LOCATION: Lincoln Middle School

Tuesday, 5/24/16 - 6 PM LOCATION: Lincoln Middle School Cafeteria - 9th and Ferry End of year Pot Luck – bring a dish to pass.

Call to order: 6:25 PM

ATTENDANCE: Deanna Wachter, Pris Hecox, Sister Rose Elsbernd, Sandra Hoeser, Dale Norris, Audrey Kader, Sister Marie Kyle, Kelly Krieg-Sigman, Tess Sibley, Janice Hauswirth, Robert Haavind, Kat Grodevant, Nancy Johnson, Sister Ladonna Kassmeyer, Vickie Unferth, Jo Ann Neve, Tim Acklin.

GUEST – Tim Acklin/City Planning Discussion on Zoning Washburn zoning history: WNA wanted to rezone majority of the neighborhood to single family. Based on the high landlord population concerns, the Washburn Zoning was created by Legal as a mediation, allowing single family and duplex, but triplex and above required a CUP (Conditional Use Permit). Some architectural control was also worked in. However the Multi-Family Housing Design Standards, enacted after the Washburn Zoning was created supercedes architectural design and is actually more strict. The goal was to lower density. Several years ago the city amended zoning so only single-family structures are permitted, so now even a duplex needs a CUP. R1 zoning does not allow duplex. Question from membership on the CUP process? An application is made to the city. Everyone within 200 feet is notified of the change. Residents have the opportunity to speak for or against in public hearings. Objections are taken seriously if a clear reason is identified – safety, health, parking, density. The Council has the final vote. CUP’s are not a right. They are considered privileges and can have conditions attached. Conditions that might be considered is a 1-year review, or rescinded if serious issues arise, or if ownership changes requiring the CUP to be reapplied for. City Planning had been in the process of reevaluating existing CUP’s. There is no process in code to rescind a CUP unless it was built into the original CUP. CUP application fee is in the range of $350.00. Once issued, the CUP is attached to the property. A CUP does not expire, however, there is the possibility of revising a CUP if property is no longer used as the CUP intended. Updates are being worked on now to correct that. Questions on zoning go to City Planning. The property at 4th and Division was discussed. Formerly owned by Z’s Lawn and Landscape, and sold to Dahl Ford. Zoning and CUP will be researched by Tim.

City Planning meeting is always Monday, 4 PM, the week before the Common Council meeting. In addition, there may be an additional meeting for Judiciary and Administration which is the next Tuesday at 7:30 PM. Both allow for public input. Membership question on fencing? Bldg permit for fence is required. Digger’s hotline is not required, but always strongly recommended. The rule now is a fence can be replaced where it is as long as it’s not within 3 feet of another house, if it’s vinyl or metal. If it’s wood they need the permission of neighbor. If both property owners agree, it can go on the property line. Fences are a maximum of four foot solid on the lower and 2 foot lattice above. Tim recommended contacting Dave Reinhart in City Planning/Inspections with questions. Question from membership on fire pits. Permits are issued by the Fire Department. A fire pits must be 10 feet from house. Craig Snyder would be the contact for permits.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve by Kelly, 2nd by Janice. Passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT Beginning Balance April 26 $4,926.30 Income: Rain barrel sales 455.00 Garden rentals 130.00 +585.00 Expenses: Bank Service Charge 3.00 Roxanne (new logo) 300.00 Plants for garden 97.36 -400.36 Ending Balance May 24 $5,511.30

We also received a note from Roxanne thanking us for acknowledging her time and effort. Motion to accept by Sandra. Second by Pris. Passed unanimously

CITY, COUNTY and NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION UPDATES

Audrey – City Planning always encourages potential property owners to work with their council person and neighborhood assoc. Property next door to Audrey is going to be a PROMISE house with 1.5 story, 4 bedroom with possibility of 5th, and must be residential (owner-occupied). Till’s property being followed up by Audrey and Fire Dept. After the last pass of inspections, there are 7 garages identified and potentially coming down. Parking on lawns is also being looked at closely. Parking on lawns is not permitted if it can be seen from the street. Parking in back yards does not violate the ordinance, because it’s normally not visible from the street. Garbage situation is also being looked at closely. If you know of properties with issues, please call Brandon Shay/Isle LaPlume.

Bob - Neighborhood Revitalization Commission – brochures are available “Need Help With Your Home”. Brochures are available through City Planning, or contact Jo Ann and she will get copies. There is the possibility of a multi-family housing development, but they are waiting for more information. Next meeting is June 6th. Public is welcome. 6 PM, City Hall 3rd floor conference room.

NEW BUSINESS: Kelly thanked the membership for plantings around the library. She is intends to pursue some type of plaque or signage to acknowledging the garden work being done by the WNA. The Strategic Planning Project is starting to close in on the final recommendations. Information can be found on the La Crosse Library website. There is a link to the results of the strategic planning exercises that is available to read. It’s a lot of data, indicating a lot of additional services, but no general consensus on how that is accomplished. The final results may be delayed to September. Kelly would like to host one of our meetings at the Library next year, including a tour and treats. Friends of the Library Organization is getting estimates on freshening some of the other plantings and bushes. We are free to do whatever we want in the remaining planters.

Perennial sale June 4th for Habitat fundraiser.

Pris: There has been no activity on the beautification of 6th & Market (American Legion). The Eagles organization has sold their building downtown and will be renting from the VFW. Vickie will follow up with Bernie on what is planned. UPDATES: City Park and Rec 5-year Plan. Vickie: Our comments were passed on to the Neighborhood Leadership group, but nothing has come back. Audrey spoke with the staff person below Steve. They are working through the plan items. Houska usage is huge for people with dogs and there is always activity. Audrey proposed we have a summer gathering down there. Pick a date. There are picnic tables available and a shelter house. Do we have the resources to assist financially? If you compare the riverfront condition, compared to Riverside Park, there is a drastic difference, even though both have great riverfront exposure. Audrey suggested we contact Parks Dept. and have them do a presentation for us.

Kelly asked that everyone check out the Cargil-Pettibone House improvements. The changes have been drastic!

ONGOING BUSINESS: Grant-Writing Committee - No report. Marketing Committee – Sr. Ladonna: The Safelite fundraiser “Light up the Neighborhood” will be July 22, 11AM – 2 PM at Safelite on 4th & Division. Radio station 94.7 classic hits will provide broadcast on location. There is a monetary amount of $660 which includes 20 ads. We received $60 in gift cards from Kwik Trip to purchase items. Possibly a performance by Beats of Freedom drum group. Menu will be pizza and ice cream floats. No charge – donations only. Looking for recommendations on a pizza source. Suggestion for Kramers Bar, Pizza Doctor or Dominos. Would be good to have the ability to stage delivery times so pizza would always be hot and fresh. We would have brochures available with neighborhood info. Need volunteers to help set up tables and serve food. Sister Ladonna will check on availability of chairs from St. Rose. Also need someone to design flyers. We will use our aprons. Membership suggestion that sandwiches (like Jimmy John’s) might be more appealing than hot pizza on a hot day. That would present challenges of what type of sandwiches, condiments, etc. and might be too challenging. Suggestion on just ice cream, but the incentive for people to stop would be very low, because they would still have to go somewhere else to get lunch. Suggestion on hot dogs, but that would also present challenges with condiments, and possible liability with us preparing the food. Garden Committee – Jo Ann: We have confirmation we are part of the Neighborhood Garden Tour on July 23rd. Gardeners have been put on notice to spruce up, and anyone who wants to be available to talk about their garden should be on-site that day. We are waiting for payment from one gardener to wrap up the funds. Hunger Task Force has donated seeds to our garden. They are in the shed and free to all gardeners. We also received a huge supply of plants left from the WTC plant sale. And we have been offered an additional 10 plants as a participant in the Neighborhood Garden Tour. The new watering plan is still being implemented and almost complete. A tire with sand has been placed in the garden for children. One additional garden box was constructed for FSPA sisters. Neighborhood Plan Revision Committee – Vickie: no report but members would be meeting immediately after our WNA meeting to set up the next meeting date. Food Forest ground breaking took place in a snowstorm. There has been one additional meeting since then. The organization is looking for volunteers. An e-mail will be sent out to neighborhood members. Work would initially be spreading cardboard, mulch, dirt, then later planting, and once or twice a month to water/weed. Minimal harvesting the first year because the plants being designed will not produce for a year or two. There are 56 different species, including trees, shrubs, herbs, mushroom log, strawberries, and other vegetables. 2016 Annual Yard Sale, June 11 – Jo Ann: Thanked membership for distributing the door hangers. We currently have 13 sales identified. Participants from last year have not yet been contacted, as the deadline is June 1. The church will be participating with a bake sale and pulled pork sandwiches. ANNOUNCEMENTS and ADJOURN National Night Out is scheduled for August 2 in the Assisi Courtyard at Viterbo. Attendance is usually around 200 people. WNA traditionally arranges and covers the cost for Hugs the clown. Food is being taken care of. Tent provided by FSPA. Watch for your invitation. Would still like to work on forming neighborhood watch groups. WNA will also be donating a door prize.

Habitat plant sale June 4th 9-4.

Wesley Methodist Church on 8th and King is doing some major landscaping. Check it out.

The Book Drive for the little library planned for the corner of Washburn House on 10th & Ferry needs books – children through teens.

Suggestion by Audrey – can a general e-mail be sent to the membership with dates of all the activities over the summer? Will also post on the website and on facebook.

Suggestion for a retirememt gift for Dale (our Lincoln Custodian) $25DMI gift certificate. Motion by Audrey, 2nd by Pris. Passed unanimously.

Motion to adjourn by Sister Rose. 2nd by Sandra. Adjourned 7:45 PM.

Meeting dates for 2016/2017 (all meetings start at 6 pm):

Tentative: 9/27/16, 10/25/16, 12/13/16, 1/24/17, 2/28/17, Garden Expo 3/11/17, 4/25/17, 5/23/17

Reminder: contact a board member with concerns or ideas for future speakers. Vickie Unferth 782-5846 Sr Ladonna Kassmeyer 784-4244 Nancy Johnson 788-3304 Jo Ann Neve 386-1482

Check us out at www.washburnneighborhood.org Or Facebook at Washburn-Neighborhood-in-La-Crosse