VNA Council Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2020
Council Members
o Sarah Bahauddin (present)
o Pat Scheckel (absent)
o Ben Blitz (present)
o Lea Jacobs (absent)
o Hans Borcherding (present)
o Jim Corkery (present)
o Wendy Fearnside (present)
o Karie Krantz (present)
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes - previous minutes were approved, with revision for savings of $2,340 from having Pat Scheckel produce the Vilas, Ink newsletter in lieu of $2,000 noted in the January meeting minutes.
Announcements
· Special thanks to HotelRED for making the meeting room available for our use this evening.
· Communications
o A reminder that our neighborhood web site is www.vilasneighborhood.com
o Email address for the VNA: vnapresident@gmail.com
o The Vilas Ink newsletters are now being posted on the web site at https://www..vilasneighborhood.com/vilasink
· Sarah Bahauddin indicated a conflict for chairing the meeting on Wednesday April 22nd. All council members present indicated a proposed revised date of Tuesday, April 21st would work for them. Based on this the April meeting date will be on Tuesday, April 21st.
· Upcoming City grant application deadlines were noted as follows: although the deadlines are likely too late for this year, Sarah asked that all keep these in mind for following years.
o Madison Arts Commission – Due March 15
o Planning Division Neighborhood’s Grant Program – Due March 2
New Business
1. None
Existing Business
1. Treasurer’s Report – Sarah Bahauddin for Pat Scheckel
o Sarah indicated there is $3,689 in the bank account.
o Most of the $2,375 in total expected advertising revenue (most likely a record – thanks Pat!) for annual Vilas, Ink has been received.
o Sarah indicated the submissions deadline for the next Vilas, Ink is February 28th, with an expected delivery date of early April.
2. VNA directory and Block Captains
o Roz Woodward indicated that Jule Stroick has volunteered to input Pat Scheckel’s dues paying member data into a database. Since there are only about 100 names in this data set, Roz will need to work with Block Captains to obtain additional household information in order to make it worthwhile to publish in the directory.
o Roz also indicated she needs more people to volunteer to be block captains.
3. Social Report
o Lee Lazar indicated the Summer Launch party will be the second week of June in the 1900 block of Jefferson Street.
o A host is still needed for the VNA Badger Football game tailgate this year. If no one steps forward, we may need to cancel the tailgate this year.
o Wingra Boats will host a VNA neighborhood paddle and potluck near the end of June – details to follow later.
4. Listserv
o None
5. Monroe/Regent streets Retail News
o None
6. Edgewood Liaison Committee (Craig Stanley, Shawn Doherty and Sarah Bahauddin) Report
o Craig provided and reviewed the following document (attached) on the Conditional Use Process specifically as it applies to Edgewood High School’s pursuit of approval to install athletic field lights.
o “Conditional Use Process – high level as explained”
o A discussion was held on how to obtain broad neighborhood input on this issue. The committee will liaison with the DMNA to better understand the processes they used to obtain this input on the Edgewood athletic field issue. This input will be used by the VNA council to determine if they will/will not take a position on the addition of athletic filed lights.
o Sarah will consider how to foster a group discussion on this topic at the March 25th VNA council meeting.
7. Alder Update – Tag Evers
o An Active Shooter training course will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 on Monday, March 2nd.
o Dane County will be hosting a neighborhood meeting at the Glacier Grille inside the zoo grounds to discuss their proposal to have the zoo open until 7 of 8 pm on Monday, March 2nd. They are making this proposal due to increasing popularity of the zoo and to address accreditation concerns. It was unclear to Tag if this proposal is just during the summer months or year-round.
o The City’s Plan Commission approved SSM Health’s $80 million; 175,00 square foot new clinic building construction.
o The City Council approved use of $1.8 million for Rule Enterprise’s development of housing and a grocery store at the former Truman Olsen site on Park Street for 94 units of low-income housing for those earning from 30% to 50% Average Dane County Median Income (AMI).
o The City Council will most likely vote on March 3rd to allow dogs on leashes in most City parks.
o The City’s Plan Commission will have a public meeting on March 9th to discuss proposed tourist housing ordinance revisions, including the requirement that entities need an affidavit that they reside in the residence being rented.
o Tag indicated the 20220 Census still needs census workers for door-to-door canvasing and are offering pay of $22/hour for these limited term jobs.
o Tag indicated that the F35 jets are likely to come to Madiosn based on the reports he has received.
o Tag indicated he will be involved in the March 3rd Big Share fund raiser in support of The Bayview Foundation.
o A Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company vendor may be opening in the now closed Michael’s Frozen Custard location on Monroe Street.
o To stay informed about City news affecting the neighborhood, sign up for Tag’s blog by visiting cityofmadison.com/council/district13.
o Tag indicated that he holds Office hours” once a month at local coffee shops. The next will be from 7:30 – 9:30 am at Lakeside Coffee Shop, 402 West Lakeside Street.
8. Zoning Committee Update – Wendy Fearnside for Lea Jacobs.
o Wendy provided and reviewed the following two documents (attached) on the Conditional Use Process– note this is the process that Edgewood High School will be using to pursue approval for their application to install athletic field lights.
o “Standards for Review of Development Proposals Requiring Approval as a Conditional Use”
o “How Neighborhood Associations can effectively participate in Madison’s Conditional Use Process”
9. Vilas Park Master Plan update
o Wendy Fearnside indicated Phase 1 of the Master Plan (Data Collection) has been completed. The consultant (MSA) is currently working on Phase 2 of the Master Plan (Development of (3) Design Concepts) – this work is expected to be completed by the end of March. A public meeting will be held in April to present the (3) Design Concepts.
o Lee Salazar, Ann Rivlin and Wendy are on the liaison committee working with the City and the consultant.
o Wendy indicated that Greenbush Neighborhood’s online survey indicated some of the most highly rated suggestions were benches along the lake, wetlands restoration and allowing dogs on leashes in the park.
Other Business
1. None
Adjourn