Week of August 10, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

As we begin another busy week in Madison, I want to thank everyone who continues to stay engaged with our community and our city. The past several weeks have brought difficult conversations, strong emotions, and significant challenges for Madison. At the same time, they have reminded us how important it is to listen to one another, respect different perspectives, and work together toward solutions.

As your Alder, I remain committed to keeping District 7 residents informed, listening to your concerns, and working collaboratively with my colleagues, City staff, community organizations, and residents to address the issues facing our city.

Below are some of the important updates, meetings, election information, and community events happening this week.

🤝 Working Together Toward Good Solutions

Madison has experienced significant tensions and escalations in recent weeks, particularly following the officer-involved shooting of Corey Ruiz and the subsequent demonstrations, street closures, encampment, and community response.

These are difficult issues, and I recognize that residents have deeply held and sometimes very different perspectives about what has happened, how our community should respond, and what accountability and public safety should look like going forward.

I believe we need to make room for those conversations while also working toward practical solutions.

The investigation into the officer-involved shooting remains ongoing. Madison Police Chief John Patterson has said that he continues to check in daily with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and that there was no new information available as of August 6. The Office of the Independent Police Monitor has also issued a statement and FAQ regarding the investigation and its efforts to obtain evidence.

At the same time, the City has worked to reopen Williamson Street and South Baldwin Street and return these areas to normal traffic while preserving personal belongings and memorial materials.

I understand that residents have concerns about public safety, accountability, protest activity, neighborhood impacts, property damage, and the City's response. I also understand the concerns expressed by people seeking greater transparency and accountability following the death of Corey Ruiz.

We do not have to agree on every issue to work together.

Our community is strongest when we can have difficult conversations without losing sight of our shared responsibility to one another. That means listening carefully, protecting the right to peacefully express concerns, maintaining public safety, respecting neighborhoods and businesses, and making sure that decisions are grounded in facts and a commitment to fairness.

As we move forward, I believe our focus should be on finding long-term solutions rather than allowing divisions to deepen. That will require continued communication, transparency, accountability, and a willingness to work across differences.

I encourage residents who have concerns or ideas about these issues to continue reaching out to me. Your feedback matters, and I will continue bringing those perspectives into conversations at City Hall.

❓ Officer-Involved Shooting FAQ

The City has created an Officer-Involved Shooting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to answer many of the questions residents have been asking regarding the July 22 incident.

The FAQ will continue to be updated as additional information becomes available through the independent investigation. If you have questions, I encourage you to review this resource before relying on unofficial information circulating online.

🗳️ Primary Election — Tuesday, August 11

Election Day for the Wisconsin partisan primary is Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

I encourage every eligible voter in District 7 to make a plan to vote. Local elections matter, and participating in the electoral process is one of the most important ways we can help shape the future of our community.

If you are voting on Election Day, please remember to check your polling location before heading out. Voters who have questions about registration, absentee voting, polling locations, or other election-related matters should consult the City of Madison Clerk's Office. Before heading out to vote, I encourage you to visit MyVote Wisconsin.

Whether you vote in person or have already returned your absentee ballot, thank you for participating in our democracy.

🌿 Updates and Notices

Brush Collection Ending Soon

Believe it or not, fall is around the corner. That means the Streets Division's collection of sticks, branches, and tree limbs will be coming to an end soon.

Residents should check their collection schedule and make sure brush is placed out according to City guidelines.

Check your brush collection date and guidelines

🏛️ Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Please note that this is not a complete list of meetings taking place this week. You can find the complete schedule and meeting information on the City's meeting schedule page.

City Meeting Schedule

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, August 10, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in District 15 and District 19.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 12, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing a contract for planning and engineering services related to intersection safety improvements.
  • 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, August 12, at 6:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing the use of up to $125,000 in federal CDBG grant funds to support the construction of a shelter at Sandburg Park.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commission Meeting
  • Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
  • Time: 8:00 a.m.
  • Location: Maintenance Facility Training Room, 1610 Moorland Rd, Madison
  • Hybrid attendance options are available for the public.
  • Agenda materials and meeting details are available through the MMSD Commission meetings webpage:
    MMSD Commission Meeting Agenda & Information

If you would like more information about becoming a member of the City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Get Involved in City Government

If you are interested in serving on a City board, commission, or committee, I encourage you to learn more about current opportunities and consider applying.

Learn more about serving on a City board, commission, or committee

📰 Announcements and News Releases

• Lane Closure for Bridge Repair – W Badger Road: On Tuesday, August 11th at 7:00am, Zenith Tech will close a lane on W Badger Road in order to conduct repairs on the roadway bridge over the railroad. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times on W Badger Road with the use of a temporary… [posted August 7, 2026]
• N Sherman Avenue Closure for Railroad Crossing Replacement: Beginning at 5:00 am on Monday, August 17, Wisconsin and Southern Railroad will close N Sherman Avenue just north of Oxford Place to replace the railroad crossing. The closure is expected to last approximately 14 days, with the roadway scheduled to… [posted August 7, 2026]
• Aug. 6 update from Chief Patterson: I continue to check in with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) daily. As of Thursday night, there is no new information to share. I will keep doing these daily check-ins and share anything I am able with our… [posted August 7, 2026]
• Temporary Milwaukee Street Closure - August 10 and August 12 On Monday, August 10 and Wednesday, August 12, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, Milwaukee Street between Fair Oaks Avenue and Walter Street will be closed to through traffic by Integrity Grading and Excavation for utility installation for a private… [posted August 6, 2026]
• Road Closure – Pleasant View Road: Starting on Monday, August 10 at 6:00 pm, Parisi Construction will close a section of Pleasant View Road overnight, from Mansion Hill Drive to Junction Road, to continue progress on the Hill Valley project. This closure is expected to last 12 hours… [posted August 5, 2026]
• News Conference with Mayor Rhodes-Conway and City Officials: The City of Madison has also published a FAQ page to address common inquiries that have been received from the public. [posted August 5, 2026]
• Update: Collecting Belongings at Demetral Park: Those wishing to retrieve personal belongings that were collected at Williamson and Baldwin Streets can do so at the parking lot of Demetral Park. [posted August 4, 2026]
• Ride the Drive Canceled: "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Ride the Drive scheduled for Sunday, August 9. We know many community members were looking forward to the event and we share this disappointment…" [posted August 4, 2026]
• Statement on the Ongoing Investigation into the Police Killing of Corey Ruiz on July 22, 2026: The Office of the Independent Police Monitor has released an official statement and FAQ page on the ongoing investigation of the officer-involved shooting of Corey Ruiz. Evidence related to the killing of Corey Ruiz was requested from MPD and denied… [posted August 4, 2026]
• Video Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway: This morning, the City of Madison opened the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin. Our goal was to clear the barricades, preserve personal belongings and memorial materials, and open the street up to normal traffic. [posted August 4, 2026]
• Williamson Street has Reopened: The recent closure of Williamson Street and South Baldwin Street was reopened at 9:00am on Tuesday, August 4.  City barricades and signage have been removed from the area. Please be mindful of an increased pedestrian presence. [posted August 4, 2026]
• Community Update from Mayor Rhodes-Conway (August 3) : Please join us in finding long-term solutions. That starts with removing the barricades, taking down the tents, and ending the occupation. [posted August 3, 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

New Men's Shelter Open House

Monday, August 10 | 4:30–6:30 p.m.

The new Men's Shelter at 1904 Bartillon Drive will begin serving the community on September 1. The City is hosting an open house before the transition so community members can visit the new facility and learn more about it.

Learn more about the Men's Shelter Open House

Goodman Pool 20th Anniversary Celebration

Friday, August 14

Join the community in celebrating 20 years of Goodman Pool with music, games, prizes, food carts, and fun. The first 500 attendees will receive a Goodman Pool yellow duck.

Goodman Pool 20th Anniversary Celebration

Bird & Nature Adventures — Starkweather Creek Area

Saturday, August 15

Join Tara Daly and Friends of Starkweather Creek at the Eken Park Festival to learn about Starkweather Creek and Madison's parks and natural areas.

Learn more about the Starkweather Creek event

Adapted Swim

Saturday, August 15

This event is open to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and families. Pre-registration is not required.

Learn more about Adapted Swim

Bird & Nature Adventures — Warner Park

Sunday, August 16

Join Naturalist Lynn Persson for a free guided nature walk and writing activity at Warner Park.

Learn more about the Warner Park event

Summer Salsa Bash

Sunday, August 16

Monona Terrace and The Capitol Social are partnering for the inaugural Summer Salsa Bash, celebrating Latin dance with music, dancing, and views from the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens.

Learn more about Summer Salsa Bash

🌳 Parks Alive

Parks Alive helps build stronger neighborhoods by connecting neighbors through family-friendly activities, music, and free food in parks throughout Madison. Events begin at 5:00 p.m.

• Allied Park — Monday, August 10
  Parks Alive at Allied Park
• Aldo Leopold Park — Tuesday, August 11
  Parks Alive at Aldo Leopold Park
• Warner Park (Trailsway) — Wednesday, August 12
  Parks Alive at Warner Park

Interested in volunteering? Learn more and register to volunteer for Parks Alive

🎬 Movie in the Park

The Lego Movie at The Glen

Sunday, August 16

Enjoy a movie outdoors with neighbors and friends at The Glen.

Movie at The Glen — The Lego Movie

🌎 Stay Connected and Get Involved

One of the things I value most about serving as your District 7 Alder is hearing directly from residents. Whether it is a neighborhood concern, a transportation issue, a question about City services, or an idea for improving our community, your feedback helps inform the work we do at City Hall.

Madison is a diverse community, and we will not always agree. But I believe we can continue to have respectful conversations, listen to one another, and work together toward practical solutions.

Thank you for staying engaged, participating in our elections, attending public meetings, supporting neighborhood events, and being part of our community.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with your questions, concerns, or ideas regarding District 7 or the City of Madison.

In solidarity,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7
City of Madison