Minutes for December 14, 2015

Date: Monday, December 14, 2015 – 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church, 518 N. Franklin Avenue
Attendance: 14

Announcements/Reports

1. Fall Pumpkin Party
   The fall Pumpkin Party was held on October 31 at Jake and Kate Austin’s house. They didn’t break last year’s record for lit pumpkins, but they did have over 20 pumpkins on their porch which made an awesome display. The chili and other potluck foods were delicious and all that attended had a great time. Thanks Jake and Kate for hosting.
2. Happy Hour at Blue Moon
   The RBNA held an informal happy hour gathering at the Blue Moon on Monday, October 26th. About 14 to 16 neighbors attended and everyone thought that it was a fun evening out. A decision was made to schedule RBNA happy hour events the second Monday of the each month that follows our quarterly meetings. Accordingly, our next happy hour will be at the Blue Moon on Monday, January 11th starting @ 6:30pm.
3. Snowman Contest
   As previously discussed, RBNA is having a Snowman Building Contest this winter (assuming the weather helps out and sends us some snow). To participate, just build a snowman in your yard, snap a picture of your creation, then upload the picture to the Rocky Bluff Neighborhood Facebook page facebook.com/RockyBluffMadison or e-mail the picture to RBNA at rockybluffna@gmail.com. The winner will be decided by popular vote.

Discussion Items

1. Officer Elections
   The current officers’ two-year terms will end in April 2016. RBNA will take nominations for officers at the March 14, 2016 Quarterly Meeting and the vote will be held at the Annual Meeting on April 11.The current officers are: Erik Haroldson, President; Jason Mack, Vice-President; Carolyn Janette, Treasurer; and Betty Bauhs, SecretaryErik Haroldson and Jason Mack have both served one term and are therefore eligible for a second term. They both are open to stepping down to allow someone new to take over as President and Vice-President; however, they will also consider another term if no one is interested.

   We will need a new Treasurer as Carolyn Janette has served two-terms and the RBNA by-laws limit officers to two terms. Betty Bauhs said she is willing to run for the Treasurer position.

   The Secretary position will be left open and will need to be filled with a new volunteer.

   Tasks: RBNA Members: Consider running for an RBNA office.

2. Neighborhood Happy Hour
   The group agreed the RBNA happy hour we held in October was a fun outing and a good way to meet and get to know your neighbors better. There was a suggestion to schedule a RBNA happy hour the second Monday of the month following our quarterly meetings. The next happy hour will be at the Blue Moon on Monday, January 11th starting @ 6:30pm.Tasks: RBNA, send reminder to members 1-2 weeks before happy hour.
3. Open Discussion
   Quarry Park Meeting: The group had a general discussion about the Quarry Park planning meeting held by the City of Madison immediately before the RNBA meeting. At the meeting, the City provided a draft plan that would segregate walking trails in a small section located in the middle of the park and the outer portion of the park would be designated as biking. The map as well as meeting notes are on the city’s web page: http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/parks/park.cfm?id=1355 . Please send your comments and opinions to Kate Kane at kkane@cityofmadison.com.Friends of Quarry Park: Discussion of the possibility of starting a Friends of Quarry Park group. This has been talked about in the past; however, we have not found anyone willing to organize and run the group. Suggestion to include Sunset Village Neighborhood in upcoming Quarry Park projects.RBNA List Serve: Tim Schneider recommended moving our RBNA list-serve function to an existing, larger neighborhood-focused system using www.nextdoor.com. The current RBNA list-serve is not very active; the new service is better looking, better organized and has more activity because it serves a larger neighborhood area. He will send info about how to join the new service to the current RBNA list-serve members. If there is a general consensus it is a good replacement, we will discontinue the RBNA list-serve.

   Neighborhood Crime: Last weekend there was a rash of property crime in our area. The targets were mostly unlocked cars and homes. Be sure to lock all car doors and house doors. Ridge Street Pedestrian Safety: Jake Austin requested discussing what could be done to improve the safety of pedestrians on Ridge Street at an upcoming RBNA meeting.

   Shorewood New Building Construction: Toby shared that Shorewood has approved several new buildings along the University Avenue corridor. They are planned to be 4-5 stories high.

   Tasks: RBNA List-Serve: 1) Tim- Send information about new service to RBNA List-Serve Members.

   Next Meeting: Monday, March 14, 6:30-8:00 p.m., First Baptist Church, 518 N. Franklin Avenue.