VNA Council Meeting Meeting Minutes - December 2022
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Term Ending 2023 Term Ending 2024
Doug Carlson, President Bonnie Gruber
Rachel Bennett, Treasurer Lee Lazar
Regan Botsford, Secretary Leon Maurer
Wendy Fearnside (absent) Michael Rewey
7:02 Call to Order
Meeting Rules: Stay on mute unless talking.
November Minutes unanimously approved.
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7:05 Existing Business
Proposed Tacos & Tequila LLC (currently named, Gallo Taco Bar) at 1925 Monroe w/ liquor license.
Overview from owners: Ben Roberts own Pasquel’s Cantina, with Julie and Alin present tonight.
Ben is proposing to open a craft taco tavern (former Berke & Benham Seafood). To clarify, he is not opening up a bar or a nightclub. Rather a restaurant that will serve tacos, with craft beer and select margaritas.
On the list of concerns are parking, hood exhaust and related smells, and carry- out liquor.
Parking: topic for everyone on Monroe Street. Ben is hopeful that they have people who are within walking distance and will do whatever they can to encourage taking advantage of public parking and being mindful of neighbors.
As far as hood exhaust- most problems with hood exhausts are associated with hoods that are old and not maintained- this will be brand new so not a problem. Also, not a lot of fried food.
Regarding carry-out, they will offer single serve beverages in a sealed container.
Hours will be 11AM-9PM on weekdays and 11AM-10PM on weekends.
Ben is excited to be back in the neighborhood. Tables for larger groups along with two tops and another larger seating area.
B&B utilized about 1/3 of the space, Gallo’s will take up about 2/3.
Q&A: Class B liquor license. Hoping to be at ALRC a week from tonight (12/21).
Council action: Rachel makes a motion in support of Gallo’s liquor license. Motion approved.
Proposed “One & Only” restaurant at 1923 Monroe w/ liquor license.
Overview from owner Stephanie Dalbesio
The intended hours of operation Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm, and Fri/Sat 10am-midnight.
She intends to request class C alcohol license, i.e. including liquor (Brasserie V had class B beer and class C wine).
There is no plan for outdoor seating, music or carry-out alcohol.
Stephanie plans to present to ALRC meeting on January 18.
Example menu was sent via email to VNA council today.
Diego Saenz invites Stephanie Dalbesio to speak to DMNA prior to ALRC meeting
Doug Carlson reiterates that any attempt to mitigate loud noise at night on nearby streets (such as note on receipts asking patrons not to slam car doors on Madison St) would be appreciated.
Council action: no action is required tonight because restaurant is awaiting sellers’ permit after which they can formally submit application, and then the VNA could vote to support or not
7:35 Alder Update
Planning meeting was 2 days ago, voted 5 to 1 to include national and local historic districts in the TOD overlay. A motion was made to delay council action on voting in order to allow for more neighborhood input. Heather Bailey (preservation planner for Madison) wrote a memo which was quoted in part by Tag. He notes that if members are concerned about wanting to protect the look of the neighborhood, the way to do that is to make more areas a local historic district.
Doug clarifies with Tag that this will go to the Planning Commission on 12/9 and that the Council vote is scheduled to be on 1/17.
Meeting pending 12/19 on the occupancy/family definition topic. Sometimes thereafter we will have a Vilas-specific meeting.
Pat Scheckel asks Tag to describe the evolution of his views regarding the definition of “family” as noted in his recent blogpost. Tag explains that he remains a bit ambivalent but does see it from a different point of view, but does see it from both sides.
Ben Biltz, having reviewed Tag’s blog post, asks him to be sure that the planning commission doesn’t overestimate the power of enforcement of the noise complaints, as it is his experience that the police will come, tell the noisemakers to be quiet, and 5 minutes later the noise will return. He notes that other mechanisms will be important to reduce nuisances and Tag agrees.
Doug notes that the city has published a Q&A on the occupancy/family definition topic.
Bonnie Gruber notes that a house with multiple renters can outbid a family with 1-2 renters, and that a more restrictive family definition is more needed now than ever
On different topics, Tag discusses the recent Council meeting, where there was a deficit of funding for nonprofits. He proposed a budget amendment to add $159,000, which did not pass. Discusses positive results from CARES Program, currently housed within the Fire department, wherein mental health providers are sent to mental health calls (instead of officers). Also notes discussion with Chief Barnes: reduction in shots fired compared to last year, reduction in traffic accidents also, and Tag notes that he feels Chief Barnes is effective and we are making progress.
7:55 Reports & Committee Updates (Note: Full list here for Council discussion. Most no update)
President’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Standing Committees
Social. Chair: Bethany Nelson
Successful hot cocoa/cookies event, auction/donation for nursing homes, a party at Garth’s. Thanks to all who donated/assisted/contributed. Sarah Bahauddin is thanked for taking on book club, and notes that she is considering hosting in-person or possible hybrid virtual and in-person meetings.
Zoning. Chairs: Ben Biltz and Wendy Fearnside.
Ben notes that Mike Rewey has graciously agreed to start attending zoning meetings.
Membership. Chair: Mary Clare Murphy
Edgewood. Chair: Craig Stanley
(Proposed Committee) Transportation. Chair: Mike Rewey. Note, this would be an expansion of the previous bike/ped committee. Mike notes that this committee would include streetscape (street canopy), traffic, public works. He is familiar with these and would like to help make our neighborhood a better place to drive/walk/bike in. He would like to outreach to the neighborhood to discover what people are looking for.
Special Committees
Nominating (can be close to election)
Election (can be close to election)
Liaisons & Appointments
Joint Area Campus Committee (JCAC). Appointee: Doug Carlson
Vilas Ink. Editor: Bonnie Gruber
Bear Mound Park. Liaison: Eileen Thompson
Block Captains: Coordinator: Roz Woodward
Listserv Co-Moderators: Brad Ricker and Ankur Desai
District 13 Alliance. Liaison: Lee Lazar (replacing Dana Scheckel)
VNA Website. Webmaster: Leon Maurer (replace Chris Kelly)
Vilas Park. Liaisons: Wendy Fearnside and Ann Rivlin
Zoo. Liaisons: Bonnie Gruber and Ann Rivlin
8:15 Other Business:
Discussion of Updated Committees & Liaisons; Council Approval. Motion to approve all committees/liaisons made seconded, and council approval was unanimous.
Schedule & format for 2023 VNA Council Meetings.
Fourth Weds. of month for most months
Combo March & April due to spring break? Agreed to cancel March meeting and have April meeting 4/12
Third Weds. in Nov (15), & Dec (13) due to holidays?
Elections changed from November to October due to concerns from Mary Clare that the election in November was busy. This was brought up by Sarah, and Roz concurred that it was hard to contact block captains in mid-November.
In-person ASAP, virtual indefinitely, or virtual through April & re-visit? This was discussed and it was decided to remain virtual for now.
2023 VNA Proposed Budget and Approval: Budget was approved as written with amendments to add $150 cost of Zoom and $175 social event, i.e. ice skating at Shell in April. Discussion of donation to Bayview was had, but decided to not donate at this time due to uncertain costs of repairing Vilas neighborhood signs, which is to be discussed further in January.
8:25 Adjourn.
Future Meeting Dates: (TBD above; likely next meeting Weds. Jan. 25 @ 7:00 via Zoom)