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Week of May 5th Updates

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District 7 Updates

Dear Neighbors,

My second week as an Alder has been a busy and rewarding one. I’ve been attending the committees I’ve been assigned to, meeting with city officials, and connecting with neighbors to hear your concerns. I remain committed to working diligently to find answers and solutions for those facing challenges in our district.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at district7@cityofmadison.com with any questions, ideas, or concerns.

 

Meetings from the Past Week:

  • Monday, April 28, 2025 – 4:30 PM: Attended the Sustainable Madison Committee meeting (Agenda(opens in a new window))
  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – 9:00 AM: Met with Monona Terrace Executive Director to discuss the events and future needs of the Organization.
  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – 5:00 PM: Met with MPD Acting Police Chief John Patterson and Assistant Chief Paige Valenta to discuss district needs and long-term plans.
  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025 – 2:00 PM: Joined the Southwest Area Plan Team to review development plans for the area.
  • Thursday, May 1, 2025 – 2:00 PM: Participated in a meeting with the City Policy Team to begin research projects on speed enforcement technologies used in other cities, district-wide communication strategies, and economic development opportunities for District 7. I will keep you updated on the outcomes of these efforts.
  • May Day Celebrations with Heather Glen Neighbors:

May Day, celebrated on May 1st, honors the vital contributions of workers while bringing communities together through joyful traditions like dancing around the maypole and celebrating Beltane. These customs symbolize renewal, unity, and the enduring spirit of labor. It was a pleasure to mark the day with our neighbors in Heather Glen.

May Day Celebrations
Image credit: Badri Lankella
  • Saturday, May 3, 2025 – 10:00 AM: Kickoff of Small Business Week

I joined several fellow Alders, Madison Metro, and the Office of Business Resources to kick off Small Business Week. We visited small businesses across the city and heard directly from local business owners. We discussed ideas to strengthen and support small business development in District 7.

If you are interested in starting a small business, please reach out. I’d be happy to help guide you through the process. Small businesses are the backbone of Madison’s economy and play a critical role in the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. Be sure to shop local this week!

Small Business Tour 1
Image credit: Banuelos, Lorissa R
Small Business Tour 2
Image credit: Banuelos, Lorissa R

Neighborhood Improvements

Last week, I approved a list of native plants for Country Grove Park Shelter that are low maintenance and sustainable for long-term upkeep.

Upcoming Meetings:

  • Monday, May 5, 2025 – 5:00 PM: Meeting with Westside MPD Captain Tim Patton to discuss District 7 priorities.
  • Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – 6:00 PM: Common Council Meeting (Agenda )
  • Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – 5:00 PM: AAPI Heritage Month Reception with Governor Tony Evers at Executive Residence
  • Thursday, May 8, 2025 – 8:00 AM: Orientation and plant tour with the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District.

If you have feedback or concerns related to these topics, please contact me ahead of these meetings so I can bring your input to the appropriate city staff.

Low Mow May

It’s officially May, and with it comes the start of Low Mow May—an initiative to support our local pollinators. With pollinator populations declining nationwide, this effort gives bees and other essential species the time and space they need to thrive.

While lawns over 8 inches are typically subject to enforcement, the City’s Building Inspection Division will delay mowing enforcement into June to support this important cause. Pollinators do best with grass about 4–5 inches long, so consider holding off on mowing to give nature a boost.

Farmers Markets Are Back!

As warmer weather arrives, farmers markets are returning across the city. From the Dane County Farmers Market on the Capitol Square to neighborhood markets on the west side, I encourage you to get outside, support local farmers, and enjoy fresh, seasonal produce.

At the West Side Community Market, residents can now participate in food scrap drop-off, which began on Saturday, May 3rd. You can find more information on City of Madison and Dane County drop-off locations here.

Thank you for staying engaged. I look forward to hearing from you and working together to strengthen our community!

Sincerely,
Badri Lankella

 

Updates and Notices

Farmers' Markets: Find the locations and schedules for farmers' markets near you!

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: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include assisting the development of the former Voit farm property, as well as adding disorderly conduct directed at a city transit officer to Madison General Ordinances.
  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving plans and specifications for public improvements required to serve Phase 1 of the Subdivision known as Starkweather Plat.

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

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

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

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District 7 - Alder Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

District 7
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