Author: Nathan Allan

ENA Board Meeting Minutes

March 10, 2021

Virtual Meeting

Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Cheryl Bayle, Chris Knight, Roger Horn, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney.

Neighborhood Office Invitation

Sherry contacted the new neighborhood officer, but he did not respond yet. We will try to arrange for him to attend a future meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

Checking $516.86

Savings 1062.11

Signs 1305.38

Trees 153.04

Beauty 409.33

Approval of February Minutes

Approved with Edits

Blood Bank at FUMCO

Chris reported that the Blood Bank will be accepting blood donations at FUMCO on Tuesday and Wednesday, 3/15 and 3/16.

CNA Report

There were three presentations from staff at the last CNA meeting.

Amy Buckler provided an update of the housing plan. It seemed that her key message was that we will experience significant growth and we have only started to build the housing units that will be needed.

There was significant follow-up discussion about large developments being proposed for West Bay Drive and that lack adequate public process.

Stephanie Johnson shared the City’s plans for this year’s Arts Walk. Parks is planning a virtual approach that maps art throughout the City and encourages people to visit the site over the Month of April She is interested in hearing from Neighborhood Associations that wish to participate.

Teal Russell provided a homeless update. Seems like the City has reached a status quo with the Plum St. Village working well, the mitigation camp managing and looking forward to wood shelters, and unmanaged camps continuing without any good answers. There is also coming discussion of a formal RV site, but progress is slow.

RNA Grants

Jim R. has submitted a draft application for larger signboards. Lydia indicated that it is good to go.

Sherry is working with the artist Laurel Henn to finalize the application for a mural. There is a lot of interest and excitement about the project.

Missing Sidewalks on 7^th Avenue

Roger said that according to Paul Horton who lives on 7^th and attended a Core Team meeting, three of four property owners are okay with adding a sidewalk along the street. The Core Team will continue to work on this issue.

South Sound Children’s Reading Book Drive

Sherry reported on the ongoing Book Drive. It has been a great success in the past.

They will take books in any condition and if necessary, send them to others to handle them.

Removal of Infected Tees

Roger has contacted Tim Smythe and Michelle (Shelly) Bentley. All are waiting to hear from Michelle who indicated that she may have access to a waiver that the City has used for the insurance requirements.

Tim will also try to connect with Michelle.

Coffee Shop at Swantown Inn

The board discuss additional steps that could be taken to help efforts to get a coffee stand at the Inn.

The Board was generally in favor, but without better information about what others in the neighborhood feel, did not feel ready to provide a written endorsement.

Jim R recommended that Nathan reach out to the immediate neighbors to see if there is any strong objection.

ENA Board Meeting Minutes

February 10, 2021

Virtual Meeting

Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Cheryl Bayle, Nathan Allan, Chris Knight, Roger, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney.

Treasurer’s Report

Checking $516.86

Savings $1062.04

Signs $1305.24

Trees $153.02

Neighborhood beautification $ 409.29

Approval of January Minutes

Approved with Edits

CNA Report

Jim Rioux provided a brief update of discussion at the February 8meeting of the CAN. The major discussion items were as follows:

• Yến Huỳnh, the new Council liaison took over for Clark Gilman
• Lydia provide an update of this year’s matching grant program. Information is now on the city’s website
• Mike Reid, the City’s Economic Development Director provide a presentation on the ecumenic status o the City and COPVID-19 impacts. Overall the City is weathering the pandemic relatively well.

Mike’ presentation led to ad side discussion about barriers to first time home buyers and the importance of home ownership to building personal wealth.

Subarea Plan

Jim Sweeny provided an update of efforts related to the Armory.  He mentioned that the Amory is now up for acquisition and that there is an upcoming meeting with the City to speak to our legislative delegation

The Core Team met with ONNA. It was suggested that we make this connection a regular the event. At the last meeting we received input about how to proceed with efforts to get a sidewalk connection on 7^th Avenue

Ideas and leaders for 2021 projects

 Sherry asked everyone to list a item or two that they want to work on this year.

Jim Sweeney – Development of a Neighborhood Hub

Cheryle Bayle – Individual Asset Assessment project to identify talent in the neighborhood and improve connections.

Nathan Allan – Winter Walkabout

                        Block party at the Inn

                        7^th Avenue Sidewalk

                        Coffee Window at the Inn

Jim Rioux –   Individual Asset Assessment project

Sign boards

7^TH Avenue Sidewalk

Roger Horn   Variety show

Winter walk about

7^th Avenue Sidewalk

Block Party

Removal of infected trees

Chris Knight -I feel like I’m at my limit. Can offer serving in a co-leadership                                                position

                        Managing the shelter at FUMC

Sherry –         Mural at 620 Central. 

                        Housing

FUMC Shelter

Chris provided a brief update. Things are going well. They are not getting any complaints. It’s a beautiful thing to be there for people that have, in a way. fallen through the cracks. Most residents are elderly.

Jim S asked if s there anything we can do. Chris will check in with interfaith works.

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.