Marquette Neighborhood Association (MNA) Board
July 24, 2014
Minutes
Board Members Attending: Karyn Chacon, Cheema, Carl Durocher, Colleen Hayes,
Jack Kear, Ralph Kuehn, Lynn Lee, Michael Jacob, Mike Soref, Anne Walker
Absent: John Coleman, Chris Lukas
Others Attending: Michael Matty, Matilda Carne, Poppy Smallman, Andrew Carne,
Daniele Carne, Peter Wolff, Lindsey Lee, Gary Tipler, Linda Lehnertz, Truly Remarkable
Loon, Linda Lehnertz, Fareed Guyot, Wendy Rakower, Peter Kleppin, Sich Slone,
Marsha Rummel, Scott Thornton, Scott Kleinfeldt
Madison Police Update
Sergeant Scott Kleinfeldt gave the update. The Fete de Marquette and Rhythm and
Booms went well. There was discussion about the Fete, on the exits from Central
Park—there were concerns expressed on the list-serve. Sgt. Kleinfeldt will inform the
police department about it.
Sgt. Kleinfeldt mentioned occasional calls about noise from Plan B. An attendee said
that the nightclub has been noisy on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and that he
calls.
Police have afternoon meetings in the Tenney Lapham neighborhood (“Ice cream with a
cop”). All are welcome.
Values Committee: Decorative street painting project at the intersection of
Rogers and Morrison—Matilda Carne and Poppy Stillman
The two middle schoolers presented their project to paint the intersection in front of
Morrison Park. They requested neighborhood support for the project and funding
($150). They will maintain the painting through high school and then will get others to
do the maintenance. They need a street use permit to shut down the street when they
create the painting. They will talk with neighbors about the project. They passed out a
handout and a draft of the design. It was pointed out that City Traffic Engineering had
vetoed a previous project, but now they can do this under a recent ordinance.
Lynn moved that MNA support the mural project. Karyn seconded. There was
discussion about obligation to fund in the long term. The motion passed unanimously.
The motion about funding for the project was postponed.
Red Caboose
Lynn submitted a written motion:
The Marquette Neighborhood Association would like to affirm the special place
that Red Caboose Daycare has in our neighborhood and for many in the city of
Madison.
Red Caboose is more than just a not for profit business: It is truly an
important institution that many of our neighbors who attended as children now
send their children to in order to have the same great experience.
Red Caboose serves a diverse population and is relied on by hundreds of current
families both for pre-school daycare and for after-school programming for older
children.
We encourage everyone to consider the above and let's make sure that Red
Caboose is not weakened or undermined and that it is given the best opportunity
to continue to be an assets for our neighborhood and city.
Carl seconded. Several Red Caboose staff and board members were in attendance at
the meeting. The state revoked the license of Red Caboose daycare (does not apply to
the after school program). Red Caboose is appealing the revocation. The incident had
been brought to the attention of staff—the parent was involved in the decision not to
report. The state’s investigation was done without informing Red Caboose and the
daycare center does not have access to the decision. Red Caboose is paying the
daycare cost for parents who became ineligible for the Wisconsin Shares daycare
subsidy. Red Caboose is reviewing all policies on supervision of volunteers.
The principal question in the discussion was how the resolution would help. The motion
does not require a position on the alleged incident. The motion is about the effect of
Red Caboose on our community. The motion passed with 7 ayes and 2 abstentions.
Committee Reports
Preservation and Development (P&D)
722/734 Williamson St (Baldwin Group)
Mike gave the committee report. At the July P&D meeting, the committee
recommended to the board: that MNA oppose the 722/734 Williamson St. project
because it does not comply with neighborhood plans (BUILD II and the East Railway
Corridor plans) in its height, its land use, and massing; it would not preserve the spacing
and rhythm of existing building groups. Mike had neglected to indicate that this would
be a voting agenda item, so the board could not vote on it at this meeting. There will be
a meeting between P&D members and city staff on review of development projects on
July 28, so a vote is needed before that meeting. It was pointed out that it is unfair to
debate this motion without the developers being present. There will be an e-vote on the
motion, to be concluded by Monday July 28. This will give people a chance to weigh in
via the list-serve.
706 Williamson St. (Rifken Group)
Alder Rummel appealed the Plan Commission's decision on conditional use for the 706
Williamson St project because Rifken Group’s plans did not show commercial
entrances. This does not comply with zoning code for a TSS district. The council will
take up the appeal; if approved, it will send the project proposal back to the Plan
Commission for a re-design. The appeal does not reverse the Plan Commission
decision to approve conditional use for the project. There was discussion pointing out
other technical problems with the Plan Commission decision, and that city commissions
have recently ignored neighborhood plans. Arguments opposing the appeal: the
building proposal is satisfactory; that continuing opposition to developments in the 700
block are not good for the neighborhood; that opposition to the developments on the
basis of height impedes negotiations for other improvements in the design.
Alder Rummel was absent during part of the discussion. The board took up 740 Jenifer
St. and resumed discussion on the appeal when she arrived.
740 Jenifer St. (Michael Matty)
Mike gave background on the project. The board had voted to support the project in
May. But as the project went through city committees, the apartment building design
changed so much that the board must revisit it. P&D did not make a recommendation
about the project. Michael Matty presented the latest version of the design of the
apartment building on Williamson St. It is a contemporary design. The height is two
feet higher than previous proposals. Mike said that he thought that the building was
within the BUILD II height limits, counting a bonus floor for historic preservation of 740
Jenifer St. Mike moved that MNA support the project at 740 Jenifer St and 739
Williamson St. (includes the split of the lot and the redesigned building on Williamson).
Cheema seconded. There was a suggestion that the building have fewer units, with a
few larger units. There was support for a contemporary design for the apartment
building. The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion on 706 Williamson St. resumed. Mike moved that MNA support the appeal
of the decision of the Plan Commission on 706 Williamson St. Anne seconded. Alder
Rummel explained that the building is a Commercial Block Building. Zoning has
specifications about entries and other design features of a Commercial Block building,
which were absent from the plans approved by the Plan Commission. She said that
review of these design elements should be at the Planning Commission stage, not later
by city staff. This is a matter of the language of the ordinance. Concerns were
expressed about supporting the appeal: that it appeared to be nitpicking; that it would
hurt MNA’s credibility; and that the appeal would have little chance of a 2/3 vote in the
council. The motion passed unanimously.
The demolition request for 1018 Williamson St. was deferred to a future meeting.
Fund-Raising and Festivals
Richard Slone presented a report of a focus group on fundraising, conducted July 3.
The ideas seem to fall into these categories: increasing revenue from the festivals;
raising more from donors and reaching more donors; and marketing MNA generally.
The report is not a set of committee recommendations—that remains for the committee
sort out.
Ralph gave the report on the Orton Park Festival. The Jazz Brunch needs volunteers to
take donations. Jesse, who leads the Jazz Brunch, strongly recommends selling
mimosas. Ralph will move to support Jesse in adding mimosas to sell as an added
thing to sell unless there are legal obstacles. This will be an e-vote. Ralph needs
volunteers for the festival and will put out on-line sign-up sheets.
Ralph left.
Finance Committee and Treasurers Report
Michael moved that the September meeting convene at 6:00 pm and the first hour of the
meeting will be allotted to the budget. Lynn seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
There was discussion about postponing the annual meeting. An annual meeting in
October must present a budget that does not show all the financial results of the Orton
Park Festival. Michael suggested tabling it until the next meeting.
Cheema has prepared thank-you letters to donors.
Treasurer’s report for June. There is about $108,000 in the bank and about $31,000 in
financial commitments. Cheema predicts that there will be $50,000 to $60,000 in the
bank at the end of the fiscal year. Income from the Waterfront Festival was about
$72,000, with expenses of about $54,000.
Parks and Gardens
City planners have held the last public meeting for the Yahara Parkway Corridor plan.
They asked neighborhood associations for recommendations. The next board meeting
will take it up.
Traffic
The consultant report of the South Capitol Transit Oriented District is out. Fauerbach
residents and Elks Club members sent a letter to the Mayor about the Blount St.
intersection. The committee discussed the traffic lights at Riverside/Winnebago.
Arts
Scott Thornton gave the financial report for the Arts Committee. He handed out a
spreadsheet showing finances of the Arts Initiatives. As of July 24, revenue was about
$65,000 and expenditures were about $71,000. Additional net revenue of about
$11,000 is expected.
Membership, Schools
Karyn suggested reaching out to the Darbo-Worthington Neighborhood to help it start a
program like the East Side Express.
Relocating Power Pole in Orton Park
Michael had sent information about the location of the power pole to the board. Michael
asked whether the board is comfortable with placing the pole there. No one had
objections. The board did want 200-ampere service for the pole. Michael will notify
MG&E. See subsequent e-vote.
Alder Report
Bike Path improvement at Brearly St. City Traffic will give right of way to bicycles at
Brearly St. and install a streetlight.
The Pedestrian Bike Motor Vehicle Committee will review the Platinum Bike Plan.
She encouraged people to respond to the city’s Ideascale.
She attended the public meeting on the Stone House development, a 10 story building
with a large concert venue, to be built in the 1000 block of E. Washington (north side).
Much of the discussion concerned parking.
The City’s capital budget is being developed. She called for ideas: e.g., next phase of
Central Park.
The P&D meeting with city staff is Monday, July 28 at 1:00.
The consultants for the public market are about to make a site recommendation to the
public market committee.
The Neighborhood Center study by the City, which has been in process for 3 years, will
be released soon. A change in funding formula could eventually affect Wil-Mar’s
funding.
Alder Rummel serves on the Landmarks Ordinance Committee.
Approval of June Minutes
Karyn moved to approve the June minutes. Cheema seconded. The motion passed
with 6 ayes and 2 abstentions.
Michael noted that it is time for board members whose two-year terms are ending or
who have one-year terms to think about the next election. He said that he would not run
in the next election.
Adjournment: Anne moved to adjourn, Lynn seconded. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 pm.
E-Votes, July 27:
Motion to support Jesse, who leads the Orton Park Festival Jazz Brunch, in adding
mimosas as an added sale item unless there are legal obstacles. If adopted and no
legal issues arise, the event permit will need to be revised. Passed, 7-1
Motion to continue to oppose the 722/734 Williamson St. project because it does not
comply with neighborhood plans (BUILD II and the East Railway Corridor plans) in its
height, its land use, and massing; it would not preserve the spacing and rhythm of
existing building groups. Passed, 4-3
Motion to support the concept of a street mural project at the intersection of Rogers and
Morrison. Sustainability of the project will be taken up by the Board at a later date.
Passed, 7-1
Motion to support MG&E’s revised plan to move a light pole in Orton Park. Passed, 7-0
Submitted by Mike Soref, Secretary, MNA Board