West High students shine; Public information meeting on Odana Golf Park; Envision Downtown Madison; Recycling survey and more!

Hello neighbors,

In case you missed it, our West High students have been making news! The Cap Times did a wonderful profile of West's civics club. And, the West High Meals Matter chapter is leading the way at the Westside Community Market with the Buy One For A Neighbor (BOFAN) campaign. BOFAN at the Westside Community Market collects produce donations for MSCR's Meadowood Community Center Pantry on Raymond Road. Our students are living their community values!

Speaking of our area schools, Franklin Elementary is working to rebuild its playground so all our kiddos have a safe, inclusive place to play while they're at school.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Public Information Meeting - Eastmorland Park, Thursday, April 30: At this meeting City staff will present revised playground equipment options from manufacturers and seek input from the neighborhood. Attend the meeting to let City staff know which options you like best.
• Public Input Meeting - Odana Hills Golf Course and Park, Thursday, April 30: The City of Madison Parks Division is excited to announce a new partnership with Michael and Jocelyn Keiser and the Madison Parks Foundation. Through the Keisers' philanthropic vision and generous donation, there is an opportunity to reimagine, redesign and reconstruct Odana Hills Golf Course. As part of the planning process, the community is invited to provide input.

Announcements and News Releases

• Food Scraps Recycling Drop-off Returns to Madison Eastside Farmers' Market on Tuesday, April 28, 2026: Free food scraps recycling drop-off returns to the Madison Eastside Farmers' Market for the 2026 season! The first date food scraps will be accepted is Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
• The Recycle Better Class Returns for 2026: The City of Madison Streets Division has partnered again with Sustain Dane to offer the Recycle Better class. The first class begins on May 6, 2026.
• Please help our Streets Division understand how you want to learn about recycling by taking this survey! By taking this survey, you'll help the City of Madison determine how best to reach people with information about what to recycle, and what information you'll find most valuable.
• MPD hosting series of community conversations on public safety: The Madison Police Department is hosting a series of town hall meetings in every patrol district across the city. The goal is to directly connect community members with the officers and commanders who serve their neighborhood. 
• Full Closure of South Broom Street Starting on April 23: South Broom Street is now fully closed between W. Wilson Street and John Nolen Drive. 
• Public Art Installations continue at Madison Public Market: When these installations are complete, the Madison Public Market will showcase a vibrant collection of public art that reflect the diverse voices, histories, and cultures of the Madison community. 
• City-Wide WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest Returns May 1Six youth 18 and under will have the opportunity to get published and to win up to $500 in cash prizes thanks to support from the Madison Public Library Foundation. 
• The McLean Center Fieldhouse is being proposed for demolition, and the area will be re-built for UW-Athletics purposes. Work is anticipated to begin the week of May 4. 
• Alder Sabrina Madison and Alder Carmella Glenn Will Serve as New Council Leadership: The Madison Common Council smoothly transitioned to new leadership with a single nomination for both President and Vice President. 

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

• An Evening with SPD, Tuesday, April 28, 2026: Meet the officers serving the south side of Madison during this town hall discussion. South District Captain Harrison Zanders and Madison Police Chief John Patterson will be available to answer questions and address community concerns about public safety.
• Virtual Open House | District 15 Parks, Wednesday, April 29: Madison Parks is holding a series of virtual public input sessions for the Southeast Park Development Plan process coinciding with the City Planning Division's Southeast Area Plan. The meetings will include an overview of the planning effort's goals, a review of the neighborhood parks included, and an opportunity for area residents and park visitors to share their thoughts on future park improvements. The engagement sessions are organized by alder district, and the second series of meetings will focus on the neighborhood parks in District 15.
• MPD Presentation: Demonstrations and Assemblies, Wednesday, April 29: The Madison Police Department is hosting a presentation on a person's rights during assemblies and demonstrations. Part of these presentations will cover the ever-evolving Madison Method, which is the department's nationally recognized philosophy for policing large events, crowds and protests.
• Envision Downtown Madison Public Open House, Thursday, April 30: Envision Downtown Madison is a strategic partnership between the City of Madison and Downtown Madison, Inc. that will guide the future of Downtown through two documents – the new Greater Downtown Economic Investment Strategy and the City's update to the Downtown Area Plan. Join Envision Downtown Madison on April 30th between 5:00 and 7:30pm at the Madison Municipal Building to discuss the draft Shared Vision and Big Moves for the Envision Downtown Madison joint planning effort. Registration prior to attending is requested.
• Great Strides Madison, Saturday, May 2: Join Great Strides Madison for a day of celebration, community and fun! Bring hope and joy to those affected by CF and work towards a future where everyone can breathe easier. 
• Madison Housing Week, May 3-8: Take a Missing Middle housing tour, learn about the latest in the local housing market, hear about zoning reforms, and much more!

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.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, April 27, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing a contract between the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department and the City of Madison Fire Department for lake rescue and emergency medical services support.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 1, 3, 9, 13, 14, and 15.
  • 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.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver