MHCA Area Directors' meeting minutes

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 - 6:45pm - Sequoyah Branch Library

Area Directors Present: T. Trapp, D. Lamb, W. Weber, G. Fischer, R. Rotter, C. Kreimendahl, P. Haskew, T. Jarvis, G. Poulson, P. Schell, E. Rogers
Also Attending: Steve Fitzsimmons

6:47pm Meeting called to order

1. Introductions
   1. W. Weber to take F. Stautz's seat for remainder of 2 year term
   
   
2. Previous minutes approved
   
3. Treasurer's report
   1. Only about $390 of activity
   2. Garage sale made about $190
   3. There may be a few outstanding checks for special events
      1. Special events column in report to be zeroed out after accounts are settled
   
   
4. Membership drive debrief
   1. Tom sent an email to the board, subject line: "Information about MHCA registrations" 9/22
      1. C Kreimendahl asks if Area Directors could follow-up on the comments from registrants in their Area
   2. Tom sent a 2nd email, in response to E Rogers request, subject line: "MHCA Registrations after the Reminder Cards were sent out"
      1. The weekly registration totals indicate that reminder postcards sent to the neighborhood certainly cover the cost of production and postage
   3. P Haskew thanks T Jarvis for his industrious effort getting so much done this year
      1. Board gives a round of applause
   4. T Jarvis describes difficulties presented by the printing company
   5. E Rogers asks whether there would be value in sending out a 2nd round of cards
      1. T Jarvis believes there might not be enough sign ups to make it worth a 2nd round
   6. D Lamb mentions that it's not much additional labor. The additional cost is primarily in printing and postage
   
   
5. Annual meeting : 10/27
   1. G Poulson gets Superintendent J Cheatham to agree to attend at 6:30, speaking first
   2. C Bayrd and M Cheeks have been invited to attend
      1. M Cheeks will be late
      2. C Bayrd sends her regrets
   3. D Lamb is asking board members to bring treats (cookies, etc.) to annual meeting, as in year's past.
   4. D Lamb can get postcards printed by the end of this week. She will be out of town and can't help with slapping on labels and mailing.
      1. C Kreimendahl offers to help
   5. C Kreimendahl mentions elections are pending
      1. J Butler is resigning from co-director of Area 13
   6. G Poulson offers to buy coffee
   7. D Lamb offers to bring cider
   8. R Rotter asks whether we have the room booked
      1. Mary usually does that at the beginning of the year
   
   
6. S Fitzsimmons has Neighborhood Watch business
   1. We need $150 for the church that hosts our meetings ($25/meeting)
   2. Could we also donate $100 for K9 unit? Previously approved by board
      1. Donation will be presented to “Capital K9s” at the next NW meeting
   3. S Fitzsimmons will be speaking on the radio (local LPFM station)
      1. Crime updates and recordings of Neighborhood Watch meetings
   4. T Jarvis suggests mentioning the radio broadcasts to neighbor who doesn't have computer and wishes to see crime updates included in the Midvale Messenger
   
   
7. P Haskew proposes a motion that MHCA expresses regret to each alder on Common Council that the proposed police station on mineral pt road may be delayed due to downtown development
   1. G Poulson asks to abstain due to mention of “downtown development”
   2. R Rotter proposes amendment to motion:
      1. MHCA emails each alder on Common Council expressing regret that the proposed police station on Mineral Pt road may be delayed.
   3. Amendment accepted by P Haskew & second
   4. G Fischer mentions that delaying this project will be costly in terms of rising costs, inflation, etc.
   5. S Fitzsimmons mentions worsening staff & resource shortfalls
   6. Motion as amended passes.
   
   
8. T Jarvis mentions that Neighborhood Watch has hit 457 members in September
   1. Equal to the number of Madison Police Department officers

Meeting is adjourned at 7:28

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting
Tuesday, August 25, 2015 – 6:45 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Denise Lamb, Floyd Stautz, Greg Fischer, Ron Rotter, Jim Thoreson, Gary Poulson, Kay Reuter-Krohn, Tom Jarvis, Tim Trapp, Peter Schell, Mary-Jane Armstrong, Jonn Lager, Ed Rogers

Also attending: Cathy Rotter, Steve Fitzsimmons, Randy Peterson

1. Call to Order & Introductions
2. June minutes approved w/o alteration
3. Treasurer’s Report
   1. New & Improved Report
      1. Money has moved around among the various accounts
      2. This month’s report has the new balances side-by-side with the old balances.
   2. No questions
4. Membership Drive Update
   1. T Jarvis closes online registration
      1. Mailed in registrations are still pending entry
   2. Room for one or 2 more addresses in the directory
   3. Directory is ready to go to EconoPrint
      1. Haven’t submitted to EconoPrint yet
   4. C Kreimendahl asks what will we need to do for directory delivery.
      1. MHCA volunteers will stuff envelopes
      2. MHCA will pay extra for varying weight mailings
      3. T Jarvis requests that envelope stuffing happen at his home.
   5. D Lamb asks if we need to worry about Membership Cards having expiration date of 9/1/16
      1. Should not be an issue
   6. T Jarvis has received some complaints from residents who have not yet received their cards
      1. We’ll get them out ASAP
   7. C Kreimendahl asks for volunteers to keep some availability to stuff envelopes at the end of the week or over Labor Day weekend
   8. Mary-Jane Armstrong asks what our plans are regarding more reminder postcards this year
      1. T Jarvis wishes the reminder postcards had a full membership form included
      2. Gary Poulson asks if reminder postcards have once again paid for themselves with memberships
         1. C Kreimendahl says we don’t know yet, but will check before next meeting so we can decide
   9. T Jarvis notes that this year may be a bumper crop of registrations; MHCA already has nearly 500 members
      1. Selection of Midvale Messenger delivery via e-mail has doubled since last year
   10. T Jarvis notes that we are very close to benchmark 457 members of the Neighborhood Watch email newsletter
       1. S Fitzsimmons notes that 457 is the number of officers in the Madison Police Department
5. Neighborhood Annual Meeting Plans
   1. D Lamb calls for suggestions for speaker
      1. Gary Poulson talked with Alder Mo Cheeks, suggests we consider Superintendent Jen Cheatham
      2. C Kreimendahl suggests WI author Jerry Apps
      3. R Rotter suggests travel writer Gary Knowles
      4. G Poulson suggests Sarah Day of American Players Theatre
         1. Her performance schedule may not accommodate the meeting this year
      5. R Peterson asks if the neighborhood has a mission statement
         1. E Rogers finds brief statement of purpose on the MHCA homepage:
            1. The Midvale Heights Community Association was incorporated in 1954 to "...provide an organization through which the members are better able to deal with the civic problems in the community as well as to provide an organization to promote the recreational, educational and social life of their community."
         2. R Peterson suggests we choose a speaker who forwards our mission.
      6. MJ Armstrong suggests YWCA director Rachel Krinksy
      7. C Kreimendahl asks for vote by show of hands (voting as many times as you like), Area Directors only
         1. Top 3 vote getters are: Jen Cheatham, Jerry Apps, and Rachel Krinsky
   2. Gary Poulson asks the event start time
      1. D Lamb remembers 6:30 or possibly earlier. She will check her notes from previous years
   3. C Kreimendahl mentions the date will be October 27
   4. D Lamb proposes we create a bulletin board of what we’ve accomplished with photos
   5. J Thoreson suggests we invite Officer Pailing to the meeting
      1. Not necessarily to speak, but to give him a chance to put it on his calendar
6. Garage Sales
   1. C Kreimendahl reports that Jill has set everything up and the sales will be on 9/4 & 9/5
   2. T Jarvis notes that the number of sale locations has fallen from years past
   3. C Kreimendahl reports that Jill is retiring, is happy to hand off all materials to a successor
   4. J Thoreson asks how many people are volunteering to help with the garage sale on the membership registration forms
      1. T Jarvis finds 2 people. One of whom is Jill
   5. R Peterson suggests we move the garage sale to an earlier weekend
7. Concert Series
   1. D Lamb reports 35 people at the Jazz concert and 80 people at the Cajun band
      1. Worth doing again; many people requested more performances in the future
      2. Should have no trouble getting 3 bands next year
      3. Permitting process should go more smoothly and simply next year
   2. D Lamb believes the event should be moved back from 6:30 start to 7pm
   3. D Lamb also believes moving closer to Solstice for later light would help
   4. D Lamb suggests a generic “Live Music Friday” banner to advertise to the street
   5. E Rogers thanks D Lamb for all the great work
   6. MJ Armstrong asks if we can invite a food cart, paying whatever permitting fees are required
      1. R Peterson suggests we have the food cart park in a neighbor’s driveway across from the park
   7. J Lager notes that Research Park has open parking lots in the evenings
8. Midvale Messenger printing
   1. D Lamb notes that we print 500 per issue, when nearly 200 members request e-mail delivery only
9. C Kreimendahl introduces R Peterson
   1. Thanks him for his work with plantings under our new neighborhood sign
   2. R Rotter makes a motion:
      1. MHCA will donate $200.00 to landscaping on sign on Odana Lane
      2. Motion passes
   3. R Peterson reports that this city has not given him any trouble with his landscaping
   4. D Lamb suggests a mowing friendly ground-cover
10. Low Power FM Radio Station
    1. T Jarvis received an email regarding the relocation of a 100 Watt FM radio station to the 600 block of Orchard Dr
    2. S Fitzsimmons wonders if they can promote the Neighborhood Watch
11. F Stautz is moving
    1. MHCA will need to find a replacement for Area Director for Area 10
12. R Peterson suggests we consider having a neighborhood harvest season bonfire
13. Meeting adjourned at 8:20

Notes recorded by Ed Rogers

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting
Tuesday, June 23, 2015 – 6:45 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Ron Rotter, Floyd Stautz, Ed Rogers, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Kay Reuter-Krohn, Tom Jarvis, Gary Poulson, Peter Schell

Visitors: Steve Fitzsimmons

1. Call to Order & Introductions - C Kreimendahl
2. Prior Minutes Review/Approval - Board
   1. Minutes for May meeting up for approval
   2. T Jarvis asks if scheme for bullets is fine?
      1. C Kreimendahl printed out copy and bullets read different
   3. Motion to approve May minutes
      1. Motion carries
3. Treasurer’s Report - R Rotter
   1. R Rotter handed out hard copy of budget; ~$44,000 total
      1. Last page shows how much we brought in and how much we spent for month
   2. C Kreimendahl suggests move money around from general fund to other specific funds so that there aren’t negative numbers
      1. D Lamb notes that once Membership drive is over, we should move enough money to Newsletter to cover the year’s cost
   3. D Lamb asks what’s "meeting program" in budget?
      1. R Rotter says that’s our annual meeting or block captain meetings
      2. R Rotter can go through and put three years worth of money in each category. Most of our money should be in by August so can do it for next meeting
   4. E Rogers clarifies that we don’t need to worry when there isn’t enough money in a certain account?
      1. No
   5. C Kreimendahl says R Rotter can use his judgement because he’s familiar with what we spend on different things annually and how new members have allocated funds
   6. D Lamb will give R Rotter ad receipts for past year so know how much to put aside
   7. R Rotter asks about whether we want to suggest totals for different categories?
      1. D Lamb suggests create category for “special events” to cover Segoe concerts
   8. E Rogers thanks R Rotter for the column of monthly balance changes in each report, and E Rogers hopes that column will continue to be produced after the fund reallocation.
      1. R Rotter will maintain this column
   9. Question about "signs" as budget item.
      1. No more money needed for big neighborhood signs so can zero this out
      2. Garage sale signs were purchased last year.
   10. R Rotter will create budget category for parks
4. Legislative Reports - Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. Maurice was at our picnic last week (after a transportation meeting he had). No news to report.
5. Membership Drive Committee Update - P Haskew, Board
   1. P Haskew not at today's meeting but we need to decide today about discount cards before next board meeting in August. After last year’s efforts, things are in place but T Jarvis will need help. P Haskew not seeking new businesses and assuming previous business are renewed. We haven’t had complaints. Business owners could say that they discontinued it.
      1. P Schell agrees, businesses could cancel whenever they wanted to. They aren’t obligated to honor the card
      2. D Lamb and M Armstrong don’t have a problem with businesses accepting it.
         1. C Kreimendahl this part of it seems fine.
      3. M Armstrong wonders if we should alert the businesses
         1. J Chipault says our business year is odd so it might throw them.
      4. T Jarvis brings up issue of weight during mailing – if the envelopes have different number of cards then USPS won’t take it bulk rate.
         1. E Rogers had previously suggested cards that said "thanks" as fillers to even out the weight
      5. 307 members currently, 19 gave 1 adult, 197 gave 2 adults, 9 gave 3 adults
         1. So can do two cards in 197 envelopes in bulk mail and put stamps on envelopes for others that need to be shipped.
      6. T Jarvis says Econoprint was upset with us when we took envelopes for separate pile.
      7. C Kreimendahl says annual membership has become task that swallows up lot of time, but he's interested in cutting down work involved.
      8. T Jarvis not sure what they print the cards on. When they got them last year, had to match identifier number to card number so had to put identifier on envelope
      9. Is there a minimum number for bulk mailing
         1. Might be more than 19, but doesn’t matter because could put a normal stamp on it
      10. R Rotter asks if names are on cards
          1. Yes, but not addresses
      11. D Lamb suggests we have block captains deliver them
      12. Random numbers were generated by T Jarvis last year to associate cards and envelopes.
      13. E Rogers suggests we should make this as simple as possible. Econoprint sounds like they are particular. We should get in touch with them and ask what we need to do so that we send can send them an email and they do the rest
          1. Problems with Econoprint happened because of multiple cards in different envelopes
      14. T Jarvis says they had to be zip plus 4 digits for mailing
          1. D Lamb says they don’t
      15. T Jarvis suggests unique directories with 9 house safety model pre-printed?
          1. Future project
      16. C Kreimendahl says, to keep it simple for mailing purposes, could put in one card and then say come to annual meeting to pick up extra cards
      17. R Rotter wonders if could mail separate postcards with membership cards embedded
          1. D Lamb says there’s limits on postcards
      18. Need someone to talk to Econoprint
          1. We want them to do the mailing work
      19. C Kreimendahl says idea is to mail these things of value so that they get to each household. Don’t want to stick them between doors and can’t put them in mailbox. C Kreimendahl asks if there’s a consensus to mailing membership cards.
          1. P Schell says can’t make decision without knowing the cost
      20. C Kreimendahl says get consensus decision via email after T Jarvis and M Armstrong talk to Econoprint
   2. Membership Reminder
      1. We have sent postcards targeted to people who hadn’t yet signed up (last year sent it to everyone and it cost a lot of money) but we got 60 more people to sign up after the postcard (so we recouped cost).
      2. C Kreimendahl asks if they can do bulk mail from the printer
         1. R Rotter says mailed picnic cards for $260 to mail to everyone a postcard. So if get 20 people to register after postcard mailing ,you pay for the sending of the card.
      3. T Jarvis can extract those who haven’t enrolled yet.
      4. E Rogers says for every $1 spent, we get $3 so we should do this all the time
      5. D Lamb has postcard file
      6. C Kreimendahl gone in July so can’t do postcard this year.
      7. R Rotter is pretty sure Jill just emails Econoprint and they do everything
      8. S Fitzsimmons says he can put membership forms out at neighborhood watch meetings as a reminder, too
      9. D Lamb can pull up postcard and see what’s there. She’ll talk to Jill and if all she needs to do is send card to Econoprint and get address list from Tom, she can do it
      10. Seem to be doing good on members this year compared to where we were at this point last year
      11. T Jarvis thinks neighborhood watch is bringing in more people
6. Segoe Park Summer Concerts - D Lamb
   1. Good news and bad news. Good news: sent application permit forms to Park district, as well as $100 check. Bad news: thought she had three bands but one band backed out. D Lamb went over to Segoe Park and sure band can fit under overhang and amplification seems fine. Need someone there with membership forms. Have people on the radar for next year that can’t make dates this year.
   2. Make Music Madison at Segoe Park. E Rogers says it was a rousing success. There was plenty of shade, weather was perfect, used P Haskew’s inverter for power, bands that played were satisfied with amplification (loud enough that people could hear but zero neighbor complaints).
      1. J Chipault asked how many people there
         1. 7 hours of music and probably peaked at 50 people. Kids played while people played. No Name String Band was most popular
            1. J Chipault says, considering how many music opportunities there were throughout city, 50 is a good crowd
7. Garage Sales - Board
   1. First the Picnic - Jill Carlson sent C Kreimendahl email saying that HyVee fixed prices and charged us what they charged last year. They compared billing from last year to this year and realized how we were charged last year. Total now $1050, which is closer to $4 per person.
      1. Great picnic turn-out this year
         1. F Stautz suggests more activities for kids at picnic – balloon guy, fire truck. Nothing but playground for kids this year.
            1. Can visit this issue early next spring
   2. Garage Sale – Jill Carlson in charge of this, too. She said it’s not online yet to register but she has it set up so that people can send payment and then people deliver kits.
      1. T Jarvis says Jill usually sends T Jarvis the information but she hasn’t yet
         1. D Lamb says she has it for back page of newsletter
            1. T Jarvis can extract back page of newsletter as PDF for online form
      2. A few new members signed up for membership at the picnic (new people to neighborhood). Can’t pay online for garage sale – just can get form online.
8. Announcements - Board
   1. Kids Clubhouse happened. C Kreimendahl got note from member who lives near there and she’s helping out to get things going this spring. C Kreimendahl got email around Memorial Day saying there were only 3 people but they got the word out and by a week or 10 days later they had 10 kids. Haven’t heard anything different so think it’s going.
      1. How many participants?
         1. Think last year was 12 regulars and every day was around 20 kids since drop-ins allowed
   2. Someone at the picnic mentioned to C Kreimendahl that she thought “Why don’t we have a neighborhood Christmas caroling group?” and C Kreimendahl suggested she spearhead it and we could use the website to advertise. They could get a group of singers and go door-to-door.
      1. D Lamb says this would be a good excuse to invite people over to listen to carolers.
         1. Don’t think anyone got the name of the woman at the picnic that mentioned this idea.
            1. Could put it in fall newsletter that someone brought it up and we need someone to head effort
   3. C Kreimendahl has been getting emails about Bison Prairie and Tokay Boulevard. Bison Prairie doesn’t look good (weeds). City mows it and isn’t consistent about what they do and there’s a rock circle so there’s a limit on where they take their equipment. Emailers proposed that the committee come up with a plan; but there is no committee. Someone else said Tokay Blvd doesn’t look good. These are people that used to do a lot of work on these projects
      1. D Lamb says some of the beds don’t look that great because done piece by piece but $100,000 plan that Nan Lager got from architecture students is too much money so what we can do. Could try to get people to adopt a block (instead of just their house) and put in ground cover so that city never has to mow? Maybe start on two ends of Tokay and work in?
      2. M Armstrong says they tore up the boulevard recently so it’s just recouping
         1. E Rogers suggests touching base with Alder Cheeks and to make sure they aren’t going to dig up median again soon before making bigger plans
      3. D Lamb got disposition on construction of Mineral Point road. In general there will be one lane going all directions but no left turns from soon until October.
      4. C Kreimendahl will communicate this to Nan Lager. We knew when Janice Gary retired that Bison Prairie would suffer a big loss.
         1. T Jarvis says there are registered volunteers – 17 for neighborhood planting/beautification and 24 donated money.
            1. D Lamb asks if names have been pass to Nan Lager?
               1. T Jarvis did earlier but list not final yet.
      5. M Armstrong says people that live at townhouses at Odana and Segoe do great landscaping and she asked if they would be willing to take on gardening around our new neighborhood sign and they would likely do it if had budget for plants.
         1. C Kreimendahl says have them contact Nan and him.
   4. J Chipault gone August and September so will need substitute note-taker
9. Adjourned 7:55

Notes recorded by J Chipault, secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting
Tuesday, May 26, 2015 – 6:45 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Ron Rotter, Floyd Stautz, Ed Rogers, Greg Fischer, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Kay Reuter-Krohn, Tom Jarvis

Visitors: Steve Fitzsimmons, Cathy Rotter

1. Call to Order & Introductions - C Kreimendahl
   1. Have new area director for Area 7 (Tim Trapp) but not here tonight; maybe in June.
2. Prior Minutes Review
   1. Motion to approve
      1. Motion carries
3. Treasurer’s Report - R Rotter
   1. Passed out hard copy with details
      1. ~$44,000 total
      2. Provided details on what we’ve spent on picnic since inception (2005). Last year we spent $1000, with HyVee at $700. Was $475 two years ago. This year HyVee is charging $1600. Will discuss this later.
      3. Signed up 170 kids for t-ball, purchased first aid kits
      4. Bill for membership messengers sent to R Rotter by C Kreimendahl
         1. $167 for postcards and $264 for mailing charge (plus postage, we suspect) for the picnic
4. Legislative Reports - Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. Not present
   2. C Kreimendahl did hear from C Bayrd. S Fitzsimmons had neighborhood watch meeting where he asked crowd about sending letter of appreciation to Madison police. S Fitzsimmons edited it with advice from C Bayrd and sent to chief of police.
5. Membership Drive Committee Update – Board
   1. Right now it’s pretty much just T Jarvis entering information from membership sign ups
      1. K Reuter-Krohn volunteers to help, and D. Lamb volunteers starting at end of month
   2. There's link on website called “2015 member info” that breaks down information
      1. 99 registered members, 3 not verified as paid, 11 not members last year (but perhaps had been in years previous to that). 24 donations (total $650) – 9 for neighborhood watch and 11 for Tokay plantings. History books were purchased and C Rotter says they’ve been delivered.
   3. T Jarvis has entered 19 memberships and then went to post office today and there were a lot more in post office box. K Reuter-Krohn, C Kreimendahl, and Rotters can enter data it. Tried to enroll E Rogers but didn’t work. Can’t register yourself if trying to enter data for someone else. Need to verify that address and check number are on forms.
      1. C Kreimendahl notes that it’s easy to register online so hopefully people do that.
   4. C Kreimendahl thinks for now we'll just enter data and can talk about sending a reminder post card in June if we want to do that.
6. Neighborhood Picnic June 18 – Board
   1. Jill contacted C Kreimendahl after he let her know that we approved $1200 for picnic because we thought that would cover food and other costs. But HyVee increased cost to $1600. This would be the third picnic that HyVee catered and they had given us a marked discount (something like 50%) and this year they want to do only a 20% discount on their service and goods. They provide the meat and the buns and the people to cook it, as well as silverware and plates. Jill thought it was wonderful because used to be a lot of work for volunteers. Assuming we had a couple hundred people show, that’s $8 per person for a partial meal, which seems expensive. But it's kind of too late to change so C Kreimendahl suggests we go ahead but board should talk about budget. Jill will make some adjustments in what’s offered based on past years and to reduce cost a bit. Might want to re-evaluate what we’re doing, but Jill would rather not go back to the old days of volunteers cooking.
      1. D Lamb thinks they start cooking burgers and brats because we had a hard time getting people to bring main courses. So it could be on us (board members) to bring meat dishes.
         1. E Rogers asks if we would we lose Jill if did that
            1. D Lamb says we could find someone else to cater the meat
         2. K Reuter-Krohn reminds us that there was someone who used to be on the board that brought up health inspection being an issue if volunteers do cooking
      2. R Rotter suggests bringing in a food cart
      3. T Jarvis was told that we shouldn’t ask for donations for the picnic because we pay for it, but maybe we should ask for donation.
         1. E Rogers says there’s a lot of things we do that we pay for that we also ask for donations for.
         2. K Reuter-Krohn notes that this event is not members only, so lot of people aren’t paying at all.
         3. G Fischer brings up that food has indeed gotten more expensive
      4. J Chipault says, big picture, we should be careful not to cheapskate it to the point where people stop attending; let's keep in mind that this is our big event for the year.
         1. E Rogers brings up that the picnic introduces people to the t-ball program – collateral advantages
      5. J Chipault suggests could cater meat via BBQ joint with pulled pork, etc.
      6. R Rotter wonders if Sentry would do it for less
      7. E Rogers says since we’re pretty much stuck this year he motions to increase budget to $1600
         1. R Rotter points out that we’ll need more like $2000 because $400 in printing
            1. Motion still stands for paying HyVee $1600
               1. Motion carries
      8. C Kreimendahl says will put finding a different vendor on agenda for the fall so that will give us enough time to shop around
         1. K Reuter-Krohn notes that maybe Jill might want to come to that meeting
7. Announcements – Board
   1. 3 bands booked for Segoe Park this summer – third band is gypsy rock (lively but not too loud). One guy wrote to ask if we’d be supplying a sound system. We’re supplying power but they bring their own amps.
      1. If D Lamb gets more questions like this, can she forward to E Rogers?
         1. Yes.
      2. D Lamb went to park and thinks there’s enough flat space for jazz band. D Lamb wonders if they mow the grass?
         1. E Rogers says they do. They mow roughly once a week, just can’t keep up with current dandelions.
      3. Dates are 3 Friday nights in a row – July 17, 24, and 31 with the following night (Saturdays) being a rain date
      4. D Lamb encountered some confusion with the city because she got wrong number for person she needed to contact; there are a couple of hoops she has to jump through still.
      5. Will advertise in summer newsletter and get signs to put up. D Lamb says we talked about buying signs (like what we use for garage sale).
         1. R Rotter says send him what you want and he’ll set them out.
            1. Something generic like "Music this Friday 6:30-8:30" can be re-used
         2. J Chipault recommends running it in Isthmus because they have long list of stuff going on around town. Maybe State Journal does too?
            1. K Reuter-Krohn says there is a section but not sure if there’s a cost
      6. We can finalize who will be present with membership forms at our next meeting June
   2. R Rotter says he’s been going to S Fitzsimmons' neighborhood watch meetings and encourages everyone to go. Speakers have been very good and are big names. Last speaker was 911 center, had a speaker before that was on CNN recently, they’re all in the news.
      1. S Fitzsimmons not sure how to get more advertisement
         1. Going to ask if could buy more signs (sold out of what he already had)
         2. D Lamb says this happens every time we start up a neighborhood watch meetings – starts off strong and then dies off. Need to be there for the long haul.
         3. S Fitzsimmons trying to get something together in next couple of weeks on self-defense (including internet safety). Will be extra meeting in June.
         4. C Kreimendahl can advertise at picnic and asks S Fitzsimmons to put together additional budget for more signs.
            1. R Rotter checks budget and notes that S Fitzsmmons has money enough to get more signs.
         5. T Jarvis says there’s a blurb about neighborhood watch in Membership Messenger that everyone gets
         6. 99 registrations and they can check whether they want to be added to neighborhood watch; 37 do (some are already on) and of the 99, 62 are members of watch email list.
         7. J Chipault suggests advertising Neighborhood Watch on NextDoor website. Pretty much every neighborhood in US has a section of this website now and Midvale Heights has one now.
         8. J Chipault suggests going to meetings every other month to avoid S Fitzsimmons burning out
      2. E Rogers says there was an email suggestion of free little signs (like the size of your palm) to give to neighbors that says this house is part of neighborhood watch.
         1. S Fitzsimmons suggests stickers for the car, because then know what cars belong in neighborhood and also increases advertisement as Midvale Heights cars move around
            1. D Lamb brings up bumper stickers we used to have that said I heart Midvale Heights
               1. We ran out of them
               2. C Kreimendahl says bumper stickers didn’t weather well and were $1-2 so maybe we should consider how much something durable would cost.
                  1. Could have patches to hand out each year.
                     1. G Fischer says people toss free things. Sell them?
         2. D Lamb says we should think it through a bit more and maybe have things at neighborhood meeting.
         3. C Kreimendahl wonders who wants to do leg work (check on costs and designs). T Jarvis recommends Café Press. S Fitzsimmons has a bumper sticker from there that has lasted for years.
8. Adjourned 7:45pm

Notes recorded by J Chipault, secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 – 6:45 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Ron Rotter, Floyd Stautz, Ed Rogers, Peter Schell, Greg Fischer, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Jonn Lager, Kay Reuter-Krohn, Tom Jarvis

Visitors: Nan Lager, Steve Fitzsimmons, Cathy Rotter

1. Call to Order & Introductions - Chuck Kreimendahl
2. Prior Minutes Review
   1. Motion to approve March minutes
      1. Motion carries
3. Treasurer’s Report - Ron Rotter
   1. R Rotter passed out hard copy of account details
      1. ~$42,000 total
      2. T-ball money coming in, but no money has gone out yet for t-ball
4. Legislative Reports Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. Not present
5. Membership Drive Committee Update Board
   1. C Kreimendahl says they had a committee meeting about three weeks ago and came up with a plan based on discussions from last MHCA meeting but a couple of questions came up.
      1. D Lamb will put an article in the May/June newsletter that is going to printer tomorrow (back to her Monday, to homes next weekend). Talked about the idea of sending emails to everyone who is on email list so can cull some people from the hard copy distribution list. And can’t know how many Membership Messengers to print until know how many will respond.
         1. Plan is to send out email May 1st
         2. C Kreimendahl says if it works to subtract names from list that block captains will deliver to, great; but not spending money on mailing so ok if we print for everyone.
         3. F Stautz asks if email went out to block captains?
            1. Yes, C Kreimendahl sent email.
               1. T Jarvis explains that one computer program extracted the block captains and one the area directors, so it only sent it to 40-some block captains and 4-5 bounced back. Did not go to the directors.
                  1. C Kreimendahl will send copy of email to area directors since some captains don’t have emails
                     1. Can print out email that was sent to deliver to houses in person to give block captains more warning. Or if think they might not be around in mid-May, have them let you know. Most of them have 20 houses at most to deliver to so hopefully not too onerous.
            2. J Chipault asks if could get email for block captains
               1. T Jarvis reminds her that it’s on website
      2. Membership messenger will go our around May 15. D Lamb is almost done with it, might need someone else to pick it up.
         1. C Kreimendahl contacted Tyberius Terrace to ask about distributing newsletters because their building is secured.
            1. S Fitzsimmons says he can follow up with Tyberius since he lives nearby
         2. Others area directors that have apartments, if you think you need them, say so
            1. 1700 copies printed last year and ran out and some apartments didn’t get them.
         3. S Fitzsimmons asks if there’s an announcement for the neighborhood watch
            1. It’s in C Kreimendahl’s column on the front page.
         4. J Lager delivers to one member at Tyberius Terrace and best he can do is leave it with their name on it.
         5. S Fitzsimmons asks about putting flyers under wipers
            1. C Kreimendahl doesn’t like things on cars.
         6. J Chipault to talk to Janice about apartments in her area
         7. Registration open until June 30th.
      3. T Jarvis had K Reuter-Kahn test online membership registration but it wasn’t working. It loses the address. When goes to apply update to database, it doesn’t. Right now if you go there it will say sorry we’re working on it and you won’t be able to do anything
         1. C Kreimendahl asks T Jarvis to let us know when working
      4. D Lamb, T Jarvis, F Stautz, C Kreimendahl, and P Haskew met; don’t think they need to meet again
      5. D Lamb put all businesses listed on discount card in Messenger
         1. Is the list from last year?
            1. Don’t think we’ve gotten too many more companies over the past year.
      6. T Jarvis taking off the street view from website because too many errors
6. Neighborhood Picnic - Board
   1. C Kreimendahl emailed Jill and she’s happy to do it again. Scheduled for June 18th. She’ll approach HyVee to see if they could do it again, suggesting minor tweaks. Last two years, we spent $1000 each year. Last year $700 of that went to HyVee. They set up the main course and plates and silverware, etc. We provide beverages.
      1. D Lamb thinks Jill buys beverages.
      2. R Rotter says postcard mailing was $300. $31 to Jill for miscellaneous, so that probably didn't cover beverages.
   2. C Kreimendahl says Jill asked for help with set up and logistics.
      1. D Lamb has that in article about the picnic. Usually what happens is a few people turn up early and people help out when close.
   3. Picnic starts at 6 until dusk at same park as usual (Piper Park)
   4. Only big deal will be if HyVee says no or charges a lot more money.
      1. D Lamb makes a motion to provide up to $1200 to Jill to cover expenses for annual picnic.
         1. Motion carries
      2. On that same topic, S Fitzsimmons proposed to set up some things regarding Neighborhood Watch at the picnic
         1. C Kreimendahl warns that there’s not much space because usually t-ball going.
      3. R Rotter has 5 picnic tables that they set up.
7. Announcements - Board
   1. D Lamb announces Cajun band on July 24th Friday (rain date Saturday), 6:30-8:30. Bring your blankets and dessert and come listen. Jazz group that her husband is in is playing but not sure when yet. Jazz group will need some kind of power because they have keyboard but neither group seems too worried about amplification.
      1. Calling it something like "Friday evenings at Segoe Park" because not too keen on Segoe a-go-go because she lived through the gogo era and this isn't that.
         1. J Chipault encourages group to come up with alternate catchy name because people probably won't remember "Fridays at Segoe Park" as a "thing"
            1. D Lamb says July/Aug newsletter will have printed schedule so need new name before then
   2. N Lager says had Tokay clean up day on Saturday. A couple of people are interested in renovating some of the beds and there’s $1200 dollars in Tokay planting program line in budget.
   3. E Rogers moves to authorize spending on Tokay median for up to $1200
      1. D Lamb amends motion to say that N Lager has access to whatever funds are available in the Tokay account (since it might increase after 2015 Membership drive) and bring in bills and let us know what she’s doing.
         1. N Lager says that last year city covered everything that they planted so didn’t use any MHCA money.
         2. Article in paper on Monday’s paper on adopt-a-median city program and we were mentioned. N Lager will bring the article in. Something that we’d like to put on website?
            1. Yes!
      2. E Rogers accepts amended motion
         1. Amended motion carries
   4. Make Music Madison is coming along
      1. E Rogers listed Segoe Park as available between 2-9pm and 7 performers signed up back-to-back (they each get one hour). Take down and set up might be tricky.
         1. E Roger to send list of artists to D Lamb for newsletter
      2. E Rogers and P Haskew got together with car and inverter with guitars and microphones and E Rogers was immediately completely convinced that 400 watts available from a car will be totally sufficient to amplify bands
      3. C Kreimendahl asks if E Rogers will be around on Make Music Madison day?
         1. Yes, E Rogers will have a tip bucket and poster and he will go out 5 minutes before the show and find a tree to duct tape it to.
      4. D Lamb wonders if there’s enough flat hard space for a drum set, bass, and keyboard, or will she have to come up with some sort of a floor for the bands?
         1. E Rogers says there's 100 square feet of paved surface, but then mushroom in middle and bench around base.
8. Adjourned 7:30pm

Notes recorded by J Chipault, secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 – 6:45 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Jane Sherwood, Ron Rotter, Gary Poulson, Floyd Stautz, Ed Rogers, Peter Schell, Greg Fischer, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Jonn Lager, Tom Jarvis
Visitors: Steve Fitzsimmons, Sherwin Rudman

1. Call to Order & Introductions - C Kreimendahl
2. Prior Minutes Review/Approval Board
   1. J Chipault will stop printing minutes before meetings and simply send the link
      1. Group ok with that
   2. C Kreimendahl wonders what motion passed about the park at least meeting? Seems a bit unclear
      1. J Chipault to review February minutes. Thinks there was a move to contact parks, but not put $600 in letter, then there was more discussion, so what motion passed probably got buried.
   3. Minutes approved, motion carries
3. Treasurer’s Report - R Rotter
   1. Not much activity this past month. $38,000 total. Provided hard copy report.
4. Membership Drive Committee/Planning Board
   1. C Kreimendahl provided draft schedule for process from years past.
   2. C Kreimendahl will talk with P Haskew about what specific schedule will be followed. P Haskew has said he’d be on a committee.
   3. E Rogers suggests that if we have an opportunity to get together to stuff envelopes, he would appreciate a date set earlier (not last-minute) so that more people could get it on their calendar.
   4. T Jarvis wonders if we can just put membership form in Midvale Messenger? D Lamb decided to do special membership Messenger. Plus mailing is the biggest expense we have so if block captains did it would save us money.
      1. J Chipault wonders if we'd be asking block captains to deliver to every door?
         1. Yes
      2. C Kreimendahl says when it was discussed in the past we decided people might pay more attention to something that comes in the mail than something that shows up on the door
      3. R Rotter says it's hard to reach apartments without doing mailing
         1. R Rotter notes that they're shutting down bulk mailing on the east side. Probably going to happen soon
            1. S Fitzsimmons asks if you can buy stamps
               1. No, it has to be stamped at facility.
      4. T Jarvis asks if he can first send an email to all membership and ask them to register online and then we don’t have to send a physical newsletter to those people
         1. C Kreimendahl says timing a bit tricky because people might put it off until end of month and we wouldn’t know to take them off the list.
         2. E Rogers brings up issue of people registering twice
            1. Some do but not many. Can notify
      5. T Jarvis lists membership numbers: 472 in 2014, 482 in 2013, 429 in 2012, 504 in 2011; in 1996 had 613, 685 in 1988.
         1. P Schell notes that it’s been holding steady for about a decade
      6. E Rogers suggests that we do online campaign that leads the mailing campaign and if we decide to that E Rogers would not just email but get message on the Facebook page.
      7. T Jarvis says had about a dozen email addresses that were entered wrong but counting the bad ones, we have 356 email addresses, ballpark.
      8. C Kreimendahl asks if anyone else shares concern about Membership Messenger which doesn’t include so much news but more focuses on accomplishments. Thinks these are printed in May. Last year there were follow up cards that followed Membership Messenger.
         1. J Chipault thinks if D Lamb willing to write it, don’t think need to change
         2. E Rogers notes that it’s about $600 in mailing so could save it but it’s a lot to ask of block captains and some houses might be hard to get to
            1. P Schell says he’s had block captains say they want to deliver to everybody.
            2. E Rogers notes that we do get rewarded; mail a bunch of stuff out and a bunch of checks come back.
      9. S Fitzsimmons says wants to get word out about neighborhood watch to everyone.
      10. D Lamb just arrived at meeting says most effective way to get word out is door-to-door in-person contact
          1. C Kreimendahl says if no one is home then just sticking flyer in the door
      11. C Kreimendahl says not sure there’s a consensus about what to do
          1. T Jarvis says good point about being able to reach apartment dwellers via mail
          2. S Fitzsimmons says could get membership materials on table during neighborhood watch meetings
      12. D Lamb out of town early May so Membership Messenger will have to be done by end of April
          1. J Chipault asks if she’s willing to do it
             1. Yes, just might need someone else to pick it up from printer and will need information
      13. C Kreimendahl says he could go either way regarding mailing or block captain delivery
          1. R Rotter says could email both membership and neighborhood watch lists
             1. T Jarvis says not much overlap in email lists
      14. C Kreimendahl says could still send mailing later in the year. Postcard cheaper.
      15. J Chipault says stressful for block captains to deliver big stack without much heads up and we have enough money to spend $600 on mailing
          1. R Rotter notes that $600 is 10% of $6000 that we bring in from membership
      16. C Kreimendahl Start with cheapest distribution and then do expensive later on will be suggestion to committee
          1. P Schell asks who is on the committee?
             1. P Haskew, F Stautz, D Lamb. C Kreimendahl also on committee. C Kreimendahl will send email to whole board with announcements about membership drive schedule
      17. D Lamb says she will put announcement in next Newsletter
          1. C Kreimendahl suggests maybe not distribute regular newsletter at same time as Membership newsletter
5. Santa Visits Recap – P Schell
   1. P Schell had never coordinated this program before and it was a thrill. He drove a Santa around. Participation was similar to recent years, 20-something children. Had about same number of Santas as recent years as well. Was able to just use experienced Santas this year. He sees a lot of growth potential. Feel like there’s more kids in the neighborhood now. Experimented with new outreach methods. Stephanie Mikesell suggested that we don’t mail out postcards this year – used to do mail postcard and then families RSVP by mailing postcard back, which costs us $300. P Schell reached out through the newsletter and mommy email groups or play groups and got about same participation level as we did when sent postcards. Growth potential. He didn’t care if people were members of the MHCA or not but he did put plug for membership in the email and gave link to website. Tried to politely let people know who was doing this program. There was one long-time Santa volunteer that didn’t like not sending out postcards. Wanted to mention all of this to board so that we’re all aware.
      1. Previously just mailed postcards to members; it was a benefit of membership.
   2. P Schell did hear one story that in years past there used to be so many Santas that if you wanted Santa to come you’d put a red lightbulb in your porch and there was no schedule making needed
   3. P Schell also knew that historically we buy the kids a small gift. He did spend a few dollars per kid. He spent $88 total. But don’t know if whoever used to buy gifts submitted for reimbursement (candy canes, pencils). Not everyone was keen on the candy cane. Wanted to buy things at WHOOPS to keep money in neighborhood and potential sponsorship, but Hilldale toy store did the wrapping for free and were great. He’ll try WHOOPs again next year.
      1. Group in favor of P Schell being reimbursed for Santa visit toys
   4. P Schell needs some help storing Santa suits
      1. C Kreimendahl can store them
   5. C Kreimendahl asks if P Schell got list of people interested in volunteering for Santa visits during last year's registration
      1. Yes, it was pretty similar to Stephanie Mikesell list.
   6. R Rotter says we have historically funded Santa presents.
6. Summer Music Series
   1. D Lamb talked to someone at the Park department who was really nice and cooperative. Amplification is not an issue. Will have to pay for permit, but can lump dates together. Still working on third band. D Lamb talked with two groups and they all have day jobs so they’d rather do weekends than week nights. She’ll send emails after she gets things lined up. D Lamb rethinking June, July, August because of MMM and Picnic in June. Might make more sense to do them close together? Otherwise people might not remember what they are.
   2. G Poulson asks if we’re paying the musicians?
      1. Yes
   3. G Poulson asks if we’re thinking of passing the hat
      1. Could. Also membership forms and history books.
   4. E Rogers put Segoe Park on the list for Make Music Madison. We’ll know final schedule by May 15th. Already we’ve got 3-4 artists saying that say they’re interested. E Rogers left a big window of time, 2 pm to 9 pm. One of the artists asked if we would be willing to provide PA speakers. We could provide power from a car. But I don’t know if we want to provide them or if that’s not our thing.
      1. D Lamb says one group that will turn up sometime for summer music series has keyboard so will need power.
   5. T Jarvis says MMM website has half a dozen links to our website.
      1. When E Rogers put Segoe Park up he listed our organization name.
   6. J Chipault thinks we need a good name for summer music series so people remember it and we can advertise
      1. P Schell says "Segoe a go-go"
         1. Done.
7. Neighborhood Watch – S Fitzsimmons
   1. S Fitzsimmons would like to invite police to some of our events to help promote neighborhood watch
      1. J Chipault brings up that police have been there in the past
         1. Actually has been fire truck mostly
            1. S Fitzsimmons trying to reduce intimidation levels between public and police
   2. S Fitzsimmons has heard suggestions of adding a park light for Segoe Park at Laub Lane.
      1. E Rogers has talked to MG&E and the city pays $25/year for contract of 5 years. It would have to go through whole formal budgeting process
      2. Probably want to reach out to these neighbors to see if everyone is on the same page, because many won’t want lights
      3. Neighborhood Watch is give back to the community, should have check box on our membership form.
   3. S Fitzsimmons provided budget for neighborhood watch of $2,200 for 2015. Gave board hard copy to review and walked through it line-by-line.
      1. Smaller yard signs instead of big ones would make $2500 signs less expensive but would get the word out
      2. Maybe a flag or banner outside of church so if people driving by would see sign and come to meeting
         1. His concern is that we have 2000 people that live in community so we’re only at 10% involvement in neighborhood watch. There are some Madison neighborhoods that are losing the battle. Once a neighborhood gets one drug house established it's hard to get rid of and deteriorates neighborhood and reduces home value.
      3. Would like to do award ceremony at end of the year to award people who do something to help neighborhood watch
      4. Donation to capital k-9s because they do a lot of dog tracking on the west side
   4. G Poulson asks if holding monthly meetings was suggested to S Fitzsimmons?
      1. Chief suggested every other month but people who attend say they like them every month and hard to guess when crime will hit.
   5. Free space here at the library not available on consistent basis?
      1. Parking and space for 120 people is hard here. If membership always 40 then this is a good place to be but he wants to grow
   6. F Stautz asks if he can keep a good rotation speakers for 12 months a year
      1. Yes, will have repeats after first year. Neighborhood officer will always be there. Every month there will be something to talk about. Tour of 911 center, tour of west police district, there’s a lot to do. We’ve only just begun.
   7. C Kreimendahl had asked S Fitzsimmons to prepare this budget so that he doesn’t have to come in and ask for things one by one. We don’t do any formal annual budgeting here. Think we should discuss this more and approve this or give him guidance on items that are reasonable.
   8. R Rotter went to last neighborhood watch meeting and K-9 unit was there. Suggests getting a bunch of yard signs to pass out that are vinyl/plastic. So maybe just put out whenever have a meeting to indicate, "Hey this whole neighborhood is still watching." Similar to Monroe Street "drive slow" signs that come out sporadically. If it saves one person from being burglarized, this money is worth it. Most criminals just get an ankle bracelet so they’ll be back in our neighborhood, not enough room in jails.
   9. Next neighborhood watch meeting is April 14th. S Fitzsimmons passed out postcards
   10. Motion to approve budget?
   11. P Schell asks about booklets.
       1. Purchase 150 booklets at a time. There’s two types of booklets so he will alternate purchases.
   12. R Rotter makes a motion that we approve the neighborhood watch budget as submitted
       1. Motion carries
   13. We’ll invite S Fitzsimmons back to our meetings for updates
8. Announcements – Board
   1. G Poulson reminds us about election April 7th at library. We had over 20% turnout for primary. No IDs required this time, but starting Feb 16th, yes will need them.
9. Legislative Reports - Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. Not present
10. Adjourned 8:00pm

Notes recorded by J Chipault, secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 – 6:45 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Ron Rotter, Ed Rogers, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Mary J. Armstrong, Paul Haskew, Jonn Lager, Kay Reuter-Krohn, Tom Jarvis, Greg Fischer

1. Call to Order & Introductions - C Kreimendahl
   1. Passed around informational document regarding a city planning permit for fixing up water utility brick building by beltline. Circulated document for board review.
2. Prior Minutes Review/Approval Board
   1. T Jarvis says there had to be a high percentage of involvement in the neighborhood watch before a neighborhood watch sign would be put up, but we don’t know exact percent.
      1. J Chipault to remove percentage.
   2. Move to approve, motion carries
3. Treasurer’s Report - R Rotter
   1. Passed out hard copy of spreadsheet
   2. Total of $38,000 and $108 in PayPal
   3. Added another column to spreadsheet that shows how we’ve spent money for the year (well, last 12 months) for each category (with plus/minus). Easier way to see what we’ve spent money on for past year. Also still column for last month's spending.
   4. D Lamb provided funding from newsletter advertisements
      1. D Lamb say ad revenue for each issue fluctuates a bit, but think the ads pay for about half the newsletter.
      2. R Rotter says spending less lately because printing fewer copies.
   5. C Kreimendahl asks how our overall cash balance now compared to two years ago, or five years ago.
      1. R Rotter says just keeps going up. Without t-ball fees, we’d probably be breaking even, although membership dues might keep us in the black.
4. Legislative Reports - Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. Not present
      1. M Armstrong says C Bayrd likely has meeting about jail tonight
5. Segoe Park Project Planning - E Rogers
   1. Not too many updates since last meeting. He’s had some input from board members about what our priorities should be. G Poulson not present sent an email with guidance for a direction forward and he suggested we should send board-adopted letter outlining our priorities. Three ideas that have popped up above the rest are: trees near the playground, summer concert series, and work with MMOCA to do the art cart in the park. E Rogers has done some legwork on first two.
      1. Regarding trees, we can purchase potted for $50, plus $25 staking/supplements/mulch, volunteer labor to plant, can add $15 soil sample with UW Extension which will tell you if there’s a tree to avoid for the area (which would show due diligence to the city). So 5 trees would be $450. E Rogers got recommendations for species from a nursery (pending soil samples). Maple, aspen, and hawthorn are all fast growing. Step one would be wait for ground to thaw, then sample soil, then decide on what trees and, in parallel, get parks on board.
         1. E Rogers put together email for neighborhood grant to put in trees but was told that Parks would do that, even though they haven't.
      2. Regarding music concert series, D Lamb and P Haskew had discussions with E Rogers. Only cost would be paying the performers, approximately $500 per performance. So three times this summer would be $1500. Power for amplifier can be done from a car and musicians provide amps. We’d do advertising.
      3. Regarding Art Cart, D Lamb used to get notice from them and she’d put announcement in newsletter. D Lamb sends them a list of any park that people from Midvale Heights could attend.
         1. P Haskew says if we got good turnout could maybe get them in our neighborhood more times. We could advertise. They have all sorts of supplies, tutors.
         2. D Lamb says they cover city
         3. P Haskew think if a lot of kids would show up at a certain location, they would have a good time, and might inspire our neighbors to volunteer in the park as a follow-up.
         4. C Kreimendahl asks of P Haskew could see if MMOCA would be receptive.
            1. Yes, P Haskew will contact MMOCA.
      4. M Armstrong suggests we use sandwich boards or signs (like what we use for median clean-ups) for Art Cart and could use them for concert series too. Put them on Segoe and Tokay.
         1. D Lamb says could bring up events at annual picnic
      5. Back to music, D Lamb has two groups that are interested in playing (jazz and Cajun). Weekend night, or perhaps schedule for Friday and have Saturday night be rain date. Both leaders have expressed concerns about scheduling because it’s summer, but we can possibly just work around their schedule. Suggests 6:30 to 9 (because parks close at 9). Advertise in newsletter, put sign in park, tell our friends, then should be able to get group of 40-50, which would be fine. Concrete pavilion would provide some shelter for performers if needed in borderline weather. D Lamb will look for one more band that’s a different genre. We should have a small table with newsletters and membership information. Could have bottles of water available/for sale if really hot.
         1. M Armstrong wonders about doing it on a weeknight because people are out of town on the weekends in summer
            1. D Lamb will check around to see if there are days to avoid
               1. K Reuter-Krohn brings up concerts on the square nights
         2. D Lamb will check with Parks to make sure all this ok.
         3. P Haskew knows how to run power.
         4. M Armstrong moves to approve $750 per evening for summer concert series in Segoe Park.
            1. Motion carries
         5. R Rotter asks if we should check with people that live right by park
            1. E Rogers says it’d be the neighborly thing to do
            2. D Lamb says we can see what night they prefer, but should at least let them know.
            3. T-ball games – better to avoid or plan concert on same night as t-ball since people already gathered?
               1. Could go either way.
      6. Back to G Poulson's suggestion of a letter to Parks. We should mention concert series and have board-supported motion about trees.
         1. E Rogers moves to plant 5 trees to the south of the playground equipment at Segoe Park
         2. C Kreimendahl asks what if they are planning to replace all the park playground equipment
            1. Maybe our proposal should be two-fold: 1) we would like to have new equipment and 2) let’s get trees in for current equipment if it’ll be years before current is replaced.
         3. There are trees north of the equipment, there are some younger trees along Segoe Road and E Rogers did a bit of math and closest tree would have to grow over 100 feet to cast shade.
         4. M Armstrong brings up an awning or canvas.
         5. R Rotter says it’ll be a while before they replace Segoe equipment because it’s relatively new
         6. E Rogers says that letter could include thought about new playground equipment.
            1. J Chipault suggests deadline (e.g., 2-3 years)
            2. R Rotter says but we want trees now, regardless
         7. D Lamb says there were options: buy tree and plant, buy tree they plant, buy tree they plant and they do care… so might not costs us much to find a nursery that would plant a tree.
         8. Move to contact Parks in hopes of planting 5 trees for cost of $600 and express enthusiasm for any plans they have for new playground equipment
            1. R Rotter says they might say $600 is one tree. Suggests “we are willing to help finance” and then we can discuss whatever figure they give us.
            2. C Kreimendahl says Kiwanis has westside group that meets at local church on Fridays and he dashed off an email a week or so ago and mentioned that we have projects for Segoe Park that partially youth-oriented, but he hasn't heard back.
            3. R Rotter wanted playground in Odana Park years ago so he got petition going and asked people if they could provide any funding. Went door-to-door. City had a matching fund. Put in playground by golf course and he got to pick equipment. Suggests we go house to house to see if people will sign petition and/or give money.
            4. E Rogers says website indicates that they support neighborhoods getting involved in projects. Park Foundation might provide funds or support.
            5. Motion carries to send letter to parks 1) indicating that we want to plant trees and "we are willing to help finance" and 2) mentioning music series.
         9. C Kreimendahl and E Rogers will both sign letter to Parks
         10. Relevant to concert series, T Jarvis has information about T-ball schedule in Segoe Park: starting June 9, Tuesday and Thursday, 6 and 7pm.
6. Kids Clubhouse Sponsorship - C Kreimendahl
   1. New program that started in Piper Park last year. Deborah Still says they’re interested in returning this year so we should formally sponsor it. It didn’t cost us anything, but we promote it. C Kreimendahl proposes that we support it again this year.
      1. D Lamb asks what the role of the previous neighborhood liaison was?
         1. Promote it, answer questions
      2. P Haskew asks if they make money
         1. Money all goes through KIVA and they provide coaches, porta-potties, etc.
      3. E Rogers wonders if there’s anything the board can do to enhance
         1. C Kreimendahl says it would be nice to have local contact in our neighborhood. We should scout for someone to be new liaison
      4. Afternoon program, think it was Tuesdays.
      5. Motion to support Kids Clubhouse in 2015, motion carries
7. Area 7 Director Appointment? - C Kreimendahl
   1. C Kreimendahl hasn’t heard anything. He may have authority to appoint someone. He might call people who are members in that area to see if anyone available. This area is north of Tokay. Steve Graham had been on board briefly. C Kreimendahl has already contacted Charles Bunge (prior Area 7 director).
      1. T Jarvis says there are four block captains, one is not a member. Steve Graham is one, Charles Bunge is one, so one person who is block captain and a member.
      2. D Lamb got a new block captain by stuffing note into newsletters
      3. J Chipault thinks getting new person on board would be optimal for new ideas and to better represent that geographical space
      4. T Jarvis will send all the members in Area 7 an email to ask if anyone willing to be Area Director.
8. Announcements - Board
   1. D Lamb wonders if anyone knows of any mayoral debates
      1. K Reuter-Krohn says there was one in the paper today
   2. D Lamb says newsletter will be done this week.
      1. C Kreimendahl can put Kids Clubhouse write-up in if there is space
   3. C Kreimendahl was at Midvale School because of referendum on school building and renovation in April. He posted information on the MHCA website because it’s of community interest. Fairly modest project, not a new building. They have plans for what they’re proposing to do for each school. Tax implications were 0.26 x 1000 x property value which is $60-80/year for 10 years.
      1. D Lamb says there will be an information session at the library on March 23 that CAST (Communities and Schools Together) will sponsor
   4. Make Music Madison – E Rogers brought it up in early spring last year so perhaps next meeting we should discuss this more
      1. E Rogers will check on website
   5. Emerald Ash Borer is here. They found it at park near beltline (Midvale, by gas stations). City refers you to state agriculture website that has information and planning guides for homeowners so if you have ash trees you should check these websites out.
      1. There will be article in newsletter about this too.
   6. Dream Bikes contacted C Kreimendahl and they have a project through which they’ll come to neighborhood for free and repair bikes. They’re proposing to do this at many sites throughout the city. Think we should ask them to come to new Bison Prairie bike repair pad.
      1. J Chipault says if they put up sign there, they’d get a lot of publicity.
      2. E Rogers said it’s also advantageous because at border of four neighborhoods
9. Adjourned 8:00pm

Notes recorded by J Chipault, secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 – 6:45 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Ron Rotter, Gary Poulson, Floyd Stautz, Ed Rogers, Peter Schell, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Mary J. Armstrong, Paul Haskew, Jonn Lager, Kay Reuter-Krohn, Tom Jarvis
Other community members present: Cathy Rotter, Nan Lager, Steve Fitzsimmons

1. Call to Order & Introductions - C Kreimendahl
   1. Highlights news reports about the break-ins and S Fitzsimmons' neighborhood watch meeting being shown on two TV channels. There was follow-up about the arrests of the burglars. We’ve been in the news, in a good way.
2. Prior Minutes Review/Approval Board
   1. October minutes taken by J Chipault; November minutes by D Lamb
      1. Motion to approve both months passes
3. Treasurer’s Report - R Rotter
   1. Provides a hard copy of logs; roughly $38,000 in the account
   2. On the last couple of pages, he arranged finances by month to show what was spent for each activity; new way to show where money goes in and where it comes out.
4. Legislative Reports Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. Not present
5. Officer Elections - C Kreimendahl
   1. Couldn’t be done last month because didn't have enough area directors present
   2. There is a motion to re-elect the current slate, passes
6. Neighborhood Watch Report - S Fitzsimmons
   1. Purchased a few things, e.g., workbooks, and thanks board for funding
   2. 160 people signed up on email list for notifications. Try to keep it to two emails per week. We're getting better at what we’re doing. People are submitting tips about suspicious activity.
   3. Good support from Chief Koval. S Fitzsimmons communicates with lieutenant, captain, or chief almost daily.
   4. Working with 160 people keeps him busy. But we live in a community of 1800, so could still get more people. Got good attention from news media.
   5. Possible expenses coming up. A neighborhood watch sign is $2,500 (including the fee to post it). Not sure where it would be, but something we might want to consider. There’s a citizen that wants to pay for that sign if it goes up on her block.
      1. M Armstrong says there are several in Orchard Ridge.
         1. S Fitzsimmons thinks we'd want to do more than one and we’d have to think about where to post them
      2. T Jarvis said you have to have a lot of people in an area be part of the neighborhood watch in order to post sign.
   6. R Rotter says Midvale Heights owns engravers.
      1. S Fitzsimmons says no one is asking for them yet.
      2. M Armstrong got something back; engraved her camera and it was stolen and was recovered by Middleton police department. She engraved email address but they suggest drivers license number.
      3. T Jarvis said police officer said Madison Police Department has invisible ink that they’ll let people borrow, but that was 2009, not sure if they still do it.
   7. Rodney Wilson will be speaking at watch meeting next month, then the canine unit, then district attorney.
      1. M Armstrong says we could have one of these meetings at the park
   8. Bought 150 participant handbooks and stickers – he’ll bring these to future meetings. Had 110 people at last meeting; workbooks didn’t go fast.
      1. J Chipault points out that 110 people probably represent fewer households than 110
      2. There’s another workbook that would cost us some money.
   9. There’s a lot of crimes that happen that people could avoid by locking their doors and cars. Rodney Wilson will do a home audit and show you what things are vulnerable.
   10. Board thanks to S Fitzsimmons for his efforts.
7. Segoe Park - E Rogers
   1. Displayed a map of Segoe Park
   2. There’s a lot of ways it could be improved and be more used
   3. During 2014, we put out a survey to neighborhood.
      1. Majority responded by mailing it back with a stamp
   4. Playground is mostly metal and in full sun. Showed pictures comparing Segoe Park to Slater Park. Park said they couldn’t do trees because there’s a softball field and it would interfere with outfield play. E Rogers looked at scale and determined that there’d be a 200’ buffer and could still add a couple of trees.
   5. Water fountain and light post on northeast side of park pointed out as facilitating an ice rink.
      1. E Rogers talks to Park Dept, they get back to him, they say it’s a no go, E Rogers offers work-arounds, e.g., E Rogers calls MGE and determined wouldn’t need to meter light pole because of standing agreement. Another example: large rinks are filled by tanker trucks which Streets lends to Parks for beginning of ice season and they have two trucks and last April one rolled on the beltline and caught fire and was a complete loss but E Rogers estimates that we’d be able to just do a spray on rink (takes 40 coats) by coming out every night for a week (spend 45 minutes a night). Water fountain has water main so frost-proof hydrant could be put on water main, or they could build a utility shed with an electrical hookup and door and lock and space heater to keep it at 45 degrees in the shed. Parks has said capital investment would be $25,000 but E Rogers found planning document but that indicating this might be the number for building a floating rink from scratch (e.g., Garner); large rinks where you open a hydrant year-round. And some cost might be for taking out trees, leveling ground, etc.. But don't know how it would be $25,000 for Segoe. That’s when Parks stopped talking to him about ice rink.
      2. Question about annual cost of upkeep.
         1. Westmorland spends less than $1,000 per year for electricity. They also have a massive warming shed. E Rogers put in his original proposal a request for converting concrete pavilion already at Segoe Park into a warming shed.
   6. Make Music Madison requires no interaction with the Parks department. We got 2 bands last year: accordion player and children's' music. Roughly 50 people attended, counting kids. E Rogers would like to do this again in 2015.
      1. Last time we told artists that they couldn’t amplify, but maybe this year we consider changing this policy.
      2. Top response in neighborhood survey about Segoe Park was live music so a couple other things we could do would be ask Parks to forego their $900 per cart zoning fee for food carts. E Rogers talked to the woman who runs Let’s Eat Madison and she said they have other carts that could be at Segoe (i.e., not stealing business from Tuesday night Midvale). Big no-go is Parks' $900 fee.
   7. E Rogers went to December Parks meeting and gave them these ideas. No response.
   8. Another idea is to pay Parks $2,000 fee and give them 6 months notice, and they will allow you to park food carts, and that will help you recoup investment for one-time event. Would allow for amplified music. All parks close at 9pm so that might be sunset for your permission. Have to have full put-together plan to do this so maybe something for 2016. Could host event, food cart sells food, we vend beverages,
      1. D Lamb wonders if we did 3 concerts over the summer and then we just sold food or get HyVee on site, could we do that? Concerts in June, July, and August on same Thursday or Friday night. Would need volunteers and could ask for donations. Could encourage people to bring their own food, like Opera in the Park. Maybe 7-9pm
      2. F Stautz asks if it would replace the annual picnic.
         1. No, need more social events in neighborhood
   9. G Poulson suggests copying Alder Maurice Cheeks on emails to Parks.
      1. E Rogers has been, and Ald Cheeks was very supportive, and E Rogers would often get an answer from Parks when Ald Cheeks copied
      2. E Rogers spoke at Parks meetings during public comment for items not on agenda (did this a couple months in a row); he was notified that Parks can’t speak to what he's saying during meeting if he's not on the agenda. E Rogers asked to get on October agenda, but wasn’t on the agenda, so gave another public comment. Tried to verify that he was on the agenda for November, but then Parks canceled November meeting. In December he did another public comment.
         1. G Poulson can ask what the process is for considering options. There must be a process to get away from influence of Alders, some sort of scoring system that gets projects in the queue.
            1. E Rogers hasn’t received information that he’s below some qualifying threshold.
   10. M Armstrong says these are not huge projects, can we do them as a neighborhood association?
   11. One person at Parks said Segoe Parks playground is on a list for replacement but essentially they put every piece of playground in Madison on a big list and then they march through it in order of need and Segoe is not particularly near the top.
   12. D Lamb said there was this big deal where we couldn’t put a garden in a park. But then a couple of years ago it became a good thing.
   13. E Rogers says that he’s an officer on the Midvale Heights board and that at our June meeting we passed a motion of support for ice skating rink.
       1. R Rotter motioned that E Rogers becomes head of a Midvale Heights Park Committee.
   14. P Haskew brings up art in the park program promoted by MMOCA. They might put us on the list twice if we get a good enough turn out. If we were to advertise that to the neighbors, it might be successful.
   15. P Haskew also recommends we look for some sort of parks foundation or Friends of Madison parks group - they must have some influence so maybe we should ally ourselves with them and maybe bring up some money.
   16. C Kreimendahl suggests we focus our efforts and give E Rogers and whoever else the support they need to move forward. Use neighborhood survey to choose a couple projects to push for, but first have our ducks in the row. Suggests we develop a committee. It's in our neighborhood plan that Segoe Park has picnic shelters and splash pad. Also information about improving the park for adolescences and for younger kids. By next meeting, present the 3 things we really want to push.
   17. M Armstrong says maybe we consider contacting a food cart and put them on contract for a year.
       1. T Jarvis asks are any carts paying money?
          1. No one pays fee from the one co-op E Rogers talked to. But they are going to pay $2000 for one night at a park.
       2. P Schell says a neighbor had a food cart park in their driveway to cater their party.
   18. Is the ballpark used at Segoe Park?
       1. Yes, for Mike Pressman’s league.
   19. P Schell says playground is for older kids, e.g., ultimate frisbee, basketball.
   20. D Lambs asks if we do it 2-3 concerts this summer, could we pay the bands? Suggested rate of $500 for 2-2.5 hours.
       1. J Chipault says we have money and she's in support of using funds to make our neighborhood more interactive.
   21. P Haskew and C Kreimendahl bring up westside Kiwanis group as people to talk to about help with spearheading effort
   22. P Schell asks if we should start a petition.
       1. Probably no clout.
   23. E Rogers to start a park committee via email
   24. D Lamb will find 3 bands that might be available over the summer.
       1. P Schell says it was hard to hear without amplification last year (had to be within 15’ of band). Is there an electric outlet?
          1. Might need a gas generator to get amplification.
   25. J Chipault thanks E Rogers for his persistence on this topic.
8. Other announcements
   1. J Chipault says there's a meeting about community orchard on Thursday, February 5th at Willy St Coop West
   2. G Poulson says on February 17 and April 7 there are elections. Midvale Heights has had high voter turn-out recently (89% voted, second only to Westmorland).
   3. T Jarvis thinks area directors should subscribe to neighborhood watch list so they get the email messages. If someone replies it goes to T Jarvis, R Rotter, and S Fitzsimmons. Other board members could see replies if they'd like. T Jarvis gets copied when S Fitzsimmons responds.
      1. S Fitzsimmons says people could also just email directly to stevefitz at charter.net.
9. Adjourn: 8:05pm

Notes by J Chipault, Secretary

MHCA Board Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2014

Presiding: Chuck Kreimendahl, President

Attending: Area Directors Denise Lamb, Tom Jarvis. Ron Rotter, Floyd Stautz. Ed Rogers, Jonn Lager. With no quorum, the board was unable to complete any official business.

Also attending: Steve Fitzsimmons, Neighborhood Watch representative.

Minutes from the October board meeting/annual meeting were unavailable.

1. Treasurer’s report: As of November 25, 2014, the MHCA account had $$35,997.37. Most significant recent expenditures were to replace neighborhood signs on Odana and Mineral Point Road and to produce and mail membership materials. Chuck Kreimendahl noted that a city fund had contributed $1000 to the sign payments.
   Brief discussion about the treasurer’s report: Board members asked Treasurer Ron Rotter how he determines how much is in any account category at any given time. Board members instructed treasurer to reduce PayPal balance to minimum necessary to maintain the account.
   
2. Neither Maurice Cheeks nor Carousel Bayrd were in attendance, and there were no legislative reports.
   
3. Neighborhood Watch: Steve Fitzsimmons reported on November NW meeting: 23 neighbors attended; speaker was Neighborhood Officer Dustin Pailing. Several neighbors have completed ride alongs with police, and Fitzsimmons attended an Allied Drive neighborhood meeting in November. Thanks to Tom Jarvis for setting up NW website. Discussion of NW finances: Some designated funding in account; board instructed Fitzsimmons to use this as needed.
   
4. Segoe Park: Ed Rogers reported on his efforts to improve Segoe Park in response to survey results. The Park District has been unresponsive to efforts to establish a skating rink or plant shade trees near playground. Several board members agreed to attend the December 10 Park District meeting to support Rogers’s presentation. Board discussed possible summer events, including participating in Make Music Madison again, other concerts, and food cart picnics.
   
5. Officer elections: Because there was no quorum, the board was unable to elect officers for 2014-2015.
   
6. Other business: We still need an Area 7 director. Denise Lamb asked for permission to facilitate any candidate forums for the spring election proposed by other neighborhood assns.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Minutes taken by Denise Lamb

Midvale Heights Community Association Annual Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 – 6:30 p.m. – Sequoya Branch Library

Area Directors present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Ron Rotter, Gary Poulson, Floyd Stautz, Jim Thoreson, Ed Rogers, Greg Fischer, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Mary J. Armstrong, Paul Haskew, Jonn Lager, Kay Reuter-Krohn, Tom Jarvis

1. Guest Speaker - Police Chief Mike Koval
   1. Gary Poulson introduced Police Chief Mike Koval. In 1997/1998, Gary Poulson was an alder and met Officer Koval. Officer Koval spent most of his career as a training officer and by doing this he has impacted 70-80% of officers who are walking the streets today. Officer Koval has learned and lived and taught the Madison method of policing. We're grateful to have someone who has spent most of his career on the streets protecting us as our officer.
   2. Police Chief Koval speaks.
      1. We have roughly 120 neighborhoods in Madison. He's concerned about quality of life in those neighborhoods. He has lived in this particular area of Madison for years. Madison has been growing into an urban center with many of the same problems we see across the US. but he thinks we have a handle on things affecting our quality of life benchmarks. We have lower than normal crime indices.
      2. However, at 9am this morning, there were two cars exchanging gunfire at Whitney way and University - one round went into interior of a room of a house with a 70-some year old man on Flambeau Trail. This is a canary in the coal mine. As we become bigger, the sleepy-eyed town goes in rear-view mirror.
      3. Epidemic of heroin overdoses. 1 gram of heroin is $150; never been more potent or more accessible. Narcan is drug that counteracts overdoes. Every 8 hours he gets updates from phone - usually at least once every 8 hours there's an overdose. Getting some traction because talking about it long enough, but if not for Narcan, would be hearing about heroin more. Our police are responding to a pulse-less, non-breather; they do CPR to keep heart alive and in collaboration with Madison fire (6 minute response time), they administer by syringe the Narcan dose and then 30 minutes later the person that overdosed is walking and talking. We would have had 100 deaths in last few years in just city of Madison without Narcan. So if deaths were being reported, we might take this more seriously. Met expectations of protocol; street level will be trained on nasal Narcan. That is one of the issues that we have to confront.
      4. Awful lot of guns in our community. Finding shell casings or things hit by bullets. Some have asked if Madison is looking at shot technology to triangulate where a fire arm is discharged. But we're getting reports from our neighbors and we're calling in real-time. Talked with Chief Flynn from Milwaukee. Milwaukee hosted gun conference. There's been 3 homicides in 6 months that he's been on in Madison; 59 in Milwaukee. Community is galvanized in wanting to reclaim neighborhoods, but in Milwaukee they have to use shot technology because in 85% of cases, the technology told them because neighbors didn't call. He doesn't want to see us become that sort of resigned populace.
      5. He's been asked, "What do you see as your benchmark indices as future of Madison?" Two domains. One is played out in Madison metropolitan school district where there's 27,000 enrolled students, of which 65% qualify for federal subsidized meals (breakfast, lunch, or both). The Madison he was raised in had greater sense of plurality. Have-nots becoming more and more pronounced. In competing headlines over last 72 hours, there's been talk of BEP (Behavior Education Plan), which runs under the premise that we want to improve high school graduation for those of color especially. We support BEP until the point when public safety is compromised. So as we go through growing pains together, delighted to see ongoing dialogue.
      6. Other domain is the neighborhoods. Roughly 120 neighborhoods in Madison. He's a disciple of David Cooper, who hired him twice. He thought the FBI was better and tried that for two years. Under the Cooper regime, he got it right in that policing is done best when done proactively and relationally. Want to see a return to yesteryears. We had 18 neighborhood officers, we're at 11 now. Budget-wrangling is happening right now and he asked for 5 more. Give us a chance to be relational and looking at things besides crime. Yes, they are addressing crime issues but also quality of life issues - landlords, teens, etc. What he did in early May was ask staff to tell him if they have neighborhoods in their district that would benefit from neighborhood officers; 9 districts gave him a minimum of 6 hot spots. Looked at a map. 30 identifiable neighborhoods where things are on a slow boil and could go either way depending on what resources we give them. West-siders might know distinction between neighborhood officer (e.g., Allied Drive - they report there every day, West Mifflin, Williamson St.) and neighborhood resource officer. He took his niece to Chuck E Cheese and he describes whack-a-mole; that's his job in the neighborhoods. Neighborhood resource officer would get 2-3 of these hot spots.
      7. Just a couple of blocks due north is where we will be citing the Midtown Station - on Mineral Point by Mount Olive Lutheran church. This mayor has 7 years left until we fully annex the town of Madison. My concern is if we're keeping up pace of annexation. West District office is on McKenna Boulevard and it has outgrown its domain - 26 square miles, 85,000 residents - they would be 5th largest stand-alone city in Wisconsin. Luckily Midvale Heights in a safe place because people would have to go a long way to get to an emergency. 2020 or 2017 are proposed date for opening of Midtown. Scheduled for 2017, which will give us a resource that's more relational to your needs. These are the things that are percolating.
      8. Koval's armored tank was acquired before he took oath of office. But got a "win" from that albatross - had guy with a rifle that shot 8 rounds indiscriminately and we were able to get closer to the guy and could have vacated neighbors if needed to.
      9. Question from audience: What do you see as problems for this neighborhood?
         1. This is a pristine and wonderful neighborhood. Problems might be traffic related, e.g., bad driving. Have domestic violence in every quadrant of the city. This neighborhood has been very committed to being neighbors. We get calls asking if we would check on welfare, e.g., my neighbors haven't taken in their paper. Calling us about that stuff is a good thing. Gun violence is close, that's hard to get your head around.
      10. Question from audience: What about breaking and entering - 11 in the last couple of months.
          1. Burglary has gone up, but not as here pronounced as far west. 20% is far west (McKenna district station) between midnight and 4am. A lot is being seen as pattern related to drugs - taking stuff that can go to pawn shops to translate to addiction. Commercial based burglaries have been more sophisticated. Opportunistic in houses. He still does the cop thing and walks the streets - recently found keys in the ignition in unlocked cars in 3 cars in 6 block radius.
      11. Question from audience: Obviously the politics of gun control are against this, but is there anything the department can do to get guns off the streets?
          1. Trying to find the sweet spot with those people that believe we are out to hurt 2nd amendment rights, but clearly we have gun offenses every night. When he came on in 1983, they had an alert tone every time there was a crime in progress that involved guns or knives and would hear it 2-3 times in 6 day rotation. Now, 2-3 times in 8 hour shift. Cops work 6 days on and 3 days off. He's a big guy on having federal regulation that is stringent and background checks that are not artificial. Would like to bring pressure on gun manufacturing industry to do "smart guns" in which trigger would only pull if the gun recognized the palm print.
      12. Question from audience: Socioeconomic issues: you said 65% of kids in Madison on subsidized meals; how does that compare to the nation?
          1. Relative to the state we're probably ok, but Milwaukee is not a benchmark we want to be compared ourselves to. Likes metaphor of Tale of Two Cities: nice cars driven by 16 year olds at Memorial but 12 buses staging outside of Gammon and 75% of people getting off buses are people of color. Are police engaged in racial profiling? But think what you'll see if we have good people, through no fault of their own, trying to eke out a living, inviting you to come in and we want to you take riffraff out of here. Asking people to take a good look at faces of those we're arresting but also want to see places where we're making those arrests. All officers go through class given by Patricia Divine enlightening our officers about subconscious bias. Having said that, our workforce in Madison is more diverse. Around the country, complaints come from outside, whereas in Madison complaints come from co-workers who will not sit idly by. Average class in Madison is 29 years of age, all have bachelors degrees, 1/3 have masters degrees. Women are 12% on force nationally; Madison is 30% women. If you look at this class, you'll see interests in zoology, classic literature, Spanish, political science; there's diversity. A lot of free spirits.
      13. Question from audience: Article in paper about our teachers in public schools bombarded by unruly students.
          1. They have a way to vet their staging. They have an escalating staircase and some things are so significant they jump. Each high school has security guards (4 per school), ERO (education resource officers). I'm all for BEP but you have to let cops know that a teacher was threatened with a chair, or there's talking. Need to have an emboldened Superintendent to make ERO equal partner in real-time for those encounters. Not just there for ticket/arrest/escort; want them to be relational and work in tandem with principals. Have to iron out real-time communication gaps.
      14. Question from audience: We're told that the crime rate in Midvale Heights in pretty low, but what has tended to happened is that we have a rash of break-ins and Neighborhood Watch will rev up, but then winter happens and things die down. Do you suggestions for keeping Neighborhood Watch going?
          1. Have at least quarterly meetings. Be mindful of CPTED (Crime prevention through environmental design): back porch without light, overgrown shrubs, we need to take some measures as homeowners. Bring in guests speakers.
      15. Question from audience: Explain a bit more about Midtown police station - how will it impact us?
          1. When it first starts, you'll have 8-9 officers there. You can do stuff in-person, like register bike, report a theft, etc.
             1. Alder Maurice Cheeks speaks and says he supports it and will vote for it. But sooner we bring it online, sooner we have to pay for it and don't want to raise people's taxes. Also have fire station on east side that's scheduled to open in next couple of years. Do we prioritize both of these and figure out how to put it in operating budget?
          2. Koval says he'd sleep in his car in Midvale Heights. Allied got bad in 2008/2009 at height of cocaine. We were all-in on Allied. Raymond and Schroeder are a bit different now than 10 years ago; while we were all-in on Allied, that hose sprung a leak downstream. There's now displacement that we have to be careful about.
      16. Question from audience: Read that in states where marijuana is legal, heroin overdoses are down 35%.
          1. Suspects he'll be tarred and feathered about one sentence on marijuana. There are public policy debates to be had. He's influenced by the fact that there's been some fairly interesting studies being done on medicinal purposes. Are we ready to have a discussion as a state? Law enforcement is not a stick-in-the-mud about moving forward with that dialogue. But they are following the law.
2. Call Business Meeting to Order & Introductions - Chuck Kreimendahl
   1. This meeting is for members primarily, but everybody is welcome.
3. Board of Directors Election- Chuck Kreimendahl
   1. Even-Numbered Areas are up for election this year.
      1. Board members present, say name and what street you live on.
         1. Gary Poulson, Charles Lane
         2. Peter Schell, Togstad Glenn
         3. Paul Haskew, Togstad Glenn
         4. Tom Jarvis, Tokay Boulevard
         5. Floyd Stautz, Hillview Terrace
         6. Jenny Chipault - Hilton Drive
         7. Greg Fischer - Berwyn Drive
         8. Jonn Lager - Constitution Lane
      2. All have agreed to serve another 2-year term but floor is open.
      3. Move to elect slate of even-numbered board members. Second. Discussion? No opposition. Motion passes.
4. Neighborhood Watch Report - Steve Fitzsimmons
   1. We live in a beautiful community. He used to be president of bird club and he'd struggle to get 20 people; nice to see turn-out. He did work with Fitchburg police dispatcher. Also has been neighborhood tornado spotter for last 10 years. Can't prevent tornadoes but can help ourselves regarding crime prevention. There have been 18-19 residential burglaries. Roughly 5 homes in his immediate area: couple doors down, couple doors behind, and across the street. He talked to board to figure out what to do to fight this trend. We're going to have a meeting November 11, 6:30-7:30 at Midvale Community Lutheran Church. We'll talk about strategies for how we can protect ourselves and protect our neighbors. Common sense things. Some things that might have us step outside of our comfort zone. He can facilitate working with police. Call 911 if see anything specific. On www.Midvaleheights.org, there's a link on left to neighborhood watch page, which has tips and suggestions, and his contact information. There are a lot of things we need to watch for. Trust your instincts. Neighborhood police officer, Dustin, will be coming to our meeting on November 11. Also want to point out that there's a Madison Police Department survey where you can express concerns about your neighborhood. We have a forum and email list and you can sign up for this email list via www.Midvaleheights.org. As soon as he finds out about something, he emails list and it raises our awareness. Try to get everyone to get more comfortable with the police. Dustin is happy to do ride-along for 4 hours. Keep lights on at night, garage doors closed, keys not in car. We'll be training during winter and when things warm up, our eyes will be on our streets and we won't be intimidated by our police.
5. Elected Representative Reports - Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. Maurice Cheeks wants to talk about a few things that he's working on right now via budget that we're trying to pass.
      1. Restoring funding for crossing guard program. We haven't looked at policy regarding crossing guards since 1990s, so need to look at ways to have neighbors walk their children to school.
      2. Also supports creation of Midtown Station. Chief brings renewed energy to the role. He represents 10th district, which includes Orchard, Dunn's marsh, Allied Drive, Midvale Heights, Nakoma, and Summit Woods so it's been important for him to ensure that MPD is thinking about his district holistically. We've made strides at Allied, but at the same time we can't allow our other neighborhoods to slide from receiving attention from the police. While often times the break-ins might be neighborhood kids, that's not acceptable. He will continue to support request for neighborhood officers. The most effective way to ensure safety is to put neighborhood officers in place. We have 19 right now and want 5 more.
      3. Also looking to add wireless to the metro buses starting next year. Our public transit is the 9th most used public transit in the country - per capita - and every bus system that is used more heavily than ours has a regional transit authority. We're doing phenomenal work with relatively limited functionality and funding, but as we see more ridership and encourage ridership, next step is to add convenience of wireless.
      4. Something that hasn't gotten a lot of attention but that he's proud of is that city is going to invest in a tool that will make the budget process more transparent. There's technology to make this happen. Should go live spring of next year.
      5. Emerald ash borer is something we're concerned about as a community. Continuing to fund supporting or replacing our trees is something that will help us maintain our quality of life. Important to maintain vista.
      6. Advocating for participatory budgeting. There is a process that some cities have adopted to allow public to have direct input to how monies get spent in their neighborhoods. Allows citizens to have a more direct relationship with the budgeting process. Hopefully in the next year, we'll invest in the start-up cost and planning process for how we should roll this out. The more we're transparent and the more we can engage our citizens, the better off we are as a community.
   2. Carousel Bayrd notes that it's budget season. The county is really hurting. We're out of money. We're making horrible decisions. We're cutting things that aren't reflective of our values. We don't' want to make these cuts but we don't have money. We aren't providing as many meals to senior citizens, we're not providing as many facilities to people with disabilities, less on alternatives to incarcerate, less slots in drug court, crisis funds, etc. In general, county does human services, criminal justice, and environment. Big debate on the county board about covering up; her concern is that we hide the pain, the average person doesn't know anyone with disabilities so wouldn't notice if someone with disabilities isn't getting outside to walk around the block or not. But she thinks that, on some level, we need to make a statement about what's being cut. Most cuts come from state government.
      1. This is her 9th year. She's vice chair of county board.
      2. Big picture issue #1 is education, access to quality education. Top initiative in last year's budget was crisis mental health services in public schools. They call police, as they should, and then they are in jail; alternatively, they could call a crisis team. City is doing after-school programs; she's the county representative on that committee.
      3. Big picture issue #2 is criminal justice reform. Racial disparities. Big conversation about re-building our jail. She doesn't support building a new jail. We've done a good job of ignoring our jail and it's falling apart and it's a disaster. What she wants to address is mental health; some people are having a mental health crisis and need to be in jail, some don't. Help establish conversation about incarceration, can we incarcerate somewhere other than jail. Most crisis centers are voluntary. Working with teens on justice issue, e.g., have teen talk to homeowner they've wronged and apologize. Doing a pilot in south side of Madison.
      4. Big picture issue #3 is affordable housing. There's a housing co-op for youth struggling with homelessness. Space with wraparound service for youth that are homeless. Creating a community, sort of like a college dorm. There are 10 rooms and a waiting list within a week.
      5. Used to stay home two days a week, but now that her youngest is in kindergarten she's working with YWCA. Doing restorative justice at East and West high schools. She was just in an ad for Planned Parenthood for Mary Burke. Became chair for training democrat women to run for office.
6. Announcements - Board
   1. State of the Neighborhood. There are a lot more kids and families and it's nice to have a community that's vibrant with youth. There's an ongoing t-ball program that we support, run by Michael Pressman. It's an alternative to little league that is more inclusive and fun. New program this year for us in Kids Clubhouse, which ran Tuesday afternoons and a couple dozen kids with supervisors participated. Program was developed in Nakoma neighborhood and it was successful there, so we started it here in collaboration with KEVA. Kids can sign up for whole summer or just a day and do games, sports, crafts, and educational things.
   2. No other announcements
7. Adjournment to Social Session Board, Members and Guests

Minutes recorded by Jenny Chipault, Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
Sept 23, 2014 – Board Meeting
Board Members Present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Floyd Stautz, Cathy Rotter, Jim Thoreson, Ed Rogers, Greg Fischer, Jenny Chipault, Denise Lamb, Paul Haskew, Jonn Lager, Tom Jarvis

Others in Attendance: Kris Schutte, Steve Fitzsimmons, Paul Medenwaldt

1. Meeting called to order by C Kreimendahl
   1. Happy National Voter Registration Day
   2. Introduced ourselves
2. Prior Minutes Review
   1. C Kreimendahl has two corrections: Add "Still" to Debora Jackson Still's name and in paragraph 7 (about neighborhood sign) should be neighborhood sign AND Piper Park sign, just said Piper Park sign
   2. August minutes approved with amendments
   3. J Chipault will make changes and re-post August minute to website
3. Treasurer’s Report
   1. Hard copy distributed.
   2. Library sold 10 more copies Midvale Heights history books
   3. T Jarvis says we have 462 members this year, all paid
   4. E Rogers noticed $1,600 increase in PayPal from one month to another; could be memberships or could be donations. E Rogers suggests remove money from PayPal to an FDIC insured bank account.
      1. C Rotter will mention moving PayPal money to other account to R Rotter
      2. C Kreimendahl notes that it is odd that money would all hit in one month because surely members paid earlier in the summer
      3. D Lamb suggests we only keep minimum in account and move rest
   5. T Jarvis says 89 people paid online via PayPal and some paid more than dues, so looks like Ron has not removed money from last year (note: PayPal charges a transaction fee).
4. Legislative Reports Maurice Cheeks/Carousel Bayrd
   1. None
5. Neighborhood Watch
   1. Steve Fitzsimmons has offered to chair an effort to get activity in neighborhood watch program. Many houses near his on Odana Road were burglarized in July and August. There was a meeting in November that a lot of people attended and there have been several attempts in history of neighborhood to do Neighborhood Watch. Overall, our area is relatively safe, but need some place to go where we can communicate with neighbors; e.g., report suspicious vehicles, share ideas about crime prevention. Could have in-person meetings, even if low turn-out. But wants something that’s consistently there for neighbors to access and to have consistent communications with police department. Working with T Jarvis to get web forum up and plans to promote Neighborhood Watch via newsletter. Possibly start foot patrols, both as a form of exercise and a way to get to know people. Possibly put notes on people’s doors if you notice garage doors open, etc. More eyes we have more likely we can catch what’s going on in our neighborhood. However, don’t want to hit it too hard because don’t want to burn out
   2. T Jarvis thinks that the last time it failed was because head of group didn’t schedule meetings anymore
      1. D Lamb says her experience is that there’s a rash of burglaries and people are interested but then it dies down. D Lamb likes that Steve is in for the long-haul and willing to have meetings even if low attendance.
   3. C Kreimendahl says when he asked at November meeting for someone to step forward to lead a Neighborhood Watch, no one did so we’re glad that Steve is stepping forward now.
   4. P Haskew thinks this is an ideal subject for online publication of some sort. Could distribute Midvale Heights crime report via emails regularly
      1. If they went to eWatch forums right now on Midvale Heights website, there’s screen print of crime in our neighborhood.
      2. P Haskew says that when his street was hit, his neighbors installed lights, locked doors, and talked about putting out trail cameras; would be good to communicate these steps to neighbors
      3. If people sign up under forums on www.MidvaleHeights.org they would get email.
      4. P Haskew suggests that we have people opt out of forum
         1. T Jarvis says can’t opt out because he has to prove that it's not spam and people are signed up for email
   5. D Lamb suggests S Fitzsimmons gives presentation at annual meeting next month
      1. S Fitzsimmons agrees
   6. C Kreimendahl suggests a bit of caution, e.g., if someone is repeat hit, they might not want that information publicized because makes them look like easy target
      1. D Lamb says people on forum can say as much as they want so might get more information than from police
6. Sherwood Sidewalks
   1. C Kreimendahl got email that went to city engineering and city council representative from someone in our neighborhood. Email was request for feedback about sidewalk use. They’re doing some sidewalk repairs and neighbor thought opportunity to ask city to put in sidewalks on properties that don’t have them.
      1. C Rotter thinks this area encompasses 3-4 houses on either side of the street.
   2. C Kreimendahl says it’s in our neighborhood plan that this be done but charge goes to property owners. It is in our plan that sidewalks be installed when significant street renovation is done.
      1. C Rotter says this area is near park so makes sense to have sidewalks
      2. G Fischer says sidewalks in front of home increases assessment value
7. Senior Volunteer Opportunity
   1. Kris Schutte spent about 12 years on MHCA board in 1990s and early 2000s and was very active when community developed plantings on Tokay and installation of bison sculptures. She has lived in Midvale Heights 25 years and is retired now so looking to get active in community. RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) helps 55+ people find volunteer opportunities and K Schutte went through that program and is now volunteering for Triad. Triad planning committee started on southwest Madison and they are looking for new members. Triad is a national, state, and local organization that promotes personal safety and crime prevention for seniors. Triad is not an acronym but represents sheriffs, police, and AARP at national level, but at state and local levels, each triad group has own three legs (e.g., law enforcement, RSVP). Only three chapters in Dane County so far (Verona and Cottage Grove and southwest Madison). Southwest Madison is neighborhood south of beltline but not necessarily what it’s limited to and they are trying to add other areas so it would be valuable to have someone from Midvale Heights on Triad committee. K Schutte hopes for more official representation of MHCA; she’s just a volunteer neighborhood resident but would like MHCA board member. Committee meets once a month, Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30am, to talk about what’s happening, what community needs, what speakers they plan to have. They try to get a full year of speaker presentations that start at 10:30am (right after meeting); topics include social media scams, fall prevention, power of attorney, funeral planning scams, etc. Hand out has listing of upcoming events, like free car safety check in weekend after next.
   2. C Kreimendahl doesn’t think it’s a problem to have someone on Triad that isn’t a MHCA board member but could keep board informed. Need to spread word to our membership.
      1. D Lamb will put information in next newsletter.
         1. K Schutte would like to do write-up and that will indicate who to contact (her or RSVP)
8. Annual Meeting Planning
   1. Gary Poulson checked with police chief Koval and it is confirmed that he will speak at the annual meeting. He has asked to speak right away, at 6:30
   2. D Lamb will send out post cards to all members and will put S Fitzsimmons on the agenda.
   3. Treats
      1. D Lamb brings cider and G Poulson brings coffee
      2. D Lamb will make two kinds of cookies
         1. F Stautz, C Rotter, and J Lager also volunteer to bring cookies
      3. J Thoreson suggests we see if The Market has cider we can buy; would be nice to support them
   4. D Lamb takes postcards to Kinkos, makes them cut them, and then she labels them and takes them to post office
   5. D Lamb asks C Rotter to ask R Rotter for mailing labels
   6. G Poulson will introduce speaker
   7. F Stautz suggests we advertise on website
      1. D Lamb says meeting is technically for members because they are the only ones that vote
   8. Steve Graham resigned as Area 7 director because he doesn’t have time.
      1. Looking to recruit and appoint someone to fill that seat until voted on next year
      2. T Jarvis needs to send out a test email to make sure email accounts for members work; he will ask for people interested in Area 7 directorship
         1. He has 25 email addresses for Area 7
         2. Will send two emails - one directed at Area 7 and separate email announcing annual meeting and speakers
         3. Others should submit to Tom by Friday anything else they want included in general email
9. Announcements
   1. E Rogers gives quick skating rink update. He received a promise from Parks Dept that they will get back to him at end of August, he prompted them in September, no response, so he went to parks commissioners meeting but mayor had rescheduled the meeting so no one there. Will keep trying.
   2. D Lamb asks status of Santa visits
      1. T Jarvis sent information to Peter Schell but hasn’t heard back from P Schell
   3. Oak Park Heights/Piper Park Name Change
      1. C Kreimendahl received another email from person who launched this effort and sign has since been replaced with another Oak Park Heights Park sign.
   4. Laura Brown who has worked on bison prairie wonders about getting T-shirt as a volunteer. Motion to offer funds for purchasing t-shirts for volunteers.
      1. Motion passes
   5. C Kreimendahl participated in work day at Bison Prairie in June and will be out there again at 9am this Saturday, September 27.
      1. J Thoreson took pictures of holes in bison statue. C Kreimendahl emailed Bill Grover (bison artist) and hasn’t heard back.
         1. P Haskew patched it last fall
         2. J Thoreson offers to call someone to get an opinion about repair.
   6. D Lamb says October 18 is Tokay median clean-up
10. Adjourn at 7:55pm

Minutes recorded by Jenny Chipault, Secretary

Midvale Heights Community Association
August 26, 2014 – Board Meeting
Board Members Present: Chuck Kreimendahl, Jenny Chipault, Ed Rogers, Jonn Lager, Nan Lager, Tom Jarvis, Jason Butler, Mary J. Armstrong, Floyd Stautz, Paul Haskew, Gary Poulson, Denise Lamb, Ron Rotter, Cathy Rotter, Greg Fischer, Peter Schell

Others in attendance: Maurice Cheeks

1. Meeting called to order by C Kreimendahl
2. Prior Minutes Review
   1. June minutes approved
3. Treasurer’s Report
   1. R Rotter gives summary, details distributed in hard copy
   2. Received $1,000 check from the city toward the replacement of our neighborhood sign on Mineral Point
   3. Bought new signs for neighborhood Garage Sale this year for $400, but sale is usually profitable
   4. T-ball made over $4,000 this year, which is down a bit from last year
      1. Suggestion for sign that says “Pressman Stadium” or “Pressman Field” when new backstop goes up in Piper Park
         1. Would need to get permission from the city before we put up a sign
   5. Bills coming in for postcard mailing
4. Legislative Reports
   1. None
5. Membership Drive Epilogue
   1. It was complicated this year, possibly in part because P Haskew wasn’t available to head a committee. C Kreimendahl believes it will go smoother with a committee.
   2. T Jarvis relays that we have 444 members (plus recent adds), 13 addresses asked not to be included in directory, 18 asked not to have their kids included in directory, 7 marked as not paid. Had 482 last year. We’ll probably get a few more so we’ll be close to last year’s numbers.
   3. T Jarvis had the idea that we should print a membership card with every members name on it, which means 1 to 3 cards per household. However, it turns out that the only way printer could put different numbers of cards in different envelopes would be to print in multiple batches. They wanted to stuff envelopes. Only the envelopes with two cards could be shipped bulk and having 1 card difference between envelopes would not allow us to ship bulk.
      1. C Kreimendahl says that when he mailed postcards, they weighed pile to the thousandths of a pound
      2. T Jarvis told printer to just do one card with one name and then P Haskew and T Jarvis will create other cards and have block captains distribute them.
      3. D Lamb can put information on front page of newsletter to let people know that directory and card with first names will be coming soon.
         1. Messengers will be back to D Lamb Wednesday after Labor Day
         2. P Haskew wonders if additional cards might be distributed before or at same time as Messenger so Messenger should indicate that members might already have all their cards
      4. MJ Armstrong asks if we can put a sticker on cards for our areas
         1. P Haskew says this is too cumbersome
      5. C Kreimendahl asks if we can time it with messenger
      6. E Rogers brings up people who get digital messenger won’t be on delivery roster
      7. J Chipault wonders if it’s worth the fuss to distribute additional cards
         1. One card with “adult 1” is already printed and some females have different last names so necessary this year
      8. Suggestion for next year to print multiple cards with multiple names, e.g., 2 names on each card and 2 copies of the card for every household
      9. E Rogers suggest we could put in dummy “thank you” cards to make up difference in weight if different number of personalized cards required
      10. P Schell says that every household should get two cards
      11. R Rotter says we should not put names at all
          1. P Haskew says businesses need way to check back to card holder; temptation is for wait staff to apply discount and pocket money
      12. C Kreimendahl asks how much it will cost to print extra cards
          1. Additional cost will likely be less than 3 figures
      13. Motion to approve printing of extra cards for up to $200.
          1. Motion passes
   4. C Kreimendahl did post card mailing (as reminders after membership Messenger goes out) and we’ve always assumed that expense of that is worth it. Cost is $150 postage, $225 for post cards.
      1. Some directors think that in previous years we only sent to people who had previously signed up and didn’t in current year, others think we only take off people who already signed up in current year
      2. Did not get a big bump in memberships this year (around 60), but did recoup costs
      3. MJ Armstrong says it’s also about getting people involved so while it’d be nice to reduce the cost, that might not be most important goal
      4. MJ Armstrong wonders if we could only print postcards every couple years to reduce those costs (stockpile them)
      5. D Lamb wonders if we’re distributing information to new neighbors?
         1. C Kreimendahl says no, nobody has asked for new neighbor kits
      6. E Rogers says based on engagement vs. cost ratio, Facebook post provided a noticeable bump in survey completion when assessing interest in activities at Segoe Park
      7. T Jarvis sent email to everyone who was a member last year, and that did result in more registrations
      8. D Lamb says someone she talked to couldn’t remember whether they had registered and D Lamb suggested they check the website but they didn’t want to go online, so there’s still some part of the community that needs hard copy postcards
      9. M Cheeks brings up door-to-door
      10. 21 of our block captains aren’t MHCA members
      11. MJ Armstrong introduces herself to people when she’s on a walk and relays that she’s a representative for their part of the neighborhood
          1. She has 138 houses and that can be overwhelming
      12. M Cheeks suggests that all block captains do door-to-door in the same weekend and there could be prizes, perhaps leading up to the neighborhood picnic
6. Mayor’s Neighborhood Conference
   1. D Lamb sent a copy of the city’s notice of the neighborhood conference, registration is $15, anyone in the neighborhood can come, D Lamb will put it in the newsletter, D Lamb has attended most of these for the past 10 years, it’s a great way to meet people from other neighborhoods that are doing the same things we’re trying to do, great keynote speaker, you don’t have to commit to the whole day, she comes out of it with about 85 good ideas!
   2. Motion to pay registration fee for directors that want to attend neighborhood conference
      1. Approved
7. Neighborhood Sign and Piper Park sign/name
   1. C Kreimendahl started talking to city about neighborhood signs back in February, even though it was just replacing a sign that had already existed, took a while. Prices went up since last July when R Rotter had received an invoice from the sign company. At March meeting, we approved pursuing $1000 from city to help purchase replacement sign. Getting the Odana sign location approved was difficult. Location is triangle by bus stop, across the road from HyVee. That whole area is a right-of-way. Long and short of it is that 2-3 departments had to approve it. Finally, in July they said it was approved, but that did not involve digging holes in right-of-way, which is engineering's department and need also need sign permit from zoning. C Kreimendahl now has digging permit. This board had never approved expense for larger sign at that location: 8 foot sign now will cost $3,800. Total for two signs is over $5,000 so with new price tag, C Kreimendahl wanted to re-visit issue.
   2. MJ Armstrong wonders if the sign company can guarantee the signs for any amount of time
   3. Where Odana Rd. sign was before was more at risk (where Tyberius Terrace apartments are now)
   4. MJ Armstrong asks how tall posts would be
      1. Tall enough to put hostas or rocks underneath it so that it’s less likely to get hit by mower
   5. J Chipault asks if smaller sign was considered
      1. Yes, but it’s too far from road to see a smaller sign
   6. MJ Armstrong wonders if there’s care-taking involved (e.g., should sign be oiled or clear coated)?
   7. P Schell wonders if we can offer sign company advertising in our Newsletter as barter
   8. Motion to approve larger sign at Odana Rd with $3,800 price tag
      1. Approved
   9. Someone who lives on Piper (he thinks) sent C Kreimendahl an email saying that existing sign at Piper park says Oak Park Heights. Neighbor wonders why we can’t just get a sign that says Piper Park. Sign looks bad (or is gone?). C Kreimendahl doesn’t know history.
      1. G Poulson says there’s a process through the Parks Dept for naming or re-naming.
      2. Do people on the board want to pursue it or should C Kreimendahl let her know that she should pursue it on her own
      3. Suggestion to have her to talk to her neighbors and come to a board meeting to get a motion for support
8. Garage Sale
   1. C Kreimendhal got email from Jill Carlson regarding cost of signs. We had approved $200 but cost went up to $446 so need to approve that cost. They are reusable.
      1. Motion approved
   2. P Schell wonders if anyone knows who to talk to about putting out Garage Sale signs (big sandwich boards)
      1. MJ Armstrong says need permit
         1. T Jarvis looked at rules for lawn sales and didn’t see need for permit
      2. M Cheeks doesn’t know if there’s ordinance about garage sale signs specifically, but generally it’s not allowed on public property.
      3. MJ Armstrong wonders if they’re more appealing and are getting stolen by private individuals
      4. Usually put them up Thursday night, take down Sat/Sun
      5. M Cheeks says Matt Tucker from zoning is the best person to talk to about this
      6. D Lamb offers her yard (private property) for sign if needed
      7. T Jarvis says website says can’t have more than one sale every 3 months and can’t hold sale for more than 4 days at a time.
9. Announcements
   1. T Jarvis wonders if he can use our Midvale Heights gmail account to register for Google maps.
      1. Use of group's email address to get map for group seems reasonable
         1. Lots of head nodding
   2. Person who has coordinated neighborhood Santa visits is stepping down so can T Jarvis contact people who signed up as interested when filling out membership form. He will contact Stephanie Mikesell first to see if she has recommendations.
      1. Similar situation for people who signed up to volunteer for neighborhood watch; can we contact them
      2. Group thinks this is ok, members were asking to be contacted
      3. C Kreimendahl asks that T Jarvis keep us informed so that we know status of leadership
      4. P Schell offers to organize Santa visits, will talk with Stephanie first, and T Jarvis and P Schell will stay in contact about this topic
   3. R Rotter has been paying T Jarvis quarterly for website server
      1. Motion to continue these payments
         1. Approved
   4. Kids Club
      1. There will be a short write-up and pictures in the newsletter. C Kreimendahl went to park in June during Kids Club. It was held on Tuesdays and there were 10 sessions planned. Had good turn-out, about 20 kids in June, roughly 12 signed-up ahead of time and then more as drop-in. Overall, C Kreimendahl thinks it was a great success. If people have questions, can contact C Kreimendahl or Deborah Jackson Still about it.
   5. Mayor Candidate Meeting
      1. Bridgette Maniachi contacted C Kreimendahl a couple of months ago and she asked if she could come to a board meeting. We’ve had candidates speak before.
         1. G Poulson suggests we limit it to 3-5 minutes. C Kreimendahl will contact her.
   6. D Lamb reminds us we have an annual meeting in October. Can put save-the-date in newsletter and then we’ll have to send postcards out
      1. Sarah Day from APT as speaker? We asked her last year but she was in rehearsal. G Poulson will contact her again.
      2. If people have ideas for speaker, send them to D Lamb.
      3. D Lamb will make sure we have space reserved at library for that annual meeting
   7. Alder Report - M Cheeks
      1. Has anyone been to IdeaScale website? This is something city has started doing (as of last year) as way to host public feedback forum at www.Madison.ideascale.com. Soliciting feedback from community. Alders are taking input from website seriously, e.g., biodigester, metro bus suggestions, etc. What pilot programs should we start?, what big goals should be pursued?
      2. MJ Armstrong asks if there are updates for HyVee area.
         1. M Cheeks brought possibility of HyVee being a community center up but it’s a long-term project
         2. Another thing to be aware of is that DOT is going to be looking at that intersection next summer, which might affect our new neighborhood sign.
      3. E Rogers wonders what timeline is regarding ideas being submitted via website.
         1. Council starts budget process in July where Alders start talking to mayor and neighborhoods provide input and then in July-Sept, a lot of discussion happens, and things get written down in October.
   8. F Stautz brings up Mike Koval, new police chief, as possibility for annual meeting speaker.
      1. M Cheeks says he’ll be doing speaking engagements in every district. Our district (west) is on September 18th at 6-7pm, Our Redeemer Church, 1701 McKenna Blvd
   9. C Kreimendahl says research park is proposing to create a lot for commercial development on 45 Science Drive (11 acres).
      1. P Haskew says it’s Ultratech and they will be doubled in size with mirror-image buildings. Area was hit by tornado. They are putting in sloping garden that will be beautiful and open to the public.
   10. Adjourned 8:20pm

Minutes recorded by Jenny Chipault, Secretary