VNA Council Agenda
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 7:00pm – Zoom
Term Ending 2022 Term Ending 2023
Sarah Bahauddin - President Rachel Bennett - Treasurer
Ben Blitz Regan Botsford - Secretary
Bonnie Gruber Doug Carlson
Pat Scheckel Wendy Fernside
7:02 Meeting Called to Order
Approval of March 2022 Minutes- with the following amendment under ‘Zoning’, the minutes are approved’:
Wendy shared that the city is still planning to do the 13 district plans. The district plans will cover smaller areas than the citywide comprehensive plan and incorporate or replace neighborhood plans. There are gaps in the city's current plans and the Plan Commission would like to get the whole city covered in the planning process. The Plan Commission discussed the proposed planning framework in September 2020, July 2021, and December 2021, and will take it up again tomorrow, March 24, 2022.
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7:04 Alder Report: Alder Tag Evers
Happy Spring to everyone. At the last Council meeting, there were a couple of notable items. The first was the Resource Recovery Charge/recycling fee.
The user fee was included in the 2020 Executive Budget as a way to address charges for tipping fees, etc. for the recycling program.
User fees are in fact a form of taxation. Tag voted for it even though it is less than optimal. Structural deficit due to restrictions. Tag posted about this on his blog should you have questions (https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/blog/?Id=25240)
The second issue was the body worn cameras- lots of feedback from both sides. Tag worked closely with a pilot program on the experiment to know how much these cost, budget challenges, and while there are strong benefits increasing accountability, transparency and trust especially among marginalized groups.
Passed on 11-9 vote, brokering a compromise.
Buildings efficiency ordinance- will be approaching large building owners at 25K square feet and above- benchmarking and tuneups on electrical with staff.
Met with Zach Brandon (Chamber of Commerce/https://madisonbiz.com/staff/zach-brandon) and Bill Conners (Smart Growth/https://www.smartgrowthgreatermadison.com) . Both organizations appreciated being approached at ground level.
Important because we are talking about addressing our 2030 climate goals. Private sector must play a leading role if we are to achieve our goals.
Traffic medians- some of the medians in high frequency locations (https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/madison-to-convert-almost-half-its-median-planting-beds-to-grass-concrete/article_3fb3e26a-ae0c-50eb-ac9c-206bd26febd1.html)
Engineering wants to move forward with concrete and turf.
These are in high traffic areas where the ‘adopt program’ is not applicable because the areas are too risky and challenging and difficult.
Driven by operating costs too and a way of balance cost and risk right now.
People are upset and Tag will try and get more information.
Craig Freise is the city stormwater engineer and Tag is quite confident he wouldn’t put it forth if it had a negative effect.
Bonnie: It seems a better solution would be to plant low-growing native plants that survive with a minimum of care.
Tag looked into that and asked- will post an FAQ issued by the Engineering Dept: low-mow planting still needs to be mowed. In high risk areas- less than 6 feet wide and difficult to mow in areas they have.
Not feasible in the areas or kind of blue-stem native plants you only have to mow once a year. Also can’t do a controlled burn of these areas.
Bonnie would like to propose that every square foot that they pave, they remove concrete elsewhere in the neighborhood. We need every inch of open soil we can get.
Pizza Extreme wants to make some changes to their parking lot layout. Minor alteration at this point. Tag will share with Sarah, who will share with zoning committee.
Paul saw what Sarah sent out but looks like it was already done. Tag going to look into more- from a policy standpoint not the right way to proceed. Tag will look into it.
https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/development/
Allegations made to the Zoo (https://madison.com/opinion/editorial/zoo-needs-independent-investigation/article_1d09652b-d324-5a65-9006-14e558e73451.html)
They have set up a resident engagement process with impacts with nearby neighbors.
These problems are broader and bigger and seems to be a theme in how these allegations are piling up. Tag concerned and had long conversation re racial discrimination and care of animals. Just because an allegation is made, doesn’t make it true but worth investigating.
County Board Castillo here and will join the zoo commission.
Zoo falls on County, presume County will take supervisory role and will make sure everything is ship-shape.
Wendy on the zoo issue: does seem like there’s a pattern of distressing things happening over a number of years. Investigation could be useful. Particularly when there are talk of racial discrimination- make sure it’s not the case. Needs to be accountability somewhere.
More information: https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/blog/?Id=25240
Happy about Cecely is the Dane County Board Supervisor for District 7: https://board.countyofdane.com/supervisors/detail/7
Cecely joined us to share more. She is the Dane County, District 7 Supervisor. Cecely noted there are new maps on the County Board.
She lives in Nakoma and her district changed and now Nakoma, Midvale Heights, Monroe corridor and Lake Wingra- this is a benefit because the mapping is now more cohesive.
Cecely is getting to know neighborhood groups in county areas. She serves on the following: Health and Human Needs, Economic Development and Low-Income Housing, as well as the Lakes and Watershed Commission.
There are 11 new members out of 37 elected positions (https://board.countyofdane.com/).
They were just elected, new leadership- new chair and vice chair. Everything is being reset in terms of committees and membership. Kick into action next week.
As Tag mentioned, the first meeting with the zoo commission will be in May.
People asking for strong independent review. Cecely to have a conversation with Tag. Chuck has passed on knowledge as well.
Looking to see what's going to happen with ARCA money coming through HHN money- not directly affecting the district, it will.
Please contact Cecely whenever you’d like.
Wendy: thank you to Cecely for coming, how would you like us to communicate with you- as you learn about this new area that you are representing. Feel free to call or email.
Cecely’s day job is serving as the Chief of Staff for Senator Kelda Roys
7:20 Existing Business
Social Report: Bethany Nelson
VNA Book Club: May-Janesville by Amy Goldstein. May 26th (lead- Sarah)
Vilas Summer Party: June 11th 4-9:30pm, 1900 Block of Jefferson St. (lead-Pat)
Pat sent an email reminder to list-serve on 4.29: Hello Vilas neighbors, The annual Vilas Summer Party is Saturday, June 11th, 2022 on the 1900 Block of Jefferson Street from 4 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. This event is a neighborhood favorite, with attendance typically exceeding 100 people. There will be food and drink, music, games and good times with Vilas neighbors and friends! Both adult and kid beverages will be provided, although feel free to bring whatever you need to enjoy the party. It's a potluck - please bring a side, salad or dessert to share! Grills will be available; please bring your own meat to grill. Questions? Contact Pat Scheckel at pschecke@yahoo.com
Lake Wingra Litter Clean Up with the Friends of Lake Wingra and VNA: June 5th. 9am (lead-Regan)
Please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cliXScbR8UJ2O5pYt4o8DwUhPIq5sY7sQwh5XG5hj0c/edit
Treasurer’s Report: Rachel Bennett
2022 Projected/2022- fiscally sound at this point. Concern over dues as donations. Reminder to make donation: https://www.vilasneighborhood.com/take-action
Wendy: membership and interest comes and goes depending on issues in the neighborhood. With voluntary dues and with pandemic, it’s been especially hard. Put the message in a paper copy newsletter. Reminders and use list-serve.
Place a box at the party so people can put their dues in there. Promote the summer party a bit more, certainly could be more people attending.
Roz: if we are going to send out a notice for the party, include a reminder on dues too.
Bonnie is going to print up reminders for the party, including dues.
Vilas Ink: Pat Scheckel
Pat is working to get the software updated. The deadline for articles and contributions is May 20. Published in early June- next one is online only.
Zoning Committee: Ben Biltz and Wendy Fearnside – Proposed area planning process.
Update on planning framework for ‘area plans’ that the city is continuing to explore that possibility but has not come up.
Slow process getting it figured out.
Idea to have a city-wide comprehensive plan in 2018- Madison has a checkerboard but not all the city is covered.
Developing consistent formats and the city is divided into 13 districts.
We are in the Near-West area. We had originally been one of the first but now we aren’t even on the calendar- not for next four years. Will be a back burner issue for us now. Not yet finalized. First plan for Oscar Meyer area and the city heavily involved in redevelopment.
D-13 Alliance – Dana Scheckel and Sarah Bahauddin.
Save the Date for Good Neighbor Gathering September 11 from 12-5 at Brittingham Park, a place where all neighbors can easily come together.
Planning on more kid friendly event. Donations can be made to https://www.dmna.org/GNG2022
Focusing on all neighborhoods in Districts 13 and 14.
Emphasis on family-friendly gathering and it’s really for the kids and family alike (kids 6-60).
Partnering directly with schools to get families more engaged. Madison West Dance Team will come back and will bring Reggie the Lion.
Will be a fundraiser.
Ask the VNA for $250
Save the dates coming soon.
JCAC: Doug Carlson (No report)
Edgewood Liaison Committee: Sarah Bahauddin, Shawn Doherty, and Craig Stanley (No report)
Zoo Liaison Committee Report: Bonnie Gruber and Ann Rivlin
First Meeting occurred. Main takeaways:
We asked for a schedule of their planned upcoming events as we think it is good for neighbors to know what is happening as far in advance as possible.
We are hoping to meet more frequently during peak zoo season
We are working on identifying topics to discuss/work on.
Primary concerns- traffic, parking, litter
7:50 Other Business:
Metro Transit Network Redesign: reminder to give feedback by end of April MetroRedesign@cityofmadison.com
Bonnie- 21st of June is Make Music Madison. Bonnie’s driveway will be a venue for early music/folk music. viola soloist and a trio that performs esp for kids and a couple of instrumental folk groups, open no-mic.
More information: https://www.makemusicmadison.org/
Rachel- Participated in the Dane County Master Recycling Class and is looking forward to educating our community regarding best practices.
Adjourn: Meeting called to a close at 8:01.
Upcoming Meetings: May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug 24, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 16*, and Dec 14*