MHCA Area Directors' meeting minutes

Present: J. Eisenhauer, J. Sweet, D. Lamb (presiding), C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, C. Robida, J. Gary, J. Lager

Also present: Christine Sveom, Greg Bell

1. Minutes: The minutes for the April 22, 2008 meeting were approved as distributed.

2. Treasurer's report: R. Rotter reported that the financial situation of the Association was essentially the same as in April. Money from the T-ball program was starting to come in.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no City report.

4. County report: Carousel Bayrd was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no County report.

5. Annual Picnic: Christine Sveom reported that planning for the annual picnic was well underway. Fliers containing information about the picnic and the neighborhood garage sale were ready to be mailed. The date for the picnic was June 26 from 6:00 p.m. until dusk, with a rain date of July 1. A guitarist would provide entertainment, and there would be games for young people. During discussion of the picnic, Board members suggested recognizing Rita and Reiny Meihsner for their many contributions to the Association and the neighborhood, and the President agreed to do this. Board members also reported that there would be information tables for the neighborhood planning project, the garage sale, and the neighborhood watch program.

6. Neighborhood plan: D. Lamb reported that a schedule of meetings regarding the neighborhood plan project had been firmed up. The joint steering committee would meet each first Thursday. The first public meeting was planned for July 16, and the second one for September 17. The final version of the plan would be completed by November 19.

7. Neighborhood watch program: C. Robida reported that some 35 people attended the second meeting concerning the neighborhood watch program. Another meeting had been scheduled for July 11. Those in attendance at the second meeting expressed interest in a variety of activities to enhance security and safety in the neighborhood. The grant application to the City for funds to support neighborhood watch activities had been resubmitted, with the support of Alder Thuy Pham-Remmele. [Note: C. Robida later informed the Board that the grant had again been denied.]

8. Gateway project: Greg Bell reported that the new plantings around the neighborhood sign had been completed. The prairie burn and thistle treatment, for which funds had been approved, proved to be unnecessary and were not done. There was a meeting planned for May 28 with Vital Signs to settle details regarding the informational sign at the Gateway site. The sign should be installed by the end of June. There was a brief discussion about a dedication ceremony for the sign.

9. City zoning rewrite: D. Lamb reported on her attendance at a meeting regarding a total reworking of the City’s zoning code. She expressed concern that the meeting was sparsely attended and that representatives of neighborhoods would not have enough input to the process. She suggested that Board members stay informed on this process.

10. Reports and announcements: Greg Bell circulated a map showing the area that had been sprayed for gypsy moth suppression on May 22. C. Bunge distributed copies of the revised Association by-laws to those who wanted them. R. Rotter distributed copies of a 1949 newspaper article about the construction of his residence by Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Bakke.

11. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:05.

Charles Bunge, Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
April 22, 2008

Minutes

Present: J. Sweet, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), R. and R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, J. Sherwood, Floyd Stautz, C. Robida, J. Gary, J. Lager

Also present: Carousel Bayrd, Charlie Quagliana, Jane Armstrong

1. Minutes: The minutes for the March 25, 2008 meeting were approved as distributed.

2. Treasurer=s report: R. Rotter was unable to attend the meeting. J. Lager distributed a report showing a cash balance of $16,912.79.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no City report.

4. County report: Carousel Bayrd presented a brief report concerning matters related to the Dane County Board. She reported that her lead committee assignment was Public Safety and that she was on the City/County Liaison subcommittee.

5. Neighborhood plan: Charlie Quagliana made a brief report regarding the neighborhood planning project. The Vierbicher firm had been chosen to be the planning consultant for the project, at a cost of $40,000. C. Quagliana estimated the total cost of the project to MHCA to be $11,250 ($5,000 of which had already been approved by the Board). According to the terms of the grant from the City, part of this amount could be in-kind contributions, such as the time neighborhood residents who provide expertise to the project. The planning committee had made some contacts with potential donors of funds to support the project. The committee planned to work up a definite budget for the project and to present it to the MHCA Board for approval. The committee hoped to have a draft plan prepared by November 2008. Questions, discussion, and thanks to C. Quagliana and the committee followed the report.

6. Association website: T. Jarvis distributed a report containing statistics regarding visitors to the Association website. He reported that he had made progress on the re-design of the website. He asked Board members to look at the site and give him suggestions for further improvements. Board members made suggestions regarding how the website, including email lists, might be used for communicating with residents of the neighborhood.

7. Neighborhood watch program: C. Robida reported that some 25 people attended the first meeting concerning a neighborhood watch program. Another meeting had been scheduled for May 14.

8. Annual picnic: C. Robida and J. Gary reported that Ruth Monson, Steve Graham, and Christine Sveom had volunteered to coordinate the annual picnic, which was scheduled for June 26. A flyer announcing the picnic and the neighborhood garage sale would be prepared for mailing to the residents of the neighborhood.

9. Gateway project: R. Meihsner reported, on behalf of Greg Bell, that he requested approval of expenditures for another prairie burn ($100), new plantings around the neighborhood sign ($75-$80), and another treatment for thistles ($50-$75). It was moved, seconded, and passed that up to $300 be approved to cover these expenditures. R. Meihsner reported that the firm of Vital Signs had been engaged to produce the informational sign at the Gateway/bison site. A subcontractor would be used to construct the stand for the sign, for which payment would be required soon. R. Meihsner would ask the Treasurer to cut a check from funds already approved by the Board for this project.

10. Resignations from the Board: R. and R. Meihsner announced that they would be moving out of the neighborhood soon and would be leaving the MHCA Board. J. Sweet recounted some of the ways that they had contributed to the work of the Association and the betterment of the neighborhood, and the Board thanked them with a round of applause. D. Lamb reported that Holly Brassington had submitted her resignation from the Board.

11. Change in Association boundaries: D. Lamb reminded the Board that it had agreed to the desirability of including Odana Hills Golf Course and Odana Hills Park within the Association boundaries, so that these open areas could be included in the neighborhood plan. C. Bunge distributed a proposed By-Laws amendment that would accomplish this and moved its adoption. Motion seconded and passed, with Directors from 11 districts voting in the affirmative.

12. Reports and announcements: M. Silbernagel distributed some information regarding progress on the new Sequoya Branch Library, including the choice of a contractor to complete the interior of the quarters. D. Lamb reported that the developer’s proposal for Phase II of Sequoya Commons would be considered by the City Urban Design Commission on April 23.

13. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:45.

Charles Bunge, Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
March 25, 2008

Minutes

Present: J. Sweet, M. Silbernagel, R. and R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, J. Sherwood, Floyd Stautz, C. Robida (presiding), J. Gary, J. Lager, K. Reuter-Krohn

1. Minutes: The minutes for the February 26, 2008 meeting were approved as distributed.

2. Treasurer's report: R. Rotter distributed a report showing a cash balance of $16,692.79. During discussion of the report, Board members agreed to think about how to market the history book, including another article in the newsletter.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no City report.

4. County report: Carousel Bayrd was not able to attend the meeting, and there was no County Board report.

5. Neighborhood plan: During a brief discussion of this matter, Board members raised the issue of expanding the boundaries of the Association area to include the Odana Hills Golf Course and the adjacent bicycle path. There was consensus that this matter should be pursued. Board members also expressed the need to be better informed regarding the projected total cost to the Association of the neighborhood planning effort, as well as the need to be appropriately involved in budgeting for this cost.

6. Association website: T. Jarvis reported that he had not made as much progress as he had hoped on the re-design of the MHCA website. He asked Board members to look at the site and give him suggestions for further improvements.

7. Neighborhood watch program: C. Robida announced that the first meeting concerning a neighborhood watch program for the neighborhood would be held on April 1 at the Sequoya Branch Library. He reported that a number of people had contacted him indicating plans to attend the meeting.

8. Newsletter: Board members remarked on the marked improvement in the printing and paper quality of the last issue of the Association newsletter.

9. Gateway project: R. and R. Meihsner reported that the person who had been engaged to produce the informational sign at the Gateway/bison site was not able to do the work. They had begun work with a new firm, which had promised to finish the sign in several weeks. The exact placement of the sign was still to be determined.

10. Neighborhood picnic: C. Robida reminded the Board of the need to find a new coordinator for the annual picnic and to establish a date for the event. [Note: After the meeting, C. Robida informed the Board via email that Ruth Monson had volunteered to coordinate the picnic, along with a neighbor, and that she would be meeting with C. Robida and J. Gary to begin the planning process.]

11. Reports and announcements: C. Bunge provided brief information on new developments concerning new quarters for the Westside Senior Center, which involved negations with the owners of Weston Place to have the center occupy space of the ground floor of that building. M. Silbernagel reported that the Friends of Sequoya Branch Library would be moving to Westgate Mall, with the first book sale at the mall scheduled for May 3.

12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:45.

Charles Bunge
Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
February 26, 2008

Minutes

Present: J. Eisenhauer, J. Sweet, M. Hoffman, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), R. and R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, C. Robida, J. Gary, J. Lager, K. Reuter-Krohn, P. Baker

Also attending: Carousel Bayrd

1. Minutes: The minutes for the January 22, 2008 meeting were approved as distributed.

2. Treasurer=s report: R. Rotter distributed a report showing a cash balance of $15,817.79.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no City report.

4. County report: Carousel Bayrd made a brief report concerning County Board matters, including comments on a recent hearing on the proposed power transmission line along the beltline highway. She also indicated that gypsy moth spraying in the neighborhood was planned for April or May.

5. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb made a brief report on the neighborhood planning project. The planning committee had prepared a RFP for a consultant to the project and submitted it to City officials for approval. The committee hoped to have the consultant hired by May.

6. Association website: T. Jarvis reported that re-design of the MHCA website, was progressing slowly. He asked Board members to look at the site and give him suggestions for further improvements.

7. Neighborhood watch program: C. Robida announced that the first meeting concerning a neighborhood watch program for the neighborhood would be held on April 1. Having accepted responsibility for chairing the neighborhood watch effort, he asked to be relieved of responsibility for coordinating the Association summer picnic. D. Lamb indicated that she would appoint someone else for that.

8. Newsletter: D Lamb announced that she had engaged a new printing firm to print the Association newsletter. She expected the March/April issue of the newsletter to be out soon.

9. Gateway project: R. and R. Meihsner reported that they had received a check for $700 from Robert and Carroll Heideman, to be applied toward the informational sign at the Gateway/bison site. They gave the check to the Treasurer and indicated that they would send the Heidemans a thank-you letter. They reported that they would be contacting the man who was designing the sign to see if he could finish the work and to take necessary further steps.

10. Reports and announcements: C. Bunge provided brief information on progress on the new quarters for the Sequoya Branch Library. D. Lamb reported on a meeting regarding Phase II of the development of Sequoya Commons. She felt that the developers had pulled back from some of the commitments they had made in earlier hearings and negotiations. D. Lamb indicated that she planned to attend the Mayor’s 2008 Neighborhood Roundtable and invited other Board members to attend. Some other Board members expressed interest in attending.

11. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Charles Bunge,
Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
January 22, 2008

Minutes

Present: J. Eisenhauer, M. Hoffman, D. Lamb (presiding), R. and R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, F. Stautz, C. Robida, J. Gary, K. Reuter-Krohn

Also attending: Charlie Sweet, Carousel Bayrd

1. Minutes: The minutes for the November 27, 2007 meeting were approved as distributed.

2. Treasurer=s report: R. Rotter was not present, and there was no treasurer’s report.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no City report.

4. County report: Carousel Bayrd made a brief report concerning County Board matters, including comments on an impending hearing on the proposed power transmission line along the beltline highway.

5. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb made a brief report on the neighborhood planning project. She signed a contract with the City for the grant supporting the project. The Neighborhood Plan Committee was working on a request for proposals from potential consultants for the project. She indicated that MHCA will have to raise funds, beyond the $5,000 already authorized from the treasury, to support the project. She asked Board members to be thinking of ways to raise such funds.

6. Association website: T. Jarvis reported that he was making various changes to the MHCA website, which he hoped would make it more useful and effective. He asked Board members to look at the site and bring suggestions for further improvements to the next meeting. He expressed willingness to provide instruction to Board members on how to use the website. Board members suggested that ways be found to publicize the website and to encourage neighborhood residents and others to use it.

7. Neighborhood watch program: C. Robida reported that he was continuing to work with representatives of the Meadowood, Orchard Ridge, and Prairie Hills neighborhoods to develop a neighborhood watch program, even though they did not receive a grant from the City’s 2007 Allied and Emerging Neighborhoods program. He announced that he would be calling a meeting of the MHCA Neighborhood Watch Committee in the spring to plan further for the program.

8. Newsletter: D Lamb asked for comments and suggestions regarding the recently distributed Association newsletter. Discussion and suggestions followed, including dissatisfaction with the quality of the printing of some copies. D. Lamb indicated that she would gather information on changing printers.

9. Reports and announcements: C. Bunge and M. Hoffman shared information on progress on the new quarters for the Sequoya Branch Library. They also indicated that the Friends of the Sequoya Branch had been informed that they could keep their current space for a few months longer than previously thought. D. Lamb shared information regarding an upcoming informational meeting on gypsy moth spraying. J. Gary and D. Lamb reported briefly on a study regarding “sustainable neighborhoods” that might interest Board members and might have useful ideas for the neighborhood plan. D. Lamb reported briefly on meetings she had attended regarding planning for changes in the Verona Rd./beltline interchange and indicated that she would continue to attend such meetings.

10. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Charles Bunge, Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
November 27, 2007

Minutes

Present: J. Sweet, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, J. Sherwood, C. Robida, J. Gary, J. Lager, D. Reuter-Krohn, P. Baker

Also attending: Floyd Stautz, Carousel Bayrd

1. Minutes: The minutes for the October 23 meeting and the 2007 Annual meeting were approved.

2. Treasurer=s report: R. Rotter distributed a treasurer’s report, showing a cash balance of $16,479.43, along with charts showing income and expenditures. He announced that the Association membership directory had been mailed to members. Board members indicated that they had received theirs.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no City report.

4. County report: Carousel Bayrd made a brief report concerning County Board matters, including the fact that the County budget had passed, containing increased funding for human services.

5. Election: D. Lamb asked for a motion that a slate of nominees for officers, consisting of the incumbents, be elected as officers for 2007/08. Motion made, seconded, and passed. Motion was made to elect Floyd Stautz Area Director for Area 10. Motion seconded and passed.

6. Annual Meeting and neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb made a brief report on the Annual Meeting. Board members who attended commented that the meeting was very interesting and successful. She reported that the neighborhood planning project was proceeding and that she had received a draft contract for the grant from the City. She indicated that additional fund raising would be necessary. She announced that a member of the Association had called indicating the intention to make a donation to the Association, and that he had agreed that support of the planning effort would be a good use of these funds. Board members agreed.

7. Neighborhood watch program: C. Robida reported that he had met with representatives of the Meadowood, Orchard Ridge, and Prairie Hills neighborhoods to work up a proposal for a grant under the City’s 2007 Allied and Emerging Neighborhoods program. This proposal had been submitted to the City, with the ideas that any funds received would be divided among the four neighborhoods to support neighborhood watch efforts. In the course of the discussion the following actions were taken, by consensus or by motion: C. Robida was confirmed as the chair of the reactivated Neighborhood Watch Committee, with J. Gary and others (to be recruited) as members. C. Robida was authorized to act on behalf of MHCA as coordinator of the grant, if received, including the use of MHCA as the fiscal agent for the grant.

8. Reports: D. Lamb and J. Gary gave brief reports on their attendance at presentations at the Mayor’s Roundtable on neighborhoods. C. Bunge made a brief report on his findings regarding the future of La Brioche, including the fact that La Brioche was very unlikely to continue its location at the Midvale Plaza location and that it was likely to relocate on the near west side. C. Bunge reported that the Sequoya Branch Library fundraising committee had reached its initial funding goal. M. Silbernagel reported that the Friends of Sequoya Branch was still looking for space for storing gift books and for holding their book sales.

9. Newsletter: D Lamb and P. Baker asked for comments and suggestions regarding the Association newsletter. Discussion and suggestions followed. D. Lamb referred the Board to the draft statement of policies and procedures for the newsletter dated 6/07, which had been distributed earlier. C. Bunge indicated that some further editing had been done on the document. The Board approved, by consensus, the document as policies and procedures to guide the production and distribution of the newsletter.

10. Website advertising by churches: D. Lamb indicated that she had received a request from the Westwood Christian Church for some sort of presence on the MHCA website and asked the Board for advice. Board members suggested that a link for the church be made on the “Neighbors” webpage of the MHCA website. T. Jarvis indicated that he would do this and that he would contact the church with this information. He also announced that he was moving the website to a new computer server, with some changes in the website. Board members made suggestions for other possible changes and improvements.

11. Announcements: P. Baker announced that the submission deadline for the January issue of the newsletter was December 15.

12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:35.

Charles Bunge, Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
October 23, 2007
Minutes

Present: J. Sweet, M. Hoffman, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), R. and R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, C. Robida, J. Gary, J. Lager
Also attending: Chardel Johntson, Thuy Pham-Remmele, Greg Bell, Judy Skog

1. Minutes: The minutes for the June 26 and September 25, 2007 meetings were approved, with two spelling corrections in item 13 of the September minutes (“Westwood” for “Westside” and “Johnston” for “Johnson”).

2. Treasurer=s report: R. Rotter distributed a treasurer’s report, showing a balance of $18,561.53, along with charts showing income and expenditures. He announced that the Association membership directory would be distributed soon.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele made a brief report on matters of City government. She indicated that she was attempting to get adequate funds budgeted for gypsy moth spraying. In discussion of her report Greg Bell provided information and handouts on gypsy moths, especially on the importance of destroying their egg clusters in the autumn.

4. County report: Carousel Bayrd was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no county report.

5. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb presented a report on progress on the neighborhood plan project:

• All the required paperwork for the grant from the City had been completed.
• The last scheduled neighborhood listening session was scheduled for Thursday, October 25, on the topics of safety and neighborhood watch.
• The response rate for the neighborhood survey was quite good for such surveys, and the data from the returns were entered by volunteers. Preliminary analysis would be presented at the Annual Meeting.
• The Planning Committee was preparing a "Request for Qualifications" to be used in hiring a consultant for the project.

6. Annual Meeting: D. Lamb announced that plans were in place for the Annual Meeting on November 8. The focus of the speakers would be on the neighborhood planning process. There would be sign-up sheets for people interested in various aspects or concerns of the planning process. T. Jarvis would have a slide presentation on the history of the neighborhood. The business meeting would include election of Area Directors from odd-numbered areas. The Board agreed that the flier announcing the meeting should be mailed as soon as possible and that refreshments should be purchased from La Brioche.

7. Newsletter: D Lamb indicated that copy for the November issue of the newsletter had been submitted and that Paul Baker was working on layout, etc. New editing software had been purchased. The issue would go to the printer around November 1. C. Bunge distributed a draft statement of policies and procedures for the newsletter, with the request that Board members read it over and be prepared to discuss, amend, and adopt it at a future meeting.

8. Neighborhood watch update: M. Silbernagel indicated that she had contacted Greg Schuler to see if he would be willing to provide leadership in establishing a neighborhood watch program for the neighborhood. He said that he was unable to do so. Several Board members remarked on the desirability of having such a program. G. Robida indicated that he was willing to work on this matter, which was to be at topic of discussion at the several upcoming meetings.

9. La Brioche: Board members and guests reported hearing from various sources that the La Brioche bakery might not be a tenant in the redeveloped Midvale Plaza. After various expressions of concern, C. Bunge distributed a draft of a proposed letter to the developer and the owner of La Brioche, asking for information and offering the Board’s help to keep the bakery in the plaza. With some suggestions for changes, the Board agreed that the letter should be sent and that C. Bunge should be the contact person, as Secretary of the Association.

10. Bison Prairie Gateway: Greg Bell gave a report on several matters related to the Gateway area (written report attached to file copy of the minutes). The Bisons’ artist, Bill Grover, examined the sculptures and spent some four hours with G. Bell, repairing cracks, with more to be done. Completion and installation of the interpretative sign, authorized earlier by the Board, was delayed. G. Bell suggested that the Association offer to pay Bill Grover $150 for his time and materials. Motion made, seconded, and passed to do this and to reimburse G. Bell $16.82 for expenses involved in seeding and Bison repair activities. Motion made, seconded, and passed to authorize G. Bell to see to timely repair of any vandalism that might occur at the Gateway site.

11. Mayor’s Neighborhood Roundtable: D. Lamb reminded the Board of the roundtable meeting on November 3. Several Board members indicated that they planned to attend.

12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Charles Bunge, Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
September 25, 2007

Minutes

Present: J. Sweet, M. Hoffman, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), R. and R. Meihsner, T. Jarvis, J. Sherwood, R. Rotter, C. Robida, J. Gary, K. Reuter-Krohn

Also attending: Chardel Johnston, Carousel Bayrd, John Eisenhauer

1. Minutes: Approval of the minutes for the June meeting was delayed until the October meeting.

2. Treasurer’s report: R. Rotter distributed a treasurer’s report.

3. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no city report.

4. County report: C. Bayrd made a brief report on matters before the County Board.

5. Membership directory: R. Rotter asked for help reviewing entries in the membership directory. C. Robida will do this. R. Rotter reported that the directory should be printed soon and should be mailed to the members in October.

6. Community garage sale: J. Gary presented a report showing a profit from the garage sale project of around $250. Friday was the heaviest day for sale attendance. Next year there should be more maps in strategic places. J. Gary agreed to coordinate the sale for one more year.

7. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb presented a report on progress on the neighborhood plan project:

• The committee distributed surveys to everyone in the neighborhood, asking for residents’ and business owners’ opinions on a wide range of subjects. Some 250 surveys have been returned.
• Mike Slaveny has gained access to software for recording data from the completed surveys at a cost of $300 (significantly below market value). Volunteers are currently entering data into the software. Once this is finished, the committee will be able to analyze the dats.
• More volunteers are needed to input data, which can be done at home.
• The committee is still working with the City to get a contract for the grant signed. A meeting was held with Jule Stroick, and things are moving along.
• Attendance at the first listening session was sparse – about 25 people, including people from the Westmorland neighborhood. The presentation was good and should be useful background for the project.
• Tom Jarvis has helped set up an electronic forum for the neighborhood plan. There is a button for it on the Association webpage.
• So far, the committee has spent money on the survey, and insert for the newsletter, and the data input software. Estimated expenses so far are around $600.
• Kudos and thanks to area directors, block captains, and special volunteers who helped distribute the survey.

8. Newsletter: D. Lamb announced that Ann Edahl had resigned as newsletter editor and that Paul Baker would assume temporary responsibility as newsletter editor. Many favorable comments were received regarding the last issue of the newsletter.

9. Annual Meeting: D. Lamb indicated that the Annual Meeting was scheduled for November 8 at Midvale Lutheran Church. Discussion of the meeting included suggested topics of history of the neighborhood, a presentation by the City planning department, and the neighborhood plan project. A special flier will be distributed at the end of October to make neighbors aware of the meeting and to invite their attendance. Treats for the meeting will be purchased at La Brioche. More finalized plans will be announced at the October Board meeting by D. Lamb, who is coordinating planning for the meeting.

10. Board election: Moved and seconded to elect John Eisenhauer Area Director for Area 2. Motion passed unanimously.

11. Neighborhood Roundtable: D. Lamb reminded Board members of the 2007 Neighborhood Roundtable, scheduled for Saturday, November 3 at CUNA Mutual Group. More information was available in the last issue of the newsletter.

12. Website: T. Jarvis indicated that he was moving the Association website to a new server. He planned to examine how to form a listserv to inform neighbors of upcoming meetings, events such as the Annual Meeting, etc. R. Rotter indicated that he could provide email addresses from membership forms.

13. Westwood Christian Church: Chardel Johnston informed the Board that the Westwood Christian Church wanted to be more involved in the neighborhood. The church has meeting space available, free of charge. C. Johnston will submit news items to the newsletter.

14. Neighborhood watch: C. Robida brought up the need for Midvale Heights to be proactive regarding public safety, following the listening session by city officials for District 20, centering around crime. M. Silbernagle indicated that she would talk to Greg Schuler about the neighborhood watch program. Board members indicated that this topic should be on the agenda for the October Board meeting.

15. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Charles Bunge, Secretary (with thanks for excellent notes from Craig Robida)

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
June, 26, 2007

Minutes

Present: J. Sweet, M. Hoffman, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), R. and R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, C. Robida, J. Gary, A. Edahl

Also attending: Lynne Yudice

1. Introductions: Those present introduced themselves.

2. Minutes: The minutes of the May 22, 2007 meeting were approved as distributed.

3. Treasurer's report: R. Rotter distributed a report showing a cash balance of $29,746.47, along with other charts and information. This amount included dues and contributions from some 30 additional memberships.
4. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no city report.

5. County report: C. Bayrd was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no county report.

6. Community garage sale: J. Gary indicated that 17 garage sale forms had already been returned.

7. Neighborhood picnic: C. Robida reported that, in spite of being rained on, the picnic provided good fellowship for a number of neighbors. Attendance was down from last year, due in part to the iffy weather. He thanked members of the Board who helped set up, and members of the Board thanked him for his efforts. There was some discussion about moving the site of the picnic to a park with a shelter.

8. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb indicated that the Association had received a grant of $20,000 from the City to develop a neighborhood plan, with the stipulation that MHCA cooperate with the Westmorland Neighborhood Association in the planning effort. The Westmorland association has agreed to do this. She indicated that MHCA would need to raise additional funds for the effort to be successful. The MHCA Neighborhood Plan Committee had met the night before the Board meeting. Board members asked questions and made comments regarding the planning process. There was agreement that the Association’s annual meeting in the fall should be a part of this process.

9. Newsletter: A. Edahl announced that the copy for the July issue of the newsletter had been taken to the printer. C. Bunge distributed a proposed policy statement regarding the size of the newsletter, advertisements, and other matters (copy attached to official copy of the minutes). It was moved, seconded, and passed that this statement be adopted (deleting the phrase “in consultation with the President” in item 1) for the guidance of the Editor.

10. Vandalism in University Research Park: Lynne Yudice, Assistant Director of the Preschool of the Arts, reported that the school has been bothered by some young girls who had been breaking into the fenced playground, scattering sand and toys, and generally making a mess. She asked that Board members who might know the parents of the girls inform them of possibility that the girls might get into serious trouble if this behavior continues. Members of the Board asked questions, made suggestions, and commented on vandalism and unwelcome behavior in the neighborhood in general.

11. Annual Meeting: (See item 8, above.) D. Lamb indicated that she would take responsibility for planning the Annual Meeting. Association business would include the election of Board members from odd-numbered areas. The focus of the meeting would be on the Association’s planning efforts.

12. ATC letter: D. Lamb reported that she had received a letter, as President of MHCA, from American Transmission Company, concerning the Association’s position regarding high-voltage electricity lines through or near the neighborhood. She asked the Board if she should respond on behalf of the Association. Board members indicated that, due to the complexity and controversial nature of the issues involved, it was likely not feasible for the Board to reach a position for the Association. D. Lamb indicated that she would respond to ATC as an individual, not as President.

13. Proposed city ordinance: D. Lamb distributed a letter from Michael Florek, of the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Association, asking support for a proposed ordinance regarding communication about proposed housing or commercial development in neighborhoods. Motion was made, seconded, and passed that D. Lamb should inform Mr. Florek that the Board agreed with the proposal in principle and encouraged those responsible for it to keep the Board informed regarding its refinement.

14. Santa suit rental: D. Lamb reported that she had received a request to borrow one of the Santa suits owned by MHCA and asked how to respond to it. Board members suggested that she call Stephanie Mikesell, coordinator of Santa visits, to confirm policies on the use of the suits. It was also suggested that D. Lamb discuss with S. Mikesell the advisability of getting an article about Santa visits into the newsletter.

15. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Charles Bunge
Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
May 22, 2007
Minutes

Present: M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), C. Bunge, R. Rotter, C. Robida, J. Gary, K. Reuter-Krohn, A. Edahl

Also attending: Mike Pressman

1. Introductions: Those present introduced themselves.

2. Minutes: The minutes of the April 24, 2007 meeting were approved as distributed.

3. Treasurer=s report: R. Rotter distributed a report showing a cash balance of $20,993.26, along with other charts and information. This amount included dues and contributions from 444 memberships. He also distributed information on costs associated with the newsletter.

4. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no city report.

5. County report: C. Bayrd was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no county report.

6. Membership drive: R. Rotter distributed a chart to each Board member, showing which residents in his or her area had joined MHCA. Board members discussed how residents might be encouraged to join.

7. Community picnic and garage sale: C. Robida indicated that responses were coming in regarding attendance at the picnic. He asked for various forms of assistance, and Board members agreed to help. J. Gary indicated that 10 garage sale forms has already been returned.

8. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb indicated that she had not heard from the City regarding the funding of the MHCA grant proposal to support the development of a neighborhood plan.

9. Newsletter: A. Edahl announced that the deadline for the July issue of the newsletter was June 15. At the suggestion of the Board she agreed to hold completion of the issue until a report on the picnic could be included. The Board agreed that collation of the issue by the printer should be funded.

10. Baseball program: Mike Pressman, MHCA baseball commissioner, was introduced and provided brief information on the baseball program. Over 200 players had registered. The program will obtain some new equipment this year. Board members thanked him for his hard work on behalf of the program.

11. Announcements: D. Lamb announced that WISC TV was planning to do a feature story on MHCA, as part of a series in various city neighborhoods.

12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Charles Bunge
Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
April 24, 2007
Minutes

Present: J. Sweet, M. Hoffman, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), R. & R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, J. Sherwood, Robida, J. Gary, A. Edahl

Also attending: Carousel Bayrd, Greg Bell

1. Introductions: Those present introduced themselves.

2. Minutes: The minutes of the March 27, 2007 meeting were approved, with the correction of Ann Edahl’s name in two places.

3. Treasurer=s report: R. Rotter distributed a report showing a cash balance of $9620.41, along with other charts and information. This amount did not include any deposits of T-Ball or new membership money. He explained the new format for reporting on various accounts, and Board members expressed satisfaction with the new format.

4. City report: Thuy Pham-Remmele was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no city report.

5. County report: C. Bayrd gave a brief report on issues before the Dane County Board.

6. Membership drive: R. Rotter distributed a cost breakdown on the current membership drive. He indicated that the mailing of membership forms had gone out to all neighborhood households and that 344 replies had been received.

7. Community picnic, garage sale, library branch mailing: C. Robida, J. Gary, and C. Bunge indicated that plans were on track for a mailing to neighborhood residents regarding the summer picnic and fall neighborhood garage sale, including an appeal to contribute to the Sequoya Branch building fund. The picnic would be held on June 21 and the garage sale on August 31 and September 1.

8. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb announced that a grant proposal had been submitted to the City. She expected notification in about two weeks. If the grant is not awarded, the Board would need to decide whether or not to proceed with the project.

9. Gateway project: J. Sweet announced that the spraying for thistles at the Gateway area had been generally successful, but that a few new thistles had come up. She had arranged to have these sprayed. Greg Bell reported on activities of a committee that had been working on an interpretative sign for the Gateway site. He showed the Board conceptual plans for the sign, on which the committee had agreed. In addition to the $400 already approved by the Board for this project, the committee projected needing another $300. Board members contributed reactions and ideas. Motion made, seconded, and passed to authorize another $300 for the sign.

10. Newsletter: A. Edahl announced that the May issue of the Association newsletter was at the printer. She reported that the printer had quoted a price of $60 for collating the issue, and the Board approved this for the May issue. Various issues related to the newsletter were discussed, and the Board agreed that these matters should be addressed at the next Board meeting.

11. Post Office substation: J. Sweet reported that her mailman had suggested that residents of the neighborhood initiate a petition to the Postmaster to have a postal substation re-established at Midvale Plaza. Ideas for a letter or petition from MHCA and from individual residents were discussed, but no formal Board action was taken.

12. Miscellaneous matters: D. Lamb read a letter from Gary Poulson, resigning from his position as Area 2 Director. J. Sweet and other Board members expressed their appreciation for his many contributions to the neighborhood and the Association. D. Lamb reported that she had been informed that the West District police staff would be conducting a safety survey and encouraged Board members to watch the media for further information. She also indicated that JoAnn Prange had requested donations for safety vests for those who work on the Tokay Blvd. plantings. She reported that the Midvale Community-School Garden project needed money. Board members pointed out that the recently mailed membership forms contained an option for contributing to this project, so that action on this matter was delayed. D. Lamb reported that another meeting was coming up regarding the establishment of a west side planning council. R. Rotter distributed an article about Michael Pressman, MHCA T-Ball chairman, and presented brief information on that program. C. Bunge announced that the University Research Park Board had decided to make a substantial gift to the Sequoya Library Branch building fund and that the Board specifically mentioned their positive relationship with MHCA as a reason for its gift.

13. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Charles Bunge
Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
March 27, 2007
Minutes

Present: G. Poulson, J. Sweet, M. Hoffman, M. Silbernagel, D. Lamb (presiding), R. & R. Meihsner, C. Bunge, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, J. Sherwood, G. Schuler, C. Robida, J. Gary, J. Lager, K. Reuter-Krohn

Also attending: Ann Erdahl, Carousel Bayrd, Mike Slavney, Charlie Quagliana, Rachel Martin, JoAnn Prange

1. Introductions: Those present introduced themselves.

2. Minutes: The minutes of the February 27, 2007 meeting were approved as distributed.

3. Treasurer’s report: R. Rotter distributed a report showing a cash balance of $10,601.06, along with other charts and information.

4. City report: Cindy Thomas was unable to attend the meeting, and there was no city report.

5. County report: C. Bayrd gave a brief report on issues before the Dane County Board.

6. Announcements: D. Lamb introduced Jonn Lager, who had agreed to serve as Director for Area 14. He was elected to the position with a round of applause from the Board. D. Lamb and other Board members remarked on the successful alder candidate forum that had been co-sponsored by the Association. D. Lamb shared information on the projected construction at Midvale Plaza. She also passed around an announcement of a conference on urban infill development, to be held April 16. J. Gary shared information and impressions from a conference that she had attended on maintaining neighborhood character. C. Robida announced that the date for the neighborhood picnic was June 21.

7. Neighborhood plan update: D. Lamb announced that she had submitted a letter of intent, on behalf of MHCA, to apply for a City grant to support the development of a neighborhood plan for Midvale Heights. Charlie Quagliana and Mike Slavney presented ideas concerning the development of a neighborhood plan. Members of the Board asked questions and contributed ideas. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that D. Lamb be authorized to appoint a steering committee to implement the preparation of a neighborhood plan for Midvale Heights. Another motion was made, seconded, and passed that the neighborhood plan steering committee be authorized to prepare a grant proposal for submission to the City, including a commitment of $5,000 of matching funds from the Association.

8. Tokay plantings: JoAnn Prange presented information on plans for maintaining the plantings on Tokay Blvd. She announced a meeting on April 14 to plan the annual clean-up day for the plantings, as well as the date of April 21 for the clean-up day. She pointed out the need for more volunteers for routine weeding and maintenance. Board members contributed ideas for obtaining such volunteers.

9. Midvale Community-School Garden: Rachel Martin thanked the Board for MHCA support of enhancements of the Midvale School grounds. She shared plans for further development of the Community-School Garden, including the need for funding and volunteers.

10. 2007-2009 membership drive: R. Rotter distributed a draft of the membership form. Board members made suggestions for change. R. Rotter indicated that he would create a final version and would have it printed. Soon thereafter, it would be assembled and mailed to residents of the neighborhood. During the discussion of this matter, C. Robida, J. Gary, C. Bunge, and G. Poulson indicated that the announcements for the neighborhood picnic and the neighborhood garage sale would be sent out together in May and that this mailing would include an appeal for contributions to the Sequoya Branch Library building fund.

11. Newsletter: D. Lamb introduced Ann Erdahl, who had been appointed editor of the Association newsletter. The deadline for the May issue was set as April 15. Various Board members indicated that they would submit articles.

12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Charles Bunge
Secretary