1. The Madison Street Festival presented its 2022 grant recipients
The Madison Street Festival takes place in October of each year. The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and provides grants to groups and organizations that provide educational opportunities and increase literacy in our community. The grant application is made available each fall. Sixteen grants were awarded for the 2022 grant cycle. They include the Madison Elementary school STEM Club, Midtown Elementary School's Archery Team, and the Danny Kendall Johnson Foundation. For a full list and description of the grantees, visit the Madison Street Festival's Grant page here.
2. Resolutions were passed to appropriate money from the city to grant five local nonprofit organizations with funds for the 2023 fiscal year
All were paid from the city's general operating account. The mayor mentions each one in the video clip below.
Madison County Health Department, $30,000
Liberty Learning Foundation, $7,500
3. Councilperson Wroblewski announced that Readyfest returns this year
Readyfest is a free community fair focused on emergency preparedness. It will take place at Discovery Middle School on Saturday, February 25 from 9 am- 1 pm. Experts and vendors will be on-site to provide information about a variety of topics related to being prepared in case of an emergency. Presentations will take place indoors and outdoors. An event page for this event is coming soon.
4. Council approved a service agreement of $32,000 for phase three of a comprehensive wayfinding/sign master plan
This project was discussed at length at a City Council Work Session on June 16, 2021. Below is I Vote Madison's recording of that discussion (note that Council was not using microphones at work sessions yet, so the speakers are not that audible):
5. A resolution authorizing a maximum amount of $300K for improvements to Toyota Field was passed
This is the first of three rollouts of funds from the city to make the necessary improvements to Toyota Field so that it meets the new standards set by Major League Baseball for Minor League Baseball teams. All improvements must be completed by the beginning of the 2025 season. The improvements will be done in phases. Improvements include increasing the size of the weight room, adding female facilities, and improving the clubhouse used by visiting teams.
This resolution did not pass unanimously. Councilperson Powell and Councilperson Denzine voted "nay."
All of the improvements and costs associated with meeting the updated standards were discussed at length at a City Council Work Session earlier this month. Below is I Vote Madison's recording of that portion of the meeting.
Upcoming City Council meetings:
City Council meeting, Monday, February 13 at 6 pm
Work session, Wednesday, February 15 (time TBD)