VNA Council Agenda
Wednesday, February 23rd at 7:00pm – Zoom
7:01 Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:01 PM.
Approval of last month’s minutes was unanimous
Announcements (Reminders)
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7:03 Alder Report: Alder Tag Evers
Metro transit network redesign process is moving ahead.
https://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/routes-schedules/transit-network-redesign to see draft plan, take survey, and see information about community meetings.
Meeting on April 7 (rescheduled from April 5 which is Election Day). For residents in Districts 13 and 14.
Interest in getting input from residents. Some routes may be restored in part, or moved around. Increased frequency will allow for more ridership to get people where they want to go faster. This will be focused on the southside.
If there is interest in Vilas, please let Tag know and he can have them join.
Folks in the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood invited Metro staff to their last meeting and were pleased with their discussion.
New line will go down Monroe every 15 minutes.
Wonder Bar moving forward. Tag has some concerns and wants to watch such projects in the future.
From Council: Raemisch Farm on North Side- Tag focused on preserving the land with appropriately scaled housing projects- not just paving the land over. Revised proposal to come forward.
Madison Police Department had applied for a grant to address issues for building legitimacy and trust with the community and at-risk kids. Tag supported the effort. Six police officers would be hired and assigned to each district to work with at-risk youth. Tag is also interested in augmenting social services as well.
Ongoing work updating the city’s lighting ordinance to be sure they are energy efficient.
Work continues with the Lake Wingra Heritage Plan and moving it forward.
Regent Street Revitalization Group meeting again and asking pointed questions about Regent’s future. Tag encouraging staff and working group to do a parcel by parcel assessment- who owns what, what businesses are there, and what is their vision for the future? What can and will make Regent Street exciting? The tax increment revenue will allow to address safety issues and beautify the street.
Ongoing challenges with Zoo communication that Tag is working on. Tag suggested using the model of the Edgewood Committee that has worked well in the past so that the Zoo can inform the neighbors and vice versa. Improving communications to strengthen the relationship on both sides.
7:20 New Business
Sarah was contacted by Chuck Erikson to get this moving forward, reps from the zoo, Alder, representatives from Vilas and Greenbush.
Committee concept passed unanimously.
Sarah nominated Bonnie Gruber and Ann Rivlin to be representatives. They accepted and the Council agreed. Potential candidates from Greenbush live on Randall or close to the Zoo.
7:20 Existing Business
Treasurer’s Report: Rachel Bennett
$5,015. Revenue coming in from advertisements.
No expenditures since February 1.
Tax returns filed and accepted.
Dues from 2021 $1,753 and to date, dues total $141.
Vilas Ink: Pat Scheckel
Dues tend to come in response to physical copy of Vilas Ink. Will go out in about three weeks. Articles due on Friday.
Social Report: Bethany Nelson
The snow sculpture contest has been extended and they are encouraging submissions. More info: https://sites.google.com/view/madisonsnowsculpture/home
Lake Wingra Watershed Event on May 21: VNA will send out publicity and Vilas to organize a litter clean up. Regan will take the lead.
Bethany is looking for volunteers to monitor VNA Social Chair email.
Zoning Committee: Ben Biltz and Wendy Fearnside
Leopold’s got approved for their request for live music.
City looking at making the Streetery program permanent.
D-13 Alliance – Dana Scheckel and Sarah Bahauddin (No report)
JCAC: Doug Carlson (No report)
Edgewood Liaison Committee: Sarah Bahauddin, Shawn Doherty, and Craig Stanley (No report)
7:45 Other Business:
Covid check in – Zoom vs. in person.
Continue to meet via Zoom and when the weather gets nice, consider meeting outside.
Need to consider where to meet as Hotel Red is no longer available.
Adjourn
Meeting ended at 7:55PM.
Upcoming Meetings: March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug 24, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 16*, and Dec 14*