Week of October 5, 2026

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Hello neighbors,

I'm glad to be back in Madison and back in the district! While I was in India, I continued participating in City meetings remotely and working with City staff on District 7 issues. I'm looking forward to being back out in the community and connecting with residents in person.

Here are a few updates and items to keep on your radar this week.

🏀 Country Grove Park Basketball Court Update

I'm happy to share that the Country Grove Park basketball court is being brought back with a new backboard and rims. Thank you to everyone who brought this issue to my attention and to Parks staff for working through the warranty replacement.

I'll continue to share updates as work progresses.

🍂 Fall Leaf, Yard Waste & Brush Collection

Fall collection season is here. The City's 2026 fall leaf and yard waste collection has begun, with the first set-out date for some neighborhoods on October 4. Please check the City's collection schedule for your specific neighborhood.

There is also an important change this year regarding small brush piles. As a 2026 trial, small brush piles will be collected alongside fall leaves and yard waste, but brush should be kept separate from leaves and yard waste. Your set-out date for brush will be the same as your neighborhood's fall leaf and yard waste collection date.

Large stacks, logs, and thicker limbs will be collected later using a truck-mounted crane.

👮 MPD Body-Worn Camera Workgroup

I continue to serve on the Common Council's MPD Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures Workgroup.

The workgroup is continuing its review of MPD policies and procedures, with particular attention to body-worn cameras, de-escalation and use-of-force practices. One of our immediate priorities is developing recommendations around the body-worn camera policy, with the goal of bringing legislation forward in the coming months.

I'll continue to keep District 7 residents informed as this work progresses.

🏛️ City Meetings This Week

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.

  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 5, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing the Planning Division to lead the preparation of the Near West Area Plan and the North Area Plan, as well as development-related requests in Districts 6, 9, and 16.
  • Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include a presentation on the compensation study.
  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 7, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include construction management in Districts 1, 9, 13, and 15. 

  • Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District — Thursday, October 8 at 8:00 AM

    I will also be attending the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Commission meeting on Thursday. As an MMSD Commissioner, I continue to stay engaged on issues related to wastewater treatment, water quality, regional infrastructure, and the long-term health of our waterways.

    • Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 a.m.
    • Location: Maintenance Facility Training Room, 1610 Moorland Rd, Madison
    • Hybrid attendance options are available for the public.
    • Agenda materials and meeting details are available through the MMSD Commission meetings webpage:
      MMSD Commission Meeting Agenda & Information(external)

  • President's Workgroup on MPD Policies — Friday, October 9 at 5:00 PM

    I am honored to be one of the four alders serving on the Council President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures.

    The Workgroup was established by Council President Sabrina Madison's Presidential Order. It will study and make recommendations regarding Madison Police Department policies and procedures related to the use of deadly force, de-escalation, and body-worn cameras, resulting in a final report and recommendations for legislation.

    The Workgroup is also tasked with educating the Common Council on the current state of MPD policies and procedures, providing a forum for community feedback, and introducing legislation to implement its recommendations in March 2027.

    I am grateful to Council President Sabrina Madison for establishing this important workgroup, and I want to thank the other alders who will serve alongside me. This is an important responsibility, and I look forward to listening, learning, engaging with our community, and working collaboratively as we take on this work.

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

🌳 Odana Hills Golf Course & Park

There will be a virtual public information meeting on Wednesday, October 7, where Parks staff will provide an update on the redesign of the Odana Hills Golf Course and Odana Hills East Park Master Plan.

Public input is an important part of how our parks and public spaces evolve, so I encourage residents who are interested in this project to learn more and participate.

🛢️ New Madison Motor Oil Drop-Off Site

Madison residents now have another option for disposing of used motor oil and oil filters. A new City-hosted drop-off site is open at 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway, making this the City's third site for used motor oil and filters.

🌆 Other City News

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

There are also several community events happening around Madison this week, including:

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

📬 Stay Connected

As always, please reach out if you have questions, concerns, or ideas for District 7. Your emails and conversations help me understand what is happening in our neighborhoods and where City attention is needed.

I'll continue working with City staff and my colleagues on the issues residents bring forward, and I'll keep sharing updates here each week.

Thank you for staying engaged and helping make District 7 a great place to live.

In solidarity,

Badri Lankella
Alder — District 7

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