City Highlights for the Week of May 27, 2024

Storm Clean up continues. Thanks to the combined efforts of City Streets, Forestry, Engineering, Parks, Fire, Police and Traffic Engineering who together with MGE have been working hard to clean up storm damage, restore power and road access. Due to the loss of trees, free mulch is available at select city parks including Warner and Demetral while it lasts. If you have not yet reported damage to the public tree near your home, please do so via the Tree Concern form at www.cityofmadison.com/ReportaProblem.

As of May 24, City Forestry has tallied 889 unique reports for tree damage related to the May 21 storm, and 287 of these calls would be considered emergency level needs, such as a tree blocking a road, fully blocking a driveway, or falling into a home.

This week join alders and city staff for two budget sessions. The sessions are open to all residents but strategically located around the city. The Wednesday session is at Village on Park for south and near west side residents and the Thursday session is at the Municipal Building from 6-8p for downtown and isthmus residents (the only hybrid meeting). More details in links to register for budget events . Please register as we are providing light meals to help nourish the conversation and want to get an approximate count of attendees. I will be attending the downtown event on May 30 and also the Wednesday June 5 budget session at Black Hawk Middle School for north side residents. The Council is gathering your input to help inform the Mayor as she drafts the Executive budget and our work on the 2025 budget.  

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of May 27, 2024

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. City Highlights prepared by Council staff.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 28, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include authorizing a contract with YWCA Madison Inc for tenant resource services to support tenant capacity building, authorizing a contract with LanguageLine Solutions for interpretation and translation services to support Public Health Madison & Dane County, and authorizing officials to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Milwaukee to provide support to City of Milwaukee law enforcement from July 13, 2024 through July 20, 2024. 

• Meeting Details

• Meeting Agenda

• Register for Public Comment 

• Watch Online

• Board of Health for Madison and Dane County: The Board of Health for Madison and Dane County meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 28, in hybrid format at 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include accepting grant funding for new positions, authorizing a contract with YWCA Madison Inc for tenant resource services to support tenant capacity building, and authorizing a contract with LanguageLine Solutions for interpretation and translation services to support Public Health Madison & Dane County.

• Meeting Details

• Meeting Agenda

• Register for Public Comment

• Watch Online

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.

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. The mulch is available at the following locations: Garner Park South side of parking lot, to your right when you enter off N. Rosa Rd. Demetral Park Near N. 6th Street… [posted May 24, 2024, by Parks]

• MPD mentors work with next generation of female law enforcement officers: MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin college students had a chance to learn from police mentors during an interactive training session. The event was part of the University of Wisconsin Women in Criminal Justice Mentoring Program, which seeks to empower women… [posted May 23, 2024, by Police]

• 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. [posted May 23, 2024, by Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center]

• 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. [posted May 23, 2024, by Metro Transit]

• 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.… [posted May 22, 2024, by Traffic Engineering]

• 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. [posted May 22, 2024, by Community Development]

• Here's how you can watch the 2024 MPD Awards Ceremony: MADISON, Wis. – 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. The event takes place… [posted May 22, 2024 by Police]

• MPD officers spend time with community members at Tito Fest: MADISON, Wis. – Officers with the Madison Police Department enjoyed interacting with hundreds of families who attended the 2024 Leopold Tito Fest. [posted May 21, 2024, by Police]

• 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. [posted May 21, 2024, by Planning & Community & Economic Development]

• Madison Fire Awarded National Honor for Exceptional Work in Cardiac Arrest Survival, Education: Madison is named a 'Heart Safe Community' by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). [posted May 21, 2024, by Fire]

• 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. [posted May 21, 2024, by Public Health Madison & Dane County]

• 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. What exactly will the Streets Division be doing? Staff will be working ahead of collection crews on the recycling collection week in… [posted May 21, 2024, by Streets & Recycling] 

• 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. This new civil service position, approved by the Common Council in the 2024 operating budget, was created to… [posted May 20, 2024, by Mayor’s Office]

• 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. Trash… [posted May 20, 2024, by Public Works]

• 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.)

• Southside/Near Westside Budget Engagement Event (NEW LOCATION), Wednesday, May 29: Attention all Southsiders & Near Westsiders! Come join us at the Village on Park in the Atrium Community Room (new location), for an interactive session where we discuss the 2025 budget outlook. This in-person event is your chance to have your voice heard and share your thoughts on what should be prioritized in our community! Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

• 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.