The Madison Common Council unanimously appropriated $15 million for the North-South Bus Rapid Transit project on July 21, the largest single spending decision among a busy two weeks of city meetings. The same session confirmed Matthew W. Tucker as Building Inspection Division Director and approved a zoning change for 1201 Huxley Street to TR-U2.
\nThe Council also referred $173.83 million in General Obligation Promissory Notes parameters to committee and approved the Regent Street Assessment District for 2027. On July 27, the Finance Committee recommended the full Council issue up to $173,830,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, along with a mid-year appropriation resolution to amend the 2026 operating and capital budgets.
\nThe Finance Committee also recommended the Council confirm three department directors: David Schmiedicke (Finance Director), Christine Knapp (Water Utility General Manager), and Charles J. Romines (Director of Public Works). Additional recommendations included the sale of up to $10,369,862 in Subordinate Water Utility Revenue Bonds, loans up to $5,691,636.97 for Monona Shores and Revival Ridge Apartments, and acceptance of a $250,000 WEDC grant and up to $1,505,000 in Dane County Conservation Fund grant.
\nThe Plan Commission approved a demolition permit and conditional uses for a new public school building at 4301 Cherokee Drive, both by 7-1 votes. The commission also approved conditional uses for a 124-unit mixed-use building at 108 N Leon Street and for Exhibition Hall additions at the Alliant Energy Center. A request for a new Sennett Middle School building at 502 Pflaum Road was referred to August 10, 2026.
\nThe TIF Review Board approved project plan amendments for five existing Tax Incremental Districts: TID 44 (Royster Clark), TID 46 (Research Park), TID 50 (State and Lake), TID 51 (South Madison), and TID 54 (Pennsylvania Ave). The board also approved project plans, boundaries, and use of the half-mile rule for two new districts: TID 56 (Grand Canyon) and TID 57 (Medical Circle).
\nThe Board approved a $46,937.29 change order for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park and referred COR-59 to its next meeting. The board recommended Council accept sanitary sewer improvements at 2110 Schlimgen Avenue, storm sewer improvements at 1004-1032 S. Park Street, and pavement at Village at Autumn Lake Phase 13. It also recommended plans and bid authorization for Cypress Spray Park Redevelopment and contracts for the Municipal Building flagpole replacement and 2026 Sport Courts Resurfacing.
\nThe Commission approved demolition permits for four commercial buildings after finding no known historic value: 1800 University Avenue, 6201 Mineral Point Rd, 6203 Mineral Point Rd, and 6209 Mineral Point Rd. It also approved a development adjacent to Grace Episcopal Church at 16 N Carroll Street and adopted a new Historic Resource Nomination Form with amended language.
\nAcross three sessions, the Board of Review sustained assessments for seven properties and amended three. On July 22, it amended 2314 Brentwood Pkwy to $674,000 and 2406 Brentwood Pkwy to $566,300 (both 3-0). On July 29, it amended 12 Sherman Ter #1 to $165,800 (3-0). A July 21 session to hear objections on four parcels with assessments ranging from $6,258,900 to $44,219,600 had minutes not yet published.
\nThe Monona Terrace Booking Event Assistance Advisory Committee approved $230,350 in facility rental funding across seven events, including $82,500 for the American Society of Animal Science and $43,500 for the Church of the Brethren 2029 Annual Conference. The Common Council Executive Committee approved the 2027 Common Council Office budget request. The Housing Policy Committee approved June minutes and received a presentation on minimum housing and property maintenance services.
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