ENA Board Meeting
December 11, 2024 7PM
1626 7th Avenue SE
Members Present
Sherry Chilcutt (President, on the phone), Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bayle
1) Approval of the minutes
The November 13th meeting minutes were approved unanimously as submitted.
2) Treasurer Report
Checking $129.87
Savings $2,942.88
Total $3,072.75
Jim R. reported the ENA’s funds will increase when the City reimburses our RNA grant expenditures. We need to continue letting people know how their dues helps leverage grant projects.
3) Tree planting report
Jim R. reiterated that the ENA tree funds have been rolled into our savings account. Sherry mentioned a $300 donation which was earmarked for the tree fund. Tim Smythe used this money to buy a tree to plant at the Armory, but the City is not yet ready, so the tree went to Lions Park. Another tree will be purchased to replace a tree that died. This will exhaust the dedicated tree funds.
A motion was made to give $200 to Tim Smythe to use to replace a dead tree. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Jim R. would like to see some recognition for the ENA at Lions Park.
4) January 7th Annual Meeting
After discussion, the Board agreed to the following:
Location – Swantown Inn
Time – 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Schedule – 6:00 to 7:00 social time; 7:00 to 8:00 program
Menu – Soup and bread
Speakers – 1. Chris Hyde, Souper Sunday 2. Bernice Hartt Plazas, Thurston County Food Bank 3. Possibly another such as Luke Burns, Olympia Community Gardens Program Specialist, or someone from the Thurston County Conservation District’s Healthy Gardens program
Leader – Jim R. will draft and circulate an agenda
Abigail – signs and social media announcements
Karen – will talk to Nathan about food service and logistics
A motion was made to reimburse up to $250 for food and other expenses related to the annual meeting. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.
5) Snowstar event
Nathan reported by email there was some interest in making holiday snowflakes by about ten neighbors. We will need to start earlier next year.
6) CNA Report
Karen reported the CNA discussed the following topics at its December 9th meeting:
- The RNA grant program
- The Habitat for Humanity project, permits, fees, and possible grant funding
- Potential utility fee increases
- Sidewalk survey data
The Climate Action & Resilience Team did a presentation on its work which led to a discussion on the need for community and neighborhood emergency management planning. It was agreed the ENA needs to add this subject to its 2025 work plan.
7) Madison School fundraiser
Nathan provided the following update via email:
The Madison charity auction was a big success. Well attended (but could always have more) and well supported by downtown businesses for item donations. It raised $8900. It saved the PTO’s ability to put on other events this school year.
8) Board Recruitment
Board member nominations will be on the agenda for the annual meeting. We can either vote on officers at the January Board meeting or via email.
We need to fill the vacant vice-president position, so everyone was asked to reach out to potential Board members before the meeting.
9) RNA Grant
The schedule for the 2025 grant program is on the City’s website. The application deadline is 5:00 PM on February 28, 2025. The Board suggested the following ideas for a grant application:
- Support & expand the Fall Festival
- Food for Block parties
- Materials for snowflakes
- Eastside neighborhood walking map
- Newsletter printing & postage
- Traffic calming at 10th & Fir, possibly a painted mandella
It was agreed we need to talk to Brittany Gillia, the new grants program manager, about grant ideas. Jim R. agreed to help Sherry with the final report to close out the 2024 grants. Jim S. and Abigail can provide pictures if needed.
10) Other
Jim S. provided an update on the CNA Sounding Board’s review of the Land Use and Urban Design chapter of the comprehensive plan update, and urged everyone to take a look at the information on the City website.
The City’s holiday light parade will be in the Eastside neighborhood on Thursday December 19th starting at 6:00 PM. Jim R. mentioned the parade is using GPS that can be tracked online.
The next Board meeting will be Tuesday January 14th. The agenda will include election of officers and the 2025 work plan calendar.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.