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Common Council

Week of May 18, 2026

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Dear neighbors,

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and the many community activities happening across Madison. This past week continued to showcase the strength and diversity of our community, with important conversations around housing, transportation, sustainability, and civic engagement taking place throughout the city and state.

🚸Country Grove Park Ribbon Cutting – Thursday, May 21 3:30pm – 4:00pm

I would also like to invite all District 7 residents and community members to join City leaders, neighbors, and Parks staff for the ribbon cutting celebration at Country Grove Park on Thursday, May 21. 3:30pm – 4:00pm

The event will celebrate the new reservable shelter and futsal court improvements at the park, which will provide additional recreational and gathering opportunities for families, youth, and residents in the growing neighborhood. Community investments like these help strengthen neighborhood connections and create welcoming public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Event details are available here:
Country Grove Park Ribbon Cutting Event Information

Country Grove Park
Image credit: Madison Parks

🏡Legislative Asian Caucus AAPI Heritage Month Press Conference

I was honored to participate in and support the recent Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month press conference hosted by the Wisconsin Legislative Asian Caucus. Leaders from across the state gathered to recognize the many contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities to Wisconsin's economy, culture, education, public service, and civic life.

The event also highlighted the importance of continuing efforts toward inclusion, representation, and combating discrimination while celebrating the rich diversity within our communities.

You can read more about the event here:
WKOW Coverage of the Legislative Asian Caucus AAPI Heritage Month Press Conference

Legislative Asian Caucus AAPI Heritage Month Press Conference
Image credit: WKOW

🏛️ Madison Night Market and Community Engagement

It was wonderful to meet and connect with so many Madison residents during the first Madison Night Market of 2026 on State Street. The event once again showcased the energy, diversity, local businesses, artists, food vendors, and community spirit that make Madison such a vibrant place to live.

I especially appreciated the opportunity to spend time at the Madison Common Council information stall discussing the importance of public participation, civic engagement, and transparency in city government. Public input plays a critical role in shaping policies, projects, and services that affect our neighborhoods and daily lives, and conversations like these help strengthen trust and collaboration between residents and local government.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to share ideas, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our city.

Madison Night Market on State Street
Image credit: Badri Lankella

🌎Register for City Budget Engagement Sessions

The City of Madison has opened registration for upcoming community budget engagement sessions. These sessions provide residents with an opportunity to help shape city spending priorities and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the upcoming budget process.

I strongly encourage residents to participate and share your thoughts on city services, infrastructure, public safety, housing, transportation, parks, and other important community priorities.

More information and registration details are available here:
City of Madison Budget Engagement Sessions

Justice & Public Safety 

Tuesday, June 2 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Central Library 

This session will feature staff and information from the Attorney's Office, Department of Civil Rights, Fire, Municipal Court, Office of Independent Police Monitor, Police, and Public Health. 

Public Facilities & Services 

Thursday, June 11 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Vel Phillips Memorial High School

This session will feature staff and information from the Assessor's Office, Clerk's Office, Engineering, Fleet Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, Madison Public Library, Monona Terrace, Parks, Streets & Urban Forestry, and Water Utility. 

Planning & Transportation 

Wednesday, June 24 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center

This session will feature staff and information from the Community Development Authority, Community Development Division, Economic Development Division, Metro Transit, Planning, Parking, and Traffic Engineering. 

🏡Madison Housing Tracker and Housing Initiatives

Housing affordability and supply continue to be among the most important issues facing Madison. The City's Housing Tracker provides a transparent and regularly updated overview of housing development activity across Madison, including approved units, projects under review, affordability metrics, and geographic distribution.

This is an excellent tool for residents interested in understanding how housing growth is occurring throughout the city.

You can explore the Housing Tracker here:
City of Madison Housing Tracker

Madison Housing Tracker and Housing Initiatives
Image credit: City Planning

🌿 Southwest and Southeast Area Plans Advance Toward Adoption

The City recently submitted the Southwest and Southeast Area Plans for final review and adoption. These plans will help guide future growth, transportation investments, housing, land use, environmental preservation, and neighborhood development over the coming decades.

Given the continued growth occurring on Madison's west and southeast sides, these plans will play an important role in shaping infrastructure and community development while balancing sustainability and neighborhood character.

More details can be found here:
Southwest and Southeast Area Plans Update

🎉 AIA Community Picnic at Elver Park

It was wonderful to see community members gathering today at Elver Park for the AIA Community Picnic. Events like these are a great reminder of the importance of building connections, celebrating our diverse communities, and spending time together with neighbors and friends.

Thank you to all of the organizers, volunteers, and families who helped make the gathering successful and welcoming for everyone.

AIA Community Picnic
Image credit: Badri Lankella

🧭 MPD West District Town Hall – Wednesday, May 20

Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming Madison Police Department West District Town Hall on Wednesday, May 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

These town halls are an important opportunity for community members to connect directly with officers, district leadership, and Police Chief John Patterson to discuss neighborhood concerns, public safety priorities, and ways to strengthen community relationships and collaboration.

I encourage residents to participate, ask questions, and engage in constructive conversations that help build trust, transparency, and strong partnerships between the community and public safety officials.

Additional event information is available here:
MPD West District Town Hall Event Information

MPD West District Town Hall
Image credit: MPD

🚧 Madison Bike Week: May 30 – June 7

Madison Bike Week returns from May 30 through June 7 with rides, community events, educational programming, and opportunities to celebrate Madison's strong biking culture.

One featured event will focus on the Downtown Plan on June 2, connecting transportation planning, multimodal infrastructure, and community engagement.

More information about Bike Week events is available here:
Madison Bike Week Information

Madison Bike Week
Image credit: Madison Bikes

🌱 Updates and Notices

  • Spring Yard Waste Pickup is Very Nearly Over:  Check the website before putting out yard waste for pickup.  
  • Recycling Tip – Black Plastic Plant Pots Go Into the Trash: It's the season to start your garden, so you will start getting plants in those little crinkly black plastic pots from garden centers.

🏛️ 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, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include the approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Madison and Dane County regarding the operations of the men's homeless shelter located at 1904 Bartillon Drive. Additionally, the agenda will cover the Office of the Independent Police Monitor Annual Report for 2025, the Police Civilian Oversight Board Annual Report for 2025-2026, and the Chief of Police's 1st Quarter Report and 2025 Annual Report.
  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approval of various street improvements and contract approvals. 

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

  • Proposed Changes at The Edgewater: Virtual Meeting of May 18, 2026:

    The Edgewater, 1001 Wisconsin Avenue, proposes to make changes to their property in a phased plan over the next five to seven years. Phase 1 of the plan includes exterior shade structures and improvements to the sky bar roof deck as well as shade structures added to the first and seventh floor dining terraces, upgrades to restaurants and dining space, and adding a neighborhood grab-and-go market and coffee shop. 

  • Envision Downtown Madison Open House (Virtual), Monday, May 18: If you missed the Envision Downtown Madison Open House that was held on April 30, 2026, this virtual event is another chance to learn more about some of the Big Moves and the Shared Vision being proposed as part of the City of Madison's Downtown Area Plan and Downtown Madison, Inc.'s Greater Downtown Economic Investment Strategy.

đź“° Announcements and News Releases

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

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

đź’¬ Staying Connected

As always, thank you for your continued engagement, partnership, and commitment to strengthening our neighborhoods and community. Madison's success depends on residents staying informed, participating in local government, supporting one another, and working collaboratively to address both challenges and opportunities facing our city.

Please continue reaching out with questions, concerns, ideas, or feedback. I truly appreciate the opportunity to serve District 7 on the Madison Common Council and look forward to continuing our work together.

If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out. Take care and have a wonderful week ahead. 

Best regards,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7
City of Madison

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Portrait of Alder Badri Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

District 7
Contact Alder Lankella

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