ENA Board Meeting
June 10, 2025, 7:00 PM
Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Ave SE
MINUTES
Members Present
Sherry Chilcutt (President), Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Sweeney (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Cheryl Bayle, Therese Vogel
Guest
Brittany Gillia, CP&ED Associate Planner/Historic Preservation Officer
1) Historic Preservation & Neighborhoods Program
Brittany discussed her background and her work in historic preservation and as the Heritage Commission’s liaison. In response to a question about historic trees, she said they need to be listed on the Heritage Register to be protected. A tree can be nominated for listing with the property owner’s approval.
Board members asked about neighborhood matching grants for various future projects and events. Jim S. suggested updating the Eastside brochure with a walking map. Brittany suggested the City may be able to help with GIS expertise. Jim R. asked if the ENA has a contract to allow us to spend grant funds. Brittany said the grant is approved. It was generally agreed that the ENA can reimburse individuals from our funds and request grant payments from the City at a later time. Brittany said the City prefers that we bundle receipts for payment. Also, none of our events will require insurance.
Jim S. suggested the CNA could play an important role in reviewing next year’s RNA grant proposals. Brittany said involvement by the CNA would need to happen before grant applications are submitted to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
The Board thanked Brittany for attending and we look forward to fresh ideas and a re-invigorated neighborhoods program.
2) Approval of May 10th Minutes
Jim S. described two minor corrections to the draft minutes.
The Board approved the May 13th minutes as amended.
3) Treasurer Report
Checking $406.19
Savings $2,948.75
Total $3,354.94
Jim R. reported one new $70 membership was paid.
Our new mailbox is at Ralphs Thriftway. We will need to circulate the new address.
4) Affordable Housing Forum
The May 21st forum was well attended thanks to everyone who helped promote it. The City is compiling the comments which were received. The CNA intends to follow-up with a second forum, likely on the subject of sidewalks.
5) Land Use and Urban Design Comp Plan chapter
CP&ED (Community Planning & Economic Development) completed a major re-write of the chapter before the June 4 public meeting. A new Urban Residential land use designation was unveiled, along with a policy to allow small scale commercial uses within neighborhoods through conditional use permits to limit impacts.
6) CNA report
Karen reported on the issues discussed at the June 9th CNA meeting.
Olympia neighborhoods are hearing more complaints about speeding and noise.
The East Bay neighborhood is selling oyster seed to plant in Budd Inlet.
The Governor Stevens neighborhood will be holding a neighborhood garage sale.
ONNA (Olympia Northeast Neighborhoods Alliance) has made good progress on emergency preparedness and the Southwest neighborhood has appointed block captains.
Airport noise and a lack of transparency by the Port in their master plan update is an issue, and some would like to see it on the City’s radar.
Peter Guttchen would like neighborhoods to be able to get ahead of development proposals on large vacant parcels through subarea planning.
Councilmember Vanderpool talked about wayfinding signage. He also expressed interest in speeding, particularly in school zones. The Council will be looking at increasing costs and funding for the Yelm highway park and the Armory.
7) Block parties
Currently there are four block parties being planned for Saturday June 28th.
1. McCormick Street between 7th & Legion, sponsored by Dan & Aicha, Abigail, Jim & Karen.
2. McCormick & 13th, sponsored by Patricia Campbell.
3. Lions Park, sponsored by Jim Rioux.
4. 10th & Lybarger, sponsored by Sherry Chilcutt.
If sponsors have not applied for street closure permits, this needs to happen right away.
We’ll plan to start by 4:00 and be finished by 7:00.
Each sponsor is allocated up to $125 for food and supplies – keep your receipts!
Event locations will be advertised on sandwich board signs, on the ENA website, and with handouts, at the discretion of sponsors. Jim and Karen will ask Abigail about signs at our planning meeting on Thursday.
Please save leftover non-perishable food and supplies for the annual picnic.
8) June newsletter topics?
For “Ask the ENA” – What is the new restaurant at 1001 4th Avenue E, where doughnut shop used to be?
Suggested “neighbor spotlight” – David Bellefueille Rice
9) Other
A Council candidates’ forum is being planned but we don’t yet know the date.
A School Board candidates’ forum is scheduled July 12 at Capital Theater.
The following comprehensive plan chapters and meetings are from Olympia’s June update email:
Introduction Chapter – A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 16.
Community Values & Vision – Apublic hearing is also scheduled for June 16.
Housing – A briefing for the Planning Commission is scheduled for July 15.
Utilities – The Council is scheduled to review and accept the draft chapter at its meeting on June 17.
The annual picnic is scheduled for August 9th. Nathan is looking into live music.
In response to a question about serving alcohol in City parks, these are the terms & regulations for City park shelters:
Alcohol is prohibited at most City facilities and in adjoining parking lots unless a City approved permit has been granted. If approved, liability insurance, a banquet permit and a $50 alcohol permit fee are required and must be submitted/paid at least 45 days before event. Banquet permit must be posted during your event.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
The next Board meeting will be July 8th at 7:00 PM.