January 2021 EPNA Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 6:31 PM via Zoom.

Welcome and introductions.

Approval of December meeting minutes:

• Motion made by Catie, seconded, and passed to approve the meeting minutes for December.

New Officers

Alex Swenson – Treasurer

Cooper Talbot – Co-Chair

Zack Brewer – Secretary (unofficial tech support)

501(c)(3)

Alex looking into this. Got documents from former treasurer. Inquired if anyone in the association has experience with this. Rek volunteered to help. Catie offered that Jenny Rodriguez does financials for SaSy neighborhood might help.

Google Workspaces

Mark asked if we would use gmail instead of web provider. Zack responded likely.

Alder Abbas’ Updates:

• Oscar Meyer still in negotiation with city for buying 15 acres land. Land is contaminated. Alder Abbas is advocating for cleaning the contamination.
• Union Cab has meeting with Alder.
• EV charging ordinance passed.
  • Only for new construction.
• PFAS 70k parts per trillion in Starkweather Creek.
  • Has expressed frustration with DNR over enforcement of regulations.
  • City is an involved party.
• Election for District Alder will be in April.
• County Special Election
  • Three diverse candidates.

Open Comments:

• Maggie:
  • Thanks to Narik/Anne and ULI, EPNA now has some items from Ella’s Deli.
    • Will need to go in storage.
• Eken Park Playground Renovation
  • Maggie:
    • Eken Park Playground being renovated. New accessible path. Woodchips not rubber. City found caterpillar and hamburger UFO replacements. Open bids in May, hopefully done by summer. Natural play area requires fundraising. $2000 donation would likely be enough.
  • Kieth and Treva: 
    • Attended both Eken Park meetings. Attendees pushed to keep old equipment. City will not keep, but found some new replacements. City can implement natural play area if other equipment is sacrificed, or a donation can be made to keep all. Should we ask for funds from the neighborhood, or from the association. City can’t give old equipment unless we can make it “non-usable”.  https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects/eken-park-playground-improvements
  • Catie: 
    • We can commit to making old playground equipment “non-usable”.
    • Proposes fundraising for half and having EPNA match. Maybe fundraise during festival.
  • Kaitlyn: 
    • American Family will match 100% of donations to 501(c)(3)
    • Recommended caution regarding motion to donate.
  • Kelly: 
    • When is the $2000 needed?
  • Keith: 
    • They want a commitment that we will raise money immediately. City needs the funds by May.
    • Friends of Madison Parks is the recipient of the funds. They are a 501(c)(3), maybe American Family will match to them.
  • Alex will look into matching with Friends of Madison Parks.
  • Maggie will reach out for more information, photos of natural area, and ask for more time from city.
  • Syed offered to help with park re: city.

Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.