City of Sun Prairie

*NEW EPISODE JUST DROPPED* There are currently billions of dollars on the table to support whole-home energy efficiency upgrades in the United States. Wisconsin received a $150 million cut and became the first state in the country to establish its Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program, administered through Focus on Energy. Through the HOMES program, Wisconsin homeowners and renters can receive substantial rebates for energy efficiency upgrades, including insulation, HVAC, windows, and more. Host Rose Daily and guests Dylan Crye with Focus on Energy and Joe Pater with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin discuss program details, eligibility, and the process for applying, along with the positive impact this program is having on local contractors. HOMES Program Overview: https://lnkd.in/gtF_i9X2 Focus on Energy Rebate Finder: https://lnkd.in/g8F9phPs IRA Registered Contractor List: https://lnkd.in/gtH9VF-n IRA Registered Contractor Resources: https://lnkd.in/gKmWsb-Q Department of Energy Home Energy Rebates map: https://lnkd.in/g4iyjBS5 Listeners can easily tune in to the podcast by accessing the Sun Prairie Media Center app, tuning into to 103.5 The Sun, or visiting https://lnkd.in/gr6BEzUe. Additionally, the podcast is available on platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts. For those who share a passion for sustainability and wish to get involved as a guest, please complete the interest form at https://lnkd.in/gC_ziwXW

*HERE IS YOUR BIG 5* Our city newsletter "The Big 5" highlights the biggest 5 city news stories in an easy-to-read format that offers the option to go deeper into the content through recorded interviews with city staff connected to the story. It's a whole new look meant to engage you as the reader! You can subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gYFpRudZ - - - TOP 5 STORIES - - - 1. City Budget Process - 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. 2. 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. 3. 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.  4. 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. 5. 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.

*TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 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://lnkd.in/gHzs6itQ Elections Wait Times Dashboard: This tool geolocates each polling place and shows current wait times: https://lnkd.in/g_nqiBR2 For additional information about voting, please visit https://lnkd.in/d557WKt If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 608-825-1148.

*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://lnkd.in/g6K4jtEB

*INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY* Today we celebrate Indigenous People's Day to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous communities who have have inhabited the land long before the arrival of European explorers. - - -SUN PRAIRIE HISTORY- - - The Ho-Chunk people, known as the 'People of the Big Voice,' have deep roots in the region long before Sun Prairie was established. They were a prominent Indigenous group across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, with a culture deeply tied to the land. Despite significant challenges, including the loss of territory to other tribes and the encroachment of European settlers, the Ho-Chunk endured multiple forced removals during the 1800s, including the aftermath of the Black Hawk War of 1832. Over time, many Ho-Chunk returned to Wisconsin, and today they hold more land here than any other tribe, demonstrating their resilience and continued connection to their ancestral homeland. - - -LEARN MORE- - - For those interested in learning more about the Ho-Chunk, their history, and cultural contributions, there are two great resources available. You can explore the rich history of the Ho-Chunk online through the Wisconsin Historical Society: https://lnkd.in/gi5h9TJT The City of Sun Prairie Museum, open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers a physical space to view Ho-Chunk artifacts and learn more about their presence in the Sun Prairie area. For more https://lnkd.in/gXrf4684 *The two individuals in this photo are Art Shegonee (right) and his daughter, Sedona, who serve as the opening performers each year at the Annual Multicultural Fair. Their performance, A Call for Peace, features Art holding the medicine wheel, a powerful Indigenous symbol of balance, harmony, and interconnectedness, while Sedona performs a traditional dance around him. You can watch their performance here: https://lnkd.in/gg2aaTpw

*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://lnkd.in/gS4GtwAg

*EMPLOYEE DEI GYM* In 2023, the City collaborated with humanworks8 to develop key initiatives, including new organizational values, a redesigned evaluation program, an employee recognition initiative, and the launch of our employee development 'gym'. It is called the gym for employee development because, like a health and fitness facility, people come in with different skills and levels of experience, needing a variety of challenges to grow and improve. Currently, a group of staff from different departments and divisions are going through the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Gym Series. The DEI Gym features a range of speakers invited by the City to share their knowledge and personal experiences with staff. Following these sessions, staff engage in debriefs to explore how they can apply the insights to their work. Additionally, some staff members serve as peer-learning speakers, sharing how they are advancing equity within their roles. In a growing community like Sun Prairie, with its diverse needs, this is one of many steps being taken to ensure we effectively understand and serve all members of the community. To learn more about the ways the City is working to live out its values of DEI, please visit https://lnkd.in/g-jH25FS

*TELL US WHAT YOU THINK* The Chief of Police, Michael Steffes, has announced his retirement, effective February 18, 2025. Under the direction of the Police and Fire Commission, the City aims to seek a new Chief of Police, and seeks valuable input from all members of the community to assist in the selection process. We kindly request you to participate in a brief survey consisting of six (6) questions. The survey should take approximately 5 - 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until October 19th at 4:30 pm. This survey is accessible in English, Hmong, and Spanish. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking the link below. Link: https://lnkd.in/gMtsxPii

*HERE IS YOUR BIG 5* Our city newsletter "The Big 5" highlights the biggest 5 city news stories in an easy-to-read format that offers the option to go deeper into the content through recorded interviews with city staff connected to the story. It's a whole new look meant to engage you as the reader! You can subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gYFpRudZ - - - TOP 5 STORIES - - - 1. Sun Prairie Financial Roadmap - On Friday, September 20, Mayor Esser hosted a meeting of Dane County mayors at Sun Prairie City Hall, followed by a press conference where they discussed the potential for going to referendum in their respective communities. Recent projections for the 2025-2029 period show Sun Prairie’s levy will exceed state-imposed limits starting in 2026. To address this, Mayor Esser shared the strategic planning efforts of the City Council over the last three months to identify sustainable funding sources while continuing to provide high-quality services to the community. 2. Voter Information on Upcoming Election - 2024 is a major election year, and it’s crucial to stay informed on key topics like voting procedures, polling locations, absentee ballots, and more. To help, check out this insightful interview in the online newsletter with Arrin Linzenmeyer, Deputy City Clerk, where she answers important questions about the election process. 3. Metro Service Changes in Sun Prairie - Madison Metro has launched Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and this will impact service in Sun Prairie! This faster service departs every 30 minutes from the Sun Prairie Park and Ride. Riders are now able to travel to Capital Square, UW-Madison, Hilldale, West Towne Mall, and locations in between without needing a transfer. 4. Solar Tree Sponsorship Program - In 2025/2026, the City of Sun Prairie Family Aquatic Center (FAC) will undergo major renovations to improve energy efficiency and expand amenities. Plans include a bathhouse remodel, mechanical and electrical upgrades, and new features like slides, an aqua zipline, basketball hoops, and an obstacle course. As part of the City's 'Sustainable Sun Prairie' initiative, 25-foot solar energy trees will be installed, providing shade, offsetting 35% of the FAC’s energy use, and serving as the city's first public solar PV system. The trees will also feature LED lights, charging outlets, and a QR code for real-time energy tracking. 5. Trunk or Treat - Join us for Trunk or Treat, a free, family-friendly event perfect for trick-or-treaters of all ages. Explore over 30 decorated trunks, collect treats, and vote for your favorite. Enjoy a variety of games, food from local trucks, and refreshing beverages. The event will also feature live entertainment, including Hula Hooping with Hoop Elation from 12-2pm, free face painting from 1-3pm, and a Spooky Sing-A-Long with Marta Hansen from 2:30-3:30pm.

*NEW EPISODE JUST DROPPED* Curbside recycling has been around for over 30 years and has become a staple in our daily lives. We see those blue or green recycling bins everywhere – at home, in our schools, and at work. But even if recycling feels like second nature, there are some surprising facts that many of us might not know. In this episode, host Rose Daily and guest Todd Bollenbach discuss 6 things every consumer needs to know about recycling, including exploring the impact of wish cycling and revealing the meaning behind the small numbers on the bottom of plastic contains (news flash - they're not actually recycling numbers!). Pellitteri Waste Systems: https://lnkd.in/eaV6jeR The truth about recycling numbers: https://lnkd.in/dSMZmrkT Listeners can easily tune in to the podcast by accessing the Sun Prairie Media Center app, tuning into to 103.5 The Sun, or visiting https://lnkd.in/gr6BEzUe. Additionally, the podcast is available on platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts. For those who share a passion for sustainability and wish to get involved as a guest, please complete the interest form at https://lnkd.in/gC_ziwXW