Week of September 29, 2025

Hello District 7 Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who joined our very first Lunch & Learn session last week! Recording of his event will be posted shortly, We had a great turnout, thoughtful questions, and an engaging discussion with Director of Traffic Engineering. I truly appreciate the time residents took to participate and share perspectives. Your input helps guide how we approach projects and policies in our district and across the city. I look forward to hosting more of these sessions in the future, please stay tuned for next one in October.

Below are some updates, meetings, and events coming up this week.

Meeting and Event Highlights

Finance Committee

• Monday, September 29 at 4:30 PM
• Madison Municipal Building, Room 215
• Agenda includes deliberations on the 2026 Capital Budget.
  [Meeting Details] | [Agenda] | [Register for Public Comment] | [Watch Online]

Common Council Discussion

• Tuesday, September 30 at 6:00 PM
• City-County Building, 201 MLK Jr. Blvd. or online
• A Common Council Discussion will take place on Tuesday, September 30, at 6:00 p.m. This is a briefing on the Bartillon Purpose-Built Permanent Men's Shelter and its history to current status, as well as key issues that lie ahead. The Common Council will not take any formal action at this discussion (no votes, no introduction of legislation, etc.). Members of the public can observe the discussion in person at 201 City-County Building or observe online.
  • Meeting Details
  • Discussion Agenda
  • Watch Online

Housing Forward Proposals Community Meeting

• Tuesday, September 30
• Learn about the next slate of Housing Forward initiative proposals introduced at the September 16 Council meeting.

Announcements & News

• Abortion Access Narrows in Wisconsin: Public Health Madison & Dane County has highlighted growing limits to essential reproductive health services.
• “Unjust Deeds” Racial Covenants Exhibition: Coming to Sequoya Library in October, this exhibition explores the history of racial covenants in Dane County.
• Overdose Spike Alert: Public Health has issued an alert due to a recent increase in overdoses in Dane County.
• Student-Inspired Public Art: Warner Park Community Recreation Center will preview designs for a proposed new installation.
• Historic Investment in Homeless Services: Mayor Rhodes-Conway announced $1 million in proposed funding for the Bartillon Shelter as part of her 2026 Executive Operating Budget.

Stay updated by subscribing to [City News Releases].

Events This Week

• Week Without Driving: September 29 – October 5
  A nationwide challenge to experience the city as many of our residents do—without driving.
• Homebuyer Education Course (Part 3 of 3): Tuesday, September 30
  HUD-certified course supporting first-time buyers in making informed decisions.
• Warner Park Public Art Preview: Wednesday, October 1, 4:30–6:00 PM
  See draft designs for a new installation at the expanded WPCRC.
• FREE Fall Fun at Aldo Leopold Park: Wednesday, October 1
  Mountain biking, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, and social dance lessons for all ages, plus a light dinner.
• Moon Over Monona Terrace: Friday, October 3
  Celebrate the Madison Astronomical Society’s 90th anniversary with stargazing on the terrace rooftop.
• Dane County Fire Truck Parade & Display: Saturday, October 4, 1–3 PM
  A family-friendly event with a parade on State Street and trucks on display at the Capitol Square.

Find additional activities on the [City Events Calendar].

Stay Connected

As always, you can report a problem, such as potholes, traffic concerns, or parking issues, using the City’s online tool.

I appreciate your continued engagement and look forward to connecting with more of you at upcoming events and discussions.

Sincerely,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of September 29, 2025

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 Discussion: A Common Council Discussion will take place on Tuesday, September 30, at 6:00 p.m. This is a briefing on the Bartillon Purpose-Built Permanent Men's Shelter and its history to current status, as well as key issues that lie ahead. The Common Council will not take any formal action at this discussion (no votes, no introduction of legislation, etc.). Members of the public can observe the discussion in person at 201 City-County Building or observe online.
  • Meeting Details
  • Discussion Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, September 29, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Agenda items include 2026 Capital Budget deliberations.
  • 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.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Housing Forward Proposals Community Meeting, Tuesday, September 30: Another slate of Housing Forward initiative proposals will be introduced during September 16, 2025, Common Council meeting before being referred to relevant Boards, Commissions, and Committees for consideration and public comment.

Announcements and News Releases

• Abortion Access Narrows in Wisconsin(link is external): At Public Health Madison & Dane County, we believe a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion, is essential for healthy communities. Access to that kind of care is now becoming more limited in Wisconsin. [posted September 26, 2025]
• “Unjust Deeds” Racial Covenants Exhibition Coming to Madison Public Library’s Sequoya Library in October 2025: Unjust Deeds, an exhibition sharing the history of racial covenants in Dane County and beyond, is coming to Sequoya Library in October. [posted September 25, 2025]
• Overdose Spike Alert: Risk of Drug Overdose Increased in Dane County (link is external): On September 24, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued a public health alert due to an increase, or spike, in drug overdoses in our community. [posted September 24, 2025]
• Get a Sneak Peek at Student-Inspired Public Art at Warner Park Community Recreation Center: The Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC) and the Madison Arts Commission (MAC) are inviting the community to a Public Art Preview to see draft designs for a proposed public art installation at the expanded facility. [posted September 24, 2025]
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Proposing Historic Commitment to Funding Homeless Services: Today, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced $1 million in new spending to fund services at the Bartillon Shelter as part of her 2026 Executive Operating Budget. [posted September 22, 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

• Week Without Driving, Monday, September 29, 2025 – Sunday, October 5: The Week Without Driving Challenge is a nationwide initiative that invites elected officials, transportation professionals, policymakers, and community members to step into the shoes of people who don’t drive. This includes older adults, youth, low-income individuals, students, and people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.
• Homebuyer Education Course Part 3 of 3, Tuesday, September 30: This HUD-Certified Homebuyer Education Course assists aspiring homeowners with making informed decisions and to potentially qualify for specialized loan programs.
• Warner Park Community Recreation Center Public Art Preview, Wednesday, October 1: The Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC) and the Madison Arts Commission (MAC) are inviting the community to a Public Art Preview on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM to view draft designs for a proposed public art installation at the expanded facility.  
• FREE Fall Fun - Aldo Leopold Park, Wednesday, October 1 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Leopold Arbor Hills NRT invites residents to build skills in mountain biking, ultimate and disc golf, and social dance! Instructors will provide lessons to people of all ages.  Come learn some skills and enjoy a light dinner afterwards.
• Moon Over Monona Terrace, Friday, October 3: Join the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS) as they celebrate their 90th anniversary with a return to the Monona Terrace rooftop for Moon Over Monona Terrace. Young and old alike are invited to view the Moon and other celestial objects, such as Saturn and Neptune, through a multitude of different telescopes provided by MAS.
• Dane County Fire Truck Parade and Display, Saturday, October 4: Join us on State Street and the Capitol Square for a parade and fire truck display. The parade begins at the bottom of State Street at 1 PM. Then, fire trucks will line the Capitol Square and remain on display until 3 PM. Bring your kids and let them hop aboard!

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