Title
Approval of Interlocal Agreement with Snohomish County for Natural Yard Care Public Outreach and Evaluation Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Interlocal Agreement for the Natural Yard Care Public Outreach and Evaluation Program.
Report
Issue:
Whether to enter into an Interlocal Agreement that allows staff to work with Snohomish County and associated cities, Thurston County, and the City of Tumwater on a regional non-point pollution reduction program.
Staff Contact:
Patricia Pyle, Senior Program Specialist, Public Work Water Resources, 360.570.5841
Andy Haub, P.E., Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3795
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Item
Background and Analysis:
Snohomish County was awarded a multijurisdictional Department of Ecology Grant of Regional or Statewide Significance (GROSS) for Natural Lawn Care Public Outreach and Evaluation. The purpose of this grant is to identify effective Natural Yard Care outreach and education program strategies that bring about the greatest behavioral change among "do-it-yourself" residents.
Two different approaches will be implemented and evaluated: 1) Snohomish County partners will provide a series of lawn care workshops for their residents, and 2) Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston Co. will provide a hands-on lawn care "coaching" program for participants, including soil testing and how-to demonstrations.
The City of Olympia is currently implementing the first year of the natural lawn care program funded through a recently awarded National Estuary Program (NEP) grant. The evaluation of this program will be done through the Interlocal Agreement with Snohomish County.
Snohomish County hired a consulting firm to develop and implement an evaluation plan. The plan will identify behaviors to evaluate, sampling strategies, analysis, and recommendations. A final report will be available in February 2016.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Over the past several years, lawn care education and technical assistance has been well supported by neighborhoods and individuals.
Options:
Approve or decline the request to participate in the Interlocal Agreement.
Financial Impact:
As part of the Interlocal Agreement the City of Olympia is receiving $3,200 from the GROSS grant to produce natural lawn care "how-to" videos.
The agreement also outlines that the City will fund the post-evaluation costs up to $42,000. The National Estuary Program (NEP) grant will cover $40,000 of this expense and the Storm and Surface Water Utility Operating budget will cover the remaining $2,000.
Attachment(s):
1 - Snohomish ILA Natural Yard Care