City-County Building
Common Council

Earth Day, Safe Streets, and other updates

posted 

Hello all,

I'm happy to be writing my first blog post as your new alder. I'm excited to serve you all, and I look forward to working together. Three specific highlights are the Earth Day cleanup in James Madison park, the Safe Streets item at Transportation Commission on Wednesday, and the start of public meetings for the North-South BRT line.

Celebrate Earth Day in Your Local Park:

Celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors and friends by volunteering to clean up your local park! Join this community-wide volunteer event on Saturday, April 26. James Madison Park is one of the participating parks and I will be helping clean up. I hope to see you there!

Transportation Commission:

The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 23, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. One of the items that is requesting funding is a project for green bike paint on the 400 block of West Gilman to close a gap in the bike network.

Metro Transit Public Meetings Scheduled for a North/South Bus Rapid Transit Line:

Rapid Route B: A new north-south route will be the next phase of bus rapid transit in Madison. This new phase will bring BRT upgrades to Route B. Public Meetings Scheduled: A number of public meetings have been scheduled to learn more about the proposed… [posted April 17, 2025]

Common Council New Business

What are the Common Council New Business Summaries?

The Common Council New Business Summaries help readers identify items they are interested in as they make their way through City Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs) and back to the Common Council for a decision. This document provides a short description of each item that was introduced at the most recent Common Council meeting in the “Introduction of New Business for Referral Without Debate” section of the agenda, as well as any items introduced from the floor at the most recent Common Council meeting.

If any of these items are of particular interest to you and you wish to register either in support or opposition to the item, you can do so at the registration page. Further instructions for registering on an item can be found at the bottom of the page.

There were no new items of interest specific to District 2, but there are a few items of general interest.

General Items of Interest

87838 – This proposed ordinance would create a penalty for any individual that directs any disorderly conduct behavior at a city transit operator. This proposed ordinance will go to the following Boards, Committees, and Commissions on the following dates:

  • Transportation Commission (4/23/25)
  • Common Council (5/6/25)

87777 – This proposed resolution would authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the service contract between the City of Madison and RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. to add the 2025 scope of work and funding for the MadiSUN solar programs for residential, business, nonprofit and affordable housing solar installations. This proposed resolution will go to the following Boards, Committees, and Commissions on the following dates:

  • Finance Committee (4/28/25)
  • Common Council (5/6/25)

87768 – This proposed resolution would provide the Urban Community Arts Network a $15,000 grant for a MadLit program on the 100 Block of State Street in District 4. This proposed resolution will go to the following Boards, Committees, and Commissions on the following dates:

  • Finance Committee (4/28/25)
  • Common Council (5/6/25)

87831 – This proposed resolution would approve the 2025 Neighborhood Grant Program recommendations, authorize their execution, and authorize the acceptance of any grant-funded improvements for City-owned lands. This proposed resolution will go to the following Boards, Committees, and Commissions on the following dates:

  • Finance Committee (4/28/25)
  • Common Council (5/6/25)

Public Information Meeting (PIMs)

  • Public Input Meeting - Hoyt Park, Tuesday, April 22: The City of Madison Parks Division invites neighbors and community members to attend a virtual public input meeting and learn about the upcoming improvements to Hoyt Park.  Parks staff will make a short presentation and there will be time for attendees to ask questions and submit comments. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and registration is required. Register online.

Announcements and News Releases

  • Community Invitation to Upcoming Virtual Listening Session: The Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) will be having another virtual community listening session on Friday, 18 April 2025, at 5pm. The Independent Monitor will be available to answer questions and receive feedback from the community. Members… [posted April 15, 2025]

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

  • Public Health Offices Closed beginning at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 22: Our offices will be closed for an all-staff meeting.
  • MSCR & Madison Parks Hiring Fair, Thursday, April 24: Madison Parks and MSCR are hiring seasonal staff in aquatics, golf, maintenance, conservation and more! Attend the Hiring Fair at Parks Lakeside Offices and apply and interview onsite! Make this a summer to remember! 
  • Styling it Wright: Garbage to Glam Design Night, Friday, April 25: We’ll provide the recycled materials—you bring the vision. With just two hours, your team will design and fabricate a high-fashion creation from the trash pile. Then, it’s time to strut your stuff on the catwalk, showcasing your upcycled masterpiece for a chance to win prizes for the most innovative design.
  • Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, April 26: We're on a mission to make The Glen a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone – and we need your help!  Volunteering at The Glen offers you a unique opportunity to contribute to your community, learn new skills, grow personally and professionally, and connect with like-minded individuals.
  • Earth Day Challenge, Saturday, April 26: Celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors and friends by volunteering to clean up your local park! Join this community-wide volunteer effort to help make a difference. Accept the Earth Day Challenge with Madison Parks! 
  • Bird & Nature Festival 2025, Sunday, April 27: The 2025 Bird & Nature Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day.  See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays throughout the day.  Plan 30-45 minutes for your visit anytime between 12 and 4 pm, during this ongoing event.
  • "The Wright Look" Fashion Show, Sunday, April 27: With over 60 original, student-created designs modeled on the runway, The Wright Look is a fully immersive experience featuring live music and an innovative approach to architectural storytelling through fashion. Free and Open to the Public. Reserve Your Spot Today!

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

Categories:
Tags:
Was this page helpful to you?

District 2 - Alder Ochowicz

Alder Will Ochowicz

Alder Will Ochowicz

District 2
Contact Alder Ochowicz

Categories