Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to Address Encampments Along State-Owned Rights-of-Way
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to address encampments along state-owned rights-of-way.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to address encampments along state-owned rights-of-way.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Housing Programs Manager, City Manager’s Office, 360.280.8951
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In April 2022, the Department of Transportation contacted City of Olympia’s homeless outreach team to share direction from the Governor’s office regarding encampments along the I-5. Several locations throughout Thurston County were identified as priority sites to be cleared and monitored to discourage reestablishment by unhoused residents. The past few months, the Regional Housing Council has been partnering with both the Department of Commerce and Department of Transportation to establish an agreement to respond to the Governor’s direction and utilize the current successful processes and services within the county.
The Interlocal Agreement outlines interventions and financial support to the City of Olympia to monitor the cleared encampments along the I-5 and provide ongoing outreach and debris removal for the state-owned properties. The City’s homeless outreach team has current standard operating procedures to address city-owned right-of-way encampments including relationships with service providers, rapport with the unhoused residents, and contracts for cleans that will be replicated at these encampments as well.
The Department of Transportation has agreed to fund a consistent hourly rate of 10 hours per week for two outreach workers to focus on the identified sites for the next 2.5 years. They have also included a clearing budget of up to $200,000 and $10,000 for supplies and outreach support.
Coupling this agreement with the robust jurisdictional Memorandum of Understanding and funding package lead by the Department of Commerce, the City believes unhoused residents along the I-5 will have a much clearer and successful transition to permanent shelter/housing than previous encampment clearings. This relationship with the Department of Commerce and Department of Transpiration will continue over the next 2.5 years with the expectation that roles and services may evolve to best meet the needs of service providers and our unhoused community members. The City is committed to completing the responsibilities outlined within the agreement while also providing a humane and supportive transition for our unhoused community.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The homeless response team receives calls and emails daily about residents and excessive debris along the state-owned rights-of-way. The work being completed in this agreement is of great concern in the community and works in tandem with the inter-agency Memorandum of understanding being executed for the same locations.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to address encampments along state-owned rights-of-way.
2. Amend the Resolution and approve with proposed amendments.
3. Take other action.
Financial Impact:
WSDOT has allocated $130,000 directly supporting the outreach team for the next 2.5 years to provide on-going engagement to residents on state rights-of-way. The $210,000 is allocated on an as-needed bases and will be drawn for cleans of rights-of-way and supplies for resident outreach.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement