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- November 2024
November 2024
City Budget Process
Every year, the City of Sun Prairie works on a budget that funds services and projects, from public safety and road maintenance to parks and community programs. The city budget outlines how resources will be allocated to meet community needs, setting priorities and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
Current Budget Discussions and Public Input
Common Council is in the process of discussing the city budget, reviewing proposed funding, and considering community priorities. This process will include a public hearing on the city budget scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, at 5:30 PM. This is an opportunity for community members to share their thoughts on budget priorities and allocations. The public hearing will take place on the second floor of City Hall in Council Chambers, located at 300 East Main St.
During a public hearing, residents can speak directly to council members, share their views, and have a voice in the budgeting process. Community members are encouraged to participate, as your input is valuable in shaping our community’s future.
Interview: Caitlin Stene | Director of Administrative Services
Citywide Pumpkin Composting
The City of Sun Prairie is excited to offer a new pumpkin composting program to its residents. Throughout the month of November, community members are invited to bring their fall pumpkins to the Sun Prairie Recycle Center (1798 South Bird St.). Collected pumpkins will be composted in the windrow composting system located at the Sun Prairie Wastewater Treatment Plant. Finished compost will be available for residents in spring of 2025.
Please note that a permit is required to utilize the Recycle Center. Permits are free for Sun Prairie residents and can be obtained here. Throughout the month of November, the Recycle Center will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Thank you for doing your part to reduce waste in Sun Prairie!
Interview: Rose Daily | Sustainability Coordinator
City Fleet Electrification Resolution
On August 20, 2024, the Sun Prairie Common Council resolved to electrify 50% of its light-duty municipal fleet by 2035 with all other light-duty vehicles being a hybrid at a minimum (Resolution 24/091). This is the city’s first significant green fleet goal.
In 2009, Sun Prairie set a goal to source 25% of its transportation fuels from renewables by 2025. Significant strides include adding electric and hybrid vehicles since 2019. Currently, 25% of the 55-vehicle light-duty fleet is clean (EVs, PHEVs, hybrids). An analysis found that 50% of the fleet could be electrified, saving $80,000 over vehicle lifetimes and cutting 384 metric tons of CO2. Full electrification aligns with city decarbonization targets by 2050. Funding will leverage IRA clean vehicle elective pay to bridge budget gaps and support charging infrastructure. Similar goals are seen in Madison, Middleton, and Fitchburg.
Interview: Rose Daily | Sustainability Coordinator
Sun Prairie Public Library IMLS Grant
The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce that the Sun Prairie Public Library has been selected to participate in a grant project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), titled Mapping Children’s Play in Museums and Libraries. This initiative aims to explore how museums and libraries create and manage play-based programs and spaces, with participation from two other Wisconsin cities: Appleton and Madison. The library will be involved from January through September 2025.
Library staff will collaborate to design and implement professional development materials focused on promoting equity, assessment, and advocacy in play spaces. One key outcome will be the development of a diversity audit tool, allowing museum and library professionals to evaluate their play programs for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. Additionally, the project will produce a typology of play offerings in these institutions, analyzing the forms, purposes, materials, and theoretical foundations that underpin play programs for children up to 12 years old. Led by Dr. Rebekah Willett and Dr. Peter Wardrip of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the ultimate goal of the project is to enhance the understanding of how play can be leveraged as a tool for learning and development in public spaces.
For more information about the grant, please visit https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded/lg-256713-ols-24.
To learn more about the Library’s youth services, please go to https://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/sppl-kids-page
Interview: Lynn Montague | Head of Youth Services
Annual Fire & Lights Parade
Come on out to Downtown Sun Prairie on Saturday, November 30 to experience the 109th Annual Fire & Lights Parade, followed by a festive tree lighting ceremony at the Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum, with a special appearance by Santa Claus! This holiday event is a collaboration between the Sun Prairie Fire Department, the Historical Library & Museum, and Visit Sun Prairie. The event schedule begins at 5:30 p.m. with music and commentary provided by the Sun Prairie Media Center.
Organizations interested in getting involved with the event can contact spfireandlights@cityofsunprairie.com.
For additional information about the event, please visit https://www.facebook.com/share/Qhxipk68ZsUGd3iN/
Interview: Alyse Peters | Special Events & Sponsorship Manager
Administration
2024 Climate Mayors
The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce that Mayor Paul Esser has joined The Climate Mayors, a network of mayors across the country committed to taking bold climate action.
Climate Mayors is the largest and most diverse network of mayors dedicated to climate action in the U.S., with members taking steps like developing greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, setting emission reduction targets, and creating climate action plans. Sun Prairie is taking active steps, having already issued an RFP for a climate action initiative focused on building greenhouse gas inventories, setting ambitious emission targets, and developing a comprehensive climate action plan.
To learn more about a more sustainable Sun Prairie, please visit: https://cityofsunprairie.com/1189/Sustainable-Sun-Prairie
Solar Tree Sponsorship Program
The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce the Solar Tree Sponsorship Program, a sustainability initiative centered on offering local businesses, organizations, and individuals the opportunity to support the installation of innovative solar energy-producing trees at the Family Aquatic Center (FAC). These solar trees will play a key role in the FAC’s 2025/2026 renovation, which aims to enhance both the visitor experience and the facility’s energy efficiency.
SOLAR TREE IMPACT
The solar trees are designed to offset 35% of the FAC’s energy usage, offer over 700 square feet of shade, and enhance the pool environment with colorful LED lights, charging stations for mobile devices, and real-time solar energy production data via QR codes.
The City will be funding 60% of the solar tree installation costs and is seeking sponsorships to cover the remaining 40%.
GET INVOLVED
Lifetime sponsorship opportunities are available now through December 2025, with various levels ranging from $500 to $25,000. Recognition for sponsors includes naming rights to the solar tree forest, logos displayed on the trees or surrounding areas, season passes to the FAC, and prominent acknowledgment at key city events in 2026. Staff intend to work with youth for the design aspect of the solar trees.
Sun Prairie youth will be invited to participate in a design competition to create custom graphic wraps. The contest will open in summer 2025, with sponsors of $10,000 or more eligible to serve on the judging panel and help select the winning designs.
For more information, including the official sponsorship guide, please visit the Solar Tree Sponsorship Program webpage at https://cityofsunprairie.com/1904/Solar-Tree-Sponsorship-Program
Clerk's Office
Election Information The 2024 U.S. General Election is on Tuesday, November 5.
Planning to vote in person? Here’s some helpful information:
Election Polling Places Web Application: Enter your address, and it will automatically identify your polling location: https://sunprairie.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=83f96186dd494f5aadef9c87d1d42570&fbclid=IwY2xjawGU_-lleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYUz-INhed-YBS9EuQexuNErqZLnTVDwlAO7q9xl4esvFnw_vHJ9o-0wXg_aem_oKso-uT0TU_E55AcwIJFSw
Elections Wait Times Dashboard: This tool geolocates each polling place and shows current wait times: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/961e6603aa8c4e5989d357ac7331d3f6
For additional information about voting, please visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the Clerk’s Office at clerks@cityofsunprairie.com or 608-825-1148.
Absentee Ballot Life Cycle
Have you ever wondered what happens when you request an absentee ballot?
Once an absentee ballot is requested, it’s printed and mailed out to the voter. After filling it out, the voter sends it back, and that’s just the beginning of its journey!
First, the ballot is received at the Clerk’s Office, where it’s reviewed for accuracy. Next, it’s scanned into WisVote, allowing voters to track its progress. Then, it’s securely stored in a locked room, safeguarded until Election Day.
On Election Day, the ballots are delivered to the correct polling locations, ready to be counted alongside all the others.
Unsure of where your ballot is at in the process?
Visit www.myvote.wis.gov
Community Development
Downtown Main Street Pedestrian Improvement Project
The City of Sun Prairie and its consulting partner, Saiki Design, invite the community to an open house to review the proposed renovation plans of the Main Street Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project for the 100 and 200 blocks of East Main Street in Downtown Sun Prairie. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 300 E. Main Street.
WHAT IS IT?
This project aims to create a refreshed vision for East Main Street and surrounding areas by enhancing the pedestrian experience to better align with community needs. Construction will begin in 2025 and focus on key improvements such as pedestrian safety, including wider sidewalks, improved crosswalks, and aesthetic enhancements along the two-block stretch of East Main Street between Bristol Street and Church/Market Streets. Additionally, the initiative will enhance ADA access to local storefronts, promoting greater accessibility for community members.
OPEN HOUSE
The open house will include a presentation of the plan beginning at 5:40 p.m., followed by an opportunity to view plan materials and ask questions of the project team and city staff.
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Westwynde Park is now OPEN!
On Friday, October 4, Sun Prairie Parks Friends, Inc. and a dedicated group of about 20 volunteers came together to bring new life to Westwynde Park by assembling the playground equipment! As part of the City’s annual capital improvement plan, 1-2 playgrounds are upgraded each year. For one of these projects, the City collaborates with Sun Prairie Parks Friends, Inc. to organize a community playground build, which helps save $6,000 in installation costs. These builds are guided and overseen by certified playground installers to ensure everything is done safely and efficiently.
A heartfelt thank you to Sun Prairie Parks Friends and all the volunteers who made this project a great success!
Forestry: Fall Tree Planting
The City of Sun Prairie’s forestry team recently completed its fall tree planting project, successfully planting 75 trees across the community. This year, we implemented a new gravel bed system for the first time, which has proven to be a success. The gravel bed allows us to procure bare root trees at a much lower cost and plant them in-house, reducing the need for contractors and heavy equipment. These trees are easier to handle, although they do require extra staking during planting.
By placing the bare root trees in the gravel bed throughout the growing season, their root systems develop significantly, resulting in more root mass by the time they are planted in the fall. While we ran into some logistical challenges with harvesting, such as muddy conditions and the slope of the gravel bed it has already been a valuable asset in our efforts to enhance Sun Prairie’s urban canopy. This new system is helping the city improve its green spaces more efficiently and affordably.
Events: Sponsorship Guide
At the Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, we believe that the heart of a strong community lies in the connections we build through shared experiences. Our 2025 Sponsorship Guide, available now, offers an exciting opportunity for local businesses and organizations to partner with us in creating moments that bring Sun Prairie together. From Frozen Fest to Concerts in the Park, from pop-up Beer Gardens to the community-loved Pickleball Courts, our events and programs enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike.
Sponsorship goes beyond just supporting an event—it’s about investing in the spirit of Sun Prairie. Your partnership will help us continue to foster inclusivity, create meaningful traditions, and offer accessible programming for all. When you sponsor, you’re ensuring that these community-wide celebrations thrive, reach more people, and contribute to the joy and unity that make our city special.
We invite you to explore the guide at https://cityofsunprairie.com/1537/Events and see how you can be a part of building a stronger, more connected Sun Prairie in 2025. Together, we can create more lasting memories and moments of belonging for everyone!
Recreation: SPPRF is Upgrading its Registration System!
ATTENTION: Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry is Upgrading Our Registration System
IMPORTANT DATES:
- November 4 – Xplor Recreation launches for users to create their login and profiles.
Create your account: https://cityofsunprairie.perfectmind.com/
- December 3 – Registration opens for Winter/Spring 2025
December 31 – All current credits on account expire. Note: if you currently have a credit on your account with us, this credit will expire December 31, 2024. Please plan accordingly to use your credit before it expires as credits will not be refunded or transferred to our new system.
Sun Prairie Historical Library & 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.
Community Conversation: Housing Sun Prairie
Join us for an engaging panel of Sun Prairie neighbors who will share their experiences of finding and securing local housing on Wednesday, November 20th at the Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum.
This Community Conversation is presented in conjunction with the Housing Sun Prairie exhibit currently on display at the Historical Museum. The conversation will highlight the human element of housing in our community and allow attendees to hear a range of lived experiences. Food from Salvatore's will be served at 5:30 PM, followed by the panel discussion at 6:00 PM. Space is limited so please register in advance at: https://form.jotform.com/242905217525152
Santa Saturday Returns
Santa Claus is kicking off the holiday season by visiting the Museum on Saturday, November 30th from 11:30am-2:00pm! Stop by to share your wishes for the season, take a photo together, and craft a festive ornament.
Winter Hours Begin December 4th
Beginning Wednesday, December 4, 2024 the Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum will return to winter public open hours. Between December 4th, 2024 through April 2nd, 2025, visitors will be welcome in the Museum on Wednesdays between 11:00am-4:00pm and by appointment. All services including research, tours, and talks will continue to be offered through the winter months. Please email museum@cityofsunprairie.com with any questions.
Sun Prairie Utilities
Lighting Effects Drive
Sun Prairie Utilities' Lighting Effects Drive is running now through December 3! Donate $20 at the SPU Main St. office to the Spirit of Giving program (through Sunshine Place) and you'll receive a string of LED lights (offer limited to three light sets per customer).
We know that many people have a hard time paying for their heat during the winter and these donations are one small way you can effectively help keep our neighbors warm. Consider helping today!
Event details: https://www.sunprairieutilities.com/lighting-effects-drive-0
Support in Florida
Two of our lineworkers drove down to Florida this week, along with several Wisconsin #PublicPower utilities. Everyone banded together with the help of the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin and the Kissimmee Utility Authority to support those impacted by Hurricane Milton. Workers were gone for up to two weeks in order to safely restore power to homes hit by the storm. We are so grateful for the support they offered!
Spirit of Giving (English and Spanish)
Rays of Hope (English)
Rays of Hope (Spanish)
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
Make your house feel like home. WHEDA is dedicated to helping Wisconsin homeowners bring their beloved older homes back to their full potential by making them more efficient, safe, and secure.
Introducing WHEDA’s More Like Home Repair and Renew Loan, which addresses crucial structural repairs and energy-efficient updates for houses built before 1984–even if you don’t meet the criteria for other traditional home loan products.
Visit morelikehomeloan.wheda.com to learn more, find a participating lender, and get started today.
Community Feast
Winter Farmers Market
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