Title
Approval of Interlocal Agreement Between Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater for Joint Storm and Surface Water Monitoring
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Interlocal Agreement Between Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater for Joint Storm and Surface Water Monitoring and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve and sign the agreement to continue monitoring Olympia surface waters through the regional program as described in the interlocal agreement.
Staff Contact:
Jeremy Graham, Associate Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8097
Presenter(s):
None - Consent item
Background and Analysis:
Since 1991, Thurston County Environmental Health has performed water quality monitoring for Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater.
The program specifically monitors water quality parameters, stream flows, and precipitation. The mission of the joint storm and surface water monitoring program is to:
• Assess the health of regional water resources in order to make informed program decisions;
• Assist with policy and capital facility planning to protect water resources.
The most recent interlocal monitoring agreement from 2012 has expired. The Cities and County wish to continue the monitoring program as outlined in the interlocal monitoring agreement.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
No known concerns.
Options:
Option 1: Approve the agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign. This allows the City to continue its long-term surface water monitoring partnership with Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey and Tumwater. This is the most cost effective option because the County and Cities are combining resources.
Option 2: Decline the request to approve and sign the agreement. Staff would evaluate the feasibility of adding monitoring tasks to City staff’s current workload.
Option 3: Decline the request to approve and sign the agreement. Direct staff to research other means to complete the water quality monitoring. This would require staff time to research other options, draft new contracts and most likely pay more for a private company to do this work.
Financial Impact:
The City’s annual estimated cost is $18,000. The Storm and Surface Water Utility’s operating budget has dedicated funding to cover the annual costs for the County to perform the monitoring.
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement