VNA Council Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2020
Council Members
o Sarah Bahauddin (present)
o Pat Scheckel (present)
o Ben Blitz (present)
o Lea Jacobs (present)
o Hans Borcherding (present)
o Jim Corkery (present)
o Wendy Fearnside (present)
o Karie Krantz (present)
Call to Order (meeting was conducted virtually using Zoom)
Approval of Minutes - previous minutes were approved.
Announcements
o 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
o The VNA September 23rd meeting will also be via Zoom
Existing Business
Treasurer’s Report and Vilas, Ink – Pat Scheckel
o Pat indicated there is approximately $4,800 in the bank account.
o Articles for the next edition of Vilas, Ink are due August 31st.
o Pat indicated future issues of Vilas, Ink can be printed for approximately $500 and mailed for an additional $250.
o A Motion was made that VNA approve the printing of the Fall issue of the Vilas, Ink newsletter at a cost of approximately $500. Motion passed: (8) In Favor, (0) Opposed and (0) Abstain
o The printed version of the Fall newsletter will be delivered late September via the block captains.
Block Captains - Roz Woodward
o Roz indicated that additional copies of the directory and Welcome to the Neighborhood packets are available for any new households in the neighborhood needing them.
Social Report - Lee Lazar
o No update
Listserv updates
o None
Monroe/Regent Streets Retail News
o No updates
District 13 Alliance – Dana Scheckel and Sarah Bahauddin
o The essential items drive for the Romnes Apartments community was very successful.
o An essential items drive is being planned for September 12th for the Bayview neighborhood community. Additional information will be posted to the listserv prior to this drive.
Joint Campus Area Committee
o South Plaza project is nearly complete at the Fieldhouse.
o The stadium south end zone project has been delayed for one year. Work is now planned to begin at the end of the 2021 football season.
o Roz Woodward will contact the City to determine who is responsible for weeding the Crazy Legs Plaza as the flower beds are being taken over by weeds.
Edgewood Liaison Committee (Craig Stanley, Shawn Doherty and Sarah Bahauddin) Report
o We are waiting on Edgewood High School’s (EHS’s) response to the DMNA/VNA letter requesting input on sound mitigation options and requested sound measurements during current daytime athletic events.
o No word has been received from EHS relative to if they plan to delay their request to install lighting beyond the September 15th City Council meeting.
o Multiple options and strategies were discussed at length about how the VNA council should proceed (if and when EHS provides additional information) and how the VNA council should proceed if the information is received prior to the September 15th City Council meeting.
o The VNA council decided another open VNA meeting would be held via Zoom to discuss if EHS decides not to delay their appeal and if we receive additional information from EHS. (Subsequent to the meeting, it was tentatively decided that the VNA council would meet at 7 pm on Wednesday, September 9th if either EHS decides not to delay their appeal and if we receive additional information from EHS.)
o A majority of the council members agreed to remain with the previous stance to take no position on the addition of stadium lighting, even if the following Motion were to pass.
o A Motion was made that VNA supports the Plan Commission’s decision, regarding Edgewood High School’s Conditional Use Application, to “Put on File without Prejudice” and asks that the Common Council Deny the Appeal.
Motion failed: (3) In Favor, (5) Opposed and (0) Abstain
Alder Update – Tag Evers
o Tag provided a shout out to the District13 Cares team for their work on the essential items drives and for their other activities.
o Lucky 1313’s proposed parking/apartments expansion is on the City Council’s September 15th agenda. Tag noted this approval is separate from the beer garden proposal which requires a City Ordinance change. Lea will send a letter in support of the parking/apartments and non-support for the beer garden.
o The developer is no longer interested in construction of a hotel on Regent Street because of height limitations on the street.
o Tag indicated feedback he has received has been that the August 15th move-out/move-in has been less problematic that previous years from the City’s refuse removal perspective – VNA council members concurred.
o Tag signed on to a letter indicating concerns with UW’s decision to hold in-person classes from the perspective that this may increase Covid 19 cases in the broader community.
o Tag indicated that DMNA has created an anti-racism checklist and resources for neighbors to contact in lieu of contacting the police. Tag also indicated that DMNA has developed a checklist for developers that would like to construct projects in their neighborhood.
o Tag indicated that VNA neighbors can write letters to the Mayor now in support of keeping the Monroe Street Library branch open.
o Tag indicated that the City Council currently doesn’t have the appetite to take up the EHS athletic field lighting appeal. His canvasing of other Alders indicates if the appeal to overturn the Plan Commission’s recommendation proceeds, it would likely fail, but this is just his sense at this time.
Vilas Park Master Plan – Wendy Fearnside and Ann Rivlin
o The Master Plan next steps are:
i. The consultant is tabulating the survey responses.
ii. The consultant will develop a single Master Plan that will be then submitted for further review and comments before a final Master Plan concept is submitted to the City.
iii. The current schedule is to have a draft Final Master Plan report completed Fall 2020 – meetings will be planned to review this draft report with the community. The final Master Plan is to complete in early 2021.
Election Committee - Mary Clare Murphy
o Absentee Vote 2020
i. Mary Clare Murphy provided an overview of the absentee voting proposal.
ii. An article will be included in the Fall Vilas, Ink newsletter and flyers will be distributed in the neighborhood on the procedures for absentee voting.
o An equity issue was raised in that only dues paying members of VNA are allowed to vote, which was discussed as being a “poll tax”. The council decided to table this discussion and to review/discuss this issue more in future meetings.
o A Motion was made that VNA approve the Absentee Voting procedures that were previously issued, including updates as follows:
i. Votes can be mailed to Mary Clare Murphy.
ii. Votes can be dropped off at lockboxes at Mary Clare Murphy’s or Roz Woodward’s residences.
iii. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen via a coin flip.
Motion passed: (8) In Favor, (0) Opposed and (0) Abstain
Zoning Committee - Lea Jacobs
o Due to the length of the meeting Lea indicated she would send a Zoning update via email to the council members.
o It was noted that outdoor seating was approved for several bar/restaurants on Regent Street. Hans indicated he has seen late night traffic and noise increase near his residence. Ben indicated he has not seen this near his residence.
o A discussion was held on the process for meetings of the Zoning Committee. Sarah indicated she will engage with the committee on the issues raised.
New Business
Adjourn
Next Meetings: 9/23, 10/28, 11/18 (election), 12/16