MHCA Area Directors' meeting minutes

MIDVALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY November 23, 2021, 6:45 pm
Meeting held at Sequoya Library and via video conference via Zoom due to corona virus epidemic.
Present: J. Cardin, C. Kreimendahl, B. Roe, J. Thoreson, J. Walter, K. Walter, D. Lamb, L. Raihala, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, W. Weber, G. Fischer, J. Veto, J. Lager
Also present: Cathy Rotter, Nan Lager, Ken Skog, Peter Schell, Gwen Schell, Bob Park, Kathy Losby
Cardin called the meeting to order at 6:46 p.m.
1. Introductions
2. Officer Election: Nominations made for Joy Cardin, President; Lorie Raihala, Vice President,; Ron Rotter, Treasurer; Chuck Kreimendahl, Secretary. Motion/2nd to approve and elect those nominated. Motion carried.
3. No legislative reports.
4. Minutes: Motion/2nd to approve September and October minutes. Motion carried. (It was later determined that September minutes had not been submitted, so will have to approve at future meeting.)
5. No treasurer’s report. There is a new WI tax exemption number.
6. Blood Drive: Inquiry from Kathy Losby about partnering with Red Cross for blood drive at library in March. Consensus that we should do so.
7. Yoga Class: J. Walter suggested a community yoga class as a fundraiser for settling Afghan refugees in Madison. Consensus to go ahead, so he and Cathy will investigate.
8. Santa Visits: The Schells outlined plan to resume visits this year. The visits will be porch-only on Dec. 16. They requested volunteers for Santas/drivers. $1500 had been budgeted already and they expect costs to be less depending on number of neighbors signing up.
9. WIDE Radio: Skog/Park reported that they got $825 grant last year from City for outreach to community. They will increase outreach efforts this spring pending Covid. They welcome announcements/programming suggestions from MHCA. They still hope to move the location from a garage to a better site, but Westgate developer nixed having it at their new residential buildings. Seeking $500 donation for transmitter/other costs. Motion/2nd to give $500. Motion carried.
10. Green Team: Weber recounted event with Bob Lindmeier and guest speaker on climate change. Will plan another based on its success, possibly on recycling in early 2022.
11. Announcements: Jarvis said gmail requires security that we do not have with our current TIKI system. He will upgrade TIKI, and then switch over MHCA emails to gmail.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Submitted respectfully by C. Kreimendahl, Secy.

MIDVALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY September 28, 2021, 6:45 pm
Meeting held via video conference via Zoom due to corona virus epidemic.
Present: J. Cardin, C. Kreimendahl, B. Roe, J. Walter, K. Walter, J. Thoreson, C. Wegner, L. Raihala, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter , G. Fischer, J. Veto, W. Weber, J. Lager, K. Reuter-Krohn
Also present: Nan Lager
Cardin called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m.
1. Minutes: Motion/2nd to approve August minutes. Motion carried.
2. Treasurer Report: Rotter reported fisc at $35,206 plus PayPal holdings from dues of about $7231 and $500 in the postal account for a total of $42,937.
3. Membership Drive: Jarvis identified 419 registered members with 7-8 new ones since directory publication. Area member numbers were discussed. For new neighbors, Kreimendahl will get the welcome packet index of materials including a welcome letter and registration form to all Area Directors.
4. Redistricting City Alders: Discussion of map proposals, one of which splits MHCA neighborhood, and one which doesn’t. Motion/2nd to communicate our desire to keep it together. Motion carried. Cardin will write the City.
5. Police Budget: Roe asks if we want to take a position against an initial proposed 5% cut to that budget, which also applies to all city departments. People are encouraged to write the Mayor to oppose cutting police budget.
6. F-35s: East Madison neighborhood associations are asking us to join in their opposition to basing the F-35 military jets at Truax. No action taken.
7. Annual Meeting: Details about the meeting will be in the newsletter including that it will be a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting with presenters Shilagh Mirgain PhD and Joe Walter.
Announcements: Jarvis planned to convert our email to Google over the next month.
Raihala talked about garage door openers which could be set to avoid hackers/thieves.
Kreimendahl said he would relinquish his Area 1 directorship to Roe, but he will stay on as Secretary.
Meeting was adjourned about 8:03 p.m.
Submitted respectfully by C. Kreimendahl, Secy.

MIDVALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY October 26, 2021, 6:30 pm
Meeting held at Sequoya Library and via video conference via Zoom due to corona virus epidemic.
Present: J. Cardin, C. Kreimendahl, B. Roe, J. Thoreson, J. Walter, K. Walter, D. Lamb, L. Raihala, T. Jarvis, C. Wegner, R. Rotter, W. Weber, G. Fischer, K. Reuter-Krohn
Also present: Yannette Figueroa Cole, Carousel Bayrd, Rob Starbuck, Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, Cathy Rotter, + about a few other participants
Cardin called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
1. Introductions
2. Area Director Election: Current odd-numbered areas’ directors were nominated and reelected by voice vote (except not Kreimendahl in Area 1). Officers will be elected in November.
3. Joe Walter led a relaxing, rewarding session of “chair” yoga for the participants
4. Dr. Shilagh Mirgain spoke about surviving and thriving in the face of the Covid-era mental health challenges.
5. City update: County update: Figueroa Cole outlined some recent developments, especially the redistricting of city alder districts which would likely put Midvale Heights in a different district.
6. County update: Bayrd outlined some recent developments.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Submitted respectfully by C. Kreimendahl, Secy.

MIDVALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY August 24, 2021, 6:45 pm
Meeting held via video conference via Zoom due to corona virus epidemic.
Present: J. Cardin, C. Kreimendahl, B. Roe, J. Thoreson, D. Lamb, T. Jarvis, R. Rotter, E. Rogers, G. Fischer, J. Veto, W. Weber, J. Lager
Also present: Yannette Figueroa Cole, Nan Lager, Cathy Rotter, Joe Walter, Kathleen Walter
Cardin called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m.
1. Board Directors: Peter Schell stepped down as Area 4 Director. Jim Thoreson will now represent Area 4 instead of Area 3. New nominees for Area 3 co-Directors are Kathleen Walter and Joe Walter. Motion/2nd to appoint/elect them. Motion carried.
2. Minutes: Motion/2nd to approve June minutes. Motion carried.
3. Treasurer Report: Rotter reported that T-ball net income was about $4800 though some related bills need to be paid. Treasury level is at about $37,000 plus PayPal holdings from dues of about $6000.
4. Concerts/Generator: Segoe concerts were a success with good attendance. Food carts may need to be reassessed or replaced with restaurant take-out. Rented generator worked ok. Mot/2nd to purchase a one similar to the rental for $500. Motion carried. Rotter will make the purchase.
5. Membership: Member directory is going to print with 404 registered members. Areas 10, 13 and 15 have the most registrants. 203 members want the newsletter in paper copy.
6. Newsletter: Paper copies will still be available for those opting therefor. Kelly will be delivering those to Area Directors in early to mid-September.
7. Legislative Reports: Figueroa Cole noted that two residents had petitioned the City to demolish existing houses so that they could build new ones. City budget discussions are ongoing. She will post updates on her Council alder page. Capital expenditures are up first. Operational budget will be in October. Redistricting maps were released for alder districts. City-County homelessness committee considering recommendations regarding encampments and tiny houses. Town of Madison annexation leads to policing questions there; Chief has a proposal to cover it. Seattle video on homelessness is available. She visits Reindahl Park periodically to assist homeless and gather info for policy-making.
8. Green Team: Weber identified the two-fold purpose of the team to make it more “green”, with initiatives to promote more natural spaces, environmentalism and sustainability. She has been working with the Sequoya Library on their LEED certification. Also Odana Prairie has signs to remind folks to not pick flowers there.

9. Annual Meeting: Cardin hoped that the 10/26 meeting at 6:30 p.m. could be in person, but will do via Zoom if need be. At that meeting, odd-numbered Area Directors will be elected. Newsletter will include an invitation. Suggestions for speakers were taken.
10. Good Neighbor Project: Roe said they needed to get communications out to interested members. Jarvis reiterated Mail Chimp problems, though GNP could still use it. The Board will be transitioned to Google Groups for Non-profits.
Announcements: None.
Meeting was adjourned about 8:21 p.m.
Submitted respectfully by C. Kreimendahl, Secy.

MIDVALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY June 22, 2021, 6:45 pm
Meeting held via video conference via Zoom due to corona virus epidemic.
Present: J. Cardin, C. Kreimendahl, B. Roe, D. Lamb, E. Mackey, T. Jarvis, L. Raihala, R. Rotter, E. Rogers, G. Fischer, W. Weber, J. Lager
Also present: Yannette Figueroa Cole, Kris Schutte, Nan Lager, Cathy Rotter
Cardin called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m.
1. Introductions.
2. Legislative Reports: Figueroa Cole reviewed the Midtown Police safety plan presented at a recent Zoom meeting. She responded to a complaint about ordinance on garbage can locations on residential property, which the City will review and update to reflect some residents’ lack of options and current practices. The Mayor announced use of federal Covid aid for housing, shelters, youth work programs, hotels, SBA, Monona Terrace, and rainy day funds. City employees want a bonus, but Mayor supports equalizing pay among departments with phased increases. Budget negotiations are looming. She’ll be gone on vacation in early July.
3. Cardin thanked Roe and Wendy Reichel for assisting with Midtown Police Safety event. The transportation chief also presented there about traffic department’s efforts to reduce injury/danger on the City streets. Tom put a video recording of the meeting on our website.
4. Minutes: Motion/2nd to approve May minutes with clarification that the $2500 expenditure approved was for the Segoe Concerts. Motion carried.
5. Treasurer Report: Rotter noted that T-ball fee income appeared but the related expenses had not yet been paid. Treasury amounts to $42,725.99 with $6,357 from membership dues payments. Jarvis noted that $1140 of that was in donations to MHCA. The tree inoculations are happening at Piper and Slater Parks.
6. Picnic: Slightly higher expense quote for food at $2538.48. Motion/2nd to approve. Motion carried.
The weather cancellation deadline for HyVee is Wednesday. Rain date is July 1. Food will be delivered at 6, so volunteers are welcome at 5:30. Cardin will send out email picnic reminder and Next Door alerts about any weather postponement.
7. Concerts/Generator: MAckey priced $500 generators and $1000 inverter -generators. Bands had little feedback on generator needs. We could still use the inverter we have in the past. May rent a generator for this year.
Raihala/Lamb will follow up on advertising concerts and getting flyers distributed.
8. Newsletter: Lamb will try to get July/Aug newsletter out in early July. Get articles to her by this weekend. Will do paper copies via block captains for those not wanting it electronically. Will include garage sale signup.
9. Membership: So far 178 members have registered, about half want electronic newsletter. Postcards reminding of membership drive will go to all non-registered residents in late July.
10. Green Team: Weber reported that there was a meeting to discuss additional initiatives with environmental focus. Will have table at picnic to welcome participants and new ideas. She will contact Laura Brown about bike path invasives.
Announcements:
Good Neighbor Project update: Kris Schutte said they still need coordinators to revive GNP activities. Some past coordinators are available to train/orient new volunteers. Unclear how police are handling other GNPs throughout the City. Roe and Wendy Reichel have discussed continuing some of the same activities. Will have info at picnic/concerts. There is a police drone/dog demo event 7/19 at 6-8 pm.
Jarvis said that one member had prepaid for 2021, and has now paid again. Cardin will contact to clear up.
Cardin pointed out that the Library cannot host meetings yet, so August will be via Zoom.
Meeting was adjourned about 8:19 p.m.
Submitted respectfully by C. Kreimendahl, Secy.

MIDVALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY May 25, 2021, 6:45 pm
Meeting held via video conference via Zoom due to corona virus epidemic.
Present: J. Cardin, C. Kreimendahl, D. Lamb, E. Mackey, C. Wegner, T. Jarvis, L. Raihala, R. Rotter, W. Weber, J. Veto, J. Lager
Also present: Yannette Figueroa Cole, Bonnie Roe, Kris Schutte, Ruth(?)(from Summit Woods), Rachel Martin, Nan Lager, Paul Haskew
Cardin called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
1. Introductions.
2. Legislative Reports: Figueroa Cole reminded folks that large item garbage pickup will be by appointment only. Parking fees and tickets (suspended during pandemic) will resume. The health dept. mask order is expiring. On June 3 the rent/eviction moratorium ends. June 5 is the Allied Dr picnic. June 6 is Ride the Drive biking event at 4 parks including Marlborough. Homeless hotel vouchers are ending. A land banking project is being discussed at Council/Committee. Also annexation of Town of Madison into Fitchburg and Madison will occur by 10/2022. She’s responding to area traffic complaints and requests. A new watershed study is in the works for Lake Wingra. Working with violence prevention teams for youth summer programs. $18 Million budget gap is before the Finance Committee. Panhandling at intersections is prohibited but not currently an enforcement priority.
3. Motion/2nd to approve Bonnie Roe as Area 1 co-Director. Motion carried.
4. Treasurer Report: Rotter noted that T-ball fee income was arriving. He paid the insurance bill. Treasury sits at about $32,000. The newsletter bill is about $1600.
5. Approval of minutes was tabled.
6. Membership: Lamb said membership newsletters would be delivered to Area Directors the next day for distribution to Block Captains. Members registering on the website will receive a notification if their Area needs new Block Captains.
7. Picnic: Cardin relayed that we’ll need volunteers to help serve food at Segoe Park. May have police chief or other reps to socialize at picnic/concerts. Some objections to formal speech, though mingling okay.
8. Segoe Concerts: All four bands are booked. There is no available electric power in the park. Much discussion about purchasing a generator. Raihala/Mackey will research and check with bands.
9. University Research Park Update: Haskew said that the noise complaints about the building chillers at Fuji in hot weather along Rushmore Ln is being addressed with a plan to install mufflers/baffles, but maybe not before the summer heat. Also reported that there is a major retail/residential development at Whitney Way/Mineral Point Rd corner. Some nice trees will have to be removed but most are low-value invasive species. There will be three ponds, and a lot of earth moved. Figueroa Cole noted that she will be meeting with the developers.
Announcements:
Lamb is checking on food vendors for the concerts, but initial feedback from restaurant was that they may not be able to handle all requests so might need additional options. Will check on food carts again despite some past disappointing service.
Cardin pointed out that the Library cannot host meetings yet, so June will be via Zoom.
Meeting was adjourned about 8:36 p.m.
Submitted respectfully by C. Kreimendahl, Secy.