Week of December 8, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

As we move deeper into December, Madison is already experiencing the kind of winter that demands preparation, patience, and community awareness. Thank you to everyone who followed last week’s winter storm alerts, supported neighbors, and stayed engaged with city updates. This week brings continued attention to winter readiness, important City meetings, and several family-friendly community events.

Winter Weather & Extreme Cold

The best way to stay safe during extreme winter weather is to be prepared and stay indoors when possible. Please review guidance on how to prepare for winter storms, including tips to prevent frostbite, protect pets, and ensure your home is properly winterized.

Additionally, a friendly reminder from the City:
Protect your home and business from frozen or burst pipes this season. Simple steps such as insulating exposed pipes, keeping heat at safe levels, and allowing faucets to drip can prevent costly repairs.

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, December 9, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include amending the Zoning Code to create a housing type called “Cottage Courts.”
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Park Commissioners: The Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include updates on the Southeast and the Southwest Area Plans.
  • 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.

Announcements and News Releases

• Make Sure Your Home is Winter Ready!: A reminder for home and business owners to make sure your water pipes are protected from freezing or bursting this winter. [posted December 3, 2025]
• Madison Completes the Second Year of the Building Energy Savings Program:  City staff are proud to announce that 85% of required commercial buildings are in compliance with the program. [posted December 1, 2025]
• Metro Transit December Service Updates: Starting Sunday, December 7, Metro will implement several route, schedule, and stop adjustments, including the closure of the South Transfer Point. [posted December 1, 2025]
• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award Winner is Eve Galanter : The award was created by the Common Council to honor Madison residents who exemplify Erlanger’s model of fairness, openness, and civility in public discourse. [posted December 1, 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

• Girls' Mentorship Group, Tuesday, December 9 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Join Keena Atkinson of R'oujie Wellness on Tuesday evenings at Warner Park Community Recreation Center! This free series is designed for females aged 11 to 18. Pre-registration is requested but not required.
• City of Madison Economic Development Strategy Public Workshop, Thursday, December 11: The City of Madison, in partnership with EQT By Design and 4th Economy, is holding a public workshop to engage community members in shaping the city's economic development plan.
• Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, December 12: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo!
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, December 13: Story Walk ~ Families with kids will enjoy this special storybook walk!   Naturalists Beth Whitaker and Noelle Chambers will take you on a fun nature walk with stops along the way to do readings from popular children's book "Bird Count" by author Susan Edwards Richmond.  Learn how kids can participate in a Bird Count such as the upcoming Madison Christmas Bird Count to help count birds for science.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, December 14: Winter Magic ~ Join Naturalist Andria Blattner with Friends of Olin Turville on a guided walk to discover the magic of winter at Turville Point and learn about the plants and animals that call it home. We will follow the winding trails past old oaks to the hilltop restored prairie and majestic pines where Great Horned Owls nest in winter as snow falls around them.
• Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Saturday, November 15, through Monday, January 5, 2026: Lighted holiday-themed displays set in beautiful Olin Park. Drive through from dusk until 10:00pm to enjoy this magical light show for free, brought to you by The Electric Group.

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

As always, thank you for your engagement, advocacy, and continued partnership. Winter can be challenging, but Madison’s strength comes from our shared commitment to one another.

Please reach out with questions, concerns, or ideas, your voice matters.

Stay warm and stay safe,
Badri Lankella
Alder - District 7