2KZCSlIG385RJCfxE8aXnuFbe0owiXDKohBnhUVldCvtpI2p38-zPIHxS9T-nMuyi-HJXgPXaNa~BweLgGUZNr37546~weCq4KtTOAYmBZ4guvdVMsex-adrnG2BSUhn9SWDiyrOuQs7hEhEcvn-5sPph8UoYizb2Beh9SDNe9-tsFg2CaQXcge22j-erV~F2dTm-Cjc5UAneTHRvYjOUUdVfdaf4UCTzaKtov1G9GArIg3oMIbvgVi~WySbdhwThGkWea1YLVrO84Bb~gRG4seoTvSN4XDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment on Sept. 2 Sarah Coyle of District 15, a resident on one of the blocks included in the Davidson Street, Park Court, Maher Ave. and Gary Street Reconstruction Assessment District (Legistar 89,385), urged alderpersons to vote against the assessment. Coyle told the Council neighbors did not want sidewalks, that proposed sidewalks would cut across small front lawns and would remove on‑street parking and alter neighborhood character.

Coyle said neighbors had petitioned city engineers and been told earlier in the process that residents could decide whether to add sidewalks, and she said the current plan ignored those preferences and caused significant stress in the neighborhood.

Council action: The item was on the consent agenda and was adopted as moved and seconded; the council recorded a unanimous vote in favor.

Ending: Council members did not take up additional discussion on item 12 during the meeting after the registrant’s remarks.","A resident whose block is included in the Davidson Street/ Park Court/ Maher Ave/ Gary Street reconstruction assessment district urged the Common Council to reject assessment plans, saying proposed sidewalks and reduced on‑street parking are out of character with the neighborhood. The consent‑agenda item was approved.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477561,"Destination Madison reports $1.55 billion in visitor spending for 2024; seeks continued room‑tax funding",846,872000,1718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa&start=872&end=1718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa/thumbnail_872000.jpg","/articles/6477561/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Destination-Madison-reports-155-billion-in-visitor-spending-for-2024-seeks-continued-roomtax-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477561-7178a115956b49d44dddc00a1f7a9ccd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508909&Signature=f~aXSFKUqvMgNdiu0Fu85Cf6AC23M0lssMH1qRXQhWZ4oKprUN~hsGANnL1ihcTGw4DNSn4EvveJ5eGyBppchA7ZIIrHG8Nagwj102Q~v4eFf9fo0M-qXQQ7LjShTe0wfJfXDNwG1eJmWs5f07JutwCmvv1ehr2d17Zhz7KWYSGWXISajkWca~UfRQMahg~JdgOlgOrWhwzHiBhH8Y0cH2p2Jq7Lyu2p-9tNQAJ2uIavdC6BL5bE~8uk-frty6yNej2BlEkt6hAJNjECdcOLLz0MCM7ZBhUNNGrZT8GiXC-Bg43j6idx8jp9v6cv4HUo70pfzTy9asTst-Ik3GAyGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ellie Westman Chin, chief executive officer of Destination Madison, presented the organization’s 2024 performance and a mid‑year update during the Sept. 2 Common Council meeting.

Westman Chin said tourism and related activities supported roughly 19,000 jobs in Madison and Dane County in 2024 and served approximately 9.2 million visitors. Those visitors spent about $1.55 billion in the community in 2024, she said, and daily visitor spending averaged roughly $4.2 million per day. Sectors showing increases from 2023 included food and beverage ($450 million) and accommodations ($376 million), Westman Chin said.

She described Destination Madison’s governance — a 26‑member board, executive committee and a six‑member room‑tax commission appointed by the mayor — and explained the local room‑tax structure. Westman Chin said hotels collect a 10% room tax; under state statute the city retains 30% of that collection and the remaining 70% is overseen by the room‑tax commission for tourism promotion and development.

Westman Chin outlined 2025 priorities: growing group business (conventions, meetings and sporting events), expanding leisure marketing into target markets such as Chicago and Minneapolis, creating signature destination stories, establishing a visitor sentiment survey and completing a sustainability plan for Destination Madison’s three‑year strategic plan. She said Destination Madison had already contracted more than 109,000 future room nights through July 2025 and projected a potential economic impact of over $58 million from group business already booked.

During Q&A, Alder Evers asked whether the organization had a single top ask of the Council. Westman Chin replied that continued funding from the room tax was her priority, noting growing competition from larger neighboring markets and the importance of consistent city support to maintain sales, marketing and events programming.

Ending: Westman Chin closed by listing Destination Madison’s four strategic pillars: sustained economic growth and support, value‑based branding, partnership resiliency and destination development; she said the group is developing a three‑year strategic plan that will come to the board for approval.","Ellie Westman Chin, CEO of Destination Madison, presented 2024 economic impact figures — $1.55 billion in visitor spending and support for about 19,000 jobs — and asked the Common Council to maintain room‑tax funding to sustain marketing and group sales efforts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477566,"Council approves amended viewshed easement for Merrill Springs Park after neighbors and landowners debate scope",385,2490000,2875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa&start=2490&end=2875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa/thumbnail_2490000.jpg","/articles/6477566/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-amended-viewshed-easement-for-Merrill-Springs-Park-after-neighbors-and-landowners-debate-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477566-38d637bb692f7071bd34a0db28b70d45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508909&Signature=Mw65TdbFFsMKkV3w7sNHuv3Pndk4dnAKVLKExxIPuUCx~K8I0cYbUsP5YHe4gdy8pjmguNV6Kma8fFm0PLhu4MQMw6AR0inm3~v0Bn3J2yF3VKZd6wJSNhHrVpXJIo7EYJUxit185p0g1MuopxY4ojPoCQXIvEria8n8ILrblhVTEe6ZRYpAoPzwbYXzRMBaUsnd~L8HDiHSMSp7EkGiF3GKrS3puIp7tymwkI5etO3LZM-QqUrS~fXgpG0PUzMUn4m1fCpECqqdTwXdUpkWEwKsroB2dzbMwFOXTvExWH5sLm04HlX6Atrafu2hBRXh-KvcfqE~5FLWiBUtD2ayCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council unanimously approved an amended view‑preservation easement for property adjacent to Merrill Springs Park (Legistar 88,148), after two registrants and City Parks staff described competing interpretations of the amendment’s scope.

Faith Fitzpatrick, president of Friends of Merrill Springs Park, told alderpersons the proposed amendment “extends the width of the viewshed” beyond the original intent and could allow the landowner to dictate vegetation on public property. Fitzpatrick said the proposed map differed materially from what she understood to be the original viewshed and urged the Council not to approve the amendment.

Jessica Harrison, who identified herself as the property owner for the lot that established the easement, said an earlier draft of the amendment had a mapping mistake that incorrectly included a portion of the park. Harrison said the current version was limited to Lot 2 (the parcel that was sold to expand the park), excluded the existing oak tree canopy in the park and replaced vague language with specific height limits so municipalities and landowners could avoid future disputes. “We have no intention of cutting down any mature trees,” Harrison said, adding the version before the council was intended to reduce confusion by setting measurable height limits.

Parks Division interim superintendent Lisa Laschinger told alderpersons the city’s team had worked on the documents for several years and that the amended easement uses tiered height limits and intentionally excluded the park’s existing woods. Staff provided comparative maps showing the easement the city proposed versus a map circulated by the Friends of the Park and said the proposed easement reflected a compromise reached with the landowners.

Council action: The item was moved and seconded for adoption and carried without objection. Staff said the amendment would allow native restoration in the easement area while preserving the public view through defined height limits.

Ending: With the amendment approved, Parks staff said it would proceed under the clarified easement, which they said balances vegetation restoration and public views.","The council adopted an amended view‑preservation easement for Merrill Springs Park after public testimony from Friends of the Park and the property owners. Supporters and opponents disagreed about whether the amendment expanded a landowner’s viewshed; staff said the amendment clarifies height limits and excludes park woods.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477570,"Council adopts PCOB appointment language favored by board; two alderpersons abstain",1465,4920000,6385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa&start=4920&end=6385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711608-3caa4f12fe12f1c220d1461b528b9afa/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","/articles/6477570/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Council-adopts-PCOB-appointment-language-favored-by-board-two-alderpersons-abstain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477570-33084b03b1e69246faed858a46aedd48/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508909&Signature=F5k0-gajKnuZE7QQAMyEGdrKFNinIXvQ6RvTCVD3l5pN-GtpNqZxg6zT0dMJD3Bw9XYvMAVJBpAV8j-OrQb6uSvj2jIwfU7ygCjOE-r~HyyWeoIvnw~c-t11FwjqpF-PRakUnl3q0oN~uzNYWLk6AcG5A3CPokTAJeEGrqG8kInCq-xXTT8l0gRe8OhGTgSUp3TbPNUuBKcO2dzSNPpsrNlWdAwEXaMs9oV~jPleObb4N-LM1nCtINZ7aVIWtWq80Z~hAenmQ0K69wi1N60XKDVdnU047gbKbskIgo~U2NrqyJQrXn4ZIU1RyUqG8wdPZir-t3YmWNwyaWieGsouNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council voted on Sept. 2 to adopt an amendment to Madison General Ordinance section 5.2 that clarifies how members of the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) are nominated and appointed. The version approved tracks the language recommended by the PCOB and specifies that the Office of the Independent Monitor will receive and coordinate nominations in conjunction with PCOB members.

The ordinance change was the subject of extensive public comment during the meeting. Amelia Royko Maurer, who said she had read the agenda item, urged the council to support an alternative put forward by Alder Madison that matched the PCOB’s unanimous recommendation and would prioritize representation from smaller community organizations. \"Eliminating [the small‑organization] provision would effectively allow organizations that already have political access to consolidate power at the expense of smaller, more grassroots organizations,\" Royko Maurer said.

Several registrants and PCOB members described the amendment as the board’s own recommendation after multiple committee reviews. Stephanie Rearick, who participated in PCOB discussions and represented the board in the meeting, told alderpersons the board had unanimously supported the version now before Council and had adjusted language to have the independent monitor’s office (not the mayor) collect nominations.

Council action: President Vitevere moved the PCOB‑approved version; the motion passed with two recorded abstentions (Alder Harrington McKinney and Alder Pritchett). Members who did not record an abstention voted in favor. The Council noted the PCOB repeatedly placed a competing amendment “on file with prejudice” during earlier meetings and that the board preferred the version adopted.

Why it matters: The amendment shapes the governance and appointment process for an oversight body tasked with receiving complaints and reviewing police conduct. Supporters of the adopted language said it preserves the PCOB’s independence and gives the independent monitor an operational role in assembling candidate pools. Opponents had argued the text could limit opportunities for some community organizations; supporters said the version preserves space for grassroots representation while making the process administratively clear.

Ending: With the ordinance change, the city will continue to use the independent monitor’s office and PCOB members to coordinate nominations before appointments are finalized; alderpersons and PCOB leaders said they expect the board to proceed with its planned meeting schedule.","The Common Council approved an ordinance amendment that preserves the Police Civilian Oversight Board’s recommended appointment process, with membership nominations to be handled by the independent monitor’s office in conjunction with the PCOB. Two alderpersons recorded abstentions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Madison Council authorizes bids to dismantle Dairy Drive campground after weeks of debate; two‑week pause added to seek funding

Neighbor opposition to Davidson Street reconstruction plan draws council attention; consent item approved

Destination Madison reports $1.55 billion in visitor spending for 2024; seeks continued room‑tax funding

Council approves amended viewshed easement for Merrill Springs Park after neighbors and landowners debate scope

Council adopts PCOB appointment language favored by board; two alderpersons abstain