Developing options to address the 2025 budget, Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings, Announcements, and Events

Hello neighbors,

The City of Madison will be embarking on efforts over the next few months to understand our options with the upcoming 2025 budget, which projects a $27M budget gap. This gap is due to the expiration of federal COVID-relief funds, the strict controls the state legislature has put upon our municipalities regarding tax levies, and the paltry aid to municipalities the state has provided, in spite of the state still sitting on a $3.25B surplus of taxpayer-provided money. The Finance Department has created a website providing an overview of the issue, and the potential solutions that might be employed to balance the 2025 budget. There will be a presentation on this topic at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, February 13. As this discussion is preceded by a couple of honoring resolutions, I expect the presentation to begin around 6:45 or so. The meeting will also be recorded, so you can view it at your leisure after the fact.

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, February 13, in hybrid format at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include a presentation on the 2025 budget outlook, designating the polling locations for the 2024 spring election, and receiving bids for Safe Streets Madison 2024.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Public Safety Review Committee: The Public Safety Review Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 14, in virtual format at 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include a report from the Madison Police Department on recent gun violence, an update from the Madison Fire Department on CARES, and authorizing the Chief of Police or his designee to enter into a cost reimbursement agreement with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for overtime costs associated with participation in an ATF Task Force aimed at preventing/deterring gun violence.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Park Commissioners: The Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 14, in virtual format at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include a request from staff to amend 2024 athletic reservation fees, approving requests by Madison Mallards for Capital Improvements at Warner Park Stadium, and approving firework displays.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

Announcements & News Releases

• Luna’s Groceries to Open Second Location in South Madison: The Community Development Authority of the City of Madison (CDA), working closely with the City’s Economic Development Division (EDD) is pleased to announce that it has executed a lease with Luna’s Groceries to open a store in the former  Yue‐Wah grocery space at the Village on Park mall in South Madison (2328 S Park St). I am a proud member of the review committee for the Healthy Retail Access Program, which has helped bring Luna’s to both the Allied Drive location, as well as this new one.
• MPD providing up-close look at police work through Community Academy: The Madison Police Department is now accepting applications for this year’s Community Academy.
• MPD to hold free active shooter response training: On average, it takes police 3 minutes to respond to an active shooter event. About two-thirds of these incidents are over by the time police arrive on scene. The Madison Police Department is hosting a free Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training this March for community members and businesses.
• BRT East-West Project: One of the Largest Public Works Projects in City History: The City of Madison is proud to celebrate its partnerships with several independent businesses making an important contribution to the community through Bus Rapid Transit. 
• In-Person Absentee Voting: In-person absentee voting for the February 20 Spring Primary has begun. Most Madison residents do not have a February Primary. The only Madisonians with a primary are voters in County Supervisor districts 13 and 36. NOTE: Dane County Board Supervisor for District 13 covers a portion of this Madison Alder District.
• The Bubbler at Madison Public Library Seeks Artists for 2024 Residencies and Exhibitions: The Bubbler is accepting applications for three residencies and exhibitions at multiple Madison libraries!
• Winter Bike Day is Back!: Demonstrating that biking isn’t just a summer activity, even in snowy Wisconsin, the local bicycle advocacy group Madison Bikes is hosting a Winter Bike Day on Friday February 9.
• Recyclopedia Mini is Here: A mini Recyclopedia updated for 2024 is now available.The four page booklet contains information regarding the changes to the large item fees and the Resources Recovery Special Charge, and other useful Streets Division information.
• Madison Launches New Program to Improve Rental Housing: The City of Madison is excited to announce the launch of an aggressive new effort to help local owners of rental housing finance improvements to their properties. The Rental Rehab Program offers help to owners that need to make major repairs.
• Christmas Tree Collection is Over: The extra collection round of Christmas trees that began on Monday, January 29, 2024 concluded on Friday, February 2, 2024.There will be no more guaranteed collection of Christmas trees this season.
• Park & Open Space Plan Open House Drop-In Sessions: Madison Parks is updating its Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) and seeking input from area residents. The purpose of the POSP is to guide and inform public park policies and park facility decisions in the city of Madison.  Parks staff is working with a consultant planning team led by MSA Professional Services, Inc., to host a series of open houses to introduce the project and gather input from attendees.  The open houses are drop-in sessions, held at various locations throughout the city in April and May. Participants may stop by anytime during the two-hour event, each held from 5:30 – 7:30pm. POSP Open House Sessions:
  • Thursday, April 4, Vel Phillips Memorial High School, 201 S Gammon Rd; Wisconsin Community Room
  • Thursday, April 25, Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Dr; Meeting Room
  • Thursday, May 2, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave; Atrium
  • Thursday, May 9, Madison Parks Lakeside Offices, 330 E Lakeside St; Board Room

Events 

• Gentle Yoga, Tuesday, February 13: Yoga improves balance, range of motion and flexibility, which are all important, especially as we age. Yoga Accessible for All (YAFA) teachers dedicate themselves to making yoga safe and inviting for anyone who is interested in gaining the benefits (yafayoga.org).
• Yoga Core, Tuesday, February 13: Yoga Core is a great class to help build strength and body awareness. This class incorporates a wide variety of seated, standing, balancing, and mat-based yoga poses focusing on strength, stability, and mobility. Core-based practices can help enhance balance and stability and prevent falls and injuries as we age. All levels are welcome. Participants will need to be able to get up and down off the floor. Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance.
• Metro Transit Info Sessions: Learn how to get around the city with help from Metro Transit! Whether you're looking to navigate the bus system or find alternative options, these helpful information sessions led by Metro employees will connect you to the services that are right for you. Several sessions are planned in library locations between January and April 2024. Metro employees will be available for one-on-one conversations in English and Spanish. No registration required; all are welcome!
  • February 13, 3-5pm | Pinney Library
  • March 14, 3-5pm | Alicia Ashman Library
  • March 16, 10am - 12pm | Pinney Library
  • April 23, 10am - 12pm | Lakeview Library
• Meditation At Monona Terrace, Thursday, February 15: Mindfulness Meditation will be led by Sarah Moore M.D., a mind-body practitioner, therapist, and physician. Sarah has been practicing meditation for more than 20+ years and teaching meditation to groups and individuals for the past 15 years. Her personal practice has brought her much peace, joy and stability, and she is excited to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with others.
• Westside Community Connections, Thursday, February 15: Please join Alder Wehelie, Alder Duncan, and Alder Harrington-McKinney as they host Charlie Romines, Streets Superintendent, and Bryan Johnson, Streets Public Information Officer. Considering the recent heavy snowfall, Charlie Romines, and Bryan Johnson, will address resident concerns and present on winter weather policies and practices. There will be an opportunity for a Q&A to answer questions from residents about snowplowing, salt routes, salt vs sand, etc.
• Yoga Core, Friday, February 16: Yoga Core is a great class to help build strength and body awareness. This class incorporates a wide variety of seated, standing, balancing, and mat-based yoga poses focusing on strength, stability, and mobility. Core-based practices can help enhance balance and stability and prevent falls and injuries as we age. All levels are welcome. Participants will need to be able to get up and down off the floor. Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, February 17: Outings in the Starkweather Creek area vary each month - be sure to check the starting location. Adventures typically at 10:00am on the 3rd Saturday of the month, year-round, and frequently start at the Goodman Community Center, unless noted otherwise. Outings include nature walks, canoe/kayak adventures, bicycling tours, and more, and are sponsored by the Madison Friends of Urban Nature , Madison Parks, Goodman Community Center , Madison Audubon Society , and Friends of Starkweather Creek . No registration is required. Pets are not allowed.
• Candlelit Snowshoe Hike, Saturday, February 17: In partnership, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona Parks & Recreation, and Madison Parks present this wonderful snowshoe hiking event! Hundreds of softly glowing lights illuminate the trails through Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Edna Taylor Conservation, and Woodland Park. Snowshoe or hike and enjoy a roaring bonfire outside. All ages are welcome.
• Bird & Nature Adventures at Warner Park, Sunday, February 18: Walks at Warner Park held on the 3rd Sunday of every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners Wild Warner  and Madison Audubon . Meet at the colorful Warner Park shelter by the lagoon. Parking is available nearby. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver