Nathan Allan

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes – March 2021

ENA Board Meeting Minutes

March 10, 2021

Virtual Meeting

Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Cheryl Bayle, Chris Knight, Roger Horn, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney.

Neighborhood Office Invitation

Sherry contacted the new neighborhood officer, but he did not respond yet. We will try to arrange for him to attend a future meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

Checking $516.86

Savings 1062.11

Signs 1305.38

Trees 153.04

Beauty 409.33

Approval of February Minutes

Approved with Edits

Blood Bank at FUMCO

Chris reported that the Blood Bank will be accepting blood donations at FUMCO on Tuesday and Wednesday, 3/15 and 3/16.

CNA Report

There were three presentations from staff at the last CNA meeting.

Amy Buckler provided an update of the housing plan. It seemed that her key message was that we will experience significant growth and we have only started to build the housing units that will be needed.

There was significant follow-up discussion about large developments being proposed for West Bay Drive and that lack adequate public process.

Stephanie Johnson shared the City’s plans for this year’s Arts Walk. Parks is planning a virtual approach that maps art throughout the City and encourages people to visit the site over the Month of April She is interested in hearing from Neighborhood Associations that wish to participate.

Teal Russell provided a homeless update. Seems like the City has reached a status quo with the Plum St. Village working well, the mitigation camp managing and looking forward to wood shelters, and unmanaged camps continuing without any good answers. There is also coming discussion of a formal RV site, but progress is slow.

RNA Grants

Jim R. has submitted a draft application for larger signboards. Lydia indicated that it is good to go.

Sherry is working with the artist Laurel Henn to finalize the application for a mural. There is a lot of interest and excitement about the project.

Missing Sidewalks on 7th Avenue

Roger said that according to Paul Horton who lives on 7th and attended a Core Team meeting, three of four property owners are okay with adding a sidewalk along the street. The Core Team will continue to work on this issue.

South Sound Children’s Reading Book Drive

Sherry reported on the ongoing Book Drive. It has been a great success in the past.

They will take books in any condition and if necessary, send them to others to handle them.

Removal of Infected Tees

Roger has contacted Tim Smythe and Michelle (Shelly) Bentley. All are waiting to hear from Michelle who indicated that she may have access to a waiver that the City has used for the insurance requirements.

Tim will also try to connect with Michelle.

Coffee Shop at Swantown Inn

The board discuss additional steps that could be taken to help efforts to get a coffee stand at the Inn.

The Board was generally in favor, but without better information about what others in the neighborhood feel, did not feel ready to provide a written endorsement.

Jim R recommended that Nathan reach out to the immediate neighbors to see if there is any strong objection.

Nathan Allan

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes – February 2021

ENA Board Meeting Minutes

February 10, 2021

Virtual Meeting

Attendees: Sherry Chilcutt, Cheryl Bayle, Nathan Allan, Chris Knight, Roger, Jim Rioux, Jim Sweeney.

Treasurer’s Report

Checking $516.86

Savings $1062.04

Signs $1305.24

Trees $153.02

Neighborhood beautification $ 409.29

Approval of January Minutes

Approved with Edits

CNA Report

Jim Rioux provided a brief update of discussion at the February 8meeting of the CAN. The major discussion items were as follows:

  • Yến Huỳnh, the new Council liaison took over for Clark Gilman
  • Lydia provide an update of this year’s matching grant program. Information is now on the city’s website
  • Mike Reid, the City’s Economic Development Director provide a presentation on the ecumenic status o the City and COPVID-19 impacts. Overall the City is weathering the pandemic relatively well.

Mike’ presentation led to ad side discussion about barriers to first time home buyers and the importance of home ownership to building personal wealth.

Subarea Plan

Jim Sweeny provided an update of efforts related to the Armory.  He mentioned that the Amory is now up for acquisition and that there is an upcoming meeting with the City to speak to our legislative delegation

The Core Team met with ONNA. It was suggested that we make this connection a regular the event. At the last meeting we received input about how to proceed with efforts to get a sidewalk connection on 7th Avenue

Ideas and leaders for 2021 projects

 Sherry asked everyone to list a item or two that they want to work on this year.

Jim Sweeney – Development of a Neighborhood Hub

Cheryle Bayle – Individual Asset Assessment project to identify talent in the neighborhood and improve connections.

Nathan Allan – Winter Walkabout

                        Block party at the Inn

                        7th Avenue Sidewalk

                        Coffee Window at the Inn

Jim Rioux –   Individual Asset Assessment project

Sign boards

7TH Avenue Sidewalk

Roger Horn   Variety show

Winter walk about

7th Avenue Sidewalk

Block Party

Removal of infected trees

Chris Knight -I feel like I’m at my limit. Can offer serving in a co-leadership                                                position

                        Managing the shelter at FUMC

Sherry –         Mural at 620 Central. 

                        Housing

FUMC Shelter

Chris provided a brief update. Things are going well. They are not getting any complaints. It’s a beautiful thing to be there for people that have, in a way. fallen through the cracks. Most residents are elderly.

Jim S asked if s there anything we can do. Chris will check in with interfaith works.

Nathan Allan

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes – January 2021

ENA Board Meeting Minutes

January 11, 2021

Virtual Meeting 

Attendees: Jim Sweeny, Nathan Allen, Roger Horn, Sherry Chilcutt, Jim Rioux Stephanie Johnson City PARD.

Art Crossing Update 

Stephanie provide an update of the Eastside Crossing project and shared power point that was presented to City Council.

She reported that Council was pleased with the concept. 

Next step is presentation to the Arts Commission in February.

She expects the project will be completed by August 31.

Winter Walkabout Success

Roger and Nathan discussed the Winter Walkabout project.

Overall it was much more successful than expected

We advertised on next door and provided 3 $50 gift certificates. The winners were surprised and happy about the gift. One donated $50 to the neighborhood association. 

Next year they thought they would expand include to any decorations. They noted that there were many really nice light displays in the neighborhood this year.

Running an event for two weeks seemed better than a single night event.  

CNA Report

Jim R. provided a report on the January meeting of the CNA

A new topic was an effort to remove the proposal for a road through the LBA Woods from the City’s comprehensive plan.

Clark Gilman shared a briefing on the City’s Legislative Agenda. Priorities include COVID relief, homeless support, and criminal justice reform

Clark will be rotating off his position as CNA liaison. This will be handed off to the new council member. 

Lydia provided an update on Matching Grants. She will send a e-mail with instructions in January.

Plum Street Village 

Nathan provided an update of activities related to the Plum Street Village.

Things continue to go well, and the village is still well managed

Still no internet which is very frustrating. He can’t understand why the City can’t make this happen. Seems like the only way to get this done will be a personal connection. City route is too hard.

Lions Park ‘Letter’

Sherry received an update from City Parks. They provided a Tree map and indicated that there need to be one removal because the tree is not healthy.

Nathan will post the tree map on our website.

Tool Library 

Sherry has request from a citizen about a tool library. 

Grants 

Jim will reach out to Lydia about process. The board discussed a few ideas.

New reader boards

Mailings to members

Neighborhood Mural 

Amory 

Jim Sweeny reported that the historical designation is going to the Olympia Heritage Commission Jan 27 6:00 pm 

The City prepared a very good write up about the potential for the building titled Creative Campus. 

Olympia News 

There a was a report that the City has a new Neighborhood Patrol Officer, Officer Levitt. The board discussed getting his contact information and inviting him to a meeting

Strategic Plan?

Jim Sweeney shared a proposal to develop a simplified strategic plan. He is thinking about a prioritized list of things we want to do.

The board agreed to think about ideas and discuss at our next meeting. 

TRPC Regional Housing  

Sherry reports on a meeting on a TRPC meeting on housing. A lot of ideas were discussed, butt the tone was that they no entity had the power to get what we need built.

Right now, there is only 10-day supply of housing and there is a shortage of single-story houses.  

Nathan Allan

Eastside Subarea Plan 2020 Annual Report

Introduction

On January 14, 2020 the Olympia City Council accepted the Eastside Subarea Plan. The following is a brief report of implementation activities undertaken by the Eastside Neighborhood Association (ENA) during 2020.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has severely diminished our ability to move forward with many of the activities outlines in the plan, we are pleased to report progress on a number of fronts.

Annual Meeting

The 2020 Annual Meeting, held on February 20, 2020 focused entirely on the implementation of the Subarea Plan. The plan includes four Actions plans, 17 Goals and 66 Action Items. Discussion focused on prioritizing action items so that the ENA Board could focus on those issues that were most important to our members. 

Subarea Plan Core Team

A subarea plan core team was formed during development of the plan. This small group was responsible for coordinating activities and ensuring completion of the plan. After acceptance of the plan by City Council, the team decided to remain in place to begin implementation of subarea plan actions. The core group meets every two weeks and reports to the ENA Board at each monthly meeting. 

Goal 1.1: Encourage responsible development to maintain neighborhood character

Lions Park Spray-ground

The specific action steps in the plan focus on the design review process and multi-unit buildings. However, the ENA Board reached out the City Parks, Arts and Recreation Department to review and provide comments on plans to install a spray-ground at Lions Park. A copy of the comment letter and the City’s response were posted on the ENA website.

Wetland Preservation

Action Plan 1 includes Action Step 1.1.1.4: “Work with Partners to identify ways to acquire and preserve the Indian Creek wetlands at the southwest corner of the Eastside neighborhood.” In November 2020 the core team met with City staff to discuss the beneficial functions of this wetland and mechanisms in place at this time that provide protection of this wetland.

Goal 1.3: Encourage homeownership and advocate for affordable rentals

Neighborhood Housing

Action Plan 1 included Action Step 1.3.2.1: “Create an ENA housing subcommittee to investigate Community Land Trusts, seek funding and partners to protect existing and add new sustainable affordable housing for qualified applicants.”

Early in 2020 the ENA Board formed this subcommittee. Activities to date have focused on reaching out to partners to learn what resources are available in the community.

Historic Designation of the Eastside Street Armory

Action Plan 4 includes Action Step 4.1.1.2: “Work with partners to pursue acquisition of the National Guard Armory for the purpose of converting the building into a community asset.”  Two members of the core team have been working with City staff to reach that objective. City staff are engaged and have made a proposal to Council. Council has included a request for funding of the Armory in their 2021 Legislative proposal.

A key step in this process was making application for historic designation. Core team members were instrumental in completing that application.  

We will continue working with City staff as well as State Legislators to assemble the necessary funding to allow the City to a quire the property.

Goal 2.3 Reduce conflicts with walkers, bicyclists, transit and other transportation modes.

Mobility Improvements

Improving sidewalks and improving pedestrian safety was very important to those that attended the February meeting.

Members of the core team are actively working the members of the Olympia Northeast Neighborhoods Alliance (ONNA) to find ways to collaborate with the City on sidewalks and pathway improvements. Activities to date include meeting with City staff, correspondence with the City’s Transportation Director, and providing written and oral testimony to Council on the City’s Transportation Improvement Plnn. We will continue working with ONNA and City staff to find opportunities and funding to address pedestrian issues in our neighborhood. During 2021 we hope to complete a survey of residents and inventory of ENA streets to identify opportunities and focus our efforts on small improvement projects.  

Goal 4.1 Help residents get to know each other.

Community Connections

Promoting more connections with neighbors was one our most important objectives. The plan envisions continuing all of our current community events and establishing more. The pandemic required us to pass, for now, on community events.

One success was the Winter Window Walkabout held during the Christmas season. Neighbors were encouraged to decorate their houses and the ENA awarded prizes for the best decorations. Neighbors were invited to check out the decoration names and locations using an online map.

Goal 4.4 Make Connections with people other than residents.

CNA Participation

Action Plan 4 includes Action Step 4.4.3.1: “Maintain active participation in the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations.” The ENA Board continues to send a representative to CNA meetings. That board member provides reports to the ENA Board at each monthly meeting.

Action Plan 4 also includes Action Step 4.4.2.1: “Identify an appropriate contact person with each organization that serves our neighborhood. Develop and maintain an accurate contact list and ensure all are receiving Neighborhood notifications.” During the 2020 ENA board recruitment Chris Knight joined the board representing the First United Methodist Church of Olympia.

What’s Next

The Subarea Plan Core Team will continue to promote implementation activities throughout 2021. Given the constraints of the ongoing pandemic and the limitations of those currently involved, we expect that activities during 2021 will largely focus on carrying on the initiatives listed above.

Enlisting additional volunteers will be a high priority moving into 2021 as well as holding as many community events as we can with the hope that the pandemic recedes throughout the upcoming year.

Nathan Allan

Lions Park – Tree Inventory

The ENA has been notified of the tree inventory of Lions Park. Here is the report and map straight from Sarah Giannobile, Associate Parks Planner. It also shows the future sprayground, with its maintenance access road at the top of the tennis courts, and connector paths.

“We recently received the tree report for Lions Park from the Urban Forester. This report is required as part of the permitting process for the sprayground project but assesses all the trees in the park. We wanted to let you and the ENA know that, based on the recommendation of the Forester, we will be removing one tree in the park because it is diseased and considered high risk. This tree will likely be removed by Parks Maintenance in the future (TBD). The tree is a Norway Maple and is tree #37 on the map below. Please let me know if you have any questions.”