Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of September 21, 2026

In the D19

• D19 Flooding Risk: Madison is warning that the accumulating rains beginning Friday, September 18 and continuing at least through Saturday may cause problems in several flood-prone areas including around the intersection of Grand Canyon and Odana Rd in District 19.
• Dumping Warning: Property owners bordering Wexford Pond have been mailed warning notices to stop dumping yard waste in the city-owned pond and greenway. Piles of yard waste were observed in a recent regular inspection. This is a reminder to all citizens to avoid dumping on city property. Yard waste can wash into ponds and streams hindering their flood management performance and impacting water quality.
• Dale Heights Neighborhood Meeting: The recording of the Public Information Meeting of Tuesday, September 15 on plans to redevelop the property of Dale Heights Presbyterian Church at 5501 University Avenue is now available. Neighbors had questions related to traffic impacts which could not be answered at the meeting. Meeting moderator Chris Wells is getting answers, which I will publish when available.
• Schroeder Rd Traffic Safety Improvements Meeting: Due to a meeting conflict I was unable to attend the Public Information Meeting of Wednesday, September 16, but District 20 Alder Harrington-McKinney helped moderate the meeting in which Traffic Engineering staff presented improvements which might improve safety for pedestrians. The presentation is available via the title link.
• Marshall Park Boat Launch Improvements: The 2027 Executive Capital Budget includes funding to improve the boat launch in Marshall Park. The 40-year-old ramps have been rendered problematic by accumulated sediment. The work, which will probably begin next spring, will cause the launch to be closed for a portion of the season. The Parks Department has created a web page for the project.

Updates and Notices

• Brush Collection Nearing the End: Check to see if you have a brush set out date remaining before you set out branches and sticks for pickup. 
• Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, Madison Public Library will host a series of events highlighting the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrating Hispanic and Latino American culture. Throughout the rest of the year, upcoming events in Spanish or about Latinx culture and resources in Spanish will also appear on their “Hispanic Heritage Month 2026" website.

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, September 22, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include the Chief of Police's Quarterly Report.
  • 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, September 23, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include construction management in Districts 1, 3, 14, 16, and 18.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures: The President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures meeting will take place on Friday, September 25, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an introductory presentation to the workgroup.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

If you would like more information about becoming a member of the City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Public Meeting Open House - Odana Hills Golf Course, Thursday, September 24 (held virtually and in-person): The Parks Division is hosting an open house style public information meeting at the existing clubhouse to share preliminary building and site concepts and seek feedback from residents and neighbors on aspects of the improvements.
• Madison Public Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, Madison Public Library will host a series of events highlighting the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrating Hispanic and Latino American culture. Throughout the rest of the year, upcoming events in Spanish or about Latinx culture and resources in Spanish will also appear here.

Announcements and News Releases

• Aberg Avenue Closure for Railroad Crossing Replacement: Starting at 8:00am on Monday September 28, the City of Madison and The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad Company will be replacing the railroad crossing on Aberg Avenue between Loftsgordon Avenue and Everett Street.  During this… [posted September 18, 2026]
• Street Closures for 2026 Willy Street Fair: Williamson Street will close, between S Livingston Street and S Ingersoll Street, this weekend for the Willy Street Fair. S Paterson Street and S Brearly Street will also be closed between Williamson Street and the Capital City Trail. [posted September 18, 2026]
• Enjoy the Vibrancy of Downtown Madison with Your Downtown Alders: The Common Council invites you to an evening of networking with the alders representing Madison's downtown districts. Join us for the third annual Downtown Alders Meet & Greet on Tuesday, September 29, from 6 PM to 8 PM. This special event is… [posted September 15, 2026]
• mk zariel named City of Madison's 2026-27 Youth Poet Laureate: The Madison Arts Commission has named mk zariel (pronouns: it/its) as Madison's fifth Youth Poet Laureate. [posted September 14, 2026]

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

• Introduction to Bumble Bee Photography and Identification, Monday, September 21: Bumblebees are active well into the fall and this is a great time of year to observe them and the fall-blooming plants like goldenrods and asters that they pollinate.
• FREE Fall Fun at Aldo Leopold Park with Ballet Folklorico Mexico and more, September 23 and 30 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.: Join the City's Leopold Arbor Hills Neighborhood Resource Team at Aldo Leopold Park for Ballet Folklorico (Mexico's traditional Aztec and Mexican dance), social dance lessons, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, mountain biking, and a light dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
• Volunteer Workday | Seed Collection, Thursday, September 24: Join Madison Parks at Prairie Ridge Conservation Park for a large-scale seed collection event. Volunteers will help support the City's ecological restoration efforts by collecting seeds from native plants in a single, focused session. 
• Fall Concert, Thursday, September 24: Free Fall Concert at Olin Park Pavilion hosted by Friends of Olin-Turville (FOOT). Ladies Must Swing (LMS), A Big Band In Tune. An all-female jazz band that will have you reliving memories and dancing in your chair.
• Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Ribbon Cutting, Friday, September 25: Celebrate the opening day of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park(external) with a ribbon cutting ceremony from 3:00 - 4:00pm.
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, September 26: We seek passionate individuals and groups committed to giving back to the community and connecting with the City of Madison golf courses. Gain experience, foster personal growth, and build relationships within the community. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, September 26: 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.
• Volunteer Workday | Planting, Saturday, September 26: Help improve Madison Parks by assisting with a general planting workday at Junction Ridge Park. Volunteers will help install native plants, flowers, shrubs, or other vegetation depending on the project. 
• Movie in the Park | The Fifth Element, Saturday, September 26: Join Downtown Madison's Business Improvement District (BID) and Madison Parks for a free movie in Peace Park! 

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