Week of October 6, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

As we step into October, I want to thank everyone who continues to stay engaged with city issues and neighborhood initiatives. Last week, we wrapped up several productive meetings and community events, including continued discussions around traffic safety and sustainable development in our district. I also appreciate those who attended and shared feedback during the recent Lunch & Learn session focused on traffic engineering, your insights help shape our city’s approach to safer, more accessible streets.

Highlights for This Week

City Meetings and Key Discussions

• Plan Commission – Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. (Virtual)
  The Plan Commission will review related zoning updates and step-down provisions for residential transitions. This discussion includes community input from neighborhoods like the Highlands, which have expressed strong preservation concerns.
  ➤ Meeting Info
• Common Council Executive Committee (CCEC) – Tuesday, October 7 at 4:30 p.m.
  CCEC will review items scheduled for the full Council agenda, including key discussions on zoning revisions, budget priorities, and city leadership confirmations.
  ➤ Meeting Info & Agenda

• Common Council Meeting – Tuesday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m.
  The Council will take up several significant items, including:

  • Confirmation of John Patterson as the new Police Chief
  • Proposed zoning updates to reduce minimum lot width and lot area within certain districts
  • Revisions to step-down rules for larger buildings adjacent to residential areas
  • Discussion on allowing detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to include two units

  ➤ Meeting Details & Agenda | Register for Public Comment | Watch Online

• Board of Public Works – Wednesday, October 8 at 4:30 p.m.
  The Board will discuss upcoming public works projects, assessments, and contract approvals, including infrastructure and street reconstruction plans.
  ➤ Agenda & Details
• Board of Park Commissioners – Wednesday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m.
  The Parks Division will present the 2026 Executive Operating Budget and review proposed fee updates for the coming year.
  ➤ Meeting Info

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

Residents are encouraged to join the following sessions to stay informed and share feedback:

• Pontiac, Boston, Nokomis, and Rosewood Reconstruction – Monday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.
• Mifflin and Carroll Plaza Design Concept – Monday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m., hybrid at Central Library
• Warner Park Pickleball Courts – Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m., virtual
• Wingra Proper Watershed Study – Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m., via Zoom

City Announcements

• 🍂 Fall Leaf Collection Begins this week. Visit the Yard Waste Website to check your neighborhood’s set-out dates.
• 🌳 Brush Collection has ended for the season, please do not set out additional brush for pickup.
• 🚴 Dane County Transportation Challenge results are in, participants saved over $12,000 and 17 tons of CO₂ emissions!
• 🎨 Imagination Center Public Art Finalists have been announced, residents can meet the artists and share feedback.
• 👩‍⚕️ Well Woman Program Enrollment continues to grow, connecting more women to vital breast cancer screenings.

Community Events

• Week Without Driving Challenge – continues through Oct. 5
• Financial Empowerment Series – Oct. 7 (Urban League)
• Conservation Park Tour at Turville Point – Oct. 8, 5–6:30 p.m.
• School Vaccination Clinics – Oct. 11 at Holtzman Learning Center
• Bird & Nature Adventures at Owen Park – Oct. 11

For more events and city news, visit the City of Madison News Page.

In Closing

I continue to appreciate your engagement and feedback on district issues, from zoning and development to neighborhood safety and sustainability. Please feel free to reach out at district7@cityofmadison.com if you have questions, ideas, or concerns about upcoming city decisions.

Together, we’re shaping a more connected and resilient Madison.

Warm regards,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 6, 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: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include approving the employment of John Patterson as City of Madison Police Chief, reducing minimum lot width and lot area within certain zoning districts, updating the existing step-down rules for larger buildings when adjacent to a residential district, and allowing detached Accessory Dwelling Units to have two units.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 6, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include reducing minimum lot width and lot area within certain zoning districts, updating the existing step-down rules for larger buildings when adjacent to a residential district, and allowing detached Accessory Dwelling Units to have two units.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Park Commissioners: The Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Parks Lakeside Offices at 330 E Lakeside St. Agenda items include an informational presentation on the Parks Division 2026 Executive Operating Budget, as well as approving a number of 2026 proposed fees.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda

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)

• Public Information Meeting - Pontiac, Boston, Nokomis, and Rosewood Reconstruction – Monday, October 9: A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Oct. 6, 2025. Registration prior is required.
• Public Information Meeting - Mifflin and Carroll Plaza Design Concept Public Meeting – Monday, October 9: Please join City staff to discuss the latest design concept for the Mifflin and Carroll Plazas at the top of State Street. At the last meeting in June, staff presented three concepts for public discussion. The latest concept was shaped by public response to those three initial concepts. This hybrid meeting will have in-person and virtual options and will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 6:30pm. Those who wish to attend in person can attend the meeting in Room 302 at the Central Library at 201 W Mifflin Street in downtown Madison. Those wishing to attend virtually can fill out the meeting registration form to receive a Zoom link to the meeting.
• Public Information Meeting - Warner Park – Thursday, October 9: With much anticipation, new, dedicated pickleball courts are planned for Madison's northside at Warner Park! The community is invited to attend a virtual public input meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Staff will provide an overview of the proposed plan, schedule and potential impacts to the park. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions. Located between the existing shelter and tennis courts in the southeast area of Warner Park, 8 pickleball courts will be constructed along with associated fencing and seating. Advanced registration is required.
• Public Information Meeting – Wingra Proper Watershed Study – Thursday, October 9: A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Oct. 9, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Fall Leaf Collection Begins Week of October 5; Get Your Home’s Set Out Dates from Yard Waste Website: For some neighborhoods, the Streets Division’s fall leaf and yard waste pickup begins the week of October 5, 2025. Different neighborhoods have different set-out dates. You need to check the yard waste website to learn the set-out dates for your home… [posted October 3, 2025]
• Brush Collection Over for 2025; All Brush Set-out Dates Have Passed: All brush collection set out dates for City of Madison residents have passed. Do not set out brush for pickup after your set out date. There are no more guaranteed brush collection opportunities this year. Guaranteed curbside brush pickup from the… [posted October 3, 2025]
• Dane County Transportation Challenge Shows Big Impact: Hundreds of Dane County residents took part in a free transportation challenge this September—collectively saving more than $12,000 and avoiding more than 17 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. [posted October 2, 2025]
• Dane County Transportation Challenge Shows Big Impact: Hundreds of Dane County residents took part in a free transportation challenge this September—collectively saving more than $12,000 and avoiding more than 17 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. [posted October 2, 2025]
• Meet the Finalists Selected for Public Art at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park: The City of Madison has invited four finalists to propose designs for the public art planned for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, and you have a chance to meet them. [posted October 2, 2025]
• Well Woman Program Enrollment Increases: More women than ever are getting connected to life-saving breast cancer screenings through the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP). [posted October 2, 2025]
• Parking Division to Test New Meter Payment Equipment: Beginning October 2, the City of Madison Parking Division will test new parking space signage and payment equipment on the blocks of 300 N Henry and 200 W Gorham. These new features, installed earlier in the week, will test new payment kiosks… [posted October 1, 2025]
• Madison Investigator Recognized for International Case Leading to Conviction of Online Predator: Madison, WI – Detective Sgt. Mark Hull of the Madison Police Department received the National Crime Agency (NCA) Award this week. The honor, presented on behalf of the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, recognizes Hull’s… [posted October 1, 2025]
• Explore the Night Sky at Moon Over Monona Terrace: The night sky comes alive on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. as Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS) host Moon Over Monona Terrace on the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens. [posted October 1, 2025]
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Investing in Imagination Center: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced funding for the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. [posted September 30, 2025]
• Community Leaders & Disability Rights Advocates Unite for the ‘Week Without Driving’: Dane County communities and partners unite for the Week Without Driving, a challenge encouraging everyone—especially decision-makers—to experience life without driving for a week, a day, or even just one trip. [posted September 29, 2025]
• Alicia Ashman Library to Celebrate 25 Years of Service On October 11 [posted September 29, 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.
• Financial Empowerment Series Part 1 of 3 – Tuesday, October 7: Do you have financial goals you are working to attain? Maybe you’d like to purchase a home, start your own business, or plan for retirement? The Urban League’s free Financial Empowerment series can help you build the budget to achieve those goals, understand and build your credit score, learn about other community resources that can help support your goals, and much more! For more information, call (608) 729-1222.
• Conservation Park Tour – Wednesday, October 8: 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. This tour will be held at Turville Point Conservation Park from 5:00 – 6:30 PM on Wednesday, October 8.
• School Vaccination Clinics at Holtzman Learning Center – Saturday, October 11: In partnership with SSM Health, GHC, UW-Health, and Madison Metropolitan School District Public Health Madison & Dane County is offering vaccines at clinics. The vaccines are free and for school aged kids 5 and older. Appointments are strongly recommended.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen – Saturday, October 11: Finding Fall Colors ~ Let's look beyond the leaves! Join Friends of Owen Park volunteer naturalists Noelle Chambers, Sandy Geier and Jane Nelson Worel to seek out all the fall colors that abound in nature this time of year...in flowers, berries, insects, birds and more. A fun and engaging activity for kids as well as adults. See the Friends of Owen Park Facebook page for more information and find out what's happening at Owen Park! Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison.

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