Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of December 18, 2023

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 here.

• Sustainable Madison Committee: The Sustainable Madison Committee meeting will take place on Monday, December 18, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include an update on net metering, an update on the Sustainability Plan, and an alder update on sustainability topics.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Parks Long Range Planning Subcommittee: The Parks Long Range Planning Subcommittee meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 20, in virtual format at 3:00 p.m. Agenda items include an update on the Parks and Open Space Plan, a review of the Trust for Public Land 2022 Park Score, and discussion and possible approval of the 2024 meeting schedule.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

Public Information Meetings & Sessions

• Rutledge Street Reconstruction, Monday, December 18 (VIRTUAL): The project will include replacement of the asphalt pavement, gravel base, curb & gutter, and spot replacement for sidewalk and driveway aprons as well as pedestrian crossing improvements. The project also includes replacement of sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water main, street signs, and pavement markings. A virtual public information meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Dec. 18, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required: Dec. 18, 2023 Public Information Meeting Registration
• Northeast Area Plan In-Person Meeting, Monday, December 18: The Northeast Area Plan team will present the plan draft recommendation. Join us and share your thoughts. Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be present to share information about the HWY 51 North Study. Food and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
• Northeast Area Plan Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, December 19: The Northeast Area Plan team will present the plan draft recommendation. Join us and share your thoughts. Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be present to share information about the HWY 51 North Study.
• Resurfacing Program 2024 Projects, Tuesday, December 19 (VIRTUAL): The Annual Street Resurfacing Program is designed to improve the quality of your street and delay the need for total reconstruction. The City Engineering Division rates streets and curb & gutter every two years. A public information meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Dec. 19, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required. Dec. 19, 2023 Public Information Meeting Registration

Announcements & News Releases

• Alder Kristen Slack Announces Resignation from Madison Common Council Effective January 10, 2024; Applications Being Accepted to Fill Vacancy: Today, Alder Kristen Slack, District 19, has announced her resignation from the Madison Common Council effective January 10, 2024, at noon.“It is with sincere regret that I announce my resignation from the Madison Common Council. Since the election…
• Do Not Set Out Leaves for Collection: Leaf/Yard Waste Pickup Over Until Spring 2024: All City of Madison neighborhoods have received their last chance leaf collection opportunity. Residents should not place leaves out for collection at the curb again during the winter of 2023.There will not be another guaranteed round of leaf…
• Madison Awarded $6.3 Million in Federal Funding for Vision Zero Project: The City of Madison was awarded 6.3 million dollars in federal funding from the US Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to fund Forward to Vision Zero: Safe System for Vulnerable Roadway Users projects. The…
• State Street Campus Garage, Lake Street Side, to close on December 27, 2023: The State Street Campus Garage, Lake Street structure, located at 415 N Lake St, will permanently close on December 27, 2023.  Staff is working with impacted Monthly Parking Permit holders to relocate them to alternative City facilities, or find…
• 2024 Neighborhood Grant Program: Have you and your neighbors been thinking about making community improvements or strengthening your neighborhood group? The Planning Division will once again offer funding through the Neighborhood Grant Program for Leadership and Capacity Building and Community Enhancement projects. The application deadline is February 12, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. In late December, we will post updated grant materials on our webpage for 2024. In the interim, you can refer to last year’s  guidelines for assistance. Once you are ready to start an application, please contact the Planning Division at  Neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com, and share project ideas with your alderperson. We also invite you to attend an optional orientation meeting:Neighborhood Grant Program Orientation January 11, 2024
• Virtual, 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please sign up to receive an email with information about participating in the meeting.
• In-Person, 6:00 p.m., Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 206. 

Events

• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, December 23: Join a naturalist for an easy family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walk will begin at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Meet outside at the Children's Shack. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Madison Audubon Society , and Aldo Leopold Nature Center . No registration is required. No pets are allowed.

Streets Division Updates

• Leaf Collection Complete: Do not set out leaves for collection. All neighborhoods have received their last chance pickup opportunity. Curbside pickup will resume in the spring of 2024.
• Drop-off Site Hours: Drop-off sites are on winter hours. Check the hours before loading your car.  Drop-off site information is available at www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites.
• Winter Information: The City of Madison has a hub for all things winter from how to use salt correctly to winter recreation opportunities to free sand locations to snowplowing update email signups.  All of that is available at www.cityofmadison.com/Winter

Metro Service Disruptions

Below is an email sent out on December 13th from Metro Transit:

"Metro has been experiencing challenges dispatching buses during peak times due to not having enough available buses that meet our safety inspection requirements. This has forced us to cancel or delay a few buses on some routes.

We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration these disruptions have caused. 

Metro had seen a shortage of mechanic staff earlier in the year, and fortunately we've been successful in our hiring and have staff in training. However, dedicating so much staff time to training has made it difficult to complete our federally required bus inspections. We are taking temporary measures to address this backlog in the immediate term and are confident that it will not be a lingering issue."

Please see the full announcement and details about service disruptions at this link: https://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/routes-schedules/service-disruptions

Reduced Metro Service on December 24 & 25

Christmas Eve – Sunday, 12/24 until 6:00 p.m.

Routes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, L, O, P, R, S will operate SUNDAY schedules and service ends early around 6p. 

View list of last trips of the day.

• Route 80 operates weekend recess schedule. 
• Routes 81-84 do not operate.

Christmas Day – Monday, 12/25

Buses operate SUNDAY schedules.

• Route 80 operates weekend recess schedule.
• Routes 81-84 do not operate.