1. Reports on seeding:

   Laura reported that the section of path closest to Midvale Heights has now been seeded from Midvale Blvd. to the Beltline bridge, from 5 feet off the path to the tree line ( approximately 2 acres in all), with a broad mix of 40-50 species. Laura and Sue also did some seeding in the Allied area, using a mix of shorter plants ( as requested by the neighborhood police), and covered a very weedy stretch on the west side of the path between Verona Rd. and Lovell Lane. They also seeded a short stretch on the east side of the path close to Verona Rd. Paula Gibson ( of Project Home) referred Laura to Jane Kuzma, who indicated that the Project Home landscaping would not have a conflict with seeding in this area, and Jane indicated an interest in working with us to coordinate plantings closer to the Project Home landscaping project. Laura and Sue noted a large amount of litter near the path, and broken glass on the path in several spots. Giant ragweed is also a big problem in the Allied area. Sue reported some planting on the knotweed hill. Char indicated that neighbors in that area had hoped to eventually plant evergreen of some sort there. An idea of an adopt a tree has been advanced. There was a question about Bill Barkers availability to spray new growth in the spring. Suggestions of a weed pulling team and additional information from Scott Sauer, DNR, regarding this and garlic mustard. Char asked if we could mobilize folks to spread the bark on the muddy areas where people, dogs and bikes enter into the woods off the path to prevent further erosion. (she will put up signs and buckets soon)

2. Next meeting:

   Sue Reindollar will organize the next meeting March 19, 7:00 p.m., Dudgeon Center

3. Article on Rules of the Path:

   Ann to write and send to Sue, Laura and Paul for dissemination to neighborhood newsletters. Should include problem of dog poop.

4. Cami, Peterson: Glenwood Children's Park (GCP) and Kiosks:

   Cami is coordinating with Friends of Lake Wingra (FOLW). She proposes they fund kiosk at Wingra Park, we put one at GCP, share space. Design is in progress. They will be 3-sided kiosks with items covered by plexiglass. The GCP kiosk would provide 1 side for FOLW map of watershed & path, 1 side for neighborhood and path information, 1 side for Park information. We would like volunteers to help build the kiosk. City would install but we would need to pay half of costs. City would not be responsible for graffiti cleanup. There was discussion of the MG&E dollars for the one at Glenway and seeking materials or funds from Home Depot.

5. Bylaws for Friends:

   Ann and Char have several samples. They really are pretty straightforward and it would not be too difficult to draft proposed bylaws for Friends. But we're not sure that we want to propose bylaws to the April public meeting. We remain uncertain whether we are ready for this formality, and able to come up with officers for the organization.

6. Friends e-mail list:

   Mark has had a number of bounce back problems. Most of these were caused by the collapse of the Home.com site. Several have since been clarified.

7. GCP access:

   Paul summarized: Larry Nelson recently emailed that a proposed access through from Gregory Street to the Path through the Playground area of GCP is a Parks matter. Si Widstrand replied that this is a Path question, and thus a matter for Engineering. Tony Fernandez has indicating that no Path funding will be available, but that he is willing to continue to help try to find a way.

   Discussion: an access for that neighborhood IS needed. We should not give up on it. Cami, as DMNA Parks Chair, will support the access proposal. We should mobilize opinion in favor of the access, especially from the neighborhood south and west of the Park, and communicate it to the City, and we should get Alder support. We should try to get a more detailed design done, and enlist Tony's aid in getting official support and to figuring out funding.

   There is also the question of the Odana access (from the Path to the Golf Course parking lot to Odana Road). This also remains a priority. But Laura feels it's best to keep the two access questions separate since the latter may be accomplished as part of an MGE buried transmission line project.

8. Cami: GCP split rail fence:

   She feels we don't need the split rail fence along the Path.

   Sue: raises question of erosion control along the steep bank dropping down from the playground side of GCP. It would be good to discuss this problem with Tony.

9. Annual meeting:

   We will try for May 1 (Wed.) Char will check locations: Church on Midvale beside Path, Thoreau or Cherokee Schools (or Glenwood Moravian Church) Set now for Midvale Baptist Church at 7:30

10. Newsletter coverage important. Sue will do article for Hornblower. Laura will do one for the Midvale Heights newsletter. Paul will forward an article to the Westmorland neighborhood association.

11. Discussion of meeting format:

    It was generally decided that there would be announcements on topics with the key person available for further discussion in small groups. The following topics were listed:

    • Project Home project plan: Presentation by Jane Kuzma (Laura to invite) This will keep the Allied neighborhood in our Friends of the Path sphere of attention.

    • Spring clean up and planting activities

    • Bike activities - Mark

    • Invasive weeds - Bill Barker is available to come to the May 1 meeting to explain about spraying, maybe encourage others to get certified? Maybe gets some posters form Kelly

    • Rules of the path - Ann

    • Kiosks - Cami

    • Naming issue raise again? Char will consult Ken and Mark will ask Dave Dryer. There remains sentiment among our group for changing the name, especially to avoid the impression that the Path is for bicycles and not pedestrians. But we should not bring to the big meeting unless there is some specific process and prospect of success.

    • Way-finding or information signs? (Mark interested in this.) Ann expresses interest; DMNA transportation committee might help.

    • The issue of the Breese Terrace, Monroe, Regent intersection. Possible roundabout. The missing link connection between Randall Ave. and Lake Monona: we should ask Tony, who is working on this, whether this is ripe for some kind of public presentation/discussion. We want to find ways to effectively support the link.

    • We probably need to make it possible for people to contribute money. Do a MOU with DMNA or another neighborhood? Discussion: it's OK for now to work thru the several neighborhood associations at this time. (We can revisit this later as it may be needed..) At this time no need for by laws

    • Path plowing on agenda? We'll see whether it seems relevant. Mark says the question of plowing will be on PBMVC agenda sooner (he will notify us of that date as soon as he knows).

    • Encroachment letters went out

    These ideas for the May 1 public meeting will be further discussed and developed at the March 19 meeting.

Meeting notes by Paul Beckett and Mark Shahan

http://www.dmna.org/bikepath/bike_friends_minutes_012902.shtml
Last Modified: 03-Feb-08 05:53 PM

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