Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of July 3, 2023

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***City Offices, including the Common Council Office, are closed on Tuesday, July 4: Administrative offices are closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 for Independence Day. Emergency services will be open; please call 911. You may use Report a Problem for non-emergencies.***

Meetings

  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in virtual format at 4:30 PM. Agenda items include consideration of a report of the City Engineer regarding the results of a review of water resources impacts and the necessity of permits for public works construction projects and consideration of a number of both private and public contracts, and more!
  • Public Market Development Committee: The Public Market Development Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in virtual format at 5:00 PM. Agenda items include allowing the City of Madison to authorize a lease, operating agreement, and responsibility matrix with the Madison Public Market Foundation, as well as an update on the Public Market Project, and more!

Save the date!

  • Comprehensive Plan Interim Update (2023) Public Meeting, 07/13/2023: The City of Madison is currently working on an Interim Update of its 2018 Comprehensive Plan. The Interim Update is focused on the Generalized Future Land Use (GFLU) map. The Goals, Strategies, and Actions as adopted within the original six Elements of the Comprehensive Plan will not be revised. The City is updating the GFLU map to reflect land use recommendations from neighborhood, area, and neighborhood development plans adopted between summer 2018 and summer 2023. In addition to these administrative updates, the public has the opportunity to propose GFLU map amendments through this online application.

    Learn more about the process to revise the GFLU map by reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. A virtual public meeting has been scheduled for July 13th at 6 p.m. (registration required). Staff will provide an overview of the Comprehensive Plan Interim Update and answer questions.
  • Virtual Public Meeting - West Area Plan, 07/18/2023: Join us at a virtual public meeting to see what we've heard thus far via surveys, interactive mapping, and previous public engagement, and to review and provide feedback on initial plan recommendations. This meeting will cover the same content as the July 26 virtual public meeting and August 2 in-person meeting at Rennebohm Park. See details for these meetings, also in the Events section of the Planning Division's webpage.
  • Virtual Public Meeting - West Area Plan, 07/26/2023: Join us at a virtual public meeting to see what we've heard thus far via surveys, interactive mapping, and previous public engagement, and to review and provide feedback on initial plan recommendations. This meeting will cover the same content as the July 18 virtual public meeting and August 2 in-person meeting at Rennebohm Park. See details for these meetings, also in the Events section of the Planning Division's webpage.
  • In-Person Public Meeting - West Area Plan, 08/02/2023: Join us at Rennebohm Park to see what we've heard thus far via surveys, interactive mapping, and previous public engagement, and to review and provide feedback on initial plan recommendations. This meeting will cover the same content as the July 18 and July 26 virtual public meetings, which are also featured in the Events section of the Planning Division's webpage. The meeting at the park will include food for purchase and some fun outdoor activities. We look forward to meeting folks in person and discussing the plan!

What is happening at Rennebohm Park?
 

Rennebohm Park under construction
If you have been by Rennebohm Park recently, you have probably seen a lot of construction: orange fence, a large trailer by the tennis courts, various piles of debris and material near the playground.   Currently there are two active public works construction projects at the park:  the west tennis court reconstruction and the inclusive playground project.  Both are described at the Parks Division’s Parks Projects (https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects) website, which is a listing of all active construction and planning efforts currently underway by Parks staff.

The west tennis courts were all but complete in mid-May when an error occurred during the cutting of the expansion joints in the courts, which has resulted in the need to “repair and replace” the work, which is anticipated to begin later this month.  In the meanwhile, the courts have been examined by the city’s Risk Manager and are available for play (nets have been re-installed & lights remain functional for night play).  While damaging to the asphalt slab the expansion joints should have limited effect on tennis play and fall outside of the lined area for pickleball.

The playground project has been started with the removal of old equipment and mixed peagravel and rubber surfacing (the net climber ‘rocket’ equipment piece has been safely stored for re-installation later on).  The contractor found several large boulders during excavation activities and the rough footprint of the new playground can currently be seen in the excavated area.  Work is anticipated to continue on the project through the end of July and if the playground can be opened sooner, it will be. Project manager Kate Kane can be reached at kkane@cityofmadison.com or (608) 261-9671 if you have any questions regarding the work at the park.

 

Events

  • Westmorland Neighborhood Association:  “Bring your own Picnic” and Concert Monday, July 3rd 5-6:30 pm: Assemble at the park for social/meal time - (lemonade, water, coffee provided, but no food for sale—feel free to bring your own beverages, but no glass please) From 6:30-9 pm: Live music from Waunakee Big Band.  
  • Westmorland Neighborhood Association82nd Annual July 4th Celebration in Westmorland Park Tuesday July 4th starting at 9:30 AM.  Visit the WNA website for more details
  • Hill Farms 4th of July Celebration Picnic and Parade. Kids and Family Parade! Registration starting at 9:30am, parade at 10:00am. Free food and beverages! Children’s games! Water balloon and egg toss!  The Fourth of July Parade is primarily for children, but all ages are welcome to enter the parade as well as to watch from the sidelines. Most participants ride bikes, but most any other mode of getting from Juneau Road to Rennebohm Park, including walking, is welcome. Many bike riders decorate their bikes, but undecorated bikes are just as welcome. Motorized vehicles are discouraged unless decorated as a float. A small American flag will be given to each person who registers. Visit the Hill Farms Newsletter to learn more.
  • East Side Farmers' Market, Tuesday, July 4, 2023: The Eastside Farmers' Market is Madison Wisconsin’s finest weekday farmers' market. Our goal is to bring the freshest Wisconsin grown food direct to the heart of the East side. Our vendor members are agricultural producers and food artisans who make value added products from Wisconsin's agricultural bounty.
  • Food Cart Pop-up, Tuesday, July 4, 2023: Pop over to your neighborhood park for a Food Cart Pop-up! Scheduled at various times and in parks across the city, food carts and trucks, offering desserts, coffee, dinner and more, add to the fun of your favorite City of Madison parks. Join KC Taste Asian Cuisine at Olbrich Park!
  • Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market, Wednesday, July 5, 2023: 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.
  • Food Cart Pop-up, Wednesday, July 5, 2023: Pop over to your neighborhood park for a Food Cart Pop-up! Scheduled at various times and in parks across the city, food carts and trucks, offering desserts, coffee, dinner and more, add to the fun of your favorite City of Madison parks. Join Kona Ice at Vilas Beach Park!
  • The Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, July 5, 2023: The Capitol View Farmers Market is returning to the North Star Neighborhood! Join us each Wednesday (May 31-October 11, 2023) from 3:00-7:00pm to support local farmers and vendors, enjoy live music and food carts, and make the most of summer in Madison!
  • Parks Alive | Hammersley Park, Wednesday, July 5, 2023: 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! Hammersley Park: July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16.
  • Concerts on the Square, Wednesday, July 5, 2023: The Capitol Square comes alive for six consecutive Wednesdays during the summer months with music from the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. FREE and open to the public, grab a blanket, a picnic basket, and your family and friends for this Madison tradition!
  • Food Cart Pop-up, Thursday, July 6, 2023: Pop over to your neighborhood park for a Food Cart Pop-up! Scheduled at various times and in parks across the city, food carts and trucks, offering desserts, coffee, dinner and more, add to the fun of your favorite City of Madison parks. Join Kona Ice at Vilas Beach Park!
  • Parks Alive | Owl Creek Park | Movie: Spider-Man: No Way Home: 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! Owl Creek Park: July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17.
  • Capitol City Band Concerts in the Park, Thursday, July 6, 2023: Old fashioned band concerts in the park, "as American as apple pie." Familiar toe-tapping tunes, songs, polkas, broadway tunes and the marches of John Philip SoUSA. Music for all ages and all cultures. Relax, enjoy the music. Bring a friend. Bring a chair for listening comfort.
  • Concerts on the Rooftop: The Whiskey Farm, Thursday, July 6, 2023: The Whiskey Farm is an Americana and folk rock band from Madison. Formed in 2010, they have released five studio albums, including their acclaimed 2022 record, Over These Green Hills. Winners of four Madison Area Music Awards and the national Songs for Social Change Contest, the band is known for their multi-instrumentalists and layered harmonies in lyric-driven songs.
  • Summer Nights at Segoe, Friday, July 7, 2023: Summer Nights at Segoe will feature live music from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Carts in Parks: The City of Madison Carts in Parks program continues in 2022 and will be regularly featured at parks around Madison! Food carts are scheduled at a variety of parks and community events through the summer. Many of the food carts accept credit for payment, but not all. Please plan accordingly. The exact food cart(s) and the schedule are subject to change. Weather may impact or cancel vending activities.
  • Art Fair on the Square, Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9, 2023: Art Fair on the Square is a nationally respected summertime event that attracts some 200,000 Midwestern art lovers each July. The fair features live music, entertainment, a range of dining options, as well as nearly 500 artists exhibiting paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, jewelry, handmade clothing, accessories, and fine craft.
  • Food Cart Pop-up, Saturday, July 8, 2023: Pop over to your neighborhood park for a Food Cart Pop-up! Scheduled at various times and in parks across the city, food carts and trucks, offering desserts, coffee, dinner and more, add to the fun of your favorite City of Madison parks. Join Cool Sweet Treats at Vilas Beach Park!
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, July 8, 2023: History and Ecology with Lois Komai and Chris Sessions ~ Join experienced School Naturalists Lois Komai and Chris Sessions for a free fun family-friendly guided tour to learn about the natural and social history of Owen Park or take a healthy nature walk on your own any day in July along easy hiking paths. Explore the woodlands and pastures that have been restored to oak openings and native prairies.
  • Food Cart Pop-up, Sunday, July 9, 2023: Pop over to your neighborhood park for a Food Cart Pop-up! Scheduled at various times and in parks across the city, food carts and trucks, offering desserts, coffee, dinner and more, add to the fun of your favorite City of Madison parks. Join Cool Sweet Treats at Vilas Beach Park!
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, July 9, 2023: Beating the Heat with Alex Singer ~ Join Naturalist Alex Singer for a free fun family friendly guided walk or take a healthy nature walk on your own any day in July. Enjoy the cool woods and natural areas and learn how trees, plants, and animals adapt to deal with heat and draught. We will follow easy walking trails that take you to through the woodlands and restored prairie to the beautiful Lake Monona shoreline.

Announcements

  • Mallards Fireworks at Warner Park--Traffic Closures: Streets near Warner Park on the City's north side will have closures following the Madison Mallards Fireworks show the night of Monday, July 3. The show is expected to start between 9:30pm-10:00pm and will last about 20 minutes.
  • Have a Say: Help Us Interview Firefighter/EMT Candidates!: The Madison Fire Department seeks community members to serve on our upcoming Firefighter/EMT interview panels. It’s our way of giving voice to the community as we seek the best possible individuals to serve our city as a member of the fire department.
  • 33 development projects coming to Madison's skyline: Eleven tower cranes hover over future multistory buildings downtown, and just about 6,000 apartment units are on the way. The Dane County Regional Airport, which recently opened a new wing, is on pace to eclipse record-breaking, pre-pandemic passenger numbers. Building renovations — some in the mega-multimillion-dollar range — will make sections of Madison unrecognizable in the next few years.
  • Maliha Nu’Man Named City of Madison’s 2023-24 Youth Poet Laureate : During a ceremony earlier this month at Pinney Library, the City of Madison, the Madison Arts Commission, and Madison Poet Laureate Angela Trudell Vasquez celebrated the accomplishments of Madeleine Bohn, who served as Madison’s first Youth Poet Laureate. Afterwards, Trudell Vasquez publically announced and welcomed Maliha Nu’Man as the second Madison Youth Poet Laureate.

Streets Division Updates

  • Independence Day: Make sure you check your collection schedule to see how the upcoming July 4 holiday affects your trash & recycling collection. Your calendar can be downloaded at www.cityofmadison.com/CollectionSchedule. Also – be mindful of the drop-off site schedule with the holiday. The drop-off sites will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. The Sycamore & South Point sites are also usually closed on Wednesdays, so that means they will also be closed on Wednesday, July 5, too.
  • Special Olin Avenue Closure in Late July: Due to the All City Swim meet, the Olin Avenue facility will be completely closed to the public on July 27, 28, and 29. That means no drop-off site, no mulch pickup, and no brush processing during those three days.
  • Recycle Better on July 12: Sustain Dane and the Streets Division are teaming up to offer one last Recycle Better class in 2023. The class starts on July 12. You can sign up and get more details here or by checking out Sustain Dane’s Recycle Better website, www.sustaindane.org/Better
  • Avoid Battery Fires: Lithium battery fires have been in the news lately, so be sure you are handling your batteries correctly so you do not cause a fire. The correct recycling steps can be found on the Streets Division’s website.
  • August Moving Days – Already?: Yeah, I know. It’s nearly July, so moving days will be around the corner. All the details you need are up on the Streets Division’s website, www.cityofmadison.com/MovingDays.
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Alder Bill Tishler

Alder William Tishler

District 11
Contact Alder Tishler