ENA Board Meeting

June 12, 2024, 7:00 PM

1613 Union Avenue SE

Members Present

Sherry Chilcutt (President), Roger Horn (Vice President), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Cheryl Bayle, Abigail Twombly, Jim Rioux (Treasurer)

Guests

Jonnita Thompson and Terese Vogel

1) Approval of the minutes

The May 8^th minutes were approved as submitted.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking                          $636.25

Savings                              965.52

Neighborhood Signs          1,309.78

Legion Way Trees                554.21

Community Beautification     411.21

Total                             $3,876.97

Sherry explained a $388 insurance policy which was triggered by the Rod N Reel event. The policy is effective for one year and covers other events, including painting the mural.

We received $17 in donations at the Rod N Reel event.

A $100 gift certificate was presented to the artist for repainting the mural on Central Street after it was vandalized.

Jim R. proposed consolidating the ENA’s three different savings accounts into one general savings account. It was so moved, seconded and approved unanimously.

3) Rod N Reel event

It was generally agreed the event was a success. There was a good crowd at the Park, the kids had a fun time and we served 100 hot dogs. The Timberline Library booth was a nice addition.

The new banners looked great and the Board thanked Abigail for making that happen.

We will decide later if the ENA wants to sponsor this event next year.

The Board voted unanimously to reimburse Sherry for buying the food.

4) Beerwerks event

This event also brought out a good crowd. All agreed it was a great way to meet people from the neighborhood. There was considerable discussion about having more regular get-togethers. Jonnita talked about events for people who don’t like going to meetings. We discussed having a place or places for regular events. The Swantown Inn was recommended for indoor events, ideally when coffee service is available, and Lions Park for outdoor events. Later we may be able to use meeting space at the Armory. Several people mentioned having speakers such as those at annual meetings. Jim R. & Jonnita agreed to work on speakers and regular meeting places.

5) Block Parties

Two parties are scheduled so far — Lybarger Street & Lions Park. Sherry has a Street Closure Permit for Lybarger.

Karen said she thinks block parties fill a local need which is not met otherwise. She intends to get together with Dan and others to plan a party on McCormick Street next year.

Roger said Adrian is planning a party next year on 5^th Avenue.

6) CNA Report 

Karen described Tim Smith’s report on new development proposals. Two West Bay Drive projects are particularly controversial. Also, a 300-unit affordable housing project is planned on the westside, north of SR 101.

Fiber optics cables are being installed underground by Ziply Fiber.

Councilmember Vanderpool attended the Congress for New Urbanism in Cincinnati in May. One topic he mentioned is breaking up large projects into smaller increments.

Larry Dzieza is working to put together a “Sounding Board” on neighborhood issues for the CNA.

Jim R. explained the list of funded sidewalk projects was developed previously based on input from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The list is available on the City’s website:

https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/transportation/sidewalk_repair_project.php

Abigail mentioned the Design Review Board recently reviewed a 5-story mixed use building with 87 residential units to be built at 411 Legion Way (Legion and Jefferson).

7) Annual Picnic Change of Date — Saturday August 10th, 4-7 PM

Cheryl asked about music. Sherry suggested a person from the Hat Museum. Jonnita knows a couple of bands, including an Old-timey music band. Karen said other RNAs sometimes pay $500 for entertainment.

8) Mural update

Sherry sent the final design to Lydia and Hank has agreed to power wash the wall.

9) Other items

Tim Smythe is in talks with the Parks Department about planting a tree at the Armory. He may be able to use the ENA funds set aside for trees last year. It’s early for this discussion as the Armory’s exterior design is still fluid.

Sherry mentioned the Utility Advisory Committee would like more transparency on utility bill surcharges and what they’re being used for.  

Jim R. reported the City recently purchased a parcel of land near the Indian Creek wetland as suggested in The Eastside Subarea Plan.

Whitney has an ENA sign which we need to recover.

Sherry reported the Mail Chimp system is not functioning well at present.

10) Armory Historical Sign

Jim S. provided an update on the sign program the Military Department agreed to do. The Department agreed to hold three stakeholder meetings. Two of these were held but the third is on-hold pending consultations with the Tribes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM.