City-County Building
Common Council

Week of June 1, 2026

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Dear neighbors,

As we begin June, there are many opportunities to get involved in shaping Madison's future, enjoy community events, and stay informed about important City initiatives. Thank you to everyone who participated in recent neighborhood events, public meetings, and community conversations. Your engagement continues to strengthen our city and helps ensure that local government remains transparent, responsive, and accountable.

This week brings important discussions on the City budget, transportation planning, public safety, and several community events, including Madison Bike Week. I encourage residents to take advantage of these opportunities to share feedback and connect with fellow community members.

🚸Madison Bike Week: May 30 – June 7

Madison Bike Week is underway and offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate one of our city's greatest strengths, our extensive bicycle network and active transportation culture.

I had the opportunity to participate in the Southwest Alder Ride organized by Madison Bikes on May 30. The ride provided an excellent street-level perspective on both the successes and challenges facing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in southwest Madison. Along the route, participants discussed traffic safety concerns, school access, future transportation connections, development impacts, and opportunities for improving mobility throughout the Southwest Area Plan region.

Highlights included discussions about:

  • Raymond Road traffic safety and speeding concerns
  • Safe routes to schools around Toki and Orchard Ridge schools
  • The Ice Age Junction Trail and future trail connections
  • Transportation challenges associated with new development areas
  • The need for improved north-south transportation corridors
  • Pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements throughout southwest Madison
  • Recent improvements at Country Grove Park

I want to thank Craig Weinhold and Madison Bikes for organizing this informative ride and for their continued advocacy to make Madison safer and more accessible for everyone who walks, bikes, rolls, or uses transit.

Bike Week features commuter stations, educational activities, community rides, and special events throughout the city. Residents are encouraged to participate in the many activities scheduled throughout the week, including:

  • The Mayor's Bike Week Ride and kickoff event on Monday morning.
  • An East Side Infrastructure Tour on Saturday, June 6, highlighting recent and future bicycle infrastructure improvements.
  • Bike Week commuter stations located throughout the city offering resources, refreshments, and opportunities to connect with fellow riders.

Whether you're a daily commuter, recreational cyclist, or simply interested in learning more about active transportation, Bike Week offers something for everyone.

Madison Bike Week Ride on Maple Grove Dr
Image credit: Madison Bikes

🏡City Budget Engagement Sessions

On Tuesday, June 2, the City of Madison is hosting its first Budget Engagement Session. These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the City Budget process and provide feedback to policymakers on priorities for Madison's future.  

The first session will focus on Justice & Public Safety and 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. 

The open house portion of the meeting will be followed by a budget presentation from Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke and a Q&A with Alders. 

Please consider attending this important informational meeting and use this link to register.

Budget Engagement Session
Image credit: City of Madison

Justice & Public Safety(external) 

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(external) 

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(external) 

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. 

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

🏛️ Help Shape the Future of Transportation in the Greater Madison Area

What should transportation in the Greater Madison region look like in 2050?

That's the question the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is asking residents as it launches Pathways to 2050, a long-range Regional Transportation Plan update that will help shape transportation priorities across the Greater Madison area over the next 20–30 years.

As Dane County continues to grow, the plan will guide future decisions related to roads, public transit, walking and biking infrastructure, accessibility, and safety and help inform how federal transportation funding is prioritized throughout the region.

Residents are encouraged to get involved throughout the planning process in several ways:

Take the Public Survey

Residents can complete a 10-minute survey, available in  English and  Spanish, to share transportation needs, priorities, and challenges across the region. 

Participants can also use an  interactive comment map to identify areas of concern, highlight transportation challenges, or suggest improvements in specific locations.

Residents who would like to take the survey in a language other than English or Spanish can complete the survey by phone at (608) 266-4336.

Attend a Public Involvement Meeting

The MPO will also host a series of public involvement meetings throughout the planning process, beginning in June. The first meeting will be offered on two dates and times for scheduling flexibility:

Both meetings will be held virtually and include an overview of the planning process, regional transportation trends and data, draft goals, and opportunities for public feedback.

🌿 Speeds & Speeders Hotline

Residents concerned about speeding and traffic safety in their neighborhoods can utilize the City's Speeds & Speeders Hotline.

This program provides an avenue for residents to report locations where speeding is a concern and helps City staff identify areas that may benefit from additional traffic safety review and enforcement efforts.

Traffic safety remains one of the most common concerns raised by residents, and community reporting plays an important role in helping the City prioritize resources and improvements.

🏛️ 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.

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

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

  • Madison Bike Week, Monday, June 1 Through Friday, June 5 (This Event Occurs on Multiple Dates): Bike Week celebrates riding to work, the grocery store, a park, the library—or simply biking to enjoy the warm wind through your hair. Events will take place throughout the week across the city. Bike Week stations will be located at various points along the city's bike paths. For more information, visit the Madison Bikes website.
  • RoundTrip Commuter Station — Bikes, Buses, and Treats! Thursday, June 4, 2026: Celebrate Madison Bike Week with an afternoon stop along the Cap City Trail! Join RoundTrip Greater Madison, the Greater Madison MPO, Metro Transit, City of Madison Traffic Engineering, Wisconsin Bike Fed, and Madison BCycle for a free commuter station filled with bike and bus resources, giveaways, treats, and hands-on activities.
  • Concerts on the Rooftop: Nauti-Nauti (Yacht Rock), Thursday, June 4, 2026: A truly unique Madison experience! Experience the unparalleled magic of sensational bands and breathtaking views at Concerts on the Rooftop! Dance the night away or just relax with family and friends, Concerts on the Rooftop provides a fun and free experience for all! A free ticket is required for admission.
  • Live at The Glen | Sparetime Bluegrass Band, Friday, June 5, 2026: Sparetime Bluegrass Band is a long-standing Madison, Wisconsin-based band formed in 1994, specializing in traditional bluegrass and first-generation style performances. Led by Bob Batyko, this five-member group features strong, traditional instrumentation (guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass) and has been a staple in the Midwest music scene for over 30 years. They will perform at the Glen Golf Park on Friday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
  • Wear Orange 2026, Saturday, June 6, 2026: Join Public Health Madison & Dane County for this year's Wear Orange event honoring violence survivors and building community together. There will be music, food, activities for kids, resources, and speakers. There is no cost to attend. Don't forget to Wear Orange!
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Tenney Park, Saturday, June 6, 2026: Join Naturalist Robin Kling for a free welcoming family-friendly guided walk to look for and learn about native trees and plants at Tenney Park. The Tenney Lagoon borders and other areas are being restored with more native plants for pollinators, birds and wildlife. 
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, June 7, 2026: Join Naturalist David Wood for a free fun welcoming outing for all ages to explore the beautiful woodland nature trails, the restored prairie, old pine groves, and shoreline views of Lake Monona. See areas cleared of invasive brush by Madison Parks and volunteers with the help of a managed herd of goats.
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, Sunday, June 7, 2026: Marsh Canoe Tour ~ Take a free family friendly paddle with Naturalists Lynn Persson, Linda Malkin and Sheila Leary to find out what's happening in the marsh as Spring turns to Summer! Some canoes provided first come first served, bring your own canoe or kayak if you have one. The marsh, wetlands and Yahara River are alive with new growth, fish, dragonflies, turtles, and birds.

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

đź’¬ Looking Ahead

As we move into summer, I encourage residents to remain engaged, attend public meetings, and continue sharing ideas that can help improve our neighborhoods and city services. Community participation is essential to building a Madison that remains welcoming, safe, sustainable, and fiscally responsible.

As always, please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns, or ideas regarding District 7 or City issues.

Thank you for your continued engagement and service to our community.

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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