Highlights for the Week of September 18th, 2023

MEETINGS

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 in hybrid format at 6:30 PM. Agenda items include a public hearing on the 2024 Executive Capital Budget, supporting limitations on city purchases from nuclear weapons producers, supporting initiatives that improve access to high-quality, affordable child care for all families in Madison, changes/repeal of ordinances.

  • Meeting Details (agenda, registration instructions, watch online)
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, September 18, 2023 in virtual format at 5:30 PM. Agenda items include the creation of a housing taskforce addressing Madison’s affordable housing shortage and other related housing issues, development related requests in Districts 1, 4, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 19, and more.
  • Meeting Details (agenda, registration instructions, watch online)
• City-County Homeless Issues Committee: The City-County Homeless Issues Committee meeting will take place on Monday, September 18, 2023 in virtual format at 5:30 PM. Agenda items include a presentation of updates regarding the purpose-built men’s shelter development, repealing unenforced subsections of the trespassing ordinance, and more.
  • Meeting Details (agenda, registration instructions, watch online)
• Street Use Staff Commission: The Street Use Staff Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in virtual format at 10:00 AM. Agenda items include the consideration of permits for the Dane County Fire Chiefs’ Parade, the Public Power On Parade, and the Run Santa Run 5k, as well as recapping recent permitted street use events, previewing upcoming events, and more
  • Meeting Details (agenda, registration instructions, watch online)
• Urban Design Commission: The Urban Design Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in Room 206 of the Madison Municipal Building at 4:30 PM. Agenda items include a public hearing on a new multi-family building in District 12 and a signage exception in District 10, amending development standards within District 6, and more!
  • Meeting Details (agenda, location, registration instructions)
• The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is planning to build a new facility for the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) on the existing property at 6006 Schroeder Road in Madison. The new center will play a crucial role in assessing the impact of disease on wildlife and studying the connection between wildlife health and human and environmental wellbeing.  Consider attending a public scoping meeting on September 21 from 5:30 – 7:30 at Vel Phillips Memorial High School.

SAVE THE DATE!

• Public Hearing – Proposed December Service Changes, Wednesday, September 27 – 6:00 pm: The City is holding a virtual public hearing with the Transportation Commission to discuss possible service change adjustments for December. Like the adjustments recently made, these are not large-scale adjustments. A few of our routes have struggled to stay on time and others still need adjustments to better connect to other routes.

Official public hearing feedback can be submitted ahead of time by calling (608) 266-4466, emailing mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com, or by filling out an online form at mymetrobus.com/feedback. All feedback submitted ahead of time will be considered in the same way as feedback provided at the hearing itself.

EVENTS

• Meditation at Monona Terrace, Thursday, September 7, 2023 - 12:00pm to Thursday, December 14, 2023 - 12:00pm: Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Anyone can practice; it’s simple, inexpensive and doesn’t require any special equipment. Join us virtually every Thursday, September 7 - December 14, for this free 45-minute program welcome to all levels. Advance registration for Zoom webinar is required.

• East Side Farmers' Market, Tuesday, September 21, 2023: The Eastside Farmers' Market is Madison Wisconsin’s finest weekday farmers' market. Our goal is to bring the freshest Wisconsin grown food direct to the heart of the East side. Our vendor members are agricultural producers and food artisans who make value added products from Wisconsin's agricultural bounty.

• Fall Financial Empowerment Series with ULGM Part 1 of 4 (Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, and Oct. 10), Tuesday, September 19, 2023: Part 1 of 4 in the Fall Financial Empowerment Series. Empower Your Path to Financial Success: Elevate Your Understanding of Key Financial Concepts like budgeting, navigating debt, credit and saving for the future. Sign up HERE!

  • Part 1 of 4: Budget Basics with ULGM
  • Part 2 of 4: Navigating Debt with Johnson Bank
  • Part 3 of 4: Improving and Building Credit with UW Credit Union
  • Part 4 of 4: Retirement and Homebuying with Thrivent

• Movin' Out Financial Literacy Series (#4 - Credit Scores), Tuesday, September 19, 2023: The City of Madison, in partnership with Movin’ Out, invite South Madison residents to participate in Movin’ Out’s financial wellness series! This six-session financial literacy program covers a range of topics to provide a solid understanding of the fundamentals of personal finance. In between sessions, interested participants can work with Movin’ Out’s Counseling staff on their own financial goals toward homeownership.

• Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market, Wednesday, September 20, 2023: The Wednesday Dane County Farmers’ Market is located on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in between the Madison Municipal Building and the City County Building. While more intimate than the Saturday Market, you will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, bakery items, cut flowers, plants, and many specialty items.

• Jeff Erlanger Accessible Playground at Rennebohm Park Ribbon Cutting, Wednesday, September 20, 2023: Madison Parks Foundation and Madison Parks invite the community to a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Jeff Erlanger Accessible Playground at Rennebohm Park. Jeff Erlanger was an amazing person who seemed to connect with everyone he encountered. He met Fred Rogers, his childhood idol, when he was just 5 years old and in 1980, at the age 10, he was invited to appear on the award-winning television series, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Jeff went on to graduate from Memorial High School and Edgewood College. After graduation, he interned for Representative Tammy Baldwin and Senator Russ Feingold. He became very active in Madison politics and served as a member of the Economic Development Commission, chair of the Commission on People with Disabilities and chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Living Alliance. He also played a major role in gaining accessible taxicab service for Madison. Jeff died at just 36 years old in 2007. Upon his death, the Mayor and City Council created the annual Jeff Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award in honor of his commitment to community-building advocacy. Join us for a short program and ribbon cutting as we officially open the new accessible playground at Rennebohm Park!

• The Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, September 20, 2023: The Capitol View Farmers Market is returning to the North Star Neighborhood! Join us each Wednesday (May 31-October 11, 2023) from 3:00-7:00pm to support local farmers and vendors, enjoy live music and food carts, and make the most of summer in Madison!
• Cyclocross Practice Ride | Olbrich Park, Wednesday, September 20, 2023: We've partnered with Capital Off-Road Pathfinders in offering a free, temporary cyclocross course to practice your biking skills. Each event is open from 5-7pm at the designated location. You will need a bike with knobby tires, such as a mountain bike style and a good-fitting helmet. Some parks do not have restrooms, please plan accordingly. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing similar to cross country running but on a bicycle. Courses feature wooded trails, grass, pavement, steep hills, and obstacles. See Cyclocross for more information.

• Mad Lit: Where Arts and Culture Shine, Friday, September 22, 2023: Mad Lit is a free, outdoor concert series featuring live music and highlighting local musicians, artists, and businesses owners of color. The series runs every other Friday from June through September from 8-11pm at the top of State Street in Madison and includes live music, dance, pop-up shops, and visual exhibits.

• West Side Community Market – Saturday, September 23, 2023: The market is located at 505 S. Rosa Rd. in Research Park and is open every Saturday from 7:30 am – 12:30 pm through November 4, 2023. Food Share is accepted, free parking, and accessible by bus.

(NOTE: for a more complete list of Madison farmers’ markets, follow this link.)

• Volunteer Day at The Glen, Saturday, September 23, 2023: The Glen Golf Park is establishing an ongoing volunteer program that helps volunteers learn, grow personally and gain professional experience.

• Summer Nights at Westmoreland Park, Saturday, September 23, 2023: Summer Nights at Westmorland Park features and exciting family friendly line-up of entertainers and musical performers. For full event details visit the Westmorland Neighborhood webpage or Facebook page.

• EASTSIDE NEIGHBORS: LET'S BUS TO THE FARMER'S MARKET!, Saturday, September 23, 2023: Driving to and parking for popular downtown events can be a hassle. Have you checked the new bus route and schedule? Join your Eastside Alders (D3, D15, D16 & D17) on a little adventure exploring the new bus routes and learning more about the Metro resources available to help you with planning your trips! The meet up spot will be at the Dane County Farmer's Market at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and W Main St. at 10am! Attendees must have a Madison Metro bus pass or will need $2.00 for bus fare.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• CARES to Offer Weekend Service Starting Saturday: The Madison Fire Department announces the expansion of the Madison Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) program to include weekend service.
• Sewer Operational After Quick Engineering Response to Weekend Overflow: The City of Madison sewer, which serves Hoyt Park and homes along the 3900 block of Regent Street, is operational again after a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) happened 6 a.m., Sept.

STREETS

The Streets Division’s fall yard waste and leaves collection begins the week of October 8, 2023 for certain neighborhoods. All residents will receive three collection opportunities this fall, weather permitting. Set out dates are now available at www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste.  Consider mulching your leaves and leaving them on your lawn. Read more about the environmental benefits of doing so here.