Madison's Everyday Engineering IT Media Team

Anyone who walks, bikes, drives or travels in any way in the City of Madison knows how valuable street space is. There are so many options with use or reconstruction—sidewalk space, rain garden space, bike lane space, space for café dining and so much more. These options and questions are what are driving the City’s Complete Green Streets Initiative. And if you are asking yourself, 'will this impact me?' Short answer: Absolutely, yes.
In this podcast episode, listeners will learn what the process is for new street reconstruction, the differences of standard streets vs. green streets, and ultimately how the Engineering Division and Traffic Engineering Division work together. City of Madison Engineering Division Public Information Officer Hannah Mohelnitzky hosts the City’s Bike and Pedestrian Administrator Renee Callaway and a principal engineer in the Engineering Division’s Streets and Paths Design Section Jim Wolfe to discuss the future of our City’s street design.

When we're in landscaping and yard season, a lot of people may be trying to cut cost by doing a lot of the work themselves. So we’re here to help you in a number of ways: so you don’t create more issues for yourself from a stormwater perspective and so you can landscape without worry so that you truly are improving your yard not only to beautify but also to improve the environment.
In this podcast episode you will learn how to landscape with a purpose by improving drainage around your home, which stormwater impacts you should be looking out for, what to do with yard waste and so much more. City of Madison Engineering Division Public Information Officer Hannah Mohelnitzky hosts Stormwater Engineer Phil Gaebler to discuss what people can do to help better their lawns while improving the stormwater infrastructure. You will also learn the impacts that salt, lawn chemicals and fertilizers have on your lawn as well as the environment.

It takes all of us to improve our stormwater system. It's a total team effort. But, if you have someone like the late Roger Bannerman leading the way through hard work and dedication, the difference for the community is huge. In this podcast episode, you will learn more in depth about Roger Bannerman, his passionate work that he accomplished for the City, and the strong influence he had on the stormwater community- which ultimately lead to the Rain Garden Initiative to be named after him. City of Madison Engineering Division Public Information Officer Hannah Mohelnitzky hosts Roger’s Wife, Jane Bannerman and Stormwater Engineer Phil Gaebler to discuss the impact Roger’s work made on the greater Madison area, including Wisconsin as a whole. You will also learn about the new rain garden that was dedicated to Roger on the corner of Fox Avenue and Sheldon Street, next to the Southwest commuter bike path in the City of Madison.

You see the red lights flashing in your rear view mirror. The sounds of sirens grow louder and you pull over to the side. Chances are you’ve likely gotten out of the way for a fire truck at some point. But now, there may be a new vehicle rushing by, especially in the City of Madison: the City’s and Nation’s first all-electric municipal fire truck, the Striker Volterra.
In this podcast episode you will learn about the differences between a standard fire truck vs. the new electric model, how engineering helped charge up this milestone and what the future holds when it comes to electric service vehicles. City of Madison Engineering Division Public Information Officer Hannah Mohelnitzky hosts Madison Fire Department Assistant Chief Scott Bavery and City of Madison Engineering Division’s Master Electrician Matt Parks to discuss the details about this historic, all-Wisconsin story on how the first electric fire truck began in our community.

Have you heard what all the buzz is all about? The City of Madison is a Bee City USA and it’s busy season for our black and yellow pollinator friends! Our Engineering Division Crews are also busy tending to the pollinators and sharing why its important to support the pollinator habitat. Engineering Division Public Information Officer Hannah Mohelnitzky hosts the Engineering Division Greenway Vegetation Coordinator Maddie Dumas and Field Ecologist Emily Jorgenson to talk about how our division focuses on making the community bee-friendly and pollinator friendly. From new bee boxes and plant selection to learning about the “bad boys” of the pollinator world (wasps!), in 20 minutes learn how you can help the City continue to be a Bee City USA.

Having a green, lush, lawn makes for a beautiful visual, but at what cost? Some people use fertilizers, others use different means to make the perfect lawn cushy and vibrant. City of Madison Engineering Division Public Information Officer Hannah Mohelnitzky hosts City of Madison Engineering Division Engineer Phil Gaebler and Engineering Division Greenway Vegestation Coordinator Maddie Dumas to talk about the lasting impacts your lawn can have on the area lakes. They also share what sort of fertilizers you should look for, while also trying to support local waterways. Is it possible? That question answered in this 20-minute episode that will get you closer to your perfect, green lawn.