Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of February 5, 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.

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, February 5, in virtual format at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include endorsing and prioritizing improvement of pedestrian and bicycle connectivity as part of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s I-39/90/94 study and reconstruction, as well as development related requests in Districts 1, 4, and 5.
  • 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, February 7, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include a public hearing regarding noise impacts in District 9, authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for Safe Streets Madison 2024, as well as the Warner Dog Park lot resurfacing.  
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online 
• Board of Health for Madison and Dane County: The Board of Health for Madison and Dane County meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 7, at 2300 S. Park St. in the Atrium Community Room at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include the violence prevention grant award recommendation for 2023-2024, a resolution that authorizes a contract for the evaluation of the CARES program, and accepting additional grant funds from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families for the Family Foundations Home Visiting Program.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda

Public Information Meetings & Sessions

• Pheasant Branch Enhancement, Monday, February 5: The City of Madison, like many communities, has seen a recent increase in extreme flood events. This increase has occurred most notably in Madison since 2016, when a large and intense rain event in late July caused extensive flooding of public and private property on Madison’s west side. Large events in July 2017 and June 2018 caused similar flooding, again largely focused on Madison’s west side. A public information meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Feb. 5, 2024, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
• Passenger Rail Station Study - Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, February 6: Learn more and share your feedback about the draft results of the corridor evaluation and learn more about several potential station sites under consideration at the upcoming virtual public meeting.
• Community Conversation: Pedestrian Safety, Wednesday, February 7: This is an opportunity for community members with disabilities and allies to gather and discuss how we can work together to reduce pedestrian crashes and deaths and engage with existing efforts in the City of Madison.  For this conversation, we use the word “pedestrian” to describe anyone who walks, rolls, or rides to get to where they need to go.

Announcements & News Releases

• Affordable Connectivity Program – ACP Windown: In 2021, Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, appropriating $14.2 billion. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was tasked to develop and implement the ACP as well as ACP outreach and awareness activities. As of January 2024, over 22 million households are enrolled and receiving the ACP monthly benefit. Without additional funding from Congress, the allotted $14.2 billion to fund the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024 (this date is an estimate and may change). As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down. This includes:
  • ACP applications and enrollments will not be processed after February 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET. 
  • Households who have applied, been approved, and are receiving the monthly internet discount before February 8, 2024, will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out, as long as the household remains enrolled in the program.   
  • After the ACP funds run out (projected in April 2024), households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.
  • We’re hearing from community partners that some ISPs are telling customer the program isn’t running anymore; this is inaccurate—if households are enrolled (not just have applied) by February 7, they can still benefit until the funds run out.
• Northside Community Resource Fair: Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center
• City of Madison Recertified as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community :  The City of Madison has been recertified as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Every four years, the City is required to apply to continue to be designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community and since 2015…
• How to Watch: 2024 State of Public Safety: The Madison Police Department remains committed to providing the highest level of service to the Madison community. On Thursday, Chief Shon Barnes will share year-end crime data from 2023. He, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Melinda Knuth, the…
• Voter Registration “Closes” Today: Wednesday, Jan. 31, is the final day to register to vote online or by mail prior to the February 20 Spring Primary.
• Spring Primary Absentee Ballots are in the Mail: The City of Madison Clerk’s Office has mailed absentee ballots to 553 voters for the February 20 primary election.Most Madison residents do not have a February Primary. The only Madison residents with a primary are voters in County Supervisor…
• Madison Arts Commission and Monona Terrace Announce Call for Artist Entries for Rooftop and Olin Terrace Sculptures: The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison is soliciting submissions from artists for its 2024 sculpture exhibition on the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens and Olin Terrace. Art on the Rooftop is a free…
• The City of Madison's Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program, Launched February 1st, 2024!: As part of a broader strategy to foster stable and sustainable communities in the City of Madison, the Community Development Division is now offering low -interest loans ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, depending on property size, to owners of rental properties to improve their housing stock. With these loans, property owners can make major repairs, implement energy-efficiency upgrades, and take steps needed to comply with building codes and regulations. These updates will help improve the health, safety, and welfare of tenants who live in these buildings. 

Events 

• City In-Person Absentee Voting Begins, Tuesday, February 6: Absentee voting sites begin opening today. Check our In-Person Absentee Voting website for locations and hours. 
• Gentle Yoga, Tuesday, January 30: Yoga improves balance, range of motion and flexibility, which are all important, especially as we age. Yoga Accessible for All (YAFA) teachers dedicate themselves to making yoga safe and inviting for anyone who is interested in gaining the benefits (yafayoga.org).
• Yoga Core, Friday, February 2: 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.
• MPD: Recruitment Open House, Wednesday, February 7: Come learn about our agency, its mission to public service and the various careers available within the Madison Police Department. Our recruiting officer will talk attendees through our application and the hiring process.
• Meditation At Monona Terrace, Thursday, January 11: 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. 
• Inspired by Wright: Galentine's Edition, Thursday, February 8: Our tour will launch with a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. Then we're off to discover Frank Lloyd Wright's inspirations from geometry and the building site in his design of Monona Terrace. Following the tour, create your own Wright-inspired glass piece of art.  
• Northside Community Resource Fair, Thursday, February 8: Come to the Northside Community Resource Fair to learn about valuable City of Madison resources and programs available to Northside residents! Enjoy free pizza slices, while supplies last!
• Yoga Core, Friday, February 2, 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.
• Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, February 9: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo! 
• Groove & Glide, Friday, February 9: Make the most of winter at a Groove and Glide event! Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the lights with fun music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Grab your friends, a date, or the whole family, and come have some fun on the ice. 
• West District Saturday Family Reading Project: Information Sessions for Families and Students, Saturday, February 10: Join Westside leaders, including Common Council Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney of District 20, for the West District Saturday Family Reading Project! This is an information session on building and improving the reading capacity of Madison students. These sessions will take place at the Southwest Employment & Training Center, 1233 McKenna Boulevard (across from Elver Park), on Saturday, February 3 and Saturday, February 10, at 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• Bird & Nature Adventures at Owen Conservation Park, Saturday, February 10: 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. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Badgerland Bird Alliance, Madison Audubon Society,  and the Friends of Owen Conservation Park . Free, family-friendly guided nature walks at Owen Conservation Park are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, year-round 2:30-4pm. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Skate Cinema | Cool Runnings, Saturday, February 10: Join us for an evening of ice skating and a movie at Skate Cinema! Bring a lawn chair and a blanket and make it an evening. This event is free to attend and no advanced registration is required. Ice skating will be allowed while the movie is playing - just not in front of the screen! A limited number of loaner skates will be available or bring your own skates. We’ll have an outdoor fire pit for warming up and Travelin' Tom's Coffee for purchase. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures at Turville Point Conservation Park, Sunday, February 11: Follow rolling hiking paths through the Turville Point Conservation Park woodlands and prairie with beautiful vistas of Lake Monona and Monona Bay. Walks at Turville Point held on the 2nd Sunday every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners, Madison Parks, Badgerland Bird Alliance, Friends of Olin Turville, and Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Turville Point parking lot, entrance at the E. Olin Ave. stoplight from John Nolen Drive at the railroad tracks, south of Olin Park (not at the boat launch). No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Metro Transit Info Sessions: Learn how to get around the city with help from Metro Transit! Whether you're looking to navigate the bus system or find alternative options, these helpful information sessions led by Metro employees will connect you to the services that are right for you. Several sessions are planned in library locations between January and April 2024. Metro employees will be available for one-on-one conversations in English and Spanish. No registration required; all are welcome!
• February 8, 10am - 1pm | Central Library
• February 13, 3-5pm | Pinney Library
• March 14, 3-5pm | Alicia Ashman Library
• March 16, 10am - 12pm | Pinney Library
• April 23, 10am - 12pm | Lakeview Library