January 14, 2025 Meeting Minutes

ENA Board Meeting
7:00 PM January 14, 2025

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE, Olympia

Members Present

Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bayle, Therese Vogel

1) Approval of the Minutes

The December 11, 2024 meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking $1,969.87

Savings $2,943.25

Total $4,913.12

Jim Rioux reported he received and deposited a Neighborhood Grant check for $1,840.40. He also deposited $90 in cash and checks received at our Annual Meeting. We still owe Laurel $1,200 and Sherry $369.32.
He received a bill for the Post Office box that is due at the end of the month; 12 months for $256. The Board agreed to renew for 6 months and Jim said he would look into less expensive alternatives.

3) January 7th Annual Meeting

Everyone agreed the annual meeting was a success. The table arrangement allowed people to socialize and connect with their neighbors. Jim Rioux did a nice job with the introductions. The guest speakers were interesting and engaging. Many thanks to Nathan and Casey for hosting and providing the excellent food.

4) Election of Officers

All current officers have agreed to continue. Karen agreed to fill the vacant Vice President position and continue as the CNA representative.

5) CNA Report
Karen reported there was no council member present.

Tim Smith reported the City currently has about 60 projects in permit review, including West Bay Yards, SPSCC dormitories, Briggs Village and Henderson apartments. Abigail described a new bank building proposed near 4th and Water, on the site formerly occupied by Procession of the Species.

Fire Chief Matt Morris talked about CERT – Community Emergency Response Team training (see link below). He also described OFD’s Community Assistance Referral and Education Services program.

Larry Dzieza continues to try and open an on-going dialog with the Planning Commission. This could include neighborhood association members commenting during meetings and being added to the Commission’s annual work plan.

6) RNA Grant Closeout

7) 2025 Work Plan & Events Calendar

Nathan projected the ENA website on the screen and the Board discussed what information should be prominent on the home page and in menus. It was agreed we need to update the 2025 events calendar regularly.

8) Other

The Board agreed to schedule time to work on the things that routinely fall through the cracks because we don’t have time for them during monthly meetings. Some examples are newsletters, email lists, the events calendar and website. It was decided to meet Sunday morning January 26 from 10:00 to 12 at Swantown.

Jim S. described a recent Strong Towns article about civic engagement; “How a Walk About Nothing Can Change Everything About Public Engagement” Here’s a link: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025/1/10/how-a-walk-about-nothing-can- change-everything-about-public- engagement?apcid=0060f5c4aeb5b5bba4851200&utm_campaign=25-1-14- digest&utm_content=25-1-14-digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ortto

Following are links to websites describing the CERT training Chief Morris talked about, and other emergency preparedness sites.

“What is CERT Training?”

https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/cert- trainings?language=en_US

“Community Emergency Response Team”

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/individuals-communities/preparedness- activities-webinars/community-emergency-response-team

“Disaster Preparedness Training for Communities and Organizations

The next Board meeting will be February 11th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

December 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes

ENA Board Meeting

December 11, 2024 7PM

1626 7th Avenue SE

Members Present

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

1) Approval of the minutes

The November 13th meeting minutes were approved unanimously as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking   $129.87

Savings   $2,942.88

Total      $3,072.75

Jim R. reported the ENA’s funds will increase when the City reimburses our RNA grant expenditures. We need to continue letting people know how their dues helps leverage grant projects.

3) Tree planting report

Jim R. reiterated that the ENA tree funds have been rolled into our savings account. Sherry mentioned a $300 donation which was earmarked for the tree fund. Tim Smythe used this money to buy a tree to plant at the Armory, but the City is not yet ready, so the tree went to Lions Park. Another tree will be purchased to replace a tree that died. This will exhaust the dedicated tree funds.

A motion was made to give $200 to Tim Smythe to use to replace a dead tree. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.

Jim R. would like to see some recognition for the ENA at Lions Park.

4) January 7th Annual Meeting

After discussion, the Board agreed to the following:

Location – Swantown Inn

Time – 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Schedule – 6:00 to 7:00 social time; 7:00 to 8:00 program

Menu – Soup and bread

Speakers – 1. Chris Hyde, Souper Sunday 2. Bernice Hartt Plazas, Thurston County Food Bank 3. Possibly another such as Luke Burns, Olympia Community Gardens Program Specialist, or someone from the Thurston County Conservation District’s Healthy Gardens program

Leader – Jim R. will draft and circulate an agenda

Abigail – signs and social media announcements

Karen – will talk to Nathan about food service and logistics

A motion was made to reimburse up to $250 for food and other expenses related to the annual meeting. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.

5) Snowstar event

Nathan reported by email there was some interest in making holiday snowflakes by about ten neighbors. We will need to start earlier next year.

6) CNA Report

Karen reported the CNA discussed the following topics at its December 9th meeting:

  • The RNA grant program
  • The Habitat for Humanity project, permits, fees, and possible grant funding
  • Potential utility fee increases
  • Sidewalk survey data

The Climate Action & Resilience Team did a presentation on its work which led to a discussion on the need for community and neighborhood emergency management planning. It was agreed the ENA needs to add this subject to its 2025 work plan.

7) Madison School fundraiser

Nathan provided the following update via email:

The Madison charity auction was a big success. Well attended (but could always have more) and well supported by downtown businesses for item donations. It raised $8900. It saved the PTO’s ability to put on other events this school year. 

8) Board Recruitment

Board member nominations will be on the agenda for the annual meeting. We can either vote on officers at the January Board meeting or via email.

We need to fill the vacant vice-president position, so everyone was asked to reach out to potential Board members before the meeting.

9) RNA Grant

The schedule for the 2025 grant program is on the City’s website. The application deadline is 5:00 PM on February 28, 2025. The Board suggested the following ideas for a grant application:

  • Support & expand the Fall Festival
  • Food for Block parties
  • Materials for snowflakes
  • Eastside neighborhood walking map
  • Newsletter printing & postage
  • Traffic calming at 10th & Fir, possibly a painted mandella

It was agreed we need to talk to Brittany Gillia, the new grants program manager, about grant ideas. Jim R. agreed to help Sherry with the final report to close out the 2024 grants. Jim S. and Abigail can provide pictures if needed.

10) Other

Jim S. provided an update on the CNA Sounding Board’s review of the Land Use and Urban Design chapter of the comprehensive plan update, and urged everyone to take a look at the information on the City website.

The City’s holiday light parade will be in the Eastside neighborhood on Thursday December 19th starting at 6:00 PM. Jim R. mentioned the parade is using GPS that can be tracked online.

The next Board meeting will be Tuesday January 14th. The agenda will include election of officers and the 2025 work plan calendar.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

November 13, 2024 Meeting Minutes

ENA Board Meeting

November 13, 2024 7PM

1626 7th 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 9th 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 9th, 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 8th 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 11th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.