September 20, 2018 Meeting Minutes
SWONA, Southwest Olympia Neighborhood Association
Quarterly Meeting of the Members
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Held at: Gloria Dei Church
Time: 7:00 pm
Approximately 28 people present.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
Everyone in the room introduced themselves and noted where they live in the Southwest neighborhood.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Intercity Transit changes in bus routes. Two staff from Intercity Transit talked about planned changes to some of Olympia's public bus routes, to be effective September 23, 2018. Transit Guides were made available, and detail of some of the services offered by Intercity Transit, such as travel/route assistance and training for riding the bus.
- Gloria Dei Church Children's Choir. Beth Tobin announced the formation of the church's children's choir. Rehearsals will be Wednesday evenings, and a meal is included. The choir is open to all children, and church membership is not required.
- Nextdoor for Southwest Olympia. Teresa Madsen is the new lead for Nextdoor, which is a free private social network for neighborhoods. She briefly described her role, and asked for interested assistants.
- Gloria Dei Refugee Committee. Dan Leahy provided written information and spoke about the purpose and goals of the group. He has been a participating member for several months. Contact information was provided for Betsy Faro, who heads up the group. Help is often needed in assisting families to move.
APPROVAL OF JUNE MEETING MINUTES
Copies of minutes for the June 21, 2018 SWONA Quarterly Member Meeting were handed around. Those present were given a few moments to review. Vote to approve was unanimous.
Treasurer’s report
Carrie LeRoy, SWONA Treasurer, reported the current SWONA bank account balance to be at $675. SWONA membership currently stands at approximately 90 for 2018-19.
SWONA PICNIC FEEDBACK & SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR
Many positive comments were offered, and those present agreed that the 2018 Annual SWONA Picnic/BBQ, held on August 4, was an enjoyable success and all look forward to the next one to be held in 2019. Twelve new SWONA members signed up during this year's picnic.
The topic of the SWONA Walking Map was brought up, with a request that more copies be made available. Bethany Weidner will get a cost quote and organize a reprint.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
SWONA president Mark Toy gave a brief report on the most recent meeting of Olympia's Coalition of Neighborhoods Association (CNA). He will write a more comprehensive summary and post on the SWONA website, www.swonaonline.com
WELLINGTON HEIGHTS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DISCUSSION
The developer for the proposed Wellington Heights subdivision and building project has submitted a revised project plan to the City, but little has changed from the original submittal.
In order to maintain a neighborhood opposition, it is important to communicate with the City and continue to voice opposition.
Only one street is planned for entrance and exit to the development, which could bring about serious transportation and walkability issues for the existing neighborhood. The end of Decatur Street has been closed by City Council decision, and its closure has been made a part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Fern Street SW is currently a substandard street, in terms of width and lack of pedestrian walkways. The street has a large number of multiple family and affordable housing at one end, without access to public transit or ease of either walkability or close public transportation.
Things that SWONA members can do to voice opposition:
- Send an email to Paula Smith, City Planner who is handling the project at:
psmith@ci.olympia.wa.us
- Ask to become a Party of Record.
- Ask that the project be rejected based on expert reports and public comments.State your own personal reasoning for opposition. This could be concerns about increased traffic, safety of pedestrians, children, and pets; distruption of the existing enjoyable character of the neighborhood, topography and existing drainage difficulties where the parcel is adjacent to that of the Chrysler-Jeep dealership.
The more people in the neighborhood that City staff and City Council members hear from, the more likely the project is to receive careful attention.
UPDATE FROM OLYMPIA CITY POLICE
Neighborhood Cat Murders. Delores Nelson reported on a conversation she has had with Sgt. Levy and Dep. Marcus, members of the police task force working on the case.
There have been 16 cat killings since July 2018. The police have a handful of suspects and are trying to pll together enough evidence to make an arrest.
The reward for information that could lead to arrest now stands at $53,000. This money comes from individuals, and nonprofit organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and many others. For questions or to provide information, call 360-561-0266 Crime Stoppers.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Next quarterly Membership meeting: January 10, 2019
(Date was moved out several weeks by approval of a majority vote of those present.)
Submitted by Angela Rush, SWONA Secretary