Week of June 16, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

Summer is in full swing, and so is community engagement across District 7. Thank you to everyone who attended last week’s budget sessions, reached out about neighborhood issues, or stopped by local events. Your voice matters and together, we’re making meaningful progress.

Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening and what’s on the horizon:

Highlights from This Past Week

Productive Conversations on Public Health and Partnerships
On Tuesday, I met with Matt Phair, Director of Local Government Relations at UW Health. Our conversation focused on how to improve access to care, address health disparities, and ensure that healthcare remains a vital part of our broader community infrastructure. I appreciated Matt’s openness and look forward to continued collaboration.

Infrastructure and Environmental Resilience at MMSD
I attended both the MMSD Listening Session and Commission Meeting this week, where we reviewed long-term capital plans and heard from resident communities about sustainability, equity, and infrastructure needs. I advocated for going back to basics and primary goal of the district is to better stormwater management in areas experiencing repeat flooding and emphasized the need for green infrastructure investments in underserved neighborhoods.

Looking Ahead

🗓 Monday, June 16 – Budget Engagement: Public Safety
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM | 📍 Sequoya Library
Public safety is a critical piece of our city’s budget and values. Whether you care about emergency response, community-based violence prevention, or restorative justice, I urge you to attend and share your perspective.

🗓 Tuesday, June 17 – Common Council Meeting
🕡 6:30 PM | 📍 City-County Building & Virtual
Agenda Highlights:

• Recognition of Juneteenth / Freedom Day as a city holiday
• Tribute resolution honoring former Alder Joe Clausius
• Key zoning reforms to lot area minimums, lakefront setbacks, and definitions for permitted uses
• Budget-related items focusing on housing, transit, and equity

This meeting will shape policies impacting affordability, infrastructure, and community identity. Public comment is encouraged, your voice helps ensure these changes reflect community needs.

🤝 Wednesday, June 18 – Meeting with Civic Engagement Staff
🕛 12:00 PM | 📍 In-person
I’ll be meeting with Amaris Kaleka, a civic engagement intern with the City Clerk’s Office, to discuss collaboration around outreach in the APIDA community. I’m looking forward to this important conversation about strengthening civic engagement across our diverse communities.

🗓 Wednesday, June 18 – Board of Public Works Meeting
🕓 4:30 PM | 📍 Virtual Meeting (Register or Watch Here)
This meeting includes a public hearing and approvals related to infrastructure projects, sewer upgrades, redevelopment coordination, and contract management. The agenda also features discussions on flagpole replacement at the Madison Municipal Building, support for subdivision developments, and updates on private and public construction contracts.

If you're interested in how city construction, utilities, or development coordination is managed, this is a great meeting to tune in or submit feedback.

🗓 Tuesday, June 18 – Budget Engagement: Transportation
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM | 📍 Pinney Library
This session will focus on transit, pedestrian safety, and bike infrastructure. Your input can shape how we allocate resources for safer, more accessible streets especially in areas like ours where connectivity and safety remain high priorities.

🗓 Tuesday, June 18 – “Stop the Violence. Save the Children.” Community Meal
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM | 📍 Raymond & Whitney Way
Hosted by Meadowood Health Partnership, this gathering is more than a meal it’s a statement of unity. I invite you to join neighbors, community leaders, and advocates in affirming our shared commitment to peace, youth well-being, and community health.

Image credit: Good Shepherd Luthran Church

Ongoing Work

This week, I’m following up on several local concerns brought to my attention:

• Sidewalk and bike path safety: Residents have raised issues related to gravel debris and incomplete repairs, particularly near school routes. I'm working with city staff on timely cleanup and long-term improvements.
• Neighborhood park updates: I'm staying in close contact with Parks staff about the planned ribbon cutting at the new park and shelter. Details are still pending, but I’ll share updates as soon as they’re confirmed.
• Housing priorities: As we shape the 2025 budget, I continue to advocate for housing in high-need areas, including western and southern parts of District 7 and for aligning development with transit and infrastructure readiness.

Your Voice Matters

Thank you again for your continued engagement. Whether it’s at a public meeting, a neighborhood event, or via email. I want to hear from you. Together, we are shaping a more responsive, inclusive, and sustainable Madison.

Warmly,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7

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

Image credit: City of Madison

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of June 16, 2025

Updates and Notices

The City of Madison will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

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, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include changing the zoning of property located at 6610-6706 Old Sauk Road.
  • 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, June 18, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include public works projects in Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 20.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • 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.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• 2026 Budget Engagement Meeting - Public Safety, Monday, June 16: The meetings will feature an update of the 2026 budget process with Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke and presentations from the Madison Fire Department, the Madison Police Department, and Public Health Madison Dane County. The goal of these public meetings is to provide an opportunity for you to speak directly with City staff about your ideas, concerns, and priorities for Madison’s future.
• Chapter 71:  Regulation of Icebound Inland Waters Public Information Meeting, June 17: Dane County will hold a public informational meeting where attendees can provide comments and learn more about the ordinance. The meeting will take place at the Lussier Family Heritage Center on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• 2026 Budget Engagement Meeting – Transportation, Wednesday, June 18: The meetings will feature an update of the 2026 budget process with Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke and presentations from Metro Transit, the Parking Division, and Traffic Engineering. The goal of these public meetings is to provide an opportunity for you to speak directly with City staff about your ideas, concerns, and priorities for Madison’s future.

Announcements and News Releases

• The webpage regarding public comment on Chapter 71, Regulation of Icebound Inland Waters, is now live! A public information session, which will include time for public comment, has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th @ 6:00 pm. Public comments can also be submitted online through July 15th.
• Key Voting Deadlines & Accessible Options for Voting : Absentee voting for the June 17 Special Election is coming to a close. Voters should be aware of some key deadlines: [posted June 13, 2025]
• 2025 Vision Zero Safe Streets and Speed Management Projects: Since 2020, Vision Zero Madison has implemented safety improvement projects and speed management projects every year to further safe travel on City streets. These projects focus on Proven Safety Countermeasures like high visibility… [posted June 13, 2025]
• Summer Fun for Kids, Sewer Explorers Event Friday: Does your little one love big trucks? Come be a Sewer Explorer and learn all about the City’s underground infrastructure directly from City Engineering Employees 1-2 p.m., June 13, 2025, at Hawthorne Library (mural alley), 2707 E Washington Ave.… [posted June 12, 2025]
• Help Keep Madison Safe – And Have Fun Doing It! School may be out for summer, but the City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division is already looking ahead—and we need your help. We are now hiring school crossing guards for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, and there’s never been a better time to…[posted June 12, 2025]
• Goodman Pool Opens at 12pm Thursday, First 500 Kids Admitted Free: The Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Pool opens for the 2025 season on Thursday, June 12! Thanks to the generosity of Goodman's Jewelers, the first 500 kids receive free admission starting at 12pm! Honoring Irwin and Robert Goodman, John and Catherine… [posted June 12, 2025]
• Mayor and Alders Introduce Steps to Create More Housing in Madison : These efforts are designed make it easier to build a range of smaller types of homes by expanding policies already in place in parts of the city and allowing property owners more flexibility. [posted June 11, 2025]
• New art installation added at UW-Madison Arboretum: The City of Madison Arts Commission is proud to announce the installation of Preserve, a temporary environmental art installation, which is now on display at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. [posted June 10, 2025]
• Open House Set for Park & Open Space Plan Review: Parks and open spaces are essential to community health, wellness, and vitality. The Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) guides policies, planning, and resource allocations that support decision-makers, staff, and residents. It informs park development…[posted June 10, 2025]
• Electronic Poll Books To Be Used During Special Election: Madison voters at the June 17th special election for District 1 Dane County Board of Supervisors will use electronic poll books instead of signing a paper poll book. [posted June 10, 2025]
• Street Closure — West Washington Avenue: Starting Friday, June 13th at 7:30pm, Krupp General Contractors will close West Washington Avenue, between the Proudfit/Regent/West Washington intersection to the Vilas/South Park/West Washington intersection, to deconstruct the existing… [posted June 9, 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

• Monday Mornings at The Glen, Monday, June 16, 2025 (this event occurs on multiple dates): Enjoy The Glen for a stroll, nature, workout or leashed dog walk from sunrise to 8:00 am. This is your time to enjoy a peaceful, quiet morning at The Glen Golf Park before golfing gets underway for the day. Tee times resume at hole #1 at 8:00am. Visitors should be alert for golf balls and golfers while exiting the course. There is no registration and no programmed activity.
• Mobile Madison at Brittingham Park | Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Monday, June 16: Join Mobile Madison partners for an evening of fun. Enjoy free snacks, books, art activities, fishing games, fitness and more. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for the movie in the park!
• Parks Alive at Allied Park, Monday, June 16: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share fun, family-friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, free food, music and the occasional movie will be free. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer. June 16 Theme - Self-Care & Wellness
• Lakeside Kids: Japanese Taiko Group - Beni Daiko, Tuesday, June 17: Join us for another exciting summer season of Lakeside Kids! – a free, interactive series featuring science, culture, arts and entertainment. Designed for kids ages 4+, this event provides hands on fun and learning in an engaging and dynamic setting.
• Mobile Madison at Warner Park | Moana 2, Tuesday, June 17: Join Mobile Madison partners for an evening of fun. Enjoy free snacks, books, art activities, fishing games, fitness and more. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for the movie in the park!
• Parks Alive at Aldo Leopold Park, Tuesday, June 17: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share fun, family-friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer. June 17 Theme - Self-Care & Wellness
• Mobile Madison at Elver Park | Dog Man, Wednesday, June 18: Join Mobile Madison partners for an evening of fun. Enjoy free snacks, books, art activities, fishing games, fitness and more. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for the movie in the park!
• Parks Alive at Warner Park (Trailsway), Wednesday, June 18, 2025: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share fun, family-friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer. June 18 - Self-Care & Wellness.
• Make Music Madison (Multiple Locations), Saturday, June 21: Make Music Madison(link is external) is a free, citywide day of music every June 21. Make Music Madison is a part of Make Music Day(link is external), a celebration that occurs in 1,000+ cities across the globe. Madison began participating in 2013 and now boasts one of the largest events in the country. Parks, porches, restaurants, shops, worship spaces and more fill with music for all to enjoy!
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, June 21: Edible Plants. Join Naturalist Sean Gere for a free fun family friendly educational guided walk along Starkweather Creek to look for and learn about native plants and ways that humans and wildlife have used them.  Please note that no foraging is permitted in Conservation Parks.  Limited personal foraging is permitted in non-Conservation parks but please only take a small sample to taste because birds, bugs and other wildlife need wild foods to raise their young and survive.

• Movie at The Glen | Moana 2, Sunday, June 22: Enjoy a warm-weather evening of fun at Movie at The Glen. Starting at 4 PM, join us for classic yard games and a hands-on boating demonstration and tutorial led by the experts at Brittingham Boats—a great chance to learn something new and get moving outdoors. As the evening winds down, grab your blankets and lawn chairs for a magical outdoor screening of Moana 2(link is external). Free, family-friendly, and full of feel-good vibes—don’t miss this memorable night at The Glen!

   

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