Week of October 6th

Dear District 16 Residents,

I hope you’re having a wonderful start to your week! There’s a lot going on across Madison and District 16, and this blog post is full of important information about upcoming events, meetings, and more.

I want to take a moment to address the fact that seven of our neighbors in Madison were arrested by ICE earlier this week. The anxiety and fear that people are facing is real, particularly for immigrants and communities of color. No one should have to live in constant fear of being torn from their communities, families, and livelihoods. I want to assure you that our city stands with our immigrant communities. The Mayor and I are in regular communication and have discussed how the city will respond to ICE & the National Guard coming to Madison.

Regardless of your citizenship status, please check out these resources from our partners at Centro Hispano and Voces De La Frontera. Be sure to always confirm the accuracy of all information before posting to social media.

Know Your Rights – Voces De La Frontera

Know Your Rights – Centro Hispano

Dane County Immigration Affairs

If you haven’t already, be sure to follow our official District 16 Facebook page for updates and important information on all things city government.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to share your questions, concerns, and hopes for our city. I’m eager to hear from you!

-Sean

Office Hours:

I had to postpone my office hours last week due to a scheduling conflict, but as promised I have added new office hours to the calendar for October. These are a great way to connect with me one-on-one about issues in your neighborhood or the city and get to know each other better.

October 15th: 2:00pm-4:00pm @ Twisted Grounds Cafe

October 27th: 8:00am-10:00am @ Twisted Grounds Cafe

If there is anything you would like to share with me ahead of time, feel free to send an email to district16@cityofmadison.com.

Dane County Sustainability Campus Update:

Image credit: Dane County Waste and Renewables

The Dane County Sustainability Campus will be co-located with the new Dane County landfill, just south of US Highway 12/18 and the nearing-capacity Rodefeld Landfill. The first phase of construction will begin in Spring 2026, with Madison-based Strang, Inc. and Foth Engineering handling the design of key infrastructure, including an administration and education building, scale house, and maintenance facility.

The Sustainability Campus will be going before the Urban Design Commission for final approval on Wednesday, October 8th at 4:30pm and before the Plan Commission on Monday, October 20th at 5:00pm.

Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a favorable determination for the new campus on August 22nd. The determination was issued with a number of conditions that Dane County Waste and Renewables will review and incorporate into the final design and plan of operation. Waste and Renewals anticipate landfill permitting and design to be complete in 2026, with construction starting in 2026 or early 2027.

Dane County Executive Budget:

Last week, County Executive Melissa Agard released her executive budget for 2026. The county is facing a dificult budget with a nearly $31 million deficit. This budget proposes significant cuts to the human services budget and programs and contracts with non-profits that are important to making sure that we have a strong social safety net. I would encourage you to review the executive budget and, if you can, tune in or attend the budget hearings that will take place over the next month.

The proposed budget does little to help the city close the funding gap that we currently face for the permanent men’s shelter on Bartillion Drive and I hope that our partners on the County Board will consider increasing funding for the permenant shelter. There will be several listening budget listening sessions coming up soon:

10/16 – Budget Hearing on Health and Human Needs 

10/22 – Budget hearing on Health and Human Needs

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, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items of interest include:
  • Item #1 – proclaiming October as Pedestrian Safety Month and October 15th as White Cane Safety Day.
  • Item #14 – Legistar Item 89916 – Reducing the minimum lot width and lot area within certain zoning districts and to reduce the rear setback for alley loaded one-story attached garages. (I am a sponsor)
  • Item #15 – Legistar Item 88917 – Updating the existing step down rules for larger buildings when adjacent to a residential district. (I am a sponsor)
  • Item #16 – Legistar Item 88918 – Allowing detached Accessory Dwelling Units to have two units and not be included in maximum permitted use accessory structure size. (I am a sponsor)
  • Item #33 – Enhancing the City’s street tree protection provisions and establishing a Street Tree Replacement Fund.
  • Item #48 – Legistar Item 87483 – Updating Elected and Appointed Official Code of Ethical Conduct.
  • Item #55 – Legistar Item 89879 - Approving an intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Blooming Grove for the City to provide building inspection services for the Town. (I am a sponsor)
    • Meeting Details
    • Meeting Agenda
    • Register for Public Comment
    • Watch Online
• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 8, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items of interest include:
  • Item #2 – Updating the ADA transition plan.
  • Item #3 – A discussion and presentation of the three options for the re-design of Pflaum Road.
  • Item #4 – Presentation of Metro Transit’s 2024 On-Board Survey Report with rider feedback.
  • Item #5 – Presentation of Metro Transit Safety and Security Updates.
  • Item #6 – Review of the proposed 2026 Capital and Operating Budgets for the City Transportation Department.
    • Meeting Details
    • Meeting Agenda
    • Register for Public Comment
    • Watch Online
• Equal Opportunities Commission: The Equal Opportunities Commission Meeting will take place on Thursday October 8th at 5:00pm in a virtual format.  
  • Meeting Details
  • Send in Written Comments
  • 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 Information Meeting - Pontiac, Boston, Nokomis, and Rosewood Reconstruction – Monday, October 9: A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Oct. 6, 2025. Registration prior is required.
• Public Information Meeting - Mifflin and Carroll Plaza Design Concept Public Meeting – Monday, October 9: Please join City staff to discuss the latest design concept for the Mifflin and Carroll Plazas at the top of State Street. At the last meeting in June, staff presented three concepts for public discussion. The latest concept was shaped by public response to those three initial concepts. This hybrid meeting will have in-person and virtual options and will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 6:30pm. Those who wish to attend in person can attend the meeting in Room 302 at the Central Library at 201 W Mifflin Street in downtown Madison. Those wishing to attend virtually can fill out the meeting registration form to receive a Zoom link to the meeting.
• Public Information Meeting - Warner Park – Thursday, October 9: With much anticipation, new, dedicated pickleball courts are planned for Madison's northside at Warner Park! The community is invited to attend a virtual public input meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Staff will provide an overview of the proposed plan, schedule and potential impacts to the park. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions. Located between the existing shelter and tennis courts in the southeast area of Warner Park, 8 pickleball courts will be constructed along with associated fencing and seating. Advanced registration is required.
• Public Information Meeting – Wingra Proper Watershed Study – Thursday, October 9: A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Oct. 9, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Fall Leaf Collection Begins Week of October 5; Get Your Home’s Set Out Dates from Yard Waste Website: For some neighborhoods, the Streets Division’s fall leaf and yard waste pickup begins the week of October 5, 2025. Different neighborhoods have different set-out dates. You need to check the yard waste website to learn the set-out dates for your home… [posted October 3, 2025]
• Brush Collection Over for 2025; All Brush Set-out Dates Have Passed: All brush collection set out dates for City of Madison residents have passed. Do not set out brush for pickup after your set out date. There are no more guaranteed brush collection opportunities this year. Guaranteed curbside brush pickup from the… [posted October 3, 2025]
• Dane County Transportation Challenge Shows Big Impact: Hundreds of Dane County residents took part in a free transportation challenge this September—collectively saving more than $12,000 and avoiding more than 17 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. [posted October 2, 2025]
• Dane County Transportation Challenge Shows Big Impact: Hundreds of Dane County residents took part in a free transportation challenge this September—collectively saving more than $12,000 and avoiding more than 17 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. [posted October 2, 2025]
• Meet the Finalists Selected for Public Art at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park: The City of Madison has invited four finalists to propose designs for the public art planned for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, and you have a chance to meet them. [posted October 2, 2025]
• Well Woman Program Enrollment Increases: More women than ever are getting connected to life-saving breast cancer screenings through the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP). [posted October 2, 2025]
• Parking Division to Test New Meter Payment Equipment: Beginning October 2, the City of Madison Parking Division will test new parking space signage and payment equipment on the blocks of 300 N Henry and 200 W Gorham. These new features, installed earlier in the week, will test new payment kiosks… [posted October 1, 2025]
• Madison Investigator Recognized for International Case Leading to Conviction of Online Predator:Madison, WI – Detective Sgt. Mark Hull of the Madison Police Department received the National Crime Agency (NCA) Award this week. The honor, presented on behalf of the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, recognizes Hull’s… [posted October 1, 2025]
• Explore the Night Sky at Moon Over Monona Terrace: The night sky comes alive on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. as Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS) host Moon Over Monona Terrace on the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens. [posted October 1, 2025]
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Investing in Imagination Center: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced funding for the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. [posted September 30, 2025]
• Community Leaders & Disability Rights Advocates Unite for the ‘Week Without Driving’: Dane County communities and partners unite for the Week Without Driving, a challenge encouraging everyone—especially decision-makers—to experience life without driving for a week, a day, or even just one trip. [posted September 29, 2025]
• Alicia Ashman Library to Celebrate 25 Years of Service On October 11 [posted September 29, 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

• Week Without Driving, Monday, September 29, 2025 – Sunday, October 5: The Week Without Driving Challenge is a nationwide initiative that invites elected officials, transportation professionals, policymakers, and community members to step into the shoes of people who don’t drive. This includes older adults, youth, low-income individuals, students, and people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.
• Financial Empowerment Series Part 1 of 3 – Tuesday, October 7: Do you have financial goals you are working to attain? Maybe you’d like to purchase a home, start your own business, or plan for retirement? The Urban League’s free Financial Empowerment series can help you build the budget to achieve those goals, understand and build your credit score, learn about other community resources that can help support your goals, and much more! For more information, call (608) 729-1222.
• Conservation Park Tour – Wednesday, October 8: Conservation Park Tours are educational staff-guided walks held at various conservation parks on the 2nd Wednesday, May - October. Topics vary and include highlights of the past, present and future of the land. This tour will be held at Turville Point Conservation Park from 5:00 – 6:30 PM on Wednesday, October 8.
• School Vaccination Clinics at Holtzman Learning Center – Saturday, October 11: In partnership with SSM Health, GHC, UW-Health, and Madison Metropolitan School District Public Health Madison & Dane County is offering vaccines at clinics. The vaccines are free and for school aged kids 5 and older. Appointments are strongly recommended.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen – Saturday, October 11: Finding Fall Colors ~ Let's look beyond the leaves! Join Friends of Owen Park volunteer naturalists Noelle Chambers, Sandy Geier and Jane Nelson Worel to seek out all the fall colors that abound in nature this time of year...in flowers, berries, insects, birds and more. A fun and engaging activity for kids as well as adults. See the Friends of Owen Park Facebook page for more information and find out what's happening at Owen Park! Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison.

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