4/17/2025 Meeting
Present: Tyler, Leslie, Nancy Gray, Jaala, Alison, Sharon
First item: Garage sale planning
-Leslie was wondering about getting word out early to just the neighborhood about more valuable items available to give them “first dibs.” Ultimately decided this would be a good use of the WhatsApp buy sell trade group. Alison will include this in promotions.
-Discussion about creating a reference to all addresses participating with a brief summary of what items each household is selling. Decision made that Alison will create a google sheets document that all participants will sign up on to allow them to data enter this information themselves vs. creating more work for us. Link to web document will be in promotions.
-Confirmed that rain date will be May 18th (Sunday)
-Determined approximate budget of $250 for sign creation and advertising
-Discussed different options for signage material. Nancy (Gray) received very preliminary bids of $30 per sign but has not been able to obtain concrete bids as of yet regarding printing on both sides vs. just one or using corrugated plastic or the plastic film “sleeves” often seen on the political yard signs. Decided printing on both sides would be best with no preference on material as long as it is durable and whatever is most affordable.
-Determined need for 8 signs total and decided on ideal placements throughout neighborhood
-Confirmed that property owners are responsible for getting their own individual yard signs and/or decorations to highlight their property/sale
-Nancy (Gray) has prepared a “how to hold a successful garage sale” flier that she will send to all participants who sign up with tips and suggestions
-at this time only one person has signed up. Anticipating more as we get closer to the date and more promotions sent out over email
-Reviewed potential logo designs made by Jaala and selected choice with plans to have it incorporated onto the garage sale signs
-Discussion about whether to have participants pay a nominal fee to offset costs. Nancy (Gray) feels strongly we should not do this in year one to encourage participation but pursue this in future years.
–Delegation of duties: Tyler will create a map with pin points of participating households
Nancy (Gray) will pursue finalizing sign creations and work with Nancy (Gores) for reimbursement
Alison will create google sheets sign up and send several email announcement reminders of sale
Leslie will print handouts listing addresses of all participants and a map to be distributed to each participant for subsequent distribution to shoppers (will coordinate with Tyler regarding map)
Jaala will finalize the logo design and email to Nancy (Gray) for the signs and make sure the WhatsApp link is working for posting to the buy sell trade group
Breakdown of who will use their pre existing accounts on various sites to post advertisement of sale:
-Isthmus: Jaala
-Next Door: Nancy (Gray)
-Craigslist: Alison
-FaceBook Marketplace: Alison
-Alison will also reach out to WSJ/Madison Newspapers to find out cost of placing a newspaper ad
Second Item: Neighborhood Association Grant
-Alison reported that we have been awarded the grant in the amount of $2,500 for the proposed mural painting (And we earned the highest score on our application!)
-Next steps will be the Common Council voting to approve the distribution of funds at their meeting in mid May
-Once Common Council approval is finalized, then Alison will announce to neighborhood and solicit design ideas. At this time we will also receive more clear direction regarding any stipulations that the grant committee has. It is being foreshadowed that we will be required to “hire” an artist to oversee the project. Discussed that we can consider Jaala as our hired artist. There are also several neighbors in the area that are known professional artists that may be willing to work for a nominal fee. Alison shared that we have a new neighbor that just moved in who is an established graphic designer who could be useful as well. More to come on this once further directions are given to us.
-Determined that mural painting weekends will be Sept. 13th and 14th and 20th and 21st. The Board will meet again to finalize event planning closer to date.
Third Item: Spring Neighborhood Meeting
-Discussed timing of meeting. Weighed pros and cons of waiting until announcement regarding DNR grant award for the water co op is released around June 14th. Decision made to have meeting earlier to further distance ANA Board association with Water Board. May 28th from 6-8 pm selected. Leslie will reach out to the Arb to inquire about room availability. Alternative dates possible May 29th or May 27th.
-Explored possible speakers. Reviewed need to have a member of Arb staff speak to offset room rental fee. Decided to pursue having new director speak as first choice, possibly whomever they hire as the new volunteer coordinator replacing Marian, and Mike Hansen with seasonal project updates as second choice. Leslie will reach out to Arb staff to solidify a speaker
-Discussed Parks updates. Alison confirmed that structural installations/projects are on hold due to staff shortages as part of budget cuts and the instability of municipal funding at present. Ecological restoration efforts will continue as planned though including more herbicide application and controlled burns in the fall. Decision made to ask Parks ecological manager to speak to address any concerns neighbors may have about the herbicides or burn etc. Alison will reach out once a meeting date is confirmed.
-Discussed neighbor request to have the police speak at next meeting regarding any concerns about local crime/disturbances. Decided given that it is only one neighbor requesting this that we will reach out to that one neighbor and inquire if they would like to reach out to who they identify as the appropriate representative from the police department and see if that representative had any worthwhile updates to share and would like to speak. Alison will approach this arrangement once a date is confirmed.
-Alison brought up idea of having a representative speak from the Wingra Watershed Project Study given the study is complete and action steps are being proposed that directly affect drainage in our area. Alison will review recent public presentation to identify “when” the action phase is projected to start and if it would make sense to have them speak at a later date. The recorded presentation is found here: https://media.cityofmadison.com/Mediasite/Play/c693cdbb9ff74c2d8b12eedb5919b2d11d
(Update: They are not giving a specific timeline just yet…they foreshadowed that the MWU merger was still in flux at the time of this meeting but coordination with the merger-if approved- would be ideal. So let’s shelve the idea of this speaker for the future once a timeline is finalized)
-Confirmed we will hand out feedback surveys again at the meeting
-Confirmed that we will ask Tag if he would like to be present for Q&A (Alison will do this)
-Discussed importance of having Nancy (Gores) give a treasurer’s report as part of setting the stage to solicit donations at the meeting as our funds are getting low. Explored other ideas of fundraising and Jaala would like to create some stickers with the new logo that we could sell at the meeting. Considered potential of a bake sale at some point.
-Confirmed that we will continue structure of having all neighbors submit questions ahead of time for the speakers to maintain order and have a more robust distribution of information.
Fourth Item: Other updates
-Alison confirmed hearing from Gary that the motion to agree to join the MWU water supply in Lake Forest has finally been approved by co op members following the April 11 mail in vote. The motion was altered to no longer include a vote on dissolving the co op. This will be revisited in a few years once the MWU transition is complete
-Decision made to hold annual neighborhood summer picnic earlier in August due to mural painting plans. Date selected: 8/9 with rain date 8/10
-Jaala will continue to chalk paint the various intersections for all events as that has proven very successful in boosting attendance
-Sharon suggested new idea of inviting the mounted police to come briefly to the picnic for the kids to interact with the horses etc. Jaala raised concerns as to whether this may create tension for some neighbors who may feel uncomfortable with a police presence. Decision made to advertise the exact timing of their appearance lasting for likely no more than 30 minutes to allow neighbors to choose to come to the picnic around that time. As we get closer to the date we will pursue reaching out and solidifying this.
1/26/2025 Meeting
Present: Leslie, Alison, Jaala, Sharon, Tyler
Review of 2025 Neighborhood Association Grant opportunity:
Following discussion, the decision was made to pursue a grant application for mural painting of the Lake Forest Water Co op pump house where Martin street curves in front of the UW Arboretum parking lot as well as mural painting of the facade of Neff Cycle at 1490 Martin St. across from Fraust Park. Proposal will be to paint the pump house first with anticipated painting dates to fall over two weekends in early fall with anticipated completion by the end of September 2025. Neff Cycle will be painted as a following Spring/Summer 2026 project. Application is due 2/18/25 and notifications as to if we are awarded any grant money will be received in May 2025.
Duties:
-Tyler will draft the written proposal according to the City application guidelines (attached) making points regarding the project creating community building, beautifying the area, developing connection with private entities (Neff Cycle and Wingra Boats), allowing neighbors to take leadership roles, and being open to all ages, races, ethnicities, and income levels.
-Alison will make the required contact with the City neighborhood association/Planning staff and alderperson Tag Evers officially declaring our intention to apply and proposal idea (as a required step in the application process)
-Jaala will prepare a proposed budget for the grant application to include: paint, brushes, containers, tarps, any other necessary equipment, refreshments for work party
-Jaala will obtain a written statement from the Lake Forest Water Co op Board granting permission to paint the pump house
-Jaala will send Tyler some sample pictures of murals that we reviewed to include in the proposal
-We should also include simple photos of the two project sites and rough dimensions
-Tyler will connect with Neff Cycle and Wingra Boats to obtain a written statement granting permission to paint the building
Discussion was had regarding how to ultimately select a mural design. Decision made to announce project to the neighborhood once we have been notified of proposal acceptance and grant receipt in May 2025. Neighborhood will be invited to submit design ideas throughout the summer months. The ANA Board will review submissions and select a “Top 5” which will then be sent out to the neighborhood to be voted on. Painting dates will be determined as we near the end of summer.
Review of neighborhood feedback surveys
Reviewed Jaala’s creation of Whatsapp group to be used for neighborhood buy/sell/trade and nature sightings sharing only. Alison will announce it to the neighborhood.
Discussed other socializing/community building requests. Alison will summarize the “theme” of many neighbors wanting this and invite neighbors to reach out should they want to take the lead in organizing any regular groups like a book club, walking club, history club, bird watching etc
Reviewed request for more service projects/work parties in the neighborhood. Decision made to pursue another Earth Day neighborhood clean up as done 2 years ago. Alison will reach out to the Parks staff to arrange for the loaning of (free) equipment. We will eagerly await the hiring of a new volunteer coordinator at the UW Arb and plan to make connection for future Arb work parties.
Discussed feedback asking for development of oral history recordings and possible historical walking tours of the older “first” homes in the neighborhood. Alison will share this idea with the neighborhood inviting neighbors to take the lead on such an idea and even foreshadow this being a possible future grant proposal idea the ANA could apply for.
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