Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of April 29, 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.

• Community Development Block Grant Committee: The Community Development Block Grant Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, May 2, in virtual format at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include executing a 2024 Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program contract amendment with the Center for Community Stewardship to support the Madison/Dane County Continuum of Care’s Youth Action Board member compensation and authorizing a loan of $170,000 from the Community Facilities Loan Program to Literacy Network, Inc. to support facility improvements.

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Public Information Meetings

• Passenger Rail Virtual Neighborhood Information Session, Tuesday, April 30: The City of Madison is conducting a study to identify a future passenger rail station location, which would be served by a planned extension of Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service, linking Madison to Milwaukee and Chicago and, eventually, to Eau Claire and the Twin Cities. Join Alder Mike Verveer (D4), Alder Marsha Rummel (D6), Alder Amani Latimer Burris (D12), and Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford (D15) for a virtual neighborhood information session that will discuss the various station locations under consideration in their districts and what the planning team expects regarding other aspects of the project.
• Sidewalk Replacement Program: District 11, Wednesday, May 1: The Annual Sidewalk Replacement Program was created to identify and repair defects (cracks, broken sections, offsets creating trip hazards, ponding/icing issues) throughout the City, rotating through the alder districts on a 10-year cycle. In 2024, the Sidewalk Replacement Program will be performing work within Aldermanic Districts 11 and 19.
• District 11 Town Hall on the Sequoya Commons, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Come join us  as we reflect on Sequoya Commons, which has been a cornerstone of our neighborhood for 16 years now. Despite initial controversy, the project received support from the majority of people in the neighborhood. The site continues to offer the same amenities that residents have come to enjoy, including a coffee shop, ice cream store, pizza restaurant, hair salon, and a public library. Additionally, it provides space on the upper floors for 100 apartments and 45 owner-occupied units, transforming what was once a wide-open surface parking lot. Could Sequoya Commons, with its diverse mix of apartments, retail, and condominiums nestled within established neighborhoods, serve as a blueprint for Madison’s housing shortage? With a scarcity of condo developments in recent years, despite their affordability and appeal to downsizers, why aren't we witnessing more projects in Madison akin to Sequoya Commons? Join us as we explore these questions and more on May 15. Attend in person or register to attend virtually. Email District11@cityofmadison.com  to request the zoom link to the town hall meeting.

Announcements and News Releases

• Confirmed Case of Measles in Dane County : Public Health Madison & Dane County reports that there is a confirmed case of measles in Dane County, with travel and employment in Rock County. [posted April 26, 2024, by Public Health Madison & Dane County]
• City of Madison Honored as a Tree City USA for 35 Years: Madison’s first year recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA was 1989. We have received the award again this year, making it our 35th year being Tree City USA, and it is the 19th year we have received the Growth Award. [posted April 26, 2024, by Streets & Recycling]
• City of Madison Reaches Major Solar Milestone: The City of Madison is proud to announce that it has reached the significant milestone of 2 megawatts of installed and commissioned solar on its buildings and facilities. [posted April 25, 2024, by Engineering & Mayor's Office]
• Food Scraps Recycling Returns to Eastside Farmers’ Market Tuesday, April 30, 2024: Food scraps recycling drop-off will return to the Eastside Farmers' Market starting on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.Individuals may drop-off certain allowable food scraps to a designated drop-off booth for free.Eastside Farmers’ Market DetailsThe market… [posted April 25, 2024, by Public Works, Streets & Recycling]
• Resource Fair and Family Fun Day Planned at Meadowridge Library: The Southwest Family Resource Fair is a drop-in, family-friendly event where families living in southwest Madison and beyond can stop by Meadowridge Library to learn more about the organizations and resources available in their community. [posted April 24, 2024, by Madison Public Library]

Events

• Yoga Core, Tuesday, April 30, 2024: Yoga Core is a great class to help build strength and body awareness. This class incorporates a wide variety of seated, standing, balancing, and mat-based yoga poses focusing on strength, stability, and mobility. Core-based practices can help enhance balance and stability and prevent falls and injuries as we age. All levels are welcome. Participants will need to be able to get up and down off the floor. Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance.
• Business Certification Roundtable Luncheon, Tuesday, April 30: Join Madison Black Chamber of Commerce for an exclusive roundtable session, immediately following the Small Business Academy, where we dive into the crucial significance of certification. Complimentary Session, lunch included.  
• HUD Homebuyer Education Workshop, Tuesday, April 30: HUD approved homebuyer certification class in three-parts on April 25, April 30, and May 2nd. Your path to successful homeownership. From mortgages to closin, empower yourself with the knowledge you need to make informed decision and achieve your homeownership dreams. If you have questions, email Kielley (klemkuil@ulgm.org).
• Budget Engagement Event – Eastside, Wednesday, May 1: Attention all Eastsiders! The City is facing a significant budget shortfall this year that will impact services. What City services do you value the most? What is your vision for the future of Madison? You are invited to join Eastside alders for an in-person opportunity to discuss the budget, learn more about the services the City provides, and share your thoughts with elected officials.
• Meditation At Monona Terrace, Thursday, May 2: Life can be stressful, meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. All experience levels and drop-ins welcome.
• Open House: Park & Open Space Plan, Thursday, May 2: The City of Madison Parks Division is updating its Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) and is seeking input from area residents on the plan! The purpose of the POSP is to guide and inform public parks policy and park facility decisions in the City of Madison.  Parks, working with a consultant planning team led by MSA Professional Services, Inc., is hosting a series of open houses to introduce the project and gather input from attendees.  The open houses will be held at various locations throughout the city in April and May and are considered “drop-in” sessions – feel free to attend for the entire time or just stop in for a short while to share your thoughts & ideas with staff.
• Yoga Core, Friday, May 3, 2024: Yoga Core is a great class to help build strength and body awareness. This class incorporates a wide variety of seated, standing, balancing, and mat-based yoga poses focusing on strength, stability, and mobility. Core-based practices can help enhance balance and stability and prevent falls and injuries as we age. All levels are welcome. Participants will need to be able to get up and down off the floor. Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance.
• SpringFest Arts & Crafts Fair, Saturday, May 4: Join us for the 19th annual SpringFest Arts & Crafts Fair. Over 80 crafters from the Midwest will be selling their handmade goods. You can expect to see a variety of jewelry, baskets, garden art, cards, pottery, woodwork, baby gifts, soaps, balms, lotions, knitwear, paintings, home décor and more! It's the perfect place to find a unique gift for that special someone (or for yourself).
• Inspired by Wright: Tour & Art Making Activity, Saturday, May 4: Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and discover how Wright saw geometric shapes in the world around him.  You’ll learn how Monona Terrace’s unique landscape influenced his choice of geometry, expressed in nearly every aspect of the building. Then, use this newly gained knowledge to create your own Wright-inspired glass piece of art.