South Capitol Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting Minutes
Thurs, Feb 15, 2024 7 – 8 pm
Lincoln Elementary School cafeteria
Introductions and Call Meeting to Order
Members of the South Capitol Neighborhood Association (SCNA) Board in attendance:
John Saunders, President
Gerry Apple, Vice President
Sue Hedrick, Secretary
Addie Spencer, Treasurer
Treacy Duerfeldt, Valerie Hammett and Emily Tilger, At Large members
John called the meeting to order.
Reading of the minutes of the last preceding meeting
Sue Hedrick read a summary of the minutes of the January 10, 2024 SCNA Board meeting as required by the bylaws.
President’s Report – John Saunders
John presented a report on board activities in 2023 and early 2024.
Traffic speed on Capitol Way
Collected and analyzed data on traffic speeds on Capitol Way
Identified specific problem times
Met with the Olympia Police Department and City Council members
Sidewalk Repairs
Testified in support of funding sidewalk improvements
Helped the Council of Neighborhood Associations develop a mobile app for collecting data on broken or obstructed sidewalks. The City of Olympia will use these data to help prioritize sidewalk repairs.
Parking
Worked with the City of Olympia to implement paid hourly parking for non-residents on 16th Ave SE, remove No Parking signs along 16th Ave SW, reduce the number of parking zones on the west side of Capitol Way from three to two, and increase fines for non-resident parking violations.
End-of-Summer Barbeque and Block Party
Put on a summer barbeque at Lincoln School in August 2023 with live music, food and refreshments, and games for families.
Other Initiatives and Working Groups
Legislative Campus Modernization Project
Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project Advisory Board
The State, City, and South Capitol Neighborhood “Triad”
City Grant for 2024 Neighborhood Event
Applied for City of Olympia grant funds to pay for the 2024 neighborhood barbeque and block party. The grants will be awarded sometime in March.
Added SCNA Members
Expanded our membership to 88 (now 92) with on-line registration and direct mail to every household and business in the South Capitol Neighborhood Association – 609 residences in all.
John also took a moment to recognize and thank our departing board members: Addie Spencer, Shannon (Sam) Shula, and Howard Goldberg, who accomplished many things for the neighborhood association despite the pandemic.
Treasurer’s Report – Addie Spencer
Addie gave her final report as treasurer for the South Capitol Neighborhood Association – see below.
Election of Board Members
Treacy read off the list of candidates for board positions for 2024-2025. They were: Gerry Apple (running for re-election as vice president), Morgan Montes (running for treasurer), Cicely Andree Conway, Kevin Rutherford and Gordon White (running for at-large positions).
Treacy asked attendees if anyone else would like to be considered to serve on the board. The following candidates put their hats in the ring: Scott Freeman, Deirdre Clarke, Nora Hawkins, Kelley Dolan and Tim Davis.
Treacy then moved to allow the neighborhood association members attending the meeting to vote on all 10 candidates at once. LuAnn Rue seconded, and the motion was approved.
The 2024 South Capitol Neighborhood Association Board now includes eight current members (John Saunders, Gerry Apple, Sue Hedrick, Lorie Hewitt, Emily Tilger, Treacy Duerfeldt, Valerie Hammett and Karen Meyer) and the nine new members for a total of 17. The bylaws require the board to have no fewer than 10 and no more than 20 members.
Thurston County Food Project
Andy Meyer, representing Jennifer Meyer, South Capitol coordinator for the Thurston County Food Project, asked meeting attendees to consider signing up for and participating in the project.
Participants purchase and fill one or more green bags with groceries every other month, which are collected by volunteers and taken to the Thurston County Food Bank for distribution.
The South Capitol Neighborhood has traditionally been very supportive of the program, but the number of participants in recent years has dropped off. Andy shared brochures about the program, which include a link to the website.
$100 Gift Card Drawing
Fred MacInnes was the lucky winner of the drawing for a $100 gift card to Vic’s Pizzeria. The board plans to hold another drawing at the barbeque/potluck social in early Fall (must be present to win).
Traffic Data Report and Presentation – Treacy Duerfeldt and Gerry Apple
Treacy gave a summary of the traffic and speeding challenges on Capitol Way. He also presented this information at the Board’s 2023 November and December meetings. Both reports are captured in more detail in those board meetings’ minutes.
Treacy then offered options for addressing speeding on Capitol Way.
Gerry said he has noticed more State Patrol presence at 26th and Capitol Boulevard in recent months. Gordon White agreed, and Kevin Rutherford said he has seen this at 17th and Capitol Way as well.
Gerry also took a moment to thank the volunteers and members of the Olympia Police Department for patrolling Capitol Way during Halloween last year. He called out Rebekah Ziesemer, community programs officer, for her ongoing and helpful involvement with the South Capitol Neighborhood Association.
Gerry also mentioned that the board plans to hold another neighborhood event – a barbeque/potluck social in early Fall. He said more information about it will be sent out later in the year, and he invited and encouraged all meeting attendees and their family, friends and neighbors to attend.
Adjournment
Treacy moved to adjourn the meeting, Gordon seconded, and the motion was approved. The meeting ended at 7:44 pm.
Next Board Meeting – Weds, Mar 13, 2024 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Lincoln Elementary School library
Written Reports
January 2024 Treasurer’s Report
Twin Star Credit Union account balances:
Business Prime Savings $20
Innovator Checking $1,892.83
Recent income:
PayPal $142.25
Checks $15
Cash $0
Recent expenses:
Google G-suite monthly fee $13.14
WordPress website annual fee $105.12
Capitol City Press annual meeting mailer $508.81 + $175.39
PO Box annual rental $120
Vic’s gift card for annual meeting $100
South Capitol Neighborhood Association 