May, 2024

SolSmart Platinum Designation

The City of Sun Prairie has earned the SolSmart Platinum Designation by the SolSmart program, establishing it as the second municipality in the nation and first in the Midwest region to earn this recognition. There are four designations, with Platinum being the highest, reserved for applicants demonstrating high-impact solutions to advance solar energy and promote accessible clean energy. This designation acknowledges the City's leadership at the local level in promoting solar energy, with a particular emphasis on ensuring equitable access to solar resources.

The SolSmart program is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office with a mission to reduce solar soft costs and help local governments across the United States expand the use of solar energy in their jurisdictions.

Last December, the City introduced SolarApp+ to simplify permitting for specific solar installations, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and approved statewide by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Since 2007, solar PV installations in the City remained minimal until 2019, when 39 permits were issued—a five-fold increase from the previous year. Subsequent years saw consistently high permit issuance, reaching 53 in 2023, and peaking at 72 in 2020. Average permit processing time has now been reduced to instant approval. In tandem, the City Council amended Title 17 – Zoning within the City's code of ordinances to increase accessibility for the Sun Prairie community. These amendments incorporate and regulate solar energy systems, providing clear definitions and permitting small-scale ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar as accessory uses. Moreover, exemptions for small-scale ground-mounted solar from setback and height restrictions have been established. The regulatory pathway for large-scale solar as a primary property use has been outlined, alongside the mandate for a decommissioning plan for proper removal of large-scale solar installations. These actions signify the City's commitment to expanding solar energy in Sun Prairie

To learn more about the SolSmart program, please visit http://www.solsmart.org/

For more information on Sun Prairie’s solar energy advancements, please visit https://cityofsunprairie.com/SunPrairieSolar

May as Affordable Housing Month

The month of May is recognized as Affordable Housing Month and is a time to observe how integral housing is in the establishment and sustainability of healthy communities. Having access to housing is one of the most basic needs for survival but due to social, economic, and political challenges, many people struggle to obtain and maintain affordable housing.

Throughout the month, the City is partnering with other organizations to offer community members a variety of events aimed at increasing their understanding and involvement in housing. Activities planned during this time are offered in partnership with the Sun Prairie Housing Coalition, Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County, LIFT Wisconsin, YWCA, and Tenant Resource Center.

There is a range of events from a Housing Coalition Social to a presentation on tenant rights regarding evictions. There is sure to be something that can be helpful to everyone!

To see the full list of events, click here.

Common Council Opened Applications to Fill Vacant Common Council Seat

The City of Sun Prairie Common Council solicited applications for appointment to fill a vacancy on the Common Council, representing residents located in the 4th District, Wards 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 in the City of Sun Prairie.

Applicants who qualified for office and submitted their letter of intent will be considered by the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, with potential appointments made at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m.

To learn more about the process, be sure to check out the interview and go to https://www.cityofsunprairie.com/1820/DISTRICT-4-VACANCY

Westmore East Shelter Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The completion of the Wetmore East shelter is just around the corner! Join us in celebrating this milestone as the City of Sun Prairie's Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new shelter. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 23rd at 4 p.m. located at Wetmore Park (555 North Street). Come join the festivities with music and fun at the Splashpad! The East Shelter has undergone significant construction changes aimed at better serving community members who frequently visit Wetmore Park. Don't miss this exciting moment!

Citizens Fire & EMS Academy

The City of Sun Prairie Fire & EMS Departments are thrilled to introduce the inaugural Fire & EMS Citizens Academy! This interactive program is tailored to acquaint the residents and business owners within our service area with our Fire & EMS personnel, equipment, and operational procedures. The Citizens Academy was meticulously crafted with the aim of enhancing public awareness, fostering a safer environment both at home and in the workplace, and facilitating the exchange of valuable information between our departments and participants.

Throughout the program, participants delve into a variety of engaging topics, including:

The rich history and comprehensive overview of the Fire Department
Essential aspects of fire prevention and public education
In-depth exploration of fire apparatus and engine operations
Insights into incident command procedures
Hands-on learning experience with auto extrication techniques
Familiarization with self-contained breathing apparatus
Introduction to emergency medical equipment

Enrollment Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old

Must either:

Reside within the Sun Prairie Fire District
Own a business within the Sun Prairie Fire District
Be employed by the City of Sun Prairie or an affiliated entity (Chamber/Utilities/etc.)

The course has already started but for expressing interest to join the next series, please contact crro@cityofsunprairie.com.

Administration: There is still time to register for No Mow May, Low Mow May, or Some Mow May! Check out the details in our section.

Community Development: Be a part of creating a safer transportation network in Sun Prairie! The City is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries, and we need your input. Take the survey here!

Finance: You can now get your passport photo taken at City Hall!

Historical Library and Museum: The Museum has returned to expanded open hours and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm running April 3, 2024 – November 30, 2024. Our special exhibition for the start of the season features the 133 year history of the Sun Prairie Fire Department with activities and topics for the whole family. You won’t want to miss it!

Parks, Recreation & Forestry: The 2024 Summer Rec Connection is now available and registration is open! To view and/or to register for current programs, visit this site or stop by the office during business hours.

Public Safety: Sun Prairie Fire is Participating in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Light the Night. Thanks to some dedicated individuals in the building maintenance team we were able to light up several facilities in the City of Sun Prairie, red to honor and remember our fallen fire heroes.

Sun Prairie Public Library: Join us for a Bon Voyage Party! Our fish friends are going on vacation until their new home is ready in the expansion! Come bid them farewell! Enjoy goldfish crackers, create fishy thaumatropes, and contribute to an epic underwater mural! Check out our section for more details.

Sun Prairie Utilities: Delving deep into our wells, we meticulously chart the ebb and flow of water, while monitoring chemical levels. Every drop undergoes rigorous testing, meeting the exacting standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Dive into our 2023 Water Quality Report.

Administration

No Mow May

You can still register!

No Mow May is a conservation initiative popularized in recent years that encourages property owners to limit their lawn mowing practices during the month of May. The goal of No Mow May is to provide early-season foraging resources for pollinators that emerge in the spring, especially in urban landscapes where there is often limited resources available. The City of Sun Prairie is excited to offer its residents the opportunity to participate in its 2024 No Mow May program. 

To register, please follow this link: https://form.jotform.com/240645301802042 

To learn more about this initiative and other upcoming Sustainable Sun Prairie happenings, please visit https://cityofsunprairie.com/1796/2024-No-Mow-May 
New This Year!In support of pollinator conservation efforts, the City is offering optional stickers with "SOME" and "LOW" to accompany the No Mow May yard sign, creating "SOME MOW MAY" and "LOW MOW MAY" options. These stickers are available to all participants, and pickup details will be emailed to registrants. Additionally, community scientists participating in the program can obtain a free community scientist sticker for their yard sign, with pickup information also sent via email.
As part of Arbor Day celebrations and to highlight the importance of trees and shrubs for local pollinators, every address registering for the No Mow May program is eligible to receive a free pollinator-friendly tree (white oak) or shrub (hazelnut) seedling from the City, subject to availability. Pickup details for the seedlings will be communicated to registrants via email.
Find more information by visiting: https://cityofsunprairie.com/1796/2024-No-Mow-May

Community Development

Vision Zero Action Plan

Be a part of creating a safer transportation network in Sun Prairie! The City is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries, and we need your input. Take the survey to share your experiences with roadway safety issues and the changes you'd like to see. Your feedback will shape an inclusive and effective plan that reflects Sun Prairie's needs and values. The survey consists of 12 questions and should only take about 5 minutes to complete. It's available in both English and Spanish. Join us in making our community safer for everyone. Take the survey today!

Come on, Sun Prairie! Let’s go party!

The Downtown Business Improvement District is hosting their annual Wine Walk on Thursday, May 2, and this year’s theme is Barbiecore!

Fore more information and tickets, go to https://spwinewalkbarbiecore.eventbrite.com

Standard tickets are $40 and designated driver tickets are $15. Purchase your tickets before we sell out!

Historical Library and Museum

Sun Prairie Historical Library and Museum

The Museum is open to the public Wednesday - Saturday 11:00am - 4:00pm and by appointment for research and special events. To learn more, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/museum.

Staff can be reached by phone at (608) 825-0837 or by email at museum@cityofsunprairie.com.

The Historical Library and Museum is located at 115 East Main St. Sun Prairie with parking behind the building. Admission is always free.

Announcements:

Season Opening 2024

The Museum has returned to expanded open hours and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm running April 3, 2024 – November 30, 2024. Our special exhibition for the start of the season features the 133 year history of the Sun Prairie Fire Department with activities and topics for the whole family. You won’t want to miss it!

Historic Downtown Walking Tours

Enjoy a free guided walking tour of the historically rich Downtown Sun Prairie with a guide from the Museum this summer. Tours run the first Saturdays of May – August at 10:30am from the center of Cannery Square.

Going Public with the Past

Ever wished you could look through the Museum’s collections from the comfort of your own home? Now you can! Visit https://sunprairie.catalogaccess.com/ to explore the collections and check back each month as more records are made available.

Parks, Recreation and Forestry

Parks, Recreation & Forestry staff are in full swing with preparation for summer! Summer office hours will be in effect on starting Tuesday, May 28^th until Friday, August 30^th. The office will be open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

RECREATION

The 2024 Summer Rec Connection is now available and registration is open! To view and/or to register for current programs, visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com or stop by the office during business hours. The Family Aquatic Center will open for the season on Thursday, June 13 and season passes are available now for purchase.

PARKS

The park shelter restrooms are now open and will be available for use until beginning of September. There are select locations within a few parks participating in No Mow May. Increasing mowing height and decreasing the frequency of mowing, especially early in the growing season, provides several benefits to our environment! Sheehan wildflower garden area just south of the western most park shelter was recently burned to help restore and encourage native prairie plants. Keep an eye on the area to see what pops up. Conservation landscaping activities continue at the Westside Community Building. An additional landscape bed will be planted entirely with native plants donated through the Plant Dane Program.

Construction continues at Cardinal Crest Park. The new playground will be open by the time school is out for the year! The Sun Prairie Park Friends will be installing three-disc golf baskets at Wyndham Hills Community Park. The Smith’s Crossing new park shelter and restroom facility construction will be starting at Smith’s Crossing Community Park. If conditions are favorable, construction of a Gaga Pit will commence at West Prairie Village Park by an eagle scout.

FORESTRY

Just like summer, spring can be a stressful time for young trees. They are putting many of their resources into breaking buds and pushing out leaves, while not yet having a large well established root system. Therefore, it is paramount that if we encounter a dry stretch greater than 10 days we provide ample water for our young trees. As a reminder, do not prune oak trees during the growing season to prevent the spread of oak wilt disease. If conditions are favorable throughout spring, treatments for emerald ash borer will begin. Street tree planting begins and will continue into June.

WPRA Discount Tickets

Public Safety

Light the Night 2024

Sun Prairie Fire is Participating in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Light the Night. Thanks to some dedicated individuals in the building maintenance team we were able to light up several facilities in the City of Sun Prairie, red to honor and remember our fallen fire heroes. This is especially important to us here at Sun Prairie Fire as we honor one of our own, Captain Cory Barr.

Pictured is Station 2, facing North Grand Avenue.

Please join us in this tradition and light up the exterior of your home, apartment, or business RED.

Sun Prairie Public Library

Programs for Children and Teens

Bon Voyage Party

Friday, May 17 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM by the aquarium!

The fish will be going on vacation until their new home is ready in the expansion! Come say good-bye to them! Eat goldfish crackers, make a fishy thaumatrope, and help color an epic underwater mural!

Programs for Adults

Credit Scores & Reports

Wednesday, May 15 from 6-8pm, Community Room

In this 60-minute workshop, participants will learn what a credit score is, its importance, and how to read a credit report. You’ll also learn the tools to maintain a healthy credit score and repair bad credit. You’ll receive a workbook to complete exercises throughout the course and take it home as a reference after the course.Please register on our Events calendar at www.sunlib.org. Co-sponsored by Bank of Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie Public Library.

Puzzle Club

Saturday, May 18 from 10am-2pm, Community Room

Drop by and join us on Saturday, May 18th for socializing and puzzle fun! We'll have a variety of puzzles, including jigsaw, crossword and sudoku. Also, participate in our puzzle exchange - bring a puzzle and/or take a puzzle home. This program is free and open to all!

Medicare 101

Tuesday, May 21 from 6-7pm, Conference Room

Confused about Medicare? Insurance agent Jake Zimmermann can help! In this free, educational program, Mr. Zimmerman will discuss the different parts of Medicare (A, B, C and D) and how people can pay for health care after retirement. He will also cover:

Making the most of your rights, options and entitlements
How and when to enroll in Medicare
What Medicare does and doesn't cover
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement insurance

And much more!

To reserve a spot for this program, please register on our Events calendar at www.sunlib.org or call 608-999-1000 to RSVP by phone.

Singer/Songwriter Series: Angela Puerta and Host of Sparrows

Tuesday, May 21 from 7-8pm, Community Room

Host of Sparrows is the singer-songwriter partnership of Zack Wyatt and Lis Shea. The acoustic duo brings tender harmonies to original folk songs evoking love and loss, family and friends, melancholy and joy.

Angela Puerta is a six-time MAMA award winner and Best of Madison 2019 and 2020 Latin Artist bronze and silver star. She is a Colombian singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Angela draws inspiration for work and entertainment paths from her travels including her home country, Colombia; Australia, where she lived for two years; and the United States, the place she now calls home. When she is not planning or performing, Angela is studying music theory and improving her guitar skills.

Hits of the Ragtime Era with Cherry & Jerry

Wednesday, May 22 from 6:30-7:30pm, Community Room

Pop music comes and goes, but some songs from over 100 years ago are just as fresh in the mind as the day they were written. “The Entertainer,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “St. Louis Blues,” and “Ballin’ the Jack” are still familiar, but even when they first hit the scene, these songs were recognized as having something special. We’ll take a look at some of the songs that captivated the public, why they were successful in their own time and how their popularity continued into the present, and we’ll also share some lesser-known songs and rags that were hits back in their day. So to quote Irving Berlin, “come on along” for a great hour of ragtime and also some early jazz and blues! Great music for all ages! The event is generously funded by the Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library.

Sun Prairie Wellness Coalition

May is Mental Health Awareness month! Please follow the link: https://spwcapparel.itemorder.com/shop/home/  to purchase a student designed mental health t-shirt. Show your support by wearing green every Friday this May!

Sun Prairie Farmers Market

The 2024 Outdoor Sun Prairie Farmers Market is back and will continue every Saturday from May through October, operating from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Downtown Sun Prairie. This year's market is proudly presented by Salvatore’s Tomato Pies.

During the 2024 market season, one can expect a variety of monthly community events, live music, and fun for the entire family.

Stay updated with the market on Facebook and Instagram for event details, weekly updates, and any changes. The 2024 outdoor market is scheduled to run from Saturday, May 4, to Saturday, October 26, located on Market Street and around Cannery Square Park for all markets.

Extend the day and stay in Downtown Sun Prairie by visiting the businesses and organizations that are opening early or offering special promotions.

For more information on the opening day festivities in Downtown Sun Prairie, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1016999153354469

To learn more about the Farmers’ Market and see a full list of participating vendors, go to https://cityofsunprairie.com/1318/Sun-Prairie-Farmers-Markets

ESL Classes at Sunshine Place

English

Spanish

Juneteenth in Sun Prairie

The purpose of this event is to commemorate the emancipation of the last enslaved Black and African American people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.

We hope to see you there and joining the celebration that will include a community meal, live performances, family-friendly games & activities, and much more!

This event have been planned in partnership by Sun Prairie Community Schools, City of Sun Prairie, Boys and Girls Club of Sun Prairie, the @African American Parent Network, and Sun Prairie Schools.

For regular updates, follow the event page at https://fb.me/e/1M4lUHc6w

Pridefest Celebration

Pride Fest strives to provide a safe and inclusive place where kids feel surrounded by support and love.

Sun Prairie is for everyone.

For more information about the event, please visit the event page here.

StrawberryFest

StrawberryFest is a cherished community event filled with fresh strawberries and great entertainment! Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 301 Blankenheim Lane, Sun Prairie, WI. For more information, please visit https://www.colonialclub.org/strawberryfest

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole, consisting of all 8 seated City Council members, addresses multi-committee issues, reviews the annual budget, manages real estate transactions, engages in long-term planning, has the authority to sanction Council members and officials, and handles matters not assigned to specific committees. Chaired by the Council President, it convenes on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 E. Main St., Downtown Sun Prairie, with meeting times occasionally subject to change (refer to the events calendar for specific times).

Check out the latest Committee of the Whole meeting (4/16/2024)

Check out the latest Common Council meeting (4/16/2024)

Sun Prairie Media Center

Sun Prairie Media Center consists of three main entities, each with its own individual mission:

KSUN: The mission of KSUN is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original video programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. KSUN programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

KIDS-4: The mission of KIDS-4 is to promote media literacy to the youth population of Sun Prairie as well as to teach students all aspects of producing original video and audio content. Students enrolled in KIDS-4 become more discriminating consumers of media, better communicators, better collaborators, and receive vital hands-on experience on a wide range of media-making tools.

103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio: The mission of 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original radio and podcast programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

Check out the abundance of quality community programming at https://www.sunprairiemediacenter.com/