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