If you were unable to attend the recent meeting with public artist Andrea Wilbur-Sigo (or you did and have more to contribute), you still have another chance to share your stories and experience about the place
where you live! We’ve been provided a brief survey that’s open for feedback until Sunday, October 25:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYR5BGZ
Thanks for your input!
Eastside Neighborhood Association
Special Meeting of the Membership Meeting Notes
October 14, 2020
Virtual Meeting
Attendees:
Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney, Roger Horn, Cheryle Bayle. Jim Sweeny, Tim Smythe, Walt Jorgenson, Sandia Slaby, Stephanie Johnson (Olympia Parks)
Sherry convened the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Sherry welcomed the attendees and explained that the meeting was called primarily to consider two bylaw amendments. We would then adjourn and join the Indian Creek Neighborhoods Association for a discussion with the artist selected for the Art Crossing project. Planned for Eastside Street
Jim explained that the proposal to change the bylaws to move the month of our annual meeting from February to October.
Jim explained that the proposal came about after discussion with the City about the impact of COVID-19 restriction on various neighborhood association ability to hold annul a meetings and elect officers.
During that discussion the Board note the challenge we have every year getting our officers elected and meeting our deadlines to report to the City.
Jim asked for a motion. The motion was made by Sherry and seconded by Nathan.
The motion passed with the support all board members in attendance.
Jim explained the proposal to lower the minimum number of Board members from ten to six. The primary reason for the proposal was recognition that we are having challenges attracting new board members and the term of several current board members is expiring.
During discussion Nathan voiced opposition. In general, he felt that if we can’t attract ten Board members the viability of the Association was probably in question. He suggested that we should allow board members to focus on only limited issues.
and Walt recalled that this issue has come up in the past and we typically stick with at least 10 members.
Tim Smyth provided an update of efforts to remove and replant the infected choke cherries. A work party is ready to conduct tree removal on Saturday October 31. He has all the help he needs to cut to take down the trees. They will need help with clean up.
The wood will be offered for firewood. Any wood not taken will be delivered to the City’s drop off of firewood for the Kiwanis Club.
The adjacent property owners have been asked to look at the demonstration trees at the library. Those trees are suitable for planting under utility wires.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm
Special Meeting of the Eastside Neighborhood Association
October 14, 6:30pm, via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81471905816)
Plan to join us for this Special Meeting of the general membership of the Eastside Neighborhood Association. The Board of Directors will share proposed bylaw changes and provide updates about activities taking place around the neighborhood. We will then join the Indian Creek Neighborhood Association for a discussion about the Art Crossing project planned for Eastside Street.
Eastside St. Art Crossing Public Art Meeting
Meet public artist Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, who has been selected as project artist for the second Olympia Art Crossing, located on Eastside St, at the bridge over I-5. This meeting is an opportunity to provide neighborhood
context as Andrea develops her concept plan for the artwork. The meeting is open to everyone, but particularly for residents in neighborhoods closest to the site: Indian Creek and Eastside Neighborhood Associations. The Eastside St. Art Crossing is part of a larger City project to place public art deep into Olympia’s neighborhoods, contribute to a sense of community identity, and introduce place making elements that help
to define and bring together different areas of our community.
Eastside Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
September 16, 2020
Virtual Meeting
Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney, Roger Horn, Nathan Allan, Tim Smythe, Marygrace Goodue (Olympia CP&D), Jon Cardona (Newbridge), Stephanie Johnson (Olympia Parks), Jon Cardona
Stephanie Johnson gave a presentation on the status of the Art Crossing project. The artist has been selected, Andrea Wilbur-Sigo. Ms. Wilbur-Sigo is an active member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, and her work reflects her heritage and a robust artistic community. Stephanie showed slides of her work.
Jim Sweeny shared how excited the jury was with the selection.
The next step is a community neighborhood meeting. Stephanie would like to hold that meeting in early October.
The board discussed combining that with a Special Meeting of the member to share that, due to the pandemic, a February meeting is not likely. The board also wants to propose moving our Annual Meeting to October which requires an amendment to our bylaws. This will; allow us more time to submit required information to the City and meet their deadlines.
We decided to hold a combined meeting on October 14, 2020. Jim will work with Stephanie to the word out about the meeting.
Marygrace gave a brief presentation on the Armory.
The city is very excited about the project. The facility is ideal for all sorts of gatherings. City staff toured several facilities managed by public entities. They came away excited about the impact of these facilities have on their communities.
The building is in very good shape. It is a stone structure that is well maintained and clean. The City will get a report that outlines facility condition. City staff is interested, but council has not approved the purchase.
The Department of the Military will put the building up for sale in about a year through the State surplus center. It must be offered first to other state agencies and governmental entities. The City does not believe any other agencies are interested.
There is an Internal group staring to put together a public communication plan, and there is a November study session planned for City Council.
Roger asked if they had an idea of the cost. Stephanie said they did not.
Roger asked if historic designation helps. Marygrace clarified that it is not yet designated as a historic property. Jim Sweeney is working with the City on that. The local designation is what caries the most weight and they hope to have the application submitted before the building is put on the market.
Sherry asked about Historic District designation
Marygrace explained the general process. She indicated that we would need good documentation outlining why the district should receive historic designation. There is a process that begins with a reconnaissance level survey. It begins with inventory of historical features of the district.
The next step is more formal inventory of historic features. This is a significant amount of work.
The most important first step is understanding why you would do this.
The designation comes with some regulation. Olympia only has jurisdiction over exterior alterations visible to the street. Historic preservation review would become part of the building permit review.
Roger asked if the Olympia Historical Society supports historic designation of the Armory. Marygrace indicated that she was in contact with them and they do support it.
Jon Cardona with the New Bridge Community Church discussed the challenges of COVID-19 and the needs of children and parents trying to manage school needs. The church asked what they could do to help. They came up with the idea of a Free Homework Help Club. Starting with Madison Elementary Scholl and they are looking for ENA support.
They will hold homework help sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm. Kids can sign up for 45-minute time slots. Volunteers will get training and receive background checks.
Benefits are not only homework help, but also provides safe social interaction.
They plan to start Tuesday September 29th.
They are looking for feedback.
Nathan thought the program was great.
Sherry asked how they are advertising? Jon said that they are banners at the church and mailers.
Sherry asked what their capacity is. Jon explained that they have 30 to 40 volunteers that have teaching experience.
sherry suggested that we post something on NeXT door. Nathan mentioned that we can put something on our web site,
Tim Smyth talked about the history of trees that are now being impacted by the fungus. He shared that he has organized a volunteer effort for conducting tree removal. He is looking for support and help with notification of adjacent landowners.
There was a general discussion about the history of tree planting in the neighborhood. Tim offered to give a Tree Tour of the areas where he has planted trees over the years.
Since the City is not providing any support for the effort to remove and replant the trees, the Board discussed providing a donation. The board held a vote and it was a unanimous decision to donate $300 for trees.
July and August minutes were approved.
Checking $438.30
Savings $1061.66
Neighborhood Signs $1304.81
Legion Way Trees $152.92
Community Beautification $409.09
Next Meeting
October 21, 2020
7:00 PM
Virtual Meeting.
Eastside Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
August 19, 2020
Virtual Meeting
Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney, Cheryl Bayle, Roger Horn, Chris Knight, Amy Hill
Andy Mort, Sarah Giannobile (City Parks, Arts and Recreation)
Sarah Giannobile showed a concept plan. City Parks is proposing taking out the back wall of shelter and installing concrete pad to transition from shelter to spray pad located just west of the tennis courts.
Equipment will be located near the northwest corner of the tennis court. Location was chosen to minimize noise for adjacent property owners. There will be a 10 ft. asphalt access road for maintenance crews that will run along the north end of the tennis court.
A pathway will run along the west side of the park connecting the spray pad with the shelter.
Parallel parking along Wilson will be paved and 10 perpendicular parking spaces will be paved near the rest rooms.
They hope to start getting public feedback next month. Design and permitting through 2022 and construction 2023. COVID-10 impacts may push that out.
Cheryl: How does 1,000 sq ft compare to the Garfield?
Sarah: This one is slightly bigger.
Cheryl: Will there be additional parking on east side of park.
Sarah: No.
Jim S: SW Corner new pathway goes through old spray. I’d like to see that stay.
Sarah: City Transportation has asked for that connection which results in removal of the small spray pad.
Jim R: The path along the west side of the park should have an ADA accessible option that does not go through the spray pad.
Please do not remove the sink in the shelter. that is used by most people that use the shelter.
If this spray pad is like the one at Garfield, it is way too large and out of scale for this park.
It seems that parking and resultant pedestrian safety issues have not been considered. This area does not have the capacity to absorb the increased traffic and parking like the area around Garfield.
Jim S: I agree, Parks needs to address parking and traffic.
Amy: I live immediately adjacent to the new spray-park so I am very concerned about parking and traffic. Can we increase head in parking.
Sarah: We are limited to 10 delineated spaces
Discussion continued around parking and traffic impacts and affect the new facility will have on the character of the park and this section of the neighborhood. Lots of discussion about parking and lack of parking.
Andy described a situation on 9th Street between Boundary and Eastside Streets that was impact mail delivery.
There was a physical disturbance involving a mail carrier. A tenant assaulted the carrier. This resulted temp termination of service and USPS has informed him that home delivery will be replaced with a cluster box that will be installed near Boundary Street. Installation is scheduled for October. Until them most residents must go to the Downtown Post Office pick up their mail. One of his neighbors is elderly and he has two children. In the pandemic this is a major concern.
He is being told that this is an efficiency measure, but he believes the real reason is the disturbance.
Mail not being delivered to most of the street. Some homes do get mail but it is not clear why some do and others do not.
He has spoken with several USPS officials understand rationale. Feels like he is getting the runaround,
Reached out to City, Denny Heck and virtually everyone he thought might be able to help.
Looking for support to prevent cluster box.
Jim S: This is a Historic Neighborhood. Not designated as a historic district, but cluster boxes seem inconsistent. City has raised issue of getting historic district designation.
Chris: Schedule of making changes is probably impacted by uncertainty at USPS. The Church has been losing mail recently.
Andy: The resident that had the disturbance is moving, so it seems like USPSs should consider that.
Roger: Were police involved?
Andy: USPS said the delivery stop was at the discretion of the Police. Police said that it is not their jurisdiction. Andy has been told that internally USPS considers the matter closed and they will not respond to him any longer.
Jim: Recommend you contact council and City Manager. USPS will not be influenced by City staff. Maybe Council can at least request an explanation.
Jim S: Meeting was held yesterday. Dept. of Military is moving to sell the property. A letter has gone out for comment. The City wants to buy it but will likely simply ask for more time.
The City is making good progress getting property listed on the City’s heritage resister.
There is a new folder under subarea plan on google drive. It contains the supporting information.
Roger: Has this gone to Council at all?
Jim S.: Not since LUEC touch.
Jim S. and Jim R. took part in a zoom meeting with ONNA. Sidewalks were the major topic. Lots of good information from Peter about how to make the case for City funding. Our focus is on funding ad collaboration for small gap projects.
The annual meeting and other events are is off until we get to a better place with COVID-19.
Not much to update. Cheryl pointed out that it was unfortunate that Tom did ours already. We did not have the opportunity to participate.
Sherry checked in with the group to get a sense of our interest. Jim R. mentioned that he was interested. Sherry explained that the group Nathan has contacted, Shadow and String” does pop up puppet performances.
Sherry will talk with Nathan
Sherry went to a cake gathering and had the opportunity to talk with Trudy, the director of Homes First. When she started, they had 25 houses. She thought they could do more. The board was not interested in expanding. She replaced the board and started fundraising. They now have 47 homes. They collaborate with LIHI to deal with the needs of people in the homes.
Rent covers expenses.
They compete on open market for homes. They plan to continue to grow.
Roger: Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity has established 75 houses since their start 1979. They plan 11 more, to add120 apartments.Their new project in Tumwater will add 47 units.
Sherry: It is a debacle. Need two-step verification. She Need to talk with Sheena and Nathan. Nathan’s e-mail seems to suggest starting over with google suite.
Chris: The Church uses it and it is a good bargain for non-profit organizations
Sherry received and e-mail from the City. Black not fungus spreading in our neighborhood. They don’t have resources to assist and suggested getting 3 bid for contracts.
Same as July.
City agreed with artist recommendation, so they are working on a contract
Sherry mentioned this committee and asked if anyone had served in this kind of committee. No one responded.
Jim S: Suggest we invite Marygrace to our next meeting to discuss implications of Historic District.
Amy and Sherry are working on the fundraiser for Madison.
Chris: We are finishing up the Church’s fundraiser. They raised $3,000 for school supplies. Looking into a grant for an additional $875 ish. Giving spirit seems stronger right now.
Chris: The Church not meeting again soon. Sidewalk is still working. Chris explained that they work to get housing for adults without children. They also help with other needs. They recently helped people with stable addresses get their stimulus checks through sidewalk.
Next Meeting
September 16, 2020
7:00 PM
Virtual Meeting.
