Items of Interest for the Week of July 7, 2025

La Fête de Marquette this weekend!

The eastside's biggest festival happens this weekend, Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13 at McPike Park. I plan to be there most of Saturday, so if you see me, please come up and say hello!

More info: https://wil-mar.org/fetedemarquetteabout

Housing Forward

Last week the city held a public meeting to discuss elements of the Housing Forward package of proposed ordinance changes. There are three proposals in this round:

• Proposal 1: Allow duplexes, or twin homes, in all residential areas

You can find much, much more information about these proposals on the city's website. There's also a link on that page to a recording of the public meeting.

There is no panacea that will solve our city's housing crisis. We must collectively take a hundred different small actions to make a difference. Many will impact only a few parcels or or address specific problems, but I believe that these three are a very good start and will begin moving the needle.

As always, I invite your feedback at district6@cityofmadison.com.

Updates and Notices

Goodman Pool: The Goodman Pool is open daily, weather permitting, through Sunday, August 24.

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.

• Police and Fire Commission: The Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place on Monday, July 7, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a discussion of the Police Chief hiring process.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, July 7, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 3, 15, 17, 18, 19, and 20.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 9, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Police and Fire Commission: The Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 9, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a discussion of the Police Chief hiring process.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • 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.

Announcements and News Releases

• City of Madison to Unveil Sculpture in Darbo-Worthington Neighborhood: The City of Madison Arts Commission is inviting the community to attend the unveiling of "Mother and Child," a new sculpture by Detroit-based artist Austen Brantley. [posted July 2, 2025]
• Public Health Launches Digital Partner Services to Help Stop Spread of STIs(link is external): Public Health Madison & Dane County is launching a new initiative designed to stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) more efficiently. [posted July 2, 2025]
• 5 Bison Collected, 15 to Go: Madison’s Food Scraps Program Stampeding Toward Its Goal: The City of Madison has three drop-off sites for food scraps at neighborhood farmers’ markets. They are located at the South Madison Farmers’ Market, the Eastside Madison Farmers’ Market, and the Westside Community Market. This year, we want to… [posted July 1, 2025]
• Statement from Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on State Budget Deal: Thank you to our legislative leaders and everyone across the state that helped advocate for a common-sense increase to the Municipal Service Program. [posted July 1, 2025]
• Celebrating National Park and Recreation Month in July: Join Madison Parks and Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) for National Park and Recreation Month as we celebrate throughout July, how parks and recreation help create thriving communities. This year’s theme, “Build Together, Play… [posted June 30, 2025]

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

• Lakeside Kids: Bubble Wonders, Tuesday, July 8: Join us for another exciting summer season of Lakeside Kids! – a free, interactive series featuring science, culture, arts and entertainment. Designed for kids ages 4+, this event provides hands on fun and learning in an engaging and dynamic setting.
• Darbo-Worthington Neighborhood Sculpture Unveiling, Tuesday, July 8: The City of Madison Arts Commission is inviting the community to attend the unveiling of "Mother and Child," a new sculpture by Detroit-based artist Austen Brantley, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 4:30pm. 
• Parks Alive, Tuesday, July 8: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share fun, family-friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer.
• Learn to Standup Paddleboard, Tuesday, July 8: Learn to Standup Paddleboard with Madison Boats! Register online for this free class offered at Marshall Park. Beginners will learn basic information about equipment and proper technique. After a few demonstrations, participants will learn how to balance with a chance to practice their new skills!
• Visit RoundTrip & the MPO @ a Free Bike Repair Event!, Wednesday, July 9: Join us at the Kennedy Heights Community Center in Madison for a free bike repair event(link is external)—open to all!
• Live @ Lake Vista: Bear in the Forest - Alberto Kanost (Singer/Songwriter), Wednesday, July 9: Join us at Lake Vista Café on the rooftop overlooking lovely Lake Monona for live music in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Parks Alive, Wednesday, July 9: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share fun, family-friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer.
• Conservation Park Tour, Wednesday, July 9: Conservation Park Tours are educational staff-guided walks held at various conservation parks on the 2nd Wednesday, May - October. Topics vary and include highlights of the past, present and future of the land.
• Movie in the Park | Air Bud, Wednesday, July 9: Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park!
• Parks Alive at Penn Park, Thursday, July 10: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share fun, family-friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer.
• Learn to Nordic Walk, Thursday, July 10: Turn your walk into a full-body workout with Nordic walking!  We've partnered with Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki) for a free class.  Participants of all ages are welcome and will explore the park and learn how to use walking poles for a cardio and strength-building workout.  
• Movie in the Park | Racing Stripes, Thursday, July 10: Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park!
• Concerts on the Rooftop: Eddie Butts Band (Pop/Funk/Top 40), Thursday, July 10: Enjoy the unparalleled experience of sensational bands and breathtaking views at Concerts on the Rooftop! Dance the night away or just relax with family and friends, A truly unique Madison event.
• Live at The Glen | Feestet, Friday, July 11: Madison Parks Foundation is proud to present Live at The Glen! Enjoy live music on the patio at The Glen Golf Park. Feestet (link is external)(pronounced “Feest-tet”) is a Madison-based, post-pandemic jazz ensemble fronted by vocalist Helen Feest.
• Adapted Open Swim, Friday, July 11: Join MSCR for Adapted Open Swim, a free and inclusive event at the Goodman Pool! These swim sessions are designed for individuals of all abilities, their caregivers and families to enjoy the water all together in a supportive space.
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Leopold Elementary School, Saturday, July 12: All vaccines are free to children six months and older who do not have insurance, are under 19, and are Alaskan Native or American Indian, have BadgerCare, or have most other types of insurance.
• Inspired by Wright: Tour & Art Making Experience, Saturday, July 12: Enjoy a double dose of artistic inspiration when you follow up your visit to Art Fair On the Square with our Inspired by Wright event at Monona Terrace.

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