Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Olympia and Thurston County for Sharing Expenses Associated with the Acquisition, Planning, Development and Operations of a Safe Parking Facility and Other Forms of Emergency Housing on Property Located on Franz Anderson Road
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for sharing expenses associated with the acquisition, planning, development and operations of a safe parking facility and other forms of emergency housing on property located on Franz Anderson Road.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for sharing expenses associated with the acquisition, planning, development and operations of a safe parking facility and other forms of emergency housing on property located on Franz Anderson Road.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Assistant City Manager, Office of Community Vitality 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Unmanaged camping on streets and vacant property in the City of Olympia continues to have significant impacts on the public health, safety and welfare for the general public, nearby businesses and residents and for the individuals living in these conditions. The City and County agree that managed emergency housing facilities like safe parking areas, tiny house villages and other forms of emergency housing are an important way to begin to change this equation by offering additional services and safety to those living unsheltered in our community and creating pathways into treatment, services and permanent shelter. The proposed Interlocal Agreement would facilitate the county’s shared participation in funding, developing and operating the Franz Anderson Road property for these purposes.
The City will take the lead in developing this facility and plans to conduct public outreach and engagement as part of this process. The city also anticipates working with the Regional Housing Council to facilitate their participation in funding operations of the facility. Without regional participation, the city will be unable to operate the facility.
The City anticipates contracting with a service provider to manage the facility. The service provider will create and enforce a code of conduct for residents and a good neighbor policy to involve the surrounding property owners and businesses in the success of the facility.
On December 15, 2021, the City and the County entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to jointly and equally share in the costs of purchase and development of the Franz Anderson property; jointly provide and coordinate funding support through the Regional Housing Council (RHC) for ongoing management of the facility for three years, provided that funding support is provided by the RHC; and prepare all necessary agreements to achieve the goals of the MOU.
On December 15, 2021, the City entered into a Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for the purchase of real property located on Franz Anderson Road SE, which is suitable for a temporary safe parking site in the short-term and a permanent supportive housing facility or an affordable housing development in the long-term.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
Homelessness and its impacts are of community-wide interest. Surrounding property owners and businesses have expressed concerns about the proposed emergency housing facilities.
Options:
1. Approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for sharing expenses associated with the acquisition, planning, development and operations of a safe parking facility and other forms of emergency housing on property located on Franz Anderson Road.
2. Approve the Resolution and direct staff to modify the Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County providing for sharing expenses associated with the acquisition, planning, development and operations of a Safe Parking Facility and other Forms of Emergency Housing on Property Located on Franz Anderson Road.
3. Do not approve the Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Olympia and Thurston County providing for sharing expenses associated with the acquisition, planning, development and operations of a Safe Parking Facility and other Forms of Emergency Housing on Property Located on Franz Anderson Road.
Financial Impact:
The purchase price for the property is $1.65 million dollars. Staff is in the process of developing a scope, schedule and budget for developing emergency housing facilities on the property. Operating expenses of the facility must be borne by the Regional Housing Council. The City lacks funding to operate this facility.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement