VNA Council– October Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:00 pm via Zoom
Term Ending Fall of 2020 Term Ending Fall of 2021
Sarah Bahauddin – President Hans Borcherding
Ben Biltz Jim Corkery – Secretary
Lea Jacobs Wendy Fearnside
Pat Scheckel- Treasurer Karie Krantz
Call to Order
Virtual Meeting Rules: Please keep mic on mute unless called on. Please type comments/questions in the comment section or raise hand to speak.
Approval of Minutes
Announcements:
· November 18 – General meeting and election to be held via Zoom
Existing Business:
Treasurer’s and Vilas Ink report – Pat Scheckel
a. Vilas Ink was printed and distributed by block captains last month
b. We have $4100 in account; given no foreseeable expenses coming up, the Board voted to donate $1000 to local organizations ($450 Bayview Foundation, $450 West High Area Collaborative, $100 Monroe St holiday decorations)
Social Chair report – Halloween Plan
a. Trick or treat stations have been mapped out throughout the neighborhood
b. A scavenger hunt has been organized
c. A costume contest – with prizes – will also take place
d. Sarah will send out all details via the List Serv
e. $200 was approved to cover the cost of costume contest prizeshe neighborhood
Election Committee:
a. Absentee Vote 2020 update was given by Lee Lazar
b. We still need candidates for the upcoming election – 11/8 is the deadline to submit your name. We currently have 3 candidates and need a minimum of 5.
c. 11/9-11/18 will be the voting window (drop off locations will be Roz and Mary Clare’s house)
d. More details will be coming – watch the List Serv
District 13 Alliance (Previously Good Neighbor Gathering) Update- Dana Scheckel and Sarah Bahauddin
a. The group met and will continue to meet monthly; currently working on mission and direction of group
JCAC (Joint Campus Area Committee) report: Doug Carlson
a. Neighbor feedback on first football game; there were no reported issues of public or private gatherings. Sound was an issue – game seemed louder than normal given there was no crowd. The wind, lack of leaves, lack of crowd to absorb the noise, and the fact that there was nothing else going on in the area were all listed as factors. Doug will report back to UW with our feedback on the speaker volume.
Edgewood Liaison Committee report: Sarah Bahauddin, Shawn Doherty, Craig Stanley
a. EHS athletic field update – the group has met twice since our last meeting; talking through sound issues; nothing really new to report
b. Recent communications/issues with Edgewood – positive and constructive conversation with Edgewood regarding campus school traffic issues and high school football practice questions.
c. Sarah met with presidents of college, high school, campus school, and DMNA to discuss next steps around communication given the absence of a master plan.
Zoning Committee report: Ben Biltz and Wendy Fearnside
a. HotelRED will be closed until next fall while they complete their addition.
b. Luckys 1313 application was referred to the Urban Design committee for further review.
c. Lea will continue to monitor ALRC and Plan Commission for things coming up that effect our neighborhood.
d. Discussed reaching out to surrounding neighborhoods to collaborate on zoning efforts.
e. The desire for another neighborhood survey was discussed.
f. Monroe St will be facing more vacant retail spaces as local businesses have many challenges due to the pandemic
Vilas Park Master Plan update: Wendy Fearnside, Ann Rivlin, and Lee Lazar
a. The proposed plan is out and information gathering is continuing in the neighborhood
b. Key features of the plan were outlined by Wendy and Ann
c. They are working on a joint neighborhood statement regarding the plan (positives, negatives, etc)
d. There is a public Zoom meeting on 11/16; there will then be a survey for public comment; the final plan will be presented to the Joint Resource Group, and the final plan will be presented to the Parks Department on 12/9 with the project scheduled for early 2021.
e. Given the tight turnaround of plan input/changes over the next few weeks, everyone interested is encouraged to stay engaged and involved in this process.
Representative Reports:
Alder Tag Evers
a. Vilas Park Drive – city wants to open for the winter; this topic has been referred to be reconsidered
b. South Park Development – hoping for approval next week
c. Submitting budget amendment for an additional $500,000 for affordable housing
Adjourn