District 19 Matters of Interest and Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of January 27, 2025

In the D19

• Large Item Collection Reminder: Large item collection has ended for properties over 8 units:  Remember, if your property has more than 8 units you will no longer be eligible to receive curbside pickup for large items. You can still take items to a drop-off site, but curbside pickup will no longer be an option.
• Public Input Meeting - Skyview Park (Virtual), Thursday, January 30: Madison Parks is replacing five existing playgrounds in 2025. On Dec. 5, a virtual playground workshop was held for all five playgrounds, including the playground in Skyview Park, 1419 E Skyline Drive. Parks staff presented an overview of the playground replacement program and asked for input on design decisions during break-out sessions specific to each park location. Parks staff will present two playground concepts based on feedback received.
• Spring Court Tree Removal: On Friday, City Forester Ian Brown emailed me to advise the Madison Gas & Electric will be removing a 15" oak at Spring Court (Spring Harbor Neighborhood). MG&E provided the following information:

"As part of the system upgrade in this area, MGE is replacing poles and reconductoring the overhead wires; this will increase the nominal voltage from 4kV to 8kV. The proximity of this pole line to the road requires specific pole heights to ensure adequate clearance above the road surface and between all the attachments on the poles. The change in height will move the primary wire into the top of an oak tree that currently overhangs the wires. When we encounter conflicts like this, we always look at construction solutions first: we have already lowered the wire on the pole as much as we can without achieving the necessary clearance. We look at heavier pruning second: we would have to make pruning cuts at odds with the A300 standards to leave this tree standing. The third and last option we consider is tree removal: given the above-mentioned constraints, and in order to comply with our best management practices and ensure the safety and reliability of the public and our system, we propose to remove a 15” dbh oak. The blue polygon indicates the area with the tree conflict."

Image credit: Madison Gas & Electric

Updates and Notices

Winter Storms and Extreme Cold: The best way to stay safe during extreme winter weather is to be prepared and stay indoors. Learn how to prepare for winter storms.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 28, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include a resolution that mourns the loss of life and injuries suffered from gun violence and urges the Wisconsin State Legislature to enact common sense gun control.
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• Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 29, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an informational presentation on the Sauk Creek Greenway Corridor Plan.
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If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Public Information Meetings (PIM’s)

• Public Input Meeting - Ontario Park (Virtual), Monday, January 27: Madison Parks is replacing five existing playgrounds in 2025. On Dec. 5, a virtual playground workshop was held for all five playgrounds, including the playground in Ontario Park, 720 Ontario St. Parks staff presented an overview of the playground replacement program and asked for input on design decisions during break-out sessions specific to each park location. The second input meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 15. Parks staff will present two playground concepts based on feedback received.
• Public Input Meeting - Portland Park (Virtual), Tuesday, January 28: Madison Parks is replacing five existing playgrounds in 2025. On Dec. 5, a virtual playground workshop was held for all five playgrounds, including the playground in Portland Park, 4210 Portland Parkway. Parks staff presented an overview of the playground replacement program and asked for input on design decisions during break-out sessions specific to each park location. The second input meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 15. Parks staff will present two playground concepts based on feedback received.
• Midvale Boulevard Resurfacing (Virtual), Thursday, January 30: The City will host a public information meeting on Jan. 30, 2025, at 6:30 pm to discuss the planned construction project.  The meeting will be held virtual via zoom with an in person viewing during the meeting hosted at the Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd. Registration prior to the meeting is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Second Round of Youth Climate Action Funding : The City of Madison’s Sustainability Program is excited to announce a second round of funding for Youth Climate Action projects. [posted January 23, 2025]
• Community Feedback Invited for Madison LakeWay Schematic Design: As part of the Madison LakeWay development initiative, Madison Parks invites the community to provide feedback on the proposed lakeshore and path features along the John Nolen Drive causeway. The area under consideration encompasses 0.6 miles of… [posted January 21, 2025]
• Madison Arts Commission Announces New Call for Existing Works of Art: Madison’s Public Art Program is establishing a list of pre-qualified visual and public art for upcoming municipal projects. [posted January 21, 2025]

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

• Absentee Ballots are in the Mail, Tuesday, January 28: Check the status of your absentee at My Vote Wisconsin(link is external). If you do not have an absentee request on file, you may request an absentee using the My Vote Wisconsin(link is external) website.
• Voter Registration “Closes” Today, Wednesday, January 29: Today is the last day to submit a voter registration form online (link is external) or through the mail.
• Groove & Glide, Friday, January 31: Make the most of winter at a Groove and Glide event! Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the lights with fun music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Grab your friends, a date, or family, and have fun on the ice.
• Family Winter Prom, Saturday, February 1: Put on your dancing shoes and join us at Monona Terrace for Family Winter Prom 2025! The evening will have fun music, light refreshments, crafts, and a photo station. Family Winter Prom is a dance perfect for children 13 and under with an accompanying adult. Tickets are just $5 per family.

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.