ENA Board Meeting
January 9, 2024, 7:00 PM
Swantown Inn, 1431 11th Avenue SE
Members Present
Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Nathan Allan, Jim Rioux, Cheryl Bayle
Sherry Chilcutt (President) – absent due to accident
Guests
Stephanie Goedecke, Sara Finkle, Sara’s friend.
1) Approval of the minutes
The December 13, 2023 meeting minutes were approved as submitted.
2) Treasurer Report
$ 767.58 Checking
$ 964.88 Savings
$1,308.95 Neighborhood Signs
$ 553.86 Trees
$ 410.86 Neighborhood Beautification
$4,006.13 Total
3) 2024 RNA Grant – Final thoughts
These are the three items the Board agreed to include in our 2024 grant application:
- Food in support of block parties.
- One or two reusable banners
- Eastside Street mural
A suggestion was made that we have a contributions jar for events.
Jim R. will contact Sherry about helping with the grant application.
4) Madison Closure discussion
Karen reported on the December 14 School Board meeting when they made the recommendation to close schools following a 90-day review period.
Also discussed were inadequate special education funding, faulty regionalization and the levy cap.
Jim R. suggested contacting ‘OSD for all’ and offering to help. https://www.osdforall.com/
There is a community meeting scheduled at Madison School on February 26 at 6:00 PM, and the School Board is having work sessions and regular meetings at Knox Administration Center on January 29 and February 12.
5) Upcoming Board work day
We previously scheduled a work day on January 20. Due to conflicts, we will need to reschedule, probably sometime in February.
6) CNA Report – JOLT Article
Karen talked about a letter she wrote describing the City’s neighborhoods and the CNA. It was published in JOLT on January 2. https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/olympias-neighborhood-associations-offer-many-benefits-to-residents,13466?
Tim Smith met with Jay Burney and two Council members concerning diversity language in the MOU.
The CNA continues to try and arrange quarterly meetings with the Council.
A $10K increase in RNA grant funding is in the works. This is on top of the current $13K.
The SE annexation is still on hold.
There was some discussion about the City encouraging drive-through businesses on Plum Street and downtown.
The sidewalk survey app is intended to help the City determine how best to spend the additional funds.
7) Frederick Street stormwater
Jim R. wrote an email letter about the need to improve stormwater drainage near Frederick & 9th.
Stephanie said after talking to Public Works she bought gravel to fill in the holes.
Fixing the problem may require rebuilding the street, including rain gardens or other design solutions.
8) Neighborhood Watch program
Stephanie described on-going problems with juveniles and minor crimes. She asked about a neighborhood watch program to look out for neighboring properties.
Nathan described his experience with Neighborhood Watch, getting neighbors to sign up, electing a captain etc.
Stephanie would like to see a campaign to reach out to kids and teach them not to do crimes such as breaking into houses and pranking.
Suggested ideas included Boy Scouts, block parties, art programs, a ‘good neighbor day,’ and friendly reminder signs with positive messages from your neighborhood association.
The Police Department’s Block Watch program recommends scheduling an initial informational meeting with our Community Programs Officer, Rebekah Ziesemer. More information and Rebekah’s contact information can be found at:
https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/police_department/block_watch.php
9) Support hosting students/pages for legislative session
Cheryl said they have hosted pages in the past.
Jim S. said he would check into the requirements. The discussion was deferred until the February meeting.
10) Proposed Calendar of Activities
Abigail wants to mix up our 2024 events a little so, for example, people have more opportunities to talk to each other.
It was suggested we make the annual picnic a “kids day in the park” or an “ENA fun day” with an ice cream truck, bouncy house, etc.
Sara suggested a clothing swap, possibly in February, where people would bring clothes they don’t want, and volunteers would sort and give them away for a few hours. We would need volunteers to publicize, provide refreshments, and handle donations. We could also leverage the ‘Buy Nothing’ group. Sara agreed to reach out to John, the pastor at New Bridge, to see if they are interested, and email the Board. We would need to have flyers by the February 13 Board meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45.
