Public information meetings; Announcements & Events

Hello neighbors,

Reminder that there are two upcoming public information meetings relevant to our District:

• January 16, 6pm: Public information meeting on the property development planned at the 3535-3553 University Avenue location. Please register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The property owners have been able to acquire the two homes at the corner of University Ave and Meadow Lane and want to get neighborhood feedback on a slightly larger development than what has already been approved. Notably, the expanded footprint would allow for much better traffic flow in and out of the building.
• January 30, 6:30pm: Public information meeting on the Midvale resurfacing project. This meeting is planned to be hybrid, at Sequoya library, and via Zoom. Those specifics will be forthcoming. Please note that with this resurfacing project, to be from Mineral Point to University Ave, there will be opportunities for improved safety updates, such as pedestrian crossings, and possibly bike lanes. Options will be presented at this meeting, and your input is requested!

Board, commissions, and committee meetings

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include the restructuring of existing land contracts with Madison Ice Inc. and East Madison Ice Collective into forgivable loans, as well as approving the allocation of City funds that are budgeted and designated to support older adult programming.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Economic Development Committee: The Economic Development Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 15, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an update on the City of Madison Economic Development Plan, as well as a discussion regarding "Means Testing" for Economic Development Division financial assistance programs.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• The Draft Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan will be presented to the Board of Public Works on January 15th for acceptance. For more detailed information on the plan development process, please visit the Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan project website.

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)

• Gregory Street Focus Group - Wingra Proper Watershed Study, Tuesday, January 14: Learn more about the Gregory Street Focus Group - Wingra Proper Watershed Study. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:00 - 6:30 p.m., January 14, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
• Arboretum Area Focus Group - Wingra Proper Watershed Study, Tuesday, January 14: Learn more about the Arboretum Area Focus Group - Wingra Proper Watershed Study. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., January 14, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
• Public Input Meeting - Kennedy Park, Wednesday, January 15: 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 Kennedy Park, 5202 Retana Dr. 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.

Announcements and News Releases

• Updated Dates: Temporary Lane Closures for Tree Removal: On Wednesday, January 15 and Thursday, January 16, City Forestry crews will close Manitou Way, between Tumalo Trail and Iroquois Drive, to remove three median trees.
• OIM Community Listening Session: The Office of the Independent Monitor invites members of the public to a virtual community listening session on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1 pm. This will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and provide feedback.
• Family Winter Prom: A Night of Frosty Fun for the Whole Family!: Embrace the wonder of winter at the Family Winter Prom! Join us for a sparkling evening of frosty fun and family connection on Saturday, February 1, from 5:30-8:30 pm at Monona Terrace. This fun and enchanting event is just $5 per family (ages 4-13) and offers an unforgettable night of music, dancing, crafts, and refreshments. Dress to impress and make cherished memories with your loved ones in a cozy winter wonderland!
• Understanding Your Water Utility: D7 Virtual Lunch and Learn with Water Utility General Manager Krishna Kumar: Alder Nasra Wehelie will kick off the 2025 new year by hosting a virtual lunch and learn featuring Water Utility General Manager Krishna Kumar on Thursday, January 23, from 12 to 1 p.m.
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway introduces ordinance changes to encourage housing growth: Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is introducing a package of changes to the City’s zoning ordinances as part of an ongoing effort to support the creation of more housing of all types.
• Protect Your Health: Test Your Home For Radon: Testing your home for radon is an important way to protect your health.
• City of Madison Receives $20 Million to Improve Housing Affordability Through Energy Upgrades : The City of Madison’s Sustainability Program has been awarded a $20 million grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Community Change Grants program.
• Fire Station 6 Closes to Prepare for Redevelopment: Firefighters and Paramedics Move to Fish Hatchery RoadEffective Thursday, January 9, Madison Fire Station 6 located at 825 W. Badger Road will close its doors to make way for redevelopment.
• It’s Time to Name Some Plows!: The City of Madison Parks and Streets Divisions, and Wisconsin Salt Wise, are asking for your help. There are five vehicles in the City's snowplowing fleet (one from Parks, and four from Streets) that need names!
• The City of Madison Food Policy Council announces the 2025 SEED Grants cycle to address food access issues in our community. SEED Grants are small grants designed to support new and recently emerging projects or programs that support access to healthy food in our community.
• Pick up native seeds at your local library! Many thanks to all the volunteers who collected these lovely resources.
• The First issue of Madison’s Vision Zero Quarterly Newsletter for 2025 has arrived! This issue discusses the work of Madison’s Vision Zero initiative and the focus on citywide technology improvements and grants to discuss the various ways these processes help to increase safety on our roadways while also aiding in the collection of real-time data to better serve, improve and protect our community.
• The Planning Division’s  Neighborhood Grant Program will once again offer small grants in 2025 to neighborhood groups, small groups of residents, business associations and other eligible organizations for neighborhood improvement projects. Create community gathering places, native plant gardens, or public art, or build the capacity of your neighborhood group! The grant application deadline is February 18 by 4:30 p.m. Grant guidelines and application materials are posted to the  City’s webpage.

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

• Groove & Glide, Friday, January 17: 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.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, January 18: Otter Go Sledding Party ~ Join Naturalist Paul Noeldner and Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free family friendly sledding party and nature walk or go sledding on your own to embrace the joy of winter!  Some sleds will be provided, please bring a sled if you have one. Dress warm and enjoy a campfire with hot chocolate and smores!  Did you know Wisconsin River Otters are expert sledders?  They love to slide on snow and can swim long distances under water while holding their breath.  Their extremely dense fur coats have thousands of tiny hairs per square inch that help shed water and keep them comfortably warm. Pretend you are an Otter and see how far you can slide in the snow!
• Candlelight Hike, Saturday, January 18: In partnership, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Madison Parks presents this wonderful hiking event! Hundreds of softly glowing lights illuminate the trails through Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Edna Taylor Conservation Park. Take a walk through the parks and then enjoy a roaring bonfire outside. All ages are welcome. See Map for more information.
• Learn to Ice Fish, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (this event occurs on multiple dates): Join Madison Parks, Access Ability Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin DNR for a free ice fishing event during Free Fishing Weekend - no license required! Learn ice fishing techniques safely. Open to ages 7 and up; children must be supervised. Advanced registration is necessary, and waivers will be signed on-site.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, January 19: Enjoying Winter's Art ~ Join Wild Warner Naturalist Kathlean Wolf for a free guided walk or take a walk on your own to enjoy contrasts in the landscape, fallen leaves exposing the shapes of trees, dried summer plants creating snow-capped sculptures and ice and frost forming fantastic scenes. We'll go in search of the snow-sculptures made by the cold North Wind; the rainbows tucked inside ice crystals, and the bubble-art beneath the pond's surface. Bring your camera, your sketchbook, or just bundle up warmly and bring your love of Nature!  We may have hot cocoa and a campfire with smores after the walk.

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

Stay warm!

-Regina Vidaver