Category: Minutes

ENA Board Meeting

January 9, 2024, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Avenue SE

Members Present

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

Sherry Chilcutt (President) – absent due to accident

Guests

Stephanie Goedecke, Sara Finkle, Sara’s friend.

1) Approval of the minutes

The December 13, 2023 meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

$ 767.58 Checking

$ 964.88 Savings

$1,308.95 Neighborhood Signs

$ 553.86 Trees

$ 410.86 Neighborhood Beautification

$4,006.13 Total

3) 2024 RNA Grant – Final thoughts

These are the three items the Board agreed to include in our 2024 grant application:

1. Food in support of block parties.
2. One or two reusable banners
3. Eastside Street mural

A suggestion was made that we have a contributions jar for events.

Jim R. will contact Sherry about helping with the grant application.

4) Madison Closure discussion

Karen reported on the December 14 School Board meeting when they made the recommendation to close schools following a 90-day review period.

Also discussed were inadequate special education funding, faulty regionalization and the levy cap.

Jim R. suggested contacting ‘OSD for all’ and offering to help. https://www.osdforall.com/

There is a community meeting scheduled at Madison School on February 26 at 6:00 PM, and the School Board is having work sessions and regular meetings at Knox Administration Center on January 29 and February 12.

5) Upcoming Board work day

We previously scheduled a work day on January 20. Due to conflicts, we will need to reschedule, probably sometime in February.

6) CNA Report – JOLT Article

Karen talked about a letter she wrote describing the City’s neighborhoods and the CNA. It was published in JOLT on January 2. https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/olympias-neighborhood-associations-offer-many-benefits-to-residents,13466?

Tim Smith met with Jay Burney and two Council members concerning diversity language in the MOU.

The CNA continues to try and arrange quarterly meetings with the Council.

A $10K increase in RNA grant funding is in the works. This is on top of the current $13K.

The SE annexation is still on hold.

There was some discussion about the City encouraging drive-through businesses on Plum Street and downtown.

The sidewalk survey app is intended to help the City determine how best to spend the additional funds.

7) Frederick Street stormwater

Jim R. wrote an email letter about the need to improve stormwater drainage near Frederick & 9^th.

Stephanie said after talking to Public Works she bought gravel to fill in the holes.

Fixing the problem may require rebuilding the street, including rain gardens or other design solutions.

8) Neighborhood Watch program

Stephanie described on-going problems with juveniles and minor crimes. She asked about a neighborhood watch program to look out for neighboring properties.

Nathan described his experience with Neighborhood Watch, getting neighbors to sign up, electing a captain etc.

Stephanie would like to see a campaign to reach out to kids and teach them not to do crimes such as breaking into houses and pranking.

Suggested ideas included Boy Scouts, block parties, art programs, a ‘good neighbor day,’ and friendly reminder signs with positive messages from your neighborhood association.

The Police Department’s Block Watch program recommends scheduling an initial informational meeting with our Community Programs Officer, Rebekah Ziesemer. More information and Rebekah’s contact information can be found at:

https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/police_department/block_watch.php

9) Support hosting students/pages for legislative session

Cheryl said they have hosted pages in the past.

Jim S. said he would check into the requirements. The discussion was deferred until the February meeting.

10) Proposed Calendar of Activities

Abigail wants to mix up our 2024 events a little so, for example, people have more opportunities to talk to each other.

It was suggested we make the annual picnic a “kids day in the park” or an “ENA fun day” with an ice cream truck, bouncy house, etc.

Sara suggested a clothing swap, possibly in February, where people would bring clothes they don’t want, and volunteers would sort and give them away for a few hours. We would need volunteers to publicize, provide refreshments, and handle donations. We could also leverage the ‘Buy Nothing’ group. Sara agreed to reach out to John, the pastor at New Bridge, to see if they are interested, and email the Board. We would need to have flyers by the February 13 Board meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45.

ENA Board Meeting

December 13, 2023, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Avenue SE

Members Present

Sherry Chilcutt (President), Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Nathan Allan, Jim Rioux, Cheryl Bayle

Guest: Sara Finkle

1) Approval of the minutes

The November 8 meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking $748.66

Savings $964.75

Neighborhood Signs $1308.78

Trees $553.79

Neighborhood Beautification $410.79

Total $3,988.77

3) RNA Grant Wrap-up

Several things we thought we would do we weren’t able to do, but we were able to put the funding to good uses. We were also able to use a lot of donated materials and time rather than paying for it.

4) ENA Officer election

Sherry agreed to continue as President. It was so moved, seconded and approved unanimously.

Jim R. agreed to be the new Treasurer. It was so moved, seconded and approved unanimously.

Jim S. agreed to continue as Secretary. It was so moved, seconded and approved unanimously.

Roger agreed to continue as Vice President. It was so moved, seconded and approved unanimously.

Karen agreed to continue as the CNA representative. Jim R. agreed to be alternate CNA representative.

5) RNA Grant ideas

The Board discussed grant ideas for 2024, including:

• Funds to cover mailing a newsletter to our updated mailing list
• A neighborhood magazine modeled on the one produced by the South Capital Neighborhood
• A neighborhood walking map to update or replace the 1996 Eastside Neighborhood Brochure & Historic Walking Tour map on the City’s website.

After discussion, the Board decided to pursue the following grants:

1. A mural on Eastside Street, possibly at 1306 Eastside

2. Funding to buy food for 2024 block parties

3. One or two reusable event banners

The City’s RNA grant schedule is:

• Application deadline: January 15, 2024
• Grant review team: February 2024
• Council review & approval: March 2024
• Contracts signed: March 2024
• Project completion: December 31, 2024
• Final reports: December 31, 2024

6) CNA Report 

Karen reported no council person attended the December 11 meeting.

The annual RNA renewal request was sent recently.

Mike Ruth, TESC, is working on the 2^nd alpha version of the sidewalk condition survey app.

Tim Smith reported there are about 50 development projects in review.

After Council review the draft MOU was bumped back to the City Manager.

The Urban Farms program is proceeding. Seattle had a similar program associated with earthquake preparedness about 10 years ago.

7) Meeting Dates

The Board agreed to change meeting dates for the 1st quarter of the year due to a member’s conflict; the January, February and March meetings will be held at 7PM on the second Tuesday of the month.

8) Photo Storage

A past President dropped off ENA historic photos at Sherry’s house. She will bring them to the next meeting in hopes we can put names to faces.

Nathan suggested a number of options; we could:

• Use a Google drive folder tied to the president’s gmail address.
• Use WordPress and it’s media file storage
• Use Facebook’s album/photo feature.

Whichever we do, it should be easy to access and use so people will use it.

9) Other

A resident at 429 Fredrickson Street SE reportedly has a lake in front of her house and asked for help contacting the City about maintenance. Neighbors are currently buying and spreading their own gravel, which pushes stormwater onto their neighbors’ property.

Jim R. recommended sending a letter to the City. He volunteered to draft a letter for Sherry to sign.

10) The Board considered planning a board work day in January to meet up and work on the website, map out media responsibilities, and anything else that routinely falls through the cracks. (tentatively 10AM, Saturday January 20, at Swantown)

11) By-laws

Updates will be posted on the website by Sherry and Roger.

(12) Abigail suggested drafting a 2024 calendar of events.

She, Cheryl & Sarah will work on it, and attempt to digitize a version so it can be shared on-line.

(13) Jim R. reported he has started work on the Fones Road project. He can do a presentation in the next couple of weeks.

(14) Jim S. reported he will be attending the first meeting of the Armory Partners selection committee tomorrow.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30.

ENA Board Meeting

November 8, 2023, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Avenue SE

Members Present

Sherry Chilcutt (President), Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Nathan Allan, Jim Rioux (remotely)

Agenda

1) Approval of minutes

The October 11, 2023 Board meeting minutes were approved with minor corrections as suggested by Roger and Jim R.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking $653.16

Savings $964.62

Neighborhood Signs $1308.62

Trees $153.72

Neighborhood Beautification $410.72

Total $3,490.84

Sherry made a $200 donation to the tree fund for the cider press. One of the previous owners would like to see a tree planted at the Armory.

3) Annual Meeting 11-15-23

Someone will need to check-in with Kim to make sure she can attend.

Jim S. will do an “Eastside Events” slide presentation.

Abigail handed out inserts for the sandwich board signs.

Nathan said he will provide coffee.

Karen will follow-up with others providing food.

4) ENA Officers continuing 

Sherry will continue as President.

Roger agreed to continue as Vice-President

Jim Rioux agreed to be Treasurer

Jim Sweeney agreed to stay on as Secretary.

Karen agreed to continue as CNA representative.

Jim R. suggested we review the By-Laws to determine if they need to be updated.

5) RNA Grant ideas and wrap-up of 2023 grant

Sherry is working on a final report and needs to have an accounting of the hours we spent working on grant projects. New RNA grant requests are due January 15. The Board agreed to consider new grant requests at their December meeting.

6) CNA Report

City Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CNA 

Karen emailed a summary of the Council’s October 17 meeting. She described the process CNA’s representatives went through to develop a draft MOU with the City Manager, and questions and concerns individual Councilpersons expressed at the meeting. She is working with other CNA members to draft speaking points to educate the Council so they will better understand and support the City’s neighborhoods program. The CNA is lobbying for the City to increase RNA grant funding.

7) Sidewalk committee report 

Jim S. described an October 12 Zoom meeting of the CNA sidewalks subcommittee. They are currently following-up on ideas from the meeting.

8) Ongoing Tree removal in Lions Park

The Board discussed a recent tree removal near the Lions Park shelter. Jim R. is familiar with the situation and said it was removed because it was determined to be a hazard tree. The Board expressed an interest in making sure trees that have to be removed are replaced.

9) Winter Holiday Event?

The Swantown Inn is planning to have a Santa Claus-themed event. After discussion, the consensus was that ENA events recognize all seasonal holidays, similar to “light celebrations” in many schools.

10) Other topics

Jim S. mentioned attending an open house on the Capital Mall Triangle plan on October 25. The comment period on the Draft EIS is closed but the Subarea Plan is still a work in progress.

Nathan reported our website cost is going up. It’s scheduled for renewal on Dec. 13 (3 years @ $9.99 per month). Nathan can move it to his Word Press server which he has already paid for and he is willing to work with Luke Bowerman to take care of it.

Sherry moved and Cheryl seconded moving the website to Nathan’s server. The motion was approved unanimously. Board members expressed high appreciation to Nathan for his work on the ENA website, and for hosting the 2023 Talent Show.

Roger asked the members about the October 14, 2023 Eastside Talent Show. It included 10 performers, and 48 people attended. ENA members said it would be okay to do another talent show next October. Nathan suggested adding comedians or dancers.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15.

ENA Board Meeting

October 11, 2023, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Avenue SE

Members Present

Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Nathan Allan

Guest

Kim Kondrat, Olympia Housing and Homelessness Program

Agenda

1) Approval of minutes

The September 13, 2023 minutes were approved with one correction as there was no Treasurer report in September.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking $615.32

Savings $964.49

Neighborhood Signs $1308.45

Legion Tree $153.69

Community Beautification $410.65

Total $3452.60

3) Plum Street Village

Kim Kondrat provided an overview of the housing and homelessness program and asked members about their experiences and perceptions of the homeless issue.

The Quince Street tiny houses (100 units) are almost always full.

Sergio’s day use center on Martin Way is open with limited hours.

Phase 2 of Unity Commons is under construction.

Kim made sure she had our email & contact information.

4) November Annual Meeting plan

Kim Kondrat agreed to do a presentation on the City’s homelessness response and Jim will show a slide presentation about the ENA.

5) Cider Press 

The cider press is now residing at 1613 Union Ave SE. We had good help on Saturday thanks to Jim Sweeney, Tim Smythe, Hank Lamar, Sherry Chilcutt and Isaac Leff. Tim brought over 4 big boxes of Macintosh apples, Hank recruited hyper local neighbors and we produced about 9 gallons. It’s a beautiful machine and wonderfully efficient. Hank and Sherry are donating $400 to the ENA for a future tree purchase as a thanks to the donors. The press was owned by 3 families: Tim & Linda Smythe, Michael Moore and Joe Roush.

6) Eastside Talent Show

It’s going to be held at Swantown Inn on Saturday, October 14. The performance will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. We’ll set up from 2 to 3 p.m. and close up from 5 to 6 p.m.

7) CNA Report

Karen talked about the on-going sidewalks issue. The City Council, Planning Commission, BPAC and others have all weighed in. The focus is on downtown sidewalk repairs. The CNA is hopeful the program can be expanded outside the downtown area. They are interested in a phone app which would allow neighborhoods to participate in sidewalk condition surveys. A CNA sidewalks subcommittee will be meeting tomorrow.

A group has been working with the City to update the neighborhood grant procedure and to increase the available funding.

The Capital Mall Draft EIS out for review.  

Multi-family tax exemptions may be expanded.

A Southeast Area annexation appears to be moving ahead; cost is a major issue.

An Urban Futures Farm survey is available online.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30.

ENA Board Meeting

September 13, 2023, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Avenue SE

Present

Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Sweeney (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Jim Rioux, Nathan Allan, Cheryl Bayle

Agenda

1) Approval of the minutes

The August meeting minutes were approved with minor changes.

2) Treasurer Report

There is no treasurer’s report as the Treasurer was not present.

3) Annual Meeting

Roger reviewed the comments received via e-mail.

The board decided on the following date time and location for the Annual Meeting:

Nathan suggested an update about the Plum Street Village as a potential agenda item.

Nathan has learned that the City has put out an RFP for new management of the facility. John Brown from LIHI does not think LIHI will get the contract.

Nathan outlined some key changes to the village management that should be of concern to the Board.

• Alcohol will be permitted.
• Staff support will be reduced.
• Meals will no longer be provided.
• Residents will be allowed to have guests.

Nathan thinks there should be a call to action. The village is very well managed at this time, and he is concerned that there will be detrimental impacts to the community.  Others agreed.

The board considered including this as an agenda item for the annual meeting. Several Board members expressed concerns about having something that is likely to be negative as part of the meeting.

Jim R. expressed concern about having City staff simply recite their talking points then possibly feel attacked if the discussion turned negative.

The board thought it might be best to invite City staff to our October Board meeting then provide a report out at the Annual Meeting.

Jim R. will contact Darian Lightfoot to see if someone from the homeless program can attend the October meeting.

The Board discussed how to showcase the events we have held in the past. Abigail thought that she could pull together a slideshow if people could provide her with pictures. Jim Sweeney agreed to moderate/narrate the slideshow during the meeting.

Roger thought we should spend some time talking about upcoming events and advocated for re-starting the caroling event. Roger agreed to lead the discussion of upcoming events at the Annual Meeting.

Nathan agreed to lead the discussion of the Plum Street Village changes.

Jim R. offered to put together a draft agenda for the Board to review.

4) Fall Festival

Sherry decided to get the press offered by Tim Smyth.

Jim Sweeney mentioned that it may need cleaning once we take possession.

The board reviewed volunteer needs and discussed event logistics.

Abigail agreed to get the sign board inserts and everyone agree that we should advertise soon.

Nathan suggested that we reach out to youth groups like the Boy Scouts for volunteers.

Note: On Friday 9/15 Jim Sweeney decided to cancel the festival feeling that we needed more time to prepare and ensure that we held a great event.

5) Eastside Talent Show

Roger reminded the board that it will be held at the Swantown Inn on Saturday October 14 from 3-5 pm.

He has 6 confirmed performers, and he is waiting to hear from seven other. He feels confident that we will have ten performers.

The board discussed advertising. Nathan and Roger will look at the banner that was used in the past to see if it can easily be modified for reuse.

6) CNA Report

• The CNA is asking for articles and pictures of events that RNA’s have held. The intent is to share them with City Council.
• The South Capitol Neighborhood is putting up a speed board. If someone is caught speeding the City sends them a letter.  Many RNAs are reporting speeding issues.
• The Northeast Neighborhood bought an apple press years ago. They let members use it and it was returned in pieces.
• The City continues to pursue a rental registry.
• Council operated for years under an assumption that code prevented speakers at council from discussing an issue that was scheduled for a decision 45 days before and after that item was scheduled for a decision. They have concluded that there is no such prohibition and will stop the practice.
• The City will move forward with a study of City sidewalk conditions. They have $100,000 to complete the study.

7) December Holiday Events

Roger discussed the events that we have held in the past, caroling and a winter walkabout to judge decorations. He felt the caroling was a great event and we should consider restarting. The walkabout was ok but did not really bring people together.

Cheryl and Abigail reminded the board that we intentionally agreed to not hold a December event because everyone is very busy at that time of year.  

The meeting adjourned at 8:15.