VNA Council Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2021
Council Members
o Sarah Bahauddin (present)
o Pat Scheckel (present)
o Ben Blitz (present)
o Bonnie Gruber (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 with the following clarification:
Doug Carlson clarified that it is the previous Ag Dean's House (next to Allen Centennial Garden) that is the building being renovated on the UW Madison campus to serve as an events space.
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 April28, 2021 meeting will also be via Zoom
Existing Business
o Treasurer’s Report and Vilas, Ink – Pat Scheckel
o There is approximately $5,600 in the bank account, in the past month:
o Income of approximately $500 received for local merchants advertising in the Vilas, Ink newsletter and $300 in member dues.
o Expenses of approximately $100 for tax filings and $700 for Vilas, Ink printing.
o Pat indicated this will be his last year as VNA treasurer as he is not planning to run again for a council seat.
o The next Vilas, Ink submissions deadline will be May 21st.
o Block Captains - Roz Woodward
o No updates
o Social Report
o The VNA council voted unanimously to approve Bethany Nelson as our new Social Chair- welcome Bethany. Bethany introduced herself and provided the following ideas for social events:
o Virtual (for now) book club, neighborhood service opportunities, DAIS assistance, holiday festivities, community rummage sale, neighborhood walking historical tours and a tasting box from area restaurants. Bethany will provide more information as plans are finalized.
o A Summer party the first Saturday in June after school is out.
o Listserv updates
o No updates
o Monroe/Regent Streets Retail & Monroe Street Library News
o No updates
o District 13 Alliance – Dana Scheckel and Sarah Bahauddin
o Discussions are being held on a potential wealth gap workshop and a Good Neighbor gathering.
o Joint Campus Area Committee
o No updates
o Edgewood Liaison Committee Report - Shawn Doherty, Craig Stanley, and Sarah Bahauddin
o No updates
o Alder Update – Tag Evers provided the following updates:
o Tag is working on a Guaranteed Income task force that is planning to provide a group of families with a monthly income. This work is being modeled on a plan that was implemented in Stockton, CA.
o Tag is working on a Lake Wingra Heritage Viewshed project and a Lake Wingra recreational path project.
o Tag is continuing work on improving digital access in low income neighborhoods.
o Tag’s virtual office hours are on Friday mornings.
o Vilas Park Master Plan - Wendy Fearnside and Ann Rivlin
o The Vilas Park Master Plan was approved by the Parks Commission without any changes.
o The specific project work in this master plan is anticipated to be implemented over a 20 – 30 year timeframe. The City Council will need to approve all projects and associated costs before any changes will be implemented. The Vilas Park Drive revisions may be a near term project.
o The Parks Department has indicated they will provide archeological studies prior to any work being done.
o The City has organized a Vilas Park Drive working group to evaluate traffic changes that could be implemented prior to the major Master Plan recommended physical changes to the drive. Elimination of all vehicle traffic between the bridge and the shelter parking lot is being considered. This would require two-way traffic from the east all the way to the shelter parking lot. This change would remain for all seasons and until the major changes anticipated in the Master Plan are implemented. This will be discussed at an April 28th Transportation Commission meeting and a May 12th Parks Commission meeting.
o Zoning Committee - Ben Blitz and Wendy Fearnside
o Ben indicated the Kettle Black Kitchen restaurant has received a beer and wine license from the City’s ALRC.
o The committee is continuing work on an updated neighborhood survey. Ben expects the final survey will be sent to the neighborhood in May. The previous survey was issued approximately 3 years ago with the intention of reissuing the survey every 3 to 5 years to identify trends in the neighborhood.
o Ben indicated the new Conditional Use Threshold ordinance was approved in committee and will now go to the City Council for approval. The proposed ordinance revisions include:
i. Some setback increases to allow for increased urban tree plantings
ii. The allowable units in apartments that are “approved by right” were reduced from initial proposed changes (but still increased form the current ordinance) in the TSS and CC-T zoning districts.
New and Other Business
o Hunter Lisko, Madison Police Department neighborhood liaison officer provided a personal introduction and an overview of his work including:
o Hunter has a degree in Political Science/Public Administration. This is his second year as a patrol officer in MPD’s Midtown district, currently working the 2 pm to 10 pm shift. He is also a Domestic Violence Liaison officer and is on the Field Training committee.
o Two current issues that Hunter discussed include:
· Racist/Hateful flyers – MPD is aware of these and is documenting locations these flyers are found and the content of these flyers. These flyers are not inherently illegal as they are protected speech. MPD is pursuing this issue along the lines of littering which is illegal. If anyone sees someone dropping these flyers Hunter suggests taking photos if possible and calling MPD’s non-emergency dispatch to report. He also suggested contacting him at hlisko@cityofmadison.com
· Graffiti – when reported MPD will notify property owners and they will work to determine if this is gang related and also to determine who, what, when, where and why this is occurring. Photos of graffiti can be uploaded to the City’s reporting website.
o Sarah indicated the bylaws review and update work is to begin with a focus on elections and dues.
o The Monroe Street Merchants Association is working on ideas for the 2021 Neighborhood Grant program andf they may be asking for a neighborhood volunteer to assist with this.
o Sally Lehner’s application for the City’s Storm Drain Mural Program was approved.
o Sarah indicated we could use assistance with the following committees. Please email vnapresident@gmail.com if interested or for more information.
o Election Nomination chair/co-chair
o Help with website and possible social media
o Listserv co-moderator
Adjourn
Next Meeting: 4/28/2021.