Week of August 4th

As a reminder, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is looking for feedback regarding the intersection designs proposed at the most recent public information meeting. If you missed that meeting, you can watch a full recording of it here. I strongly encourage you to also fill out the survey – it’s a fantastic way to make your voice heard on the redesign of South Stoughton Road (US-51).

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or want to share your thoughts with me. I look forward to seeing you at events across the district over the coming weeks!

-Sean

Office Hours:

I am hosting my second round of office hours on August 13th at the Ed Locke Public Library in McFarland! These are a great way to meet with me one on one, bring issues to my attention, or just get to know me better. District 16 is one of the largest aldermanic districts in the city, so I am hosting office hours across the district to ensure I can meet folks wherever they are. If you can’t make it, keep an eye out for future opportunities! 

August 13th – 2:00-4:00pm at Ed Locke Public Library in McFarland
September 15th – 3:00-5:00pm (Location TBD)

Report a Problem Tool:

Did you know that Madison has an online tool to report problems that you are experiencing across the city or your neighborhood?

This tool allows residents to report a problem directly to the department responsible for fixing the problem. City staff do a fantastic job of responding to and addressing problems that are reported. Whether it’s a crack in your sidewalk, a fallen or broken tree limb, snow concerns, or traffic-related problems, this tool is your one-stop shop!

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or have trouble navigating the site. I’m here to help!

CARES Unit 10,000th Call!

The Madison Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) program responded to its 10,000th call for service last week, a milestone that further cements the program’s place as a valued service in our community and a program worthy of continued investment. The 10,000th response was achieved on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.

As the program has grown through the expansion of service hours and the addition of more teams, CARES’ response capacity has increased exponentially. The CARES program expanded service to Sun Prairie in February 2025.

In addition to responding to calls, the Madison CARES team also follows up with their patients to ensure they are connected to the services they need. Congratulations to the dedicated staff of Madison CARES!

Glacial Drumlin Trail Public Information Meeting:

The city is in the planning and design stages for the Capital City Path – Glacial Drumlin Trail extension project in coordination with Dane County. The city portion of the project will extend the Capital City Path to the east side of Interstate I-39/90.

There is a Public Information Meeting scheduled for 6:00pm on August 7th, 2025, via Zoom. Registration is required.  If you’d like to read more about the project, you can do so here.

Updates and Notices

Ride the Drive: Join the fun at Ride the Drive 2025 on Sunday, August 10th. Portions of John Nolen Drive and Willy Street will be closed to vehicles, and three downtown area parks will come alive with all-ages activities, food, and entertainment.

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, August 5, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda Items of Interest include:
  • Item # 47 - 88483 -  requiring nomination signatures with application to fill vacancy on the Common Council. (I am a sponsor)
  • Item # 58 – 89107 - Revising the Area Plan Sequence
  • Item #67 - 89005 - Determining a Public Purpose and Necessity and adopting a Relocation Order for the acquisition of land interests required for the construction and maintenance of public water transmission pipeline facilities to be constructed by the Pressure Zone 4 Interstate Crossing project. (I am a sponsor)
  • Item # 85 – 89344 – Accepting the annual report on Surveillance technologies use by the City of Madison and agencies.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 6, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Items of Interest include:
  • Item #19 – 89274 - Approving plans and specifications and authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for Dairy Dr Temporary Campground Demo and Site Restoration.
  • Item #27 – 89275 - Change Order No.1 to Contract 8800, 2025 Safe Streets, to Parisi Construction, LLC, for 93,742.00
  • 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)

• Capital City Path Segment 4-6 (Vondron Road to I-39/90), Thursday, August 7: The city is in the planning/design stages for the Capital City Path – Glacial Drumlin Trail extension project in coordination with Dane County. The city portion of the project will extend the Capital City Path to the east side of Interstate I-39/90. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:00pm on August 7th, 2025, via Zoom. Registration is required.

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Announcements and News Releases

• August Moving Days: Free Electronics Recycling: If you are a City of Madison resident, your electronics and batteries are accepted for free at the Streets Division drop-off sites. Free electronics recycling includes televisions, printers, computers, and all other electronic gadgets.... [posted July 31, 2025]
• August Moving Days: How to Set Out Appliances, Furniture, & Bags That Won’t Fit in the Cart: The student move out collections run from August 4, 2025, until August 22, 2025, within the downtown student move out area. In order for everyone to have a fast and safe move out, follow the below rules for the large items and bags of extra… [posted July 30, 2025]
• Brooks Street and Drake Street – Intersection Paving Closure: Starting at 7:00am on Monday, August 4, Parisi Construction will close the intersection of Brooks Street and Drake Street.  This closure will allow for replacement of the asphalt within the intersection and is expected to re-open by the end of…[posted July 29, 2025]
• McKenna Blvd – Utility Work Closure: Starting at 7:00 am on Monday, August 4, Parisi Construction will begin closing McKenna Blvd, from Pilgrim Rd to Putnam Rd.  This work is related to the 2025 Resurfacing Program. [posted July 29, 2025]
• Street Closure for All City Swim Meet: Multiple streets will be closed this week for the annual All City Swim Meet event. Buffalo Trail will close between N Eau Claire Avenue and Door Drive starting at 7:00am July 29 and will reopen at 5:00pm on August 4. N Eau Claire Avenue will close…[posted July 29, 2025]
• Update - Nakoma Road Sidewalk Project: Starting Wednesday, July 30th, Cherokee Drive at Nakoma Road will re-open to local and bus traffic. Manitou Way will temporarily re-close for sanitary work. Nakoma Road will continue to allow northbound traffic only. [posted July 29, 2025]
• August Moving Days: Daily Cart Emptying in Student Move Area: Starting on Monday August 4, 2025, residents in the downtown moving days area can place trash and recycling collection carts out for daily pickup during the work week.  This will last until August 22, 2025.  This only applies in the…[posted July 29, 2025]
• Theresa Terrace neighborhood celebrates completion of new town homes: The City of Madison is celebrating the completion of a new set of town homes that create more affordable housing options for families on the city’s west side. [posted July 28, 2025]
• August Moving Days: Using the Large Item Work Order System in the Student Move Out Area: If you live in the student move out area,  the Streets Division large item work order rules will be different from August 4, 2025, until August 22, 2025.If you do not live in the student move out area, nothing changes for you. [posted July 28, 2025]

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

• Monday Mornings at The Glen, Monday, August 4, 2025 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Enjoy The Glen for a stroll, nature, workout or leashed dog walk from sunrise to 8:00 am. Tee times resume at hole #1 at 8:00am. Visitors should be alert for golf balls and golfers while exiting the course.
• Movie in the Park | Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Monday, August 4: Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park! Movie: Sonic the Hedgehog 3(link is external) (2024) PG 1h 50m, Showtime: 6:30pm.
• National Night Out, Tuesday, August 5: National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The Madison Police Department will be hosting neighborhoods across the city with the main event being outside Warner Park on August 5.
• Homebuyer Education Course Part 3 of 3, Tuesday, August 5: This HUD-Certified Homebuyer Education Course assists aspiring homeowners with making informed decisions and to potentially qualify for specialized loan programs.
• Live @ Lake Vista: Louka (singer-songwriter/guitarist), Wednesday, August 6: Join us at Lake Vista Café on the rooftop overlooking lovely Lake Monona for live music in a relaxed atmosphere. Louka Patenaude is a veteran of the Madison music scene and is a performing guitarist, teacher, songwriter and composer. His music is grounded in acoustic roots with influences from jazz, classical and old world Mediterranean traditional music.
• Brat Fry Friday, Friday, August 8: Come join us for lunch at the links!  The grill will be fired up from 10am-3pm for a delicious afternoon treat.  Brats are $5.00 each or choose to make it a meal and add chips and a soda for $8.00 or chips and a beer for $10.00.  This event is open to all to participate!
• Live at The Glen | Little Priest Singers Ho-Chunk Drum Band, Friday, August 8: Madison Parks Foundation is proud to present Live at The Glen! Enjoy live music on the patio at The Glen Golf Park. Little Priest Singers(link is external) are a southern/Ho Chunk family drum based in Wisconsin Dells.  Come out to hear a variety of Ho Chunk music as the family drums and sings songs from their heritage.
• Dane Dances: Orquesta Salsoul Del Mad /Soul 2 The Bone, Friday, August 8: Dane Dances is a free, family-friendly event held every Friday evening in August on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. The much-anticipated summer music series promotes inclusivity for all ages and is a great way to get down and dance with your friends, family, or coworkers.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, August 9: Being in Nature ~ Join Naturalist Sheila Knorr and learn how just being here nourishes your mind and body.  Be curious about what is out here with you and share what sparks your imagination... There are no wrong answers.  
• Ride the Drive 2025, Sunday, August 10: Since its inauguration in 2009, Ride the Drive has continued to celebrate Madison’s commitment to healthy living by focusing on the environmental and economic impacts and the importance of social integration. Imagine thousands of happy, healthy people coming together to experience parks and open streets in a single, one-day, free, community event.
• Movie in the Park | Goonies, Sunday, August 10, 2025 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park! Movie: Goonies (1985) PG 1h 54m, Showtimes: 10am and 12pm.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, August 10: Summer Birds.  Join other bird lovers for some fun Group Birding at Turville Point!  Note that access to the Turville Point parking lot should be open even with Ride the Drive going on.  Follow cool shady woodland paths through restored oak openings past the hilltop prairie and along the Lake Monona shoreline.  Going birding with a group is a great way to find more birds.  More experienced birders in the group can help beginners spot hidden birds and learn to identify them by sight and sound.

Parks Alive Dates

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! All events start at 5:00pm.

• Parks Alive at Allied Park, Monday, August 4
• Parks Alive at Worthington Park, Tuesday, August 5
• Parks Alive at Meadowood Park, Wednesday, August 6
• Parks Alive at Penn Park, Wednesday, August 6

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