Author: James Sweeney

ENA Board Meeting

November 13, 2024 7PM

1626 7^th Avenue SE

Members Present

Sherry Chilcutt (President, on Zoom), Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bayle

1) Approval of the minutes

The October 9^th meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking   $105.20

Savings   $2,924.52

Total      $3,029.72

Jim R. reported he moved $300.00 from savings to checking to cover paying for the memorial tree. The check was made out to the City of Olympia. Jim filed our annual report with the Secretary of State. There was one $20 deposit which was assumed to be someone paying dues. Sherry gave him a check for $80 that was donated during the rod & reals event.

It was suggested we work on getting people to pay their membership dues. Very few deposits have shown up suggesting no one is paying dues. The pay program we’re using charges about $2 for each deposit and may be a barrier. Karen suggested increasing the dues to make up for this.

Sherry will be sending paperwork to Lydia in January or February to close out our RNA grants, at which time we will replace funds used from our accounts.

3) Meeting time

The Board discussed changing our regular meeting time for 2025. It was agreed we will change the Board’s meeting dates to the second Tuesday of the month, starting on January 14.

4) Harvest festival October 12th

Everyone agreed the event was a big success mainly due to teamwork by everyone helping out. The children enjoyed all the activities, including helping with apple pressing, and the band added a nice touch.

Jim S. said he updated the write-up he started with the first fall festival in 2018 to capture ideas in case this turns into an annual event. If we do the event again we will want to reserve the shelter for the entire day.

Abigail submitted receipts for items she purchased including paper table cloths and bungee cords. Cheryl will submit receipts for food stuffs she purchased. Jim S. suggested buying a couple of replacement apple pressing mesh bags ($12.95 ea.). The cost will be covered by funding the Board previously approved.

Cheryl suggested combining the Fall Festival with the annual picnic. This would avoid having the annual picnic and block parties too close together. The consensus was that this is a good idea for next year. We may want to wait until after the Parks Department closes the sprayground for the season.

5) Snowstar event

Several Board members said they plan to attend the event Saturday from 10 to 11:00AM at the Swantown Inn.

6) CNA Report

At their October meeting, the CNA discussed:

• Housing affordability, grants to help pay impact fees, etc.;
• Using the 1% utility tax to reduce fees for low income housing;
• Using leftover neighborhood grant funds for sidewalks;
• If you see someone having a mental health episode you can make a request for services, call the non-emergency number (360 753-8101) or call 911;
• and neighborhood police patrols.

Councilperson Vanderpool updated the CNA on increasing the minimum wage, and Tim Smith reported on new development proposals.

7) Annual Meeting

Sherry suggested a fundraiser for Souper Sundays. People could donate soup ingredients, gift cards or money. Nathan previously said he would contact Chris Hyde once we have a date for the meeting. The Board suggested either Tuesday January 7th, or Thursday January 9^th, starting with a social event at 6:00.

Note: Nathan said he prefers January 7th.

Cheryl will call someone from the community garden.

Karen will contact someone from the food bank.

8) Board Recruitment

The annual meeting agenda will include asking for Board member nominations. Later, we can vote on Board officer positions via email.

Please reach out to any potential Board members before the meeting.

9) Next year’s calendar

Last year Cheryl and Abigail drafted the 2024 events calendar which Nathan posted on the ENA website. All agreed this was helpful and that we should do something similar for 2025.

The Board agreed to continue working with partners such as New Bridge, FUMCO, and Madison School. Cheryl mentioned the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum’s annual holiday historic homes tour is coming up December 8^th from noon to 4:00.

10) Other

Jim S. suggested we make sure we’re tracking ENA events and accomplishments, such as the murals and apple press, from year to year, particularly when these involve RNA grant funding.

The next Board meeting will be Wednesday December 11^th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

ENA Board Meeting

October 9, 2024 7PM

Swantown Inn 1431 11th Ave SE, Olympia

Members Present

Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Abigail Twombly

1) Approval of the minutes

Following the September 11^th Board meeting it was pointed out the Board had not approved any fund expenditures to support the upcoming Fall Festival event. Therefore, six Board members agreed via email to expend up to $100 on incidentals for the event.

The September 11th meeting minutes were approved with the above addition.

Following the October 9^th Board meeting, Tim Smythe requested $300 the Board had previously approved to fund a memorial tree to be planted at the Armory. Sherry emailed the Board making a motion to fund the $300 tree project at the Armory. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking   $306.16

Savings   $3,242.12

Total      $3,548.28

3) How are funds requested for events, setting budgets, and getting approval?

The Board needs to set maximum limits on funding for events by category, and include this in grant requests. The ENA’s annual calendars will help us keep track of spending. Nathan explained the calendar on the ENA website is a “page” and not a “post” so it’s not included in the weekly emails. He will be looking into creating curated quarterly e-newsletters which would allow us to control what’s included.

4) Harvest Festival Oct. 12th 1-4 PM

The Board discussed last minute preparations and the volunteers who are expected to help.

Abigail said the acoustic band will perform from 2:00 to 3:00.

Jim talked to Tim Smythe and the Parks maintenance people. He will also contact someone from the food bank.

5) Freedom Farmers event

Nathan reported on this organization which provides food for Olympia schools. They were very appreciative for being able to use the ENA cider press.

6) CNA Report

The next CNA meeting will be on Monday October 14^th. The agenda includes a discussion of Olympia’s homelessness progress and challenges, with Housing Response Coordinator Kim Kondrat.

7) January Annual Meeting

The Board continued to discuss topics for the annual meeting. There was general agreement we should focus on food security as the primary topic. Potential guest speakers include Chris Hyde, someone from the Food Bank, and someone representing the Olympia Community Garden on 13^th Avenue. One idea is to work with Souper Sunday to provide hot soup for the meeting. We will make final decisions at the November meeting. The meeting will be at the Swantown Inn, starting with a social event at 6:00 PM.

8) Tim Smythe conversation about armory tree planting

Sherry will be discussing tree planting at the Armory and other topics with Tim. Jim mentioned that Tim plans to be at the Fall Festival on Saturday.

9) Mark Foutch forwarded an article about the South Capitol neighborhood using its RNA grant to have a huge barbeque, paying for the mailing, 350 burgers, etc.  

We might want to do one big event with financial support.

10) Other

Nathan met with Lisa at New Bridge about making giant snowflakes. He agreed to work with the artist and others to make similar holiday decorations to be displayed around the neighborhood, starting with Central Street. Details concerning funds for materials and a possible grant request will be determined later.

Abigail said she would like to do another Meetup event at BeerWorks.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

ENA Board Meeting

September 11, 2024, 7:00 PM

1613 Union Avenue SE

Members Present

Sherry Chilcutt (President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bale

1) Approval of the minutes

The August 7^th meeting minutes were approved.

2) Mural Celebration Report

The celebration was described as “fantastic.” About 30 people attended including the artist and many children. The homeowners were pleased and the Olympia Beekeepers presence was appreciated.

3) Harvest Festival Oct. 12th 1-4 PM

Tim Smyth has offered to bring apples.

It was suggested we ask each person to bring about a 5-gallon bucket of apples.

If too many people show up at the same time we may need to assign them a time so they don’t have to wait.

Jim will contact Parks staff about a water source for cleaning apples and cleanup.

Karen has a list of people who have indicated they are willing to help.

Jim and Karen will work with Abigail to promote the event.

Following the September 11^th Board meeting it was pointed out the Board had not approved expending funds to support the upcoming Fall Festival event. Therefore, six Board members agreed via email to expend up to $100 on incidentals for the event.

4) Armory Naming  

Jim described voting for a new name for the Olympia Armory on the City’s Engage Olympia page. Voting is open until September 27.  

5) CNA Report

The CNA met on September 9. Discussion topics included:

Missing Middle – now referred to “Middle Housing” after the 2023-24 Legislative session.  

Budget – the 2025 preliminary budget process has been underway for roughly five months and is nearing the beginning of the Council stage of the process.

Sidewalks survey – the contract is about 25% completed. The CNA’s app is still important as local information may identify higher priority projects.

Olympia Airport – there has been considerable discussion on noise, pollution and other impacts of increasing air traffic.

Community connections – the importance of community connections in countering loneliness is being recognized, particularly since the pandemic.

6) Annual Meeting

Food security was mentioned as a possible topic with Chris Hyde, the Souper Sunday guy, as a potential speaker. We discussed inviting comedian Sam Miller and decided to look into the possibility of paying him to perform next year. Other ideas were to invite someone from the City such as Mayor Payne, Councilmember Clark, or Kim Kondrat to talk about housing. The item was continued until the October meeting at which time we will decide on who we want to invite. The time for the annual meeting is tentatively set for 6:30 PM Wednesday November 6 at the Swantown Inn, with time to socialize at 6:00.

7) Plum Street Village Report  

Nathan and Sherry toured new buildings at Plum Street Village and met the new managers.

8) Utility Commission report

Sherry described on-going discussions by the Utility Commission about the City’s utility tax.

9) Other

Nathan mentioned a Madison school PTO auction on Dec. 7. The Board agreed to partner with the PTO to promote the event. He also proposed having the Inn sponsor ENA events.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

ENA Board Meeting

August 7, 2024, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn

Members Present

Sherry Chilcutt (President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Jim Rioux (Treasurer) Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bale

1) Approval of the minutes

The June 12^th meeting minutes were approved as amended.

There wasn’t a quorum for the July meeting.

2) Treasurer Report

Jim R. noted our miscellaneous savings accounts have been combined into one general savings account as discussed at the June 12^th meeting.

Checking    $618.35

Savings   $3,241.32

Total         $3,859.67

3) Annual Picnic

Board members discussed food and table service for the potluck, and who will provide which items. Several people said they will bring games.

4) Harvest Festival Oct. 12th 1-4 PM

Abigail has arranged for live music.

Games such as cornhole will be available.  

Sherry will not be there but Hank will be available to transport the apple press. Jim S. said he can help load and set up the press.

Sherry suggested some people come early for setup, and others stay late for cleanup.

We may want to talk to the Parks people about hosing off the tables and floor in the shelter.

Jim S. will work with Abigail to write up an announcement and make posters. We will also want to post “rules” for apple pressing, such as suggesting people bring only one 5-gallon bucket of apples along with re-usable glass containers.

5) How do we make Fir and 10th safer?

Someone near this intersection asked if the ENA could help facilitate safety improvements. The problem is people are driving too fast on Fir Street plus limited sight distance. One suggestion is to ask the City to close the street for a day and paint a mandala in the intersection.

Sherry will reply to the neighbor and suggest they contact the City.

6) CNA Report

Jim R. attended the July CNA meeting. There was a discussion about the South Capital RNA and their efforts to reduce speeding on Capital Way.

Tim Smith reported on the many pending permit applications.

The CNA discussed the City’s budget, the Council retreat, and the proposed quarterly forum.

7) City Sidewalk inventory

There has not been a lot of input into the sidewalk app recently.

The City is doing a separate inventory with a focus on downtown sidewalks.

8) Mural Update

The Eastside Street mural is progressing nicely.

9) Hold off on electing a VP until our annual meeting?

The Board agreed to hold off electing a new vice president until the annual meeting.

We agreed to include a discussion about the annual meeting date, guest speakers and so forth at our September meeting.

10) New Courthouse location

A County subcommittee has been meeting to discuss their building and space needs. This would be a good topic to bring up at the annual meeting. For contact information see the website: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/board-county-commissioners/courthouse-and-regional-administrative-buildings-project

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.