Meeting Minutes from the May Eken Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

EPNA May 7, 2020 meeting minutes

Meeting called to order at 6:31 PM.

Welcome and introductions.

It was noted that this is the first ever virtual EPNA meeting. There was no meeting in April due to covid-19 (coronavirus) restrictions.

Approval of February meeting minutes:

Update on Eken Park Festival:

The festival has not been cancelled and is scheduled to take place Saturday, August 15. If it is not held, the neighborhood association is not going to lose any money for the city permits that have been applied for. The committee is still floating alternatives in the event the festival is not allowed to take place.

Update on Ella’s Deli site:

Anne M. reported the project is moving along. It will be a mixed use project, primarily residential. It will be 4-5 stories tall with setbacks and with a mural on the East Washington Ave. side. The plan for landscaping is native plants and trees along E. Washington and North Lawn. There has been a request for a traffic impact study.

Green Space Committee update:

All medians in Eken Park have been adopted, and the city will reimburse up to $250.00 for plantings/maintenance. Ben S. volunteered to maintain the historical marker.

Oscar Mayer Special Area Plan updates:

The city’s Transportation Policy and Planning Board approved the OMSAP with an amendment that there be full bicycle/pedestrian access to Coolidge St. eastbound from Packers, and that there be limited vehicle access into Eken Park from the proposed intersection of Coolidge St. and Packers Avenue. This give the neighborhood time to suggest options other than a 4 way full access intersection.
Alder Abbas is working with the Friends of Hartmeyer to come up with a third middle ground proposal to save more of the existing wetland from development.

Gateway Committee updates:

Erika is working on the sculptures and installation will take place sometime this summer. The Gateway is the intersection of E. Washington and E. Johnson streets.

Alder Syed Abbas updates:

Still in the process of negotiations with Kwik Trip that have been going on for about a year to purchase property for the Yahara bike path trail. Also working with Friends of Hartmeyer as noted above.
There has been no movement on the part of Dunkin Donuts with their proposal to move into the old KFC building on E. Washington Avenue.

Open discussion:

Clean Water/Safe Skies has not given up and is still working to prevent the F-35s from coming to Madison.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County at the Northside Town Center is a resource for residents that need assistance.
There was a request made to post the phone-in number for any future EPNA Zoom meetings.
A motion was made that the EPNA officers explore options for virtual meetings. If needed, approval to spend up to $100 for a subscription for the next calendar year for a virtual meeting service. Motion passed.

Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM.