📝 Got resolutions?

✨ Next Steps For the Lake Monona Waterfront

• A city committee has approved the draft master plan to reimagine the Lake Monona waterfront. Sasaki, the design firm chosen to take on the monumental project, received the most support from residents in a survey earlier this year and was also the pick of the committee. The plan now heads to City Council for more consideration.
• The design plan envisions creating a “living edge” along the lake’s shoreline that includes an amphitheater and cafe, separated bike and pedestrian paths, wetland and water improvements, new lake access points, and much more.
• What’s next? This is going to be a multi-year project and City Council likely won’t make any final decisions on the plan until next spring. The first phase of the waterfront redevelopment is tentatively set for 2025, with construction starting in 2027. [Wisconsin State Journal, Sasaki, City of Madison]

😷 Masks Are Back at UW Health and Meriter

• UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter have reinstated mask requirements due to increases in RSV, flu, and Covid-19 cases. Patients, staff, and visitors will be required to wear a face covering in clinical settings, including exam rooms, waiting areas, and scheduling spaces.
• Masks will not be required in non-clinical spaces like cafeterias, administrative spaces, and lobbies. [Channel3000, PHMDC]

🎄 No Trash Collection on Christmas

• There won’t be any recycling collection either. If your trash and recycling is normally picked up on Mondays, you should put your cart(s) to the curb for collection by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26.
• Related: Learn how to become a better recycler from the city’s Recycling Coordinator. [City of Madison, City Cast Madison]

🧯 Your Lunchtime Read: Dane County supervisors criticize 'behind the scenes' agreement with Air National Guard

• “[I]n a Dec. 18 letter obtained by Isthmus, [some Dane County Supervisors] say county staff have been lobbying supervisors to approve a contract preferred by the military rather than negotiating for the modifications supervisors requested.”
• Dig deeper: City Cast Madison recently spoke to one supervisor about the contract and why he’s losing sleep over PFAS. [Isthmus, City Cast Madison]

Why Local Birds Need New Names

Calling all bird watchers! Get ready because some of the local birds you see around Madison are about to get new names. The rebrand is part of a larger shift from the American Ornithological Society which is planning to rename 70-80 English-named birds in North America to address past wrongs and make the names more scientifically accurate.