CNA MEETING DRAFT Minutes
July 11, 2022 6:30pm
Present:
Roger Horn (Eastside), Darrah Johnson (Wildwood), Dana McAvoy (East Bay), Lisa Reiner (Burbank Elliott), Dave Marty (Indian Creek), R. Valdes (Redwood Estates), Judy Bardin (Northwest), Charlotte Persons (Bigelow), Bob Jacobs (Governor Stevens), Randy Haines (Oly Fire Dept. Captain), Tim Smith (City Planner), Larry Dzieza (Nottingham), Clark Gilman (Olympia City Council), and Karen Clemens (Eastside).
6:30 – 7:00 Neighborhood Reports
Roger Horn (Eastside) talked about the four block parties that were held simultaneously on a Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Next month, August 6th they will be doing their annual picnic. Getting people together after COVID felt great. A talent show is planned for October and Winter Walk About event around Christmas. Got funding from the city to send a letter to everyone in the city. About a 1,000 letters were sent. Got money for the printing and mailing. Larry asked whether they resulted in more engagement with renters. Roger said he will follow-up.
Dara Johnson (Wildwood) talked about the upcoming Neighborhood Night Out on August 2nd. Usually their biggest event. The night out is a hybrid bbq and potluck. The association provides the burgers, hot dogs and condiments and the neighborhood brings side dishes. They rent chairs and tables but end spending about $400 mostly for rentals. Lots of folks come out and pay their dues. Larry raised the idea of the city lending library for block parties. Dara suggested that having the chairs and tables dropped off and picked up was worth it to have the transportation. Had the Kids Parade for first time in 2 years.
Dana McAvoy related his Seattle neighborhood experience. Eastbay Drive have a lot of people and dog walkers heading to Priest Point Park (now renamed Squaxin Park). Annual picnic first of August. In October will be the annual meeting.
Lisa Reiner reported that Clark Gilman will be attending their neighborhood meeting. Covid is driving more concerns in meetings and they will remain flexible.
Dave Marty (Indian Creek) Annual picnic meeting first time in two years scheduled for this September.
R. Valdes (Redwood Estates) asked a general question about HOA landscaping contracts.
Charlotte Persons (Bigelow) June 7th meeting. August 2nd picnic scheduled. Putting up their little library. A small apple orchard that Jay Elder planted needs some assistance and advice. It was suggested that she contact the City’s arborist. Said she might seek funding from a city grant for maintenance of the orchard.
Judy Bardin reported on their launch of MailChimp for NWONA members. A fall meeting is scheduled and following up on the Capital Mall triangle development. MailChimp allows for unlimited emails and flexible presentation of messages.
Larry Dzieza (Nottingham) reported on activities on the street. Kids playing and Pickle Ball lines drawn on street.
7:00 – 7:15 Council Liaison Report – Clark Gilman
Addressed Charlotte’s question the orchard and said that the council has been encouraging parks to go further on urban agriculture/edible landscaping and will contact her later.
Basic Life Service Transport – A proposal that the city takeover ambulance services to avoid lengthy delays and tying down city’s EMS staff. They are currently in the economic analysis phase. Also being considered is adding a less intensive city service for noncritical emergencies that don’t require a full fire and emergency vehicle response. The bigger discussion is whether to merge with Tumwater for combined Fire Authority. There seems to be strong support all around.
The Great Olympia Bicycle Rodeo is scheduled for July 30th. Intercity is setting up a road track for learning safety.
Clark also briefed us on the Cooper Crest tree cutting. It was sold for commercial timber harvest not development and was over 20 acres which means it by-passed city jurisdiction. The city did send some of their concerns to the state’s forest protection body. The unsatisfactory result resulted in adding it to the city’s legislative agenda with the state.
The city will also take-up becoming a sanctuary city for reproductive rights.
Bob Jacobs underscored the problem with the process, especially the “appeals process” which does not stop the tree cutting.
Charlotte provided details about the appeal and the process.
7:15 – 8:10 Disaster Preparedness – Randy Haines, Oly Fire Dept. Captain Department.
Randy Haines presented information regarding the best practices for preparing for disasters.
He talked about the workbook for mapping your neighborhood (see attached). Karen Clemens spoke to how the program works. The city has a link to the effort on their website, https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/fire_department/disaster_and_emergency_preparedness/map_your_neighborhood.php that includes video “How to”.
8:10 – 8:15 Development Activity Report – Tim Smith
Bob Jacobs pointed out that the Briggs streets are privately owned and don’t have street signs which is a safety issue in an emergency. He requested that the city get street signs and Tim agreed to follow-up.
Judy Bardin asked about what is happening on Franklin Street. Tim said that it is the intent to sell the property for affordable housing. Tim said he would check with Gary about the pricing targets for affordable.
Judy also said that the City map of projects is incomplete. Tim said he would find out what parameters are being used to build the map. Judy says it is very useful and Larry pointed out the disclosure on the website that not all projects are on the map.
Larry asked about how far we are along in building the housing the city identified as needing to be built to meet the 20-year target. Tim said it was a good question but will need to research that.
8:15 – 8:25 Technology Improvement Proposal and Neighborhood Grants – Larry & Dave Marty
Larry introduced the subject of using the uncommitted grant money to help all neighborhoods get access and learn website and neighborhood helpful technologies. WordPress is the currently owned CNA product that is available to create RNA websites. Dave setup a meeting for next week with Emily Journey who has worked with Washington cities before on how to build and maintain websites for neighborhood associations.
Larry talked about the excellent website who Victor Minares spoke about last month and Larry is trying to contact the builder. https://southcapitolneighborhood.org/
Dara from Wildwood shared their website as a good example that works for them. Sites.google.com/view/Olympia-wildwood/home
Larry asked Roger Horn how his neighborhood communicates with residents. Roger said they have a website that Nathan Allen (Board member) runs it and all neighbors have access to it. He sends out emails about what’s going on every week. Karen said they also have a Facebook page.
Dara gave the CNA a tour of the website that includes a calendar, contact list sign-up, events, Board business, community projects and food bank donations and more.
Dara maintains the website using a free Google account associated with their email.
8:25 – 8:30 Minutes Approval and Agenda Ideas
Minutes were adopted
Agenda Ideas
One idea was to help the Council be more aware about neighborhood activities, such as recognizing outstanding neighborhood activities and people.
Update on Neighborhood Centers meetings being held in July. Roger Horn said the Neighborhood Center is important because they want to make their “community clubhouse” into a neighborhood center but having issues with the city.
Tim suggested farmland and urban agriculture.
8:30 Adjourn
Council of Neighborhood Associations 