South Capitol Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes
Weds, Dec 13, 2023 6:30-8:30 pm
Lincoln Elementary School library
Introductions and Call Meeting to Order
Members of the South Capitol Neighborhood Association (SCNA) Board in attendance:
Gerry Apple, Vice President
Sue Hedrick, Secretary
Addie Spencer, Treasurer
Treacy Duerfeldt, Emily Tilger, Howard Goldberg, Valerie Hammett, At Large members
Gerry called the meeting to order. In addition to the board members, Fred and Laurie MacInnes, Kristin Swenddal, Bill Newmann, Marcia David, Max Pham and Brian Griffith also attended the meeting.
Approval of November Meeting Minutes and Today’s Agenda
Treacy made a motion to approve the November minutes and today’s agenda. Addie seconded and the motion was approved.
Committee Reports
Treasurer – Addie Spencer
Addie sent out a written report before the meeting – a copy is at the end of the minutes. She asked that the board members approve her paying the annual fee for the post office box. Treacy made a motion to approve paying for the PO box, Emily seconded and the motion was approved.
Traffic – Treacy Duerfeldt
Treacy reiterated for the benefit of new attendees information that he reported on at the November board meeting.
Traffic data captured by two rubber strips stretched across Capitol Way over a 35-day period between Aug 5th and Sept 9th was sent to him by city staff.
Treacy developed a one-page analysis based on the data, which showed that 300,000 drivers traveled on Capitol Way during the 35-day period. One driver exceeded 85 miles per hour (mph). Each day, 10 drivers exceeded 50 mph, and over 100 drivers exceeded 35 mph.
Treacy said that, if hit by those driving over 35 mph, there was a 10 percent chance of death. If hit by those driving over 50 or 85 mph, death was certain.
During the traffic data collection days, city staff placed a speed indicator sign on a post on the southbound side of Capitol Way and then on the northbound side. Treacy said neither the sign nor police enforcement appear to have made much of a difference in reducing drivers’ speeds.
He then listed options for addressing speeding on Capitol Way.
One would be to narrow the current vehicle lanes and add bike lanes.
Others would be to add a roundabout, make the lights at the intersections of Maple Park & Capitol Way and 21st & Capitol Way timed to switch to red without cars triggering them, and install a speed bump at 18th & Capitol Way.
Max asked about the possibility of using cameras that take photos of drivers who are speeding. Treacy said these can often be beat in court, and they have not been used in the Olympia area.
Treacy suggested the board publish something on the neighborhood association website to increase awareness and education on the issue. He said that ultimately, he would like the board and neighborhood residents to attend a city council meeting to raise the issue there and make it part of the public record.
Kristin mentioned that, at the board’s last meeting, John Saunders said the city would only consider the option of adding bike lanes and narrowing the street.
Bill asked Treacy if his data might be something worth notifying the media like The Olympian? Treacy agreed and said he could also share it with Jolt News – the Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater, an online local news outlet.
Howard pointed out that it would be good to look at how people travel through the intersection at 21st & Capitol Way near the Frog Pond Grocery. This is an intersection used by school children during the week to get to Lincoln School. A suggestion was made to reach out to Michelle, the school’s crossing guard, to gather information from her.
Valerie asked whether speed bumps might be the least expensive option? Treacy replied that changing the timing on stop lights might be cheaper.
Max said she is looking forward to seeing the information published on the website.
Fred asked if there was any data on the loss of control on speed bumps? Treacy replied that it is rare.
Parking Committee – Valerie Hammett
Valerie said the parking committee, which currently consists of her, Rachel Newmann and Collum Liska, were scheduled to meet with the city and state last month, but it was pushed to mid-January instead.
She said she was glad because it gives the committee the opportunity to collect more views from neighborhood residents about the issue. She said she wasn’t sure how best to present these. Is the committee charged with speaking on behalf of the neighborhood residents?
Treacy said the board has discussed how to get more folks involved to have a better representation of the neighborhood as a whole and to capture any concerns they may have.
Laurie said that any resident has the right to raise concerns with the city. They can do it via the neighborhood association board, but they can also do it themselves directly.
Valerie said she and Rachel met and identified some of the neighborhood parking problems. In doing so, she said she came to the realization that these were not really zone by zone issues, but street by street. However, it’s clear that during session, parking is a problem on the southwest side of Capitol Way.
Valerie said she is trying to collect parking issues to take to the meeting. She’s heard of problems with too much enforcement on 17th Ave SE and not enough on Maple Park and 21st Ave SE.
A discussion ensued about questions it would be good to have answers to such as: What is the cost of enforcement? What is the number of citations handed out? How much revenue does the city generate from parking permits? From parking citations? How many permits are approved? What is the status of electronic parking by phone?
Kristin said they need to have everyone get on the same page for the meeting in January. Valerie agreed and said she would love to have more people from the neighborhood attend the meeting.
The city’s online parking permit process and the amount of paperwork required was discussed, particularly the quandary of too much paperwork versus not enough and the reasons why the city requires so much proof.
Treacy suggested the board schedule a special meeting to allow for further discussion of this issue with neighborhood residents. Max and Brian volunteered to help put together a way for residents to vote on issues on the neighborhood association website. Sue said she and John will meet with them to get their help.
Safety Committee – Howard Goldberg
Howard reiterated for the benefit of new attendees that the city’s police and fire departments are understaffed. He asked how the neighborhood could prepare for the influx of people from outside the city and neighborhood when session is in and when demonstrations occur.
Treacy asked if there is a guide for this? Howard and Marcia said there are primarily videos online, put on by the FBI, and there is some in-person training. The next FBI training will be on bomb threats. There are video trainings available such as Run, Hide, Fight and See Something, Say Something, Do Something. City staff have encouraged residents to not hesitate to call 911 if they are worried or afraid. Better that than wait and have it escalate. The focus in the trainings is on “situational awareness”, making folks more aware of things happening around them and being better prepared for them. Marcia said that the synagogue in Olympia is now fenced as a precaution.
Addie mentioned that, a few years ago, the neighborhood used grant money to host a Map Your Neighborhood event. The aim was to help residents get to know their neighbors better and help neighborhoods better prepare for emergencies and disaster situations in order to save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and trauma, and reduce property damage.
The city has a page on its website with information and videos:
It was suggested that this link be added to the neighborhood association website.
Communications – Emily Tilger
Emily reported that the Facebook page is quiet and the number of members has remained stable.
Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) – Gerry Apple
Gerry said he and John have been attending the CNA meetings and the biggest issue is traffic. Other neighborhoods are also facing the same problem of speeding.
Other items neighborhoods are focused on through the CNA are improving city sidewalks and applying for City of Olympia neighborhood matching grants.
Other Items
Update on City of Olympia Neighborhood Grant proposal
John was not able to attend this board meeting, so he sent out an email to the board members prior to it, updating them on a proposal he had previously made. At the board meeting last month, he recommended applying for a City of Olympia neighborhood grant to have the costs of a mailing for the 2024 annual meeting reimbursed.
He recently spoke with the city grants coordinator, Lydia Moorehead, who clarified that neighborhood grants have previously been made only for projects that start no earlier than June and end no later than December of the grant year. Therefore, a grant application requesting reimbursement for the board’s mailing would most likely not qualify since the costs will all occur in January.
John recommended that the board proceed with the mailing in January as planned and pay the approximate $732.42 from current board funds. He will go ahead and submit a grant application, which the City may or may not deny.
However, John said he feels the direct mailing to all 609 residences in the South Capitol neighborhood, which includes apartments as well as houses, will most likely generate some annual dues payments. But, by far, the real benefit would be the likelihood of greater participation in the association by new and long-time residents. He asked the board members to let him know if they have any questions or concerns about this plan.
This update was briefly discussed by the attendees at the board meeting and no questions were asked or concerns raised.
Possible closure of Lincoln School
Howard and Marcia attended a recent meeting of the Lincoln Options Community Council (OCC) and reported the latest news on the possible closure of Lincoln School.
The good news is that Lincoln is not on the closure list now; however, the Olympia School Board is now proposing that it become a preschool through 4th grade school, and 5th graders be sent to middle school. Discussion ensued about the speed at which the school board is moving on considering school changes, the lack of communication to the community, and the effects this may have on students, particularly the 5th graders.
Kristin said that some are asking the school board to delay in making a decision. Max said this will lead to an increase in bullying of 5th graders and will open the school board up to being sued by parents, which could lead to further negative financial consequences.
The next school board meeting is on December 14th. Marcia and Howard encouraged everyone at the board meeting to attend.
Annual Meeting
Sue reported that, at last month’s meeting, the board voted to approve the date and time of the South Capitol Neighborhood Association annual meeting. It will be held on Thursday, Feb 15, 2024 from 7 – 8 pm at Lincoln School.
Sue reminded the board members that the bylaws require a number of things to be done at the meeting. The order of business at the annual meeting is as follows:
(a) Reading of minutes of last preceding meeting;
(b) Report of President;
(c) Report of Treasurer;
(d) Election of Board Members;
(e) Transaction of other business mentioned in the notice; and,
(f) Adjournment.
The bylaws also require 25 members to attend the annual meeting in order to constitute a quorum. Without a quorum, new board members cannot be elected.
Valerie said she would like a discussion on preparedness at the meeting. Treacy suggested that the board focus first on completing the items listed in our bylaws and then other things can be considered.
Howard and Marcia made a suggestion that the time of the meeting be changed to 6:30 pm and pizza be served to encourage residents to attend.
Motion to adjourn
Treacy made a motion to adjourn, Emily seconded, and the motion was approved. The meeting ended at 8:23 pm.
Next meeting – Weds, Jan 10, 2023, 6:30 pm, Lincoln Elementary School
Written Reports
12/3/23 Treasurer’s Report
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