May 13, 2025, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE

Members Present

Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Dan Rydholm

1) Approval of April meeting minutes

Jim S. described two minor corrections to the draft minutes. The Board approved the April minutes as amended.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking                    $514.02

Savings                   $2,048.46

Total                        $3,462.48

Jim R. reported that our insurance policy lapsed. We may need to renew it for grant projects.

3) Swag and event sign

Nathan has information on event signs similar to the Beekeepers new sign. The Board will discuss this further after we receive the signed grant approval.

Dan asked if we received grant funds for swag. The answer was we did not.

4) Neighborhood Matching Grant

Nathan has asked Brittany Gillia for a copy of our signed grant application.

Dan indicated he will apply for the Block Party Street Closure.

Current tentative block party locations are: 

1.   McCormick Street between Legion & 7^th, Sponsors – Dan, Abigail, Jim & Karen

2.   McCormick and 13^th – Typically sponsored by Patricia Campbell
3.   Lions Park, Sponsor – Jim Rioux

4.   10^th & Lybarger, Sponsor – typically Sherry Chilcutt

5) CNA report

Karen reported there are two Council candidates who have offered to talk to RNAs. Nathan said we could invite the neighbors and do interviews at the Inn. Jim R. offered to contact them.

The Southwest and Northeast neighborhoods are organizing Map Your Neighborhood emergency preparedness programs. Karen is thinking about inviting her neighbors to a get-together to discuss the program.

Both South Capital and East Bay neighborhoods reported on their efforts to control speeding. It was suggested Eastside residents need to call the non-emergency Police number when they hear cars racing.

The Council’s Land Use and Environment Committee discussed proposals to allow commercial uses in residential neighborhoods. Jim. R. talked about commercial deserts in neighborhoods. We can address comments to David Ginther at: mailto:dg******@***********wa.us” data-original-string=”QV9oA51IleV4l8J4nQT7sQ==a2dGZZvDI9m1uAcuOQNUDFe7fVhhOTAHIT6XhyvhZKqbh2Hp8lvGPxrHGuMr0BwDukJ” title=”This contact has been encoded by Anti-Spam by CleanTalk. Click to decode. To finish the decoding make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.

6) Sidewalk repairs and inventory report

Jim S. briefly described repairs completed by contractors during Olympia’s 2024 sidewalk repair project, the recently completed “Sidewalk Condition Assessment,” sidewalk discussions at CNA and LUEC meetings, and Larry Dzieza’s Get Stuff Done Initiative. There are articles in Jolt about sidewalk repairs.

Karen described sidewalk repair projects completed by Lacey City crews.

The CNA and the City are preparing for the May 21^st Affordable Housing Forum. Nathan suggested including an announcement in the May newsletter.

Nathan suggested Free Music Olympia may be available for the annual picnic.

7) May Newsletter topics

Suggested topics for the May newsletter included the Affordable Housing Forum and block parties. Karen will send the Forum announcement to Nathan.

8) May event

There will not be a May event. The ‘Meet Walk Talk’ event needs to be removed from the website calendar.

9) Other

Jim S. said there is one last review of the Military Department’s Armory sign underway. Once this review is completed the sign is scheduled to be installed before July 1^st.

The next Board meeting will be June 10^th at 7:00 PM.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Block parties are potlucks, please bring food to share with your neighbors! The ENA will be providing some burgers, dogs, and a veggie option at each party, along with a selection of drinks.

Please pack out what you pack in! Be conscious of your hosts and take any dishes/leftover food you have brought with you when you leave a party (take what you brought onto the next party!). While each party may have limited seating, please bring chairs for yourselves.

We hope to see everyone at one or all!

Locations

• McCormick and 7th. Hosted by Abigail, Karen & Jim, Aicha & Dan.
• McCormick and 13th. Hosted by Patricia Campbell.
• Lions Park. Hosted by Jim Rioux.
• Lybarger and 10th. Hosted by Sherry Chilcutt.

You are invited to participate on May 21st in a dialog about housing affordability and how Olympia neighborhoods and community members are affected. The City will use your input to help inform solutions. You can attend in-person or through Zoom.

The City of Olympia and Council of Neighborhood Associations are co-hosting an opportunity for community members to learn and talk about housing affordability in Olympia. The conversation takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Olympia City Hall Council Chambers, 601 4th Ave. E, Olympia WA.

Attendees will learn about the issue of housing affordability in our community and the actions the City and its partners are taking to address that challenge. You’ll be invited to talk with others in small groups about how neighborhoods and community members are impacted and explore how the City and broader Olympia community can further address housing affordability. City staff will collect your input to inform what solutions move forward for further analysis and possible consideration by the City Council.

Caregivers are welcome to bring children. If you would benefit from special accommodation, please contact the City two days or sooner in advance of the meeting.

Use the following link to participate through zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/register/l6axOD9lQF6vACoyr8YHRw

Stay informed of housing information by signing up for “Housing” e-news notices at www.olympiawa.gov/news.

April 8, 2025, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE

MINUTES

Members Present

Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Therese Vogel

Guest: Valerie Roberts

1) Armory update – Valerie Roberts

Valerie provided an update on progress making the Armory into a safe, accessible, functional community arts center. A full-scale audit of the facility has been completed along with phase 1 design and construction plans. The Council will be asked to approve the budget in May and construction should take 12 to 18 months.

The City negotiated with eight community arts non-profit Anchor Partners who will occupy and operate the facility under long-term leases.

2) Approval of March meeting minutes

A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the March meeting minutes as submitted.

3) Treasurer Report

Checking                    $465.77

Savings                   $2,948.17

Total                        $3,413.94

Jim R. reported there were a couple of recent dues payments.

4) RNA grant

Jim S. asked if there is any new information about our RNA grant. Jim R. said Nathan submitted the application. Karen said the CNA expects to hear from Brittany Gillia next week about the grants. It was decided to continue this item until May.

5) CNA report

Karen reported on an Affordable Housing Forum the CNA is planning with City officials on May 21. All Board members and residents are encouraged to attend.

She also discussed the Habitat for Humanity housing project planned on Boulevard Road, and efforts to lower the cost to build affordable housing.

The City has a Middle Housing survey on the Engage Olympia website for people to tell the City what they think about housing code amendments. The survey will close on April 30^th.

The CNA requested that the City keep their online construction map up to date by adding projects as soon as they are aware of them.

6) Newsletter topics

Jim S. suggested adding a feature allowing people to ask questions of the ENA to the monthly newsletters. The idea is to encourage people to ask about things they might see or hear that would be of general interest. Someone from the Board could then volunteer to research it and write an answer for the next newsletter. Examples include: What is Ziply Fiber? What was recently installed on the Fir Street water tank? Who is responsible for hazardous trees in the City’s rights of way? Why is it so hard to add a sidewalk along 7^th Avenue west of Lions Park? Abigail suggested asking a neighborhood expert to answer plant and garden related questions.

The Board generally liked the idea but agreed to continue the discussion to the May meeting as we are not expected have an April newsletter.

7) May event ideas

Jim S. said he would like us to have an outside event in May if the weather cooperates. The group discussed possible walking routes, such as starting at Lions Park and ending at Beerwerks. Jim and Abigail agreed to talk later and let the group know if we come up with a feasible time and place.

8) Other

Abigail reported she met with Dan Rydholm and Emma Shaw to discuss purchasing swag. The Board agreed to continue this discussion until the next meeting, and to talk about buying a new event sign.

The next Board meeting will be May 13^th at 7:00 PM.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

March 11, 2025, 7:00 PM

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE

Members Present

Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Abigail Twombly, Therese Vogel

Guest: Emma Shaw

1) Approval of February minutes

The February meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking                    $427.69

Savings                   $2,943.88

Total                        $3,371.57

We need to continue reminding Eastside residents of the need to pay annual dues. Nathan suggested letting people know how their dues helps to leverage neighborhood projects, events and volunteers. Jim R. made a motion to add a reminder to the next newsletter. Karen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

3) CNA report

Karen described the following topics which were discussed at the March 10^th CNA meeting.

• 2025 RNA grants – 12 RNAs requested $40,000 total; the next step in the process will be a City review panel
• Changes to Intercity Transit bus service
• Energize Thurston County heat pump program
• Briggs Village zoning changes, Fieldstone affordable housing project, Community Planning and Economic Development staffing, and the upcoming housing forum.

4) Newsletter topics

Board members brainstormed possible newsletter topics. The aim is to generate interest in events happening in the neighborhood and the city. Some possible topics:

• ENA membership dues
• RNA grants
• Armory interpretive sign
• The Procession of the Species art studio
• Energize Thurston County heat pump program
• West Bay Yards development proposal
• Ziply internet
• Work on the Fir Street water tank

Jim R. will be featured as the neighbor profile

If you agreed to do a write-up for the newsletter please try to send it to Nathan within a week following the monthly meeting.

5) Other

Jim S. mentioned the City’s ‘Wayfinding Master Plan’. You can read more and take a survey at: https://engage.olympiawa.gov/wayfinding-plan

Jim S. talked to Valerie Roberts, the Armory building manager, about the Military Department’s interpretive sign. She agreed to attend the ENA Board meeting on April 8^th to talk about this and other issues.

The next Board meeting will be April 8^th at 7:00 PM.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

7:00 PM February 11, 2025

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE

Members Present

Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bayle, Therese Vogel, Dan Rydholm

1) Approval of the Minutes

The January meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking                    $757.01

Savings                   $2,943.62

Total                        $3,700.63

Jim R. reported a reimbursement check to Sherry has not been cashed. There are two additional deposits through Stripe for $48.25 and $66.89 as well as a $1,840 deposit that included City RNA grant reimbursement, plus $80.00 in donations from the annual meeting. 

He also mentioned that people have asked him if we could remind them to pay dues. The Board discussed including swag for various membership tiers. Dan and Cheryl volunteered to be on a swag subcommittee.

3) Workgroup Update

Jim S. reported that a work group has met twice to work on:

1. The ENA Website – Dan made several upgrades to the website, including the calendar. He suggested we add a statement on the home page to the effect that the ENA welcomes all groups and individuals.
2. Events Calendar – Nathan brought the website calendar up on the screen and Dan explained the free WordPress plug-in. We agreed to pick a date for every event when it’s entered on the calendar, with the understanding we may need to change it later.
3. Newsletters – Nathan said newsletters will be sent out about a week after monthly Board meetings. He also created an archive on the website for newsletters. Dan said he can create a newsletter template using Mailchimp, and we can add a link to the newsletters on Facebook. Jim R. volunteered to draft a profile on Therese.

Board members expressed appreciation for all the work Nathan, Dan and others have invested in improving our communications abilities.

4) 2024 RNA Grant Closeout

Jim R. reported he has completed the submittal to close out the 2024 RNA grant.

5) 2025 RNA Grant Application approval

Nathan walked us through the online grant application. After a few minor changes, the Board agreed on projected volunteer hours, the grant request amount and other application details.

Nathan made a Motion to approve proposed RNA grant application and forward it to the City; Dan seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.

6) CNA Report

Karen reported that the CNA discussed the following during its February 10meeting.

The South Capital RNA used Capital City Press to print and send their newsletter.

Councilmember Clark described the City’s position regarding news filtering down from the other Washington.

A proposal to build a new WA FED bank near 4^th and Water Street. Abigail described discussions that have taken place at the Design Review Board.

Changes proposed for the commercial zoning in Briggs Village.

A housing project on Franz Anderson road.

The West Bay Yards project. For more information see:

https://www.olympiawa.gov/info/construction_in_olympia/west_bay_yards.php

Middle Housing. Joyce Phillips briefed the CNA on code changes being considered in response to recent legislation affecting residential zoning. She offered to come and talk to neighborhood associations. More information can be found here:

https://www.olympiawa.gov/government/codes,_plans___standards/missing_middle.php

7) Other

1. Jim S. described the CNA “Sounding Board” comments on the comp plan Land Use and Urban Design chapter. These comments have been forwarded to the project planner and the next step will be an in-person meeting.
2. The City recently announced a project to reconfigure the intersection at State Avenue and Wilson Street. A public information session is scheduled in the City Council chambers Thursday February 20^th from 5:30 to 7:00. More information can be found here: https://www.olympiawa.gov/info/construction_in_olympia/state_and_pacific_project.php
3. Suggestions for guests we may want to invite to future meetings:
4. Zeima Kassahun, Urban and Community Forestry Specialist, to talk about tree pruning.
5. Brittany Gillia, Associate Planner, to talk about the City’s neighborhoods program and RNA grants.

The next Board meeting will be March 11^th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

ENA Board Meeting
7:00 PM January 14, 2025

Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE, Olympia

Members Present

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

1) Approval of the Minutes

The December 11, 2024 meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking $1,969.87

Savings $2,943.25

Total $4,913.12

Jim Rioux reported he received and deposited a Neighborhood Grant check for $1,840.40. He also deposited $90 in cash and checks received at our Annual Meeting. We still owe Laurel $1,200 and Sherry $369.32.
He received a bill for the Post Office box that is due at the end of the month; 12 months for $256. The Board agreed to renew for 6 months and Jim said he would look into less expensive alternatives.

3) January 7th Annual Meeting

Everyone agreed the annual meeting was a success. The table arrangement allowed people to socialize and connect with their neighbors. Jim Rioux did a nice job with the introductions. The guest speakers were interesting and engaging. Many thanks to Nathan and Casey for hosting and providing the excellent food.

4) Election of Officers

All current officers have agreed to continue. Karen agreed to fill the vacant Vice President position and continue as the CNA representative.

5) CNA Report
Karen reported there was no council member present.

Tim Smith reported the City currently has about 60 projects in permit review, including West Bay Yards, SPSCC dormitories, Briggs Village and Henderson apartments. Abigail described a new bank building proposed near 4th and Water, on the site formerly occupied by Procession of the Species.

Fire Chief Matt Morris talked about CERT – Community Emergency Response Team training (see link below). He also described OFD’s Community Assistance Referral and Education Services program.

Larry Dzieza continues to try and open an on-going dialog with the Planning Commission. This could include neighborhood association members commenting during meetings and being added to the Commission’s annual work plan.

6) RNA Grant Closeout

7) 2025 Work Plan & Events Calendar

Nathan projected the ENA website on the screen and the Board discussed what information should be prominent on the home page and in menus. It was agreed we need to update the 2025 events calendar regularly.

8) Other

The Board agreed to schedule time to work on the things that routinely fall through the cracks because we don’t have time for them during monthly meetings. Some examples are newsletters, email lists, the events calendar and website. It was decided to meet Sunday morning January 26 from 10:00 to 12 at Swantown.

Jim S. described a recent Strong Towns article about civic engagement; “How a Walk About Nothing Can Change Everything About Public Engagement” Here’s a link: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025/1/10/how-a-walk-about-nothing-can- change-everything-about-public- engagement?apcid=0060f5c4aeb5b5bba4851200&utm_campaign=25-1-14- digest&utm_content=25-1-14-digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ortto

Following are links to websites describing the CERT training Chief Morris talked about, and other emergency preparedness sites.

“What is CERT Training?”

https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/cert- trainings?language=en_US

“Community Emergency Response Team”

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/individuals-communities/preparedness- activities-webinars/community-emergency-response-team

“Disaster Preparedness Training for Communities and Organizations

The next Board meeting will be February 11th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

Hi neighbors, my name is Jonnita Thompson and I’m a new Lead Neighborhood Coordinator for the Thurston County Food Project. There was a lot of energy at our recent ENA Annual Meeting when we heard from Chris Hyde, Souper Sunday and The Food Source Network founder and Berenice from the Thurston County Food Bank. The theme of addressing food insecurity of our neighbors and friends.

I’d like to invite you to support the Thurston County Food Project. It’s a really easy way to donate to the food bank. I drop off a green bag, you fill it and put it on your porch the second Saturday of even months and I stop by and pick it up. It really couldn’t be easier to make a small but meaningful gesture to support our community. You can sign up to be a donor here;

https://thurstoncountyfoodproject.org/79-2/

The next pickup is scheduled for Saturday, February 8 and I’d love to add you to the route!