MIDVALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AREA DIRECTORS' MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY March 22, 2022, 6:45 pm

Meeting was held Via Zoom and in-person at the Sequoya Library

Present: J. Cardin, L. Raihala, J. Walter, K. Walter, D. Lamb, T. Jarvis, J. Thoreson, R. Rotter, E. Rogers, J. Lager,

B.Roe and G.Fischer joined later due to other meetings.

Also present: Cathy Rotter, Nan Lager, Cecely Castillo, Aaron Collins

Meeting was called to order at 6:50pm.

1.) All present introduced themselves to County Board Supervisor candidates Cecely Castillo (CB District 7) and Aaron Collins (CB District 10). Both are running unopposed in the April 5 Election. Midvale Heights is now the 7th and 10th County Board Districts following redistricting - which is the re-drawing of legislative boundaries - required every 10 years - to ensure equal representation and to reflect population shifts.

Aaron is a legislative aide to State Senator Melissa Agard. Cecely is a legislative aide to State Senator Kelda Roys and is a current County Board Supervisor representing CB District 4.

Issues considered priorities from candidates and what they are hearing from constituents: environment - from pollinators to plastic bags and beyond, social/racial justice, new jail, mental health.

2.) Minutes from February meeting approved 3.) No updates from last month to Treasurer’s Report

4.) Blood Drive on 3/3 was a success. Met goal, went smoothly. The Sequoya Library will sponsor the next drive on 6/9. MHCA is willing to sponsor another future blood drive.

5.) Snow Sculpture Competition (MHCA was invited to join this event this established a couple of years ago by Westmoreland and Dudgeon-Monroe) was not a big success due to lack of snow. There were three entries, including one household from Midvale Heights. There wasn’t enough participation to warrant voting and awarding top prizes - but the families who built the three sculptures were notified and thanked with donated gifts from area business. The MHCA prize money/gift cards we approved were not needed/purchased. We’ll hope for more snow and better sculpture building conditions next winter and try again, board willing.

6.) Review of Own It: Building Black Wealth presentation. Information was put on MHCA website for neighborhood awareness. Individuals can contribute, including via home sales. The board was not asked to contribute to the program as an association, but will discuss and consider should a request come in the future.

7.). MHCA Picnic: Thursday, June 23. Rain Date Thursday June 30. Segoe Park.

Cardin advised board that neighborhood volunteers suggested new volunteers be found to take over organizing the annual picnic - with this year being transitional. Board discussed and reached consensus that this year’s picnic should be similar to last year’s picnic - no potluck. All catered. Make some tweaks in ordering - ran out of veggie burgers, hot dog buns? - but had excess chicken. And way too much bottled water. Hold it at Segoe Park instead of Piper. Cathy Rotter said she will work with current volunteers to make it happen! Thank you! May have membership forms available to allow encourage non-members to join for the remaining year of the 2-year membership cycle underway for $15.00. No discount card or inclusion in the already printed directory.

8.) Transit Meeting Update. Gregory Fischer attended the city’s Transit Resign meeting put on for the near westside neighborhood association group that was being held simultaneously with the MCHA board meeting. He reported the planners are willing to consider amendments to make service more favorable to the Midvale Heights neighborhood. Like full service on Mineral Point. We will discuss further at the next board meeting.

9.) MHCA Labor Day weekend garage sale planning is underway. Tom received a note from someone who wanted to participate but with different days/times and wanted this noted in publicity. Board says people who want to do this should indicate hours on their sign, we can’t customize for everyone who wants to do something different.

11.) Summer Nights at Segoe. The hope that we might have a performance by the Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz band is fading. Not responding. Cajun Strangers and Gin Chocolate and Bottle Rockets will be contacted. The same food trucks will be asked - and maybe an ice cream truck. Most food trucks want guaranteed $$$ take now - so might need to consider getting board approval for this possible added expense. Should food sales to attendees not make that threshold.

12.) Anything else? Denise Lamb says the time has come to step away from her longtime position as Midvale Messenger Editor. She has been wanting to do this for years, but no one has stepped forward. She will step down in September. She’s planning a lot more travel and may be gone more than she is here. We all need to help to recruit her replacement. Denise suggested this might be a good time to consider going digital only as the printed version comes with many complications. No advertising ads are being placed/paid for, so advertisers won’t complain. Half of members get email only. The other half may have to deal. Will discuss more at the next meeting.

Meeting Adjourned @8:15pm. I don’t recall

Submitted by Joy Cardin