Traffic Enforcement, Speeder's Hotline, and More Updates

Hi Everyone,

I've learned from South District Captain Harrison Zanders the details regarding increased enforcement in response to the tragic fatality involving 17-year-old Sasha Rosen. MPD's South District has partnered with the department's Traffic Enforcement & Safety Team (TEST) to increase enforcement along South Park and Fish Hatchery corridors, targeting hazardous speeding and signal infractions. Additional patrol is being offered in both locations and throughout the month of March overtime hours are being offered to provide additional shifts during high commute and school release times. 

Captain Zanders concluded his email to me and District 14 Alder Isadore Knox with the following clarion call: 

We must continue to spread the message that one's determination to rapidly get to a destination does not take precedence over the general safety of our community members and guests.   We must slow down; no one operating in a 25 or 30 mph speed zone should feel the need to travel at speeds of 50 to 60 mph.

Ever since I was first elected in 2019, the number one concern expressed to me has been about traffic safety. If you share concerns about speeding and reckless driving, please note MPD has a Traffic Enforcement & Safety Team that takes your traffic complaints seriously and works to address them. Visit the Traffic Enforcement website or call the Speeder's Hotline at 608-266-4822 to report your speeding or reckless driving concerns. 

Now on to this week's updates:

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. 

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, March 2, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include adding $4.0 million in TID 44-supported GO borrowing and authorizing the execution of a Purchase & Sale Agreement for the City to acquire property for the purposes of land banking in District 15. 
• Meeting Details 
• Meeting Agenda 
• Register for Public Comment 
• Watch Online 
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 1, 2, 12, 14, 15, 18, and 19. 
• Meeting Details 
• Meeting Agenda 
• Register for Public Comment 
• Watch Online 

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here. 

Public Information Meetings (PIMs) 

• Public Input Meeting - Marshall Park, Tuesday, March 3 (Virtual): The City of Madison Parks Division is improving the playground at Marshall Park and we want your input. At this meeting City staff will present revised playground equipment options from input gathered at the playground workshop.  
• Public Input Meeting - Olin Park, Wednesday, March 4 (Virtual): The pavilion in Olin Park, known as the Monona Lake Assembly Normal Hall, is one of the most historic buildings owned by the City of Madison and one of the most popular park shelters in Madison. The landmark building requires substantial structural and exterior repairs happening in 2026. The community is invited to a virtual public meeting as Parks and Engineering staff will provide information on the planned rehabilitation work for the Olin Park Pavilion – Normal Hall.  
• Public Input Meeting - James Madison Park, Wednesday, March 4 (Virtual): The City of Madison Parks Division is improving the playground at James Madison Park and we want your input. At this meeting City staff will present revised playground equipment options from input gathered at the playground workshop.  
• Virtual Open House | District 3 Parks, Thursday, March 5, 2026 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Madison Parks is holding a series of virtual public input sessions for the Southeast Park Development Plan process coinciding with the City Planning Division's Southeast Area Plan.  

Announcements and News Releases 

• Women in Construction Week 2026 Stories Ahead: The City of Madison is proud to join the nationally recognized Women in Construction Week, March 1-7, 2026. [posted February 27, 2026] 
• Common Council approves investments into affordable homeownership: The City of Madison Common Council approved more than $6 million of funding for several homeownership programs and new owner-occupied homes. [posted February 26, 2026] 
• Lane Reduction on University Avenue Starting Monday, March 2: Starting 7:00 am on Monday, March 2nd, R. G Huston will begin the first phase of construction on Hawthorne Court.  This project will be completed in multiple phases and will impact University Avenue, N. Lake Street, and W. Dayton Street during… [posted February 25, 2026] 
• D7 Lunch and Learn: Understanding Property Taxes with Alder Badri Lankella: District 7 Alder Badri Lankella will continue his Lunch & Learn series on Monday, March 9th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Join us on Zoom for an informative hour with Michelle Drea from the Assessor's Office and David Schmiedicke from the Finance…[posted February 25, 2026] 
• Mayor and Alders Propose New Funding for Utility Rebate Programv: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, several members of the Common Council and me are advancing legislation to reduce utility bills for low-income families in Madison. [posted February 23, 2026] 

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted. 

Events 

• Vaccine Clinic at Leopold Elementary School, Saturday, March 7: All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare or most other types of insurance, can receive vaccinations at no cost. 
• 2026 Tee Off Party, Saturday, March 7: We're teeing off the 2026 golf season with our Annual Tee Off Party at Odana Hills Golf Course! 
• Freeze for Food 5K/10K, Saturday, March 7: Lace up for the 45th Annual Freeze for Food! In partnership with Open Doors for Refugees(link is external), Freeze for Food raises funds for local food security initiatives and support refugees. 

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar. 

That's all for now.

Take care and stay safe,

Tag