Title
Discussion About Requiring Property Owners to Keep Storefront Areas Clean
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive and discuss information. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
City staff will report on current downtown cleaning efforts and existing municipal code requirements for maintaining sidewalks.
Staff Contact:
Brian Wilson, Downtown Liaison, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3798
Presenter(s):
Brian Wilson, Downtown Liaison, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3798
Background and Analysis:
In 2014, the General Government committee expressed an interest in discussing sidewalk maintenance in downtown Olympia.
There are a variety of current programs that address this issue. They include:
· Downtown Ambassador Clean Team. The Clean Team operates on a 5 day/week schedule focusing on sweeping sidewalks, graffiti abatement, and pressure washing highly used areas. Their efforts are primarily focused on the core of downtown (bounded by Plum Street, State Avenue, Water Street, and Fourth Avenue).
· City of Olympia Probation Crew. The probation crew responds to larger scale emergent cleaning issues in downtown Olympia. They also pressure wash the Artesian Commons on a weekly basis and water the flower baskets. The probation crew also deep cleans alleyways upon request.
· Public Works. The Public Works department hired a seasonal employee to clean downtown pedestrian garbage/recycle containers. They also abate graffiti from City owned dumpsters respond to emergent issues at City facilities.
· Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA). The PBIA funds a variety of downtown Clean & Safe related programs. In regard to sidewalk maintenance, 2014 PBIA funds were used to construct 15 cigarette butt bins decorated by local artists. These bins were located in high need areas identified by the Downtown Ambassador Clean Team.
Olympia Municipal Code 12.36.060 reads:
Each and every occupant or owner of property within the city along or adjoining which property are sidewalks are required to keep the sidewalks free from all snow, ice, mud or other obstructions.
One could interpret "other obstructions" as litter. The PBIA board and Councilmember Jeannine Roe expressed an interest in pursuing a program that provides push brooms for downtown storefront owners that would promote a community effort to keep sidewalks clear of debris.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Multiple cleaning efforts in downtown Olympia are a part of the larger Downtown Project which aims to create a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all in Downtown Olympia.
Options:
N/A - Discussion.
Financial Impact:
Cleaning programs already allocated in 2015 operating budget.