City Meetings and Updates Week of Oct 6
posted- City Meetings:
- Plan Commission 10/6
- Common Council 10/7
- Board of Public Works 10/8
- Transportation Commission 10/8
- Board of Park Commissioners 10/8
- Update on 9/30 Homeless Services Presentation to Council and Controversy re: Dairy Drive Campground
- Permanent Bartillon Homeless Shelter Update
- Dairy Drive Controversy
- Events & Announcements
City Meetings
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 6, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests (none in District 3) and another slate of Housing Forward initiative proposals (I’m a cosponsor of each):
- Legistar 89916 reduces minimum lot width and lot area within certain zoning districts and to reduce the rear setback for alley loaded one-story attached garages; here’s the staff presentation.
- Legistar item 88917 updates the existing step-down rules for larger buildings when adjacent to a residential district; here’s the staff presentation.
- Legistar item 89918 allows detached Accessory Dwelling Units to have two units and not be included in maximum permitted use accessory structure size; here’s the staff presentation
The agenda also includes a resolution changing ordinances to extend the initial order granting an approved Conditional Use from 2 years to 3 years before that order expires if not used.
Common Council
The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include:
- Item 1: an honoring resolution proclaiming October as Pedestrian Safety Month and October 15, 2025, as White Cane Safety Day in the City of Madison
- Item 11: a resolution approving a Class B combination liquor & beer license for Wisconsin Home Goods at 4664 Cottage Grove Road in District 3. The operator held a public information meeting at their site in September, the ALRC has recommended granting, and I’ve heard no concerns from neighbors.
- Items 14-16 are Another slate of Housing Forward initiative proposals (I’m a cosponsor of each).
- Legistar 89916 reduces minimum lot width and lot area within certain zoning districts and to reduce the rear setback for alley loaded one-story attached garages; here’s the staff presentation.
- Legistar item 88917 updates the existing step-down rules for larger buildings when adjacent to a residential district; here’s the staff presentation.
- Legistar item 89918 allows detached Accessory Dwelling Units to have two units and not be included in maximum permitted use accessory structure size; here’s the staff presentation
- Item 17: a resolution changing ordinances to extend the initial order granting an approved Conditional Use from 2 years to 3 years before that order expires if not used.
- Item 33: a resolution amending ordinances related to the protection of City street trees and establishing a Street Tree Replacement Fund.
- Item 46: a resolution authorizing a “Future Phase Developer Agreement” required for the renewal of a conditional approval of a lot lines change for the approved project at 102 South Sprecher Road in District 3. More information about this can be found in my blog post a few weeks ago under the section for the Sept 17th Board of Public Works meeting.
- Item 54: a resolution recognizing the appointment of John Patterson as City of Madison Police Chief and approving the terms and conditions of employment.
- Item 55: a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Blooming Grove for the City of Madison to provide building inspection services for the Town, much of which is here on the east side and will formally “attach” to the City of Madison in November 2027. Costs to the City of providing this service will be recovered through City-issued permits and Municipal Court prosecutions.
- Item 62: a resolution approving a loan of up to $80,000 from the City’s Child Care Facilities Loan Program to Monona Grove Nursery School to develop new child care space at 4032 Monona Drive (I’m a cosponsor). The City’s 2025 Capital Budget authorizes up to $250,000 for the Child Care Facilities Loan Program to support local childcare providers’ efforts to establish, expand or sustain their programs, particularly within parts of the City where childcare is scarce. Another City-supported child care site secured here on the East Side!
- Item 65: a resolution adopting the Labor Agreement with the Teamsters Union Local 120, for Jan. 1, 2025 (back-dated) through Dec. 31, 2027. Here’s the Labor Relations report. From the fiscal note: “The agreement includes a 3% wage increase effective January 1, 2025 and a 2% one-time payment equivalent to a mid-year wage increase (July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025). Total 2025 costs associated with the agreement are estimated at $1.5 million. […] The agreement also includes 3% wage increases in each 2026 and 2027 at a cost of $2.1 million and $3.2 million respectively.”
- Item 68: the Annual Report from the Office of the Independent Monitor, 2023-2024.
Meeting info:
Board of Public Works
The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 8, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a public hearing for the Plans, Specifications, and Schedule of Assessments for the MacArthur Road, Larson Court, MacArthur Court, and Sycamore Avenue assessment district – this is for the road reconstruction project scheduled for 2026. The official public hearing for this item, which is #6 on the agenda, is scheduled for 5:30pm. Adjacent properties were notified by letters in the mail. Those with input on this item may register to speak via Zoom during the public hearing using the link below, or may email their comments to the Board: boardofpublicworks@cityofmadison.com.
Image credit: Madison Parks
This meeting also includes a motion on the contract to replace Kennedy Park playground equipment in 2026, along with a few other playgrounds; see slides 2 and 3 in this file.
Transportation Commission
The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 8, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include:
- Item 3: A presentation and discussion of the upcoming Pflaum Road Resurfacing project, three options for the arrangement traffic and bike/ped lanes and parking, and results from a public survey
- Item 4: Presentation of Metro Transit’s 2024 On-Board Survey Report with rider feedback
- Item 5: Presentation of Metro Transit Safety and Security Updates
- Item 6: Reviewing the proposed 2026 Capital and Operating Budgets for the City Transportation Department
Meeting info:
Board of Park Commissioners
The Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 8, in-person at 6:30 p.m. in the Parks Lakeside Offices at 330 E Lakeside St. Agenda items include:
- Item 12: approving amendments to the Friends of Parks group rules and guidelines (an interesting read for anyone considering starting a Friends group!)
- Item 15: an informational update from the Madison Parks Foundation
- Item 17: an informational presentation on the Parks Division 2026 Executive Operating Budget
- Items 18-27 approve a number of 2026 proposed fees
- Item 29: adopting the 2025-2030 Park and Open Space Plan as a supplement to Madison's Comprehensive Plan
Meeting info:
Update on Last Week’s Homeless Services Presentation to Council and Controversy re: Dairy Drive Campground
New Bartillon Shelter
The September 30th Common Council discussion about the new Bartillon shelter and funding situation was very informative. If you’re interested, I highly recommend checking out the staff presentation slides which include building designs and photos, and even watching the recording. It’s very interesting and exciting to see how spaces within the building were intentionally designed in partnership with Porchlight and with input from homeless individuals, all with future guests’ basic needs and service offerings in mind.
The presentation also included discussion of the as yet unresolved funding situation for operating the new Bartillon shelter. Of the $4.2 million needed to run it 24 hours/day on an annual basis, the City is budgeting for $1.7 million in 2026, which is no small task under our finding constraints. Unfortunately, the County Executive’s recently-released 2026 budget proposes only $580k and the County's overall budget situation for 2026 is grim. This is disappointing because funding for these services have historically been primarily the responsibility of County government, and this project was constructed as a City-County partnership. We’ll soon see if the County Board of Supervisors has the political will to make the Bartillon shelter more of a priority. Right now this leaves an approximately $1.9 million gap for funding 24/7 operations. The State and Federal governments so far offer nothing. During this discussion, alders learned that later this month a new nonprofit fundraising group called Shelter Friends will be sharing more details about their efforts to fundraise for the shelter from the private sector.
Dairy Drive Controversy
Tuesday’s discussion about the Bartillon shelter took place amidst the backdrop of protests taking place outside by passionate and persistent advocates demanding that the Common Council find a way to keep the temporary Dairy Drive campground open. It is distressing that the expiration of federal funds supporting the fairly successful, though temporary, campground program are no longer available. It is also distressing that the City is under State-imposed funding constraints as we try to find operating funds for the new permanent Bartillon shelter. I wrote at length about this incredibly frustrating situation in this Sept 14th blog post explaining my own vote against a motion extending the temporary site due to a lack of funding and the 250-bed Bartillon shelter being my priority. As noted in the above section, it is even clearer now than it was when I wrote that blog post that the County may not make adequate Bartillon shelter funding a priority in their 2026 budget.
After the Council discussion adjourned, a group of protesters approached Alder MGR Govindarajan (D8) outside the City County Building, urging him to make a motion for the Council to reconsider its decision to close the temporary Dairy Drive campground and change his own vote (he voted to close the site). According to his statement: “To deescalate the situation, I chose to stay and answer questions. I stood with about a dozen people for nearly an hour, listening to their concerns and attempting to answer questions. While I respect the right to protest and to engage in dialogue, the conversation shifted to a point where I felt like I couldn’t leave unless I agreed to what was being asked. When people in the crowd told me they’d find where I live, or would place stakes in my yard, I felt I had no choice but to agree under pressure. The video circulated last night reflects a statement made under coercion, not a change of position. To be clear: I felt as long as I didn’t say the wrong thing and escalate tensions, my physical safety was not at threat, but I was deeply concerned for my privacy, my home, and those close to me. I stayed until I was the last person outside the building to ensure no one had the opportunity to follow me home.”
Those protesters have a right to protest an outcome that they don’t like. While they were peaceful, they were aggressive. Alders have received dozens of emails and tags/messages on personal social media accounts in recent weeks shaming us and wishing homelessness on us and our families. It’s clear that these tactics have targeted MGR in particular, the youngest and one of the most progressive and responsive members of the Council.
I don’t think that a campaign of shaming and intimidation directed at alders was an effective strategy here because that aggression does not change the frustrating but unavoidable facts of the funding situation as the City pursues permanent and sustainable ways to support a larger share of the homeless population. MGR’s statement concludes: “No elected official should be put in a position where they feel unable to leave a public building without making promises under pressure. I will not be reconsidering my vote on Dairy Drive. What I said last night was an attempt to deescalate a tense situation, not a shift in my decision.”
Events & Announcements
- Fall Leaf Collection Begins Week of October 5; Get Your Home’s Set Out Dates from Yard Waste Website: For some neighborhoods, the Streets Division’s fall leaf and yard waste pickup begins the week of October 5, 2025. Different neighborhoods have different set-out dates. You need to check the yard waste website to learn the set-out dates for your home… [posted October 3, 2025]
- Brush Collection Over for 2025; All Brush Set-out Dates Have Passed: All brush collection set out dates for City of Madison residents have passed. Do not set out brush for pickup after your set out date. There are no more guaranteed brush collection opportunities this year. Guaranteed curbside brush pickup from the… [posted October 3, 2025]
- Dane County Transportation Challenge Shows Big Impact: Hundreds of Dane County residents took part in a free transportation challenge this September—collectively saving more than $12,000 and avoiding more than 17 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. [posted October 2, 2025]
- Well Woman Program Enrollment Increases: More women than ever are getting connected to life-saving breast cancer screenings through the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP). [posted October 2, 2025]
- Madison Investigator Recognized for International Case Leading to Conviction of Online Predator: Madison, WI – Detective Sgt. Mark Hull of the Madison Police Department received the National Crime Agency (NCA) Award this week. The honor, presented on behalf of the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, recognizes Hull’s… [posted October 1, 2025]
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway Investing in Imagination Center: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced funding for the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. [posted September 30, 2025]
- Financial Empowerment Series Part 1 of 3 – Tuesday, October 7: Do you have financial goals you are working to attain? Maybe you’d like to purchase a home, start your own business, or plan for retirement? The Urban League’s free Financial Empowerment series can help you build the budget to achieve those goals, understand and build your credit score, learn about other community resources that can help support your goals, and much more! For more information, call (608) 729-1222.
- School Vaccination Clinics at Holtzman Learning Center – Saturday, October 11: In partnership with SSM Health, GHC, UW-Health, and Madison Metropolitan School District Public Health Madison & Dane County is offering vaccines at clinics. The vaccines are free and for school aged kids 5 and older. Appointments are strongly recommended.
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. Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
