TLNA Council Monthly
Meeting
Minutes
Tenney Park
Apartments
February 1, 2006
Present: Cheryl Wittke (chair), Joe Brogan, Jim Roper, Sean
Gutknecht, Mary Jo Schiavoni, Jessi Mullell, Lonnie Richardson, Bob
Sommerfeldt, Ruth Rohlich, Pat McDonnell, Gigi Holland, Carole Trone, Nancy
McLean.
Guests: Karen
Crossley, John Johnson.
Call to order at 7:00.
I. Presentation of TLNA Proposed Budget.
Nancy McLean presented a proposed budget based on past
expenses and income. There was
some discussion of whether amounts were adequate. This included: Mary Jo proposed increasing the community
gardens budget to $400 annually; increasing the room rental fee budget for our
quarterly events at the Presbyterian church. Clarification on the Madison Schools Foundation: $1600 total
this year, allocated as $500 to Marquette/Lapham fund; $100 to OÕKeeffe; and
$500 for each of two East High School funds. In subsequent years this amount will be $100 to each fund,
for a total of $400. Special
events budget also increased to $400 annually. Mary Jo also raised the question of whether the Tenney Park
monument will happen and whether we will receive a grant to do so; the
community budget money also includes provisions for a plaque to be placed on
the Sherman Avenue bridge.
Various members discussed ways to generate more advertising
revenue in the newsletter. One
possibility is to expand the newsletter to 20 pages and to introduce new
features, such as ÒKnow Your Neighbor,Ó ÒKids ColumnÓ and ÒSenior Corner.Ó
Ruth reported that the Norris Court businesses met and
discussed whether they should form an association. These discussions came up in context of whether we can
increase membership revenue by newsletter mailings to block apartment units in
the neighborhood, utilizing the block captains, and raising awareness about
TLNA functions at various neighborhood socials. We also discussed creating a promotional flyer with a
membership slip that we could hand out at these events. Carole offered to find out how many
units there are in the larger apartment blocks as a way to gauge postage costs.
Mary Jo moved to adopt budget as revised; Joe seconded the
motion and the revised budget was unanimously approved.
II. Review of Tenney Lapham Corporation (TLC) history.
Cheryl did some digging based on past discussions of what
TLNA member liability may be. TLNA
is NOT non-profit because it can lobby.
Mary Jo cautioned that there are pros and cons of incorporating versus
non-incorporation. One obligation
as a corporation is filing annual financial reports. There was discussion of what other neighborhood associations
do. Bob S. said that Capital
Neighborhoods incorporated, and Old Marketplace did also about 20 years
ago. He offered to look for files
on the process. Cheryl offered to talk to the Marquette Neighborhood
Association. Joe asked whether we
can collapse the TLC into the TLNA since they officially report to us and we
appointed them. Cheryl said that
we should talk more to the TLC and find out what they do. Scott Herrick is a lawyer who is
knowledgeable about this legal process.
Mary Jo speculated that we might be able to get a grant from the city to
cover the incorporation process, since itÕs fairly detailed. We need to establish articles of
incorporationÑwhich must narrowly define the TLNAÕs functionsÑwhat other NAs
have done, and the cost of doing so.
A concern was also raised as to what the relationship between a Business
Improvement District (BID) and TLC, or an incorporated TLNA. Cheryl, Rob and Ruth agreed to hold a
meeting after Feb. 15 to discuss the merits of merging, separating, doing
nothing, or incorporating.
III. City Planning update
Cheryl and Pat met with city planning officials to get more
specific feedback on the neighborhood plan. City officials promised to develop maps and explore more
specifically how the TLNA plan meshes with the BUILD (Better Urban In-Fill Land
Development) plan. They promised
feedback within the next two weeks. The BUILD document is close to completion
and also addresses E. Washington development, as the TLNA plan does more
generally. Bob Shaw reported putting the updated version on website which
reflected comments, feedback, clarification of phrases. There is also a summary sheet available
of the substantial changes made based on those comments. There was no revision of maps or
appendices. In the city meeting,
they looked at future land use map, and officials asked TLNA to narrow
definitions of land use. We must
clarify what weÕre trying to accomplish. There was some discussion of Conservation Districts
and how they might apply to the current BUILD district.
IV. Neighborhood Updates
Bob Summerfeldt reported that 627 E. Mifflin is to be
vacated in June and a proposed 8 story development (3 stories on E. Mifflin
side) is under consideration.
Carole reported no updates on the Gorman project.
Cheryl stated that for next meeting we must discuss
constructing a development proposal process and how TLNA might designate a
committee.
V. Other reminders
Cheryl reminded the group of the resolution to report all
graffiti problems and to call the police if victimized.
Cheryl also reminded division chairs to submit top 2-3
priorities for each major TLNA plan areas, and give to Sandy (secretary).
VI. East
Gateway Project update.
Ed Jepsen reported on the concerns that proposed building
heights are too high for green space.
He explained that we receive $10K annually for these east side Yahara
parks and there is a lot left over, waiting for when E. Wash construction is
completed. There are also safety
issues near boathouses that our south of the Johnson St. bridge. These have become shanties for homeless
and are becoming very dilapidated and unsightly. Ed mentioned future plans to
have a park site meeting in April or May when the weather improves to get more
specific feedback and proposals on beautification ideas.
VII. Parks update
Mary Jo asked whether we might consider getting art for
Filene Park, something incorporating the wind. Reynolds Park improvements are on hold until we know whether
the Gorman project is approved.
Ilsa Hecht has been taking care of the garden plot near Collins
House. There was some discussion
about coordinating mulch and spring plantings delivery from the city and
Olbrich. Mary Jo reminded members
of her hope for adult exercise equipment in the parks.
VIII. Misc and wrap-up
Carole proposed a school board candidates forum, co-hosted
by the MNA. The idea was
unanimously approved. Pat moved to
adopt the January minutes and the motion was seconded and approved
unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10
Minutes prepared by Carole Trone.