February 16, 2023

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Administration: The City of Sun Prairie is looking to create a native pollinator garden at City Hall in downtown Sun Prairie! 

Building Inspection: A reminder that if your business or property is on a corner, to please clear snow from the crosswalk ramps. Complaints have been received recently that ramps are not clear, which is a slip and fall hazard.

City Clerk: The City will be using all 8 of our Polling Places for the February 21 Spring Primary.  To find your correct polling location, click here

Community Development: The Sun Prairie Chamber and the City of Sun Prairie Economic Development have partnered to host this event. This is a great time to connect with Mayor Paul Esser along with Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. 

Parks, Recreation and Forestry: Come join us for fun and enriching programs available for the whole family!  Requesting a scholarship is easier than ever with our NEW online form!  This easy, streamlined form provides "no questions asked" financial access to SPPRF programs.

Public Safety: Check out our section for an update in stats!

Public Services: The City of Sun Prairie is proud to announce a new composting pilot program using yard waste collected from the City Recycle Center and curbside collection from Pellitteri Waste Systems.

Sun Prairie Public Library: Let’s play Trivial Pursuit: Library Edition! Check out our section for more details. 

Administration

Make a Donation!

The City of Sun Prairie is looking to create a native pollinator garden at City Hall in downtown Sun Prairie! The purpose of the garden is to increase awareness of the benefits of native plants and provide floral and nectar resources for our urban pollinators. We’d like to invite you to donate plants to our City of Sun Prairie garden through the Plant Dane Native Plant Program. It's as easy as can be! Just:

1.Visit https://ripple-effects.com/Order/Donate

2. Select “Sun Prairie City Hall” 

3. Select the number of plants you’d like to donate! Plants cost $2.75/each and must be ordered in multiples of 4.  The deadline to donate to our project is March 21st. It's that simple!

Thanks for helping to make our garden a reality!  

Plant Dane Donation Graphic

Black History Month

We celebrate our Black and African American community leaders who have made change both in Sun Prairie and throughout Dane County. 
On Tuesday, February 7, Mayor Esser presented a proclamation announcing February as Black History Month in Sun Prairie. 
- - -  DID YOU KNOW? - - -BLACK HISTORY MONTH (2)
We honor and celebrate Sun Prairie’s Black and African American leaders who have made history such as: 
  • Shunta Boston as the first Black Assistant Chief of Police
  • David Virgell as the first Black City Council Member 
  • Marilyn Ruffin as the first Black Sun Prairie School Board Member
  • Kalvin Barrett as the first Black Dane County Sheriff
  •  Teran Peterson as the first Black female elected to the Dane County Board of Supervisors for Sun Prairie 
- Ajamu Olaniyan as the first Black alumni to be recognized on the Sun Prairie High School Wall of Success
There are many others who continue to make history in our community and who will do so in the future.


THIS IS THE UPDATED BHM PROCLAMATION 2023

Sustainable Sun Prairie - SOLAR PV
Scott Semroc, Sustainability Coordinator, had the opportunity to speak on the Local Governments 101 panel at the RENEW Summit hosted by RENEW Wisconsin to share the work being accomplished in Sun Prairie surrounding Solar PV and what's to come.
- - - WHAT WAS COVERED- - -
Specifically, Scott spent time covering:
1. Sun Prairie's existing and planned Solar PV projects

2. Municipal and community primary objectives regarding Solar PV deployment

3. The value of Solar PV and call to action

- - - CHECK IT OUT HERE - - -
You can check Scott sharing on the Sun Prairie-specific items at 4:20-11:00, Q&A starts 28:30

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Building Inspection

A Friendly Reminder...

A reminder that if your business or property is on a corner, to please clear snow from the crosswalk ramps. Complaints have been received recently that ramps are not clear, which is a slip and fall hazard.

The City’s ordinance is posted below for reference, which applies to both residential and commercial property. The responsibility is that of the “The owner, occupant, or person in charge” to ensure the sidewalks (including the ramps leading to the crosswalk) are clear. There are two exceptions to the ordinance (below) for paths and Town Hall Road.

See the posted visual provided by Building Inspection. (Area C. Crosswalk Ramp for visual reference).

Although hydrants and mailboxes aren't required by ordinance, it's still a good idea to clear around them!

12.32.010 - Removal from sidewalks.

A. The owner, occupant, or person in charge of any parcel or lot which fronts upon or adjoins any sidewalk shall keep such sidewalk clear of all snow and ice. In the event of snow accumulating on such sidewalk due to natural means and/or by any other means such sidewalk shall be cleared of all accumulated snow and/or ice within twenty-four (24) hours from the time the snow ceases to accumulate on such sidewalk. Sidewalks are to be kept clear of snow and ice to a minimum of four feet in width. In the event that ice has formed on any sidewalk in such a manner that it cannot be removed, the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the parcel or lot which fronts upon or adjoins such sidewalk shall keep the sidewalk sprinkled with sand and/or salt to permit safe travel by pedestrians.

B. This section shall not apply to sidewalks that are in excess of five feet in width and have been designated by the common council as a bike path or bicycle way.

C. This section shall not apply to the sidewalk on the east side of Town Hall Road between Prairie Rose Drive and Schuster Road.



Snow Removal


City Clerk

2023 Polling Places 

The City will be using all 8 of our Polling Places for the February 21 Spring Primary.  To find your correct polling location, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

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Last Day to Register to Vote is 5pm on Friday, February 17

Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote for the February 21, 2023 Spring Primary.   Starting tomorrow, February 17, after 5:00pm, anyone wishing to register and vote in the February Spring Primary will need to do so at their polling location on Election Day.  To determine your voting location, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

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Community Development

Pizza with Paul!

The Sun Prairie Chamber and the City of Sun Prairie Economic Development have partnered to host this event. This is a great time to connect with our Mayor, Paul Esser along with Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. 

The schedule goes as follows:

  • 11:30am - Doors open & free pizza (available while supplies last)
  • 12:00pm - Introductions of Mayor Paul Esser & Dane County Executive Joe Parisi

Executive Parisi will touch on how Dane County is leading the state in renewable and energy efficiency projects. Learn what tax Incentives for business programs are available and how you can receive them.

Mayor Paul will give the State of the City presentation with an emphasis on businesses.

  • 1:15pm - Community Question & Answer time
  • 1:30pm - Conclusion

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  https://business.sunprairiechamber.com/events/details/pizza-with-paul-mayor-esser-7604?calendarMonth=2023-03-01

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Parks, Recreation and Forestry

Recreation Department

The Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry office is open: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, or by phone at (608) 837-3449 or by email at rec@cityofsunprairie.com.

Announcements:

The following parks are currently closed:

  • Pheasant Run Park 

Winter/Spring Rec Connection Guide 

Winter/Spring Rec Connection Guide now available and registration is open! 

1. View the Winter/Spring Guide at rec.cityofsunprairie.com!

2. Log in to our website to make sure you know your password and that your account is up to date, including street address and email address.

3. If you don’t already have an account, create your account. If you think you have an account, but cannot find yourself on the website, please do not add yourself again. Call the Recreation Department office at 608/837-3449 and we will assist you.

4. If you do not have a Sun Prairie address, but live in the Sun Prairie School District, the system will not know that and will charge you Non-Resident rates. If you continue your registration and pay Non-Resident rates, the difference is non-refundable. Please contact our office prior to your registration so that we may adjust your account to reflect the proper designation.

5. If you accidentally register for the wrong program, do not immediately register for the correct program. Call us (608-837-3449) and we can make the transfer for you.

“Recreation is for Everyone” Scholarship form!

Come join us for fun and enriching programs available for the whole family!  Requesting a scholarship is easier than ever with our NEW online form!  This easy, streamlined form provides "no questions asked" financial access to SPPRF programs.

In order to request the Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship you must be a resident of Sun Prairie or enrolled in the Sun Prairie Area School District.

For questions or assistance contact us at 608-837-3449 or visit Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship Information

  • Scholarships cover 50% of enrollment fees on most programs
  • No formal documentation is required for approval of financial assistance
  • Online submission with approvals within 2 business days

Upcoming Programs Not to Be Missed: 

American Red Cross Babysitter Training 

March 4th 

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Registration Deadline: 2/25/2023

This training provides kids, ages 11-15, with the information and skills necessary to provide safe and responsible care in the absence of parents/guardians. This training will also help participants develop skills in leadership, professionalism, basic care, safety, safe play and first aid.

All sessions cover the same material.
 
Please bring a sack lunch.

Lucky Charms Workshop

March 16th 

3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Registration Deadline: 3/9/2023

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner! Celebrate the luck of the Irish, or just come to create the most adorable miniature charms with Sculpey Modeling Clay! Learn the art of sculpting and designing tiny oven baked charms to add to your keychains, necklaces or bracelets. Follow along with some guided charms like a clover, rainbow & shooting star or create your own set of lucky charms!

Spring Break Art Camp

March 20th – March 23rd

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Registration Deadline: 3/13/2023

Happy Spring Break! This four day Spring Break Art Camp is such a great way to spend your days away from school - each day let's create art focused around the themes of Spring and Nature! Modeling clay, acrylic paint, watercolors and weaving will be some of the mediums we'll explore as we enjoy our time off!

Thursday Early Release Afterschool Programming (previously TGIT) 

Thursdays, 1:30-5:00 p.m.

Elementary School Site Locations:
Meadowview  
Northside 
Token Springs – NEW

Beginning in the 2022 – 2023 school year, Sun Prairie Area School District Elementary Schools will be dismissing students at 1:30 pm on Thursday afternoons to accommodate professional staff development. In an effort to provide high quality afterschool childcare to our growing community, Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry, the Sun Prairie Area School District and Community Schools are putting forth a collaborative effort to provide a community partner-based afterschool program. This program will aim to provide families with safe, affordable and engaging childcare on Thursday afternoons for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. 

Childcare will be available from dismissal at 1:30 pm until 5:00 pm. We will pilot this program, starting in September, at three elementary school locations and will have programming at all nine elementary schools starting in January 2023. Program partners will be brought in monthly to provide fun and exciting programming ranging from chess to sports to ukulele lessons.  

If this program isn’t offered at your school initially you do have the option to attend any site, but transportation will not be provided at this time.  Registration will be by month for September -December.  Please click “register” to be added to our interest list to be notified when enrollment begins and when new sites are added to this program. 

For more information visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com and the digital version of the Rec Connection which will be updated prior to the start of the school year. Please contact Emily Rebarchek, erebarchek@cityofsunprairie.com, or call 608-837-3449 with any questions. 

Fitness Classes

Senior Focused_ Fitness Classes 2.0

All Fitness (Session 1)


Public Safety

2023 Stats Report

2023 01 Stats Report

Public Services

City of Sun Prairie to Pilot New Composting Program 

The City of Sun Prairie is proud to announce a new composting pilot program using yard waste collected from the City Recycle Center and curbside collection from Pellitteri Waste Systems.

The City produces approximately 5,350 tons of yard waste and brush each year. Previously, this material was trucked to landscaping facilities in Dane County. The goals of this program are to provide residents with a soil amendment for use in gardens throughout the community and reduce vehicle miles traveled associated with transporting yard and brush waste outside of the community while reducing overall operational costs. Through this program, yard waste will now be turned into compost on city property.

Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through natural decomposition. The end product is compost, which is a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material. Microorganisms feed on the materials added to the compost pile during the process. They use carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce, water to digest materials, and oxygen to breathe. Some of the many benefits to composting include improving the structure and health of soil by adding organic matter, helping the soil retain moisture and nutrients, reducing the potential for soil erosion, and reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Staff are hopeful of the program’s impact in the Sun Prairie community.

“Piloting this composting program is an exciting step in cultivating a more sustainable Sun Prairie and we look forward to the many benefits it will yield,” said Jeremy Cramer, Director of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The pilot program was developed collaboratively between the Public Works Department, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Administration, with support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables, which provided funding as part of their 2022 Organics Management Grant Program.

For specific questions about the composting program, please contact Jeremy Cramer via email at jcramer@cityofsunprairie.com

Community members interested in composting at home are encouraged to express their desire for the City’s composting bin group purchase program. To do so, please go to https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/519/Issue_12027. 

Sun Prairie Public Library

Children’s & Teen Service

Gaming with Sammy on Zoom
Thursday, February 16 2:30 p.m. 

Only for ages 7-12. We meet on Zoom. To get the link, please register on the Events Calendar. We play Among Us, Gartic Phone, Jackbox Games, and Roblox.

Young Explorers Club

Thursday, February 23 2:00 or 4:15 p.m., Community Room

Only for ages 4-8. Children can be dropped off for this program. Each month we learn about something different, in February we’ll be learning about explorer skills. Registration is required, register on the Events Calendar.  

Teen Creativity Club

Friday, February 24 4:00-5:30 p.m., Community Room –Paint Night

Join Melissa for Teen Creativity Club! The project for our February 24th meeting will be paint night! Registration is required, please register on our Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com. Teens in 6th - 12th grade are eligible to register.

Adult Services

Adult Winter Reading Program

February 1-March 31

library clock tower photoLet’s play Trivial Pursuit: Library Edition! Read one book from each category on the game card. Once you have finished a book in one of the categories, stop by the Information Desk at the library, share with us a piece of trivia about the book you read, and we’ll give you a pie piece for your board. For each piece earned, you will receive an entry into the grand prize drawing! Complete your board by collecting all 6 pieces. Once you have completed the board, come by the library to pick up a small prize! Grand prize drawings will be held after March 31. Open to ages 18+. Questions? Stop by the Information Desk or call us at 608-825-0702. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Public Health Madison & Dane County will be holding walk-in vaccine clinics in the library’s Community Room on Saturday, February 25th from 1-4pm. Everyone 5 and older is welcome. No ID or insurance required, but children 5-17 must have a parent or guardian present. For the most current availability and appointment information, please visit the Public Health Madison & Dane County website.