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

Special Meeting of the Membership Meeting Notes

Eastside Neighborhood Association

Special Meeting of the Membership Meeting Notes

October 14, 2020

Virtual Meeting

Attendees:

Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney, Roger Horn, Cheryle Bayle. Jim Sweeny, Tim Smythe, Walt Jorgenson, Sandia Slaby, Stephanie Johnson (Olympia Parks)

  • Introduction

Sherry convened the meeting at 6:30 pm. 

Sherry welcomed the attendees and explained that the meeting was called primarily to consider two bylaw amendments. We would then adjourn and join the Indian Creek Neighborhoods Association for a discussion with the artist selected for the Art Crossing project. Planned for Eastside Street

  • Proposed Change to the Annual Meeting Date

Jim explained that the proposal to change the bylaws to move the month of our annual meeting from February to October.

Jim explained that the proposal came about after discussion with the City about the impact of COVID-19 restriction on various neighborhood association ability to hold annul a meetings and elect officers.

During that discussion the Board note the challenge we have every year getting our officers elected and meeting our deadlines to report to the City.

Jim asked for a motion. The motion was made by Sherry and seconded by Nathan.

The motion passed with the support all board members in attendance.

  • Proposed Change to the number of required Board members.

Jim explained the proposal to lower the minimum number of Board members from ten to six. The primary reason for the proposal was recognition that we are having challenges attracting new board members and the term of several current board members is expiring.

During discussion Nathan voiced opposition. In general, he felt that if we can’t attract ten Board members the viability of the Association was probably in question. He suggested that we should allow board members to focus on only limited issues.

and Walt recalled that this issue has come up in the past and we typically stick with at least 10 members.

  • Announcements  

Tim Smyth provided an update of efforts to remove and replant the infected choke cherries. A work party is ready to conduct tree removal on Saturday October 31. He has all the help he needs to cut to take down the trees. They will need help with clean up.

The wood will be offered for firewood. Any wood not taken will be delivered to the City’s drop off of firewood for the Kiwanis Club.

The adjacent property owners have been asked to look at the demonstration trees at the library. Those trees are suitable for planting under utility wires.

  • Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes – September 2020

Eastside Neighborhood Association

Board of Directors Meeting Notes

September 16, 2020

Virtual Meeting

Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney, Roger Horn, Nathan Allan, Tim Smythe, Marygrace Goodue (Olympia CP&D), Jon Cardona (Newbridge), Stephanie Johnson (Olympia Parks), Jon Cardona

  • Art Crossing

Stephanie Johnson gave a presentation on the status of the Art Crossing project.  The artist has been selected, Andrea Wilbur-Sigo.  Ms. Wilbur-Sigo is an active member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, and her work reflects her heritage and a robust artistic community. Stephanie showed slides of her work.

Jim Sweeny shared how excited the jury was with the selection.

The next step is a community neighborhood meeting.  Stephanie would like to hold that meeting in early October.

The board discussed combining that with a Special Meeting of the member to share that, due to the pandemic, a February meeting is not likely. The board also wants to propose moving our Annual Meeting to October which requires an amendment to our bylaws. This will; allow us more time to submit required information to the City and meet their deadlines.

We decided to hold a combined meeting on October 14, 2020. Jim will work with Stephanie to the word out about the meeting.

  • Historic Neighborhood Designation

Marygrace gave a brief presentation on the Armory.

The city is very excited about the project. The facility is ideal for all sorts of gatherings.  City staff toured several facilities managed by public entities. They came away excited about the impact of these facilities have on their communities.

The building is in very good shape. It is a stone structure that is well maintained and clean. The City will get a report that outlines facility condition. City staff is interested, but council has not approved the purchase.

The Department of the Military will put the building up for sale in about a year through the State surplus center. It must be offered first to other state agencies and governmental entities. The City does not believe any other agencies are interested.

There is an Internal group staring to put together a public communication plan, and there is a November study session planned for City Council.

Roger asked if they had an idea of the cost.  Stephanie said they did not.

Roger asked if historic designation helps. Marygrace clarified that it is not yet designated as a historic property. Jim Sweeney is working with the City on that.  The local designation is what caries the most weight and they hope to have the application submitted before the building is put on the market.

Sherry asked about Historic District designation

Marygrace explained the general process. She indicated that we would need good documentation outlining why the district should receive historic designation.   There is a process that begins with a reconnaissance level survey. It begins with inventory of historical features of the district.

The next step is more formal inventory of historic features. This is a significant amount of work.

The most important first step is understanding why you would do this.

The designation comes with some regulation. Olympia only has jurisdiction over exterior alterations visible to the street.  Historic preservation review would become part of the building permit review.

Roger asked if the Olympia Historical Society supports historic designation of the Armory. Marygrace indicated that she was in contact with them and they do support it.

  • After School Homework help

Jon Cardona with the New Bridge Community Church discussed the challenges of COVID-19 and the needs of children and parents trying to manage school needs. The church asked what they could do to help. They came up with the idea of a Free Homework Help Club. Starting with Madison Elementary Scholl and they are looking for ENA support.

They will hold homework help sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm. Kids can sign up for 45-minute time slots. Volunteers will get training and receive background checks.

Benefits are not only homework help, but also provides safe social interaction.

They plan to start Tuesday September 29th.

They are looking for feedback.

Nathan thought the program was great.

Sherry asked how they are advertising? Jon said that they are banners at the church and mailers.

Sherry asked what their capacity is. Jon explained that they have 30 to 40 volunteers that have teaching experience.


sherry suggested that we post something on NeXT door. Nathan mentioned that we can put something on our web site,

  • Trees-Black Knot Fungus

Tim Smyth talked about the history of trees that are now being impacted by the fungus.  He shared that he has organized a volunteer effort for conducting tree removal.  He is looking for support and help with notification of adjacent landowners.

There was a general discussion about the history of tree planting in the neighborhood. Tim offered to give a Tree Tour of the areas where he has planted trees over the years.  

Since the City is not providing any support for the effort to remove and replant the trees, the Board discussed providing a donation. The board held a vote and it was a unanimous decision to donate $300 for trees.

  • Approval of minutes

July and August minutes were approved.

  • Treasurer Report

Checking $438.30

Savings $1061.66

Neighborhood Signs $1304.81

Legion Way Trees $152.92

Community Beautification $409.09

Next Meeting  

October 21, 2020

7:00 PM

Virtual Meeting.