Title
Approval of Interagency Agreement between the Washington Department of Ecology and the City of Olympia for Washington Conservation Corp (WCC) Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve and authorized the Mayor to sign the Interagency Agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to enter into an interagency agreement that allows the City to sponsor a WCC, six-person work crew, and a WCC individual corps member to support the Storm and Surface Water Utility's habitat and stewardship strategy.
Staff Contact:
Joe Roush, Planning & Implementation Supervisor, 360.753.8563
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, 360.753.8475
Presenter(s):
None. Consent Calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
The proposed agreement allows the City to sponsor a six-person, WCC work crew and individual corps member to support field implementation of the Storm and Surface Water Utility's habitat and stewardship strategy. Staff presented the strategy to Council at the May 13, 2014 study session. The strategy calls for staff and regional partners to identify, protect, and restore critical habitat throughout the City.
The WCC crew will perform vegetation restoration work primarily on City-owned property in support of the strategy's objectives. The individual corps member will work directly with City staff to coordinate public outreach, volunteer recruitment, and related activities for implementation on both public and private properties.
This is a great opportunity for the City to partner with Ecology. Ecology provides all the administrative support for the WCC, including crew recruitment and supervision, while the City provides operational support (i.e., office space and a secure facility for their equipment). The City will receive a six person, fully equipped crew (including a supervisor) for 41 weeks at a cost of $160,000. If approved, work will begin this Fall.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The habitat and stewardship strategy supports community and neighborhood environmental protection interests. One of the first phases of this project will be to solicit and engage the neighborhoods and their leadership in further refining habitat enhancement priorities.
Options:
1. Move to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. This will result in a contractual commitment of $160,000 and allow staff to proceed with the implementation of the Habitat and Stewardship Strategy.
2. Decline to participate in the Washington WCC program and investigate other opportunities to implement the Habitat and Stewardship Strategy. This will delay implementing the Habitat and Stewardship Strategy and require staff to research other options on how to staff the program.
Financial Impact:
The agreement will dedicate WCC staff to the City for one year at a cost of $160,000. Funds have been allocated through the Storm and Surface Water Utility's capital program (434-9017, Aquatic Habitat Improvements). The City Utility Advisory Committee supports the proposed allocation of resources. The scheduling and funding of other capital projects will not be affected by the proposed agreement.
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement with Washington Department of Ecology