Zenz
@therealzenz.bsky.social
Mostly Madison, WI development and political news. I live-tweet most Madison Plan Commission and Common Council meetings. Views are my own. Councilytics.com
And it's over! This could have been finished at 6:30.
November 12, 2025 at 3:42 AM
And it's over! This could have been finished at 6:30.
OK, kids. Don't go to the municipal building on the 25th.
November 12, 2025 at 3:42 AM
OK, kids. Don't go to the municipal building on the 25th.
Harrington-McKinney says that when they walk out today they should remember not to be disagreeable,have more conversations,and not criticize each other. The Mayor thanks the budget team and in the agencies-in particular recognizes work to educate about the budget, and planning ahead for oper. budget
November 12, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Harrington-McKinney says that when they walk out today they should remember not to be disagreeable,have more conversations,and not criticize each other. The Mayor thanks the budget team and in the agencies-in particular recognizes work to educate about the budget, and planning ahead for oper. budget
They spent (almost) all the money. Good job to all. They paid for a some amendments with extra rainy day fund balance. MUCH easier budget night than in the past. Figueroa Cole giving some final words celebrating the funding of the new temp men's shelter, Madison saying there is lots of demand.
November 12, 2025 at 3:35 AM
They spent (almost) all the money. Good job to all. They paid for a some amendments with extra rainy day fund balance. MUCH easier budget night than in the past. Figueroa Cole giving some final words celebrating the funding of the new temp men's shelter, Madison saying there is lots of demand.
Figueroa Cole tries to end the meeting early. But we can't yet!
Operating budget passes 18-2, with Harrington-McKinney and Knox voting against.
Operating budget passes 18-2, with Harrington-McKinney and Knox voting against.
November 12, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Figueroa Cole tries to end the meeting early. But we can't yet!
Operating budget passes 18-2, with Harrington-McKinney and Knox voting against.
Operating budget passes 18-2, with Harrington-McKinney and Knox voting against.
The amendment to defund the PCOB and Office of independent Police Monitor fails 3-17 with Pritchett, Harrington-McKinney, Knox voting against.
November 12, 2025 at 3:24 AM
The amendment to defund the PCOB and Office of independent Police Monitor fails 3-17 with Pritchett, Harrington-McKinney, Knox voting against.
The question has been called!!!!!
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 AM
The question has been called!!!!!
Knox says he didn't communicate with the PCOB board chair because she doesn't respect her. They are just trying to get that $25 for the meeting. He says that the biggest flaw is that the orgs with a position on the board were originally anti-police.
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Knox says he didn't communicate with the PCOB board chair because she doesn't respect her. They are just trying to get that $25 for the meeting. He says that the biggest flaw is that the orgs with a position on the board were originally anti-police.
Knox is getting pretty defensive about this, and seems angry that there isn't more support. I'm not sure what the sponsors were expecting...OK, he just brought up the BRT. It is complete.
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Knox is getting pretty defensive about this, and seems angry that there isn't more support. I'm not sure what the sponsors were expecting...OK, he just brought up the BRT. It is complete.
Knox wonders what the PCOB has accomplished, thinks not much. He thinks that they are giving money away, and not doing much else. He says other alders were earlier supportive of eliminating the PCOB, but now thinks they are lying to the public.
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Knox wonders what the PCOB has accomplished, thinks not much. He thinks that they are giving money away, and not doing much else. He says other alders were earlier supportive of eliminating the PCOB, but now thinks they are lying to the public.
He thinks there should be some collaborative ordinance changes that will help the OIM and PCOB in the coming year. "maybe the cart did come before the horse, but that doesn't mean you kill the horse."
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 AM
He thinks there should be some collaborative ordinance changes that will help the OIM and PCOB in the coming year. "maybe the cart did come before the horse, but that doesn't mean you kill the horse."
Govindarajan says he has not been a huge fan of the OIM, has had lots of discussions about deficiencies. He thinks that the biggest problems are not structural but were mostly the former police monitor - he thinks the future monitor will be successful.
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Govindarajan says he has not been a huge fan of the OIM, has had lots of discussions about deficiencies. He thinks that the biggest problems are not structural but were mostly the former police monitor - he thinks the future monitor will be successful.
Alder Madison says that she thinks the PCOB has largely met the standards of accountability that council requested last year. (for instance they finally filed their annual report). Says they received lots of concern after amendment was filed: residents thought it was sneaky and dishonest.
November 12, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Alder Madison says that she thinks the PCOB has largely met the standards of accountability that council requested last year. (for instance they finally filed their annual report). Says they received lots of concern after amendment was filed: residents thought it was sneaky and dishonest.
Pritchett asks council whether someone who is wrongfully arrested would care whether this amendment was correctly vetted - suggesting that they would instead want the cop to have a body worn camera.
November 12, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Pritchett asks council whether someone who is wrongfully arrested would care whether this amendment was correctly vetted - suggesting that they would instead want the cop to have a body worn camera.
This is probably the most pointless budget night in a while. They pass the capital budget and all the real operating amendments unanimously, and then spend hours talking about something that might have 4 votes.
November 12, 2025 at 2:55 AM
This is probably the most pointless budget night in a while. They pass the capital budget and all the real operating amendments unanimously, and then spend hours talking about something that might have 4 votes.
If you think the amendment is pointless, why don't you call the question....
November 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
If you think the amendment is pointless, why don't you call the question....
Evers not sure what the sponsors were hoping to accomplish - says that the passage of the amendment doesn't buy any cameras. He says that the sponsors should engage in a more collaborative process, notes that sponsors have complained about some developments not having enough community engagement.
November 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Evers not sure what the sponsors were hoping to accomplish - says that the passage of the amendment doesn't buy any cameras. He says that the sponsors should engage in a more collaborative process, notes that sponsors have complained about some developments not having enough community engagement.
That last bit is 100% correct and has been very common for council conservatives lately. They probably don't think that it will pass (or at least they shouldn't), but just want to hold council hostage while they complain about the CPOB.
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 AM
That last bit is 100% correct and has been very common for council conservatives lately. They probably don't think that it will pass (or at least they shouldn't), but just want to hold council hostage while they complain about the CPOB.
Alder Glenn laments that council is being asked, with almost no public engagement undoes the community action that brought about PCOB. "the antithesis of community driven governance...this amendment is performative."
November 12, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Alder Glenn laments that council is being asked, with almost no public engagement undoes the community action that brought about PCOB. "the antithesis of community driven governance...this amendment is performative."
We've heard this sort of argument a few times tonight. Sponsors of the amendment say they support the OIM, but think the current one is not functioning and so should be cut - they also say that body worn cameras are necessary before any well-functioning OIM.
November 12, 2025 at 2:40 AM
We've heard this sort of argument a few times tonight. Sponsors of the amendment say they support the OIM, but think the current one is not functioning and so should be cut - they also say that body worn cameras are necessary before any well-functioning OIM.
Harrington-McKinney says that body worn cameras are necessary for monitoring of the police, and in fact is necessary for the OIM to ever function. She also says that they need to properly funding (which she says it isn't now). She worries about body worn cameras not every being funded.
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Harrington-McKinney says that body worn cameras are necessary for monitoring of the police, and in fact is necessary for the OIM to ever function. She also says that they need to properly funding (which she says it isn't now). She worries about body worn cameras not every being funded.
At Knox's prompting, police chief says that the additional money would likely allow them to implement body worn cameras sooner in 2027.
November 12, 2025 at 2:30 AM
At Knox's prompting, police chief says that the additional money would likely allow them to implement body worn cameras sooner in 2027.
Of note, the police did not ask for future body worn camera money ("horizon list" for future funding). Harrington-McKinney pushed for that future funding. She wants to show a video of something, but mayor says it isn't set up (thank God!).
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Of note, the police did not ask for future body worn camera money ("horizon list" for future funding). Harrington-McKinney pushed for that future funding. She wants to show a video of something, but mayor says it isn't set up (thank God!).
Although the capital budget contains money for body worn cameras in future years, the police chief says he is not ready to do any full implementation in 2026. They still plan to make a request for funds next year to start a 2027 implementation.
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Although the capital budget contains money for body worn cameras in future years, the police chief says he is not ready to do any full implementation in 2026. They still plan to make a request for funds next year to start a 2027 implementation.