Week of May 12th & Budget Engagement Sessions

Dear Neighbors, 

I have heard from many people across our district that they are looking for more opportunities to engage with the city during the budget process and learn more about how, where, and why the city spends tax dollars.

This June, the city is hosting five budget engagement sessions across the city. The goal of these public meetings is to provide residents the opportunity to speak with city staff and share your ideas and concerns for Madison’s future.

Each session is focused on a different category of the budget, but they will all share important information about city finances and spending. Additionally, attendees will be given the latest budget information from Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke.

June 4th – Public Works 
- Central Library
- 6:00-8:00pm

June 11th – Administration & Public Facilities
- Warner Park
- 6:00-8:00pm

June 16th – Public Safety 
- Sequoya Library
- 6:00-8:00pm

June 18th – Transportation 
- Pinney Library
- 6:00-8:00pm

June 24th – Community & Economic Development 
- The Urban League Hub
- 6:00-8:00pm

I hope that you will join us for one (or more!) of these events and get involved with the city’s budgeting process. There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding funding from the federal government. We will try our best to answer your questions, but like you, we are waiting to learn more about what the future holds. If you would like an update on potential federal funding changes and the impact of recent Executive Orders, I encourage you to watch the March 3rd Finance Committee meeting.

In addition to these meetings, I wanted to share some other opportunities to engage with the budget later this year in September, October and November. These events offer a perfect opportunity to get involved and learn more about city finances. 

I hope to see you at one of our budget discussions soon! As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch.

Sean

--
Sean O’Brien (he/him)
Alder, District 16

P.S. Be sure to follow our official District 16 Facebook page if you haven’t already!

BRT Public Meetings:

Madison is currently working to establish the North/South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, and there is still time for residents to engage. Metro is hosting several public information meetings this week on the future of BRT. If you are a Metro rider (or just a fan of public transportation), I would encourage you to attend and share your thoughts! You can find more information below. If you are not able to attend but would like more information, you can watch the April 23rd Transportation Commission meeting where Metro staff gave a presentation on the North/South BRT line and the status of federal funding.

• Metro Transit North/South BRT Public Information Meeting (In-Person), Tuesday, May 13: Come learn more about a proposed second Bus Rapid Transit route proposed to run north to south through the community. South Park St. will also be reconstructed in conjunction with North-South BRT.
• Metro Transit North/South BRT Public Information Meeting (In-Person), Thursday, May 15: Come learn more about a proposed second Bus Rapid Transit route proposed to run north to south through the 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.

• Transportation Commission: The transportation commission meeting will take place on Wednesday May 14, at 5:00 p.m. in a virtual format.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing the submission of an application for a $150,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to fund a portion of the City's cost of site assessment and demolition at 1810 S Park St, 1901 S Park St, 814 North Ave, and 826 North Ave.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 13.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

The city is currently in the process of selecting the next Chief of the Madison Police Department. As required by Wisconsin State Statute, this process is completed and fulfilled by the city’s Police and Fire Commission. At their upcoming meeting on Wednesday, May 14th, the commission will provide an update on the hiring process.

• Police and Fire Commission: The Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a discussion of the Police Chief hiring process.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online

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

• New “Colorful Characters” Mural Honors Legacies of South Madison Leaders: The City of Madison is pleased to announce the completion and installation of a new public art piece by renowned artist Michael Ford at the Village on Park. [posted May 9, 2025]
• South Bedford Street Closure at North Shore Drive: As part of the North Shore Drive Path project, S Bedford Street will be closing at North Shore Drive starting Monday, May 12th to construct the raised crossing for the path across S Bedford Street. [posted May 8, 2025]
• Madison Public Libraries Closed for Staff In-Service Day on May 15; Other Upcoming Hours Changes : MADISON, WI -- There are multiple closures and hours changes taking place during the month of May at Madison Public Library. Please see below for details... [posted May 8, 2025]
• Section of North Randall Avenue Closes Monday, May 12: Starting Monday, May 12, North Randall Avenue will be fully closed to traffic, between Campus Drive and West Dayton Street, for a UW chilled water underground utility replacement project.  The closure is scheduled to remain in place until late…[posted May 7, 2025]
• Westbound Campus Drive Off-Ramp Closure at Highland Avenue: Starting Monday, May 12, the westbound Campus Drive off-ramp to Highland Avenue will close as part of the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD’s) sewer pipe replacement project.  The right travel lane of westbound Campus Drive will…[posted May 6, 2025]
• Help Shape the Future of Biking, Walking and Rolling in Dane County: The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is inviting Dane County residents to complete a short survey that will help guide the region’s active transportation future. [posted May 6, 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

• Garlic Mustard Pull - Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, Mendota Unit, Tuesday, May 13: Help protect native wildflowers and restore woodland health by volunteering for a garlic mustard pull.  This hands-on conservation effort focuses on removing garlic mustard, an aggressive invasive plant. Volunteers will work off-trail alongside expert volunteers from Friends of Cherokee Marsh, contributing to meaningful habitat restoration.
• FOOT - Free Concerts in Olin Pavilion, Wednesday, May 14 (this event occurs on multiple dates): FREE concerts return to the Olin Park pavilion on Wednesdays in May from 6 to 8 PM. Ramblin' Kind - a western swing band on Wednesday, May 14.
• Conservation Park Tour, Wednesday, May 14: Conservation Park Tours are educational staff-guided walks held at various conservation parks on the 2nd Wednesday, May - October. Topics vary and include highlights of the past, present and future of the land.
• Madison Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 16: Bike to Work Day celebrates riding to work, to the grocery store, to a park, to the library—or biking just to have fun. Biking to work is a fun, inexpensive, sustainable mode of transportation; and you get your exercise in!
• Walk for Dyslexia, Saturday, May 17: Families and community members can gather in beautiful spring weather to make strides against dyslexia or participate with a virtual option.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, May 17: Explore the Creek. Join Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free fun family friendly canoe outing along Starkweather Creek!  Some canoes will be provided, bring your own canoe or kayak and vest and paddles if you have them.
• Community Science: Monarch Monitor Training, Saturday, May 17: Join us for a two-hour training session on Saturday, May 17 from 10am to 12pm to become a community science monitor for the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project!
• Picnic in the Park, Saturday, May 17: Celebrate for a cause with the Madison Parks Foundation. This highly anticipated event helps sustain and enhance our local parks and green spaces by improving accessibility…
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, May 18: Nature Journaling.  Join Naturalist Steve Mansorge for a free guided walk to enjoy the natural areas at Warner Park.  Bring pen and paper.  Pretend you are an explorer making a journal about what you see to send back home!  We will take time to stop along the way to contemplate things.  Write down a few notes about what you see, how you feel, and the beauty around you.
• Movie at The Glen | Raiders of the Lost Ark, Sunday, May 18: Join us for a fun-filled evening at The Glen Golf Park featuring Raiders of the Lost Ark(link is external). The excitement kicks off at 4:00pm with yard games and free 3-hole golf for kids—perfect for some pre-movie fun. Then settle in as the movie begins at 5:00pm. It’s a night of adventure, games, and great food the whole family will enjoy!

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