Thanks to City staff for continued clean up work! Join us for budget engagement session May 29. Other announcements and events.

Hello neighbors,

Clean up after Tuesday’s storm will continue until all brush has been picked up. You can review the most recent update from the Streets Division on the massive amount of work City staff have performed. I sincerely hope you will join me and Mayor Rhodes-Conway in thanking all of our staff who have responded to this storm, including Streets, Forestry, Parks, Fire, Police, Engineering, and Traffic Engineering. While MG&E staff are outside the purview of the City, they have also worked diligently to return power to the thousands who were affected by the storm. This type of response is emblematic of the work ethic and experience of our City staff. These are the services our residents expect, not just during difficult times like these, but all year round. 

The staffing our City needs is directly related to our City’s operating budget. The Common Council is holding several listening sessions about the upcoming 2025 operating budget, including one scheduled for our district this Wednesday, May 29 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Village on Park Atrium. This in-person event is your chance to have your voice heard and share your thoughts on what should be prioritized in our community. If you haven’t yet, you can prepare for this meeting by reviewing background information on our budget posted by our Finance Director.

In other news, the night paving work on University Ave. has been pushed back to the week of June 2. Please be aware that construction noise may occur past the normal allowable hours of 7am-7pm during these few days.

Public Information Meetings

• Draft West Area Plan - Virtual Public Meeting-Land Use, Housing, Zoning, Tuesday, May 28: City staff will join Common Council members representing the West Area to host a series of five additional public meetings where people can further review and discuss the Draft West Area Plan. The second meeting will be virtual and will cover land use, housing, and zoning. It is scheduled for May 28th, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Please register here and you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the meeting. Registration is required to participate.
• Draft West Area Plan - Virtual Public Meeting-Transportation, Thursday, May 30: City staff have announced highlights of proposed changes to the Draft West Area Plan. For more details, check the project webpage. There will be additional changes released by May 10. City staff will join Common Council members representing the West Area to host a series of five additional public meetings where people can further review and discuss the Draft West Area Plan. The third meeting will be held virtually and will cover transportation, including the Sauk Creek Greenway. It is scheduled for May 30th, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Save the date: A public information meeting on the rebuilding of the athletic complex adjacent to the Camp Randall Field House will be held on June 12 at 6pm. Location to be announced.

News Releases & Announcements

• Free Mulch Now Available in Select City of Madison Parks: Wood mulch is now available for free within four City of Madison parks.
• Madison Public Library hours different for this week, and updating for the summer.
• MPD mentors work with next generation of female law enforcement officers: Wisconsin college students had a chance to learn from police mentors during an interactive training session.
• Lake Vista Café Opens for the Season: Enjoy casual gourmet fare, drinks and sprawling views of Lake Monona and downtown Madison’s cityscape at Lake Vista Café on the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center rooftop, now open for the 2024 season.
• Metro Transit and the Greater Madison MPO Seek Input from Local Community Members: Metro Transit and the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are asking community members to complete a 12-question survey regarding their experience using the current bus system.
• Lane Closures, University Ave-Mendota-Grassman Greenway Flood Mitigation and Restoration Design: Starting on Tuesday, May 28th, University Avenue, from Capital Avenue to Heim Ave, will see several traffic pattern changes occurring throughout the duration of the project, with most stages reducing both directions to one lane on University Ave.
• City of Madison signs off on sale of Rethke Avenue, Tree Lane properties: The City of Madison’s Common Council voted Tuesday night to pave the way for the sale of the properties at 715 Rethke Avenue and 7933 Tree Lane to Cinnaire Solutions, a non-profit housing developer with offices in Madison.
• Here's how you can watch the 2024 MPD Awards Ceremony: The Madison Police Department is hosting its annual Awards Ceremony this week. The event is a way to honor officers, professional staff and community members for their bravery and commitment to public safety.
• MPD officers spend time with community members at Tito Fest: Officers with the Madison Police Department enjoyed interacting with hundreds of families who attended the 2024 Leopold Tito Fest.
• Joining Voices for a Better Future: Public engagement events announced for Public Review DRAFT of the Northeast Area Plan: The City of Madison is inviting the community to provide feedback during a series of events later this month on the upcoming Public Review DRAFT of the Northeast Area Plan.
• Madison Fire Awarded National Honor for Exceptional Work in Cardiac Arrest Survival, Education: Madison has been named a 'Heart Safe Community' by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
• White House to Host National Offices of Violence Prevention Network: On May 22, staff from Public Health Madison & Dane County will join other members of the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN) by participating in an event hosted at the White House.
• Recycling Cart Inspections Coming Soon, Contaminated Carts Will Not Be Collected Until They Are Fixed: Streets Division crews will soon begin checking recycling carts at the curb for things that do not belong in them.
• Mayor Rhodes Conway Announces New City Communications Manager: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced earlier this month that Dylan Brogan will serve as Communications Manager for the City of Madison.  
• No Streets Division Collections on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Observance of Memorial Day: There will be no recycling, trash, brush, or large item collections performed by the City of Madison Streets Division on Monday, May 27, 2024 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The Streets Division drop-off sites will also be closed.
• Resources for Homebuyers and Property Owners: Are you a current homeowner or looking to own your first home? The City of Madison’s Community Development Division (CDD) is excited to share with you upcoming homeownership related events hosted by our community partners! When you go to www.cityofmadison.com/homeloans you will be able to find the homeownership event’s calendar and other CDD resources available to homeowners and homebuyers to achieve and maintain homeownership.

You will be able to find events related to homebuyer education and homeowner maintenance. Other resources include down payment assistance for first time homebuyers, property tax assistance for seniors (65+), and information about major and minor rehabilitation programs.

If you have any questions, please contact the City of Madison at email: homeloans@cityofmadison.com or call 608-266-6520.

Events

• Financial Empowerment Series (#1-4), Tuesday, May 28 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Financial Basics: Budgeting, debt reduction, credit repair and homebuying basics. Financial Empowerment Series to be held in 4 parts occuring on May 7, 14, 21, and 28. For questions regarding this program contact Kielley at klemkuil@ulgm.org.
• West Towne Path: Phase 2a, Tuesday, May 28: The proposed project will construct an approximately 0.3-mile-long, shared-use path that will connect an existing path from the underpass at S. High Point Road to Zor Shrine Place, extending the next phase of the on-going West Towne Path corridor, which is a long-term goal of the City of Madison to connect the far-westside to the greater Madison bike network. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., May 28, 2024, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, May 29 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to date information and schedules! (Location: far Eastside of Madison, near the Great Dane Eastside, 5901 Sharpsburg Dr.)
• Music in the Park in May, Wednesday, May 29 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Free concert series at the Olin Park pavilion sponsored by FOOT - Friends of Olin-Turville and Madison Parks. Wednesdays in May from 6 to 8pm. Doors open at 5:45pm.
• Central Budget Engagement Event, Thursday, May 30: Attention all Downtowners! Come join us virtually via Zoom or in person at the Madison Municipal Building for an interactive session where we discuss the 2025 budget outlook. This hybrid event (IN PERSON & VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION AVAILABLE) is your chance to have your voice heard and share your thoughts on what should be prioritized in our community. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
• Live at The Glen, Friday, May 31: Noah Hittner performs live on The Glen Golf Park patio from 5-8pm! Influenced by everything from folk-rock & blues to hip-hop, Noah has recorded and released several albums that blend the singer-songwriter, acoustic, rock, urban, and electronic styles into a singular Acoustic-Tronic genre.
• Free Fun Weekend in Madison Parks, Saturday, June 1 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Enjoy permit-free days in City of Madison and Dane County parks, on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, 2024. No permit is required to try out a disc golf course, bring your dog to a park or access the lakes.
• Nature Everywhere Day, Saturday, June 1: Stop by the Nature Everywhere Day activity hub at Olin Terrace (in front of Monona Terrace) to take the Vitamin N Challenge, enjoy arts and crafts, and learn more about nature-based activities happening across Madison.
• Free Fun Weekend in Madison Parks, Sunday, June 2 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Enjoy permit-free days in City of Madison and Dane County parks, on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, 2024. No permit is required to try out a disc golf course, bring your dog to a park, or access the lakes.

Take care,

Regina Vidaver