Nathan Allan

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes – January 2021

ENA Board Meeting Minutes

January 11, 2021

Virtual Meeting 

Attendees: Jim Sweeny, Nathan Allen, Roger Horn, Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux Stephanie Johnson City PARD.

Art Crossing Update 

Stephanie provide an update of the Eastside Crossing project and shared power point that was presented to City Council.

She reported that Council was pleased with the concept. 

Next step is presentation to the Arts Commission in February.

She expects the project will be completed by August 31.

Winter Walkabout Success

Roger and Nathan discussed the Winter Walkabout project.

Overall it was much more successful than expected

We advertised on next door and provided 3 $50 gift certificates. The winners were surprised and happy about the gift. One donated $50 to the neighborhood association. 

Next year they thought they would expand include to any decorations. They noted that there were many really nice light displays in the neighborhood this year.

Running an event for two weeks seemed better than a single night event.  

CNA Report

Jim R. provided a report on the January meeting of the CNA

A new topic was an effort to remove the proposal for a road through the LBA Woods from the City’s comprehensive plan.

Clark Gilman shared a briefing on the City’s Legislative Agenda. Priorities include COVID relief, homeless support, and criminal justice reform

Clark will be rotating off his position as CNA liaison. This will be handed off to the new council member. 

Lydia provided an update on Matching Grants. She will send a e-mail with instructions in January.

Plum Street Village 

Nathan provided an update of activities related to the Plum Street Village.

Things continue to go well, and the village is still well managed

Still no internet which is very frustrating. He can’t understand why the City can’t make this happen. Seems like the only way to get this done will be a personal connection. City route is too hard.

Lions Park ‘Letter’

Sherry received an update from City Parks. They provided a Tree map and indicated that there need to be one removal because the tree is not healthy.

Nathan will post the tree map on our website.

Tool Library 

Sherry has request from a citizen about a tool library. 

Grants 

Jim will reach out to Lydia about process. The board discussed a few ideas.

New reader boards

Mailings to members

Neighborhood Mural 

Amory 

Jim Sweeny reported that the historical designation is going to the Olympia Heritage Commission Jan 27 6:00 pm 

The City prepared a very good write up about the potential for the building titled Creative Campus. 

Olympia News 

There a was a report that the City has a new Neighborhood Patrol Officer, Officer Levitt. The board discussed getting his contact information and inviting him to a meeting

Strategic Plan?

Jim Sweeney shared a proposal to develop a simplified strategic plan. He is thinking about a prioritized list of things we want to do.

The board agreed to think about ideas and discuss at our next meeting. 

TRPC Regional Housing  

Sherry reports on a meeting on a TRPC meeting on housing. A lot of ideas were discussed, butt the tone was that they no entity had the power to get what we need built.

Right now, there is only 10-day supply of housing and there is a shortage of single-story houses.  

Nathan Allan

Eastside Subarea Plan 2020 Annual Report

Introduction

On January 14, 2020 the Olympia City Council accepted the Eastside Subarea Plan. The following is a brief report of implementation activities undertaken by the Eastside Neighborhood Association (ENA) during 2020.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has severely diminished our ability to move forward with many of the activities outlines in the plan, we are pleased to report progress on a number of fronts.

Annual Meeting

The 2020 Annual Meeting, held on February 20, 2020 focused entirely on the implementation of the Subarea Plan. The plan includes four Actions plans, 17 Goals and 66 Action Items. Discussion focused on prioritizing action items so that the ENA Board could focus on those issues that were most important to our members. 

Subarea Plan Core Team

A subarea plan core team was formed during development of the plan. This small group was responsible for coordinating activities and ensuring completion of the plan. After acceptance of the plan by City Council, the team decided to remain in place to begin implementation of subarea plan actions. The core group meets every two weeks and reports to the ENA Board at each monthly meeting. 

Goal 1.1: Encourage responsible development to maintain neighborhood character

Lions Park Spray-ground

The specific action steps in the plan focus on the design review process and multi-unit buildings. However, the ENA Board reached out the City Parks, Arts and Recreation Department to review and provide comments on plans to install a spray-ground at Lions Park. A copy of the comment letter and the City’s response were posted on the ENA website.

Wetland Preservation

Action Plan 1 includes Action Step 1.1.1.4: “Work with Partners to identify ways to acquire and preserve the Indian Creek wetlands at the southwest corner of the Eastside neighborhood.” In November 2020 the core team met with City staff to discuss the beneficial functions of this wetland and mechanisms in place at this time that provide protection of this wetland.

Goal 1.3: Encourage homeownership and advocate for affordable rentals

Neighborhood Housing

Action Plan 1 included Action Step 1.3.2.1: “Create an ENA housing subcommittee to investigate Community Land Trusts, seek funding and partners to protect existing and add new sustainable affordable housing for qualified applicants.”

Early in 2020 the ENA Board formed this subcommittee. Activities to date have focused on reaching out to partners to learn what resources are available in the community.

Historic Designation of the Eastside Street Armory

Action Plan 4 includes Action Step 4.1.1.2: “Work with partners to pursue acquisition of the National Guard Armory for the purpose of converting the building into a community asset.”  Two members of the core team have been working with City staff to reach that objective. City staff are engaged and have made a proposal to Council. Council has included a request for funding of the Armory in their 2021 Legislative proposal.

A key step in this process was making application for historic designation. Core team members were instrumental in completing that application.  

We will continue working with City staff as well as State Legislators to assemble the necessary funding to allow the City to a quire the property.

Goal 2.3 Reduce conflicts with walkers, bicyclists, transit and other transportation modes.

Mobility Improvements

Improving sidewalks and improving pedestrian safety was very important to those that attended the February meeting.

Members of the core team are actively working the members of the Olympia Northeast Neighborhoods Alliance (ONNA) to find ways to collaborate with the City on sidewalks and pathway improvements. Activities to date include meeting with City staff, correspondence with the City’s Transportation Director, and providing written and oral testimony to Council on the City’s Transportation Improvement Plnn. We will continue working with ONNA and City staff to find opportunities and funding to address pedestrian issues in our neighborhood. During 2021 we hope to complete a survey of residents and inventory of ENA streets to identify opportunities and focus our efforts on small improvement projects.  

Goal 4.1 Help residents get to know each other.

Community Connections

Promoting more connections with neighbors was one our most important objectives. The plan envisions continuing all of our current community events and establishing more. The pandemic required us to pass, for now, on community events.

One success was the Winter Window Walkabout held during the Christmas season. Neighbors were encouraged to decorate their houses and the ENA awarded prizes for the best decorations. Neighbors were invited to check out the decoration names and locations using an online map.

Goal 4.4 Make Connections with people other than residents.

CNA Participation

Action Plan 4 includes Action Step 4.4.3.1: “Maintain active participation in the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations.” The ENA Board continues to send a representative to CNA meetings. That board member provides reports to the ENA Board at each monthly meeting.

Action Plan 4 also includes Action Step 4.4.2.1: “Identify an appropriate contact person with each organization that serves our neighborhood. Develop and maintain an accurate contact list and ensure all are receiving Neighborhood notifications.” During the 2020 ENA board recruitment Chris Knight joined the board representing the First United Methodist Church of Olympia.

What’s Next

The Subarea Plan Core Team will continue to promote implementation activities throughout 2021. Given the constraints of the ongoing pandemic and the limitations of those currently involved, we expect that activities during 2021 will largely focus on carrying on the initiatives listed above.

Enlisting additional volunteers will be a high priority moving into 2021 as well as holding as many community events as we can with the hope that the pandemic recedes throughout the upcoming year.

Nathan Allan

Lions Park – Tree Inventory

The ENA has been notified of the tree inventory of Lions Park. Here is the report and map straight from Sarah Giannobile, Associate Parks Planner. It also shows the future sprayground, with its maintenance access road at the top of the tennis courts, and connector paths.

“We recently received the tree report for Lions Park from the Urban Forester. This report is required as part of the permitting process for the sprayground project but assesses all the trees in the park. We wanted to let you and the ENA know that, based on the recommendation of the Forester, we will be removing one tree in the park because it is diseased and considered high risk. This tree will likely be removed by Parks Maintenance in the future (TBD). The tree is a Norway Maple and is tree #37 on the map below. Please let me know if you have any questions.”

Nathan Allan

Winter Window Walkabout – Thanks for Your Participation

Happy New Year, Eastside Neighborhood Folks!

The Winter Window Walkabout is completed now. It went from 12/16 to 12/31. Thanks to all of you who decorated your windows and yards. It was cool to walk around the neighborhood and see all the decorations. And thanks to those of you who put your sites on the ENA Winter Window Walkabout map!

Here are the winners of the Left Bank Pastry gift certificates ($50):

Best Kids Window: 1512 Legion Way SE Title: Advent Calendar

Best Family Window: 820 Boundary SE Title: The Rogers Holiday House

Best Community Theme: New Bridge Church, 812 Central St. SE Title: Jesus Christ is the same Yesterday… and Today & Forever

The Eastside Neighborhood Association is always interested in organizing neighborhood events. If you have any recommendations for the next Walkabout event at the end of 2021, let us know. Your thoughts about any other neighborhood events or activities are also welcome. Thanks! Wishing you all a wonderful year!!!

Nathan Allan

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes – November 2020

Eastside Neighborhood Association

Board of Directors Meeting Notes

November 18, 2020

Virtual Meeting

Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Cheryl Bayle, Chris Knight, Roger Horn, Cindy Fulton, Jim Sweeny, Lisa Robinson

Low Income Housing

Nathan discussed the need for more discussions with neighboring jurisdictions (Lacey, Tumwater, Thurston County, etc.) about doing more to provide alternative housing like we are seeing tried in Olympia.

Cheryl expressed concern about the camp developing around the Capitol Lake. Seems tile is growing.

Sherry mentioned that the City has engaged other jurisdictions.

  • Upzoning/Housing Options

Nathan expressed concern about the lack of discussion about infrastructure. Our neighborhood currently lacks adequate infrastructure in many areas and the new ordinances will bring more people into the neighborhood without doing anything to address these needs.

Further discussion about more housing focused on concerns about the character of neighborhood.

Sherry asked if the Board wanted to comment at the upcoming Council meeting where the Housing Options will be brought forward for a final decision. Most members said yes.

Roger noted that the LUEC will take this up on Thursday. He recommended that we wait to see wat happens at that meeting. Roger and Sherry will participate in the LUEC zoom meeting.

Roger will report out to the Subarea Plan core team on the following Thursday and that group will draft a letter if they feel that is appropriate.

  • Sidewalk Updates

Roger provide an update on the letter he sent to Mark Russell at the City. That letter acknowledged the lack of funding and asks for assistance in finding funding to take on small projects on local access streets in need of attention.

  • Choke Cherry Tree Removal

Sherry provided update. Essentially the City’s permit requirements have put the idea on indefinite hold. The insurance requirements are too expensive to take on.

Tim Smyth plans to put more focus on conducting an inventory and history of the trees in out neighborhood.

  •  Staff Report on Housing Options

Joyce Phillips, Planning Commission staff, reviewed staff recommendations and changes that came from the Planning Commission.

The most significant change was the addition of fourplexes and sixplexes to the staff recommendation.

She outlined the lot size and parking requirements associated with any such proposal.

She also pointed out that staff will be required to conduct an annual review to assess how these changes are affecting the community.

She outlined the process going forward, LUEC tomorrow then Council on December 8.

She closed by letting us know that the Planning Commission letter can be found on the City’s Housing Code web site

  • FUMCO Shelter Briefing

Meg Martin, Exec Director of the FUMCO shelter provided an update of the shelter at the FUMCO is joining us around 8PM.

Meg explained that her organization had purchased the old Foam and Fabric property.  They will demo the existing building and build a modular building.

They are also working with LiHi to build permanent supportive housing.at the Martin Way sire. It is the work at the Martin Way site that is causing a temporary need to find additional shelter. That need will be met by using available space T FUMC.

FUMCO offered their building to provide a 38-bed shelter. Safety requirement and in place and they include robust COVID protocols. The people at this location receive targeted case management. Most over 60 or high risk for poor COVID 19 outcomes.

More information can be found at their website <https://www.iwshelter.org/temporary-shelter.html>

Staff are trained and have a very aggressive cleaning regimen. The living spaces and the grounds are monitored continuously, and staff are all trained in de-escalation techniques.

They expect to only need the FUMC space until March 31, 2021. FUMCO

Chris – This has been a benefit to the church. They have never had this kind of monitoring of the church property.  

Roger – What are you hearing from neighbors?  Meg – Some questions but no objections

Sherry – How can others help? Meals, donations, clothes twin sheets and blanket, pillowcases, towels. socks, clothing etc.  Drop off any items at United Churches admin offices.

  • Winter Walk About

Notices are up, event posted on web site.  Nathan asked about prizes and recommended

3-$50 gift certificates from Left Bank.

The board unanimously approved that recommendation.

  • Member Communication

Roger mentioned getting something on next door every Friday. He discussed asking for help to paint new signs and discussed the value of handing out notices and newsletters.

  • New meeting time

Nathan reminded everyone to fill out doodle pol if they have not.

After discussion about what we saw at this point from the poll, the board decided to leave our meeting on Wednesday, but switch the meeting to the second Wednesday of the month. Some board members had conflicts on the third Wednesday of the month.

The board unanimously agreed to move our meetings to the second Wednesday of the month starting in December 2020.  

Lions Park Spray Park Letter

Jim Rioux had incorporated Roger’s edits. Sherry mentioned that Jim Sweeny provided some comments that should be included. Jim R. agreed to finalize the letter and get it to Sherry for signature.

Armory Updates

Jim Sweeney provided an update and expressed concern about the City ability to purchase the property.  He felt a letter to our letter to legislators was needed to request state funding or direction to give the property to the city for a very low dollar amount.

After indicating support, The Military Department has now declined to support or oppose the listing of the property for historic designation. The City is still going forward with process for designation.

The city team is making presentation to Council on December 8.

Joint letter for neighborhood map.

ONNA is sending the North East Neighborhood map to Council Members.

We have a similar map. The board decided to ask ONNA if it would be possible to include copies of that map.

Roger mentioned that the ONNA letter may be too far along to change and that we can do something separately.

Bylaw Revisions from Annual Meeting

Jim will revise and send final copy to the Board.

Approval of minutes

The Board approved the October meeting minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Sherry sent the following report via e-mail.

Checking $570.66

Trees $152.96

Savings $1061.81

Signs $1305.00

Community Beauty $409.17

Total $3499.60

Next Meeting

December 09, 2020

7:00 pm

Virtual Meeting