Title
Report of the Mayor submitting resident committee appointments (introduction 9-2-2025; action 9-16-2025).
Body
I hereby submit, for your consideration and approval, the following resident committee appointments.
2/3 vote required for confirmation of non-city residents.
Pursuant to Sec. 3.30(2) of the Madison General Ordinances, "...provision shall not apply to a member of or candidate for appointment to a City of Madison board, committee or commission where, in the judgement of the mayor and two-thirds (2/3) of the Common Council, the best interests of the city will be served by the appointment of a non-resident member who is particularly well qualified by reasons of education, background, and experience with Madison business concerns or other Madison-based employers and the Mayor specifies fully to the Common Council the reasons why he or she is recommending such appointment."
JOINT CAMPUS AREA COMMITTEE
Plan Commission recommendation:
PATRICK HECK (6th A.D.) - appoint to the position of Plan Commission Member succeeding Arnold (Gabe) Mendez.
TERM EXPIRES WITH TERM ON PLAN COMMISSION: 4-30-2026
MADISON ARTS COMMISSION
ELI M. ASNIEN (20th A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a three-year term to the position of Resident Member succeeding Mitchell Branscombe. Eli Asnien is a filmmaker and owner of Next Wave Studios. He has worked extensively in the New Orleans film industry. In addition, he has experience with gallery start-ups and numerous live events.
TERM EXPIRES: 4-30-2028
MADISON FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
CASSENDRA H. VETTER (12th A.D) - appoint to the remainder of a three-year term to the position of Resident Member succeeding Teal Evans. Cassandra Vetter is an office operations associate for the UW-Madison Extension’s nutrition education program, FoodWise.
TERM EXPIRES: 10-1-2027
STATE STREET CAMPUS GARAGE/HAWTHORNE COURT PUBLIC ART AD HOC COMMITTEE
REN K. LADASSOR (13th A.D.) - appoint to the position of Madison Arts Commission Member succeeding Anthony Sansalone.
TERM EXPIRES WITH TERM ON MADISON ARTS COMMISSION: 4-30-2027
SUSTAINABLE MADISON COMMITTEE
HEATHER DRISCOLL (15th A.D.) - reappoint to a two-year term to the position of Resident Member. First appointed 2-4-2020.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2027
KAI L. BRITO (6th A.D.) - reappoint to a two-year term to the position of Resident Member. First appointed 2-1-2022.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2027
E. CRISTINA CARVAJAL (9th A.D.) - reappoint to a two-year term to the position of Resident Member. First appointed 2-1-2022.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2027
*ERINN MONROE-NYE, Monona - reappoint to the remainder of a two-year term to the position of Resident Member. First appointed 11-21-2023.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2027
Rationale: Erinn Monroe-Nye is the Energy Services & Policy Manager for Madison Gas &Electric, where she oversees electric vehicle strategy and is already working directly with sustainability staff on an EV pole mounted charger pilot program. MG&E staff has been represented on SMC for over a decade, providing valuable insight into the utility’s sustainability efforts and strategies, as well as a direct liaison for staff to get questions answered quickly. Erinn Monroe-Nye’s background with large solar energy construction projects and Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program will make her a valuable asset to SMC.
KIMBERLY CHO (4th A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a two-year term to the position of Resident Member succeeding Susan B. Millar. Kimberly Cho currently holds the First Alternate position and has served since 11-21-2023.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2027
NATALIE L. LESNJAK (11th A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a two-year term to the position of Resident Member succeeding Riley P. Willman. Natalie Lesnjak currently holds the Second Alternate position and has served since 9-24-2024.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2027
VIBHA B. SRINIVASAN (8th A.D.) – appoint to the remainder of a two-year term to the position of First Alternate succeeding Kimberly Cho, who is assuming a regular position. Vibha Srinivasan is a UW-Madison student studying Economics. She is a data analyst research intern with Epistemic Analytics and a campus sustainability intern with UW-Madison’s Office of Sustainability.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2026
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
PEPE BARROS (14th A.D.) - reappoint to a three-year term to the position of Resident Member. First appointed 6-20-2023.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2028
WILLIAM (BILL) F. BREMER (10th A.D.) - reappoint to a three-year term to the position of Resident Member. First appointed 6-20-2023.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2028
CHRISTOPHER T. MCCAHILL (15th A.D.) - reappoint to a three-year term to the position of Resident Member. First appointed 6-20-2023
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2028
Respectfully submitted,
Satya Rhodes-Conway
Mayor