Week of February 16, 2026
postedDistrict Niners,
Tuesday, February 17th is primary election day, a day that you exercise your right to vote. Candidates vying for judgeships (State Supreme Court and Dane County Circuit Court), Dane County Supervisor, MMSD School Board are all on the ballot in District Nine. Every vote is consequential.
Spring Controlled Burns in District Nine: Weather permitting, the Engineering Division will commence "prescribed burns" to remove old vegetation to make room for new growth, recycling nutrients, controlling invasives and improving wildlife habitats. District Nine prescribed burn(s) will occur in the following areas between March 1 and May 31, 2026:
· Big Stone Trail Pond; 614 Big Stone Trl
- N Sugar Maple Ln Pond; 10101 White Fox Ln
- White Fox Bioretention; 10010 White Fox Ln
- White Fox Lane Chapel View Pond; 530 Dragon Willow Ln
- Straw Harvest Ln Pond; 403 Straw Harvest Ln
- Sauk Creek Haen Family Park Pollinator Planting (small native prairie plantings that border the western edge of the greenway and Haen Family Park); 7598 Tree Ln
Prescribed burn Project Manager will be mailing postcards to residents to notify residents about the prescribed burn in their neighborhood.
All burns are being conducted by certified burn professionals with approval by Madison Fire Department. The burns will only take place under specific weather conditions in order to manage smoke and minimize impacts to neighbors. In addition, the burn professionals will install appropriate road signage on the day of the burn.
Additional information is on their website at: cityofmadison.com/prescribedburns
Boards, Commissions & 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, February 16, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include financing the development of up to 27 affordable owner-occupied housing units and funding five homeownership service programs.
- Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, February 16, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 2, 12, 15, and 19.
For more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.
Announcements and News Releases
Building Community in Affordable Housing: Each year, the Community Development Division issues a competitive Request for Proposals to offer approximately $10 million in support to developers that aim to build affordable housing to serve Madison’s most vulnerable populations. In 2025, a total of 425 future rental homes received City subsidies, 260 of which will offer permanent affordability to those with qualified incomes.
Madison Fire Department Announces Timeline for Next Firefighter/EMT Hiring Process: The Madison Fire Department will be accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/EMT beginning April 1, 2026. The application period will close on May 26, 2026.
Intermittent Elevator Outages at Overture Center Garage on February 16: ProAxis will perform scheduled exterior maintenance on the elevator hoistway at the City of Madison Overture Center Garage on Monday, February 16, 2026, from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
City of Madison Celebrates Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week: The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has officially declared February 16–20, 2026, as Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week. The City of Madison is proud to recognize the 65 crossing guards who faithfully serve at intersections…
Community Development Authority updates plans for Park Badger redevelopment: The Community Development Authority and its partners have released updated designs for the Park Badger redevelopment project.
How to identify unmarked squad cars, officers: MADISON, Wis.— The Madison Police Department is making some changes to help members of the public identify staff as local officers. Our department has received a lot of questions recently on how people can tell the difference between MPD officers and ICE officers.
Safer Internet Day: Being AI aware: The Madison Police Department is encouraging parents and guardians to talk to children about safe internet practices. In 2003, the European Union launched the first Safer Internet Day, and it has grown to more than 100 countries.
Share your thoughts on Public Art for the Far West Operations Facility: The City of Madison and the Madison Arts Commission are seeking community feedback on a design proposal by The Milligan Studio for the Far West Operations Facility at 402 South Point Road. There is a budding artistic artist out there in District Nine! Where are you?
Two-Time National Book Award Winner Jesmyn Ward Headlines Lunch for Libraries on May 5: MacArthur Fellowship recipient and New York Times bestselling author Jesmyn Ward is announced as the speaker for Madison Public Library Foundation's spring fundraiser, Lunch for Libraries, which will take place May 5 at Monona Terrace.
2025 Housing Snapshot report published: The City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development has published its 2025 Housing Snapshot report, providing the latest insights into the city’s housing trends.
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
Wright Design Series: Innovations in K-12 Architecture Education, Monday, February 16: The next generation is becoming empowered to critically examine and actively shape the spaces around them. Discover how educators and designers are mentoring students across southern Wisconsin at this panel presentation.
Vaccine Clinic at Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School, Saturday, February 21: In partnership with Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School, Public Health is offering a variety of free vaccines on February 21, 2026 from 9am-11am. All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare or most other types of insurance, can receive vaccinations at no cost. There are no more excuses to not get your child vaccinated. Remember, an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
Your Well-being,
Public health officials continue to remind us of measles exposure in around the Madison and Dane County area. If you or your child is not vaccinated for the usual childhood vaccines or flu and Covid, please consider our most vulnerable population or those who are immunocompromised when you are out and about.
Until next time,
Be safe and be well.
Joann
