Regent Neighborhood Association (RNA) Board Meeting
February 22nd, 2006, 7 PM
Minutes
Present: Kevin Corrado, Troy Thiel, Robbie Webber, Joy Drummond, Ron Rosner, Patty Wood, Nancy Webster, George Hall
Guests: Carl Anderson, Brian Mullins, Terry Jay, Bruce Kahn, Hugh Meyers, Teri Davis
á Joy has received the checkbook and presented a budget overview. The RNA will end the year in the black.
Additional materials were handed out:
á Notes for Nov 8th visioning meeting
á Development guidelines, notes from a walking tour of Old University
á Gwen Drury, projects for public spaces
Kevin gave an update on the Steve Brown meetings. Approximately 70-80 people attended the first meeting and approximately 50 attended the second meeting. The major issue of concern was the height of the building, currently proposed at 8 stories. In addition, parking issues and the balance of commercial space were also raised as issues. There is a clear concern about new development, and there was a very strong exchange of ideas and opinions. ItŐs unclear what Steve will do with the input. Kevin also discussed the potential of a checklist of questions and key issues for any new developments.
Troy has been attending several meetings on behalf of the RNA. There was a meeting about alcohol issues in the neighborhood. Julia Card from Vilas sent a note asking the RNA to support a grant for the Greenbush Better Urban Infill Land Development (BUILD) grant. George Hall moved and Nancy Webster seconded the motion that the RNA will write a letter of support. Passed unanimously. Troy also shared that the Olive Jones meeting will start at 9 AM on Saturday.
á Robbie Weber
á Sent an e-mail to traffic engineering discussing the issue of returning parking to Old University Ave. Options will be explored and traffic engineering and Robbie will report on the response. Spoke with Brad and Brian Mullins about having a dialogue regarding the MullinsŐ properties. The new Palace Latin Club is applying for a performing arts permit that would allow 18-year-olds to wear a bracelet and patronize the club. Robbie will be opposing the request because she believes the bar should be open for some time prior to getting such an allowance. The Spooner calming is moving along but there is no specific report. Ron Rossner expressed concern that Spooner wasnŐt particularly worthy of a calming. Robbie reviewed the process and explained that Spooner has been going through the process for several years based on the desires of the activity. Carl Anderson asked why the road work had stopped at Highland. It was communicated that the 2500-2600 are scheduled to get work in 2008.
á David Worzala
á David is sick but sends his opinion that the Steve Brown proposal is far too large for the site.
á Community Policing and Jim Wheeler Update
á Terry shared that Virginia Terrace has begun a neighborhood watch and there is strong interest and participation. One of the issues thatŐs come up is kids sitting in their cars and coming out to move their cars. It raises the issue of parking requirements. Terry also explained that the watch has a list of names, children, contact information, and signage to make sure theyŐre watching each othersŐ properties.
á Jim Wheeler emphasized that the power of the watch is in the relationship development and identifying things that are out of the ordinary. In addition, advertising that there is a watch helps prevent some illegal activity. Marking property with some identifying information is also an important part of a neighborhood crime prevention effort. Troy Thiel shared the bike registration for the city. Terry offered to share the registration forms so others could develop watches.
á Nancy Webster asked what the status of the 16-year-old caught in the neighborhood break-ins will be living outside the area for next 3-6 months. Jim Wheeler reviewed the arrest and sentencing process for the youth.
á Akasha House
á Hugh Meyers and Teri Davis discussed their three homes and the work Orion Family Services does. The houses provide group home treatment, academic support, employment training, community outreach, recreation, and aftercare services. Orion works throughout the County. Teri David explained that they serve no more than 8 kids and usually stay for 3-6 months. The kids have multiple support staff, including ŇawakeÓ staff who stay up to continue oversight during night hours. Treatment is very intensive around anger management, life skills, and other intensive case management services.
á Joy Drummond gave historical perspective and raised the concern that the kids arenŐt adequately supervised to and from school. Joy also expressed the need to have greater communication with Akasha staff.
á Akasha tracks kids in two ways. First, if a kid is truant, there is a direct contact to the house. Second, each student has a slip that needs to be signed by each teacher and includes homework and any other behavior or communication needs. The youth that committed the crimes in the neighborhood had been discharged from the home because of his tendencies to run away. It was also not known that he was a suspect in the neighborhood burglaries and as soon as that was know the house contacted the school.
á Jim Wheeler is going to have the Police Department Problem Analyst review the information and find out if the group home is a source of crime. Jim wants to be sure that the youth in question is responsible for the various incidents and that the perpetrators are not still out there.
Action Item: There will be a follow up meeting with Akasha House to discuss this specific instance but also develop a long-term relationship and ongoing dialogue. In addition, a notice will go out via the listserv regarding the resolution of the case.
Brian Mullins
á The MullinsŐ properties are in the 2500 block of Old University. The leases for those properties have expired and the Mullins are exploring development opportunities. Brian made it clear that the plans are in as early a state as possible. They are exploring ways to engage the Board to keep them abreast of proposed plans. ItŐs expected that there will be destination retail of value to the community, parking not visible from the street, and accompanying residential. George Hall discussed the potential of accommodating EVP and LuluŐs since they are considered community assets. Mullins is trying to get them to stay but there fiscal considerations related to the properties.
á Alcohol Issues
á Troy attended a meeting with the UW and others and will report on any future meetings and action.
á Proposed zoning amendment
á There is a proposal to allow ŇlodgesÓ or coop housing in the neighborhood. There will be strict requirements on ownership and incorporation. The city is considering the proposal and Robbie will keep us updated.
á Steve Brown Follow Up
á George Hall will distribute his notes from the meeting. Kevin was commended for his facilitation of the meetings. There was disappointment that he didnŐt listen to the feedback between meeting one and meeting two. However, Steve may be returning to the drawing board based on the feedback he received from the neighborhood.
á Nomination Committee
¤ There has been no progress on recruitment.
Action Item: Executive Committee will come together within next few weeks to assign responsibilities for recruiting board members.
á Neighborhood Plan
á Steering committee is meeting March 1st. The main focus of the March 8th meeting will be to focus the community planning process. There may be an opportunity to do more indepth exploration of the Old University Corridor. Troy asked about integration with the Joint West Campus master plan. George also shared that the RFP should probably be rewritten to emphasize an urban design focus.
á Co-Gen Advisory Committee
á No action.
á Community Activities
á No action.
á Joint West Committee
á No action.
á University Relations Committee
á Spooner to Lathrop properties are the ones that are deteriorating more significantly than others. There is a questionnaire being developed that will get feedback on how to improve the area. Legacy houses on Breese Terrace are also a concern, and have come up in the context of alcohol issues.
á NIC/Zoning
á No action.
á Streets and Transportation
á Carl Anderson, the crossing guard for West, discussed the need for changing the intersection at Highland and Speedway. He would also like to sit on the Streets and Transportation committee.
á School Relations
á No action.
á Membership
á No action.
á Communications
á Newsletter timeline will be defined after the May meeting timeline is determined.
á Green Space
á Trying to build momentum for the Garden Tour.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM
Respectfully submitted
David Gundersen, February 22nd, 2006