Minutes from the July 9, 2012 6:30 pm
Meeting of
The mission of the
Raymond Duncan, organizer of the Projects and Planning Committee, called the meeting to order at 6:38 PM. Everyone was asked to introduce themselves and talk about any good news.
1. Mary Andres talked about the
work of the Projects and Planning Committee from the previous month. They made
a survey and use it to inventory property appearance using a sample, each
choosing a block. Mary talked about how neighbors need paint for the outside of
their home, some need a new roof, and some need new porches. The Projects and
Planning Committee were contacted by Teig Whaley-Smith
from Washington Park Partners and we requested that he present his idea.
2. Teig Whaley-Smith from
Washington Park Partners was introduced and explained the previous work of
Washington Park Partners. They sponsor several events around
He explained the idea of a Neighborhood Improvement District. This is new under a new law passed. He explained how it is similar to a Business Improvement District (with some changes). Every property owner would be assessed $50.00 on their tax bill, per unit (example, duplex $50.00 times 2 equals $100.00). Owners of apartments will also be assessed (max $500 per property). $160,000 total would be raised, per year in this manner. The board for the Neighborhood Improvement District can decide if we want to sunset the Neighborhood Improvement District, or have a special vote for it to continue. The breakdown of how money would be spent is the following:
Park Partners for staff working on projects. $40,000 project sponsorships,
such as the Vliet Street Community Green
Farmer’s Market, West Side Guide, and etc. $80,000 for home owners (must
live in property). Neighbors had questions on how it would operate, what the
money would be spent on and who would be eligible. Whaley-Smith explained how
many programs that are out there today are geared for new homeowners, but not
for homeowners that have lived in the property for several years. One neighbor
asked if there would be income restrictions. Whaley-Smith said there would not.
He explained how the neighborhood can plan how to spend the money through committees
with Washington Park Partners and decide because it would be our money. He said
the City of
Under a Neighborhood Improvement District, there would be 15 board members to manage funds that require a vote of the neighborhood to elect people to the board. The board would be made up of ten owner-occupied members (neighbors) and five commercial property owners (preferably that live in the neighborhood). They vote separately on issues before them.
Whaley-Smith said that in a Business Improvement District assessed property
values can increase. This would be the second Neighborhood Improvement District
in
One neighbor suggested $50 might not be enough. Whaley-Smith said that this is a manageable fee for homeowners and that it will not automatically increase (not a percent). One neighbor asked if interest free loans or extended payment loans could be available for neighbors rather than grants. Whaley-Smith said this is possible because we can decide how the money is spent.
Another neighbor asked what we do
with property owners that probably should not be property owners. Whaley-Smith
said this is an incentive, but using Code Compliance will be a
“stick”.
Whaley-Smith explained how the approval
process requesting that we develop a Neighborhood Improvement District for a
targeted area including
Our Martin Drive Neighborhood
Association task is to review, discuss and then vote on this idea. Due to
funding deadlines, we will need to vote on if we as an Association support this
at our September meeting.
3. The neighborhood Summer Sizzle
Potluck Picnic is July 28th at the Martin Drive Community Gardens
(46th & Vliet) Noon to 4 p.m. Raymond
said that Evites went out to neighbors (make sure you
are on martin-drive@yahoogroups.com)
He is looking for a grill near 46th Street, and neighbors to help
setup, take down. Neighbors would setup the tents early so that they can go
home and clean up before the picnic starts at Noon. Please contact raymond.duncan@gmail.com ASAP if you
can share a grill.
4. There are concerts at the
Washington Park Band shell 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. There is a flier at www.martin-drive.org
5. The Vliet
Street Community Green Farmers Market is at the
6. Steve the “Garden
Guy” needs people to help in the
7. Linda Devitt
said there is roughly $5000 in the Martin Drive Neighborhood Association
checking account. Raymond said recent expenses should be $75 per meeting at
8. Alderman Michael Murphy said
that the vacant boarded property on
He said local businesses are
hiring workers.
He said the Governor’s race
did not help us when it was said that
A neighbor asked about assessed
property values going down this year. Murphy said that they have gone down 12%.
The tax levy for the city is expected to increase up to a max of 1.5%. If your
property has gone down more than 12% you could pay less property taxes (for the city portion).
Murphy said he is working with
Common Ground and the 5 major banks that were a part of the Foreclosure Crisis.
Private money was used to rehab 3 homes to sell and employ young people to help
maintain properties.
Murphy says that between housing
prices and interest rates being at a 40 year low, it is a great time to buy a
home in the City of
Murphy was pleased with the first
Murphy said that trade jobs need
employees. They do not go to a 4 year university. He said you cannot outsource
a steamfitter. You cannot outsource a carpenter.
9. The Neighborhood Rummage Sale
is this Saturday. You can still register by calling
10. Please watch your email for a
Candidate Forum, being scheduled for a date in August. We will have for the
first time in a while no incumbent Wisconsin Assembly Person or Wisconsin State
Senator to elect. Many new candidates are running for both positions. The
primary election is August 14th.
The meeting ended at 7:52 p.m.
Our next meeting will be on September
10th 2012, 6:30 p.m. at the