Week of November 17, 2025

District Niners,

Now that the 2026 City of Madison budget is settled, attention turns now to selecting a candidate to fill the OIM position, a position (to date) that has been retrofitted to pass through revolving doors and without accountability.  The field of candidates has been narrowed down to three following their submission and return of a "take home exam" set of 4-6 questions.  I sat and listened to one candidate who offered a helter-skelter presentation about why she is the best candidate. Disappointed?  You betcha!  Given the overall importance of this position, you would think and know that a take home exam is ripe with many unknowns especially given AI, and google.  What do we know about this candidate's ability to think on her feet?  How spontaneous and candid is the candidate when responding to ethical issues, policing, biases, policies, engaging with constituents and other "team and department members?"  Given the weight of this position, you would think that a better screening method would have been used to determine whether a candidate is a good fit for the position, whether he or she has a well-equipped toolbox (second to none) with the educational background, lived experiences, solid decision making skills based on the ability to assess and plan as well as to determine consequences of and evaluate options, etc.   For now, the only thing to be learned from the take home exam set of questions is the candidates' writing skill.  And yes, that too is questionable given AI assist.  Are we committed to the OIM, or are we willing to accept mediocrity and its revolving door?  And yes, I do have concerns.  We can and we must do better.

Updates and Notices

Boards, Commissions & Committee Meetings

• 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.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• 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.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• 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.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• 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.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• 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.
  • 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)

• Public Information Meeting - Well 12 Reconstruction, Thursday, November 20: Madison Water Utility will be hosting a public information meeting for the Well 12 Reconstruction Project on November 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM at 4020 Mineral Point Road. All members of the public are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be provided.

Announcements & News Releases

• Engage with Madison's Downtown Alders at the Downtown Dialogue Meet & Greet:  Consider venturing out of District 9 to learn about the issues and concerns of our downtown neighbors.   The City of Madison invites community members to attend an upcoming Downtown Alders Meet and Greet on Tuesday, November 18, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Madison Senior Center.
• City of Madison marks World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims : In recognition of World Day of Remembrance on November 16th, the City of Madison has installed a memorial to remember the victims of traffic fatalities.
• City of Madison Interested in Expanding Market and Community Gardening : The City of Madison is seeking to gauge interest in utilizing city-owned land for market and community garden spaces.
• Meet the Finalists for the State Street Campus Garage/Hawthorne Court Public Art Project: The City of Madison is inviting three finalists to propose designs for public art in the new State Street Campus Garage and adjacent Hawthorne Court.
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Proposes Amendment to Lower Property Taxes : Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Council Leadership are proposing an amendment to the 2026 Budget to maintain the historically low property tax increase proposed in her executive operating budget. 

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

• Building the Southeast’s Future: A Community Conversation w/ Alder Sean O'Brien, Monday, November 17: Come join us for a lively discussion with Alder O'Brien about the future of the Southeast community. This event will be held at City of Madison Fire Station 14, where we will talk about the plan to shape the physical aspects of our community, such as land use, housing, transit, streets, bike paths, and other community facilities. Don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard and make a difference in our community!
• Downtown Dialogue: Meet Your Downtown Alders, Tuesday, November 18: Join us at the Madison Senior Center for a special event where you can meet and chat with your downtown alders! This is a fantastic opportunity to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas directly with the representatives who serve you. The event invites residents, business owners, and community members to engage directly with their elected officials. Let’s foster meaningful conversations about the heart of Madison and explore how we can collaborate to improve our community. Don't miss this chance to connect with your local leaders! Please register in advance.
• Conservation Workday, Thursday, November 20 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Work off-trail alongside expert volunteers from the Friends of Cherokee Marsh, using hand loppers to help cut invasive brush to make room for native wildflowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs.
• Conservation Volunteer Workday, Saturday, November 15 (This event occurs on multiple dates): We invite volunteers to help make a difference in the health of our local environment by joining us for invasive species removal. These hands-on conservation efforts are essential in restoring native ecosystems and ensuring the vitality of our natural spaces.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, November 22 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Join a naturalist for an easy, family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way.

Your Well-being

It's not too late to protect yourself from the usual and customary viruses common during the winter months.  For those traveling for the holidays, prevention is still worth a pound of cure.

Until next time,

Be safe and be well!

Joann