Week of March 16, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

As we move closer to spring, there are several important updates, meetings, and community opportunities happening across Madison. This week includes discussions on the City’s sustainability initiatives, updates from the Mayor’s Office regarding federal enforcement preparedness, and the latest information on snow removal operations.

As always, I encourage you to stay engaged, attend meetings when possible, and reach out if you have questions or ideas.

❄️ Snow Plowing Update – March 15

City crews have continued snow removal operations following the recent winter weather. Plowing operations focused on maintaining safe travel on major streets and clearing neighborhood streets as conditions allowed.

Residents are reminded to:

• Continue monitoring local conditions as temperatures fluctuate and snowmelt may refreeze overnight.
• Use caution when traveling on residential streets and sidewalks.
• Clear sidewalks adjacent to your property to maintain accessibility and safety for pedestrians.

You can find the latest updates and winter operations information on the City’s snow plowing update page.

🌍 Common Council Discussion: City Sustainability Initiatives

The Common Council will hold a special discussion session focused on Madison’s sustainability initiatives.

🗓 Tuesday, March 17
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 City-County Building – Room 201

• Watch Online

This discussion will focus on the City’s ongoing work to advance environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and clean energy initiatives. These conversations help guide policies and investments that support a greener and more sustainable Madison.

I encourage residents interested in climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable city planning to tune in or attend.

🏛️ Mayor’s Memo: Preparing for Federal Enforcement Activities

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway recently shared a memo with the Common Council outlining steps the City is taking to prepare for potential federal immigration enforcement activities and ensure the protection of residents, City staff, and community institutions.

Key points include:

Commitment to Community Safety and Rights

• Immigration enforcement remains a federal responsibility.
• The City of Madison does not assist with federal immigration enforcement unless required by law or court order.
• Local law enforcement does not act as an extension of federal immigration enforcement.

Maintaining Trust in Local Government

• The Madison Police Department will not detain or investigate individuals solely based on immigration status.
• Established de-escalation protocols will be used to protect public safety and First Amendment rights.

Guidance for City Agencies
Departments are being directed to:

• Clearly identify public vs. restricted spaces in City buildings.
• Provide guidance to staff on interactions with federal agents.
• Protect confidential records and personal information.
• Document any interactions with federal authorities.

The memo emphasizes Madison’s commitment to serving and protecting all residents, while continuing to comply with applicable federal and state law.

Madison’s diversity is one of the strengths that makes our community vibrant, innovative, and welcoming.

🚗 “20 is Plenty" Free Yard Signs Available

The City of Madison’s “20 is Plenty” initiative is now rolling out across neighborhoods, lowering residential speed limits to 20 mph to improve safety for everyone, especially pedestrians and cyclists.

This program is part of our broader Vision Zero efforts to reduce serious crashes and create safer, more livable neighborhoods. Many of you have shared concerns about speeding on residential streets, and this is one of the key steps we’re taking to address it.

To help spread awareness, free “20 is Plenty” yard signs are available in multiple languages for residents.

👉 If you’re interested in getting a yard sign, please reach out to me directly. I’m happy to personally drop one off at your doorstep.

Image credit: City of Madison

Together, small actions like these can make a big difference in improving safety across our community.

🗳️ Absentee Ballots Are in the Mail – April 7 Election

The City of Madison Clerk’s Office has begun mailing absentee ballots for the upcoming Spring Election on April 7, 2026. If you previously requested an absentee ballot, it should be arriving soon.

If you plan to vote absentee, please remember:

• Return your absentee ballot early to ensure it arrives in time to be counted.
• Ballots must be received by the Clerk’s Office by 8:00 PM on Election Day in order to be counted.
• When returning your absentee ballot by mail, allow enough time for delivery.

Important Election Dates

• March 18, 2026 – Deadline to register to vote online or by mail.
• April 3, 2026 (5:00 PM) – Deadline to register in person at the Clerk’s Office.
• April 7, 2026 – Spring Election Day. Polls are open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

If you have not requested an absentee ballot, you can still check your voter registration status, request a ballot, or find your polling location through MyVote Wisconsin.

Voting is one of the most important ways we participate in shaping our community. I encourage all eligible residents in District 7 to make a plan to vote.

📅 Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of March 16, 2026

Updates and Notices

Winter Parking Rules: 
Alternate side parking rules remain in effect through March 15, 2026.

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: The Common Council discussion will take place on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 201 of the City-County Building. This discussion will cover City of Madison sustainability initiatives.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, March 16, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include the extension of Tax Increment District 41 for 12 months.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, March 16, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 1, 2, 15, and 19.
  • 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)

• Sherman Ave, N. Sherman Ave, and McGuire Street Reconstruction, Monday, March 16: The City is planning reconstruction of Sherman Ave from McGuire St to N. Sherman Ave/Fordem Ave, N. Sherman Ave/Fordem Ave from Northfield Pl to Erie Ct, and McGuire St from Sherman Ave to Fordem Ave in 2026. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., March 16, 2026, via Zoom. Registration is required. 
• Public Input Meeting - Newbery Park, Tuesday, March 17: The City of Madison Parks Division is improving the playground at Newbery Park and we want your input. At this meeting City staff will present revised playground equipment options from input gathered at the playground workshop. 

📰 Announcements and News

• Building a Greener Madison: Common Council Holds Discussion on the City's Sustainability Plan: The Madison Common Council will hold a discussion on City sustainability initiatives on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Room 201 of the City-County Building. [posted March 13, 2026] 
• Street Closures for St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Multiple streets around the Capitol Square will be closed on Sunday, March 15th for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Plan for extra time when traveling in the area. Beginning at 11:00am, the Capitol square and surrounding streets will close… [posted March 12, 2026] 
• DATE CHANGE: Eastbound University Avenue Temporarily Reduced to One Lane: Update: Due to forecast inclement weather conditions on Sunday, March 15, this work will be delayed until the following weekend, Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22. [posted March 12, 2026] 
• New Central Drop-off Site at 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway Opens on April 11, 2026: The new centrally located drop-off site for the Streets Division will open on April 11, 2026.The address of the new location is 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway. [posted March 11, 2026] 
• Absentee Ballots Are in the Mail: The City of Madison Clerk's Office has begun mailing absentee ballots for the April 7, 2026, election. [posted March 10, 2026] 
• Rachel Darken Named Fleet Service Superintendent: Mayor Rhodes-Conway has appointed Rachel Darken as the City of Madison’s new Fleet Service Superintendent within the Public Works Department. [posted March 10, 2026] 
• Eastbound University Avenue Temporarily Reduced to One Lane on Friday, March 13: Starting at 9:00 am on Friday, March 13th, Interstate Demolition will reduce a section of eastbound University Avenue to one lane, east of Midvale Boulevard, to complete the first phase of utility work for the private development project at 3535…[posted March 10, 2026] 
• Charlie Romines Named Public Works Director: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is pleased to announce the appointment of Charlie Romines to the position of Public Works Director. [posted March 10, 2026] 
• 2026 Brush Collection Schedule is Now Available: The 2026 set-out date schedule for the Streets Division's brush schedule pickup is now available on the brush collection website. Learn the Set-Out Dates for Your Neighborhood.... [posted March 10, 2026] 
• CARES Teams Acquire Long-Awaited Response Vehicles to Better Support People in Crisis: CARES will now respond to non-violent behavioral health emergencies in specialized Ford Transit vans outfitted to allow personalized care. [posted March 10, 2026] 
• Spring Yard Waste Collection Set-Out Date Schedule for 2026 Now Available: The 2026 set-out date schedule for the Streets Division's springtime yard waste collection is now available on the yard waste website. When do I put out yard waste for pickup? Go to our yard waste website. Enter your address into the form. [posted March 2, 2026] 

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.

🎉 Community Events

• Olbrich Gardens Public Workshop, Tuesday, March 17-In-Person (This event occurs on multiple dates): Olbrich Botanical Gardens is undergoing its first comprehensive master planning process in more than 20 years and is seeking public input during a series of meetings, the 2nd is on Tuesday, March 18, 2026. The widely regarded landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand was chosen through a competitive selection process to lead the design team and the project as a whole.
• MSCR & Madison Parks Hiring Fair, Wednesday, March 18: Madison Parks and MSCR are hiring seasonal staff in aquatics, maintenance, conservation and more! Attend a Hiring Fair at Parks Lakeside Offices and apply and interview onsite! Make this a summer to remember! 
• Learn & Ride: Junction Road Park & Ride, Thursday, March 19: Join Metro Transit staff to learn how to ride the bus, navigate routes and stops, and feel confident getting where you need to go with Metro!
• Olbrich Gardens Public Workshop, Thursday, March 19 (Virtual): Olbrich Botanical Gardens is undergoing its first comprehensive master planning process in more than 20 years and is seeking public input during a series of meetings, the 2nd is on Tuesday, March 18, 2026. The widely regarded landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand was chosen through a competitive selection process to lead the design team and the project as a whole.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, March 21: Equinox Walk ~ Join Noah Edelstein with Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free fun educational family friendly walk along easy paths to the beautiful Starkweather Creek greenway.

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

Stay Connected

Thank you for staying engaged and involved in District 7. Your participation and feedback help shape the policies and programs that make Madison a great place to live.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas.

Warm regards,

Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7
City of Madison