CUL-DE-SAC: You've probably all noticed the reconstruction happening at the East Johnson Street end of Tenney Park near the river. The street now ends at the shelter parking lot and then becomes a bike path to East Johnson. This was one of the recommendations in the Tenney-Lapham/Old Market Place Neighborhood Plan which I requested in last year's budget process. It's also one of the first tangible results of the Yahara Parkway Plan. I believe it will prove to be a great asset to Tenney Park and what was an extremely dangerous traffic hazard on East Johnson Street.

TENANT ISSUES: In addition to dealing with stricter code violations and greater enforcement in the Tenney-Lapham area (which I explained in the July/August newsletter), an issue I've been working on is legislation which would enable tenants of lower incomes to have better access and more choice in where to find housing in this expensive rental city. One of the ordinances requires landlords to consider all Section 8 recipients while still using their normal screening criteria for all potential renters. Section 8 housing is presently located in specific clustered areas, creating a ghettoized effect. This would assist the Fair Share initiative for more mixed income neighborhoods leading to increased diversity throughout the city, which we are already experiencing in the Isthmus area but not everywhere.

The second requires landlords who solely use minimum income standards to also look at any reliable, demonstrable evidence the applicant would provide showing they have the actual ability to pay the rent. Half of Madison renters don't have incomes which equal three times the amount of rent required. They would be able to show documented proof of the same rent to income ratio paid in the past which is greater than or equal to three times the rent. This sole use of the minimum income standard has been documented by the city as one of the most predominant barriers in finding housing.

The Council voted to approve both ordinances on October 6, 1998 but then referred them to the Mayor's office. The Mayor had requested the referral a few days prior to the Council meeting to form a four-hour Housing Summit exploring how to provide better access to rental housing. A design team, consisting of landlords, tenant advocates and city staff, has been set up to organize its process. The summit will be December 9, in the morning as well as the evening, and is open to the public.

UPDATE ON TENNEY PARK/ALCOHOL: I'm introducing, by request of the Police Department and Parks Commission, a ban on alcohol with permits for Tenney Park at the October 20th Council meeting. It will go to a number of committees, back to the Parks Commission and then the City Council. At the same time, I'm pursuing the formation of a special committee consisting primarily of AODA and UW "experts" as well as both City and County policymakers to investigate alternative, more holistic approaches to problems associated with people with chronic alcoholism on public property. If you're interested in this or any other issues, just contact me.

-Alder Barbara Vedder


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