Category: Minutes

6/21, 7 pm, New Bridge Community Church
Minutes taken by Elaine Nelson in lieu of Secretary Carol Wilson

Attending:
Board members: Elaine Nelson, Chad Akins, Mark Bergeson, Ann Mataczynski, Jody Suhrbier, Luke Bowerman, Nathan Allan
Guests: Don Stark, Bob Vadas Jr., Eddy Willingham
Minutes approved.

I. Introductory discussions
Chad’s idea: 1 minute open mic at the beginning of the meeting? Airport email discussion.

Bob’s concern about dog poop, people aren’t cleaning up. Chad volunteered to take pictures, talk to city about getting more of the blue bags boxes in the park.

II. Madison Scenic Park plans
Pea-patch? Nathan’s not here, Chad was hoping to put him in touch with Todd [vols in parks guy]…and then Nathan walked in with some small person. (Beckett, friend’s kid)

David Hanna replied to email that he sent before going to Australia, said they should have coffee. Decatur Park on the westside might be similar in terms of amenities, restroom, playground, walking trail. Nathan’s going to lead this project and will keep the board informed, find out what guidelines the city has for us. We still have money for a park project that hasn’t yet been spent, still waiting for the city to tell us what they need.

Nathan & Casey went to the park with 13th ave pea patch folks, who want something really long term. They have money saved up for a move, and they like the spot.

Nathan will tell him that we’re still very interested, might just show up at David’s office.

III. Neighborhood entrance signs
Reviewed email with Jennifer. Jody and Nathan said they’d gone through all that with Public Works. Maybe a situation of talking to different people? Write to city council? Use the 3 minutes. Not going to install them on private property! Talk to city manager? In meeting, Lee approved the sign, but after going to CPD it all went sideways – he suggested above 11 feet on the poles. Present the whole chronology, who we talked to, original grant info – to Jennifer. Some things changed based on phone conversations with Ken. Jody will try to write up a timeline. Start with Jennifer and work it out from there.

Jody asked if it would help to have photos of similar signs in Olympia. Could be.

IV. Walkability project
Active neighborhoods grant, halfway thru cycle. since last meeting: school bike day, spent some of the grant money to buy 30 bike locks. More kids rode than expected – 45 total – but all who didn’t have bike locks got one. [newsletter!] put together booklet, trying to get approval from [?] for route map for kids, showed map, simplified routes (safe, sidewalks) with pedestrian safety rules on the back, plus a letter to go with it. wanted to get mayor, superintendent to sign letter, but no dice. survey to go with, missed some details. might put the survey (but NOT the map) online. “how can we make the map more useful?” feedback on safety will go to the city, could push us up the priority list, otherwise 20 years out. last element will be to take feedback, revamp map, put out new packet at the beginning of the next school year with fun incentives. looking to partner with PT(A? O?) on “pride time” — walking laps?! — at certain levels get prizes. how can we help with that next year? Madison has 170 kids walked 1800 miles this last school year. we asked if we could reward them, talked to South Sound Running, gave 8 pairs of shoes, drawing for each class. “Random acts of kindness” — at the end of year school giving 16 kids a prize, attempting to get 16 bikes from Build-A-Bike, but fell through days before! We tried to get ahold of some things. First United Methodist bought brand new bikes. Through safe kids coalition we bought 16 helmets. Will buy some more things to help throughout the year in order to spend the remainder of the grant by August 31. The kids need really tangible stuff. Chad suggested outreach to email list for additional donations, and is willing to approach Fred Meyer about donation/price break. Bob asked about vandalism, Jody said that a lot of kids were worried about having bikes stolen, but nothing about vandalism. “Please write for — fund” on the check, suggestion from Mark.

Intermission
Katie showed up with painting for Jody!

V. Picnic
We can afford to buy food, thanks to Don’s generosity with the newsletter.

Options for games: http://www.partyoutfitters.com/index.cgi?cat=%2FI%20Want%20to%20RENT%20Games&rm=listitems&loc=WA

Eddy just bought that company. ask other churches to help donate the cost or staffing. he’ll look into availability for that weekend, how much he can.

Put it out early, contact other churches. Until something happens with the sign project, Chad can be lead on this.

One “thing” is probably enough to keep kids who show up busy.

What about croquet? Disc golf? All good!

Make a flier to take around to all.

Ann gave a quick update about the St. Mike’s groundbreaking.

Luke suggested a letter to all, to be inclusive. Jody suggested framing it as “we’d like you to come”, mention NB donation, but not make that the focus. [get printer cartridge] eddy and his folks will help deliver. Elaine asked if there’s any other groups, nobody could think of any. Chad asked about summer education, Luke said not a good idea.

Was anybody in particular looking into finding musicians? eddy thought perhaps we should hold off on organizing, a lot of work. he’ll be bringing a good system. chad suggested just letting people know that they could bring instruments etc. invite via the notice “bring your own” eddy will be contact person, cut-off date Aug 1? Mark brought up that the notice won’t be out in time.

Discussion of the content issue. Stress family event.

Decision not to worry about music, no invitations, etc.
VI. Newsletter
Ann reminded everybody that she’s not going to be coordinating as of Winter 2008.

Luke and Elaine will meet next week and set deadlines for the newsletter and send them. Ann emphasized earlier is better. Chad suggested a big email in mid-July reminding people of the picnic.

VII. Closing discussion
A couple of things from eddy: neighbor down the street came up and said something about raised garden beds, wondering if there was a possibility of doing it on the field. Aymellie? Mark has the name, should pass it along to Nathan. In preparation for the move, they want to introduce neighbors to the church group(s?) — what can they do to communicate to their folks? neighbor interviews? on video?! Jody and Ann would be willing to volunteer. Could go on the website or in the newsletter. Suggested Walt. Nathan was volunteered by the group. Mark suggested a taping at the next board meeting, July 19. Eddy will be in touch.

Chad mentioned Elaine’s idea for simplifying/redesigning the site. Will be sending sketches.

Meeting adjourned.

Following are notes taken by Elaine Nelson, board member, at the May 10 2007 general meeting.

About 20 people were in attendance, including board members.
Board president Chad Akins opened the meeting, welcomed all.  Also suggested that perhaps at the next general meeting (November) we might have a brief open mic period.  Feedback on this idea welcome.

Ursula Euler from the City’s Solid Waste division presented on Zero Waste initiatives.  The notes below were taken during the meeting; ask for clarification.
zero waste resolution
has anybody heard about it? not too many.
“impossible?” what else can be done?
put sustainability to work to save the planet
seems pretty impossible, but what it really means is that we have to take responsibility to pay attention. we are a major contributor to climate change. one way to reduce greenhouse gases is to reduce waste & increase recycling. better management is one way to contribute.
zero waste is not a goal but a vision. something to strive for.
once they started thinking about that in waste mgmt, there are some things that can be done. 6 year waste management plan. keep looking at the website, for the next study session, public hearing, and so on. likely study session in june, hearing in the fall. all opportunity to provide your input. if you feel comfortable with the plan, they have a chance of being successful.
using less, using longer, reduces waste w/out recycling.
when we throw away…we can only recycle for so long, and eventually it all ends up in the landfill, and not just a dirty place, but an emitter of greenhouse gases! (CO2 & methane) and to reduce the use of raw materials.
product stewardship? also called cradle to cradle, seeing it now with e-waste laws here in WA (and other states), to design products that are recyclable or compostable. turn to the original manufacturers, make them responsible for taking back products for appropriate disposal.
they’re helping to put that into action, help us get the equiment to wherever the manufacturer says it needs to go.
keep watching, reading, going to the website. she has cards, take her email & phone.
what can we do today? very simple things we can all do, that she’s doing. backyard composting. some places collect food waste (and papers) at curbside for composting, and they are thinking about doing this as well.
comment from audience: two weeks is a long time to have organic waste sitting out.
can pizza boxes go into backyard composting? yes, but it takes a long time. where they would take it is to a commercial composter, with temps close to 100 degrees. and that would also take bones & dairy products, which are NOT recommended for backyard composting.
[missed a question about the proposed facility]
question about zero waste: you didn’t mention energy, is that part? yes. energy is part of the whole cycle. trash goes from transfer station (no longer a landfill) @ hawks prairie; then trucked to near chehalis, then by train even further south! but the biggest impact is not the transport, but the gases generated in decomposition.
another thing you can do now is buy newer CFLs, bring your own bags to the grocery store. last not least, buy recycled. if we don’t buy it, then there won’t be a market, and it’s not getting us as far as we’d like to get.
our residential rate in 2006 was 56% including yard waste, which is very well in comparison with other localities.
has anything ever be done about what to do with plastic bags around papers/magazines? 46 different kinds of plastic! that’s “film” and the manufacturers don’t make it easy. only the bottles are really developed as a market. Seattle takes plastic bags; how do they have a market and we don’t? can take some to Fred Meyer. their goal is to take recyclable to recycled — they may have a really good processor, and that’s often limited locally. they’re still researching & struggling.

Elaine Nelson got up to announce the current status of the sign project and to ask for volunteers for a work party on Saturday, May 12.  The focus of that event is scouting and marking locations.

Then followed a discussion of the board’s idea of “adopting” the Madison Scenic Park.  The idea most discussed was for a community “pea patch” garden.  Several members of the local group Grub were in attendance.  Real-time notes follow; “Nathan” refers to board member Nathan Allan.  Again, feel free to ask if you need clarification on any notes.
Is it really a city park? city has money for it, still working out the details, but it will be city property.
top 3 ideas: path, stage, pea patch garden.
Nathan started talking about the garden idea, maybe work with Grub, who has members here at the meeting. Chad talked to WSU master gardener people, they could be really interested.
Apparently the old stage has already been demolished. City is planning new plantings. Mark F. mentioned that there’s already water service. City council has voted to increase amount of neighborhood matching grants to $4000.
Asked to recap.
Some people from existing community garden, concerned about moving out of their current spot. they have some money that they’re hoarding for their move, good tools, regular work parties.
Nathan: we figured it was centrally located.
Chad: do a walk through? and approximate how many spots.
Points to me about square foot garden.
grub rep: concerned about vehicle access. Chad: would be fun to think about an innovative solution. Nathan: spot where people walk through near duplexes at the bottom.
size of park is 2.2 sq. acres, approx. how much as pea patch? (didn’t answer!) could also do terracing of the slope.
Nathan: once the church is moved in, we can use their parking during the week to get to the week.

After this item, the formal meeting broke up, and people ate snacks provided by volunteers and chatted before departing.

Present: Chad, Elaine, Mark, Jessie, Casey, Nathan, Ann
Absent: Jody, Luke, Carol
Guests from New Bridge: [?], David, Don
Notes taken by Elaine in Carol’s absence

Chad passed information about CERT, shared a thank you card that came in the mail, and the new community rebate cards. Storman’s may be making a keychain-sized card.

Introductions: David Gaber, Don Stark, Eddie Willingham from New Bridge in addition to those present.

No minutes from February, suspended approval until next time.

1. Signs: Jody has a spreadsheet of all the things that need to be done. Nathan: signs are ready, need to notify the neighbors as a courtesy, get utility markings. Walt will provide a powered auger! Jody’s husband, Andy, is going to drill the holes. Nathan will take the signs to Jody. Jessica has the map, but not precise locations. Feed information to Chad. Want to get this set this month. Eddie has enthusiastic youth who may be able to help…but not with the auger! Joe Hyer mentioned some service opportunities at the parks.

2. Newsletter: I summarized, as best I could, the meeting that Luke, Jessie, and I had. [notes later] Chad asked if we advertise in any other venues. Jessie: update on New Bridge activities? Would work for Ann if we had copies to her around the 20th or 21st of April. Send out deadlines to everybody. Might be able to work out a deal with Don Stark on printing, if we provide paper. (previously cost $230) Would need to work out folding, or not. Treasurer’s Report, incl. thanking in-kind donors.
3. Online dues payment, need to finalize with PayPal. Chad: can also do some direct deposits from WSECU members to ENA acct.; very helpful people there.

4. Can we use UBI instead of EIN? Is it too much of a hoop to get that number, too scary dealing with IRS? Big step in terms of reporting sales tax.

5. Treasurer’s report: $150 of income this month. $330 in expenses. Newsletter continues to be our greatest expense. Sounds scary, but normal for this time of year. We started the year with $1000 with non-earmarked money, $1240 of earmarked money. Agreed to spend $40 on recognition for Jody.

Need to schedule meeting to talk about business number, or communicate by email.

6. New Bridge info. They want to be involved w/community, including more people in these kinds of meetings. He needs help from others in their group; David & Don will be part of that. Want to keep tabs on things they can do to be neighborly. Lots going on! Passed around drawing of architectural concepts. Priority 1 is moving in admin offices. Sprinkler systems right now. Multipurpose room, under carpet, was asphalt, not concrete. (Enclosed later, after building was built.) Hope to have staff in offices around April 1. Starting to dig ditches, related to stormwater? Looks like everything is connected correctly, not sewage to stormdrain! Parking lot will be big undertaking, moving lots of stuff out, bring materials in, and repaving. Keeping part of the field, the rest going to parking lot. Existing materials came from the bottom of the port, have to be dug out. Porous asphalt, will be retention from water coming down the hill, should perc down. Grounds and building are all one master plan. Hoping to have first service Oct. 8. HVAC coming along fine. Entrance will be off of 10th. Will bring laptop next time with 3D modeling. Will there people working there during the week? Yes, full-time staff. Ann can bring the next newsletter directly to them. Easter Egg Hunt…will be at Centennial, which is where they meet now. (More of an announcement to follow online.) Chad: interested in gathering memories from the old school, would like to have them involved. In comparison to his experience at Waller Road Elementary. Maybe could find out when the roof went over the multipurpose room! Think about an insert to the newsletter. Seem to have reduced graffiti. Chad: lots of interest at neighborhood association pres meetings in the hill back behind the park; in the redesign, is there any way for community members to put input re: parking lot? is already set. Is there landscaping that can be done on the slope that would help remediate? might be able to share parking lot with the park. some of the hill area is part of their property, will be cut back in parking lot process? rodent problems? no, not really; more across the street. might put other berries to replace blackberries out on the corner (10th & Central?).

Mark: joint picnic with New Bridge this year? do members live in the neighborhood? don’t know. seed #2: thank you ad in next newsletter in thanks for largest donation in ENA history? Chad: maybe get graphic of building plan for newsletter.

next: meeting with city council & neighborhood presidents, 4x/year, Peter G. is very active; help define for the council neighborhood goals. Peter & Chad talked about best practices for community marketing, Peter wants to redraft ordinance by which neighborhood assoc’s are charted. What are the flaws? Similar to the audit Joe Hyer did with nonprofits working with the city; make uniform for all associations. Some positives, some negatives. Chad will be participating in the workgroup, lots and lots of meetings. Will probably be on wifi committee with TCTV/City of Oly.

Don: questions about the association. Elaine mentioned that renters can be involved. $10 dues, optional. Nathan: some people inbetween us and DNA want to be “annexed” by our association.

Chad: conversation re: annexing? Includes Capitol Apartments. Pre-dawn invasion? Mandatory board membership? What does it take to actually redraw the lines? Might need to wait to put in signs…. Chad will look into it, work with Eric Fleming. That area doesn’t have a voice now. Send any tips to Chad.

[newsletter story on annexation?]

Next meeting is April 19, open to public.

Nathan: suggestion for summer board meeting, barbecue! June? July?

Goals for 2007? Chad suggested discussing online. Meeting is going on long, might continue to ride on agenda otherwise.

Nathan’s idea for the scenic park. One project like that for this group: plenty! We are now one of the groups that is predisposed to get the grant. Discussion of “pea patch” idea; losing the existing one. Would have a good role as a way to involve more people.

Sidewalk on 10th?

Chad will talk to CP&D about their plans & funds. Nathan will talk to Jody about the grant. Is it really a park?! Chad will look on assessor’s website. Transfer was supposed to be done 6 mos/1 year ago….

Meeting location for next month? TBD.