Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of April 17, 2023

Hello neighbors

Meetings

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in hybrid format at 12:00 PM, recess and then back in hybrid format at 6:30 PM. Agenda items include; commending and thanking Alder Patrick Heck, Alder Erik Paulson, Alder Barbara Vedder, Alder Sheri Carter, Alder Grant Foster, Alder Keith Furman, and Alder Matt Phair for their dedicated service to the constituents in their respective districts and to the City of Madison, swearing in of the Re-elected Mayor, swearing in of the newly elected and re-elected alders and the election of Common Council leadership.
  • Meeting Details – 12:00 PM
  • Meeting Details – 6:30 PM
  • Meeting Agenda – 12:00 pm & 6:30 PM
  • Register for public comment – 6:30 PM
  • Watch Online – 12:00 pm & 6:30 PM

• Bus Rapid Transit Construction (Downtown/Central) - Public Info Meeting, Thursday, April 20, 2023: The City of Madison has started construction on its bus rapid transit line. This includes work in the general downtown area between University Bay Dr. and Blair St.

Construction will take place in stages between 2023 and 2024.

Attend the public information meeting to learn about road work, construction schedule, and expected lane closures. Much of the work will require traffic control and lane closures.

• Bus Rapid Transit - Mineral Point Proposed Sidewalk Construction, Thursday, April 20, 2023: In 2024, the City of Madison is proposing to widen the sidewalk on the north side of Mineral Point Road between the Beltline Hwy. and Whitney Way as part of the East-West Bus Rapid Transit project.

The proposed project would include replacing the current 5-foot wide sidewalk with an 8 to 10-foot wide sidewalk, relocating or replacing street infrastructure such as traffic signal poles and street lighting as needed, and where necessary installing new curb and gutter.

Events

• Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market: The Wednesday Dane County Farmers' Market is located on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in between the Madison Municipal Building and the City County Building. While more intimate than the Saturday Market, you will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers' Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, bakery items, cut flowers, plants, and many specialty items.

• Voices of Color with Host Melvin Hinton, Thursday, April 20, 2023: In April, we welcome Lourdes Shanjani, to Voices of Color. Lourdes is a bicultural public health professional driven by a passion for centering Health Equity and advancing Social Justice. She has been with Public Health Madison & Dane County for almost 3 years, and she has over 15 years of extensive experience working with diverse populations in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Both her professional and personal journey as an immigrant Afro Latina help her to keep a health and racial equity focus. Our community is a rich mix of many different cultures. Being an inclusive community means learning about and appreciating our differences. 

• Friday Night Hoops, Friday, April 21, 2023: 3 Point Contests, referee apprenticeship and leadership development!
  • 3 games Middle School (Ages 11-13) 5:00PM - (GAME 1) 5:45PM - (GAME 2) 6:30PM - (GAME 3)
  • 3 games High School (Ages14-18) 7:15PM - (GAME 1) 8:00PM - (GAME 2) 8:45PM - (GAME 3)

On-site Registration day of event.

• Mad City Ultras, Saturday, April 22, 2023: MadCity Ultras consists of 50 kilometer running races (5 laps around Lake Wingra). There is a competitive 50 kilometer race for solo runners, and non-competitive 50 kilometer relay race fun run. 

·       Madison Parks Earth Day Challenge, Saturday, April 22, 2023: Join Madison Parks for this year's Earth Day Challenge and volunteer to help clean up your neighborhood park on Saturday, April 22! For more than 20 years, Madison Parks has honored Earth Day by recruiting volunteers for the Earth Day Challenge. This year, Madison Parks is seeking more than 900 volunteers at 60+ parks to assist with trash pickup, raking, weeding, removing sticks, and more. All ages are welcome to participate. Advanced registration is required for anyone 10 years and older. REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

• FREE HUD-APPROVED HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASS (IN PERSON) – SATURDAY APRIL 15TH Now SATURDAY, APRIL 22ND: The City of Madison, in partnership with the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, want to share with you our next HUD Approved Homebuyer Education class of 2023 for the month of April! 2023 class schedule is up and you can find it here: https://homebuyersroundtable.org/events/list/?tribe-bar-search=education (there is a class every month this year, virtual and online)!

DESCRIPTION: Take the first step to owning a home, and join us in this Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE HUD Approved Homebuyer Education workshop takes place in-person at the Villager Mall on Park St, Atrium Entrance (2300 S Park St.) on Saturday, April 22nd from 8:30am-3:30pm! Lunch will be provided.

Any questions contact Maria Davila-Martinez (mdavila-martinez@cityofmadison.com) or by phone at 608-266-6557.

• HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education Class (2-Part Class)(April 22 and 29): This class is offered virtually and in person as a two part series. If you need help registering email cmonsivais@lacasadeesperanza.org.

Your Path to Homeownership is provided by La Casa de Esperanza, a Non-Profit HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to assisting individuals and families to increase income, build savings and gain assets. Our focus on financial wellness is supported by the Center's programs and services which include; home buyer education and counseling, free tax services, employment coaching, financial coaching and access to financial workshops. Our people-centered approach supports our belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to work on their financial wellness.

• Bird & Nature Festival 2023, Sunday, April 23, 2023: The 2023 Bird & Nature Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day.  See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays throughout the day.  Plan 30-45 minutes for your visit anytime between 12 and 4 pm, during this ongoing event. 

• Habitat Homebuyer Program Information Meeting, Sunday, April 23, 2023: Learn how you could own an affordable home through Habitat of Humanity of Dane County. Information on how to apply, program requirements and where and what we build. Learn more by going to www.habitatdane.org .

Save the Date!

• Fire OPS 101, Wednesday, May 24th, 2023: Join us for Fire OPS 101 and experience a day in the life of a fire fighter! Fire OPS is a program that allows community leaders and elected officials to experience a day in the life of a firefighter. Y?ou will dress in turnout gear and will participate in realistic scenarios that we face on a day-to-day basis. The scenarios will include fire attack, search and rescue, vehicle extrication, and emergency medical services. 

Announcements

• White House Boosts John Nolen Drive Bridge Reconstruction with $15M Funding : The City of Madison is the latest recipient of a $15 million federal grant to put toward John Nolen Drive Bridge Reconstruction, a generational project with historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

·       Mayor Visits City-Supported Child Care Center to Celebrate National Community Development Week: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will be visiting Reach Dane's new child care center  on April 11 to celebrate National Community Development Week .

The new center on Latham Drive opened last spring, allowing preschool children to receive a full day of programming that focuses on emotional wellbeing, equality, and autonomy. Reach Dane provides services to 1,000 children, ages 0-5, and is often the last stop for children and families who have very few childcare options.

• Nominations for Diversability's 4th annual D-30 Disability Impact List are now OPEN!: The D-30 Disability Impact List #D30DisList is a global list honoring 30 disabled individuals who are leaders making a difference in our community.

Eligibility: Anyone who identifies as disabled is eligible to be nominated (including chronic illnesses & mental health conditions), and nominators do not need to identify as disabled. Self-nominations are not accepted to celebrate the spirit of community and interdependence. You are welcome to submit more than one nomination.

Deadline: Nominate a disability leader by Monday, May 15 at 11:59 PM PT

• Public Health Madison & Dane County 2022 Annual Report: The Public Health Madison & Dane County is proud to present their 2022 Annual Report! It gives you a glimpse into our work and key accomplishments throughout the past year.