Marquette Neighborhood Association (MNA) Board
December 18, 2014
Minutes
Board Members Attending: Cheema, John Coleman, Colleen Hayes, Jack Kear,
Renee Lauber, Lynn Lee, Jesse Pycha-Holst, CeCe Pollard, Mike Soref, Anne Walker,
Amanda White
Others Attending: Andre Lewis, Kayla Corcoran, Peter Wolff, Steve Ohlson, Fareed
Guyot, Marsha Rummel, Linda Lehnertz, Gary Tipler, Leslie Schroeder
Madison Police Update
Officer Lewis. There was a drug arrest on Few Street—that should resolve problems for
the neighborhood. There is an ongoing investigation on Rusk St.
City traffic cameras for major thoroughfares:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/trafficEngineering/trafficCameras.cfm
Several board members had problems with private garbage services making noise
during early in the morning; there was a question as to when garbage pickup is allowed
to start.
President’s Report
Lynn met with the presidents of Tenney-Lapham and First Settlement neighborhoods.
They will set up a forum for candidates for mayor, but after the primary. They discussed
software, for neighborhood association newsletters, for example. The Tenney-Lapham
neighborhood has restaurants moving in, and developers seeking to replace old
houses, issues similar to ours. Tenney-Lapham residents have similar concerns about
becoming a late night destination. The MNA Arts Initiative Fund, an endowment, is in
place. It will fund maintenance of the Gateway Tree and arts education. Karyn Chacon
resigned from the board. Lynn opened self-nominations for the seat until December 22.
He will appoint a replacement, to be voted on at the January meeting. Renee has lined
up a volunteer to look into working on the MNA Web Site. There were no objections to
giving access to the MNA Web site to the volunteer. The Chili Dinner is scheduled for
the first Saturday in March.
Treasurer’s Report
The books are closed on the tax year ending September 30. There were few
transactions in October and November. The bank balance is about $103,000, only a
little more than the expected amount for reserve. There will be few expenditures
besides the Skateboard Park commitment to be paid out of the bank balance.
Committee Reports
Preservation and Development (P&D)
Madison Alliance for Historic Preservation: Representatives of the Madison Alliance for
Historic Preservation presented the organization’s mission statement and described the
Landmarks Ordinance rewrite to P&D at the December committee meeting. The
committee agreed with the core values in the mission statement. Jesse moved that
MNA support the core values of the Madison Alliance for Historic Preservation and
support of historic preservation in the rewrite of the Landmarks Ordinance. Cheema
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Update on South 800 Block of East Washington: In November the Capital East District
Committee accepted the initial proposal from Otto Gebhardt’s group. Gebhardt’s next
stage of the proposal for the site is due in April 2015.
Update restaurant proposals at 1216-1226: Michael Banas (Tipsy Cow II) spoke with
P&D. The issue for the Tipsy Cow proposal was that he wants to close at bar time
Thursday-Saturday. The Common Council has approved the Paint Bar. The Paint Bar
still does not have a site plan. The neighborhood has concerns about traffic and
parking. There is no parking requirement for the restaurant. The concern is increased
traffic on Williamson St. and on Wilson St. Jesse will write a letter to City Zoning to
request a site plan.
Update affordable housing paper: The report, written by Joy Newman and Steve
Steinhoff, was presented to P&D and will be revised.
John brought up the Wisconsin State Historical Society archives facility. The meeting to
present the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the facility was held on December
16 (end of the comment period for the draft EA). John and Anne attended. Some
neighbors have concerns about hazardous materials, traffic patterns, the relation to the
bike path, and parking. There was discussion about monitoring as construction
proceeds. John will write a letter to Ayres and Associates (contractor preparing the EA)
for the demolition plan.
Traffic: Jenifer Street Reconstruction
Anne reported on the upcoming Jenifer St. reconstruction. The project includes
reconstruction of Jenifer St. from Spaight St. (800 block) to Few St. (1100 block), and
the blocks of Paterson, Brearly, and Few Streets south of Williamson St. Bus routes
will be relocated to Spaight St. during construction. Madison Metro proposes to
eliminate several stops on Jenifer St. There will be bump outs at most intersections. A
public meeting on the reconstruction is scheduled for January 5, 2015, at 6:00 at WilMar. The city plans to put bids out in February and to start construction in March.
There was discussion at the meeting and at Traffic Committee meetings about possible
damage to buildings on Jenifer caused by street demolition. The usual methods of
demolition and construction could damage the foundations and walls of old houses.
Anne recommends that building owners take pictures of foundations and plaster walls
before the project starts. There was discussion about asking the city to delay the
project. The Traffic Committee had recommended delay of the project. Lynn proposed
that the board take an e-vote after the January 5th meeting. Lynn and Leslie Schroeder
will create a flyer and get volunteers to drop it off in the affected area. Anne will ask the
city for a street plan.
Fundraising and Festivals
Colleen reported on the last committee meeting. Amanda will assist with fundraising.
The committee approved coordinators for the festivals. Gary Kallas will manage food
vendors at the Orton Park Festival (OPF). There will be a fundraising effort to
commemorate the 2015, 50th, OPF, with a theme “50 for 50.” The appeal will go out in
January. Renee moved that Fundraising and Festivals Committee provide a budget for
the festivals for the next board meeting. Jesse seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Parks, Membership, Schools, Art, Values
Parks: Jack reported that the committee developed the application form for the park
improvement grants. Avant Gardens is donating $10,000 for the Blair Street Garden,
which is being administered through the committee.
Values: The committee will work on Community Improvement Grants.
Approval of November Minutes
Amanda moved approval of corrected minutes of the November meeting. Anne
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Alder Report
Railroad quiet zones. The next stretch of railroad quiet zone, from Baldwin toward the
north, will be created in 2015. Marsha and Rob Philips (City Engineer) requested that
the next part of the quiet zone after that would go from Baldwin toward Ingersoll St.
Growlers. Matt Brink is requesting carry out and tap lines to re-fill growlers.
Several possible developments. Steve Agard, owner of 849 E. Washington is
considering an addition to the building. Frank Productions is considering the Kleuter
building (900 block of East Washington) for its music venue. Randy Bruce and a
partner are looking into development of the building and vacant lot, northeast corner of
Paterson and Williamson St.
Central Park. 1) City Parks is prohibiting tent stakes because of the threat they pose to
the irrigation system. This could be a big problem for the festivals at Central Park. The
parties are negotiating. 2) Parks and Alders Rummel and Zellers will hold a public
meeting on Central Park on March 10. It will cover rules, use of the park, noise, etc.
700 Block of Williamson St. Marsha has talked with city planning staff about making the
700 block of Williamson St. an Urban Design District. The neighborhood should discuss
it.
Parking. Changes in city parking personnel may have set back planning for parking in
the downtown and east side.
Adjournment: Renee moved to adjourn, Anne seconded. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Submitted by Mike Soref, Secretary, MNA Board