D6 Items of Interest Week of December 23, 2024

The last two weeks have been wrenching for the Council and the City. I hope you are taking care of yourself as we grieve the devastating loss of life this week. Sending healing thoughts and warm wishes for a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Resources for the Madison Community: Madison stands with the families of Abundant Life community. This page is dedicated to connecting victims and the broader community to resources and accurate information about the tragic events that happened on December 16.

Today we learned the news that Police Chief Shon Barnes has accepted the position of City of Seattle Chief of Police. The Mayor's statement on Chief Barnes captures his impact this week and for the four years he has served our city. I sent him a note today thanking him for leading MPD on a positive path for the last several years, for normalizing good policing in Madison after years of upheavals, and appreciating his leadership during the last few days dealing with the horrific mass shooting at ALCS. I was out of town on Monday and watched the story unfold on national TV. It was heartbreaking but I was proud to see the Chief exude calm professionalism with his presence (along with Mayor Satya, Fire Chief Chris Carbon, Alders Jael Currie and Dina Nina Martinez Rutherford, County Exec Melissa Agard and everyone else who attended the press conferences). Madison can be proud of the quick and thorough response of the first responders who showed up to assist students and their families. I want to thank Council staff for coordinating our communication via our alder blogs.

Chief Barnes will serve through February 1, 2025 and he has recommended to the Police and Fire Commission that Assistant Chief John Patterson serve as the interim Chief of Police until a permanent replacement is selected.

Thank you, Chief Barnes, the city has benefitted from your service.  

City Offices are closed on December 24 and 25: Administrative offices are closed on December 24 and 25, 2024 for Christmas. Emergency services will be open; please call 911. Use Report a Problem for non-emergencies.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

There are currently no Boards, Commissions, and Committee meetings scheduled for this upcoming week. No meetings and no D6 blog until next year. Details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

• Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2024: There will be no Streets Division collections performed on both Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and Wednesday, December 25, 2024 in observance of the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day holidays. The drop-off sites will also be closed on these two days. Below… [posted December 19, 2024]
• Keep sidewalks safe: Reminder of City of Madison sidewalk shoveling and salt use ordinances: As winter weather approaches, the City of Madison’s Building Inspection Division would like to remind everyone about the City’s ordinances for sidewalk clearing and salt usage. [posted December 19, 2024]
• Abundant Life Christian School Shooting: Facts and Questions Page: MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Police Department is committed to transparency and will continue to release information that can be used to improve public safety. This must be balanced, however, with our commitment to the victims and survivors of the…[posted December 18, 2024]
• Read, Play, Write, and Create at Madison Public Library this Winter Break with WE READ: MADISON, WI – Beginning Monday, December 16, kids and families can visit any Madison Public Library location and find new play materials, reading buddies, scavenger hunts, and more thanks to the Winter WE READ campaign designed to keep kids reading, playing, writing and creating all winter long. [posted December 17, 2024]
• Madison police, other agencies respond to school shooting: MADISON, Wis. — The Madison Police Department responded to a mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning. Officers were dispatched to the school, which is located on the city's east side, at 10:57 a.m. They arrived to find… [posted December 17, 2024]
• Statement on Abundant Life School Shooting: The City of Madison is confirming an active shooter incident at Abundant Life Christian School. At this time, there is no danger to the community, and we are in the process of supporting victims and their families. Multiple victims have been… [posted December 16, 2024]

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

• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, December 28: Join a naturalist for an easy family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walk will begin at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Meet outside at the Children's Shack. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, and Aldo Leopold Nature Center . No registration is required. No pets are allowed.

• Holiday Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park, November 9th through December 31, 2024: Lighted holiday themed displays set in beautiful Olin Park. Drive through anytime Dusk until Dawn to enjoy this magical light show for free, brought to you by The Electric Group.

   

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