VNA Meeting Minutes June 22, 2022

VNA Council Agenda

Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 7:00pm – via Zoom 

Sarah Bahauddin - President Rachel Bennett, Treasurer

Ben Blitz Regan Botsford, Secretary

Bonnie Gruber Doug Carlson

Pat Scheckel Wendy Fearnside




7:05    Call to Order

  • Meeting Rules: Stay on mute unless talking.

  • Discussion of approval of May 25 Meeting Minutes: remove ‘zoo liaison’ section. With that edit, approved. 

  • Announcements

o   Join the listserv: Send an email to VilasNA+subscribe@groups.io

o   Website: vilasneighborhood.com

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vilasna

o   Donations: (Dues no longer required for membership) https://www.vilasneighborhood.com/take-action

 

7:08    Alder Report (More information can be found here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/blog/)

  • Two weeks ago during the council meeting on June 7, the Network Transit Draft plan was approved. Included new route, O, that would go through Bay Creek and wind into Bram’s Addition and then through Vilas.

  • At last night’s council meeting, we approved the 12 story building plan (originally proposed as an 18 story building). This will allow the Wonder Bar to remain. 192 units of much needed housing. 

  • Last Friday, officially opened Vilas Park Drive to pedestrians and bicyclists. 

  • By and large, traffic concentration was heavy around commuter times. No guaranteed right that you can drive to every part of the park. 

  • Two press conferences recently- Madison Forward Fund- Mayor’s guaranteed income pilot project. Tag appointed to the advisory council. Private money to fully fund this program that will involve 155 families in Madison who meet qualifications on a needs-based assessment who can get $500 with no-strings attached. Against a control group of 200 families. 

  • Generate data to be supplied on a national level. Concept that has received bipartisan support. 

  • Today’s press conference, Tag along with the mayor and others announced the city’s building energy saving program. Tag has been working with the mayor’s office for over a year and a half on this.

  • There have been a series of workshops, inviting various stakeholders to work out the finer details- focused on larger buildings for energy benchmarking. This information will then be collected to monitor usage, efficiency, updates, etc. 

  • Critical that we have full participation from the private sector to meet our climate goals. 

  • Questions/Comments: 

    • Doug: with this heat, a reminder to spray and clean your air conditioner to get it working more efficiently.

    • Ben: Transit Oriented Development Overlay- why one of the changes to allow an increase in the number of renters per unit- Tag doesn’t have the answer and can forward to staff. Will adjust within a quarter mile of transit routes. Some of it will adjust the number of units you will be able to do by right. Purpose is to add some density in these neighborhoods that are adjacent to transit routes. Tag encourages questions.

    • Doug: Note: TOD does have a direct email (tod@cityofmadison.com). A reminder to copy Tag on emails. 

    • Interested in having Town Hall on various issues on why people oppose development. We need to come together as our city grows and not fight necessary development. 

 

7:20    Existing Business

  • Social Report: Doug Update (on behalf of Bethany and Sarah)

    • 4th of July Parade looking for volunteers for traffic control and popsicles. Email sarahbahauddin@gmail.com with the subject “Bike Parade Volunteer.”

    • Garth’s is willing to sponsor a ‘Meet Your Neighbor’ event on August 18. 

    • Contact Sarah if there’s interest in helping to participate or plan. 

    • Pat: Block party a success. Great turnout, guessing about 100 or so participants.

    • Neighborhood Garage Sale (at a point either this year or next): Email Barb Richardson if interested: barbandtomrich@sbcglobal.net

  • Treasurer’s Report:  Rachel Bennett

    • Up $425 for the year. One very generous donor at the party, and a few smaller donations (thank you).

    • Put out the donation box at the Garth’s event!

  • Next issue articles due August 20. That one will be printed. Expect an early September delivery. Note: Pat now has Adobe Creative Cloud access through a non-profit discount. 

  • Zoning Committee: Ben Biltz and Wendy Fearnside:

    • Ben: Transit Oriented Development- something the city is considering a slightly denser and pedestrian friendly BRT route, but Monroe Street is under the proposed plan and will see a bus running every 15 minutes. Neighborhood would see overlay. 

    • Mandate two story height for any new development, eliminate minimum parking requirements, drive down the amount of parking spots essentially for these areas.

    • Plan Commission Meeting on June 23. 

    • Much discussion ensued. More detailed information can be found here. 

    • Next steps: Doug to ask Tag about five renters and potential implications for NE area of our neighborhood. Ben to also reach out to the city directly.

    • Ben to get additional clarification before we move this forward further. 

    • Historical and updated development information can be found here.

  • District-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)

  • Zoo Liaison Committee Report: Bonnie Gruber and Ann Rivlin (No update as the group was not able to meet this month). Baby orangutan was born.

 

7:50    Other Business: N/A


Adjourn: Meeting called to an end at 8:17PM.


Upcoming Meetings:  July 27, Aug 24, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 16*, and Dec 14*

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VNA Council Meeting Minutes May 25, 2022

VNA Council Agenda

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, at 7:00pm – via 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 Fearnside





7:05    Call to Order

  • Meeting Rules: Stay on mute unless talking.

  • Approval of April Minutes: unanimously approved.

  • Announcements

o   Join the listserv: Send an email to VilasNA+subscribe@groups.io

o   Website: vilasneighborhood.com

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vilasna

o   Donations: (Dues no longer required for membership) https://www.vilasneighborhood.com/take-action

 

7:08    Alder Report: Alder Tag Evers presented the following:

  • The Lake Wingra Watershed event was a success (https://www.lakewingra.org/lake-wingra-watershed-gathering )

  • Redistricting has put the Arboretum are in District 13, represented by Alder Tag Evers'.  Tag met with the Arboretum Neighborhood Association (ANA) for the first time last week. We had a successful meeting and talked through many details including the basics: what is an Alder? What do I do? How can I represent their interests to the city? It’s an exciting opportunity to meet with this group.

  • The Vilas Park Master Plan calls for reconstructing Vilas Park Drive. The reconstruction will take place at a future time when funds are available. In the meantime, the Madison Parks and Engineering Divisions have agreed to an interim solution to traffic on the drive, developed in conjunction with a working group involving community members and representatives.  Thanks to Wendy and Ann Rivlin and others who have helped through this process.  For more information:  

  • Metro Transit Network Redesign: 

    • The last public hearing before the Transportation Policy and Planning Board makes its recommendations will take place on May 31.

    • A proposed amendment to the O route would provide access to the Zoo, as called for in the Vilas Park Master Plan, by routing buses along Drake and Randall instead of Mills. In order for this to work, the traffic circle at Randall and Vilas would need to be modified. Residents on Randall are concerned about the impact on traffic and parking. From what Tag understands, Metro believes that this will work.

  • For more information:

  • City Budget.  

    • Tag has recently been appointed to the City's Finance Committee, which makes recommendations for the City's budget.  This is an important committee assignment. With the structural deficit, there is the potential need to make cuts in the operating budget. Tag asked constituents to share with him the kinds of things you want to see in the budget. Email him at district13@cityofmadison.com. He is open to holding a special VNA discussion. 

    • Your assessment directly impacts your property taxes. The city portion is roughly 1/3rd of your property tax bill; the rest is taken by the school district and Madison College. City assessors likely did not capture the full fair market value of your home. Appraisal values likely went up more than the increase in residential assessments.

  • Questions and Discussion

    • Transit Redesign.  Rachel asked whether the new bus route would serve the senior apartment complex on Olin Avenue.  Tag indicated that the new bus service line does go there, but will not go through Bram’s addition and the Capitol neighborhood. This is a concern for District 14. Tag suggested people push transit planners to see if there’s anything they can do to add access to those neighborhoods.

    • Transit Oriented Development Overlay.  

  • Wendy mentioned that the Plan Commission will have a working meeting on the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) overlay-and take public comment on June 23. https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/transit-oriented-development/3792/

  • Transit Redesign will be approved before the overlay. Transit Redesign was motivated out of equity concerns. The TOD Overlay incentivizes the city to grow the way it should, by concentrating higher density development along high service transit corridors. It also lets families get along with one car instead of two.

  • It has been proposed, but not decided, to allow property owners to turn their homes into duplexes. If we value diversity and inclusion we must be thinking about that kind of inclusion. This is one way to make it possible to accommodate more affordable housing in the neighborhood and for people who want to live in your neighborhood but can’t afford it now, to live there. https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/city-creating-transit-oriented-development-zoning

  • Sarah observed that one of the things about our neighborhood is the proximity to campus. Is there any consideration about how that fits into the picture?

  • Wendy noted that about half of the Vilas area is currently zoned to allow duplexes and triplexes. The overlay district would increase the number of unrelated occupants permitted from 4 to 5 people.  

  • Ben asked whether the City can also start enforcing the regulations that currently exist. Occupancy maximums are not being enforced, and that is more of a problem than the number of people allowed.

  • Folks in Bay Creek have expressed some concerns. 

  • Transit Network Redesign.  

  • Wendy: There is a lost opportunity in that some routes, including the one serving Monroe St., cross the Isthmus without going around square and, therefore, don't connect with Bus Rapid Transit.  Creating an opportunity to transfer to BRT would be ideal. 

  • Transit routes will change over time- they are going to be looking at usage, responding to demand. Tag is very impressed with staff's commitment and desire to come up with positive outcomes and a transit system that people want to use.

  • Ben: The proposed bus route on Randall will create increased pressure near the Randall/Regent intersection. Regent needs some TLC.  The alley entrance onto Randall south of Regent gets so backed up, he can’t sometimes get out. Something that needs to be brought up. When Lucky’s redevelopment is finished, it will add more traffic.

  • District 13 Alliance.  The Arboretum neighborhood was extended an invitation to join the D13 alliance. Tag told them about the Good Neighborhood Gathering. Invitations were also extended to Monona, Triangle and Bayview. 

  • Food scraps recycling update: https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/blog/?Id=26396

  • You can always contact Tag via phone or email: (608) 424-2580 or district13@cityofmadison.com

 

7:20    Existing Business

  • Social Report: Sarah Bahauddin for Bethany Nelson

    • VNA Book Club meets May 26th to discuss Janesville by Amy Goldstein. The meeting will be in person on Sarah’s porch for the first time.  Sarah will lead.

  • Vilas Summer Party: June 11th,4-9:30 pm, in the 1900 Block of Jefferson St. (lead-Pat).  A reminder and flyer will be distributed soon.

  • Treasurer’s Report:  Rachel Bennett

  • At this point in time we are $524 in the black for the year. 

  • A total of $737 in dues has been received.

  • Our bank account balance is $5,298.  Regan will help to set up PayPal QR code for upcoming events.

  • Suggestion to decorate a shoebox for donations at the June 11 summer party. 

  • Vilas Ink: Pat Scheckel. Articles due on May 27.

  • Zoning Committee: Ben Biltz and Wendy Fearnside

  • Impact of the proposed Transit Oriented Development Overlay District on Vilas neighborhood

  • The Overlay District will allow greater heights and more density in some parts of the Vilas Neighborhood. 

  • Most of the presidential street and Bear Mound areas will not be affected because they are in a National Historic District that is exempt from the TOD overlay district. 

  • The residential area from Garfield to Regent, most of that north of Bear Mound are included in the overlay district and will have zoning changes allowing greater density.  The maximum number of dwelling units in the principal building would be increased from 3 to 4, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) would be permitted even where the principal building is not a single family dwelling. Occupancy changes would allow up to 5 renters per dwelling unit.  Building height requirements would not change.

  • The Traditional Shopping Street (TSS) district along Monroe, the Overlay zoning would increase the maximum height from 3 to 4 stories and the maximum number of dwelling units in mixed use buildings from 48 to 60 without a conditional use permit.  

  • How future development is coordinated with the comprehensive plan and new district plans-will be an issue. A district plan for the Near West Side area that includes Vilas has not been scheduled and will not be developed for several years.

  • Some of the areas will be more affected than others, especially those currently zoned for single family homes which fall within the TOD overlay district where multifamily units are allowed.  Cities need to appeal to home owners, too. 

  • For more information see https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/transit-oriented-development/3792/ and https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6055ac8436984cc39cb738be2fb4d71e.

  • The TOD Overlay District is not set policy yet. The Plan Commission will make a recommendation and the Common Council has final approval. The Plan Commission has had three working meetings so far and will have a public hearing at its meeting on June 23, which is before the next VNA Council meeting. If we want to have input, we’ll have to take it to the Zoning Committee.

  • Something that we might want to coordinate with neighboring associations. 

  • The Zoning committee will analyze the issue in greater depth and take stab at developing a draft position for the Council.  If the Council is not ready to take a position, the information can be shared with the neighborhood via the listserv. 

  • The City is getting rid of other types of zoning overlay districts in some neighborhoods.

  • Streatery Program extension.  Sconnie Bar on Regent St. has applied to continue its outdoor eating area under this program.  Ben and Hans Borcherding live nearby and neither is aware of any problems created so far.  There is no reason for VNA to oppose.

  • HotelRed Ben reached out to Steve Brown with Hotel Red, which is now being remodeled as renamed Stadium Lofts. They are on track for residents to move in on August 1 and are in discussions with potential users for the commercial space on the first floor. 

  • District-13 Alliance – Dana Scheckel and Sarah Bahauddin. 

  • Save the Date for the Good Neighbor Gathering on September 11th.  Planning on more kid friendly event. 

  • Donations can be made to https://www.dmna.org/GNG2022.

  • 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

    • Community members include Ann and Bonnie from Vilas, and Jim Lorman and Cindy from Greenbush. 

    • (Group had its first meeting and will meet monthly through the summer.

    • Zoo representative want to get information out regarding their upcoming public events. Whether the Zoo should mail directly to the neighborhood association listservs or go through the liaisons and issue.  Council members agreed that the email communications should be sent to the Council representatives for distribution to their respective listservs. 

    • Parking seems to be biggest issue. 

    • A professional planning consultant is working on facilities plan for part of the zoo. Western end, giraffe, rhino and big cat areas and the surrounding area. It looks like a decent plan so far.) *redacted as a result of decision of June 2022 minutes.

    • Stay posted for news about baby orangutan.

    • Please contact Bonnie or Ann if you’d like more details or have anything you want us to tell Zoo management. 

 

7:50    Other Business:

Adjourn: Meeting ended at 8:22

Upcoming Meetings:  June 22, July 27, Aug 24, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 16*, and Dec 14*

VNA Council Meeting May 25th 7pm via Zoom

Hi Neighbors,

We have our May VNA Council Meeting this Wednesday, May 25th at 7pm on Zoom. 

AGENDA

Zoom link below.

On Thursday at 8pm, we are having our VNA Book Club to discuss "Janesville: An American Story" by Amy Goldstein. Weather permitting, we will have our first in-person meeting at 2006 Jefferson St. (my house) either on our screened porch or in the yard.  Please RSVP by Wednesday so I know how many to expect. If we have a large group, we will be in the yard and you may need to bring a lawn chair.  If the weather doesn't cooperate, we will meet on Zoom. I'll send that link later. 

Happy Spring!

Sarah Bahauddin - VNA President

Vilas Neighborhood Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: VNA Council Meetings
Time: May 25, 2022 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
        May 25, 2022 07:00 PM
        Jun 22, 2022 07:00 PM
        Jul 27, 2022 07:00 PM
        Aug 24, 2022 07:00 PM
        Sep 28, 2022 07:00 PM
        Oct 26, 2022 07:00 PM
        Nov 16, 2022 07:00 PM
        Dec 14, 2022 07:00 PM
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VNA Council Meeting Minutes 4.27.2022

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. 

  • Announcements


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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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*


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