ENA Board Meeting
April 8, 2025, 7:00 PM
Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE
MINUTES
Members Present
Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Therese Vogel
Guest: Valerie Roberts
1) Armory update – Valerie Roberts
Valerie provided an update on progress making the Armory into a safe, accessible, functional community arts center. A full-scale audit of the facility has been completed along with phase 1 design and construction plans. The Council will be asked to approve the budget in May and construction should take 12 to 18 months.
The City negotiated with eight community arts non-profit Anchor Partners who will occupy and operate the facility under long-term leases.
2) Approval of March meeting minutes
A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the March meeting minutes as submitted.
3) Treasurer Report
Checking $465.77
Savings $2,948.17
Total $3,413.94
Jim R. reported there were a couple of recent dues payments.
4) RNA grant
Jim S. asked if there is any new information about our RNA grant. Jim R. said Nathan submitted the application. Karen said the CNA expects to hear from Brittany Gillia next week about the grants. It was decided to continue this item until May.
5) CNA report
Karen reported on an Affordable Housing Forum the CNA is planning with City officials on May 21. All Board members and residents are encouraged to attend.
She also discussed the Habitat for Humanity housing project planned on Boulevard Road, and efforts to lower the cost to build affordable housing.
The City has a Middle Housing survey on the Engage Olympia website for people to tell the City what they think about housing code amendments. The survey will close on April 30th.
The CNA requested that the City keep their online construction map up to date by adding projects as soon as they are aware of them.
6) Newsletter topics
Jim S. suggested adding a feature allowing people to ask questions of the ENA to the monthly newsletters. The idea is to encourage people to ask about things they might see or hear that would be of general interest. Someone from the Board could then volunteer to research it and write an answer for the next newsletter. Examples include: What is Ziply Fiber? What was recently installed on the Fir Street water tank? Who is responsible for hazardous trees in the City’s rights of way? Why is it so hard to add a sidewalk along 7th Avenue west of Lions Park? Abigail suggested asking a neighborhood expert to answer plant and garden related questions.
The Board generally liked the idea but agreed to continue the discussion to the May meeting as we are not expected have an April newsletter.
7) May event ideas
Jim S. said he would like us to have an outside event in May if the weather cooperates. The group discussed possible walking routes, such as starting at Lions Park and ending at Beerwerks. Jim and Abigail agreed to talk later and let the group know if we come up with a feasible time and place.
8) Other
Abigail reported she met with Dan Rydholm and Emma Shaw to discuss purchasing swag. The Board agreed to continue this discussion until the next meeting, and to talk about buying a new event sign.
The next Board meeting will be May 13th at 7:00 PM.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.