Alder Sabrina Madison and Alder Carmella Glenn Will Serve as New Council Leadership

The Common Council also expressed gratitude to former Council President Regina Vidaver and former Vice President MGR Govindarajan. Alder Vidaver will continue to serve until she is up for re-election in April 2027, whereas former Alder Govindarajan chose not to run again in the 2026 alder election. Govindarajan served as an alder since April 2023. Alder Vidaver has been on the Common Council since April 20, 2021, and was elected President in the April 2025 Council leadership election.

Govindarajan read Alder Vidaver's outgoing honoring resolution, in which he commended her dedicated service during her presidency. He noted that, under her leadership, Common Council meetings averaged 125 minutes in length, making it the shortest average meeting duration of any Common Council President's tenure since 2010 by over 30 minutes.

Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford joined Alder Mike Verveer in reading Govindarajan's outgoing resolution, commending him for uplifting student voices and strengthening the connection between the University of Wisconsin-Madison community and City government. Alder Regina Vidaver and Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole also shared farewell words about their colleague. Vidaver remarked, "Alder Govindarajan brought maturity beyond his years." Alder Figueroa Cole added, "This job is rewarding, but it is hard. It's frustrating. It's constrained by state laws, budgets, and the reality that, no matter what you do, someone will be unhappy. Sometimes it gets lonely. And yet, you showed up anyway-consistently, thoughtfully, and with just enough facial expression to let me know that I am not alone."