District resident featured for her climate consciousness in the NYTimes; Council discussion on the new men’s homeless shelter Tuesday; Check your property for racial covenants; Announcements and events

Hello neighbors,

One of our own District residents, Susan Millar, was prominently featured in the New York Times last Sunday for her work to get her 90+ year old home off of gas, and mostly self-sufficient through solar. Thank you to Susan and all the folks who have installed solar on your homes for your efforts to improve our environment!

Updates and Notices

Report a Problem: Report non-emergency issues, such as traffic concerns, potholes, parking, and more.

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 Discussion: A Common Council Discussion will take place on Tuesday, September 30, at 6:00 p.m. This is a briefing on the Bartillon Purpose-Built Permanent Men's Shelter and its history to current status, as well as key issues that lie ahead. The Common Council will not take any formal action at this discussion (no votes, no introduction of legislation, etc.). Members of the public can observe the discussion in person at 201 City-County Building or observe online. No public comment will be taken.
  • Meeting Details
  • Discussion Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, September 29, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Agenda items include 2026 Capital Budget deliberations.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

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

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Housing Forward Proposals Community Meeting, Tuesday, September 30: Another slate of Housing Forward initiative proposals will be introduced during September 16, 2025, Common Council meeting before being referred to relevant Boards, Commissions, and Committees for consideration and public comment.

Announcements and News Releases

• Abortion Access Narrows in Wisconsin: At Public Health Madison & Dane County, we believe a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion, is essential for healthy communities. Access to that kind of care is now becoming more limited in Wisconsin.
• “Unjust Deeds” Racial Covenants Exhibition Coming to Madison Public Library’s Sequoya Library in October 2025: Unjust Deeds, an exhibition sharing the history of racial covenants in Dane County and beyond, is coming to Sequoya Library in October. NOTE: The following areas in our district have these racial covenants still on their deeds:
  • Several homes bounded by Shepherd Terrace, Mason, Farley, and Chamberlain Ave
  • Nearly the entire area bounded by Hillcrest Drive, Glenway, Speedway, and S. Franklin
  • Most of the area bounded by Mineral Point, Midvale, University Ave, and Eugenia/Owen Parkway/Westmoreland
• Overdose Spike Alert: Risk of Drug Overdose Increased in Dane County (link is external): On September 24, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued a public health alert due to an increase, or spike, in drug overdoses in our community.
• Get a Sneak Peek at Student-Inspired Public Art at Warner Park Community Recreation Center: The Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC) and the Madison Arts Commission (MAC) are inviting the community to a Public Art Preview to see draft designs for a proposed public art installation at the expanded facility.
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Proposing Historic Commitment to Funding Homeless Services: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced $1 million in new spending to fund services at the Bartillon Shelter as part of her 2026 Executive Operating Budget.

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

• Week Without Driving, Monday, September 29, 2025 – Sunday, October 5: The Week Without Driving Challenge is a nationwide initiative that invites elected officials, transportation professionals, policymakers, and community members to step into the shoes of people who don’t drive. This includes older adults, youth, low-income individuals, students, and people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.
• Homebuyer Education Course Part 3 of 3, Tuesday, September 30: This HUD-Certified Homebuyer Education Course assists aspiring homeowners with making informed decisions and to potentially qualify for specialized loan programs.
• Warner Park Community Recreation Center Public Art Preview, Wednesday, October 1: The Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC) and the Madison Arts Commission (MAC) are inviting the community to a Public Art Preview on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM to view draft designs for a proposed public art installation at the expanded facility.  
• FREE Fall Fun - Aldo Leopold Park, Wednesday, October 1 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Leopold Arbor Hills NRT invites residents to build skills in mountain biking, ultimate and disc golf, and social dance! Instructors will provide lessons to people of all ages.  Come learn some skills and enjoy a light dinner afterwards.
• Moon Over Monona Terrace, Friday, October 3: Join the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS) as they celebrate their 90th anniversary with a return to the Monona Terrace rooftop for Moon Over Monona Terrace. Young and old alike are invited to view the Moon and other celestial objects, such as Saturn and Neptune, through a multitude of different telescopes provided by MAS.
• Dane County Fire Truck Parade and Display, Saturday, October 4: Join us on State Street and the Capitol Square for a parade and fire truck display. The parade begins at the bottom of State Street at 1 PM. Then, fire trucks will line the Capitol Square and remain on display until 3 PM. Bring your kids and let them hop aboard!
• Westmoreland Park Oktoberfest, October 4, 5-9pm. Bring your polka shoes and have some fun under the stars. 21+ only.
• Save the date: University of Wisconsin Homecoming, October 5-11. Please note there will be a fireworks display on October 10 over Lake Mendota.
• Save the date: West High Homecoming parade, October 10, 2-3:30pm.

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

Be well,

Regina Vidaver