Week of September 7, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone having a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. As we move into September, I want to share some important City updates, upcoming meetings, transportation information, and community events for the week ahead.

One of the biggest items on the calendar this week is the September 8 Common Council meeting. The Council will consider several important items, including the appointment of an interim alder for District 1. The meeting will be held Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and residents can participate either in person or virtually.

There are also several transportation-related items and opportunities this week. The Board of Public Works will consider adoption of the City's Pedestrian Plan and Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan. These are important plans for improving safety and mobility for people walking, biking, rolling, and getting to school throughout Madison.

Please see the updates and meeting information below, and as always, feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns about District 7.

🏛️ Meeting and Event Highlights

🚨 Updates and Notices

Labor Day City Holiday – Monday, September 7

City of Madison administrative offices are closed for the Labor Day holiday. Emergency services remain open. For emergencies, please call 911.

• Emergency Water Issue: Call Madison Water Utility at 608-266-4665, 24/7.
• Sanitary Sewer Backup: Call 608-266-4430. An emergency crew will respond to your call.
• Report a Problem: Non-emergency issues that can wait until the next City working day can be reported through the City's online reporting system.

📋 Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

This is not a complete list of meetings for the upcoming week. The full schedule is available on the City's Meeting Schedule page.

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include appointing Devine Nzegwu as alder for District 1, authorizing the Economic Development Division to administer a Williamson Street Business Stabilization Support Program, and transferring $28,500 from the contingent reserve to the Office of the Independent Monitor.
  • 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, September 9, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include adopting the City of Madison Pedestrian Plan and adopting the City of Madison Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan.
  • 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, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include adopting the Southeast Area Park Development Plans.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commission Meeting
  • Date: Thursday, September 10, 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.

📰 Announcements and News Releases

🏊 IRONMAN Weekend – September 12–13

Madison will host the IRONMAN 70.3 Wisconsin on Saturday, September 12, followed by the full IRONMAN Wisconsin on Sunday, September 13. Several streets in and around downtown will be closed or have traffic restrictions during the events.

Please plan ahead if you are traveling downtown or along the race routes.

⚖️ Gregory McClain Appointed Civil Rights Director

Gregory McClain has been appointed Madison's Director of the Department of Civil Rights. McClain has more than a decade of experience working on racial equity, social justice, equal employment, and public health initiatives.

🚑 Madison Fire Department Places 10th Ambulance Into Service

The Madison Fire Department has placed its 10th ambulance into service, stationed downtown. This adds another ambulance to Madison's emergency medical response capacity.

📚 Reindahl Imagination Center – Opening September 25–26

A major new community resource is opening later this month: the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, Madison Public Library's tenth library location.

The new multifunctional library and parks pavilion at 1814 Parkside Drive will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 3–4 p.m. on Friday, September 25, followed by grand opening activities from 4–8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, September 26.

The opening weekend will include a movie in the park, nature activities, storytime, live music, food trucks, art activities, and more.

Residents can also pick up free Imagination Center yard signs at participating Madison Public Library locations.

🚲 Smart Trips Challenge – September 1–30

The annual Smart Trips Challenge is underway throughout September. The free challenge encourages residents and workers in Dane County to try alternatives to driving alone, including biking, taking the bus, carpooling, walking, and rolling.

Participants can log eligible trips for chances to win weekly and grand prizes.

This is a great opportunity to try a different way of getting around—even if it is just for one or two trips a week.

🗑️ Streets Division Reminders

With fall approaching, there are several Streets Division reminders worth keeping in mind:

• Check your final brush pickup date. Many neighborhoods have already received their last brush collection for 2026.
• Check your first leaf and yard waste pickup date. Fall collection will arrive sooner than many of us expect.
• Labor Day collection changes: There will be no trash, recycling, brush, or large-item collection on Monday, September 7. If Monday is your normal collection day, set your carts out by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
• Drop-off sites: Streets Division drop-off sites are closed Monday for Labor Day and reopen Tuesday, September 8.
• Propane cylinders: Camp-stove propane cylinders should be taken to Dane County Clean Sweep.
• Food scraps: Madison residents can compost food scraps for free at participating farmers' market locations and Streets Division drop-off sites.

🎵 Around Madison

Every Wednesday at the Madison Public Market

Every Wednesday, the Madison Public Market brings together local makers, growers, food producers, and entrepreneurs. It is a great opportunity to support local businesses, discover something new, and enjoy the market.

🎶 Madison is Music

The free Madison is Music concert series continues at Frances Plaza, 600 State Street. If you're looking for something to do downtown, consider checking out one of the upcoming performances.

🤝 Staying Connected

There is a lot happening across Madison as we head into the fall season. I encourage residents to stay informed, participate in City meetings when issues matter to you, and continue sharing your questions and concerns with me.

If you have a District 7 issue that you would like me to look into, please don't hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to help connect residents with the appropriate City department or staff member.

Thank you for staying engaged and helping make District 7 and Madison a great place to live.

Badri Lankella
Alder – District 7
Madison Common Council