Week of October 13, 2025: Changes to Tree Protection Ordinances Passes Council

At last week’s Common Council meeting, we passed changes to a number of ordinances that together will provide greater protection of terrace trees near construction sites and increase the penalties for damaging and/or killing them.

Previously, developers only needed to fence off five feet around a street tree. Now, for trees larger than five inches in diameter, developers will be required to fence off one foot per inch of diameter. So a mature, twelve-inch tree will get twelve feet of protection, extending onto private land if applicable.

Because fines are limited by state statute to the direct cost of tree replacement, city staff found a different way to hold developers accountable: those who violate the ordinance may have street occupancy permits suspended or even revoked.

Lastly, at those times when city staff determine that removal of certain street trees next to a development site is necessary as part of the project, developers will pay into a new Street Tree Replacement Fund that will go to improve the city canopy elsewhere. You can read more about the changes here.

Trees are a city asset and their value to the community cannot be understated.

Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Reconstruction

Work on the Capital City Trail storm sewer is well under way. Beginning Wednesday, October 15, the intersection of South Paterson Street at the trail will be closed for approximately one week. More information here.

Rutledge Street Reconstruction

October 13, 2025 Update: The Contractor finished the work on lowering the two sanitary structures on Yahara Place. Paving for the spots on Yahara is schedule for tomorrow Oct. 14, 2025 if the weather is in good conditions.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Public Information Meeting - James Madison Park, Tuesday, October 14: Madison Parks plans to rebuild the existing retaining wall around the Lincoln School Apartments in James Madison Park. Advanced registration is required.

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, October 13, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a briefing on the 2026 Executive Operating Budget, as well as authorizing various applications for grant funding from the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 14, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. This is a budget hearing on the 2026 Executive Operating Budget. Public comment will not be taken at this meeting.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Thursday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Agenda items include updates on the Curb Management Framework and the Urban Design Commission Code.
  • 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.

Announcements and News Releases

• Road Closure for Tree Planting: Starting at 9am on October 15, City of Madison Forestry will begin grinding tree stumps and planting new trees at 2903 Packers Ave. This work is expected to take 3 hours. [posted October 10, 2025]
• SafeGrowth Initiative Brings New Public Art to Historic Downtown Corridor: West Gilman Street is being transformed by three distinctive public art projects, breathing new creative energy into the historic corridor. [posted October 10, 2025]
• October is Pedestrian Safety Month: As the days grow shorter and more kids walk to and from school, fall is a great time for everyone in Madison to get outside for some fresh air, exercise, and exploration. It’s also the perfect moment to focus on pedestrian safety. [posted October 9, 2025]
• Next Phase of Public Meetings for Southwest and Southeast Area Plans Scheduled: Residents, community organizations, businesses, and others are invited to join in the second phase of the planning for the Southwest and Southeast Area Plans with a series of public meetings in the coming weeks. [posted October 8, 2025]
• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award : The City of Madison invites you to submit nominations for its annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award. [posted October 8, 2025]
• Common Council adopts latest changes to encourage more housing opportunities : City of Madison Alders unanimously approved the latest set of Housing Forward proposals designed to make it easier to build more housing of all types across Madison. [posted October 7, 2025]
• Mayor Releases 2026 Executive Operating Budget : The 2026 Executive Operating Budget proposal funds the services, programs, and staff needed for a well-run and thriving city. [posted October 7, 2025]

• Swearing-In Ceremony for Madison’s New Chief of Police John Patterson:

  The City of Madison and the Madison Police Department invite community members and the media to attend the official swearing-in ceremony for John Patterson as our new Chief of Police. Chief Patterson is a 27-year veteran of the MPD, having served in… [posted October 7, 2025]

• John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Begins Monday, October 13: Reconstruction of John Nolen Drive will begin on Monday, October 13. During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Lakeside Street and Broom Street. North Shore Drive and Broom Street will also be reduced to one… [posted October 6, 2025]
• Announcement from the Office of the Independent Monitor: Robin Copley has informed the Police Civilian Oversight Board that she is resigning her position as Independent Police Monitor. [posted October 6, 2025]
• Art Installations Begin at Madison Public Market: Work is now underway to begin installing some of the first pieces of art at Madison Public Market. [posted October 6, 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

• Learn to Fish, Tuesday, October 14: Learn to Fish with Madison Parks. Participants will learn the basics of fishing. The Fishmobile, courtesy of Warner Park Community Recreation Center, will be on site with all the fishing equipment needed to participate.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, October 18: Transitioning to Winter ~ Join Master Naturalist Sean Gere with Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free family friendly guided tour along Starkweather Creek.  Enjoy Fall outdoors and learn how plants, trees, birds, insects and other animals are enjoying the bounty of Summer and getting ready for Winter.
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, October 18 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Volunteering at The Glen offers you a unique opportunity to contribute to your community, learn new skills, grow personally and professionally, and connect with like-minded individuals.
• Rock ‘N’ The Well Open House, Saturday, October 18: Rocks! Water! Motion! Welcome to Madison Water Utility’s Rock ‘N’ The Well Open House 2025! This event is FREE to all community members. Show up any time between Noon and 4 pm.
• Hayrides & Hikes, Saturday, October 18: Tour Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit aboard a tractor-pulled hay wagon, enjoy nature activities, take a self-guided hike, participate in the scavenger hunt or do it all! Plus enjoy free hot cider, a campfire, and marshmallows to roast on the fire.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, October 19: Reflections and Changes ~ Join Master Naturalist Lynn Persson for a free family friendly guided nature walk on easy paths along the Warner Lagoon, quiet trails through Warner Woods, and follow the bike path to Sled Hill for a beautiful view of the Wild Side of Warner Park!

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