City-County Building
Common Council

Week of July 20, 2026

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Dear neighbors,

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer! As always, I want to keep District 7 residents informed about what's happening in our community and across the City of Madison.

As many of us continue to spend time outdoors, please take extra precautions during periods of poor air quality and extreme heat. Consider limiting strenuous outdoor activities when air quality is unhealthy, stay well hydrated, seek shade or air-conditioned spaces when possible, and check on neighbors, older adults, and others who may be more vulnerable to the heat. By taking a few simple precautions, we can all enjoy the summer more safely.

Below you'll find upcoming meetings, community events, important election information, and other city updates for the week ahead.

🚸Thank You for Joining Our Westside Alder Meet & Greet!

We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who attended the Westside Alder Meet & Greet! Because the decisions that impact your daily life are made at the local level, having a seat at the table is vital. Thank you for sharing your perspective and investing your time in our shared future.

 We want to ensure these events are valuable, accessible, and welcoming for everyone in our community. Please take a moment to share your thoughts, by taking this short post event survey!

🚸Public Market Grand Opening & Bodega at Breese

Two exciting community destinations are opening this summer!

The long-awaited Madison Public Market Grand Opening will be on Thursday July 23rd 2026 4PM onwards, showcase a vibrant public marketplace featuring local entrepreneurs, diverse food vendors, artisans, and community gathering spaces. This exciting addition will further strengthen Madison's local economy and create a welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.

Also be sure to check out Bodega at Breese on Friday July 24th 2026, another exciting addition that brings new food and community gathering opportunities to Madison's west side.

I'll be representing the Madison Common Council at both events, helping staff the Council's information table. If you're attending, please stop by to say hello! I'd love the opportunity to meet you, answer any questions you may have about City government or District 7, and hear what's on your mind.

Public Market Grand Opening
Image credit: City of Madison
Bodega at Breese
Image credit: City of Madison

🌿 Food Trucks Return to Country Grove Park!

I'm excited to share that the Country Grove Neighborhood Association (CGNA), in partnership with Madison Parks and FEED Kitchens, is bringing Food Trucks back to Country Grove Park this summer!

The weekly summer series begins Wednesday, July 15 and continues every Wednesday through September 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Country Grove Park, 7353 East Pass.

Each week will feature a rotating selection of local food trucks, making it a great opportunity to enjoy dinner outdoors while connecting with neighbors and supporting local businesses. Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets and spend a relaxing summer evening in the park with family and friends. Everyone is welcome!

Country Grove Park Summer Events
Image credit: Madison Parks

🗳️ Election Information

The August Primary Election is only a few weeks away, and the City Clerk's Office is in full operation preparing for Election Day by managing absentee ballots, training election officials, and coordinating election logistics.

Important dates:

If you have questions about voting or the election process, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 608-266-4601 or voting@cityofmadison.com. As always, you are also welcome to contact my office if I can assist.

🌱 Updates and Notices

  • Ride the Drive 2026: Madison Parks invites you to volunteer for Ride the Drive 2026 on Sunday, August 9, 10:00am to 2:00pm. Ride the Drive is a free community event that opens select Madison streets to people for biking, walking, strolling, rolling, and enjoying all-ages activities at three hubs and along the route. Volunteers help create a safe, welcoming experience by supporting intersections, information areas, setup, cleanup, and overall event flow. At this point, intersection guide volunteers are especially helpful as we work to support the full route.

🏛️ 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, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include authorizing a jurisdictional transfer agreement between the City of Madison and the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation to allow the City of Madison to assume full responsibility for sections of US Highway 151 from the Beltline to Blair/ East Washington.
  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 22, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include considering a report of the City Engineer regarding the results of a review of water resource impacts and the necessity of permits for public works construction projects.
  • Housing Policy Committee: The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, July 23, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a presentation from Building Inspection regarding minimum housing and property maintenance services.

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

🗣️ Public Information Meetings

  • South Franklin Ave., Ridge Road, Sylvan Ave. Reconstruction, Monday, July 20:  The pre-design public meeting will provide residents with an overview of the project's scope and explain the City's process for determining the future street geometry using the City's Complete Green Streets Guide. Because the project is still in the pre-design phase, no proposed street design will be presented. Instead, the meeting will focus on the policies, guidance, and decision-making process that will be used to develop the design.

📰 Announcements and News Releases

  • Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for AC/DC at Camp Randall Stadium: The City of Madison announces several street closures and parking restrictions in preparation for the AC/DC concert at Camp Randall Stadium on Sunday, July 19. These measures are intended to support pedestrian safety and event logistics. [posted July 16, 2026]
  • Help Your Trees: Urban Forestry Reminds Residents to Water Newly Planted Trees: If a tree has been planted on the terrace in front of your home by Urban Forestry within the last five years, or if you had a tree planted on your private property in that same window of time, please water the tree as needed to increase its chance…[posted July 14, 2026]
  • Alder John W. Duncan Announces Resignation from Madison Common Council: Alder John W. Duncan, District 1, is resigning from the Madison Common Council, effective July 31, 2026. “My last day as your alder will be Friday, July 31, 2026. My husband and I have decided to move from Madison. While we are excited for this… [posted July 13, 2026]
  • Lane Closures for Midvale Boulevard Resurfacing: Starting at 9:00am on Monday, July 20, Payne and Dolan will begin resurfacing Midvale Boulevard from Mineral Point Road to University Avenue.  During this resurfacing project one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. [posted July 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.

🎉 Community Events

  • Learn to Kayak, Monday, July 20: Learn to Kayak with Madison Boats! Register online for this free class offered at Marshall Park. All ages are welcome and most appropriate for ages 10 and older. Anyone under 18 must have a guardian present and may need to be in the kayak with child.
  • Concerts on the Rooftop: Gold Dust Women (Fleetwood Mac/Heart Tribute), Thursday, July 23: Gold Dust Women isn't just a tribute band—it's a powerhouse of top-tier musicians, each a standout performer in their own right. When these dynamic personalities come together on stage, they create pure magic, bringing the music of Fleetwood Mac, Heart, and a few unexpected surprises to life with electrifying energy.
  • Brat Fry Friday, Friday, July 24: Come join us for lunch at the links!  The grill will be fired up from 11am-3pm for a delicious afternoon treat.
  • Live at The Glen | Louka & Co., Friday, July 24: Get ready for an unforgettable evening on the Glen Patio with Louka & Co(external), a dynamic group known for their eclectic blend of bluegrass and beyond. Rooted in tradition yet never confined by it, Louka & Co weave together high-energy picking, rich harmonies, and unexpected musical twists that keep audiences engaged from the first note to the last.
  • Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, July 25: 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.  
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, July 25: Join a naturalist for an easy, family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walks through the Edna Taylor Conservation Park are held on the 4th Saturday, 10-11:30am of each month.

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!

Movie in the Park Dates!

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

💬 Looking Ahead

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged with our community. Your participation, whether by attending neighborhood events, serving on a board or committee, voting in our elections, or simply reaching out with your ideas and concerns helps make District 7 and the City of Madison stronger.

I hope to see many of you at one of the upcoming community events or City meetings. As always, if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I value your feedback and look forward to continuing to work together to make District 7 an even better place to live, work, and play.

Have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable week!

Sincerely,
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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