February 5, 2003 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Minutes: Approved with the correction that the Easter Egg Hunt will occur on Saturday, April 19, rather than April 20 as earlier reported.
• Treasurer report: Approved, with the note the Association has earned $90 more on investments.
• Traffic calming: Efforts are going forward. Homes on Painted Post and Ellen responded 100% positively to Brian G�s petition. Karl reports the petition copies will go to Judy Compton.
• Neighborhood Memberhip: Kathy W. turned in results from the block captain recruitment. We have 82 block captains, 6 membership committee chairs, but still need 23 new block captains. Andy will try to find new block captains on the first block of East Buckeye. Please call Kathy W. or Mary Ann P. if you are willing to be a block captain!

  So far, the Association has 650 total members for 2002-2003. 95 members chose not to rejoin and 85 members moved out of the neighborhood since March, 2002. A neighbor suggested the reasons for joining the ENA should be listed on the back of the membership form�good idea. Another suggested that ENA neigh-bors should be afforded the opportunity to place small, non-business ads in the next directory.

  Kathy announced she will resign as Membership Chairman effective March 1, 2004. She�ll stay on as a membership sub-committee member or a block captain, where needed. Is anyone interested in replacing Kathy as membership chair?

• Block Captain Party Plan: ENA holds a luncheon each spring for new and experienced block captains, to thank the captains and kick-off the next year�s membership drive. Karen will check out possible locations. The Board is looking at either May 3rd or May 10th If block captains have a preference, please call a Board member.
• Sweetheart Dance: The dance is Friday, February 28th. $758 in door prizes are already set up. Cynthia will work on decorations and Sue and Karen will work on snacks and refreshments. The Board will meet at 6 PM for set up; anyone who wants to help is welcome.
• Annual Meeting:: The annual meeting will proceed this month with a recap of the past year�s events and election of new Board members and Board officers. Agenda items will include ENA By-Law modifications, traffic control of all kinds in the neighborhood, especially �traffic calming� possibilities. Sue and Karen will work on refreshments.
• Letters to the Editor of the Echo: Letters suggest changes or ask the ENA Board to take actions on subjects over which the Board has no control. In response to a recent Echo article, a neighbor suggested the first and easiest way to deal with �neighbor problems� would be to speak directly with the person the neighbor thinks is causing a problem. The Board welcomes all such suggestions and suggests all neighbors work together to solve concerns of any and all neighbors.
• Highway 51 Meeting: Andy reported he expects to know soon when the meeting will be held at LaFollette High School relative to the changes in the Hwy 51 and Buckeye Road intersection. It seems many of the decisions have been made, but if there is an opportunity for the neighborhood to express preference, this may be the date. Andy will keep ENA apprised of the date.
• Easter Egg Hunt: The �Hunt� will be on April 19th (Not the 20th) at 10:00 AM at Acewood Park. Come one, come all and possibly see Acewood Park close-up for the first time in a long time!
• Recent Cottage Grove Fire: At least 2 families were recently displaced because of a fire in their apartment building. To aid in such stressful situations, the Board voted to donate $100 to the American Red Cross.

January 8, 2003 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Minutes: December minutes were approved unanimously.
• Treasurer report: Approved unanimously. CD with $1,000 face value comes due February 6. Treasurer suggested rolling it over to a 1 year CD at current rates; approved unanimously.
• Holiday report: Santa visited 7 homes in the neighborhood while the kids were still awake, by special arrangement through Dennis S. and the ENA.
• Traffic issues meeting: January 9 at the Elvehjem School library. Our President urged attendance to demonstrate to the City that the neighborhood is concerned and to urge action on traffic calming measures, particularly in the area of the school. See �Prez Says� for more on this meeting.
  Tom U. reported Alder Compton stressed to him the need for demonstrated community involvement to get traffic calming measures; the City will naturally consider the degree of interest in the situation as part of its decision on which projects to fund.
  Cynthia S. reports the Elvehjem School PTO also urged attendance at the meeting; Steve F., President of the PTO, is active in the project. secure these calming measures. Speed �risers� are also a possibility for future consideration.
• Acewood Park Fence: ENA has paid its share of the installed cost of a new fence at the Acewood playground, replacing the current dilapidated chain-link. ENA should take out the current fence, posts, concrete, etc., in early April (date to be determined, in consultation with the City); the City contractor will install the new one soon thereafter. The new fence will be a black �Omni� style fence, a stiff wire panel fabric on square posts. (The manufacturer has a web site with good photos; search for �Omni Fence�.) The Board will set up a work day for removing the old fence.
  ENA makes special thanks to Renee Wilfong who spearheaded the fund-raising drive to replace the playground equipment at Acewood Park. $732.55 of the ENA share of the fence came from that fund raising drive, which Renee transferred to the ENA when playground equipment purchased with the proceeds was installed.
• Neighborhood Sign: Wisconsin Southern RR has agreed to allow ENA to place a neighborhood sign in the RR right-of-way at the crossing just east of Hwy 51 on Buckeye. Thanks to Cynthia! Karl asked about possible conflicts with the potential bike path connecting Cottage Grove Rd. with Buckeye; Cynthia will check on that.
• Traffic calming, reprise: Two volunteers have offered to help with a radar speed board on Droster some weekend; another neighbor has come forward for Academy near the school. Capt. Jill, MPD, will help arrange the delivery of the unit, which clocks cars and flashes their speed. No tickets�just a reminder. The MPD will consider the counts in deciding traffic enforcement areas, so pay attention.
• Property maintenance complaints: Neighbors who maintain eyesores are unlikely to respond positively to ENA suggestions. Most effective is to complain to the City building inspection or MPD.
• Sweetheart Dance: Dennis S. reports the door prize collection is going well. He has drafted a flyer; Karen V. will do design work on it and forward it for the Echo. Cynthia S. volunteered to obtain decorations; Karen V. will arrange for finger foods, beverages, and ice.
• Annual Meeting: See �Prez Sez� for information. Please attend!!
• Nominating Committee: will be contacting people who might be willing to serve. WE NEED NOMINATIONS. ANYONE CAN NOMINATE, OR VOLUNTEER THEMSELVES.
• By-Laws: By consensus of the Board, Jim P and Sue D are to draft by-law changes for publication in the February Echo and voting at the annual meeting. Two suggested changes are: (1) membership to be open to any person who, having resided in the neighborhood and been a member of ENA, wishes to continue membership by paying dues; (2) one member of the Board may be a non-resident member of ENA. By-laws now restrict membership to current residents or non-resident owners of real estate in the neighborhood; any member may be a director, whether resident in the neighborhood or not.
• Hwy 51: No news on the planning of revisions. Andy K. is on the committee of the various neighborhoods affected, but no meetings have been held or scheduled recently. He�ll inquire and report.
• Garlic Mustard Pull: Pres. Karl will spearhead the effort to get volunteers; ENA will feed the throng for their efforts. Unanimous approval.
• Safe Community Coalition: unanimously voted to re-join ($30) for the year.
• Easter Egg Hunt: April 20. Cynthia S. takes the planning lead and will contact others previously eager to help.
• City Services Q&A: Alder Compton�s answers to Cynthia S. questions on various issues will be reported in the Echo, as space permits. Full text will appear on the ENA web site.
• Next Board Meeting: 7 PM at Tom U.�s home, 1225 Painted Post. All neighbors are welcome!

Acting sec�y Jim P. (Ready to Welcome Sue back).

December 4, 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• November Minutes: Approved with the correction that Brian Grau would draft the petition relative to speed calming rather than Brier.
• Treasurer�s report: Approved.
• City Service Concerns: Two Vinje Court neighbors attended the meeting to express serious concerns about whether their court and our neighborhood are receiving city services to which we are entitled. Specifically, the issues raised were:
  

  * Leaves sat for weeks. The city�s website does not help predict when leaves will be picked up. To comply with the city�s request to keep leaves out of the street, a neighbor had to rake his leaves, then rake them into the street in order to mow, and then rake the leaves back up on the lawn. There is also the mess city crews leave behind in the streets after loading the leaves and damage city vehicles do when driving over lawns.
  * One neighbor told of the city�s recent tree-trimming on Vinje Court; 4 trucks arrived, each staffed with a single person. One person proceeded to trim limbs while the other 3 spent 1 1/2 hours talking in the neighbor�s driveway. Obvious questions asked were: which of those workers were responsible for which duties; were 4 people and trucks necessary when only 1 person appeared to be working?
  * Snow plowing doesn�t even occur on the cul-de-sac for 3 to 5 days after a snowstorm. More important is that the plows gather the snow and dump it onto someone�s front yard. Plowing used to be much better, but now it�s anyone�s guess as to whose yard will receive the latest snow pile along with the pile�s sand and salt or whatever is in the snow.
  * In at least 1 location, vehicles are parked for extended periods of time without being moved. The main concern expressed was why citizens must call either their alderperson or the city repeatedly to have some attention paid to the problem.
  * Trash removal staff often leave things behind that then require special calls to the city. A question asked was why �student moving day� at the end of the summer receives so much attention downtown, while pickup here is difficult to achieve.

  The Board decided to email alderperson Judy Compton asking for her thoughts on these issues, and asking if we might publish her response to these questions.

• Speed Calming: The Elvehjem PTO is concerned about the Academy and Woodvale, and Ellen and Painted Post intersections. The general thought is that if the city prefers �traffic calming� measures to 4 way stops, that would be fine, since the �calming� enforces itself. Andy will talk with a neighbor who might be willing to spearhead the effort to secure these calming measures. Speed �risers� are also a possibility for future consideration.
• Acewood Park Fence: The Board approved purchasing a 100 foot black or brown Omega fence to replace the current fence. Installed, it will cost approximately $2500, but the city will match half the funds. This size fence is too small for the city to order all on its own, so we will piggy-back with an existing or future order and have the new fence as soon as we can. Volunteers will still be needed to pull out the old fence. More news on this soon.
• Speedboard: ENA will sign up for a speedboard soon, probably the portable one as it does not require having someone sit in the cold winter weather to copy license plate numbers. Brier is coordinating this effort. If anyone would like to help, please call Brier.
• Santa Visits: Santa tells us he can be in the Elvehjem neighborhood on December 20th and would love to visit our neighbors! Call our main elf, Dennis to schedule a visit.
• Decorating Contest: Judging begins on the 16th, but any great display later that week can still win! MANY THANKS in advance to Marlyne L. for her wonderful prize! Last year�s snowballs were neat�here�s your chance to vie for this year�s prize!
• Sing-Along: The Sing-A-Long was a real success---lots more young ones came to visit with Santa this year!
• Highway 51: Andy continues to report on meetings he�s attending with the Dept. of Transportation about overpasses at Buckeye Road and Pflaum Road. So far, not a lot of information is forthcoming, but Andy and a representative of the Glendale Neighborhood Association will set up a public presentation of all the available information, possibly some time in February, at LaFollette High School.
• Garage Sale Banners: The Board approved purchasing banners for the annual garage sale, to attach to the neighborhood signs. Text color will be dark green and background, white. We won�t print the logo because that would cost an extra $150. Dennis will follow up on ordering the banners.
• Association By-Laws: Next month�s agenda will include a discussion of possible changes to the by-laws, precipitated now by the loss of a Board member who will be moving from the neighborhood. Options include allowing Board members who move to continue to serve on the Board until their term expires, allowing members of the Association to continue as members after they leave the neighborhood, etc. Neighbors who wish to read the ENA by-laws or have suggestions for them should contact any Board member.
• Next Board Meeting: 7 PM at Dan M.�s home at 1101 Bay Ridge Road. All neighbors are welcome!

November 6, 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Minutes: The October meeting minutes and Treasurer�s report were approved.
• Traffic safety: Two kinds of safety/speed boards exist: (1)manual, which requires people to be there to record the speed of passing vehicles; (2) automatic, and signing up for this board requires going through the police department. Brier emailed Jill Klubertanz of the Police Dept. about the second sign, and we�re waiting her response.
• Traffic control: We discussed efforts to control speeding in the neighborhood as well as the problem of drivers failing to stop at stop signs. The city�s study of an intersection is based on the number of complaints, accidents, and casualties. The city suggests 2 intersections, Academy & Woodvale and Ellen & Painted Post, are good candidates for �traffic calming� rather than for 4-way stop signs. The city has several concerns with 4-way stop signs: pedestrians think a driver will stop when the driver only rolls through the intersection, so the pedestrian is at risk; the exhaust from cars stopped at a stop sign is greater for neighbors in the immediate area; and the noise from drivers �taking off� from stop signs is bothersome. �Traffic calming� includes measures such as speed bumps, barrels in the street calling for slower speeds, and signs asking for compliance with stop signs.
  Alder Judy Compton has been consulted on the issue. Judy is willing to pursue 4-way stop signs at the above intersections, but to be successful, the neighborhood needs to pursue efforst such as PTO support, a neigh-borhood petition supporting the signs, school board support, the support of an Elvehjem School school official, and a formal letter to Judy detailing the Board�s formal position on the issue. Brier will draft a petition. Any individual neighbor or organization who would like to participate in the speed control effort, especially in obtaining signatures on the petition, should contact any board member. Given the city�s engineering expertise, and their recommendation that the first step to take in this regard is �traffic calming�, the Board unanimously voted to pursue that option for now; Karl will draft and send to Alder Compton the Board�s position.
• Acewood Park Fence: We�d need volunteers to remove the old fence; the city would pick up the old fence and contractors would install the new fence. The city would like to meet with us to choose the most appropriate fence and Jim volunteered.
• Holiday Sing Along: Dean�s Sing Along songbook is just about ready for production. See �Prez Sez� column.
• Holiday Decorating Contest: The contest is on again this year starting December 14th and lasting as long as the judges drive around, probably till the 23rd or so. Sue and Dan will deliver the prize to the winners shortly before December 25th! See �Prez Sez�.
• Garage Sale Banners: Dean presented Cynthia�s mock-ups for the banners announcing the annual garage sale. The Board voted on a version that should work well to announce the sale and complement the neighborhood signs.
• Echo Schedule: The schedule is: meeting on the first Wednesday of each month; production done by Friday of the next week; delivery over the next few days. Andy�s area of the neighborhood hasn�t been on the delivery schedule but we will hence give Andy enough copies for his neighbors and he has generously volunteered to deliver them.
• Miscellaneous: Verizon Corp. wants to construct a 70 foot flag pole/telecommunication tower at Bachmann Construction. See �Prez Sez�. Karl and Andy reported on the progress of connecting the west side bike trail and ultimately Military Ridge through our part of the city to the Glacial Drumlin Trail. See �Prez Sez�.
  Andy reported the Hwy 51 intersetions with Buckeye and Pflaum Roads have 2 of the 3 highest accident rates in the city (51 and E. Washington is the third). As Hwy 51 is reconstructed in the next several years, we can probably expect bridges of the sort built over Milwaukee Street to replace the intersections we have today.
  The Sweetheart Dance is coming together for February 28, 2003 from 7 to 10 PM. Come one, come all!
• Special Note: We need new Board members beginning with next March�s Annual Meeting. Your participation is important for the neighborhood, the fellowship is great, and the snacks are good too! Please consider joining the Board!
• Next Board Meeting: December 4th at 7 PM at Dennis S.�s home, 1718 Dondee Road.

October 2, 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Minutes: The Board approved the September meeting minutes and Treasurer�s report.
• Email: Generic email addresses for Board members will appear in this month�s Echo.
• Seniors Coordinator:We haven�t had much success in recruiting a senior coordinator, but Kathy W. has expressed possible interest when she decides to wrap up her directory duties.
• Banners: The Board approved purchasing two banners advertising the annual garage sale to suspend from the neighborhood signs. They�ll have color and the neighborhood logo.
• Shrubs: A neighborhood survey came in suggesting better shrubs and greenery in the conservancy and in some neighborhood greenways. Given the expense of trees and shrubs and the fact that the city is primarily responsible for plants in these areas, the Board decided this project is currently beyond our ability to accomplish.
• Sidewalks: Another survey submission asked about installing sidewalks all the way down Meredith. The submitting neighbor knows the cost is $4,000 to $5,000 per neighbor, and is willing to accept the cost, but also realizes cost is a serious issue for Meredith neighbors.
• Class Alerts: Neighbors who would like to advertise classes they offer, such as Tae Kwon Do or self defense should feel fee to submit information on their classes to the Echo editor, but the Board will not endorse any particular classes.
• Bike Path: Jody will continue working on the neighborhood�s future hopes for a multi-use path from Highway 51 east to Culver�s. Andy will be the neighborhood�s representative on the pedestrian bike and motor vehicle commission.
• Stop Sign: Brier volunteers to go with Andy to check out the possibility of a Stop sign at Academy and Woodvale.
• Traffic: Two types of speedboards are available for tracking speeders. One requires a person to be there to staff it; the second doesn�t. Brier will determine whether the Association can get on the list for the board that doesn�t need staffing.
• Holiday Sing-A-Long: The holiday sing-a-long is set for Tuesday, December 3rd, from 7 to 8 PM. More details to come. So, begin warming up your singing voices. As always, we�ll eagerly anticipate a visit from Santa. The Board plans to print song booklets of our own, rather than borrowing them this year. Dean will bring a mock-up to next month�s meeting. One hundred books containing approximately 2 dozen songs will cost about $96.00.
• Email: The neighborhood email list needs updating. Various Board members will work on different steps toward that goal and toward making the neighborhood�s website clearly tell neighbors how to be included on the mailing list.
• Sweetheart Dance: The Sweetheart Dance permit for February 28, 2003 has been filed. More details as the time nears.
• Book Exchange: The book exchange idea for now will be limited to an Echo Newsletter notice describing the available books.
• Mustard Pull: Karl will check on groups available for a spring garlic mustard pull. The current idea is to provide lunch for neighborhood helpers. Money has not yet been officially appropriated.
• Newsletter: The Board approved giving Judy Compton the OK for a full-page ad at the cost of $35 extra per page. Availability of space will continue to be the determining factor.
• Acewood Park Fence: A new Acewood Park fence was discussed again. City approval would be needed and the fence could cost approximately $1,500.00. To ease the cost, Dan will ask the city if we neighbors can remove the old fence and install a new fence on our own, reducing labor costs.
• Holiday Decorating Contest: The holiday decorating contest is on again, so start laying out those blueprints! Judging will occur in mid-December. If you have a great design, be sure to leave your porch lights on in hopes of the judges delivering the prize. More details to follow on the specific dates.
• Next Board Meeting: The next Board meeting is on November 6th at 7 PM at Karen V.�s home, 1117 Amsterdam.

September 4, 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• General Business:

  * With a couple of grammatical corrections, the Board reviewed and approved the August meeting minutes.

  * The Treasurer�s report was also approved. Jim explained the July 4th celebration cost the Association approximately $250.

  * Cynthia reported the sign planned for the east end of Buckeye Road awaits the railroad�s approval for the sign�s placement on their property.

  * Overall, the Elvehjem park watch this summer was a success.

  * Matching funds from the city for a new Acewood Park fence are dependent on the state budget, so may well be unavailable.

  * For the next 3 to 4 months, the Board authorized the Echo editor to decide whether a 4 or 6 page edition is warranted. If 6 pages, we will hand stuff the middle page and the Association will subsidize snacks for any stuffing helpers.

  * Steve D. will recruit next year�s Echo sponsors.

  * The membership drive has been quite a success�at least 80 new household have joined the Association. Directories are at a premium.

  * Dean reported the Association can now have unlimited email addresses, so rather than posting Board members� personal email addresses in the Echo, we will switch to more generic addresses.

• Survey Responses: Karl received several responses to the survey from the August Echo insert.

  * Two suggesters asked the Association to pursue obtaining stop signs at the corners of Painted Post and Ellen Avenue, and at Academy and Woodvale. The Board agreed to support stop signs at both locations.

  * Another neighbor suggested more and bigger signs advertising the annual garage sale. Dennis will research prices for banners we could attach to our LVM neighborhood signs.

  * One neighbor suggested monitoring speed levels on South Thompson Drive.

  * Another suggested purchasing a speed radar machine for the Association.

  * And another suggested better landscaping for signs at specific points in the neighborhood.

• Book Exchange:

  Mary Jo B. has an idea for a neighborhood book exchange. Karl will send Mary Jo several operational questions the Board discussed and invite her to attend the next meeting to talk about the proposal.

• Neighborhood Planning Grant:

  Karl K. and Jody M. offered information about a possible planning grant proposal for matching funds for a multi-use bike and pedestrian path from Hwy. 51 east to Culver�s.

  Most Board members agreed an alternative effort would be to team up with the Eastmoreland, Glendale, and Rolling Meadows Neighborhood Associations to have such a path from where the current bike path ends at Dempsey Road all the way to Acewood Avenue. Starting with our neighborhood�s portion of such a path was also discussed as a first step in the right direction. For now, the Association won�t pursue the planning grant.

• Sweetheart Dance:

  The date is February 28, 2003 at the Elvehjem School. The DJ is set too.

• Holiday Sing-a-Long:

  The plan is to have the event much as this last year, with singing, snacks, and much good cheer. December 3rd is the current target date. We plan to produce our own set of song lyrics to last for years to come, so tentatively mark your calendars!

• Semi-annual meeting update

  Many of the details of the Semi-annual meeting appeared in August�s Echo. This month�s discussion was about whether enough neighbors attended the August semi-annual meeting to repeat the meeting next year. The weather was great, the speakers had lots of valuable information, and the turnout was low. The Board will check turnout at the March annual meeting and then decide on a summer or fall semi-annual meeting.

• Senior Activity:

  The Board discussed the possibility of having an activity for seniors at the former Gerhardt�s, now a teen center. Since our efforts to obtain a general coordinator for senior events have been less than successful, the Board thought we could try seeking a senior coordinator for a single event at the center, such as a card party, or discussion group. If any neighbor would like to volunteer, please call Brier Nelson at 223-9383.

• Next Meeting: The next meeting is on October 2, at 7 PM, at Sue D.'s house at 21 Vinje Court. All LVM neighbors are welcome.

August 10, 2002 ENA Semi-Annual Meeting

• Madison Mayor�s Presentation - Mayor Baumann spoke to the following issues:

  * The recent state budget repair bill changed the budget from a $23 million dollar loss in Madison�s shared revenue to nothing lost in 2002-2003; but also set up a possible $750,000 to $1.5 million dollar decrease in shared revenue to the city beginning 2004. The mayor is concerned about the city�s financial future, and may well leave some positions empty in an effort to work �better and smarter� in the next budget cycles.

  * For the 2003 budgets, the mayor has asked her agency heads to decrease their budgets by 2% from the amounts they received in 2002.

  * The mayor noted property values are up, making finding affordable housing more difficult. City subsidies for construction or rental and for reasonable purchase prices are a possibility for helping keep families from having to move often.

  * The mayor spoke about kindergarten programs; namely, if Madison has a four-year-old kindergarten program for some children, the city must have such a program for all children of that age. Mayor Baumann is working with the school district to establish such a city program.

  * Over the last year more than $1 million dollars has been paid to the city �on-line�---the first possibilities were parking tickets, water and sewer bills, and Civic Center tickets. Soon to come are bus passes, and fees such as dog and cat licenses. Right now, the city pays the credit card fees, but to expand the service without making it correspondingly expensive for the city, the city is setting up a credit clearing house arrangement.

  * Madison has maintained it�s triple A bond rating and has $15 million in reserves.

  * A question and answer session followed addressing these issues:
  Q: Where are Neighborhood Resource Teams these days?
  A: In response to specific issues or problems the city will pull together police officers, public health staff, city housing staff, city streets staff, or whoever is needed to address the issue in a coordinated way.
  Q: What�s the city�s commitment to developing bike paths, particularly here on the east side?
  A: �Enormous.�
  Q: (From alder Judy Compton): Why is it so hard for the east side to receive needed improvements that seem so easy for the west side to achieve?
  A: There is no bias for devoting resources to any part of the city. For several years, the west side was growing and received many resources. Now the east side is growing very fast and so, for example, the streets and bridges over the interstate are now high on the list for improvement along with other east side improvements.
  Q: What about the new central park project...is that diverting money from east side park maintenance?
  A: The central park issue relates to the bigger issue of land the city has already purchased and dedicated for park development but for which there are no development funds currently available. In this case, the land was already purchased for water utility and Madison Metro facilities, and given the park plan, those plans were scrapped. Of the $1.5 million set aside in the 2003 capital expenditure budget, less than 10% is set aside for �new stuff� with the rest going for maintenance.
  Q: Some neighborhood streets are being paved and the residents have to pay for curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. Many are not happy about the fees they are assessed to do so.
  A: City regulations require that new street work like this requires curbs and gutters, and in some cases, sidewalks. Upgrades are almost always done at the request of residents of the immediate area.

• Madison Police Presentation - Sergeant Sue Armagast and Patrol Officer Allison Radzicki gave the following update:

  Partly as a result of the special bike patrols the police have apprehended and charged those who stole patio furniture to use for a bonfire, those who were breaking car windows, and those who were vandalizing the Elvehjem School. Neighbors and the Association as a whole express appreciation to the MPD officers who provide such valuable service!

• Weed Warriors:

  Tammy gave us details about several invasive plants threatening native plants in Elvehjem Park & Sanctuary. Garlic mustard is the most serious concern. April and May are the best times to pull the plant. Jim W. reported that tens of thousands of hours are devoted already to rid parks of invasive plants, so maybe LVM can build a little more �sweat equity� toward the next neighborhood sign by pulling some mustard this coming spring. Native plants worth saving include trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and many kinds of ferns. Also wonderful would be having youngsters help---pride in ownership of our parks is good to build from a young age!

• Thanks to Dorn Hardware:

  Dorn gave us quite a discount on signs for our recent garage sale. Thanks, Dorn Hardware!

• Park Watch:

  We still need volunteers through the end of the month. Unacceptable activity at the park seems to have decreased, but if you can help, contact Cynthia S. Thanks in advance.

• New Neighbor and Board Member:

  Brier N., her husband Graham, daughter Ellis, and dog Foster recently joined the neighborhood. Brier consented to serve and the Board unanimously elected her to the Board. Welcome, Brier and family!

• Independence Day - Volunteers made all the difference!

  Thanks to Mary Jo B. for doing such a great job coordinating so many helpers. Food and games went smoothly and the grand mashall�s tractor float was great (though more decorating has been suggested)!

• Sweetheart Dance:

  Dennis S. has the application in. We must wait for the school system to schedule events and decide whether we can have that date.

• Echo Survey:

  The Board will use a survey form (see insert in this issue) for neighbors to submit ideas for small neighborhood capital improvements the Association may invest in. Neighbors may also submit ideas to any board member, attend any future board meeting or use the LVM web site.

• Next Meeting: Wed. Sept 4th @7 PM at Karl K.�s house at 4610 Eldorado Lane. Neighbors are welcome!

July 3 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Regular Business:

  Approved June minutes. Treasurer�s report approved after Jim reported the neighborhood�s savings account paid for the directory while the membership drive continues. Neighbors who still want to join are asked to call their block captain or deliver their membership form and dues to their block captain as soon as they are able.

• Independence Day Business:

  Last minute assignments were made about tickets, food line, games, as well as how volunteers would be assigned. Efforts turned to cleaning the shelter and surrounding area. Dennis and Tom power-washed the entire shelter and all the picnic tables, and the weather cooperated, so we had a clean picnic area set up for July 4th.

• Park Watch:

  PLEASE call Cynthia S. to volunteer! There�s been distressing news about vandalism occuring around the park edges and in the forested area. The park watch takes just walking through the park for a short time in late evening or weekends and continues through August.

• Semi-annual Meeting:

  Is on Saturday, August 10th at 2PM at the Elvehjem Park shelter. The mayor is scheduled to arrive at 2:15 PM, and we expect she�ll take questions. We also expect a city representative to tell us more about the garlic mustard problem in the park. And we will invite police captain Jill Klubertanz to attend to discuss neighborhood concerns, especially the vandalism and noise park problems.

• Neighborhood Garage Sale:

  The sale is set for the same weekend as the annual meeting. The fee is $5.00 and provides for a newspaper ad announcing the sale as well as a sign and map of participants addresses.

• New Neighborhood Sign:

  Our third sign is in progress. It�s set for Buckeye Road near the railroad tracks that are near Hwy. 51. The Park Watch helps us earn �sweat equity� to help defray the sign costs, so PLEASE sign up!

• Sweetheart Dance:

  Still on the calendar. More news as time passes.

• Youth Center in former Gerhardt�s:

  Some discussion of the new center. Hours may be relatively limited. Cynthia will call to get details.

• The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Next Meeting: the Semi-Annual meeting at the Elvehjem Park shelter at 2 PM on Saturday, August 10th.
• If you have any interest in neighborhood issues, please join the next board meeting.

June 5 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Business:

  May meeting minutes were approved. Treasurer�s report approved after Jim noted the Association needed to use a few savings dollars until membership dues start being collected soon. Board members agreed that when important neighborhood events approach, meeting minutes will be moved from the Echo front page to later pages. A neighbor has also commented that the Echo�s print size is too small. Point well taken; the Board will work on it.

• Independence Day Celebration:

  All we need to make a great picnic a SUPER picnic is VOLUNTEERS, so please call our volunteer coordinator, Mary Jo Baas (224-0231), to offer some time.

  Our parade begins at 11:15 AM with line-up at 11:00 in front of Elvehjem School. Look for president Karl Kletzien to get the parade started with our most welcome police officers and fire fighers to help us have a safe, exciting parade.

  The parade route goes from Academy to Woodvale, left on Starker, left on to Ellen, then left on Painted Post and back to the park. Join the parade any time or place! The route is short, but the children are priceless, so if you�d be willing to VOLUNTEER to monitor a corner for moving vehicles, please call Mary Jo or any board member. We have 3 prize categories this year: Wagons, two wheel tricycles, and hot wheels�so start decorating!

  Food serving starts about noon. Games and prizes are ready to go. We�ve added a new inflatable obstacle course to the games!

  Dennis will bring several canopies to cover as many of the games as possible. The Board authorized spending up to $150 for a 10 x 20 ft. canopy, to prepare for when �volunteer� canopies are not available.

  Karate America also plans to demonstrate their skills.

• Membership:

  The drive began on May 20th; expect to hear from your block captain soon. A wonderful new neighborhood directory is waiting in return for your membership form and fee. The picnic will be a perfect day to renew your Association membership. Your completed membership form and $10 will have a new Directory on your doorstep soon.

• Association Insurance:

  The Association�s policy is up for renewal. Sue will look over the language to check whether any coverage has changed. If coverage is substantively the same, the Board authorized paying another year�s premium.

• Echo:

  The Board decided the Echo would improve if we include a regular list of upcoming events. Right now, those are: the July 4th Independence Day Celebration, the neighborhood garage sale on August 9th and 10th, the Semi-Annual Neighborhood Meeting on August 10th at the Elvehjem Park shelter, the summer-long park watch, the December holiday sing-a-along, and the holiday decorating contest. Madison mayor Sue Baumann will attend the Semi-Annual meeting to talk with neighbors about our neighborhood concerns.

• Elvehjem Park Watch:

  The park watch is under way. We need volunteers to walk through the park around curfew time. Those times are: for persons less than 14 years old, 10:00 PM; for persons between 14 and 17 years of age, 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Saturdays. To volunteer, contact Cynthia S. or any board member.

• Garlic Mustard in Elvehjem Park:

  The city reports that even with our recent mustard-pulling effort, the park is still seriously infested. The whole morning�s efforts cleared 50 square feet. If the growth continues, the mustard could spread to the yards of neighbors near the park. The Board is considering asking the city for a controlled burn to get rid of the weeds, but, so far, we�re told pulling the weeds from May to mid-June is the best approach. So, if you have time, pull some mustard in the park!

• Highway 51 Changes:

  The Association received a letter asking for a representative to attend a follow-up meeting related to the future of Hwy 51 near our neighborhood. Andy will attend. A primary concern is that if a widened Hwy 51 is a �done deal,� the Association might want to start working for �over� or �under� pedestrian and bike access to both sides of Buckeye.

• Teen Center at former Gerhardt�s:

  A teen center may be developing in this facility. The Board would appreciate neighbors thoughts about whether the Association should consider contributing money to a teen center effort. Please call any board member with your thoughts.

• The Art Cart: Karen worked with the school district to arrange for the �Art Cart� to come to Elvehjem School this summer, on the mornings of June 25th and July 22nd. Check the neighborhood website for more details.
• The meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM---too much fun going on to keep the meeting short. Next Meeting: Elvehjem Park on July 3rd at 7 PM.
• If you have any interest in helping during the Independence Day celebration or in other neighborhood issues, please join the next board meeting.

May 1 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Business:

  April meeting minutes were approved. Treasurer�s report was approved, after Jim noted the storage rental fee increases in June from $30 to $35. Andy Kraiss was elected to the Board. Welcome, Andy!

• Membership:

  Printing the new Directory will cost approximately $2,700, of which $1,100 has already been covered with advertisements. The Association ordered 1,000 copies, which should arrive in time for delivery to the block captains at the May 11th block captains� appreciation luncheon. The membership drive begins on May 20th. We remain short 18 block captains, and welcome volunteers. Board members will cover the uncovered blocks.

• Park Cleanup:

  The city-sponsored garlic mustard pulling effort at Elvehjem Park combined with the Association�s park garbage cleanup is on for May 11th from 9 AM to 12 PM. Meet at the park shelter. Karl will bring bags and someone from the city will be there to show us exactly what weeds to pull. Bring your own saws, axes, and branch loppers.

• New Sign + Summer Park Watch:

  Cynthia continues to seek final approval for another neighborhood sign, which we hope to install on the railroad property on Buckeye Road east of High-way 51. Cynthia submitted a grant proposal for replacing the Acewood park fence. We expect a decision on the proposal in May. *

  Probably the largest �sweat equity� effort related to the new sign will be this summer�s planned park watch for Elvehjem park. The park closes at 10 PM, and there are already people �hanging out� at the park at night, littering and making excessive noise. The plan is to recruit neighborhood volunteers to walk through the park between 9:30 and 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday nights from early June until late August to deter the bad behavior. Cynthia will let police captain Klubertanz know of the planned effort and ask for an orientation from the police department about the safest and best steps park watchers can take.

• Semi-Annual Meeting and Neighborhood Garage Sale:

  The sale will be held on the second weekend of August. That Saturday, August 10th, we will also hold a semi-annual meeting at 2 PM at the Elvehjem park shelter, and will invite the mayor to attend to speak, to listen to neighbor concerns, and to answer questions.

• Independence Day Celebration:

  The Board continued initial planning for this year�s celebration, to be held on July 4th. Our new inflatable obstacle course will have to be staked down, which means it requires a $100 permit in addition to the other required permits. Electricity was a slight issue last year, so we plan to use a generator to supply some of the power this year. Hot food will come from Smoky Jon�s, and to help keep the food hot while waiting to serve it we will rent some warming cabinets to go along with the roasters we�ve used in the past.

  Perhaps the best way to improve the celebration will be to increase the number of volunteers helping with tickets, games, and serving food. We hope to split some of the picnic�s jobs, such as staffing the games, into multiple shifts, which will take anywhere from 35 to 45 volunteers. The Board is exploring ways to increase volunteer participation, including calling neighbors to ask for help and possibly having one volunteer coordinate all the volunteers. As always, if you would like to help at the picnic, even if for a short time, and especially if you have a specific job in mind, please call any board member or come to the June Board meeting.

• ECHO Transition:

  Transition of the editorship to Steve Dow is in full swing. The Echo mailbox is up at the Dow household. For information about submitting articles or ads, or about the Echo editorial policies, please see the box on the back page of each Echo. You can also submit articles and ads by sending an email to: newsletter@elvehjemneighborhood.org. This address is also on the neighborhood�s website.

• MANY MANY THANKS to Jody McIntyre for her years of devoted service as editor and improvements she made in the Echo!
• 
  
• Egg Hunt Review:

  Feedback was good. The concept of hiding empty eggs which youngsters then redeem for a treat bag worked quite well. Three specially decorated eggs had beanie babies for a prize. Approximately 45 children in three different age groups participated. Thought will be given next year to adding coffee and doughnuts or even another activity such as face painting.

• Miscellaneous:

  A meeting will be held on May 8th at the Frank Allis school to begin discussing issues related to the Hwy 51 corridor. This meeting is primarily to begin to hear from neighborhood associations; meetings with the general public will occur later. Dean, Jim, and Cynthia will attend for the Board.

  Karl will spearhead an effort to gather a group of neighbors to attend a Madison Mallards game. The largest group can win a prize. More details as they are available; in the meantime, if you would like more immediate information, call Karl.

  Next year�s Sweetheart Dance will be held on February 28th. We�ve received the DJ�s contract. He will charge $250. The Board authorized paying the DJ a $50 deposit to hold the date.

• Meeting adjourned @ 9:35 p.m. Next meeting at 7 PM at Jim P's house.

April 2002 ENA Board of Directors' Meeting

• Business:

  Two parts of the February meeting minutes were corrected: 1) Jim P. passed out list of people who verbally committed to directory ads. 2) Language from the February minutes: "any member that pays dues up until Dec. 31, 2001 will be paying dues through June 30, 2002. If a new member moves into the neighborhood after Dec.31, 2001 and joins ENA within 2002, dues will be paid through June 30, 30, 2003."

  Treasurer's Report: Twenty dollars of expenses were over-reported previously, so twenty dollars more are now in the neighborhood account.

• Membership:

  Xerlith was chosen to print the new directory, at a cost of approximately $2,400 for two colors.

  Block Captains: People on the volunteer list have come forward to be block captains, still short 14. Block captains are generally responsible for 15 to 20 residences. They introduce the association to new neighbors, deliver a membership application to new members, and this year, will also deliver our new directories.

  The membership drive will begin in May. Kathy W., Mary Ann P., and the Membership Committee members will assemble the packets and distribute them in May at a lunch with the block captains.

  Michele M. reported that Madison Newspapers has a website with some positive possibilities for the association. For now, we will probably just set up to have a link on that website to our neighborhood site.

• Park Cleanup: The city is sponsoring a garlic mustard pulling effort on May 11 in the Elvehjem Preserve. We will join that effort and add garbage pick-up in the park, from 9 AM to noon. Volunteers should meet at the park shelter and if you have your own saws, axes, or branch loppers, please bring them along.
• ECHO Business: ECHO advertising for the year is already covered. Jody M. will be transferring editor duties to Steve D. beginning in May. Michele M. will help Steve with the Publisher software. The board voted to spend approximately $30 for a manual to ease the learning curve for future editors.
• Other business:

  Jody M. has volunteered to be a liaison for the neighborhood with our city and county governments. Issues worth watching now are the Dean Clinic going in at the Hwy. 51/ Buckeye Rd. intersection and a development south of Buckeye Rd. near Tarragon Rd.

  Meeting w/Mayor. The mayor would like to meet with all neighborhood associations. Since the weather was so bad for our recent annual meeting, the Board decided to invite the mayor to our new "semi-annual meeting" on August 10th at 2 PM. The location is still to be decided, but we urge neighbors to attend. The monthly Board meeting will be held before the session with the mayor.

  Meeting sites were set for the next year. Each month's location will be posted in the ECHO. The May meeting is at Dean's house, at 5210 Buckeye Road, at 7 PM. All neighbors are welcome to attend.

  Independence Day Celebration. This year's celebration will occur on the very day of July 4th. Last year's was a great success so the Board decided to repeat purchasing meat from Smokey Jon's, and to have other great food, drinks, and games, including an inflatable obstacle course for kids of all ages. Electricity is in short supply at the shelter, so the Board is looking into renting a generator for the day. The Board also discussed how to involve more volunteers in making things work more smoothly. If anyone would like to volunteer to do a specific task such as taking tickets or handing out sodas, deserts or prizes, please contact any Board member any time between now and the celebration. The park and parade permits will be taken care of soon. In light of last year's large number of parade participants, we may need two police escorts instead of one...start planning now and DECORATE and RIDE in the parade!

  Summer Park Watch. The Board voted to promote a park watch at Elvehjem Park this summer, on Friday and Saturday nights during June, July, and August. Times would be from about 9:30 to 10:30 PM. Cynthia S. will schedule anyone who wants to help and Cynthia will write a full article for this ECHO.

  Sweetheart Dance. Feedback at the Annual Meeting was all positive so the Board voted to repeat the event next year. We need to check with the school about other scheduled events.

  Police surveys. Submit to Cynthia S. as soon as possible.

  Miscellaneous. The Board discussed obtaining speedboards from the city. They are readily available and work best with two people-one attends the machine and the other records car descriptions and license plate numbers. The city will send letters to speeders documented in this way, in an effort to have drivers SLOW DOWN.

  The Board had a request from an ECO-Friendly flooring representative to schedule a seminar about their flooring. The Board decided not to schedule the seminar but to put the information in the ECHO if such a seminar is scheduled.

• Meeting adjourned @ 9:27 p.m. Next meeting at Dean's house, 7 p.m.

2002 ENA Annual Meeting Minutes (March 2)

• Meeting called to order at 1:15 pm.
• 2001 Annual Meeting minutes

  Dean read the minutes from last year�s annual meeting; minutes were approved (MS&C).

• Treasurer�s Report for year.

  Jim P. read the Financial Report, detailing that there was money in certificates of deposit and that these have staggered maturity dates. MS&C to approve report.

• Karen read the list of activities done this year.
• Directory �Mary Ann P. said advertising is coming together and directory will come out this spring. We have approximately 700 members this year. This membership drive got a late start but the next drive will start soon in late spring and continue through the summer. Membership dues cover July 1 to June 30 of the year. Directory editors changed the font size of the upcoming directory to make it easier to read, which will cost only slightly more. Half of the cost of the directory is supported by advertising. A future ECHO will also announce that the Association needs 17 block captains.
• Sweetheart Dance. 51 paid admissions for $102, but at the peak, there were about 70 people including the little kids. The dance was open to all ages and while well attended, the crowd was younger than anticipated. However the DJ was prepared. There were adult and child limbo contests�reportedly worth the price of admission alone!. It was noted that February was nice time to have a family event like this. Gary H. was instrumental in organizing the dance and getting all the prizes.
• Neighborhood sign: Cynthia talked about applying for a city grant to build and install a third sign near the railroad tracks on Buckeye. The sidewalk easement and the actual owners of the railroad property were discussed. Part of the grant is sweat equity from neighborhood members and the plan is to have a LVM park watch this summer � Fri and Sat nights for an hour in June, July and August.
• Egg Hunt. March 30.
• Echo Sponsorship is paying for almost all of the printing costs of the Echo. Sponsorship is sold out for this year. Papa Murphy�s reports having lots of coupons coming into their store as a result of their sponsorship. The board thanks Judy Compton, MG&E and Papa Murphy�s for their continued support. Jody M. will hand off the job of editor to Steve D. over next few months. The board heartily thanks Jody for all her years of service.
• Funds There is money in the ENA checking account. The board is looking for input from neighbors as to how to use it.
• July 4 Meeting attendees noted they liked the changes in this year�s food menu. Food will probably stay the same with minor improvements. Date: Thursday, July 4. Two squad cars suggested.
• Nominations to the board Karen asked if there was any interest in a 3 year term since there are 2 vacancies open. Next year, 5 board members will be completing their terms. Some neighbors were suggested but not formally nominated; Board will make further inquiries to determine interest. The board does have enough members to continue for this year.
• Caucus Board voted Karl K. as president, Cynthia S. vice-president, Jim P. would continue as treasurer and Sue D. as secretary. Board meetings are open to anyone from the neighborhood. The board just asks that you call first if you�d like to attend so there are enough chairs. Board meetings are held on the fist Wednesday of every month at 7pm. The next ENA board meeting is Wed, April 3 at 7pm at Cynthia�s house.
• Guests Elected officials, candidates, and other guests introduced themselves, including Judy Compton, Carol McGuire, Andrew Kraiss, Mark Miller, Roger Allen, and Joe Campana. Thanks to all for attending.
• EcoTeams Lara V. described the city, county and MG&E supported program of EcoTeams, an 8-meeting program to promote stewardship of our land and resources. The 5th EcoTeam in this neighborhood is about to start on Leo Drive.
• HospiceCare Betty S. described HospiceCare�s services. HospiceCare provides care to patients regardless of ability to pay.
• Police Capt. Jill Klubertanz (Jeff LaMars� replacement) and Sgt. Sue Armagost attended. The east side staff is getting acquainted with the area and their job responsibilities since many have been recently promoted. Klubertanz publishes an electronic newsletter that is sent out to neighborhood associations. Klubertanz also handed out an Eastside Neighborhood survey and asked that it be forwarded to a variety of people, then returned to her, perhaps via the board members. The East District is actively looking for a site for a centrally-located station so if anyone has any ideas for a good site, please contact Klubertanz.
• Speed boards were discussed In the next police e-newsletter, there will be specific information about how neighborhoods can sign up to use a speed board. Also, if neighbors have a person sit next to the speed board, record license numbers of drivers as they pass, and report the license numbers of speeders to the police dept., the police dept. will send those drivers a letter informing them of the speed violation.
• Eastside Neighborhoods Planning Council (ENPC) Joe C. described a coalition of 15 neighborhoods, with Elvehjem and Ridgewood being the most active at this point. ENPC is trying to address larger issues affecting multiple neighborhoods. Major issues of concern to ENPC are traffic and speeding. March 25 will be the next meeting and a public meeting about the intersection between North Thompson, Hwy 30 and County T.
• Independent Living Rita G. noted high demand from seniors for snow shoveling. Independent Living also provides Meals on Wheels and need volunteers, also has job openings. They are also looking sites for senior housing since the Buckeye Road location didn�t pan out.
• MG&E Bob S. was present with many useful brochures and info, including a help-line staffed by knowledgeable people.
• Meeting adjourned at 2:55pm (MS&C)

Feb 06, 2002 Board Meeting

• Minutes were approved.
• Treasurer's report was approved.
• Membership Directory:

  Kathy W. passed out list of individuals who have made a verbal commitment to advertise in the directory. If all advertisers maintain commitment, membership directory will be paid for completely by advertising. Dean and/or Michele will help Kathy figure out how to increase font size for membership listing using Microsoft Access. The board decided that 900 directories will be printed. (CORRECTED: It should have read that Jim Polewski passed out list of individuals who have made a verbal commitment to advertise in directory.)

  The board discussed the dilemma of having a membership drive much earlier in 2002 than previous year. The board decided that an article explaining the late membership drive of 2001 will be printed in the Echo when the 2002 membership drive begins.

  MS&C the cut-off date distinguishing year in which a member has paid dues to be January 1. If member paid dues before January 1, 2002, member has paid dues through 2001. After January 1, 2002, member has paid dues through 2002. (CORRECTED: Should have read any member that pays membership dues between the Membership Drive and up until December 31 will be paying dues through June 30, 2002. If a new neighbor moves in the area after January lst those dues will be paid through June 30, 2003. When the Membership Drive is held in June/July of 2002 that member has already paid for the following year. Initially a new member for the first year will get 6 months free membership.

  The board thanks Kathy W. for all of the documentation and logistics work establishing detailed membership chair position duties and responsibilities.

• Annual Meeting, March 2: Karen heard from a number of political representatives/candidates and organizations who intend to have a table at the annual meeting. One of the people to be there is our district�s new police captain. The board decided not to invite Mayor Baumann to this meeting. The Mayor will be invited to a regular ENA board meeting later in the year which will be held in a large room where the public can easily attend. Written questions from audience will be used for our new police captain. Cards will be prioritized for her when she speaks. The board decided to provide child care for toddlers by paying 2 sitters $10 per sitter. Joe Campana will be asked to explain some of the possible changes to Highway 51 at the annual meeting.
• Publishing of member names in membership directory and Echo: The board decided that the membership form will be made more clear as to whether a new ENA member does not want his/her name published in both publications. If member is willing to have name published, only the new member�s name (s) shall be published in Echo. Member�s occupation and address will no longer appear in Echo.
• Sweetheart Dance, February 22: $970 worth of prizes will be passed out. Dennis was told by Elvehjem School that from 10 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. is considered overtime by the school and the cost of renting the gym will be $45 more. Tom will bring barrel to hold soda. Estimated number of people who will attend: 70 to 80. Children must be accompanied by adult.
• Neighborhood sign: In order to get credit for sweat equity to fund another neighborhood sign, the ENA must participate in a different type of activity than was used for the two signs in place. The board decided to pursue a park watch for LVM park. People will walk around the park on summer nights in the evening hours.
• Pre July 4 Fun Day planning: Jim has park permit for Fun Day event at LVM park on July 4. The board talked about getting more heating unit space for food if the event is catered again.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Jan 09, 2002 Board Meeting

• Minutes approved.
• Treasurer's report approved.
• Membership Drive: Kathy presented booklet on what to do for the membership drive. Sent packets to block captains for feedback on drive. She thinks we need about 25 new block captains. Directory full back page ad will be $600. Front and back inside covers will be $500. $400 for inside within booklet, full page ads, $200 for 1/2 page inside booklet. When specs are concrete, specified board members will get printing quotes.
• Annual Meeting date to be determined: First choice for a date is Saturday March 2 at 1 p.m. Second choice will be Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m. Either way, it will be held at the usual spot, Our Saviour Lutheran, 1201 Droster Rd. The board chose this time to make attendance easier for seniors and families.
• Agenda for Annual Meeting! Jill Klubertanz, the new East District Captain for the Madison Police Dept., will do her best to attend, depending on whether she is needs to leave for a call. LVM members will be asked to submit one question each to the Captain, if they want to, on a 3x5 card to keep things moving according to schedule. As we did last year, tables will be available for reps from MG&E, etc. More details next issue.
• Thank You Received: Neighbor sent a card noting she had very much enjoyed the Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long. Thank you!
• Safe Communities Coalition (SCC) Membership: Board approved LVM membership at $25, to be a part of the SCC. The SCC gave LVM a $650 grant this past year to promote traffic safety in our neighborhood.
• Board volunteers to design flyers, add content for February Echo: Karen will design the Annual Meeting flyer, Dennis will provide the flyer for the Sweetheart Dance. Will be printed back-to-back as a special insert. Karl will write an article on what it�s like to be an LVM Board member.
• Sweetheart Dance: LVM will provide finger food, soda, music and dancing. There are 41 prizes. There will be 3 or 4 dance contests for prizes, the rest will be distributed through a drawing.
• Please help us set up for the Sweetheart Dance: Board members and interested volunteers, please show up by 5:45 p.m. on Friday, February 22 to help us put together this fun event.
• Holiday Sing-Along Notes: Santa arrived at a perfect time! Thank you, Santa. Note to arrange chairs better next year and provide aisles for people to get through.
• Santa Visits: Santa was only asked to visit four homes this season.
• Another Grant Proposal: Cynthia is pursuing another grant for another neighborhood sign on Buckeye to add to the ones she coordinated last year!
• The next board meeting will be on Wednesday February 6th at Karl K.'s house.

Dec 03, 2001 Board Meeting

• Minutes were approved.
• Treasurer's report approved.
• Membership Drive: Mostly complete. Mary Ann will write blurb for Echo for the people who might not have been contacted by block captains on specific streets. The total number of members will be greater than the previous year. Jim gave report on membership directory research. It might not be as expensive as anticipated.
• January Board meeting: Will be held on the second Wednesday in January (1/9/02) instead of the first Wednesday (1/2) at Dan M.'s house.
• Holiday Sing-a-long: People needed to help clean up afterwards. Will ask that youngest children visit Santa first. Santa will try to arrive at 7:15. Most logistics are taken care of.
• Santa visits: Santa visits will take place on December 20. Call Dennis S. at 221-3865 to set up an appointment to have Santa visit your children on that day.
• Eastside Neighborhood Coalition: Jody M., Cynthia and Karen plan to attend the first meeting of the coalition on Thursday, January 6.
• Letter from neighbor: Karen passed out copy of a letter sent to State Rep. Mark Miller from LVM resident criticizing Miller's column in November Echo.
• Board action on unkempt property: A neighborhood resident asked if the board can officially do something about a neighbor who poorly maintains their property. The board decided that though they understand the resident's frustration, it is not the board's role to take action. The resident is encouraged to call the building commission.
• New web site: Michele reported that a new web site will be up and running within the next month. It will no longer use the Yahoo service. At first, the web space provider will be a service that she uses. Eventually, she hopes that Madison Newspapers will be the web space provider.
• Annual meeting: Karen brought up the possibility of having the neighborhood annual meeting on an afternoon. That way, more neighborhood senior citizens would be willing to attend. The board discussed its willingness to have both a senior citizen and a neighborhood teen on the board so that the association can better represent both age group interests.
• Sweetheart dance: Dennis reported that $710.00 in prizes has been accumulated for the dance.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next board meeting will be on January 9 at Dan M.'s house.

Nov 7, 2001 Board Meeting

• Minutes were approved.
• Treasurer's report approved.
• MS&C: Jim will move $2000.00 into a 14 month CD account.
• Sue D. was elected to be the new board vice president to replace Mary Jo B.
• Membership Drive: 573 members have joined or renewed membership so far this drive. Not all block captains have reported. 586 members renewed or joined in the last drive. Mary Ann apologized for a later than usual membership drive. She plans to remain as membership chair and start the drive at the usual time or earlier next year. The board gave input on the next membership directory. Number of advertisements, size of font, size of paper were discussed. MS&C to follow plan with directory as outlined by Cynthia. This plan includes: a larger font than the last directory, 5 to seven advertisements in the front and back of the directory and more. Cynthia will investigate printing costs and options. The board will reschedule the block captain party in early May as a kick-off for next year's membership drive. Will try to have the party at a park shelter. Membership drive could conclude on 4th of July Fun Day event. The board will start to plan block captain party in February.
• Eastside Neighborhood Planning Council: Would like a representative from LVM neighborhood. The purpose of the council is to have a stronger voice for east side Madison interests through numbers of people. MS&C Jody M. will be the representative from LVM. The board listed issues of concern for LVM, including a youth center, traffic, police coverage etc.
• Holiday Party: MS&C to pay $75 to the pianist who performs this year (probably Jan M.). MS&C to pay $75 to Jan M. for performing as pianist last year.
  Will be the same format as last year. A special article will have to be in the November Echo because it will be that last Echo seen by the neighborhood before the party.
  The Holiday Party will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5202 Cottage Grove Road at 7:00 pm on December 11! Families attending are invited to bring a plate of cookies. Santa will be there with presents. Punch will be provided. Sing along and have fun!!
  This year's Santa contact, Dennis S., confirms that gifts will be available for children who visit Santa.
• Internet site: Dean reported on the meeting he and Michele threw to plan a new neighborhood web site. The web site will contain information from the Echo. The board agreed that the site may include first name, last name and e-mail address of board members. The information from the Echo will include articles, minutes, elected representative journals. The members corner and sponsor advertisement will not be included. A link to the Echo sponsor web page will be provided.
• Holiday Decorating Contest: Jim S. will donate a first place prize again this year. There will be one winner and one honorable mention who will be announced in the Echo.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next board meeting will be on December 5.

October 3, 2001 Board Meeting

• Minutes: Approved with a correction, domain name is elvehjemneighborhood.org, not ".com".
• Treasurer's Report: Approved.
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• MEMBERSHIP: Mary Ann said half of all block captains have reported. Hope to have all by end of October.
• DIRECTORY: She would like to hear input on the preferred size of the next directory.
• CAROLE McGUIRE, county rep: Handed out petition for improvement of bridges on Cottage Grove Road and Buckeye. Also spoke about the future joint athletic stadium with East and LaFollette, and possible traffic issues. Also encouraged everyone to visit our newly refurbished YMCA. Noted city of Monona plans a major Monona Drive reconstruction.
• BLOCK CAPTAINS PARTY: Very low response to Block Captain Captain invite for party on October 11. Party will go on at Mary Ann's house, board members will bring desserts.
• MAILBAG: Safe Communities Coalition, who provided us with the large cling grant, asked that we join. We will consider joining in the spring, because we received the letter so late in the membership year for this organization.
• ATWOOD FOOD PANTRY: Board did consider giving money to this pantry for their annual turkey dinner drive. Board passed a motion to have the Sweetheart Dance combined with a non-perishable food drive on February 22, 2002. Motion made, seconded, and carried to give $50 to the Atwood Food Pantry, since local charities are suffering due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
• HOLIDAY PARTY: Karl is coordinating. Mary Jo will arrange children's surprises. We will be following the same format as last year, which was inexpensive and quite successful! Messiah Lutheran Church is reserved for December 11, 2001. Motion passed for Mary Jo to buy approximately 70 items for around $3 each to hand out to neighborhood kids attending the festivities.
• LVM Parent/Teacher Organization: Steve Foy sought the commitment of the association to back the PTO when they approach the city regarding traffic congestion and lack of safety considerations for children around Elvehjem Elementary. (Editor's note: Parents, please observe prudent speed limits after dropping off your children. Remember other children are in the area and deserve your concern!)
• HOLIDAY LIGHTS/DECORATING CONTEST: Board approved another contest this year, since last year was so much fun. Let's see more contestants this year. Board hopes to find a talented neighbor to contribute a prize again this year! Sue Dow will coordinate.
• SWEETHEART DANCE: To be held 2/22/02 (Friday, Feb. 22, 2002) at the Elvehjem Elementary School from 7-11 p.m. Children under 14 MUST have a parent with them. Do not drop off your children and leave. Motion passed to charge $2 per person, children 13 and under get in free. This will be a food drive, please think about bringing a non-perishable food item.
• WEB STUFF: The Elvehjem Neighborhood was one of only a few invited to a roundtable discussion hosted by Madison Newspapers. Discussion focused on a new service MNI hopes to bring to neighborhoods and communities. Dean K. attended the meeting. Madison Newspapers is willing to allow the neighborhood to have its own web page on the Madison Newspapers server for free. Message boards, spots for photos, etc. would be included. MNI staff would ensure conversations posted on the potential site are appropriate. Also, Echo articles could be posted there and archived for viewing. Our domain name could point to the web site put together by MNI. Dean and Michele will call a meeting of the web committee soon.
• RESIGNATION RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED: Mary Jo B. resigned after over three years of excellent service. She will still be active as a volunteer.
• Meeting adjourned 9:35 p.m. Next meeting Nov. 7 at Dennis S.'s house.