Category: Minutes

The program is a consortium of Safe Kids International, City of Olympia, Intercity Transit, Thurston Regional Planning Council.

The immediate goal is to encourage students to walk, bike or bus to school, to educate students about safety and to educate parents abut safe driving, especially around the school, and the benefits of fewer vehicle trips around school at arrival and departure times.

The long-term goal of programs of this nature is to build a school program that facilitates a generation of kids looking at transportation differently (walking, biking, other alternative transportation).

The biggest issue in the Eastside neighborhood is traffic and speed (as opposed to safety) for kids walking to school.

Kathy is pursuing grant money for a crosswalk to be built across Legion Way, in front of the entrance to Madison.

TRPC would like to have ENA support for the grant. Sam, Whitney and Luke agreed and gave permission for the ENA to co-sponsor the grant. No financial commitments were made.

October 8 is international Walk to School Day and monthly walking events will follow thereafter.

Terry expressed concern about neighborhood safety (stolen bikes and cars being broken into)

Officer Ryan (lastname) reported that in a 1 week time frame in August there were 15 robbery-related incidents in the Southeast Olympia area (from Plum Street east to Lacey/Olympia city limits and 4th Ave south to Yelm Highway)

The City has 5 districts, with one officer in each district at a time, plus a roving officer.

Part of the purpose of this is to encourage community-oriented policing (allowing the police officer to get to know a specific geographic area and its residents).

Tim Byrne, Eastside neighborhood resident has offered to work on a ENA’s vandalism program based on the success the the Northeast Neighborhood Association has had. Amy Stull with the Olympia Police Department meet with Tim & Luke. The City provided the ENA with a graffiti kit.

The ENA will use SeeClickFix, a free web service for community residents to report vandalism. Additional information will be on the web site and email lists shortly.

Luke spoke with David Hanna at the Olympia Parks Department regarding the Madison Scenic park. The Sunset Park garden project was a pilot project and is still be evaluated (it has 2 or 3 years left on its lease at which time both sides will reevaluate and decide whether or not to continue). Go past a pilot (or a second project) would require a strong answer to the question of “public benefit” of a semi-private garden on public lands.

The City really wants both a strong answer to the question public benefit and would likely want a strong partner organization to be involved – Grub at this time has expressed that they are too busy with other projects to seriously consider another. The ENA, as currently formed/staffed, likely does not have the skills or staff to be the primary partner in such a project.

The City currently has approximately $150,000 designated to do capital improvements to Madison Scenic park in 2009. While the budget is currently in-flux if this money is still in the budget  they will begin planning a public input process in early 2009 (January/February timeframe).  Approximately 30% of this amount is already designated to basic improvements (safety and access upgrades). The president will continue to stay in contact with Parks & Rec in regard to this project.

The next ENA newsletter will go out in mid-October. Now is the time to suggest articles.

Whitney’s board term will end in February and she will not be continuing on the board or with the newsletter. The ENA should start looking for someone to take over the newsletter duties effective February 2009. Although hopefully we can address this sooner so that the new person can cross-train.

ENA BOARD MEETING       Thursday July 17^th, 2008 

12 members present.

 

• Ann Mataczynski
• Luke Bowerman
• Jessica Archer
• Casey Allan
• Chad Akins
• Carol Wilson
• Nathan Allan
• Elaine Nelson
• Whitney Bowerman
• Tim McCloud
• Stuart Reed
• Sam Schroeder
• Terri Zander 

Luke called the meeting to order 7:10  the minutes from the June board meeting were read and approved.

Mark Bergeson sent in a treasurer’s report.  There is currently $2,100.00 in our bank account.

The neighborhood picnic will be on Sat. August 9^th     11:00—2:00

Terri Zander will bring some information on Bike Tech, some games

There will be a patrol car making the rounds of the park.

Eddie Willingham will provide us with a blow up slide or some similar type inflatable toy We will also check and see if he can loan us his sound system

Whitney will purchase and assemble the beef burgers.

Stewart will make the veggie burgers.

Sam will provide the iced coffee

Nathan and Casey will make the Costco run and purchase buns, hot dogs, condiments, soda, any paper products we may need.

Terri Zander will be in charge of the microphone and make any necessary announcements.

Whitney will put up signs around the neighborhood about the picnic and Jessica will help. Terri will put up 4 signs around the park

Whitney will set up a schedule for people manning the BBQs Elaine, Jessica, Chad and Luke all volunteered to cook.  Luke will bring a BBQ and it would be nice if we could get someone else to bring one.

Jessica will bring her corn hole game and anyone who has any other group games is urged to bring them.

There is some confusion in the current boundaries of the neighborhood association. The written description doesn’t match the actual map. Luke will look into getting the written description and the map to match.  He will also look into what the intention of the boundaries were.

Terri expressed some concerns about neighborhood safety issues.  There have been a lot of car prowls in the neighborhood lately. Luke will continue to post the information on our website. Perhaps we could have someone come and talk to us at the next neighborhood general meeting. The main emphasis seems to be know your neighbors and report anything that doesn’t look right. Perhaps the neighborhood association could take the lead in informing people of how to have a small group block party or garage sale. This would involve just a few houses and would be a great way to get to know your immediate neighbors. It was agreed that we would put the basics in the newsletter and more information on the website. Terri also suggested that we call the police on any kind of issue so they know what is going on in our neighborhood.

The garden project—Luke got a copy of the contract between the city and GRUBB which has a garden at Sunrise Park. We thought maybe the same thing would be possible at Madison Scenic Park. It was also decided that we have confused the city with all the different people who have talked to them about our garden project. Luke will contact the city and let them know that we are still in support of the garden project and when plans are begun for Madison Scenic Park we want to be involved in the process. He will contact GRUBB and see if they want to partner with us. Luke will contact David Hanna and let him know he will serve as the contact person and a garden is our preferred use of the park. He will report back to us at the picnic.

Terri let us know that build a bike is  looking for a new home and needs to move by the end of summer. Any one have any ideas?

Some concern was expressed about all board members being sure that anything they say or send out should be approved by the board first. Make sure they you aren’t appearing to be representing the ENA if you don’t have the board’s approval.

A Walking Train project is being started at Madison it is a way to get kids to school and home again safely with out using vehicles

The meeting was adjourned  at 8:30.

Respectfully submitted,    Carol Wilson Secretary.

 

1. discussion of minutes and Google Groups lists. may look into setting up an open discussion group, with someone other than Luke moderating. Approved.
2. Isthmus rezone. Luke has been receiving emails from various groups around town: some asking us to share info, some asking for an ENA position. in particular, one from several former planning commission members, sending a letter, wanting our endorsement. (anti the rezone) discussion of particular impacts, including fountain park, images available from the city. does the ENA want to take a position? discussion of whether it’s outside of our group’s scope. Sam suggested maybe having an article in the newsletter. for that venue, will be too late for any decision-making. consensus: “it’s not letterhead material.”
3. garden project. Stuart: not anything to report, still hasn’t heard back from David Hanna after making some calls, sending some letters; still trying to figure out what the city’s POV is. Stuart will send copies of the letters to Luke (whole board?) and Luke will follow up. Stuart will not have the same time availability, has not been able to get ahold of anyone at GRUB. also, the developer has no plans to develop the 13th Ave property in the near future, so that group doesn’t have the urgency that they did a year ago. Chad said that Michael Kelly at Terra Commons is interested in helping. Nathan thinks that the next step should be to talk to GRUB about their park project, and get the 13th Ave group going, otherwise: no point in doing it? Chad thought there was enough interest, put up a fence & sign, and Terra Commons really wants a project. Difference between enough people who would use it and enough people to make it happen. Tim knows Blue (?) at GRUB, thinks that this is an important need for the community. Stuart talked a bit with someone at GRUB about the Sunrise garden, but didn’t talk about the aspects addressed in the letter from the city. Tim will talk to Blue about the history & process. Chad will talk to Michael, feel out what they want, experience working with the city. Some discussion of relationship with the city, that they want our willingness to participate in the formal planning process.
4. picnic. August 9. Will New Bridge be involved to the same extent? Haven’t heard as much from them. Last year we bought beverages, burgers, dogs & buns. Eddie had inflatable toy; Carol’s son did activities. People broughts sides & desserts. Had too much food, couldn’t give it all away. We’re doing well financially, can do the same again. Higher quality meat? Cost is a serious factor. Quality salads? How many people? 40 or 50 would be a reasonable number. Tim would be willing to help with games & activities, if he doesn’t have his kid by then. Fire department will show up with fun stuff for kids. Luke has been talking to the police; apparently we have a neighborhood beat cop, will see if we can have someone come to the picnic or a general meeting. Sam can bring iced coffee & iced tea. Stuart would like to sign up for prep for making our own food. Can we go more sustainable or better quality? Chad will check whether Stewart’s Meats does premade patties. Will do same as last year, but look for better sources. Stuart will make the gardenburgers, about 2 dozen, will get reimbursed. Whitney will look into other meat options. Tim will ask SF Bakery people about buns (5-6 dozen). Will be asking for either donations or reduced cost.
5. traffic. Luke has been talking to Randy W. about the crosswalk at Madison. Trying to find out what’s going on. Will bring back in July.
6. sandwich board signs. southwest neighborhood got grant from city for something like that, but not reusable. nice professional sign about $300 ea. Luke is working on a homemade sign prototype, with a space for a notice under plexiglass.  Sam has a vinyl-cutter at work, might be able to score a couple of things of our logo, probably cheap or free. Luke can send him a copy of the logo (Illustrator) and approximate size. Luke showed the image prototype. Elaine & Chad may have some hinges to help. Oly Salvage always has good inexpensive plywood, (other store) has cheap paint. May be organizing a work party in the future.
7. we got STEPS grant again, Christine Watts is running it again. Probably continuing prior year projects. City is also talking about organizing “walking bus” with new employee coordinating pedestrian/bike transportation issues.
8. newsletter. articles due July 7. picnic, meet your neighbor, Kerry at the city wants to write. ads: the usual, plus Elaine will see about TwinStar, possibly picnic donors. ithusmus article? no, blog post. how to sign up for the Google Group, make a big deal about it. Elaine mentioned typo. Focus on ads, Elaine will put info on the website about newsletter ads. Luke will write a “president’s column.” Chad asked about inviting cartoonists.
9. Stuart brought up the PSE sale, utility commission recommended not selling, will there be local electric PUD?
10. Tim mentioned a google group on local organic gardening, “help my broccoli is looking like this what do I do?” as a resource for the neighborhood, people going to each other gardens. Will write article? Random discussion of the city composting program.
11. Luke: city police now have daily activity summary on their website. They also do vacation checks, come by to see if your house is okay.
12. Tim: some local sources for hoses/nozzles are now safe, but many contain lead, for safer vegetable gardening.

Next meeting, July 17, Swantown Inn, 7 pm.