8 updates to check out from Common Council President Sabrina Madison

Hi there, 

I appreciate your patience as I work to catch up on emails.  Today's blog is meant to share some updates and answer questions on the following topics: 

• Men's shelter
• Metro Transit public hearing
• Register: District 17 related updates
• October Madison Public Library Board meeting at the Imagination Center at Reindhal Park
• Grand opening of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park 
• Summary: Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) 
• District 1 interim Alder recommendation
• City Cast Madison interview 

Temporary men's shelter on Zier Road and the permanent Bartillon Shelter

The temporary shelter on Zeier Road will no longer operate as a shelter. The permanent shelter opened on September 1, 2026. 

• General information about the men's shelter: https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/community-development/housing/homeless-services/mens-shelter
• Shelter access and other homeless services resources: https://www.danecountyhomeless.org/get-help

Metro Transit Public Hearing

On Wednesday, September 16, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. to review and discuss updates to Metro Transit's Title VI program. 

Full details

District 17 Virtual Meeting on September 17th

On September 17th from 6pm to 7pm join me on Zoom for district related updates. Residents may also share any concerns and questions about the district. 

Register to attend. 

Madison Public Library Board Meeting - October 1, 2026

As you may know, I serve on the Madison Public Library Board.  One of the things I love most about our meetings is that they're hosted at one of our library branches. For October, our meeting will be held at the Imagination Center at Reindhal Park. I've wanted to say that since I joined the Common Council back in October 2022.  I hope to see many of you in person as it'll be a great opportunity to share your feedback with the board and library staff on what kind of programming you'd like to see at the new library. 

Find the agenda a few days before the meeting. 

• Thursday, October 1, 2026
• 5:00pm
• 1814 Parkside Drive., Madison, WI 53704

Opening Date Set for Imagination Center at Reindahl Park 

Celebrate the opening of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. 

All are invited for a weekend of family-friendly events at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. Help welcome the first new Madison Public Library in more than 25 years by getting a library card, supporting local businesses, and being in community with friends and neighbors on the northeast side

• Fri, Sept 25 | 3-8pm
  • Celebrate the opening day of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony from 3-4pm.
• Sat, Sept 26 | 10am - 4pm
  • Celebrate the opening weekend of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park!
  • All are invited for a day of family-friendly events at the newly opened Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. This is your opportunity to welcome the new library to the neighborhood, celebrate the opening of the first NEW Madison Public Library in more than 25 years, and learn what's unique about a library and parks pavilion that are co-located in the same facility within Reindahl Park.

Summary of Office of the Independent  Monitor (OIM) issues and a status on current collaborative work

Alders have received a considerable amount of emails related to the Office of the Independent Monitor.  A few weeks ago, I requested a summary of Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) related issues and a status on current collaborative work. I requested this info as I believe the full Common Council should have a better understanding of these issues that have been raised and the status of efforts to address them.  The summary of issues would also help Alders to answers questions from our constituents.  I am sharing this summary of issues with residents so that you can also access this information to answer questions you may have.   

Common Council Executive Committee Unanimously Recommends Devine Nzegwu as the Interim Alder for District 1

During the Common Council Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 1, the committee unanimously recommended Devine Nzegwu as the interim alder for District 1, to serve until the Spring 2027 election. The Common Council is scheduled to vote on this appointment at its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

City Cast Madison Interview

Recently I spoke with City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin "about the biggest stories in the city right now — from new updates on the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz to the opening of the new men's shelter and the upcoming budget process. Plus, Madison's first new library in more than two decades..."

Listen to the interview.