Drug take back day 10/24; Data center framework PIM 10/27; Body worn cameras PIM 10/29; Comment on census changes; VOTE
postedHello neighbors,
There are a few things I want to draw your attention to:
- Draft Data Center Regulation Framework Public Information Meeting, Tuesday, October 27: The City of Madison's Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development will hold a public information meeting on Tuesday, October 27 to update community members on a draft framework for proposed zoning regulations for data centers within city limits. IMPORTANT: We are receiving multiple emails that indicate people believe this draft framework indicates where data centers WILL be placed. There are currently NO proposals for data center construction within the City of Madison. The proposed maps indicate POTENTIAL sites for future construction, and the meeting will go over some of the key regulations staff are recommending for any future siting considerations.
- Public Listening Session on Body-Worn Cameras, Thursday, October 29: The President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures is hosting a public listening session regarding Body-Worn Cameras. This public listening session will be hosted virtually via Zoom at 4:30 PM on Thursday, October 29, 2026.This time was chosen to allow individuals to also attend the Police Civilian Oversight Board listening session on what the public wants to see in the next Independent Police Monitor.
- The Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) has sent out a notice of what the federal administration's proposed changes to the decennial census would mean for the area. This is a serious matter that could substantially impact federal resources available for our county.
- Early, in-person absentee voting is open through October 30. Election Day is November 3. If you plan to vote on election day, please check your voting location at MyVoteWI.gov. If you have not yet returned your absentee ballot, please use one of our local drop boxes; ballots mailed now cannot be guaranteed to arrive by election day.
Updates and Notices
- Fall Leaf Season is Underway: Get the exact date when you should set out your leaves for pickup from the yard waste website.
- Drop-off Sites Reminder – Don't Get Surprised by Winter Hours Changes: Yard waste, electronics, and many other items are accepted at the Streets Division drop-off sites. And remember, the hours at the drop-off sites change for the winter months. Get the drop-off site information from the Streets Division website.
Public Information Meeting (PIM's)
- Transportation Commission Meeting – Public Hearing, Wednesday, October 28: On Wednesday, October 28, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. to review and discuss proposed increases to the paratransit agency fare and contract rates for the Commute Card and the Unlimited Ride Pass programs.
Announcements and News Releases
- No questions asked: Drug Take Back Day offers free medication disposal: The Madison Police Department is encouraging people to safely dispose of unneeded and unused prescription drugs during the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. There are collection sites across Wisconsin on Saturday, October 24.
- Madison Public Library's Period Party Series Returns November 2-21, 2026: Madison Public Library is hosting the annual Period Party series in partnership with Public Health of Madison and Dane County and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Closure of Eastbound W Dayton Street between N Charter and N Mills Streets: Starting on Monday, October 26, Terra Construction will close eastbound traffic along W Dayton Street, between N Charter Street and N Mills Street to conduct work on the UW-Madison chilled water system.
- Highway T Closure at Felland Road Begins October 26: On Monday, October 26, starting at 9:00am, Capitol Underground will close County Hwy T in both directions east of the intersection with Felland Road to complete utility work for a private development contract.
- Urban Forestry Planting 1,000 Trees in Fall 2026: Urban Forestry's fall planting season begins today, Monday, October 19, 2026.Crews will be planting approximately 1,000 trees from 35 different species. The trees will be placed in the right of way space along streets throughout the entire City.
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
- EHS Feeder Program Fall Academy, Tuesday, October 27, 2026 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Madison East High School Basketball Feeder Program Fall Academy is a six-week basketball development program Tuesdays and Thursdays from September 22, 2026 to October 22, 2026 (skip date October 8, 2026) for boys and girls in 5th–8th grade who plan to attend Madison East High School.
- Hayride Around the Capitol | Movie at the Top of State, Wednesday, October 28: We've partnered with Madison's Central BID for the Downtown Madison Family Halloween to bring you back-to-back events! Take a haywagon ride around the Capitol Square and see a movie at the Top of State Street.
- Wright Design Series - The Frautschi Center: A Welcoming Gateway to the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Wednesday, October 28: The upcoming Frautschi Center is designed to be a doorway to UW–Madison's 300-acre Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Hanson will trace its design evolution from TKWA's pattern-writing process through community-driven site selection, threshold design, and the Living Building Challenge certification process.
- Warner Family Fun Night | Halloween Celebration, Friday, October 30: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo!
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
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.
- Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 26, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include 2027 Executive Operating Budget deliberations.
- President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures: The President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures meeting will take place on Friday, October 30, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an examination of the Milwaukee Police Department's Body-Worn Cameras policy.
If you would like more information about becoming a member of the City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.
Go Brewers!!
-Regina Vidaver