Title
Finalize the Utility Advisory Committee Work Plan
Recommended Action
Review and finalize the 2024-2025 UAC Work Plan and forward to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the final UAC work plan for the period covering April 2024 - March 2025, with some slight revisions from the version reviewed at the February 1, 2024 UAC meeting.
Staff Contact:
Jesse Barham, Public Works Water Resources Director, 360.753.8164
Presenter:
Jesse Barham
Background and Analysis:
Changes suggested to the Work Plan since the February 1, 2024 UAC Meeting:
• Moved the Utility and Natural Environmental Chapter Comprehensive plan agenda item from April to May meeting to allow Planning Commission briefings to occur.
• Moved TMDL presentations from June to April meeting to replace Comprehensive Plan item
• Moved Municipal Stormwater Permit Reissuance Process briefing from May to June to be closer to reissuance over summer.
Utility staff and UAC members develop the draft UAC work plan with input from the Finance Committee, which is the UAC’s liaison committee. In developing the work plans, committees are to consider:
• City Council established or adopted goals and priorities, including the City's Comprehensive Plan, annual Council goals, master plans and budgets.
• Resource availability - budget, staff support, committee member time.
• Departmental work priorities.
• During its review, the City Council may change or modify the committee's proposed work plan so that it reflects Council priorities, available resources and emerging issues.
• The work plan serves as the basis for a committee's focus and effort during the following year, although the Council may, from time-to-time, refer additional items to the committee during the year.
City staff recommends reducing the number of UAC meetings from ten (10) meetings per year to eight (8) for the 2024 - 2025 work plan. Staff is recommending no meetings for the months of July, August, December and January. If a referral is received from City Council or a Council Committee, staff would fit it into an existing meeting or add an additional UAC meeting, if necessary. As shown in the attached draft work plan, dated March 1, 2024, staff is confident that business items can be accomplished within the reduced meeting schedule.
Included in the draft work plan are items that go before the UAC annually for review and recommendation to the City Council, including utility rates, operating budgets and the Capital Facilities Plan.
The Utility Advisory Committee is expected to propose an annual work plan to the City’s Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLIPS) and then to the City Council adoption in late March.
Utility staff drafted and discussed the work plan with the UAC at the December 2023 and February 2024 UAC meetings. The work plan includes items that go before the UAC every year including, utility rates, budget, the Capital Facilities Plan, and other regulatory items.
Next Steps:
The UAC will finalize the 2024-2025 work plan and recommend approval. Staff will then forward it to the Community Livability and Public Safety Council Committee, with Council adoption on March 27, 2024.
Climate Analysis:
The UAC work plan development does not have any direct impact on climate mitigation. Topics that may impact climate emissions and/or are related to climate mitigation and adaptation may be included in the workplan.
Equity Analysis:
Workplan development has the potential to include agenda items relevant to equity, burden on marginalized communities, and address disparities in the Olympia community.
Attachment:
UAC Draft Work Plan as of March 1, 2024