Meeting and Events Highlights - Week of January 26, 2026

I felt "A Dream Renewed" during the Martin Luther King Celebrations last week...beginning Saturday with the Women in Focus "I Have A Dream Ball.....  "A Celebration of Dr. King's Life & Legacy" - Capital, Rotunda. 

"If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl, but by all means keep moving."  The weekend celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King was a challenge for all of us to rededicate ourselves to continue to move forward! What an inspiring weekend. Each event of the week was designed to elevate, challenge and inspire us to continue the work...the theme, "The Power of Unity". Hats off: The Women in Focus "I Have A Dream Scholarship Ball;  Africasong Communications Production "2026 - A Celebration of Dr. King's Life & Legacy", Capital, Rotunda; the members of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition of Madison & Dane County, and their partnerships; MLK Outstanding Young Persons Breakfast, 300 middle and high school youth, excelling in school and community honoring the spirit of Dr. King' ...thank you for an exceptionally planed celebration honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., even in the midst of all the turmoil before us today, "we don't get to quit". Each scheduled event, activity, speaker, awardee was inspiring.  Inspiring was 4th grader Aria Terry, the student reader during the Celebration in the Capital, Rotunda who read MLK's "I Have A Dream Speech" and the recognition of students at the MLK Outstanding Young Persons Breakfast. Reminding us that EDUCATION is the pathway that must be equally available to all.

 "We must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Governor Tony Evers Expressed it best: "During these polarizing times, this year's theme "The Power of Unity, "A Celebration of Dr. King's Life & Legacy" encourages us all to remember that there is far more that unites us than divides us, and through collaboration, partnership, and community, we can bridge the divides that holds our state and nation back and create pathways towards a more equitable state for all. Dr. King's contributions continue to be a source of inspiration and a reminder of the work we must do together". Dr. King would have been 97 years old.  

Inspiring was the MLK Community Choir. I can carry a tune in a bucket, but the Choir is unique in bringing together community members regardless of musical background for the purpose of performing together.  I invite others to join; no audition is required. To join the Choir, community members need to attend two rehearsals. District 20 constituents mark your calendars. Consider joining the 2027 MLK Community Choir. The Tuesday before the celebration. Rehearsals at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher Street. 

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway presented this year's recipients of the City-County Humanitarian Awards honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 2026 honorees were Armaad Jamaal Eubanks (founder of Eubanks Solutions, an educational consulting business impacting over 500 students), Dr. Justice Castaneda (Executive Director of Common Wealth Development, his work revolves around housing, economic development and violence prevention) and Gift Akere (a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, an alumnus of the Maydm Internship Program, a talented musician, using his gift and passion for music to build community bonds). They were selected by the City-County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. They were selected as community members who embodied the values of service, equity and justice that Dr. King championed. 

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of January 26, 2026 

Updates and Notices

Know Your Rights: Resources and information regarding federal immigration enforcement.

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, January 27, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include executing a cost sharing agreement for the construction of the Madison LakeWay Community Causeway Improvements.
  • 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, January 28, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving plans and specifications for the Capital City Path extension.
  • 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)

• Regent Street Reconstruction, Monday, January 26: The City is planning to reconstruct Regent Street (Randall Avenue to S. Park Street). A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Jan. 26, 2026, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Don’t Miss 2026 Wisconsin Salt Week Livestreams, Videos and More: The City of Madison Engineering Division is proud to take part in Wisconsin Salt Week, Jan. 26-30, 2026, and invites the community to join in on the community educational opportunities to learn how to responsibly use salt and minimize salt use. [posted January 23, 2026]
• Statement on Law Forward Case: The City of Madison believes that all forms of voting — including absentee voting — should be encouraged, promoted and protected. That commitment to Madison voters and absentee voters in particular has been longstanding and will continue. [posted January 23, 2026]
• Application period opens for 2026 Arts Grants: The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) invites individual artists and non-profit organizations to apply for its annual grant program. [posted January 23, 2026]
• Crews Cleanup Overflow on South Side, Do Not Flush Rags, Wipes [posted January 22, 2026]
• Mayor, community partners celebrate completion of ‘missing middle’ affordable homeownership project: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Ald. Sean O’Brien, and representatives from the Madison Area Community Land Trust celebrated the completion of new affordable homes in the Owl Creek neighborhood. [posted January 21, 2026]
• Extreme Cold Temperatures On the Way(link is external): As temperatures drop, take steps to stay warm. [posted January 21, 2026]
• Prepare Your Home for Freezing Temperatures: Frigid temperatures are a good reminder for home and business owners to make sure their water pipes are protected from freezing or bursting. [posted January 20, 2026]
• 2026 SEED Grants Cycle Now Open: The City of Madison Food Policy Council is opening the 2026 SEED Grants cycle to address food access issues in our community. [posted January 20, 2026]

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

• Groove & Glide | Olbrich, Friday, January 30: Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the stars and lights with music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Groove & Glide events are free to attend and no registration is needed. 
• Kiddie Basketball Clinic, Saturday, January 24 (This event occurs on multiple dates): This basketball clinic is designed for boys and girls in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Kids will learn the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing and game-play. 
• Skate Cinema | Norm of the North, Saturday, January 31: Join us for an evening of ice skating and a movie at Skate Cinema! Bring a lawn chair and a blanket, and make it an evening to remember. This event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Ice skating is allowed while the movie is playing. Warm up by the fire pit. Bring your own skates or rent a pair from inside the staffed warming pavilion. 
• Door Creek Park Ribbon Cutting & Winter Celebration, Sunday, February 1: Join City leaders, partners, and friends for a ribbon-cutting and winter celebration at Door Creek Park!
• Learn to Cross-Country Ski, Sunday, February 1: Join us for a free cross-country ski workshop at Door Creek Park, hosted by Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki)! This requires advanced registration, is free to attend and part of the Ribbon-Cutting and Winter Celebration.
• Learn to Snowshoe, Sunday, February 1: Join us for a free snowshoeing workshop at Door Creek Park, hosted by Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki)! Advanced registration is greatly appreciated. This is a free event and part of the Ribbon-Cutting and Winter Celebration.

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