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Issues & Priorities
Mark worked as a city planner for 26 years and has lived in Middleton since 1991. He knows our community like the back of his hand! Mark retired from the City in June 2025 and sees representing District 6 on the Common Council as a way to continue sharing his experience and perspectives on how best to help Middleton grow and flourish for all of the city's residents.
This narrow sidewalk along Century Avenue near Old Creek Road coupled with the absence of bike accommodations are precisely the conditions that the Century Avenue Road Diet Study is intended to address. Working with Dane County, the City needs to find a way to turn Century Avenue (County Hwy M) into a "Complete Street" consistent with the Middleton's adopted policy for safely accommodating all roadway users along a travel corridor.
As District 6's next Council representative, Mark plans to:
Continue publication of a monthly e-newsletter focusing on matters of particular interest to District 6 residents. DETAILS Current Alder Lisa Janairo initiated this exemplary practice when she was elected in 2022. She has committed to continue publishing a newsletter if she is elected mayor, so Mark is committing to preparing a monthly newsletter that is focused on District 6 matters while still providing his rationale for how he votes on key issues facing the city. Mark appreciates that city communications via email and social media have improved in recent months, and he looks forward to working with his council colleagues and city staff on further enhancements. Communications that are consistently accurate, substantive, and timely help instill greater confidence in local government. Residents, business owners, and visitors need to be able to separate fact from fiction and know that they can turn to their local officials for reliable information.
Ensure that street improvement projects include well-designed pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations, especially along Century Avenue, High Road, and Pheasant Branch Road. DETAILS HIGH ROAD north of Spring Hill Drive is scheduled to be reconstructed in 2027. Mark will actively participate in the design process that is under way, to ensure that the new roadway maximizes safety for pedestrians and bicyclists who rely on this route to reach Northside Elementary and many other community destinations. He actively participated in the January 28 public informational meeting held at Northside so as to learn about resident concerns with various aspects of the initial project design. Unlike his opponent, he also attended the March 23 Public Works Committee and March 24 Plan Commission meetings, at which further design details were discussed. The road improvement project will be almost entirely paid for with funds set aside by developers of the adjoining subdivisions, not paid by taxpayers as claimed by Mark's opponent. The City has budgeted $40,000 to undertake a CENTURY AVENUE ROAD DIET STUDY in 2026. Mark helped set the stage for undertaking this project, and current Alder Lisa Janairo ensured that it would be funded as part of the 2026 capital budget so that the study recommendations are factored into the design of Century Avenue prior to its reconstruction (scheduled for 2029). Mark is also actively monitoring the plans for reconstructing the bridge over the creek (near Branch St.), a project scheduled for 2027. Mark wants to help lead a community discussion about ways to improve pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity along the PHEASANT BRANCH ROAD corridor without significantly changing the "rustic road" character of the roadway. He was involved in the community discussions prior to reconstruction of the segment south of Whittlesey Road 20 years ago, and he has some new ideas!
Support establishment of the Affordable Housing Fund and other recommendations identified in Middleton's Housing Action Plan, which is slated for adoption in April. DETAILS The well-documented shortage of both affordable and luxury housing units in the metro area results in higher housing costs for people in the middle. Consequently, approximately 35% of renters and 29% of homeowners in Middleton are considered "cost-burdened households," meaning they spend more than 30% of their gross income on housing expenses. The Dane County Regional Housing Strategy initiative concluded that, to do its share of accommodating the area's population growth, Middleton needs to add 318 housing units per year through 2040, and 26% of new units (about 83 units per year) should be legally restricted affordable rental units. Mark especially wants to promote the construction of energy-efficient housing. He deeply respects the collaborative work of the City's Community Development Authority, Workforce Housing Committee, and city staff that culminated in preparation of the draft Housing Action Plan.
Scrutinize the proposed "Community Campus" project for ways to reduce anticipated project costs while right-sizing the space and programming needs of the senior center, library, and city hall. DETAILS The senior center, library, and city hall are struggling to keep up with Middleton's growth (the city's population is up 37% since 2009). Nearly 1 in 5 residents are 65+, and check-ins at the senior center surged more than 60% between 2022 and 2024. Over six dozen community and non-profit groups rely on library meeting space, and study rooms are booked 81% of the time. Largely unchanged since 1974, City Hall has major maintenance issues and woefully inefficient uses of space. Guided by the Community Campus Committee that was formed in 2019, city officials have developed various design concepts, tax rate mitigation strategies, and financing plan scenarios to obtain feedback from community stakeholders. Final design and funding decisions will be one of the most significant issues facing the next District 6 alderperson. To see the project website maintained by the City, go to: https://www.cityofmiddleton.us/467/Community-Campus-Plan
Help residents of new subdivisions in the district (Redtail Ridge, Belle Farm, Pheasant Crossing) feel welcome and an integral part of the Middleton community. DETAILS Mark plans to invite all Redtail Ridge residents--renters and homeowners alike--to a neighborhood meeting during the summer of 2026, and then follow suit with Pheasant Crossing residents (the new Veridian development) in the fall of 2026. He will also make sure that residents are aware of the Good Neighbor Festival, Middleton's annual community celebration that takes place in late August next to the high school. (Mark served as president of the GNF Board of Trustees in 2020 and 2021 and is scheduled to reprise this role in 2027.)
As the Redtail Ridge subdivision continues to grow, it is becoming more imperative to provide a suitable route for pedestrians and bicyclists wishing to access the trail network at the Pheasant Branch / Whittlesey Road intersection.
Share with Mark any idea or comment you may have so he can better represent District 6 on Middleton's Common Council. His contact info is below. Thanks for reading about Mark's campaign!