Monday Morning Round Up 9/21/26

All the newsletters, announcements and other items that aren’t quite a full blog post.

Wisconsin Stormwater Awareness Week Sept. 19-27, 2026 

Wisconsin Stormwater Awareness Week is Sept. 19-27, 2026!

Join us for the fourth annual Wisconsin Stormwater Week! WI Stormwater Week is a collaborative effort of organizations throughout the state that work to raise awareness about the sources of stormwater pollution. WI Governor Tony Evers signed a proclamation establishing September 19 – 27, as the 2026 WI Stormwater Week. WI Stormwater Week is the SAME week as National Stormwater Awareness Week, and this year in addition to sharing educational resources with the statewide effort, we will be providing additional content from our stormwater experts in the City of Madison Engineering Division! 

You can expect the following from Engineering on our social media and blogs:

  • Blog Panel on stormwater Topics each day
  • Social media videos about specific stormwater projects and programs

Sign up for the blogs from the experts.

Visit our Engineering Instagram page.

stormwater week

Statewide, expect live online chats about specific topics:

The week-long effort includes free educational webinars for WI residents and homeowners. These webinars provide backyard stormwater pollution prevention practices and regional resources for residents to get involved.

  • Tuesday, Sept. 22 (6 – 7 PM) – Whose Pond is it Anyway?
stormwater week
  • Wednesday, Sept. 23 (6 – 6:45 PM) – Only Rain Down the Drain!
stormwater week
  • Thursday, Sept. 24 (6 – 7 PM) – Infiltration: We’re Not Talking Coffee!
stormwater week

Register for a webinar by visiting the WI Stormwater Webinar website.

WI Stormwater Week is the same week as National Stormwater Awareness Week! National Stormwater Week has free educational webinars throughout the week posted on the National Stormwater Week Website.

Wisconsin Stormwater Week for Monona, WI

Some might argue that the lakes and rivers of Dane County are the regions greatest assets.  There is no doubt that they are important to the region’s well being in so many ways, but it begs the question – Do we care enough to make a difference in the health of our waterways?

On that note, it is important to understand the impacts that humans have on the landscape and how those impacts are tied to stormwater runoff.  Thing is, these impacts don’t have to be harmful.  We have the ability to make permanent, positive changes to the way we design, build, and manage our landscape.  However, to do this, requires an understanding of your watershed, the water cycle within it, and how your actions can cause both harm and healing.  Positive change cannot happen without inspiration, effort, money, and time.  Because of this we encourage you to get involved, learn, and be inspired.  No better week to start, than Wisconsin Stormwater Week!

Wisconsin kicks off its stormwater week on September 19th in Dane County with an Upper Yahara River Clean-up Event.  The event will be hosted by Dane County Land and Water Resources Department on Saturday starting at 10 am at Veteran’s Memorial Park in DeForest.  The event is hosted by the Friends of the Yahara River Headwaters and will include refreshments.  Several events will follow in the next week.  To learn more click on the attached link.

During Stormwater Week, Dane County Land and Water Resources will also be hosting several free webinars as well as a rain barrel sale.  Information can be found on the Dane County Ripple Effects website linked to this article.

Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change is also holding a free tree registration and a Salt Smart Design webinar related to smart site/landscaping design ideas to help reduce use of salt for ice/snow maintenance.  More information can be found here – https://mailchi.mp/countyofdane/slc-newsletter-17451403?e=d30cc399d5.

If you would like to more deeply connect to the areas lakes and rivers you could go back to the roots of it all, 12,000 years ago!  Learn more about the regions physical history and how the Ho Chunk Nation became the first stewards of the areas water bodies.  Try to imagine the resources these lakes and streams provided them.  The importance of these waters was not only based on the sustenance they provided, but their spiritual nature and the awe of the Madison area as an unmarked landscape.  What was once a pristine habitat turned into modern human’s recreational playgrounds.

Visit – https://www.olin-turville.org/history/native-american-history-of-this-area.  Hopefully, this provides inspiration to make an effort in reviving these waters to a condition similar to their ancient history.

Greater Madison Music Convening, Ballet Folklorico Mexico at Leopold Park, Downtown Plan, and More!

Greater Madison Music

Image credit: Planning Division

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Greater Madison Regional Music Community Convening on September 15. It was inspiring to bring together artists, musicians, venues, educators, promoters, organizations, advocates, and music supporters from across the region to share ideas, experiences, challenges, and opportunities for the future of music in Greater Madison.

The conversation highlighted the value of bringing together people and ideas from across genres and communities, exploring new ways to connect musicians with audiences, creating more accessible and welcoming live music experiences, and strengthening opportunities for sustainable careers in music. Participants also recognized the depth and diversity of talent in Madison while identifying ways to build stronger connections and create greater access across the music community.

FREE Fall Fun at Aldo Leopold Park with Ballet Folklorico Mexico and more!

Ballet Folklorico Mexico

Image credit: Ballet Folklorico Mexico

The City’s Leopold Arbor Hills Neighborhood Resource Team is hosting its FREE Fall Fun Series:

Join us at the Park for:

  • Ballet Folklorico Mexico traditional Aztec and Mexican dance at 6:00 p.m.
  • Lessons in social dance, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, and mountain biking 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
  • Light dinner 6:30 p.m.

Envision Downtown Madison: Downtown Plan Meeting October 1, 2026

Join us Thursday October 1st for Envision Downtown Madison’s third public open house.  Learn about potential public and private sector initiatives and ideas that could advance Big Moves and keep downtown Madison a thriving place, as well as the draft land use framework to guide future developments.

The hybrid open house will be held at the Madison Municipal Building, Room 215, starting at 5:00 pm, with a presentation at 5:30 pm.  The presentation and question and answer period of the meeting will be accessible via Zoom.

Materials from past meeting and public feedback summaries are available on the Downtown Area Plan webpage. Spanish translation will be provided. Translation for other languages available by request.

Questions or comments?  Reach out to  downtownplan@cityofmadison.com or go to the Downtown Area Plan webpage.

Details

October 1st.  5:00 p.m.  Presentation at 5:30 p.m.
In-person: Madison Municipal Building, 201 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Room 215
Online:  Zoom

Teejop Art: First Nations Cultural Landscape Tours of the Teejop Community Art Project 

Join UW–Madison’s First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour guides for conversation and kid-friendly activities exploring the 14,000+ year history of Ho-Chunk people in Teejop (Four Lakes), as part of the Teejop Community Art Project.

No registration required, just drop by any time.

  • Tenney Park – Sat, Sept 26 (10am–2pm)
  • Capitol Hill –  Sat, Oct 3 (10am–2pm) · rain date Sun, Oct 4 (10am–2pm)
  • All Locations (Indigenous Peoples’ Day) – Sun, Oct 11 (10am–4pm)
  • UW Madison Arboretum – Sat, Oct 17 (10am–2pm) · rain date Sun, Oct 18 (10am–2pm)
  • Olbrich & Hudson Parks – Sat, Oct 24 (10am–4pm) · rain date Sun, Oct 25 (10am–2pm)

More information, events, and resources at http://teejop.org

mk zariel named City of Madison’s 2026-27 Youth Poet Laureate

The Madison Arts Commission has named mk zariel (pronouns: it/its) as Madison’s fifth Youth Poet Laureate.  zariel is a nonbinary butch theater artist. It previously served as the City’s Vice Youth Poet Laureate and is a published author of three chapbooks. It also contributes to literary and advisory columns and makes appearances on various podcasts.

Update Your Neighborhood Contact Information

The Planning Division hosts an interactive map and profiles of neighborhood organizations that are recognized by the City on its website. Please make sure your organization’s information is accurate if you need to make any updates, please do so here.  Thank you!

Streets Division Updates

Recycling Truck

Image credit: Streets Division

  • Brush Collection Nearing the End: Check to see if you have a brush set out date remaining before you set out branches and sticks for pickup. Get your set out dates at www.cityofmadison.com/BrushCollection.
  • Drop-off Sites: You can take brush to drop-off sites. There’s a lot of stuff you can take there, too. Electronics. Batteries. Cooking oil.  More information is available at www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites.
  • Conquer Your Leaves: Did you get a mailing from the Engineering Division recently? Inside, you will find this flyer about why it’s important to manage your leaves and the many ways you can conquer the leaves that are falling.
  • Leaf Pickup Starts Soon: Get the rules and set out dates for leaf pickup at www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste.
  • Food Scraps: The farmers’ market season is also rapidly coming to a close, so if you have been meaning to stop out at one of these four locations, please do so soon.  Food scraps drop-off will be available at other locations after the market season is done as well. More information can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/FoodScraps.

PROJECT UPDATES

Parman Terrace

Location: 713 Parman Terrace
Estimated Schedule: To be determined

September 18, 2026 Update

The project is going to the Common Council public hearing on Sept. 22, 2026. After feedback from the public information meeting on June 30, 2026, questionnaire results, Transportation Commission meeting on July 15, 2026, and Board of Public Works meeting on Sept. 9, 2026. The project will seek approval of Plans, Specifications, and Assessments.

Members of the public are encouraged to watch, register support/opposition, speak (3 minutes), and/or submit written comments. You can send an email to allalders@cityofmadison.com to voice your opinion for the project.

To register for the upcoming meeting enter the website https://www.cityofmadison.com/council. If you register to speak, make sure the name you display in Zoom matches the name you registered under so staff know who to unmute when it’s your turn. CC meetings start 6:30 pm and you can join at any time.

View project information

Manitou Way Storm Box Replacement Phase 2

Location: 3802 Manitou Way
Estimated Schedule: July 20, 2026 – September 30, 2026

September 18, 2026 Update

A section of the UW Arboretum wall has been inventoried, removed, and will be carefully stored offsite in advance of storm sewer work. The project contractor plans to schedule the installation of the storm sewer box to be completed in one day. They will start work to excavate and remove sections of existing box a few days before the installation day. A crane will be placed in Manitou Way to remove and place sections of box directly from delivery trucks into place. The dates of the sewer installation has not been determined but it is anticipated to start between September 21st and 30th.

View project information

South Point Public Works Facility

Location: 402 South Point Road
Estimated Schedule: November 1, 2024 – July 28, 2028

September 17, 2026 Update

Addendum #5 was posted today on Bid Express, project “9782 – South Point Public Works Facility”.  A reminder that bids for South Point Public Works Facility are due next Thursday, September 24thth at 2:00 p.m.  Bidders are reminded to acknowledge all addendums with their bid documents.

View project information

MADISON PARKS

Intro to Bumble Bee Photography & Identification

Bumblebees are active well into the fall and this is a great time of year to observe them and the fall-blooming plants. Join the Friends of Owen Conservation Park as they walk the park’s paths and search for bumblebees, learn a little about how to identify and photograph them on Monday, September 21. See Bumble Bees to learn more!

Community Feedback Invited

Odana Hills Clubhouse, Park and Transportation Improvements Design 

Construction of privately funded improvements on the Odana Hills Golf Course is expected to start in October 2026. The City of Madison is moving forward with plans to leverage the generous private gift to replace the existing clubhouse and parking lot and make much-needed bike and stormwater improvements that will serve the community far beyond golf for generations to come. There is opportunity for community feedback as design plans for City-led projects are now moving forward.

A Public Information Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6:30-8:30pm at the existing Odana Hills clubhouse located at 4635 Odana Road, Madison, WI  53711. The meeting will begin with a brief presentation that provides an overview of the various project components, followed by breakout sessions in an open-house style format to allow more detailed discussion regarding specific components of interest to attendees. No registration is required.

See Odana Hills Golf Course & Park Improvements for more information.

Imagination Center at Reindahl Park

Join us for a ribbon cutting, remarks and movie in the park on Friday, September 25 at the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park! The fun continues with a day filled with fun at the Grand Opening of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park on Saturday, September 26. See ICRP Ribbon Cutting for more info.

Volunteer Opportunities

Check out upcoming events organized by Parks staff and the Friend of groups.

  • Owen Conservation Park – multiple dates – Sept. 23, 26 and 30
  • Prairie Ridge Conservation – Thursday, Sept. 24
  • The Glen – Saturday, Sept. 26
  • Junction Ridge – Saturday, Sept. 26

Check out Volunteering for more info and to register online.

Hayrides & Hikes

Join us on Saturday, October 17 to tour Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park – North Unit aboard a tractor-pulled haywagon, enjoy nature activities, take a self-guided hike, participate in the scavenger hunt or do it all! Plus enjoy free cider, a campfire, and marshmallows to roast on the fire. This event is made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of Cherokee Marsh.

New This Year! We have two new haywagons – one wagon offers an ADA accessible ramp, and one wagon provides stairs to enter/exit the wagon. Haywagon rides are $3/per person ages 3 and older and exact change is greatly appreciated. See Hayrides at Special Events to learn more.

Reserve a Haywagon

We offer reservable haywagon rides for your small group (up to 30 people) through the Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Olin Park. See Reserve for more information and to reserve.

Bird & Nature Adventures

Discover nature by foot, paddle or pedal with a free, family-friendly, 90-minute Bird & Nature Adventure! These events are led by nature enthusiasts and held rain or shine, in parks year-round throughout the city. See Adventures for more information and upcoming September events.

Play Disc Golf for Free

Did you know you can check out a disc golf kit for free with a valid Madison Public Library card? This program, in partnership with MPL and Dane County Parks began in 2023 and offers MPL cardholders a chance to try out the sport for free – the kit includes discs and permit valid for 7 days.

We also offer free-to-use, year-round disc golf baskets in the following parks:

  • Heritage Heights
  • High Point
  • Lake Edge
  • Rennebohm
  • Westhaven Trails
  • Wexford

Temporary Disc Golf Course Closures

Due to permitted special events disc golf courses are closed on the following dates and times:

  • Saturday, Sept. 26 (8:00am to 6:00pm) – Elver
  • Saturday, Oct. 24 (7:00am to 10:00pm) – Hiestand

See Disc Golf for course and permit info.

Learn to Nordic Walk

Free, fun and great exercise for all ages! Turn your walk into a full-body workout with Nordic walking!  We’ve partnered with Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki) for a free class. Participants of all ages are welcome and will explore the park and learn how to use walking poles for a cardio and strength-building workout.

  • Elver Park – Tuesday, November 17

See Learning Series for more info and register to attend. The Learning Series is free to all, thanks to the Madison Parks Foundation.

Expanding Madison’s Playing Fields

Madison Parks is exploring a public-private partnership to assist in addressing Madison’s athletic facility needs. Madison residents looking for athletic field space know how difficult it can be to find multipurpose fields. For decades, the park system has lacked sufficient athletic field spaces, especially capable of supporting tournament play.

Within Madison, Northeast Park, with its 238 acres near Interstate 90 and State Highway 151, offers convenient regional access. About 186 acres of the park are undeveloped or farmland, leaving potential for a future sports complex.

Check out Expanding Madison’s Playing Fields, which includes links to the online portals for the Request for Information through Friday, November 6.

Updates

  • WPCRC’s Fitness Center Temporary Closure – To complete the final phase of the partition addition, the Fitness Center will be closed until further notice. See WPCRC Fitness for more info.
  • Outdoor Shelter Fireplaces Closed – due to recent inspections, all outdoor shelter fireplaces are closed until further notice. See Fireplaces to learn more.
  • 2025 Madison Parks Annual Report – although many of Madison’s park visitors go uncounted, our annual reports offer a meaningful snapshot of the impact these spaces have on our community. Check out Madison Parks 2025 Annual Report.

MY MONONA NEWS

CENTURY AVENUE & BRANCH STREET CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 9.16.26

Local Budget Processes – Opportunity to share your thoughts!

Hi HSC Partners-

We have entered the season of local budget processes. Both Dane County and the City of Madison have websites highlighting the budget process. The websites provide a wealth of information.

This is the time to share your thoughts!

Dane County is currently holding Public Hearings regarding their budget. Subscribers to this group are typically interested in the Department of Human Services budget. That hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 16th (tonight) at 5:30 PM. The meeting will be held in-person at the City County Building in Room 201 or you may attend virtually through Zoom. To speak at the meeting, the public must register in advance. Information on how to register is found on the agenda.

The City has two budget processes. One is for the Capital Budget and the other is for the Operating Budget. The Capital budget is currently being heard at Finance Committee with the next meeting scheduled for September 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM. The Operating Budget is expected to be released on October 6, 2026. Finance Committee hearings for the Operating Budget are scheduled for October 12, 13, and 26, 2026.

The public can also reach out to their City Alder or County Board Supervisor via email to share thoughts on the budget. You can find your reps online:

Find my Alder

Supervisor Directory

The HSC’s Education and Advocacy Committee encourages everyone to have their voices heard!

If you would like to join the Education and Advocacy Committee, meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of them month at 11AM virtually. Please send an email to hsc@cityofmadison.com to request a calendar invite.

HSC Education & Advocacy Committee

DANE COUNTY REGIONAL HOUSING NEWS

Regional Housing News olivia@countyofdane.ccsend.com

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Wed, Sep 16, 9:46 AM (5 days ago)

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Regional Housing News

September 2026

Facebook  Instagram  Web  Email

You’re Invited!

Please Join Us! Registration Required

Affordable Single-family Housing Workshop!

Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

6:00-8:00 pm, doors open at 5:30 pm

Alliant Energy Center

Seating is limited! Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Affordable Single-Family Housing Workshop

One of the most frustrating and problematic housing issues for Dane County’s local leaders, employers and residents is the lack of affordable single-family housing. Local home prices have gone up 50% since the pandemic!

The Affordable Housing Coalition, a group of Dane County’s affordable single family builders, in partnership with Dane County Planning and the Regional Housing Strategy is pleased to be hosting a new workshop for municipalities, local leaders, employers and residents interested in increasing the supply of affordable single-family homes and rebuilding the broken ladder into homeownership.

This two-hour workshop will provide interested workshop participants a more detailed understanding of the obstacles to building affordable housing; the steps in the process of building; and, the actions needed to increase production of affordable single-family homes in Dane County.

Rebuilding the pathway into homeownership also takes dedicated partnerships, and requires a variety of different ways to collaborate, which will also be discussed.

Workshop Format

An opening presentation will provide background on the current housing market and some key obstacles to set participants up for small group table discussions with each of the affordable home builders. Each participant group will have up to 25 minutes with four different builders.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is for elected officials, local gov’t staff, local leaders, employers, banks and residents.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED – CLICK THIS LINK TO REGISTER

What Will I Learn?

You will hear about current market conditions for single-family housing and first time homebuyers. What is an affordable single-family home? What do they look like? How are they different than market rate homes? How much do they cost? Who can live in them? Where can they be built? Examples of specific land use policies and partnerships to help make them a reality will also be shared.

Builder Round Tables

Six different single-family home builders will share their stories. You will learn who they are, their background and about their organization; examples of their existing homes – both new and acquisition rehabilitation in Dane County; steps to building new affordable homes; important zoning, planning and land use policies that allow for them; and, specific examples of the way municipalities can partner with them to bring affordable homes to their communities.

Builders You Will Meet

Mason Cavell, Director, Madison Area Community Land Trust

Todd Mandel, Director, Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development

Kaba Bah, CEO, Kaba Bah Builders

Tom Clippert, Developer, Habitat for Humanity

Devon Lee, President, Boundless Tiny Homes

Aziz Housseini, President, DAHA Sein Builders

Registration is required and seating is limited to 70 participants. It’s important for workshop participants to have dedicated time with each of the builders to learn about them, their homes, and to ask questions.

We are using Zoom ONLY to register people for this meeting. The meeting is in person only at Alliant Energy Center and will not be hybrid. For questions about the this workshop, please send an email to parry.olivia@danecounty.gov.

CLICK THIS LINK TO REGISTER

Tuesday, October 20th

6:00-8:00 pm, doors open at 5:30 pm

Alliant Energy Center

Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Please share this invitation widely!

Own It is hiring our first Executive Director.

Six years ago, Own It started with a question: What could we, from within the real estate and financial industries, actually do to disrupt racial inequities in homeownership and help build generational wealth in Black and brown communities? Then, the community jumped in.

A lot has happened since then.

What started as an idea became an education program, down payment grants, community partnerships, a nonprofit, and most importantly, significant impact for new homeowners. Today, 34 families have purchased homes through Own It, with more writing offers as we speak.

None of this happens without community. Many of you receiving this email have donated, volunteered, become Ambassadors, opened doors, shared your expertise, made introductions, challenged us, or simply believed this work was possible. Thank you.

And now, we’re ready for an important next step.

We’re looking for a steady, strategic leader who believes deeply in our mission and is excited about taking what we’ve built and helping Own It grow into its enormous potential.

This is also an intentional leadership transition. Co-Founder and Interim Executive Director, Sara Alvarado, has been working with Co-Founder Tiffany Malone and the Board since spring to prepare Own It for this next chapter and will remain actively involved throughout the transition to support the organization and our incoming Executive Director.

Applications are open through October 9, 2026. The full posting includes everything you need to know about the role, qualifications, compensation, and how to apply.

 

Please help us find the right person by sharing the position with people in your networks via email, FacebookInstagram, or LinkedIn.

Thank you for helping us get here. We’re excited about what’s ahead.

What is the Dane County

Regional Housing Strategy (RHS)?

From September 2022 to August 2023, a Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) consisting of 80 local leaders, elected officials, employers housing professionals, 17 municipalities and interested residents joined together in a strategic planning process. This unprecedented regional effort created the Dane County Regional Housing Strategy (RHS), A Road Map to Solving Dane County’s Housing Crisis.

As part of this process, the HAC assessed current efforts underway to address housing issues, reviewed analysis of housing needs and current trends, and identified their Vision & Core Values, Top Priorities and Strategies to address the housing crisis.

The RHS sets an ambitious but achievable vision for housing in Dane County and a Strategic Action Plan for the next five years (2024-2028). The RHS officially kicked off in June 2024 and recognizes that housing is a regional issue, one community can’t solve alone, or in isolation. Only together, and with dedicated effort from our public and private sector partners across the county, we can be more effective and successful in addressing the housing crisis in our region!

Share the RHS News and invite your friends to sign up here!
Questions? Send an email to regionalhousing@danecounty.gov for questions or more info on the Dane County Regional Housing Strategy.

 

HOMELESS SERVICES CONSORTIUM SEEKING NOMINATIONS

Seeking Nominations for HSC Board & Membership Positions!

Hello HSC Members!

Have you ever wanted to be on a Board of Directors?  It could be a great leadership opportunity, a resume builder, and a way to have an impact on service delivery in our community.  Board participation is also an opportunity to learn more about effective advocacy within our local homeless services system.

The HSC Nominating and Governance Committee is now accepting nominations for both the HSC Board of Directors and the HSC Membership Chair and Vice Chair positions.  The deadline for nominations is Monday, October 5th.

Please consider running for a Board seat or taking on a leadership position with our Membership body.  If you are not interested yourself, please give some thought as to who might be a good candidate, and nominate them if they are willing.  We are looking for individuals who are passionate about ending homelessness in Dane County, and who would bring diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to our HSC Board and Membership.

See below for more details.  Please reach out to Torrie at  tkoppmueller@cityofmadison.com if you have any questions.

HSC 2026 Board of Directors and Membership Chair and Vice Chair
Nomination and Election Information

The HSC Nominating and Governance Committee is seeking nominations for the following roles to be elected by the HSC Membership in October 2026 for terms beginning in January 2027:

  • Lived Experience Seat (1 opening, 3-year term)*
  • Homeless Service Agency Seat (1 opening, 3-year term)
  • At-Large Seat (3 openings, 3-year term)
  • Membership Chair (1 opening, 1-year term)
  • Membership Vice Chair (1 opening, 1-year term; does not sit on Board of Directors)

*Note that HSC members with lived experience of homelessness are not limited to elected or appointed Lived Experience Seats, and are highly encouraged to consider running for any of the above open seats for which they are eligible.

Please see the attached Board of Directors  position description,  code of conduct, and  conflict of interest policy for additional information on Board responsibilities.  Information about eligibility for each position is at the end of this email.  Please also see the attached HSC Chair & Vice Chair position description.

Nomination Process

You may self-nominate or nominate someone else you think could contribute in one of these roles.  Nominations (no more than two paragraphs) must include:

  • Name of the nominee
  • Agency or entity the nominee is affiliated with, if any
  • Seat/role for which the person is being nominated:
    *Note: If the nominee is eligible and would be willing to fill more than one open seat (e.g., lived experience or membership chair), include all seats they would consider.

    • Lived Experience Seat
    • Homeless Service Agency Seat
    • At-Large Seat
    • Membership Chair
    • Membership Vice Chair
  • Two forms of contact information for the nominee
  • If known, why the nominee wants to serve in this position
  • Summary of nominee’s relevant background and experience

    Nomination and Election Timeline

  • Email nominations to hsc@cityofmadison.com.  The deadline for submitting nominations is 4:00pm on Monday, October 5th.
  • Candidates will be sent a few questions to answer in writing.  Contact hsc@cityofmadison.com if you need the questions in a different format.  Answers will be due Friday, October 9th at noon.
  • The Committee will announce the slate of candidates and distribute written responses from candidates on Tuesday, October 13th via the HSC listserv.
  • Nominees are invited and highly encouraged to attend the HSC annual membership meeting on Tuesday, October 20th from 1:00-2:30pm to introduce themselves and speak for up to 2 minutes about why they make a good candidate.
  • Voting will take place via electronic ballot sent to all eligible voters following the Tuesday, October 20th HSC membership meeting, and continuing through Friday, October 23rd.  Results will be announced after voting has closed.
  • Newly elected positions will have onboarding and training opportunities during November and December before their terms begin in January 2027.

Position Eligibility

In an effort to have diverse perspectives represented in HSC leadership, eligibility for each position varies.

Homeless Service Agency Seat

Individuals elected to Homeless Service Agency Seats must represent an agency that receives CoC, EHH, or City ESG funds at the time of the election.  For the upcoming election, these agencies are:

  • Briarpatch Youth Services
  • Catalyst for Change
  • City of Madison
  • Dane County, WI
  • Focus Counseling
  • Housing Initiatives, Inc.
  • Institute for Community Alliances
  • Legal Action of Wisconsin
  • Madison Street Medicine
  • OutReach, Inc.
  • Porchlight, Inc.
  • Tenant Resource Center
  • Tellurian
  • The Salvation Army of Dane County
  • The Road Home Dane County
  • Urban Triage
  • YWCA Madison

    At-Large Seat

    Individuals elected to At-Large Seats must not represent or work for an agency that receives CoC, EHH, or City ESG funds at the time of the election.  Please refer to the above list of agencies.

    Anyone meeting eligibility is encouraged to be nominated. People representing the following are highly encouraged to apply: elected public officials, business community, law enforcement, recovery housing/sober living provider, behavioral or primary health provider, workforce development organization and local court system managing Assisted Outpatient Treatment, civil commitment or other specialty courts.

    Rolling Nominations

    If you are not able to run for a leadership position during this election cycle, but think you may be interested later on, please consider filling out our  interest form.  We will reach out at a later date to gauge your interest and availability for future election cycles and mid-year vacancies.

    Sincerely,

HSC Nominating and Governance Committee

MADISON FIRE DEPARTMENT

National Preparedness Month: Neighborhood Preparedness

Have you ever borrowed a tool from a neighbor? Or shared garden produce with them?

That connection is called social capital, and research has found those same connections are one of the most important factors in strengthening community resilience and disaster recovery.

Preparing for emergencies with your neighbors benefits everyone. Learn more about the research behind social capital (video).

Where to Start

Say hi and exchange phone numbers if you haven’t. In case of emergency, ask if your neighbors have members of the household that may need extra help, pets that need rescuing, or kids that might be home alone that you can check on.

Map Your Neighborhood

If you already know your neighbors, host a get-together and do a deeper dive. The Map Your Neighborhood tools from Washington State Emergency Management is a great way to get started.

The Map Your Neighborhood program guides you and your neighbors through simple steps to help enhance your preparedness during an emergency. Through effective planning with your neighbors, you will be better prepared to take actions that can minimize damage and protect lives during disasters.

This tool is designed to improve readiness at the neighborhood level and teaches you how to rely on each other from the time of disaster until responders arrive to assist. This type of shared reliance within neighborhoods is especially important during significant disasters where there is a high demand for resources; emergency response to your neighborhood may be delayed for hours.

Ask your neighborhood organization, tenants’ association, or landlord to promote these efforts. Click to find your neighborhood organization and get started.

Prepare with your neighbors and be stronger together!

Why Neighborly Connections Matter

It turns out knowing your neighbors is correlated with higher survival, evacuation, and mental health recovery rates after a disaster. Researcher Daniel Aldrich shares examples of resilience through social connection from actual recovery efforts across the globe:

Studying recoveries after disasters showed a clear protective factor | Daniel Aldrich | TEDxBoston

 

This content is free for use with credit to the City of Madison Fire Department.

View full blog post

Envision Downtown Madison Open House #3 – October 1st

Join us Thursday October 1st for Envision Downtown Madison’s third public open house.  Learn about potential public and private sector initiatives and ideas that could advance Big Moves and keep downtown Madison a thriving place, as well as the draft land use framework to guide future developments.

The hybrid open house will be held at the Madison Municipal Building, Room 215, starting at 5:00 pm, with a presentation at 5:30 pm.  The presentation and question and answer period of the meeting will be accessible via Zoom.

Materials from past meeting and public feedback summaries are available on the Downtown Area Plan webpage.

Spanish translation will be provided. Translation for other languages available by request.

Questions or comments?  Reach out to  downtownplan@cityofmadison.com or go to the Downtown Area Plan webpage.

Details

October 1st.  5:00 pm.  Presentation at 5:30.
In-person:  Madison Municipal Building Room 215
Online:   Zoom

Civil Legal Clinic September 24 at Neighborhood House

Hello,

Neighborhood House is scheduling appointments for a Free Civil Legal Clinic on Thursday September 24, 2026 from 4 – 6:30 pm.  To request an appointment, fill out this online form:  legal appointment request or give us a call on (608) 255-5337 to request an appointment. Please email info@neighborhoodhousemadison.org with questions.

Thank you,

Neighborhood House Community Center staff

PARKS VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER

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City of Madison

Let’s Collect Seeds – Prairie Ridge Conservation Park!

Join us at Prairie Ridge Conservation Park, 2869 Interlaken Pass, Madison, WI 53719 for a large-scale native seed collection event.

Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Volunteers will collect seeds from designated native plants to support future ecological restoration projects throughout Madison Parks. Staff will provide guidance on plant identification, collection methods, and safe handling. No previous experience is required.

Please wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing and bring water and gloves if available. Park along Interlaken Pass and meet at Prairie Ridge Conservation Park, not the adjacent Raymond Ridge Park.

For more information, email John at: parksvolunteer@cityofmadison.com

Volunteer Registration

Help Bring Hayrides & Hikes to Life

Help make Hayrides & Hikes a fun fall afternoon for visitors at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North Unit, 6908 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, WI 53714.

Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Volunteers will help serve cider and marshmallows, lead children’s nature activities, or guide visitors on hikes through the conservation park. This is a great opportunity for friendly volunteers who enjoy being outdoors and welcoming families.

No experience is required, and instructions will be provided. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.

Hayrides & Hikes Info and Volunteer Registration

Shout Out! – JP Cullen Young Professionals

Earlier this month JP Cullen’s Young Professionals Group gathered nearly 80 volunteers to Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park – North Unit!

In just over two hours, this hardworking crew removed burdock, cleared invasive plants, dismantled old observation structures and tackled plenty of other projects throughout the park. They accomplished an incredible amount of work and left behind a very satisfying pile of invasives.

Thank you, JP Cullen, for bringing the people power, positive energy and willingness to get your hands dirty. Cherokee Marsh is better because of your tremendous effort!

Water Main Flushing plans beginning Monday September 21st (all flushing is daytime unless otherwise noted)

MAP:  https://www.cityofmadison.com/water/documents/water-quality/FlushingSchedule.pdf

East (Area 11) – South of Milwaukee St. Between Dempsey St. and Fair Oaks Ave.

West (Area 27) – North of Regent St. and west of Breese Ter.

West (Area 28) – Between Mineral Point Rd. and Valley View Dr.

———————————————————————-

Questions: Shayne Santi, 261-9128

Flushing Information Line: 261-9178

DETAILS:

Area 11 (East): 4-6 runs per day

11004.2           Cottage Grove Rd- Royster Oaks Dr

11004.3           Pinny St- Silas St

11005  Anchor Dr

11005.2           Steines and Bergen to Anchor Dr

11006  Rockwell – Dempsey to Bergen

11007  Lori Circle

11008  Dennett Dr – Hargrove St (Dempsey to Walter)

11009  Hargrove St (Walter to W end)

11010  Tulane Av – Ring St (Dempsey to S end)

11010.2           Tulane (Hargrove to Ring St)

11011  Tulane Av – Ring St (Hargrove to S end)

11012  Anchor Dr – Gunderson St (Dempsey to Tulane)

11013  Margaret St (Dempsey to Gunderson)

11014  Anchor – Ontario – Rockwell (Dempsey to Dempsey)

11015  Coral Ct

11030.5           Dawes – Harding St to Leon

11031  Farrell St – Harding St (Richard to Milwaukee)

11032  Lansing St (Richard to Milwaukee)

11401  Dempsy Rd south of Cottage Grove Rd and Pinchot Ave

11402  Gary St

11403  Clair St – Pinchot – Elinor St

11405  Drexel Ave – Lake Edge Blvd to Bowman Ave

11407  Maher Ave – Lake Edge Blvd to Morningside Ave

11408  Bowman Ave

11409  E Lakeview Ave – Morningside Ave to Major Ave

11410  Morningside Ave – Bowman Ave to Rahel St

11411  Camden Rd – Morningside Ave to Allis Ave

11412  Maher Ave – Morningside to Allis Ave

11413  Major Ave – Maher to Morningside

11414  Turner Ave – Major to Allis

11415

11416  Buckeye Rd – Spaanm to Stoughton Rd

11417  Buckeye Rd – Camden Rd to

11418

11419  Major Ave and Blossom Ln

11419.2

11420  Stoughton Rd north of Major Ave

Area 27 (West): 3-5 runs per day

27099.11         Lathrop St – University Ave to Kendall Ave

27100.1           Hoyt St (Breese Ter – Lathrop St)

27100.2           Hoyt St – N Spooner St

27101  Summit Av (Lathrop St – Van Hise Av)

27103.1           Kendall Av (Lathrop St – Prospect Av)

27103.2           Kendall Av – n Prospect Av – Arlington Pl

27104  Kendall Av (Prospect Av – Forest St)

27105  Princeton Av (N Prospect Av – University Av)

27106  Chadbourne Av (N Breese Ter – N Roby Rd)

27106.2           Chadbourne Av (N Roby Rd – N Prospect Ave)

27107  Van Hise Ave (Lathrop St-N. Propect Ave)

27108  N Roby Rd (Chadbourne Av – N Prospect Av)

27109  Ely Pl – N Prospect Av

Area 228 (West): 4-6 runs per day

26529.32         White Sky Pass and Turning Oak Ln.

26529.33         Honey Harvest Ln.

26529.34         Lone Oak Ln. south of Watts Rd.

26529.4           Seven Winds Trl

26529.5           Clear Rise Blvd

26529.6           Little Dove Trl.

26529.7           Gentle Feather Rd.

26529.8           Turning Pebble St.

26530  Harvest Moon – Quiet Pond – Gilded Cider

26531  Watts Rd west of South Point Rd

26532  Gingergrass Way

26533  Sweet Autumn Dr

26535  Gilded Cider Blvd and Quiet Pond Dr

26536  Crimson Leaf Ln

26536.1           Garden Lilly Way

26537  Sunny Spring Dr

26538  Sugar Maple Ln – Sunny Spring Dr to Valley View Rd

26538.2           Sugar Maple Dr west of Sunny Spring Dr

26539  Tawny Acorn Dr

26539.1           Winter Basil Dr

26539.2           Tawny Acorn Dr

26539.3           Cherry Bark Rd

26539.4           Summer Willow Ln

26540  Sweet Willow Pass and Lady Bug Ln

26540.1           Sugar Maple Ln west of Sunny Spring Dr

26540.2           Blue Crane Run north of Sweet Willow

26540.3           Blue Crane Run – Sweet Willow to Valley View Rd

26541  Old Timber Pass

26541.2           Blue Crane Run

26542  Hazy Sky Pkwy east

26543

26544  Quiet Leaf Dr west of Old Timber

26545  Quiet Leaf Dr east of Old Timber

26546  Sleepy Pine Rdg

26547  Birch Blossom Rd

26547.2           Twin Treasure Dr

26548  Barn Swallow Cir

28115  Junction Rd (Old Sauk to Harbour Town)

28116  Old Sauk – Junction Rd connector

28117  Junction Rd (Harbour Town to Isaac)

28118  Elderberry Rd

28119  Harbour Town Dr

28120  Cherry Hill – Inverness  – Bay Hill (Harbour Town to Blackwolf)

28121  Bay Hill Dr (Cherry Hill to Blackwolf)

28122  Blackwolf Dr (Junction to Augusta)

28123  Augusta Dr (Blackwolf to Elderberry)

28124  Castle Pines Dr – Oakmont Dr

28125  Attic Angel Cir (E half)

28126  Attic Angel Cir (W half)

28127  Attic Angel – Samuel connector (E half)

28128  Connector – Samuel Dr (Attic Angel to Blackwolf)

28129  Samuel Dr (Old Sauk to Blackwolf)

28130  Blackwolf (Augusta to Shawn)


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