Title
Approval of a Resolution Declaring an Emergency for Flooding at 28th Avenue
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution declaring an emergency for completing mitigation measures to address flooding on 28th Avenue.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution declaring an emergency for completing mitigation measures to address flooding on 28th Avenue.
Staff Contact:
Jeff Johnstone, P.E., City Engineer, Public Works Engineering, 360.753.8290
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In the last several years 28th Avenue, west of Cooper Point Road, has experienced periodic localized water over the roadway which requires people who live off 28th Avenue and Aztec Drive to drive through standing water.
During December 2025, the City of Olympia received a historic amount of rainfall as a series of atmospheric rivers impacted the region. As a result of these storms, 28th Avenue has been in a continual state of flooding which poses a risk to the public traveling through the area. The depth of the water in late December was approximately 6 inches in some areas and the edges of the road and adjacent ditches could not be seen. This is the only route to access the neighborhood. It is a safety hazard to expect residents, service and emergency vehicles, and other users of 28th Avenue to drive through standing water.
RCW 39.04.280 defines an emergency as “unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the municipality that either: (a) Present a real, immediate threat to the proper performance of essential functions; or (b) Will likely result in material loss or damage to property, bodily injury, or loss of life if immediate action is not taken.” RCW 39.04.280 also provides for an exemption from competitive bidding requirements for public works in the event of an emergency.
The City Engineer determined that the situation at 28th Avenue constituted an emergency as defined in RCW 39.04.280, declared an emergency, and thereafter entered into a contract without calling for bids with Sound Pacific Construction for measures to mitigate the flooding.
Prior to December 2025, staff was working with a local engineering firm to analyze the area to determine the cause of the standing water and to provide alternatives for improvements. Upon declaration of the emergency, staff directed the same engineering firm, KPFF, to provide mitigation measures which can be implemented quickly. The recommendation was to clean an existing culvert under 28th Avenue which appears to be nearly entirely plugged. Cleaning the culvert should provide some improvement to the area and reduce the likelihood that 28th Avenue will be submerged during small to medium rainfall events. Staff and our consultant will continue to monitor the area after the culvert is cleaned to determine if additional measures need to be completed.
Staff negotiated with Sound Pacific Construction to clean the existing culvert.
Climate Analysis:
28th Avenue has experienced periodic localized water over the roadway throughout the years. Extreme weather events, such as the repeated atmospheric rivers experienced in December 2025, are occurring more often. Events like this change a minor disruption to the traveling public on 28th Avenue to a constant state of flooding emergency. Short term flooding mitigation measures need to be completed to reduce the threat of material loss or damage to property, bodily injury, or loss of life if immediate action is not taken. Once the short-term measures are completed, staff will return to focusing on a long-term solution for the 28th Avenue flooding.
Equity Analysis:
It is a safety hazard to expect residents, service and emergency vehicles, and other users of our roadways to drive through standing water, regardless of location within the City.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Emergency repairs were made as soon as possible, reducing the threat to public safety.
Financial Impact:
The cost of the emergency mitigation work performed by Sound Pacific Construction is approximately $40,000. There are sufficient funds in the Stormwater Utility to cover these expenses.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution declaring an emergency for completing mitigation measures to address flooding on 28th Avenue. This affirms the emergency actions taken by the City Engineer.
2. Approve a Resolution with desired Council modifications declaring an emergency for mitigation measures to address flooding on 28th Avenue. This affirms the emergency actions taken by the City Engineer.
3. Do not approve a Resolution declaring an emergency for completing flooding mitigation measures at 28th Avenue. The emergency actions taken by the City Engineer will not be acknowledged by Council.
Attachments:
Resolution