At the meeting this Friday morning, Mayor Lois called the meeting to order at 7.35 a.m. starting with a roll call: Mayor Claude Lois, David Torgler, Mary Brensinger, Jack Eckola, John Ekes, Kevin McKillip, John Smith, Tom Stelling, Bill Stone and Jenny Trick. Excused: Dennis Spankowski. Absent: Mike Hohner.

Official Oaths. All members according to Section 19.0 of the Wisconsin Statute must take an official oath. Therefore, Beverly Gill, City Clerk administered the official oath to all the members present.

Logistics. Mayor Lois suggested that the meeting dates continue on the 4^th Friday of each month and asked the committee members if the meeting time was convenient. It was agreed that the meeting date and time (7:30 a.m.) was appropriate.

Brief Overview of Master Plan Document. Mayor Lois offered a general overview of the history of the Master Plan document. Additionally, he indicated the potential for establishing sub-committees to work on specific tasks as identified within the implementation timeline. Additionally, Mayor Lois indicated that it may be beneficial to retain consultants that have the specific skills to assist with the implementation tasks, i.e., parking assessments.

David Torgler referred the committee members to the prepared binders that would be retained by the committee versus the committee member. He then offered a general history of the Master Plan, how it had been developed and identified the various committees that participated in its development and review. Tom Stelling questioned the development of the boundaries of the Master Plan area and wondered if the parameters could be modified. Mr. Torgler indicated that they potentially could, but requested that the committee concentrate within the existing boundaries. After further discussion, it was requested that an invitation be extended to Scott Chesney of the Vandewalle & Associates to offer a general overview of the Master Plan document and related issues.

Mr. Torgler drew the committee’s attention to the goals of the Plan, citing the importance of the downtown, traffic circulation, land use and important downtown and community destinations. He further discussed the SEWRPC study recommending a bi-pass facility to reduce the gridlock within the community. Additional discussion included the zoning requirements of the downtown, lack of parking, visual character of the downtown area and infrastructure programs recently approved by the Common Council.

Relative to the parking subject, Mr. Torgler referred to a parking space usage study completed by the Burlington Police Department. He stated that the resulting study indicated that the core area, Pine, Chestnut and Commerce Streets are heavily used. However, within a block area on Milwaukee, Washington, Dodge or Jefferson, there is available parking, just simply not in the appropriate areas.

As the discussions progressed, the committee members concurred that it was appropriate to invite a consultant to discuss the parking concerns and how best to pay for any improvements that resulted from an assessment.

Mr. Torgler asked the committee members about the potential for erecting a parking structure within the downtown area. Many members believed it would not be aesthetically pleasing or safe. The cost of a two-story parking structure ranged from $8-10,000 per space. The committee members concurred that improvements should be completed at the Washington Street parking lot, with the removal of utility poles and half-walls delineating various property ownership. Discussions returned to the need to improve existing parking lots, determine the appropriate area for potentially new lots and how to pay for the aforementioned.

Adjournment. Jack Eckola motioned and Bill Stone seconded to adjourn. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

Recording Secretary – Jenny Trick, RCEDC