District 20 - Updates Week of February 1, 2026

DISCUSSION ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION 

The Madison Common Council will hold a discussion on Violence Prevention on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building. This event will feature presentations from several City agencies, including Public Health Madison & Dane County, the Madison Police Department, the Madison Fire Department, the Parks Division, and the Traffic Engineering Division. Each agency will provide updates on its violence prevention initiatives. "Building a safe and resilient community takes all of us. Multiple City departments have formal programs and projects aimed at reducing violence and harm. This forum will allow those departments to present a comprehensive picture of the work the City does to keep us all safe and well.” "

Constituent Contact: Streetlights on Siskiwit Circle needs replacement. The light in the middle our circle (Siskiwit Circle) comes on and off every few minutes and needs to be replaced. Also, the light in front of the house (1 Siskiwit Circle) has been off for several years. No one has responded to my multiple requests. 

Staff Response: Work order submitted.

Constituent Contact: Following the establishment of a new school bus stop at the traffic island on Schroeder Rd (just before Saybrook Rd), there is now a new dangerous unintended consequence: multiple vehicles are now parking in a "stacked" fashion along the northside of Saybrook Rd, between Yorkshire Rd and Schroeder Rd during afternoon pickup hours. This situation has created the following hazards:

• Obstructed Sightlines: The parked vehicles prevent drivers and children from clearly seeing each other as they walk, run, or jump around the parked vehicles, and as they cross Schroeder and Saybrook Roads.
• Traffic Congestion: The combination of the new bus stop and the stacking of parked vehicles causes significant backups on both Schroeder Rd and Saybrook Rd, causing erratic and dangerous driving maneuvers.
• Pedestrian Vulnerability: With Children now crossing at this intersection, the combination of high congestion and low visibility is an urgent new concern.

Is the City able to consider:

• Installing "No Parking" or "No Stopping" signs during school hours (i.e. morning and afternoon release times) on Saybrook Rd, between Yorkshire Rd and Schroeder Rd?
• Study a possible alternate "pick up loading zone" nearby that can safely accommodate the on average 5-6 parked vehicles, without blocking an intersection? Staff Response: Just a quick follow up to let you know that we have set up a work order to have No Stopping Standing Parking signs posted on both sides of Saybrook close to the intersection with Schroeder. The signs will only be in effect from 1:00 to 4:00 I believe. Work order completed.

• When the weather warms up we may adjust the sign positions – we cannot install new posts with the frozen ground, so the new signs are going on existing posts. Those locations will work, but they may not be exactly where we would like them.

  Staff Response:  Work order completed.

   

What Are New Business Summaries?

Common Council New Business Summaries are short descriptions of items introduced at the most recent Common Council meeting. They come from the “Introduction of New Business for Referral Without Debate” section of the agenda, as well as any items introduced from the floor. This document should help readers identify items they are interested in as they make their way through City Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs) and back to the Common Council for a decision. 

Visit the registration page to register to speak on an item important to you. You may also register in support or opposition to the item. Instructions for registering are at the bottom of the page.

View Transportation Commission Meeting, Wednesday, January 21 | WisDOT Comments - https://www.channel3000.com/news/wisdot-extends-beltline-public-comment-period/article_39f061c0-358a-4742-955b-4c92738ae2a3.html

Comment form | https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=MRwPKCphQEecMoeK08MbQUjf4YRqJhtBpd_3uF5Qh51UMkVUSE0xOEhaWUpQQjYzQ1FGVFFUM0g2SC4u&route=shorturl

Community Engagement Opportunities for February 2026 

• Black History Month at the Overture Center: The Overture Center will host multiple family-friendly events in celebration of Black History Month with a mix of free and ticketed events. Events range from dance performances with traditional and contemporary African traditions that tell the story about the Great Migration, Kids in the Rotunda, Drum Power, a tribute to New Orleans Jazz and more.
• 2026 Winter Carnival, February 5 - 7, 2026: The Wisconsin Union's Winter Carnival is returning with a flurry of frosty fun and activities — including ice climbing, skating, ice fishing, craft-making, carriage rides, a freestyle ski and snowboard competition, fireworks, and, of course, Lady Liberty!
• The Fire + Ice Ball: Masquerade Edition, Friday, February 6: The Fire + Ice Ball: Masquerade Edition is the ultimate Madison Night Out — gourmet food, dancing, live music, cocktails, and just enough mystery to make it unforgettable. Join us Friday, February 6, 2026
  Because supporting a great cause should still be a good time.
• Art of Love Conference 2026, Saturday, February 7: The Art of Love Conference is an intentional one day gathering centered on honest conversation, community connection, and creative expression. Designed as both a pause and a push forward, ALC creates space for people to explore love in all its forms including self, community, relationships, and purpose through dialogue, art, and shared experience.
• The 30th Annual Souper Bowl will be held at Madison West High School on Saturday, February 7 from 11 AM: Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance! This community soup feast has become a Madison tradition since 1995 and is the largest fundraiser of the UW-Madison student chapter of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Last year’s event served more than 1,000 attendees over 200 gallons of soup!
• Superior Days 2026, February 9 at 10am to February 11 at 5pm CST: Join us for the 41st Annual Superior Days, a longstanding grassroots lobbying event that brings Northwest Wisconsin’s voices directly to the State Capitol. Each year, residents, local leaders, students, and business advocates come together to share regional priorities, build relationships with state officials, and champion policies that strengthen our communities.
• Landlord Laws & Legislation 101, Tuesday, February 10: Join us! This brand new foundational course is designed to help landlords and property managers confidently navigate Wisconsin’s complex legal landscape. This class takes a deep dive into Wis. Stat. Chapter 704, ATCP 134, and key Madison ordinances; breaking down what these laws mean in real-world property management scenarios and learning how to stay compliant. 
• Women of 608: Quiet Confidence, Loud Impact with Jazmynn Appleton, Thursday, February 19: Connect with Madison-area women and learn how introverts can build meaningful relationships with confidence and impact.
• Community Garden Summit, Saturday, February 21: Rooted and UW Extension are hosting our annual Community Garden Summit on February 21st at the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center in South Madison. There will be presentations and discussions on soil fertility, weed control, donating food, new garden development, and more. The summit is open to all, non-gardeners and current community gardeners alike.
• 15th Annual Wear Red Day Observance & Awareness Celebration, Saturday, February 21st at 11:00am:  Join us for our 15th Annual Wear Red Day Observance & Awareness Celebration! We will be back at the beautiful Goodman Community Center - Brassworks Building (214 Waubesa St. Madison, WI). Come in your red workout gear and get ready to put your heart health into action during this lively, life-saving event! Registration is now open! You won't want to miss this memorable milestone moment!
• Minding My Black-Owned Business, Saturday, February 21: The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce brings another opportunity to highlight its member businesses. Minding My Black-Owned Business will feature more than 40 local Black- and Brown-owned businesses in a pop-up shop style market. It will also feature a raffle every 30 minutes that includes items donated from its vendors and gift cards. Minding My Black-Owned Business will be held Feb. 21 at the Elver Park Neighborhood Center, 1201 McKenna Blvd., from 12-3 p.m. It is free to attend; no registration is required.
• Weather in a Changing Climate, Saturday, February 24: Join us for our February Sustainable Breakfast Series as we explore how climate change is reshaping our weather. We’ll hear from Amanda Latham, Climate Outreach Specialist for the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, for an approachable look at the science of weather, a historical context, and the factors that impact weather systems. She’ll also offer insights into how climate scientists and forecasters are adapting, and what communities should be paying attention to in the years ahead.
• 8th Annual Black Business Awards Recognition & Exhibition, Thursday, February 26: We warmly invite our community, partners, and supporters to step into the promise of the next era. For nearly a decade, the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce has been a trusted force in advancing Black-owned businesses—creating access, elevating visibility, and building pathways for sustainable growth. The ERA’s Ball marks a defining moment in that journey: where past progress meets future possibility.
• Best of Business Awards 2026, Friday, February 27 from 11am to 1:30pm CST:  Join us for the 25th anniversary business lunch! We’re celebrating our milestone year with four leaders who have found steadying wisdom to keep them on course in a fast-paced business world. Join us in honoring these Best of Madison Leadership Award winners who have demonstrated commitment to helping Madison grow, alongside our newest class of Best Places to Work in Madison.
• Black History Month Festival, Friday, February 27: The Madison Senior Center will host its second-ever Black History Month Festival near the end of February. It adds programming relevant to Madison’s elderly Black population with activities, food, performances and resources/

HEADS UP! 

• A Conversation with Kamala Harris, Sunday, March 01, 2026, 1:00 PM:  Doors at 12:00 pm | Show at 1:00 pm Join former Vice President Kamala Harris for an afternoon of surprising and revealing insights inspired by her #1 New York Times bestselling book, 107 DAYS. Tickets on sale now.