June 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes

06/28/2025 11:28

Southwest Olympia Neighborhood Association (SWONA) Quarterly Meeting

Date: June 26, 2025
Location: Gloria Dei Lutheran (1515 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia, WA 98502)
Attendance: Approximately 30+ neighbors, guests, and speakers

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction and Overview
  2. Main Topics Discussed
    • 2.1 Westside Souper/Super Sunday Food Program
    • 2.2 SWONA Updates and Introductions
    • 2.3 Restoring Earth Connection & Tree Ambassador Program
    • 2.4 Olympia City Council Candidate Q&A: Justin Stang
    • 2.5 Neighborhood Garage Sale Review and Resident Feedback
    • 2.6 Upcoming SWONA Activities: Summer Picnic & Community Garden
    • 2.7 Communication Platforms: WhatsApp vs. Signal
    • 2.8 Neighborhood Safety and Block Captain Program
    • 2.9 Land Use, Decatur Street “Cut-Through” & Neighborhood Traffic Issues
    • 2.10 Additional Miscellaneous Topics
  3. Action Items
  4. Follow-up Items and Future Meetings

1. Introduction and Overview

  • Zach (interim outreach coordinator) opened the quarterly meeting, noting recent event successes and outlining the evening’s agenda.
  • Noted upcoming topics: event recaps, special speakers (neighborhood/tree work and city council candidate), feedback on neighborhood garage sale, neighborhood dues, safety/block captain initiative, and the WhatsApp group.
  • Each neighbor and guest introduced themselves, highlighting their location, tenure, and interests in the neighborhood.

2. Main Topics Discussed

2.1. Westside Souper / Super Sunday Food Program

  • Overview: “Souper” (S-O-U-P-E-R) Sunday and the Westside “Souper” group are local food initiatives accepting eligible garden produce (e.g., “soupable” kale) donations.
  • How It Works:
    • Individuals can sign up to receive servings of soup, which are labeled and placed in a cooler for pickup between 5–8 PM on Thursdays.
    • “Super Sunday” group on the east side remains active, operating around 11 satellite groups (including one in Idaho), many within the 30-county incorporated area.
    • The main Sunday group also operates a food pantry, primarily for food-insecure persons, with regular donations from grocery stores (organized and made accessible by “Chris”; advertised on Facebook).
    • Chris maintains a network list of food resources in Thurston County.
    • Reach out to Alley Hinkle (hinklea@yahoo.com) for more information.
  • Key Points:
  • Donations of excess garden produce are welcome.
  • Pantry and soup sign-ups serve neighborhood meal needs and help address food insecurity.
  • Area residents encouraged to spread the word, especially to food-insecure neighbors.
  • Program name is a pun: “Souper” (not “super”).
  • Originally designed for Sundays, but “Souper” groups/activities now occur almost daily.

2.2. SWONA Updates and Introductions

  • Quarterly Meeting: This is one of four annual business-focused meetings designed to update, organize, and gather neighbor feedback.
  • Upcoming Topics/Initiatives:
    • Event recaps (garage sale review, summer picnic in August).
    • Ongoing safety initiatives: block captain/disaster preparedness.
    • Neighborhood WhatsApp group for improved communication.
    • Board and committee introductions with an invitation for increased participation and volunteerism.

2.3. Restoring Earth Connection & Tree Ambassador Program (Speaker: Lynn Fitz-Hugh)

  • Program Overview:
    • Restoring Earth Connection operates under a city “Inspire” art and science grant (from a small local tax).
    • Over the last year (ending June 2025), primary effort was the “Tree Ambassador Program.”
      • Volunteers went door to door distributing informational handouts detailing the benefits of trees (climate, stormwater, pollution, etc.).
      • Goal: Educate neighbors on the ecological benefits, countering concerns about fallen leaves or storm safety.
    • Started a contest for “biggest tree in Olympia”—so far, the largest located locally (a 30-foot Pacific redwood on a neighbor’s property).
    • Residents encouraged to measure/register their trees for contest purposes.
    • Winner list will be published in the Olympian within the next week.
    • Advocacy for increased tree protections in forthcoming Olympia tree ordinance (hasn’t been updated in ~15 years).
    • Worries: Older or rental properties with large, mature trees may lose them to development.
    • Compared with Seattle’s significant tree loss due to development (“2,000 trees lost last year”).
    • Advocated for development policies that protect established trees; cited positive outcomes influencing last June’s (2024) county tree ordinance.
    • List of certified arborists and tree health information
    • Notification about city’s twice-yearly tree giveaways (around Arbor Day)
    • Guidance on how to register/comment during public hearings on the tree ordinance (through their website and mailing list)
    • “Friends of Trees” Action Group:
    • Resources Provided:
  • Audience Q&A:
  • Any species of tree may be entered into the contest; rare/exotic trees may be less prioritized due to infrequency.
  • Tree health concerns: emphasized the importance of certified arborists.
  • Residents can stay informed and participate in tree ordinance advocacy by joining the organization’s email list or following updates from “Friends of Trees.”
  • “Friends of Trees” does not directly provide saplings but coordinates community planting through city programs.
  • Educational focus on tree placement, species, and effects on urban infrastructure (sidewalks, storm drainage).
  • If interested in free trees, the City does a few tree giveaways each year (often around arbor day)

2.4. Olympia City Council Candidate Q&A: Justin Stang

  • Introduction:
    • Justin Stang: Northwest Olympia resident, candidate for City Council Position 6, first-time political candidate.
    • 14 years in Olympia: Musician, then manager in the shellfish industry (Hama Hama, Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association).
      • Experience with environmental advocacy, natural resource management, climate coalition efforts.
    • Believes meaningful change starts at neighborhood/community levels; prioritizes public listening, grassroots participation, and collaboration.
  • Key Themes from Candidate Presentation:
  • City Infrastructure:
    • Cited personal/familial impacts of poor sidewalks—advocates for prioritized, creative solutions (modeling after Lacey’s dedicated sidewalk crew and repair technology as a “blueprint”).
    • Noted 28,000 known sidewalk issues in Olympia; city estimate is a 100-year repair timeline, goal of reducing to 40 years, which remains “unacceptable.”
    • Favors city assumption of more sidewalk responsibility (vs. pushing onto homeowners), particularly in high root- and tree-impact neighborhoods.
  • Revenue and Development:
  • Discussed limits of property tax revenue (capped below inflation at state level) and the resulting property value impact through home flipping/gentrification.
  • Open to:
    • Exploring vacancy taxes and higher taxes for absentee landlords/multiple property owners
    • Utility pricing reforms, higher rates for suburban/adjacent cities using Olympia’s utilities
    • Community benefit ordinances for developers (inspired by Detroit model)—where large tax breaks trigger requirements for community reinvestment.
    • Encouraging more vertical development (multi-unit housing) with design review streamlining.
    • Fostering small business growth via local rebates/rewards app and additional night markets/events to boost local commerce.
  • Acknowledges need for more housing, but development must be sustainable and preserve neighborhood identity (not just “commercial space for the sake of it”).
  • Dislikes proliferation of vacant new retail space; wants to tie development requirements to real community needs and “mixed-use” success, possibly relaxing retail requirements in favor of more housing.
  • Expressed interest in policies to curb speculative flipping (e.g., minimum occupancy before resale), pending further investigation.
  • Supports walkable, bike-friendly neighborhoods.
  • Suggests public transit expansion (including possible new westside transit center).
  • Praises bike lane additions, but calls for integrated planning between new housing, transportation, and infrastructure.
  • Recognizes that full transition will require years but wants to chip away at improvements in each city plan iteration.
  • Notes strong community demand for retail such as walkable grocery stores, pharmacies.
  • Acknowledged chronic concerns over speeding, especially major arterials (like Division, 4th, 22nd, and Capitol Blvd).
  • Discussed effectiveness of physical traffic calming (speed humps, chicanes) versus posted speed limits; interested in piloting models from successful areas in other neighborhoods.
  • Agreed with need for more collaboration with police regarding efficacy and expansion of calming devices.
  • Wants to crowdsource ideas from residents using formal and informal feedback; pushes for city policies to reflect constituent values.
  • Stresses the role of city council in advocating at the state level, particularly for more progressive and less regressive taxation.
  • Housing and Neighborhood Character:
  • Walkability/Bikeability:
  • Traffic & Safety (Speed/Calming):
  • Collaboration & Accountability:
  • Advocacy for shifting sidewalk cost from residents to city due to scale/complexity.
  • Support for exploring creative tax/revenue models (vacancy, absentee, utility exports).
  • Wants community-led development policy, including minimum residency periods and anti-displacement measures.
  • Interested in disability access and ADA compliance in city plans.
  • Accessible, open to dialogue (shared website and direct contact details).
  • Q&A Excerpts:

2.5 Neighborhood Garage Sale Review and Resident Feedback

  • Overview:
    • Held the preceding weekend (June 21–22, 2025) despite rainy weather.
    • Generally viewed as successful; good turnout, positive neighbor engagement.
    • Interactive map (credit to Grace, treasurer) caused so much traffic that it temporarily overwhelmed the SWONA website.
    • Many highlighted the pleasant atmosphere, neighborly exchanges; some preferred the mix of rain (suggested it brought out a polite, pleasant crowd).
    • Residents saw strong participation in concentrated areas (especially along 12th Ave before Decatur).
    • Suggestions:
      • Consider further centralization (e.g., one large community lot) for greater energy/convenience.
      • Do more outreach to residents of newer sub-neighborhoods (especially near the auto mall/past Decatur) who may miss physical signage or digital invites.
      • Some advocated keeping the same format and time—rainy weekends can actually offer benefits compared to busy sunny weekends.
      • Recognized benefit for spreading news about SWONA and attracting new participants.
    • Event may be shifted to mid-July next year to increase likelihood of better weather, but organizers may also consider benefits of current timing.

2.6 Upcoming SWONA Activities: Summer Picnic & Community Garden

  • Summer Picnic:
    • Scheduled for August 24, 2025, 12–4 PM at West Central Park (Harrison & Division, by Parkside Cafe/food carts).
    • Plans include potluck and/or purchase from food carts, grilling, live music or entertainment. A WhatsApp sub-group being formed for picnic organization; volunteers and band suggestions welcome.
    • Grant funding from the city will help offset costs.
  • Community Garden Project:
  • City grant-funded; community garden boxes installed on public strips (e.g., near 4th and Milroy).
  • Boxes are available for community use (need to be on public right-of-way, not private property).
  • Residents interested in hosting or helping can sign up
  • Cost for residents to self-fund a box: $49 (for placement on private property or on the planting strip after city funding is exhausted).
  • Plans to increase neighborhood visibility: we created a “SWONA Community Garden” stencil to spray-paint on the sides of the boxes, making it clear they’re intended for communal use. The stencil is ready; painting will begin once the weather cooperates.
  • Gleaning initiative: mapping and community-picking for unharvested fruit, with donations to neighbors in need.
  • Sign-up for participation/checklist available at meeting.

2.7 Communication Platforms: WhatsApp vs. Signal

  • Current Platform:
    • WhatsApp group active, subdivided by event/interest.
    • WhatsApp chosen over Signal/Telegram for superior subgroup management and organizational tools.
    • Ongoing concerns about privacy and Meta (Facebook) products; Signal migration considered but not available yet due to technical limitations.
    • Participants are invited to suggest better tools; further discussion at board level pending explainer resources and volunteer assistance on migration.

2.8 Neighborhood Safety and Block Captain Program

  • Block Captains:
    • Neighborhood safety/disaster preparedness led by Taylor (not present) but supported by board.
    • Based on previously city/county-developed disaster preparedness materials (no longer publicly funded, but SWONA retains a copy).
    • Each block captain is responsible for 15–25 homes: checking in during emergencies, hosting prep meetings, leading local drills/training.
    • “We are OK” signage, gas shutoff, fire planning, basic first aid, and localized communication protocols (walkie-talkies, GMRS radios—supported by a grant).
    • Long-term goal: around 100 block captains (current count ~10–15).
    • Next block captain training/meeting: August 1, 2025 at West Central Park.
    • Volunteers actively sought; signup sheet distributed.
  • Emergency Preparedness Events:
  • Interest in hosting neighborhood-focused training from Thurston County Emergency Management—topics include CPR, stop-the-bleed, earthquake preparedness, Narcan training, and possibly politically charged emergencies.
  • Residents emphasized desire for a-political, public-safety-first approach, but also requested information for dealing with organized protest/march situations (e.g., 2016 armed groups along Harrison).
  • Request to connect with local ham radio operators and offer ham radio courses for neighborhood communication resilience.

2.9 Land Use, Decatur Street “Cut-Through” & Neighborhood Traffic Issues

  • Current Situation:
    • Ongoing, decades-long concern about Decatur cut-through (the road’s closure and city pressure to re-open to through traffic).
    • Residents have fought to keep it closed, citing traffic, safety, and neighborhood character impacts.
    • Recent physical changes (repaving, parklet and poetry post damage, possible opening to bike-only, etc.)
    • Some concern that city planners and new development pressures (e.g., Triangle project, adjacent stoplights) may threaten closure status.
    • Residents adamant that keeping Decatur closed is essential for walkability and neighborhood identity—not NIMBYism, but wary of car dependency.
    • Requests that city council and candidate Stang take the issue into account when developing/advocating policy.
  • Additional Infrastructure Ideas:
  • Suggestion to build a new pedestrian bridge over Percival Creek (to better connect SW neighborhoods).
  • Ongoing interest in city monitoring bike counts through tubes placed on walkway, speculating on city intentions.

2.10 Additional Miscellaneous Topics

  • Neighborhood Dues:
    • SWONA annual dues of $10 per household; payable via cash, check, or PayPal (swolyna@gmail.com).
  • Communication:
  • Ongoing work to re-establish a reliable website.
    • SWONA website currently shut down by web hosting platform (webnode) due to high website traffic from people accessing the yard sale map.
    • Website should be up again something after 7/1/25.
  • Email communication available; sign-up encouraged.
  • Board roles exist, but all forms of hands-on help welcome (e.g., flyers, organizing, event setup, people leading initiatives they care about).
  • Noted difficulty surfacing neighborhood security issues on platforms like Ring; meeting participation offers more direct and transparent local reporting.
  • Request for better reporting frameworks for minor and major crime, including property theft.
  • Residents encouraged to use GMRS radios (part of block captain initiative) and neighbor-to-neighbor messaging for resilience.
  • Neighborhood landmark temporarily removed for city projects; board seeking ideas for new location.
  • Volunteer Engagement:
  • Safety/Crime Communication:
  • Poetry Post Relocation:

3. Action Items

  • All Residents:
    • Sign up for neighborhood WhatsApp group or indicate interest in Signal, or alternative messaging platform migration.
    • Volunteer for block captain or event organizing roles, especially for coverage in underrepresented/newer sub-neighborhoods.
    • Residents with significant/big trees to measure/register trees for the contest (use provided links/handouts).
    • Interested gardeners to inquire about hosting community boxes.
    • Donations of “soupable” produce and/or excess fruit welcome for local food programs.
    • Pay yearly dues if able.
  • Board/Speakers:
  • Prepare and circulate email blast with info about summer picnic, block captain meeting (August 1), land use Zoom (July 2), and other events.
  • Explore Signal and other privacy-forward chat options for future group communication.
  • Collect and distribute information on local ham radio classes and disaster radio protocols.
  • Contact city (Justin Belk or other liaison) for status update on Decatur cut-through and bike counting project, and communicate findings to residents.
  • Liaise with Justin Stang and other city representatives about neighborhood concerns (sidewalks, traffic, affordable development, Decatur closure).
  • Organize and promote upcoming Thurston County emergency training; explore both natural disaster and socio-political emergency response options.
  • Continue work on the new SWONA website.

4. Follow-up Items and Future Meetings

  • Upcoming Events/Meetings:
    • Summer Picnic: August 24, 2025 at West Central Park, noon–4pm.
    • Block Captain/Preparedness Meeting: August 1, 2025 at West Central Park.
    • Mini monthly neighborhood meetings: less formal, more social in nature. More of a way to meet and connect with neighbors and touch base on on-going initiatives.
      • Next mini-meeting scheduled for Monday, July 14th from 6:30PM-8:00PM at Vic’s Pizza (233 Division St NW, Olympia, WA 98502)
    • Thurston County Emergency Management convention: July 11–13, 2025, in Lacey.
    • City Zoom on Land Use Designation: July 2, 2025 (link in WhatsApp and email).
  • Ongoing:
  • Quarterly full business SWONA meetings.
  • Event feedback will guide next year’s garage sale and other activities.
  • Await publication of the “biggest tree” contest winners in The Olympian.
  • Contact neighborhood leadership for sign distribution in newer areas and continued improvement of event outreach.

Closing Remarks

The board thanked neighbors for robust participation and reminded everyone that all engagement—no matter how small—is valued. Additional help is essential for making wanted changes in the neighborhood and maintaining a vibrant, safe, and welcoming community for all.

 

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