Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Staff Update, Neighborhood Grant Update, Proposed Amendments to Office of Independent Monitor Ordinances, Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of April 20, 2026

Meet the Team Opening the Imagination Center Library this Fall

Over the past two months, the first positions for the new library were posted, and now the team is beginning to come together. The first hire was Rosemary Medrano, the Library Supervisor for the Imagination Center Library. Rosemary currently serves as a Community Engagement Librarian at Meadowridge Library and has slowly begun learning her new role in order to make the full transition ahead of summer.

Read more.

Burke Heights Neighborhood Association awarded a $4,400 Neighborhood Grant

Project Description: Pedals, Posts, & Pollinators: A Wayside Area at Sycamore Park - integrate three complementary elements into a cohesive, well-planned park improvement that is both functional and visually engaging. Together, each feature; the kiosk, native planting, and a bicycle maintenance station, will enhance the park-goers experience while maintaining a low-maintenance, durable design appropriate for a community park setting.

Conditions: Planning Division must approve a revised detailed budget and scope of services; Parks Division must approve proposed improvements to the park; and Grantee shall sign a Letter of Agreement with the City whereby the Grantee assumes all longterm maintenance and financial responsibilities for the approved grant project, in exchange for the City's ownership of the approved private improvements on Cityowned lands.

"SUBSTITUTE: Amending Subsections 5.19(6), (7)(i) and (8) and amending Subsection 5.20(9)(f) of the Madison General Ordinances to add public reporting requirements for the Office of the Independent Monitor and Police Civilian Oversight Board."

This item is on tomorrow's Common Council agenda and I am one of the co-sponsors.  I want to be sure you know where to access the details on this item. 

• This item is #55 on the agenda and legistar file #92386
• Alder Govindarajan prepared an Updated Legislative Memo outlining the rationale behind these revisions and their anticipated impact. He recommends starting with the "Why These Changes are Necessary" section of the memo, which outlines the key issues this proposal is intended to address. The memo also links to several supporting documents for those interested in additional context, which are also on Legistar.
• Madison General Ordinance 5.19: Office of the Independent Police Monitor
• Madison General Ordinance 5.20: Police Civilian Oversight Board
• Alder Field provides an overview of the proposed amendments in his recent update. 
• Please note that I am not a co-sponsor on Alder Mayer's amendment to add an Alder to the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB)
• Register for Public Comment
  • Register to speak at the meeting.
  • Register to answer questions.
  • Register in support or opposition of an agenda item (without speaking).

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of April 20, 2026

Updates and Notices

• Reporting Tree Damage: With this severe weather this past week, it is a good time to remind everyone how to report issues with trees along the road. If there is a tree emergency – like if a tree falls and blocks the road – call 911 or at least call 608-255-2345. Dane County Dispatchers will get to our on-call arborists to respond to the emergency. If there is some other less severe situation, then you can certainly use the report-a-problem to let us know of other concerns.
• Celebrate Earth Day in Your Local Park: Accept the Earth Day Challenge by joining your neighbors and friends in this year's Earth Day Challenge! Volunteer to help clean up your local park on Saturday, April 25!
• Public Health Offices Close Early on Tuesday: Public Health Offices will be closed on Tuesday, April 21, from 11:45am - 4:30pm for an event.

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: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 21, at 12:00 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include honoring the service of outgoing alders, swearing in newly elected and returning alders, and the election of the Common Council President and Vice President.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include revising several sections of the ordinances related to the work of the Office of the Independent Police Monitor and the Police Civilian Oversight Board.
  • 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, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving the roadway geometry for Regent Street, as well as approving public works projects in District 14 and District 16.
  • 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 Input Meeting - Cypress Spray Park, Monday, April 20: The City of Madison Parks is holding the first public input meeting for the Cypress Spray Park Re-Design! The meeting will be held at Centro, 2403 Cypress Way on April 20, 2026, at 5:30pm. Kids are encouraged to attend with an adult; we want to hear what they think sounds fun!
• Virtual Open House | District 15 Parks, Thursday, April 23 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Madison Parks is holding a series of virtual public input sessions for the Southeast Park Development Plan process coinciding with the City Planning Division's Southeast Area Plan.
• required. 

Announcements and News Releases

• Watch Out for Scammers, Storm Cleanup, and More Severe Weather: The recent severe storms in Madison caused considerable damage to many homes and vehicles this week. [posted April 16, 2026]
• Draft AAA Bike Network Plan: The City of Madison is updating its All Ages and Abilities Bike Network Plan. The plan will provide a long-term vision for development of a network of paths and low-stress on-street bikeways for biking and micromobility. [posted April 16, 2026]
• DATE CORRECTION: Uncover the Future of Madison: A Q&A with Mayor Rhodes-Conway!: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will join Alder Badri Lankella on Thursday, April 23, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for a virtual session to discuss the city's priorities and answer residents' questions. This session will take place virtually via Zoom. [posted April 14, 2026]
• Mural Naming Contest: The Madison Senior Center is excited to ask the community to help name their new mural! [posted April 13, 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.

Events

• Coffee with a Cop - South District, Monday, April 20: Coffee with a Cop is a chance for community members to connect with the officers who serve their city. Officers can speak about recent cases to department wide initiatives to lower crime in our community.
• Wisconsin Virtual TB Summit, Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Join local, state, and national tuberculosis experts as they share their work to understand and improve care for people diagnosed with TB in our community. 
• Coffee with a Cop – East District, Tuesday, April 21: Coffee with a Cop is a chance for community members to connect with the officers who serve their city. Officers can speak about recent cases to department wide initiatives to lower crime in our community.
• Learn to Nordic Walk | Door Creek Park, Tuesday, April 21: Turn your walk into a full-body workout with Nordic walking!  We've partnered with Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki) for a free class.
• Connecting D7: Questions & Answers with Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Thursday, April 23: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will join Alder Badri Lankella on Thursday, April 23, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for a virtual session to discuss the city's priorities and answer residents' questions. This session will take place virtually via Zoom.
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, April 25 (This event occurs on multiple dates): We seek passionate individuals and groups committed to giving back to the community and connecting with the City of Madison golf courses. Gain experience, foster personal growth, and build relationships within the community.  
• Vaccine Clinic at Sugar Creek Elementary School, Saturday, April 25: 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.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, April 25: Do You Hear a Frog? ~ Join Naturalist Doug Davis for a free guided family friendly walk on the beautiful nature trails along the prairies, woodlands and ponds at Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Edna Taylor Conservation Park.
• Earth Day Challenge, Saturday, April 25: Celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors and friends by volunteering to clean up your local park! Join this community-wide volunteer effort to help make a difference. Accept the Earth Day Challenge with Madison Parks!
• Save Soil Walkathon, Saturday, April 25: Join the Save Soil Walkathon to raise awareness about protecting and restoring soil. 
• Bird & Nature Festival 2026, Sunday, April 26: The 2026 Bird & Nature Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day.  See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays throughout the day.

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