Week of October 27, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

As October comes to a close, our city continues to move forward on important planning, budget, and community initiatives that shape Madison’s future. This week includes several key city meetings, public input sessions, and family-friendly events as we approach the holiday season.

Updates and Notices

Finding parking downtown or near city events should be simple! The City of Madison Parking webpage provides real-time updates on available parking in city garages and lots, along with details about parking permits and payment options. Whether you’re visiting for a meeting or an event, check the Parking page to make your trip easier.

Meetings of Note

This week includes several important meetings where key city issues will be discussed:

• Finance Committee – Monday, October 27, 4:30 p.m. (Hybrid)
  The committee will continue deliberations on the 2026 Executive Operating Budget. Public participation and engagement are welcome as the City works toward a balanced and equitable budget that supports essential services for all residents.
   
• Common Council – Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. (Hybrid)
  The Council will consider several significant items, including a proposal to allow anyone to submit a complaint to the Ethics Board and adoption of the 2025–2030 Park and Open Space Plan, which will guide the city’s investment in parks and recreational spaces for the next five years.
   
• Board of Public Works – Wednesday, October 29, 4:30 p.m. (Virtual)
  The Board will review the updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan, continuing the City’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion across all public facilities.
   

If you are interested in contributing to city decision-making, I encourage you to consider serving on a Board, Commission, or Committee. Learn more about how to get involved here.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

Public participation plays a vital role in shaping our community’s future. This week’s public meetings include:

• Southwest Area Plan Public Meeting (Virtual) – Wednesday, October 29
  Learn about draft plan actions for the Southwest Area Plan and share your feedback on how we can make the area more vibrant and connected.
• Public Input Meeting: Canter and Woods Farm Parks – Wednesday, October 29
  Madison Parks Division will begin the design process for two new park master plans on the northeast side.
• Southwest Area Plan Public Meeting (Virtual) – Thursday, October 30
  Another opportunity to review and discuss the draft actions and planning goals.

Announcements and News

• Get Vaccinated! Public Health Madison & Dane County encourages everyone to stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Protect yourself and those around you as we enter the colder months.
• John Nolen Drive Overnight Closures: Northbound lanes will close nightly (7 p.m.–6 a.m.) from Olin Avenue to North Shore Drive beginning Monday, October 27, for storm sewer installation.
• Food Scraps Recycling Ends November 1: There’s still time to bring food scraps to a participating farmers’ market drop-off site before the program wraps up for the season.

Visit the City News webpage to read more updates and subscribe to notifications.

Community Events

Madison offers plenty of fun and family-friendly activities this week:

• Wright Design Series: “Possible Future” – Monday, October 27
  Architecture enthusiasts can join Chandler Ahrens for an inspiring talk about reimagining underutilized buildings and adaptive reuse projects.
• Hayride Around the Capitol | Movie at the Top of State – Wednesday, October 29
  Celebrate Halloween downtown with a hayride and outdoor movie!
• Warner Family Fun Night | Halloween Celebration – Friday, October 31
  Enjoy art, games, movies, and family fun at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.
• Vaccination Clinic at Goodman Community Center – Saturday, November 1
  Free vaccines are available for eligible children and adults.

For more events, visit the City Events Calendar.

As we head into November, I want to thank all District 7 residents who continue to stay engaged, attend public meetings, and share your input on city projects and plans. Your voices and perspectives help shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and connected Madison.

Stay safe, stay involved, and enjoy the last week of October!

Badri Lankella
Alder - District 7

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 27, 2025

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 28, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include allowing anyone to submit a complaint to the Ethics Board, as well as adopting the 2025-2030 Park and Open Space Plan.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 27, at 4:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include deliberations on the 2026 Executive Operating Budget.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 29, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include the updated Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan.
  • 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)

• Southwest Area Plan Public Meeting: Virtual Option, Wednesday, October 29: This meeting will provide an overview of issues and opportunities in the planning area and offer a chance to review and comment on draft plan actions. Presentations at the virtual meetings will be followed by discussion and feedback.
• Public Input Meeting - Canter and Woods Farm Parks, Wednesday, October 29: The City of Madison Parks Division is starting the design process for both Woods Farm Park and Canter Park on the northeast side of the city. Each park is approximately 5 acres. In anticipation of further growth in the neighborhood, a master plan is being put together to guide the development of these two existing parks.
• Southwest Area Plan Public Meeting: Virtual Option, Thursday, October 30:The City of Madison Parks Division is starting the design process for both Woods Farm Park and Canter Park on the northeast side of the city. Each park is approximately 5 acres. In anticipation of further growth in the neighborhood, a master plan is being put together to guide the development of these two existing parks.

Announcements and News Releases

• City, County Officials Encourage Flu & COVID Vaccination This Fall(link is external): Public Health Madison & Dane County is reminding everyone that getting up to date on flu and COVID vaccines is the best defense against getting seriously sick this respiratory virus season. [posted October 23, 2025]
• Overnight Closures Scheduled for Northbound John Nolen Drive Next Week: Beginning Monday night, October 27, the northbound lanes of John Nolen Drive will be closed overnight between Olin Avenue and North Shore Drive to accommodate storm sewer installation work. The nightly closures will occur from 7pm to 6am for…[posted October 22, 2025]
• Food Scraps Recycling at Farmers’ Markets Ends November 1, 2025: You are running out of time to bring food scraps to a farmers’ market drop-off site. We are also short on time to reach the food scraps drop-off goal for this season. Food Scraps Drop-off Opportunities at Farmers’ Markets… [posted October 21, 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

• Wright Design Series: Possible Future, Monday, October 27: Presented by Chandler Ahrens. Chandler Ahrens enjoys thinking about the potential of underutilized buildings, finding inspiration in the challenges and opportunities of adaptive reuse projects. As chair of the Graduate School of Architecture at Washington University and co-founder of AVV A architecture firm, his work illustrates innovative techniques in architecture and public art.
• Hayride Around the Capitol | Movie at the Top of State, Wednesday, October 29: We've partnered with Madison's Central BID for the Downtown Madison Family Halloween (link is external)to bring you back-to-back events! Take a haywagon ride around the Capitol Square and see a movie at the Top of State Street.
• Warner Family Fun Night | Halloween Celebration, Friday, October 31: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo!
• Vaccination Clinic at Goodman Community Center, Saturday, November 1: All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare or most other types of insurance, can receive vaccinations at no cost.

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