Category: Minutes

Eastside Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
04/15/2020
Virtual Meeting
Attendees:
Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Chris Knight, Jim Sweeney, Roger Horn, Cheryle Bayles

1. City Council Virtual Town Hall
   Sherry mentioned that Olympia’s Finance Committee will convene another Virtual Town Hall on
   Wednesday April 15 at 5:30 p.m. on “Financial Resources for Local Businesses.”
   Sherry listened to one of the virtual town hall meetings. Jill Barns from Washington Center
   discussed fiscal impacts of the virus outbreak.
2. Board Member Issues
   Sherry asked if anyone had any burning issues.
    Roger mentioned the need to think about ways that we help people in the
   neighborhood. He suggested putting up our signs with contact information might help.
    Chris shared that FUMCO is doing a lot of personal reach outs to people. He added that
   he thought Roger’s idea sounded good.
    Jim S mentioned that he would like to see the Next Door map used more. Is there some
   way that we could connect more directly?
    Cheryl shared her brother-in-law needs to pick up meals on wheels. Maybe there is an
   opportunity to help in those cases?
    Sherry asked about the foodbank. Do people need help getting to the food bank. Roger
   stated that it is not very busy and that you just get a pre-packed bag now. The board
   discussed giving a about donation and need to for financial help?
    The board approved donating $200 to the foodbank.
3. Eastside Arts Walk
   The Eastside Arts Walk is a happening on April 25th 2pm-11:30PM. A map is being developed
   and there is information about the event on Next Door.
   The Board discussed putting up signs to promote the event.
4. Variety Show
    Roger asked what people thought about trying to organize a virtual show. Virtual?
   Scheduled for May 2 nd .
    Chris thought there may be some challenges to getting it organized and we need to be
   careful about zoom bombers.
    Sherry mentioned that Facebook is good platform and may be a better choice than
   Zoom.
    The group agreed that the date should be moved to late May or early June.
    In general, the group thought we should try a virtual show.
    Roger will check in with Bigelow Highlands Neighborhood.
5. Neighborhood picnic and block parties discussion
   Are these events possible with social distancing? Generally, people thought we should explore
   the idea.
   Jim R. will contact Parks to see what they are doing about reservations in July and August.
6. Neighborhood Mapping
   Jim Sweeney asked what could we do now to get more neighborhood mapping accomplished?
   He pointed out that the renewed awareness created by the coronavirus may generate some
   enthusiasm in the neighborhood around this initiative.
   Roger agreed to touch base with Sandia to see how her efforts went and see is she know how
   to get in touch with the person that spoke at the Sub-are plan meeting.
7. Thurston County Courthouse
   Sherry asked if Jim R. had gotten in touch with the county to get a presentation on the Regional
   Courthouse. Jim R said he did not because he heard the courthouse project was indefinitely
   placed on hold.
   Roger spoke with John Turnhiem – John willing to come to a meeting or brief the ENA. The
   group felt that we may want to find a way to include the Northeast and Downtown
   Neighborhoods.
8. Bob Jacobs Letter.
   Jim R. explained that Bob Jacobs had created the document to share with all neighborhood
   associations. Bob ran the information through the CAN. Bob thought it was critical to inform
   people about the SEPA process and their opportunities to comment.
   All felt the information was somewhat one sided and that opinions in the neighborhood were
   mixed. The group decide to not take any action on the letter. Jim Described the process. ENA
   will not
9. Treasurers Report
   Sherry had e-mailed the Treasurer’s Report prior to the meeting.
10. Eastside Art Crossing
    Jim S. provide an update on the process for artist selection. A workshop was helped on April
    2 nd to explain the process to artists. There were seven solid responses. The jury will meet on
    May 5 th . Probably on-line, but City Hall may be open on May 4 th .
11. March 18 Meeting Minutes
    The Board approved the draft minutes from the March 18 Board Meeting.
    Next Meeting
    May 20, 2020
    7:00 PM
    Virtual Meeting

Eastside Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
March 18, 2020
Virtual Meeting

Attendees:
Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux, Cindy Fulton, Chris Knight, Chilcutt, Jim Sweeney, Brian Brannies, Cheryle Bayles

1. Debrief of Annual Meeting
   In general, all felt that there was a good turnout and that the level of engagement with discussions was very good.
   At least one table discussed the lack of clarity about the proposed legislation under consideration at the state legislature. Some thought the sub-area plan would specifically address that and have action items to provide more input to the City on implementation.
   People thought the sub-area plan was a vehicle for telling the city that we didn’t want missing middle.
   Brian and Jim R noted that the final bill was significantly watered-down.
   They were generally confused about the sub-area plan at the table that Brian worked with.
   Jim Sweeny and others commented that it is hard to see what more we could have done to better educate our members.
   Cheryl commented that it is unfortunate the people still don’t understand after all we did to
   reach out.
   Jim S pointed out that we did a lot of electronic outreach and it is always best to do more one
   on one communication. The kind that that we had at our public meetings.
   Cindy indicated that her table jumped right in and picked out areas they wanted to emphasize
   Sherry let every know that If ENA owes anyone money send her receipts.
   We made $300 at the meeting
2. Art Project
   Jim Sweeny reviewed process that the City Parks department is conducting to select the artist.
   People interested in competing were invited to City Hall for the next step, but that has been
   delayed until April. If people are interested, the City web site is a good source of information.
   Jim S. described the basic project for those that may not be familiar and noted that the City has
   $50,000 budgeted for the installation.
3. New Yard Signs
   What are next steps? We talked about larger signs in the past.
   Brian offered to assist, but now unknown if that makes sense.
   Gathering a work party might be difficult. FUMCO is completely closed for now.
4. Talent Show
   Sherry suggested that we table this issue for now.
5. Current State of COVID-19
   Brian: Is everybody on the call OK? things look bad. Things will get bad for the City of Olympia
   Sherry: Did a few things on Saturday.
   Cheryl: Still walking around the Lake. People doing a good job of keeping six feet apart.
   Jim R described what’s open and what’s closed. No idea of funding impacts or solutions.
   Chris: All reservations at FUMCO are cancelled.
   Brian: State patrol not stopping for discretionary items.
   Sherry: Saturday distance picnic at Madison Park was a nice break and seemed to work well.
   There was a brief discussion about what ENA should do to get the word out. The group felt that
   more notices didn’t seem necessary.
   Future discussions should focus on How to reach those in need?
   Brian: Isolation may be most difficult to handle.
   Sherry: We should use this group if one of us tests positive.
6. Thurston County Court House Ballot Measure
   Sherry shared that she reviewed the County’s proposal. The proposal includes a 125-foot
   building, with 1100 parking spaces in the structure. One proposal moves Japanese Garden. The
   wetland is eliminated. The group concluded that ENA should provide input.
   Some board members were suspicious about timing and think it is being pushed through
   without an adequate public process
   Jim Rioux will reach out to the County’s PM to invite him to speak with ENA
   Jim S – Traffic will be an issue so other associations may want to participate.
7. Meeting Adjourned