Author: James Sweeney

ENA Board Meeting

July 12, 2023, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn 1431 11th Avenue SE

Present: Sherry Chilcutt (President/Treasurer), Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Jim Rioux, Nathan Allen

Guests: Catherine Dawdy, Casey Allen

Agenda

1)  Fireworks

Sherry welcomed Catherine and asked what we can do? Catherine described being confronted by drunk belligerent people when she asked them to stop setting off fireworks near her house. Jim R. described an incident in which he was threatened in his own backyard, called 911 and got a poor response. He would like to know in writing the process for prioritizing emergency calls. It was suggested we contact Rebekah Ziesemer at OPD with a list of the locations which usually have the worst violations and request drive-by patrols, possibly before New Years’ eve. Some suggestions:

• Lions Park
• New Bridge Church parking lot
• Sawyer Street near 9^th Ave.
• Town Tavern (or was it the Boulevard Tavern?)

Action items:

• Reach out to neighborhood residents and ask about their experiences.
• Contact Lisa Parshley to ask if Council members received complaints and their attitude toward the fireworks ban.
• Contact Olympia Fire Department Interim Chief Todd Carson to ask about OFD’s experiences with fireworks-related calls and related costs.
• Ask someone from the 911 call center how they prioritize calls and what to expect when we call in complaints. Wendy Hill is the Thurston County 911 Coordinator; Phone: (360) 704-2732
  [email protected]

2) Approval of the minutes

The June minutes were approved as submitted.

3) Treasurer Report

Checking $571.57

Savings $964.10

Neighborhood Signs $1307.95

Trees $153.60

Neighborhood Beautification $410.44

Total $3,407.66

4) Block Party Success!

In total about 150 to 200 people attended one of the four block parties this year.

Individual estimates were:

• Lybarger = 25
• 5th Ave = 35 to 40
• Lions Park = 50
• McCormick &13^th ?

Some individual Board members’ personal expenditures were substantial. It was suggested next year we put out voluntary donation baskets.

5) August Picnic planning

The Board discussed dates for the annual picnic and a fall harvest festival. The annual picnic is scheduled for August 12. A harvest festival would be held later, depending on availability of Board members and apples.

Note: Jim S. and Karen will discuss separately and bring a proposal to the Board for discussion at our August 9 meeting.

Sherry will look for a musical performer.

Nathan will reach out to Michael at Big Toms about a donation.

Roger will bring hamburgers and hot dogs left from the Block Party on 5^th Avenue.

6) RNA Grant purchasing progress

Jim R. talked about using our new grill for the first time at the Lions Park block party. Sherry reported she has purchased an ice cream maker. Jim S. asked for clarification on the funds for a cider press and fruit crusher. The grant includes $469 for a cider press and $27 for a fruit grinder, with the ENA contributing $272 cash ($299 total cost).

7) CNA Report

The CNA met in person July 10 at Squaxin Park for the first time since the pandemic. Approximately 25 to 30 attended, including some new RNA representatives.

A teacher from Evergreen talked about neighborhood-level GIS data. Each neighborhood has a “digital thumbprint” including details from the census, and includes things like potholes and missing sidewalks.

An “extra” unbudgeted $6 million is available for things like fire equipment, sidewalks, election costs, homeless coordination, a federal lobbyist, and City-owned ambulance service.

Tim Smith reviewed projects; about 1500 new residential units are under review.

The new MOU has been approved.

The first “Quarterly Forum” is scheduled to happen later this fall; the topic will be sidewalks.

Clark Gilman talked about how positive the community has been about the Armory project.

The City has released a Community engagement & public opinion survey.

The CNA loved the idea of our donut crawl.

8) Possible music focused event at Swantown Inn

Nathan is planning a live music event with Bradford Loomis, possibly on August 30.

9) New Bridge church

The Board agreed to promote events at New Bridge through the ENA website.

10) Website changes

Jim and Abigail described a July 11 meeting of the communications subcommittee with Dan Rydholm, and some ideas for updating the ENA website. One idea is to devote a monthly Board meeting to a “visioning” process to determine our mission and purpose and what we want to accomplish. The website design and other communications strategies would come out of this process.

11) Other topics

• Roger described his progress organizing the Talent Show. He wants to have ten performers.
• Sherry will do postings for the July 29 Donut Crawl.
• Roger will reach out to Parks & Rec about the Sprayground opening.

ENA Board Meeting

May 10, 2023, 7:00 to 8:30 PM

1613 Union Ave SE

Present: Sherry Chilcutt (President/Treasurer), Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bayle

Agenda:

1) Approval of minutes

The April minutes were approved with revisions by Roger and Karen.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking $571.57

Savings $963.96

Neighborhood Signs $1307.79

Trees $153.56

Neighborhood Beautification $410.36

Total $3,407.24

3) Neighborhood Grant Application

We should know if our request is approved by June 1. The CNA is asking the City to increase the available funds.

4) Utility Committee

Sherry could not attend the recent in-person meeting because she was out of town.

5) Beerwerks

The event was a success despite the inclement weather. Some of those who attended were new to the neighborhood. Abigail suggested publishing pictures from future events.

6) Upcoming events

The Board continued its discussion of events planned for the rest of the year including:

• June – Abigail will look for a date and time for another get-together at Beerwerks.
• July – Block parties are tentatively scheduled for Saturday July 8, from 4 to 7 PM.
• August – The Annual picnic is tentatively scheduled for Saturday August 12, from 4 to 6 PM.
  • Jim Rioux is scheduling the Lions Park shelter
  • We need to ask Nathan if he is willing to contact Big Tom’s about food donations
  • We hope to have RNA grant funds to buy a BBQ grill
  • We will try to find someone to play live music
• September – Winterize your garden or other garden-related event.
• October – The Talent Show will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 or 3 to 5 on Saturday, October 7.
  • The Armory might work as venue; there is a $116 fee.
  • Roger wants to rent a stage for performers.
  • Roger will contact Melissa Allen about performers from NE neighborhoods.
  • Roger is continuing to look for performers.

7) CNA Report

• New residential parking regulations are going to Council, possibly on May 16.
• The Downtown Improvement District is starting up again; focusing on safety & beautification.
• The Comprehensive Plan update process is underway via a May 10 webinar.
• The CNA continues to work on updating its MOU.
• A new tiny house development is being planned on Franz Anderson Road SE, just north of I-5.
• The Council recently held Executive Board elections. Karen is now the program and events coordinator for the CNA.
• The Council has explored using schools for RNA meetings & events.

8) Sprayground dedication

Sherry will ask Parks for an update.

9) Other  

Jim S. talked to Dan Rydholm earlier today about electronic communications, including:

• Formatting routine posts
• Creating a binder to maintain up-to-date copies of social media accounts, passwords, membership, email lists, and so forth
• Adding digital policies to the bylaws
• Redesigning the ENA website

Dan has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he is willing to share. He can help Board members learn how to improve our electronic communications but, given a new full time job, he will not be able to do it for us.

The Board discussed other tasks we may want to include in future work plans, including:

• Updating the bylaws
• Updating the subarea plan

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

ENA Board Meeting

April 12, 2023, 7-8:30 PM

1613 Union Ave SE

Present: Sherry Chilcutt (President/Treasurer), Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly

Agenda:

1) Approval of minutes:

The March minutes were approved as amended.

2) Treasurer Report:

Checking $571.57

Savings $963.89

Neighborhood Signs $1307.71

Trees $153.54

Neighborhood Beautification $410.32

Total $3,407.03

3) Emergency Management Meeting March 27^th

Board members agreed it was a very worthwhile event. Cherie Carey, Thurston County Emergency Management Coordinator, made an excellent presentation and was very engaging. About 20 people attended.

The Board discussed possibly following up with a “Map Your Neighborhood” meeting or “What to do in a year” training.  

4) April Event Advertising:

The event at Beerwerks, April 19 from 3 to 6 PM, is intended to catch people after work; no pressure, just show up. Abigail offered to bring chips and dip. There is good handicapped access to the tent where we will be.

Sherry will post the event on FaceBook. Jim S. or Nathan will post on the ENA website and Nextdoor. Abigail will make sure a sign is posted in front of Beerwerks.

5) May event:

The Board discussed holding a garden-related event in May, including coordinating with other groups such as Master Gardeners, Thurston County Food Bank, Kiwanis Food Bank Garden, GRuB, Olympia Community Garden (1401 13^th Avenue SE).  We also discussed organizing a garden tour and gleaning for food bank later in the year.

It was decided to delay the May event to allow more time to plan and connect with other groups.

The Board continued the discussion of events planned for the rest of the year including:

• June – Big Tom’s
• July – Block parties (July 8, 4-7PM)
• August – Annual picnic (Sat. Aug. 12, 4-6PM)
• Sept. – “Winterize your garden” or another garden-related event
• October – Talent show (Sat. Oct. 7)

Note that all dates & times are tentative. Please review and bring your ideas to the next meeting May 10^th.

6) Utility Committee Report:

Sherry reported on her first Utility Advisory Committee meeting. The committee discussed the effect annexations have, such as the City needing to purchase more trash cans. Also, the EPA has mandated surveying water pipes to identify potential lead contamination in older houses and new standards for PFAS — substances often associated with firefighting foam. The Committee is concerned with equity issues.

7) CNA Report:

Karen briefed the Board on CNA issues including:

• The Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Crossing Gateway public art project.
• The East Bay RNA’s oyster seed planting program.
• Clark Gilman talked about the new parking ordinance.
• Larry & Melissa are working with the City on a new MOU.
• Using school buildings for RNA meetings.
• RNA Grant funds: more funds have been requested than are available.
• A quarterly forum between the CNA and the Council.

Tim Smith described pending projects including: Unity Commons Phase II, an apartment project on Union & Jefferson, an apartment building near the Westside Lanes bowling alley, a tiny house project on Franz Anderson Road SE.

Karen volunteered to fill a new social activities resource position.

8) AT&T Towers:

A new 120-foot tall cell tower will be constructed in the parking area near the Elks Lodge on 4^th Avenue. There were concerns about the public notice for such a visible project, the apparent lack of design review, and the Hearing Examiner’s approval.