Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Access Agreement and Release of Easement with Thurston County Associated with City Property on Carpenter Road
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an Access Agreement with Thurston County associated with City property on Carpenter Road.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an Access Agreement with Thurston County associated with City property on Carpenter Road.
Staff Contact:
Jim Rioux, Project Manager, Public Works Engineering, 360.753.8484
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia (City) owns property located near the intersection of Martin Way and Carpenter Road (see attached Site Map). There is an abandoned firing range on the site that was previously used by the Olympia Police Department. The City closed the firing range due to public health and environmental concerns. Past use of lead bullets left significant lead dust contamination in the building and in soils adjacent to the building.
Public Works plans to construct a maintenance facility at this location for the Waste Resources line of business. This will free up valuable space at the existing Maintenance Facility at 1401 Eastside Street.
Public Works initiated work to prepare the site for future development. That work includes installation of additional security fencing, site grading, and remediation of lead contamination.
Progress
In 2019, the City hired KPFF Consulting Engineers to develop a cost estimate for site development. In 2020, KPFF shared their findings with the Utility Advisory Committee and the Finance Committee. The preliminary cost estimate was in the range of $30,000,000.
The City then extended KPFF’s contract to develop site plans and obtain land-use and grading permits. Thurston County approved the site plan as well as land-use and grading permits earlier this year.
GeoEngineers, Inc was also hired to obtain Department of Ecology approval of a site remediation plan. GeoEngineers completed all required studies including the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study and Cleanup Action Plan. The City is now working under the Department of Ecology’s Voluntary Compliance Program to complete site remediation.
Earlier this year, Public Works also entered into an agreement with Miles Sand and Gravel, Inc., located immediately north of the site, to remove approximately 60,000 square yards of material from the site at no cost to the City. Public Works estimates that this will save the City approximately $2,000,000 in site grading work for the new Waste Resources facility.
Site Access
Historically the City used an easement across property owned by Thurston County to access the firing range. The language in that easement is specific to use of the firing range only.
Public Works worked with Thurston County to continue use of the existing access road. The attached Access Agreement and Release of Easement will allow the City to use the existing access road for site preparation and remediation as well as future construction activities.
Climate Analysis:
Development of this site offers several opportunities to meet the City’s goals related to greenhouse gas emissions. Public Works will complete a thorough assessment of climate impacts of facility construction and operations during the project design phase. Public Works will return with specific recommendations for design, construction, and facility operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Design is expected to begin in 2024.
Equity Analysis:
Development of this site offers opportunities to assess impact on the community of site development and address current inequities through procurement and hiring practices employed during facility construction and long-term facility operations. Public Works will include equity assessments as part of the design and project planning phases and will return with specific recommendations for procurement and hiring practices.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None known at this time. However, due to the location of the Carpenter Road property, in the Lacey Urban Growth Area, City of Lacey officials will need to be briefed and consulted at the appropriate time.
Financial Impact:
There are no funding impacts associated with this action. The preliminary cost estimate for the Waste Resources facility was in the range of $30,000,000. As design of this project moves forward, staff will provide more detailed and updated information about costs associated with future site development.
Options:
1. Approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an Access Agreement and Release of Easement with Thurston County. Site preparation and remediation will proceed as planned.
2. Approve the Resolution with modifications to the Agreement desired by Council. Depending upon the modifications, this could significantly delay site work and increase project costs.
3. Do not approve the Resolution. Staff would be required to modify plans to use the existing Martin Way access. This would significantly delay work, is likely to increase costs, and will require mitigation of safety risks associated with using that route for project activities.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
Vicinity Map
Site Map
Release of Easement