In-Person Open House: Southwest Area Plan kickoff event – Tuesday, November 19, 2024: Join Planning, Engineering, Transportation, Parks, and others at an open house on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Akira Toki Middle School, 5606 Russett Road. There will be a brief presentation at the start. Feel free to drop in and stay for a few minutes or the entire time. Learn about the Southwest Area Plan and other upcoming projects in the Southwest Area.
Upcoming events/meetings
Economic Development Committee: The Economic Development Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an update on the Economic Development Plan, a presentation of the Economic Development Division Report from 2021-2023, and a discussion regarding means testing financial assistance programs.
District 11 Book Club with Stu Levitan, Wednesday, December 11: For our next District 11 Book Club on December 11th, Stu Levitan will give an illustrated talk on Madison in the 1970s, adapted from his forthcoming book, Madison: The Illustrated Sesquicentennial History, Volume 2, 1932 to 1979
Announcements
Information About a Pilot Program for Event and Commuter Parking Charges at Some City Parks
You may have seen news recently that the 2025 City Budget authorizes a pilot program for Madison Parks to explore charging fees to park at some City parks. The idea came from Madison Parks’ 5% cut scenarios during the preparation of the 2025 Operating Budget as a potential strategy to address part of the structural deficit. This pilot program is not intended to charge Madison residents for their use of our public parks, but rather to explore charging fees for special events like home-field Badger games or for limited, designated parking spaces for commuters. Here is how Madison Parks describes the scope of the pilot program:
“Initial ideas for the pilot program suggest charging to park a vehicle during home Badger football games, in the north lot of Vilas Park, while continuing to provide the south lot as free three-hour parking. Other concepts include fee-based parking for a limited number of reserved commuter parking stalls during peak hours in popular lots such as Garner, Olin or Burr Jones. This concept allows park visitors plenty of free parking to visit a park throughout the day. It is unlikely that all of these concepts will be a part of the experiment in 2025, but these and other ideas will be considered by the Board of Park Commissioners. As the pilot program takes shape, we welcome and encourage community feedback.”
Any proposal to implement this pilot program will be reviewed by the Board of Park Commissioners, which will include an opportunity for residents to provide comments and input. I will watch for this on the Board’s agendas and will share more information in future weekly blog posts.
Greater Madison MPO Secures $1 Million to Enhance Roadway Safety Across Dane County: The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has been awarded $1 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to enhance safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians throughout Dane County.
The City of Madison Parks Division has begun it’s work on replacing the playground at Manchester Park. The new playground equipment is anticipated to be installed and completed by late 2024 or early 2025. For more information on this project, please visit the Manchester Park Playground Improvements project page.
Empowering Small Businesses: District 7 Lunch and Learn featuring the Office of Business Resources
I am pleased to announce my upcoming Lunch and Learn on Thursday, November 21, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Learn more about small business opportunities, how to apply for city programs, TIF, TBE certification, and more! This virtual event is free and open to all Madison residents.
This interactive session will feature expert speakers from the Office of Business Resources, including Saran Ouk, Manager of the Office of Business Resources, Ruth Rohlich, Business Development Specialist, and Michael Miller, Business Development Specialist. Attendees will leave with knowledge of small business resources, staff contacts, and actionable tips essential to overcoming common challenges and fueling growth and success.
This event is virtual via Zoom, and advanced registration is required. This event is free and open to the public. You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone, or tablet or listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering at www.cityofmadison.com/LunchandLearnD7.
Southwest Area Plan Open House
The Planning team for the Southwest Area Plan has announced the dates and times for a series of kickoff events. The events will focus on laying the groundwork for the planning process, including short presentations on what the Area Plan process involves (what area plans do and do not do, the differences between future land use recommendation maps and zoning maps, etc.) before an open-house-style event where community members can ask questions of City staff from across multiple departments.
Event Details:
In-Person: The City of Madison will hold plan in-person kickoff event for the Southwest Area Plan on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, starting at 6:30pm at Toki Middle School.
Virtual: Save the date for the virtual Southwest Area Plan event will be held from Noon – 1:00pm and 6:00pm – 7:00pm on Tuesday, December 3. More information to come!
Read the full news release here to learn more about the Southwest and Southeast Area Plans and the dates of their kickoff events.
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, November 12, at 5:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include adopting the additional property tax levy, as well as budget deliberations.
Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 13, at 5:30 p.m. in hybrid format, if needed. This meeting, if needed, would be used for budget deliberations.
Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Thursday, November 14, at 5:30 p.m. in hybrid format, if needed. This meeting, if needed, would be used for budget deliberations.
Final Guaranteed Yard Waste Collection Round Begins Next Week: For some neighborhoods of Madison, the final guaranteed leaf collection of the fall begins next week. These neighborhoods have a set out day for leaves and yard waste of Sunday, November 10, 2024.Other neighborhoods have later final guaranteed set… [posted November 8, 2024]
Housing Strategy Committee outlines recommendations to increase affordability and supply: As the City works to support more housing opportunities of all types, there is more work to be done. That is why the Housing Strategy Committee reviewed the City’s 2021 Housing Forward Initiative and is building on it by making new recommendations. [posted November 7, 2024]
Southbound Lane Closures on S Park Street – November 9 and 10: Starting at 4:00am Saturday, November 9 until approximately 7:00pm on Sunday, November 10, C.D. Smith will close the southbound travel lanes on S Park Street, between University Avenue and W Dayton Street for crane setup and girder installation for… [posted November 6, 2024]
Street Closures – Madison Marathon: The Madison Marathon races will take place Sunday, November 10, starting at 7:00am at the Capitol. Runners will move through the UW Arboretum, Vilas Park, around Lake Monona, and back to the Capitol, with the last runners finishing around 1:… [posted November 5, 2024]
What to Expect at the Polls: The City Clerk’s Office encourages voters to verify their polling location at https://MyVote.wi.gov before heading to the polls tomorrow. Redistricting in May changed some ward lines, which may affect where you vote.The busiest times at the… [posted November 4, 2024]
Election Hero Day: The Madison City Clerk’s Office is celebrating National Election Hero Day on November 4.Election Hero Day is a civic holiday that celebrates the heroic role of poll workers in keeping our elections fair, accessible, and transparent. In the City of… [posted November 4, 2024]
Events
OIM Opening Investigative Process, Monday, November 11: The Office of the Independent Monitor will be providing details on the opening of its investigative process. The Office is also announcing the start of a data project in collaboration with UCLA. After remarks, Independent Monitor Robin Copley and Data Analyst Greg Gelembiuk will be taking questions from the media.
Parks Alive Fall | Allied Park, Monday, November 11: Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you!
Parks Alive Fall | Warner Park, Wednesday, November 13: Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the fall. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you!
LGBTQ 50+ Intergenerational Autumn Dinner, Thursday, November 14: A fun fall gathering of like-minded adults to mingle, enjoy a meal, listen to music, and maybe even do some dancing. Blush is a local all-girl band out of Madison. Their music is grungy alternative-rock, and they will play some originals and some covers everyone is sure to know. A $20 donation for the meal is appreciated but not required. Registration required, call 608-255-8582. Open to all ages of queer folks and their allies.
Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, November 16: Fall Tree Walk ~ Join Naturalist Tree Expert Sean Gere for a fun and informal free family friendly guided walk or take a healthy nature hike on your own any day in Necember on easy walk and bike paths along Starkweather Creek. Enjoy the outdoors and learn about trees when leaves have fallen and you can see the branching structures and bark more easily.
City’s Affordable Housing Fund Supports 150+ Units, Native Nations Program, Safe Communities Celebration, and More!
Calling all neighborhood leaders, residents, non-profit groups, and others who support community building in neighborhoods: please circulate this list of announcements via email lists, newsletters, and other communication methods.
City’s Affordable Housing Fund to Support 150+ Affordable Housing Units
Four affordable rental housing developments will receive financial support from the City of Madison after the Common Council approved the funding during its meeting on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Six developers submitted requests in response to the 2024-2025 Affordable Rental Housing Development Non-Tax Credit Request for Proposals (RFP), which offered assistance to affordable rental housing developments that are not utilizing Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The goal of the Non-Tax Credit Affordable Housing Fund program is to offer support for different types of affordable housing development and preservation than those that typically receive tax credits.
Celebrate Native Nations during the Teejop & Beyond Program Series at Madison Public Library
The Madison Public Library created this program in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison to highlight both traditional and contemporary practices, stories, and community relationships of native nations. Six presenters representing different Native tribes will lead programs throughout October and November on a wide range of topics, including Native citizenship and participation in the electoral process, the recent discovery of canoes in Lake Mendota, the history and process of making musical instruments, and more. Four presenters are returning from last year’s program series.
Safe Communities will celebrate its 25th anniversary on November 19th. Safe Communities of Madison and Dane County is a non-profit coalition of over 350 organizations working together to save lives, prevent injury and make neighborhoods and the city safer. The coalition focuses on drug poisoning prevention, elder falls prevention, traffic safety/pedestrian safety, and suicide prevention. Join their anniversary celebration:
Leaf Collection: Don’t miss your leaf collection set out dates! Get the one for your home at www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste
Street Tree Inventory: Ever wonder what kind of tree it is in front of your house? What about every tree along the street in Madison? We have a map for that now that shows you the tens of thousands of trees along Madison’s streets. Check out our new street tree inventory.
New Online Recyclopedia: Confused about if you should recycle something or put it in the trash? Does something require special handling? We have a new tool to help you figure out how to dispose of all this stuff in our lives. You can check it out on our new website.
Our Electric Trucks Have Names! As you may recall, Madison has Wisconsin’s very first electric trash trucks – so we ran an election to give them silly names and many of you voted. Here’s the results.
Never Miss a Collection Day: As we move closer to winter, we recommend you sign up for the new Trash & Recycling Schedule Updates email list. This will help you not miss a trash & recycling pickup day if weather causes any delays in the pickups. Sign-up for this email list in the Streets section on the City’s email-list page.
