Maple Prairie Neighborhood Association (MPNA)

Meeting Minutes

16 Jul 2012

7-9PM, 2929 Maple View Drive

1)Introduction by MPNA President Matt Hansen

  1. Report given on MPNA financials by Monica Launder. The organization currently has $1939.35.
  2. Officer introduction

President – Matt Hanson

Vice President – Mike Bormett

Treasurer –Monica Launder

Secretary – Denise Raterman

  1. The need to get information out about the association and increase communication between Maple-Prairie residents was discussed. MPNA collects e-mails to send e-mail blasts about events and distribute information. Information about MPNA is also posted on the website. The MPNA is looking into getting block captains to go door to door to solicit e-mails.
  2. Purpose of the MPNA: Most recently, the MPNA has been addressing issues with fence construction. Residents intending to put up a fence should draft proposal and send to architectural control to be evaluated. The Maple Grove neighborhood has covenant restrictions while the Prairie Hills neighborhood does not. MPNA also provides a forum for landlords with various concerns.
  3. Some potential events to be sponsored by the MPNA were discussed such as the 4th of July picnic, garage sale and block party. Volunteers to organize these types of events are needed. The MPNA is also looking for volunteers to fill the MPNA officer positions.

2)Discussion from Matt Phair, the local alderman on recent events and initiatives

  1. The SouthWest safety initiative: Aimed at crime and crime prevention in targeted neighborhoods identified by the Neighborhood Resource Teams. The initiative provides funds for police overtime to do preventative tasks such as provide police presence on buses, targeted patrol, and working with landlords with increased number of crimes.
  2. Burglaries/ Home invasions: May want to contact Matt as well as police.
  3. Madison Meet and Eat: Located on vacant lot near Walgreens on Raymond for several Thursdays in summer from 5-7:30. Food carts from State Street are brought in to the neighborhood.
  4. Partnership/Collaboration between city and school district: Explores what the city/county can do to support/make school district stronger.
  5. If you have a need to contact Matt, his number is 772-1187.

3)Discussion from previous Alderman, Steve King

  1. Several construction projects have been slated or are currently underway

-Highway M construction scheduled for 2015 completion

-County Highway PD from Highway M to Copps won’t be done until 2017

-Lot on the corner of Maple Grove and County Highway PD so far only construction slated to go in is an extension of the Stone Creek apartment complex – zoned for mixed use and residential

-Extending High point road to PD not going to happen at this time

-Intersection of PD and M will be a traffic circle

  1. Burglaries

-Burglaries on Ice Age Corridor were crimes of opportunity

-Neighbors need to look out for each other

4)Floor was opened for questions from residents for the Aldermen:

  1. Island maintenance – some residents in attendance have attended to the traffic islands and done some maintenance such as pulling weeds. These individualsasked if the city can provide bark. They would also like to add plants. They were interested in finding people that may want to donate plants for the islands. It is possible that MPNA could provide some contribution to this effort.
  2. Maple Grove sign islands need to be maintained. Volunteers are needed to undertake this effort.
  3. The upcoming traffic calming plan is to paint lines along the sides of Prairie Road. Matt and Steve are thinking about working on getting signs that post car speeds as they go by.

5)Quality of life issues

  1. Resident Dave Wolmutt spoke on his recent experience with crime in the neighborhood
  2. A Madison police office was present at the meeting and spoke about safety/crime.

-There have been an increased number of burglaries in the past 6 weeks. For one particular series of crimes, the police department currently thinks they have identified the people responsible. The police department isalso trying to ID people caught on a security camera.

-The officer gave several tips that would decreasethe potential for a crime to occur. One tip was to not make yourself a target bydoing such things as keeping cars locked and first story windows locked. Also people in the neighborhood need to watch out for each other and report suspicious activity.

-Police want allincidents reported. Increased numbers of thefts in regions will be briefed in police meetings.

  1. The attendees discussed nuisance properties with the Madison police Department officer. If a house has 3 offenses in 90 days, the property will be declared a nuisance property. If a house has become a problem, good documentation should be kept such as keeping a log, callingthe police, and tapingthe noise/disturbance. The more evidence that is collected the easier it is to evict.

6)A list of MPNA action items was formalized at the end of the meeting. These include the following:

  1. Form a group to work on traffic islands
  2. Expand communication and increase e-mail lists for MPNA residents

-Block captains will go door to door

-These lists will used to communicate information about the formation of a neighborhood watch