Midvale resurfacing project meeting Thursday; Zoning ordinance updates; Help spruce up Mid-Town and more!

Hello neighbors,

Reminder of the public information meeting on Thursday 1/30 at 6:30pm for the Midvale Blvd resurfacing project, which will include traffic safety update discussions. This meeting will be held in hybrid format, with in-person attendance at Sequoya library, and Zoom access as well. The project page has been updated, and has all the information on registration, etc. I hope to see you in person or online!

In case you missed it, I, along with several of my colleagues, have sponsored an ordinance update to relax some zoning restrictions around the addition of garages, accessory dwelling units, and other modest updates to our zoning code. City staff have done a great job of summarizing what these updates will achieve. The ordinance changes will go before Plan Commission on February 17 and come back to the Common Council on February 25.

The Mid-Town Police District has put out a call for volunteers to help spruce up the grounds of their building. Please pitch in if you are able!

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.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• 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.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

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 - 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Madison Food Policy Council Announces Start of 2025 SEED Grants Cycle: The City of Madison Food Policy Council is announcing the opening of the 2025 SEED Grants cycle to address food access issues in our community.
• Building Neighborhood Strength, Supporting Food Security, and More: 2025 Neighborhood Grant Program is Now Open!: From now through February 18, 2025, small groups of five or more residents, centers of worship, nonprofits, neighborhood associations and other groups serving neighborhoods can apply for the Neighborhood Grant Program.
• The PIE Food Project Grant program was created to encourage the development of projects that advance equity and access in local food systems across Dane County. In 2025, $40,000 is available for PIE Food Project Grants.
  Individuals and organizations with smaller projects are especially encouraged to apply. The application includes two funding categories: one for funding requests up to $2,000, and the other for requests up to $4,000. Priority will be given to projects serving Dane County communities outside the City of Madison and those that impact vulnerable, underrepresented, and/or underserved communities in Madison.
• Destination Madison has created a resource list for hospitality workers who may be working under a variety of visa situations.

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.
• The Regent Neighborhood Association is having their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 28 at 7pm on Zoom.
• Voter Registration “Closes” Wednesday, January 29: Today is the last day to submit a voter registration form online (link is external) or through the mail.
• Congressman Mark Pocan is hosting a town hall on Wednesday January 29, 6pm at the Labor Temple, 1602 S Park St.
• 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
• Unlock Your Path to Homeownership! FREE In-Person Homebuyer Education Workshop Saturday, February 8 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM | Villager Mall, Madison. Thinking about buying a home? Not sure where to start? The City of Madison, in partnership with the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, want to share with you this resource! Our FREE Homebuyer Education Workshop will give you all the information (and confidence!) you need to navigate the homebuying process!
• Sustain Dane is hosting an open house for homeowners to understand how to convert their homes to all electric appliances (including heating) on February 13, 4-5:30pm. Sign up to attend!

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

Stay safe,

Regina Vidaver