City-County Building
Common Council

Week of November 17, 2025

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Dear Neighbors,


As we move into the second half of November, I remain grateful for the engagement, energy, and collaboration we’ve been seeing across District 7. Your voices continue to guide the work we do, from transportation and public safety to housing and community celebration. I want to highlight several key items from last week and look ahead to what we’re working on.

Thank You for a Successful Community Conversation with MPD

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent District 7 Lunch & Learn session with the Madison Police Department. Your participation made this event a success, and I am grateful for the strong turnout and the thoughtful questions raised throughout our discussion.

We had the opportunity to hear directly from Madison’s new Police Chief, John Patterson, as well as our new West District Captain, Daniel Nale. Both leaders shared valuable insights into the department’s current priorities, upcoming initiatives, and their vision for strengthening community relationships. It was also a meaningful moment to acknowledge the transition of leadership within MPD, and to reaffirm how important steady, open communication is during times of change.

Residents asked many excellent questions ranging from neighborhood safety, patrol visibility, and traffic enforcement to mental health response and community-based policing. These conversations help guide city decision-making and ensure that your concerns remain at the forefront.

I want to thank Chief Patterson, Captain Nale, Captain Patton, and all MPD staff who attended and provided such in-depth information. Their willingness to engage directly with the community is greatly appreciated.

As always, please continue reaching out with any follow-up questions or concerns. If I don’t have an answer immediately, I will work directly with MPD or the appropriate city department to get one for you.

Together, we are building a safer, more connected District 7.

Thank you again for your engagement and partnership.

Celebrating Diwali Across Our Community

Over the past week, our community came together in multiple spaces to celebrate Diwali — the Festival of Lights, a holiday that symbolizes hope, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness.

I had the honor of joining the Diwali celebrations at UW–Madison, alongside Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, students, faculty, and community members. The event was filled with music, food, and beautiful cultural expression. It’s inspiring to see our campus fostering such inclusive spaces where traditions are honored and shared with the broader Madison community.

UWM Diwali Celebrations
Image credit: Badri Lankella
UWM Diwali Celebrations
Image credit: Badri Lankella
UWM Diwali Celebrations
Image credit: Badri Lankella

Additionally, I attended the Diwali celebration at the Governor’s Executive Residence, hosted by Governor Evers and the First Lady. The gathering highlighted the cultural diversity that strengthens Wisconsin and honored contributions from the Indian and South Asian communities across our state. It was wonderful to see the Executive Residence illuminated in celebration, reflecting the spirit of Diwali and the values of unity, understanding, and togetherness.

Diwali Celebrations at Governor Executive Residence
Image credit: Badri Lankella

These celebrations are a reminder of why inclusivity matters and how cultural traditions connect us as neighbors. I want to thank all the organizers, volunteers, performers, and families who made these events warm and welcoming for everyone.

Budget News: 2026 Budget Approved

I’m pleased to report that the Madison Common Council approved the 2026 capital and operating budget last week. https://www.wmtv15news.com+2Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin+2
Some of the key highlights:

  • The tax rate is the lowest in at least 40 years, with average homeowners seeing an increase of about $30/year (roughly $2.50/month) in the City portion of their property tax bill.
  • The budget includes major investments in our community:
    • ~$1.7 million for a new men’s homeless shelter.
    • ~$1.2 million for staffing the upcoming Imagination Center (opening fall 2026) phased in over two years.
    • More affordable housing funding, over $17 million in the capital budget for housing investment.
  • As your Alder for District 7, I remain committed to ensuring our district’s priorities are well represented in how these resources are allocated: traffic safety, neighborhood services, parks & recreation, housing, and more.
  • Thank you to everyone who submitted your input on traffic calming, library services, youth recreation, and neighborhood infrastructure. Your involvement helped shape our advocacy.

Understanding the Recent Floor Amendment: A Difficult but Important Vote

I want to take a moment to share some context and clarity about one of the most complex and sensitive votes that came before the Council during our most recent meeting. This discussion involved a floor amendment that presented two options both with significant implications for community trust, public safety, and the years of work our residents have put into shaping policing oversight in Madison.

The Two Options

The amendment placed the Council in a difficult position between:

  1. Dismantling years of community-driven work that created Madison’s Independent Police Monitor and the Police Civilian Oversight Board structures that residents fought for, participated in, and voted to establish through extensive public engagement; or
  2. Advancing the policy for body-worn cameras, a tool many, including myself support for enhancing transparency and accountability.

However, the challenge was that this amendment tied these two issues together in a way that forced a binary choice. It was not a fair or transparent process, and it did not respect the community’s voice.

My Position

I want to be clear:
I fully support body-worn cameras.
They are an important tool for transparency, de-escalation, and public trust.

But I cannot support body-worn cameras at the cost of dismantling a citizen-built oversight system, especially when the community was not given proper notice or opportunity to weigh in on such a major change.

The Independent Police Monitor and Oversight Board were created by residents, shaped through years of work, public meetings, task force recommendations, and robust community participation. If any changes are proposed to this structure, they must go through the same level of transparency and public involvement not be decided through a rushed amendment with no community engagement.

A Vote With No Good Headlines

This vote, no matter which way it landed was bound to be misunderstood because of the way the amendment was structured. If the Council voted one way, the headline could be:

  • “Council dismantles years of community work on police oversight without public input.”

If the Council voted the other way, the headline would likely be:

  • “Council votes down body-worn cameras again.”

Neither of those narratives would be accurate. And neither reflects the thoughtful and nuanced discussion that occurred.

The Truth About Body-Worn Cameras

It is important for residents to know:
The body-worn camera program is not gone.
It remains a capital expense, and the funding for implementation is expected to come forward in next year’s capital budget. This vote did not eliminate the possibility of body-worn cameras in Madison.

What it did highlight is the need to bring forward policy changes in a transparent, structured way one that respects the public’s role in shaping oversight, accountability, and safety in our city.

A Reflection on Difficult Decision-Making

This vote is a clear example of how challenging Council decisions can be. Very often, we are faced with issues where both sides hold legitimate concerns and where the implications reach beyond a simple yes or no. My commitment remains this:

  • To uphold transparency
  • To protect the integrity of community-driven work
  • To ensure public input is central to major decisions
  • To advocate for tools like body-worn cameras that improve accountability and trust

These values guided my decision, and they will continue to guide my work on behalf of District 7.

Planting for Our Future: A Great Day at Huegel Elementary with Trees of Tomorrow

I’m thrilled to share that we recently partnered with Trees For Tomorrow to host a tree‑planting event and celebration at Huegel Elementary School and it was an inspiring day for all involved.

Trees For Tomorrow Planting Event at Huegel Elementary School
Image credit: Badri Lankella
Trees For Tomorrow Planting Event at Huegel Elementary School
Image credit: Badri Lankella

What Happened

  • Students, families, staff, and community volunteers came together to plant trees on the grounds of Huegel Elementary.
  • Thanks to the support and expertise of Trees For Tomorrow, this wasn’t just “dig and plant” it was a meaningful environmental education experience.
  • Kids learned about the importance of trees, how they support our ecosystems, and how planting is an act of stewardship for future generations.
  • We were honored to have Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and fellow Council Member Yannette Figueroa Cole join us, showing strong city support for environmental education and community engagement.

Why This Matters

Trees For Tomorrow is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people especially students with nature through hands-on outdoor learning experiences. (treesfortomorrow.com)

  • Their school outreach programs help teach students about sustainability, natural resources, and conservation.
  • By working with them, we’re not only greening our schools we’re helping students understand why trees are essential for clean air, shade, and community well-being.

Community Impact

This event is about more than just planting trees. It’s about:

  • Investing in our children — giving Huegel students a tangible way to contribute to their school environment.
  • Building long-term environmental awareness — these trees will grow alongside our students, serving as living lessons for decades to come.
  • Strengthening neighborhood connections — community members came out, worked side by side, and celebrated together.

A huge thank you to:

  • The students and families at Huegel Elementary for their energy and enthusiasm
  • The teachers, staff, and volunteers who helped guide the planting
  • Trees For Tomorrow for sharing their expertise and passion
  • Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Council Member Yannette Figueroa Cole for attending and supporting this initiative
  • Everyone who spent part of their day contributing to a greener, more sustainable District 7

Looking Ahead

  • These trees are just the beginning, I hope we can partner on more planting projects at other schools and public spaces.
  • If you’re interested in outdoor education or would like to help with future events, I’d love to hear from you.
  • I’ll be checking in on the progress of these plantings, and I plan to coordinate follow-up activities so students can continue learning about their new trees.

Thank you again to everyone who made this event possible. Planting a tree is a small act today that grows into something much bigger tomorrow and I’m proud that, with your help, District 7 is doing just that.

Safe Driving & Neighborhood Traffic

With the budget now approved and infrastructure investments moving forward, I want to reinforce one key theme: safe driving matters.


In District 7 and across the City, we continue to hear from residents about speeding, unsafe crossings, and traffic concerns. Here are a few reminders and action-steps:

  • Watch your speed, especially in residential zones and near schools.
  • Be mindful of children, seniors and cyclists they share our streets too.
  • Use the City’s online “Report a Problem” tool to flag persistent speeding or safety-hazard locations.
  • Consider participating in our next “Lunch & Learn” session, it’s a great way to learn how to request traffic-calming in your area.


Last week’s meeting gave us more clarity on how to move from concern to action and now with the budget in place we’re better positioned to see progress.

Upcoming Events & Engagement

  • Keep an eye out for upcoming “Connecting D7” events and neighborhood gatherings, especially those focused on public safety and transportation.
  • Boards, commissions and committee openings continue: if you’re interested in joining, please let me know or visit the City website to explore. City of Madison, WI
  • As the holidays approach, we’ll be reviewing our winter-road safety and “Alternate Side Parking” programs. Stay tuned for updates. City of Madison, WI

Closing Thoughts

With the 2026 budget now adopted, we’re entering a phase of implementation and next year budget proposals, your involvement remains critical. Whether you’re passionate about safer streets, affordable housing, better public services or community celebrations, now is the time to stay engaged.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for being the pulse of District 7. If you have questions, suggestions or want to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7
 

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of November 17, 2025

Updates and Notices

Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Saturday, November 15, through Monday, January 5, 2026: Lighted holiday-themed displays set in beautiful Olin Park. Drive through from dusk until 10:00pm to enjoy this magical light show for free, brought to you by The Electric Group.

Yard Waste Collection: Look up your set out dates for leaf and yard waste collection.

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, November 17, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving the 2026 Urban Forestry and Resource Recovery special charges.
  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, November 17, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 4, 6, 10, 11, and 15.
  • Housing Policy Committee: The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 18, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include allowing four dwelling units to be permitted throughout the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay District and prohibiting car washes, automobile sales and rentals, and standalone surface parking lot facilities as principal land uses within the TOD Overlay District.
  • Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 19, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include prohibiting car washes, automobile sales and rentals, and standalone surface parking lot facilities as principal land uses within the Transit Oriented Development Overlay District.
  • Disability Rights Commission: The Disability Rights Commission meeting will take place on Thursday, November 20, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include adopting the updated Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan.

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)

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

Portrait of Alder Badri Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

District 7
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