VNA Council Meeting Minutes
July 22, 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 August 26th meeting will also be via Zoom
Existing Business
o Treasurer’s Report and Vilas, Ink – Pat Scheckel
o Pat indicated there is approximately $4,700 in the bank account.
o The Summer issue of Vilas, Ink has been posted on the VNA website.
o Articles for the next edition of Vilas, Ink are due August 22nd.
o Sarah will work with Pat to provide an appropriate thank you to the family that has printed and shipped Vilas, Ink for many years.
o VNA directory - Pat Scheckel and Block Captains - Roz Woodward
o The 2020 VNA directory has been printed and delivered.
o Social Report - Lee Lazar
o Lee indicated the July 4th kid’s bike parade was canceled due to Dane County Covid 19 restrictions.
o Lee is developing a plan for a socially distanced neighborhood gathering in Vilas Park, potentially including food trucks and other food vendors. The council authorized Lee to purchase plastic cones to be used for socially distanced spacing.
o Listserv updates
o None
o Monroe/Regent streets Retail News
o Garth’s – A request to add (4) tables & (8) chairs was approved by the City. A discussion was held about potential noise concerns. It was decided to monitor this to see if any issues develop.
o District 13 Alliance – Dana Scheckel and Sarah Bahauddin
o Information was posted to the listserv on an essential items drive to be held on July 25th for the Romnes Apartments community.
o Additional essential items drives are being planned for other Triangle neighborhood communities.
o Joint Campus Area Committee
o No update
o Edgewood Liaison Committee (Craig Stanley, Shawn Doherty and Sarah Bahauddin) Report
o Craig Stanley provided an update on the status of work to date between the Liaison Committees and Edgewood High School (EHS). He indicated the key points of neighborhood concern are the number of night games to be played, mitigation of sound issues and enforcement methods.
o No word has been received from EHS relative to if they plan to delay their request to install lighting beyond the August 4th City Council meeting.
o There was a discussion on the role of the Liaison Committees relative to the Neighborhood Association council members if any negotiations are to occur.
o After a lengthy discussion majority of the council members voted to remain with the previous stance to take no position on the addition of stadium lighting.
o Alder Update – Tag Evers
o No update
o Vilas Park Master Plan – Wendy Fearnside and Ann Rivlin
o The Master Plan next steps are:
i. The consultant is analyzing 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.
o Election Committee - Mary Clare Murphy
o Absentee Vote 2020
i. The council will vote at the August 26th meeting on the proposed charter revisions to allow for absentee voting. Sarah will make sure notice of the proposed changes are sent out at least 10 days in advance of the vote.
ii. The importance of communicating to the Vilas neighborhood the actual voting procedures to be used was discussed.
New Business
o Monroe Street Branch Library
o The Library Board voted 5-4 on July 9th to propose closure of the Monroe St. Branch Library. This is just a recommendation to the Mayor as a part of the Library’s overall 5% budget reduction proposal.
o The next step will be for the City Council to develop and vote in November on the entire City budget for next fiscal year, which will include a budgetary decision on this library.
o Beth Israel Temple will be installing a temporary tent this Fall to allow for socially distanced High Holy Days gatherings.
o Hotel Red’s permit to start construction of their building addition expires in August, but due to the pandemic the City has extended this one year.
Adjourn
Next Meetings:
8/26, 9/23, 10/28, 11/18 (election), 12/16