Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of September 21, 2026

This week, the Common Council will be voting on several items aimed at making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to get around Madison. I understand not everyone will agree with all of these, but I believe we have a responsibility to do our best to design a city that works for everyone. Creating a safer, more connected Madison means expanding transportation options, improving safety, and enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives in, works in, or visits our community.

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, September 22, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include the Chief of Police's Quarterly Report, Adopting the City of Madison Pedestrian Plan, Amending Sections 3.14(2)(q), (3) and (3)(a) to rename the Traffic Engineering Division of the Department of Transportation the Mobility and Infrastructure Division and Authorizing the Planning Division to lead the preparation of the Near West Area Plan and Adopting a Public Participation Plan.
  • 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, September 23, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include construction management in Districts 1, 3, 14, 16, and 18.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures: The President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures meeting will take place on Friday, September 25, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an introductory presentation to the workgroup.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

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 (PIMs)

• Public Meeting Open House - Odana Hills Golf Course, Thursday, September 24 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (held virtually and in-person): The Parks Division is hosting an open house style public information meeting at the existing clubhouse to share preliminary building and site concepts and seek feedback from residents and neighbors on aspects of the improvements. The meeting will begin with a brief presentation that provides an overview of various project components, followed by break-out sessions in an open house format to allow more detailed discussion regarding specific components of interest to attendees. The event will be held at Odana Hills Clubhouse (4635 Odana Road)
• Public Meeting - Euclid Avenue and Birch Avenue reconstruction, (virtual) Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Registration prior is required. Details on the project design, construction schedule, residential impacts, and special assessments will be discussed. The presentation will be posted on this website for anyone unable to attend. The purpose of this project is to reconstruct Euclid Avenue and Birch Ave from Toepfer Avenue to Glenway Street. Proposed work includes replacement of the road pavement and base, replacement of the sanitary sewer main and laterals, replacement of the storm sewer and private storm connections, replacement of the water main and services, installation of new curb and gutter, and replacement of sidewalk and drive aprons as needed. Additional information and updates are available on the city project website.
• Madison Public Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, Madison Public Library will host a series of events highlighting the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrating Hispanic and Latino American culture. Throughout the rest of the year, upcoming events in Spanish or about Latinx culture and resources in Spanish will also appear here.

Events

• District 11 Book Club: Author Talk with Christof Spieler “Transportation and the Shape of Cities" Wednesday, Sept 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Sequoya Library:  Drawing from his new book, Christof Spieler will discuss how transportation shapes cities, with a focus on Madison's evolving transportation network. The book examines the five major nodes of U.S. transportation, from walking and bicycling to automobiles, trains, and transit, and explores how they influence urban design and community development. The District 11 Book Club is a free community discussion group, hosted by Madison District 11 Alder Bill Tishler, that explores the intersection of urban planning, city growth, transportation, environmental stewardship, and public policy. All are welcome to attend, and prior reading of the book is not required.
• FREE Fall Fun at Aldo Leopold Park with Ballet Folklorico Mexico and more, September 23 and 30 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.: Join the City's Leopold Arbor Hills Neighborhood Resource Team at Aldo Leopold Park for Ballet Folklorico (Mexico's traditional Aztec and Mexican dance), social dance lessons, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, mountain biking, and a light dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
• Volunteer Workday | Seed Collection, Thursday, September 24: Join Madison Parks at Prairie Ridge Conservation Park for a large-scale seed collection event. Volunteers will help support the City's ecological restoration efforts by collecting seeds from native plants in a single, focused session. 
• Fall Concert, Thursday, September 24: Free Fall Concert at Olin Park Pavilion hosted by Friends of Olin-Turville (FOOT). Ladies Must Swing (LMS), A Big Band In Tune. An all-female jazz band that will have you reliving memories and dancing in your chair.
• Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Ribbon Cutting, Friday, September 25: Celebrate the opening day of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park(external) with a ribbon cutting ceremony from 3:00 - 4:00pm.
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, September 26: 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, September 26: 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.
• Volunteer Workday | Planting, Saturday, September 26: Help improve Madison Parks by assisting with a general planting workday at Junction Ridge Park. Volunteers will help install native plants, flowers, shrubs, or other vegetation depending on the project. 
• Movie in the Park | The Fifth Element, Saturday, September 26: Join Downtown Madison's Business Improvement District (BID) and Madison Parks for a free movie in Peace Park! 

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

Announcements and News Releases

• Brush Collection Nearing the End: Check to see if you have a brush set out date remaining before you set out branches and sticks for pickup.
• Aberg Avenue Closure for Railroad Crossing Replacement: Starting at 8:00am on Monday September 28, the City of Madison and The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad Company will be replacing the railroad crossing on Aberg Avenue between Loftsgordon Avenue and Everett Street.  During this… [posted September 18, 2026]
• Enjoy the Vibrancy of Downtown Madison with Your Downtown Alders: The Common Council invites you to an evening of networking with the alders representing Madison's downtown districts. Join us for the third annual Downtown Alders Meet & Greet on Tuesday, September 29, from 6 PM to 8 PM. This special event is… [posted September 15, 2026]
• mk zariel named City of Madison's 2026-27 Youth Poet Laureate: The Madison Arts Commission has named mk zariel (pronouns: it/its) as Madison's fifth Youth Poet Laureate. [posted September 14, 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.