Love our lakes Council discussion recap; Note your trash set out dates for the holiday weeks; A few announcements and events

Hello neighbors,

Last week the Common Council held a discussion with City staff on all the ways they work to keep our lakes healthy. This session was deeply informative. For example, did you know our City Streets Division collects more tonnage of leaves in the 8 weeks between initial leaf fall and typical snow start than they collect in recycling during the entire year? We also learned that our staff spend 8 hours a day every day on every available piece of equipment during that 8 weeks to gather as many leaves as possible across Madison’s 800 miles of city streets. Staff usually can continue leaf pickup into December, but this year’s big snow on November 30 was the largest November snowfall since 1938! Streets is hoping to do a leaf pickup in March, weather permitting, for all those leaves that might still be on your terraces under snow piles. Picking up the leaves keeps them from getting into the streets where they release phosphorus, which is very unhealthy for our lakes.

And, speaking of Streets, please be aware of your set out dates for the next 2 weeks with the holidays:

• If your trash and recycling are normally collected on Tuesday or Wednesday by the Streets Division, you should have your carts to the curb by 6:30am on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. (NOTE: This will be the same schedule for the following week)

• If your trash and recycling are normally collected on Thursday or Friday by the Streets Division, you should have your carts to the curb by 6:30am on Friday, December 26, 2025. (NOTE: This will be the same schedule for the following week)

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Updates and Notices

City of Madison offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: All emergency services will remain open. To learn more about our holiday services, please visit: https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/holiday-schedules.

Announcements and News Releases

• Grant to fund new mural at Madison Senior Center: The West Mifflin Community Mural project is a direct result of feedback from the community and users of the Madison Senior Center, who said they wanted to see a brighter and more engaging environment for dining and programming.
• Reduced Service on December 24 & 25: Due to the holiday, Metro Transit will operate a shortened weekday schedule on Wednesday, December 24. On Thursday, December 25, buses will operate Sunday schedules.
• Community Development Division awards $2 million in Crisis Intervention and Prevention funding: More than $2 million in funding will be provided to community partners working to promote the safety and wellbeing among young people, individuals, and families in Madison.
• Statement from Mayor Rhodes-Conway: On the one-year mark of the tragic event at Abundant Life Christian School, the Madison community is mourning the loss of teacher Erin West and student Rubi Vergara. In case you missed it, the Wisconsin State Journal did an extensive review of what happened that day, and how the community is healing.
• The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) has begun making payments, and benefits are once again available for eligible Wisconsin residents needing help with their energy bills. Residents can apply for energy assistance by phone or mail through their local energy assistance agency. Call toll-free 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947) for the local agency in your area or visit https://energyandhousing.wi.gov and click on the county or Tribe on the map. Residents can also apply online at https://energybenefit.wi.gov/.

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

• Girls' Mentorship Group, Tuesday, December 23: Join Keena Atkinson of R'oujie Wellness on Tuesday evenings at Warner Park Community Recreation Center! This free series is designed for females aged 11 to 18. Pre-registration is requested but not required.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, December 27: Nature's Gifts ~ Join Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner for a free fun family friendly guided tour of the beautiful nature trails at Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Edna Taylor Conservation Park.
• Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Saturday, November 15, through Monday, January 5, 2026: Lighted holiday-themed displays set in beautiful Olin Park. Drive through from dusk until 10:00pm to enjoy this magical light show for free, brought to you by The Electric Group.
• Save the date: The Capital Area Regional Planning Commission will hold a public hearing convening at 6:00 PM, January 8, 2026, for the purpose of public input on a proposed amendment to the Dane County Water Quality Plan, updating the Policies and Criteria for the Review of Sewer Service Area Amendments. This update will supersede the current Policies and Criteria for the Review of [Major] Sewer Service Area Amendments (adopted April 13, 2017) and Policies and Criteria for the Review of Minor Sewer Service Area Amendments (adopted February 13, 2020). These updates seek to clarify submittal requirements, align with statutory requirements, generally improve the process, and increase alignment with the Agency's vision and mission. The draft Policies and Criteria for the Review of Sewer Service Area Amendments is posted on the Urban Service Areas webpage of the CARPC website.
• Save the date: Vaccine clinic at Meadowood Health Partnership, January 9, 2026, 1-3pm. Children 18 and under who have no insurance for immunizations, have Medical Assistance or BadgerCare, or are Native American or Alaska Native are eligible. Adults 19 and older who do not have insurance are eligible for Covid and flu vaccines.
• Save the date: Friends of Hoyt Park workshop on winter sowing, January 10, 10am, Sequoya Library Community Room.
• Save the date: Loving Orphaned Space: The Art and Science of Belonging on Earth, January 20, 11:30am-1pm, Arboretum Visitor Center Auditorium. Register no later than January 10.
• MMSD listening sessions on future school developments:

Toki Middle School and Orchard Ridge:

• Tuesday, January 27, 2026 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• School Cafeteria, 5606 Russett Rd.
• Light refreshments will be served. Childcare will be available. Interpretation will be provided onsite.

Cherokee Meeting:

• Wednesday, January 28, 2026 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• School Library, 4301 Cherokee Rd
• Light refreshments will be served. Childcare will be available. Interpretation will be provided onsite.

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

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.

• Sustainable Madison Committee: The Sustainable Madison Committee meeting will take place on Monday, December 22, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a resolution to require that new City facilities on City-owned land achieve LEED Gold certification and renovations of City facilities on City-owned land achieve LEED Silver certification.
  • 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.

Happy holidays to all!

Regina Vidaver