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Common Council

Week of June 8th

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Dear District 16 Neighbors, 

Happy Pride Month! The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. First, I want to extend my deep gratitude to the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin and Madison Firefighters Local 311 for inviting me to participate in their Fire Ops 101 Training. It was an eye opening experience into the day to day work of our firefighters and EMS crews. Opportunities like these are so important in helping elected officials understand the impacts of our policy decisions and the everchanging needs of a growing city. 

  • Red Team after learning how to use the Jaws of Life
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
  • Red Team learning how to put on re-breathers.
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
  • Sean Using the jaws of life.
    Image credit: Wisconsin State Journal, Owen Ziliak
    Image credit: Wisconsin State Journal, Owen Ziliak
  • Group Photo of all the people who attended Fire Ops.
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
  • Red Team Group Photo
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
    Image credit: Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Madison Police Department's East District town hall, as well as the first budget engagement session on Public Safety. These are a great way to make your voice heard in the city's budget process, and there will be two more engagement sessions coming up. You can find more information here. 

Last weekend, I joined GSAFE for their 30th annual Celebration of Leadership. Protecting and uplifting our queer and trans youth needs to be a priority, and GSAFE is setting the example and leading the path forward in that work. I also joined state and community leaders on June 1st as we raised the Pride flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol with Governor Evers, as well as over the City and County buildings. 

  • Sean speaking at the City/County Pride Flag Raising
  • Sean & Governor Evers at the annual pride flag rasising at the State Capitol
    Image credit: Melanie Jones for Our Lives magazine.
    Image credit: Melanie Jones for Our Lives magazine.
  • Sean, AlderDina Nina, Mayor Satya & Governor Evers celebrating the start of pride month
    Image credit: Office of Governor Tony Evers
    Image credit: Office of Governor Tony Evers

Now more than ever, we need leaders to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the face of growing attacks. There is nothing ordinary about the threats that LGBTQ+ people are facing. There is nothing ordinary about a federal government that is working to roll back progress, disenfranchise entire communities, and coerce hospitals into banning lifesaving healthcare. 

Pride Month is about coming together to celebrate diversity and belonging, but it's also about renewing our commitment to the ongoing fight for equality. I hope you'll join me in that fight.

Sean 

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Planned Development Re-Zoning Public Information Meeting

The City of Madison is exploring the rezoning of several single- and two-family Planned Development Zones (PDs) into conventional zoning districts.

Planned Development zoning is site-specific zoning, where specific use and development requirements are written for each individual PD zone. Conventional zoning districts are districts whose rules are wholly within the City's zoning code. Conventional zoning districts may be mapped and used in various areas throughout the city. 

When: June 22nd 6:00pm 
Register Here

When: June 25th 6:00pm 
Register Here

In District 16, this will impact the single and two-family homes in the Reston Heights Neighborhood and Lost Creek. Residents who will be affected will be mailed postcard notices about the upcoming meetings. 

To learn more, you can visit the project webpage here. If you have any questions, you can reach out to me or zoning@cityofmadison.com.

East District Traffic Initiative: 

The Madison Police Department's East District is committed to reducing hazardous driving behavior throughout the East District. This summer (June to September), the East District will be participating in a department-wide data driven proactive approach to traffic enforcement. 

To partner effectively East District Capt. Ed Marshall is asking members to do the following:

  • Monitor your speed.
  • Obey traffic signs and signals.  Please don't try to beat the light
  • Consider posting signage on your residential lawns.  “Slow down" signs can be located at the East District Police station at 809 South Thompson Drive (Thank you, Safe Communities).  
  • Report erratic driving behavior to Speeder's Hotline (608) 266-4822
  • Report areas of hazardous driving behavior and traffic safety concerns. 

Here are some things that you can expect from the East District team:

  • Officers will be proactive in enforcing hazardous driving behaviors (i.e. speeding, signal/sign violations) 
  • Increased traffic enforcement operations district-wide, with emphasis on areas with more crashes during the summer, including:
    • Stoughton Rd, especially between Buckeye Rd and the Beltline
    • East Washington (between Milwaukee St and Hwy 30, and near East Towne)
    • Milwaukee St near Stoughton Rd
  • Collaboration with other community partners, elected officials, and Traffic Engineering.

Transportation Planning Survey:

The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is launching 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.

If you need to take the survey in a language other than English or Spanish you can complete the survey by phone at (608) 266-4336.

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, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include honoring resolutions for Juneteenth and Pride Month, as well as approving roadway geometry for Regent Street. 
    • Item #1 - Recognizing and commemorating June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth and Freedom Day in Madison (I am a sponsor) 
    • Item #2 - Recognizing June 2026 as Pride Month (I am a sponsor) 
    • Item #94 - Approving roadway geometry for Regent Street from Randall Avenue to Park Street. (If you have any questions, check out this FAQ doc). 
    • Item #122 - Awarding Public Works Contract No. 9788, CIPP 2026 Woodvale Drive Water Main Rehabilitation in the Elvehjem Neighborhood. (You can learn more about the project here.)
    • Item #128 - Establishing in-person absentee voting locations for the 2026 Partisan Primary and General Election. (I am a sponsor) 
    • Item #130 - Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a development agreement to fund a $2,800,000 TIF Loan to assist in the renovation and development of office, manufacturing, and research and development space for Realta Fusion. (I am a sponsor)
    • Item #136 - Authorizing an intergovernmental agreement supporting a renewable diesel pilot program between the City of Madison University of Wisconsin. (I am a sponsor) 
    • Item #146 - Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an agreement with MG&E relating to electricity rates for electric bus charging.
    • Items #156 & 157 -  Providing funding and entering into agreements for providing Para Transit Services. (I am a sponsor) 
    • Item #158 - Authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to enter into an agreement with Dane County to provide Group Access Service for the City of Madison for the calendar year 2026 (I am a sponsor) 
  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Thursday, June 11, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Agenda items include an update on the data center moratorium. 

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

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.

Events

Parks Alive Dates!

Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Events start at 5:00 p.m.

Interested in volunteering for Parks Alive? Volunteers Welcome! Learn more and register online!

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

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Portrait of Alder Sean O'Brien

Alder Sean O'Brien

District 16
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