Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Relating to Vehicle Camping and Amending OMC Chapter 10.16 by the Addition of a New Section and Amending OMC Sections 10.16.030, 10.20.090, 16.06.020
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to adopt on second reading, an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code relating to vehicle camping and amending OMC Chapter 10.16 by the addition of a new section and amending OMC Sections 10.16.030, 10.20.090, 16.06.020.
Report
Issue:
Whether to adopt on second reading, an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code relating to vehicle camping and amending OMC Chapter 10.16 by the addition of a new section and amending OMC Sections 10.16.030, 10.20.090, 16.06.020.
Staff Contact:
Tim Smith, Interim Community Planning and Development Director, 360.570.3915
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, 360.280.8951
Presenter(s):
Tim Smith, Interim Community Planning and Development Director
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis have not changed from first to second reading.
In 2022, the City took action on the long-standing RV and vehicle encampment on Ensign Road, expanding the Quince Street Tiny Home Village and offering every resident a place to transition to. To help ensure a similar encampment wouldn’t form somewhere else in the City, Parking, Homeless Response, and the Olympia Police Department (OPD) created a policy (attached) that would address what we now reference as liveaboards.
The code referenced in the created policy pertains specifically to RV’s and does not allow the enforcement mechanisms to address people living in vehicles along the right-of-way. The code also followed the traditional violation approach of assessing a monetary fine for people that were out of compliance. This amendment formalizes the attached practiced policy, expands the definition of liveaboard to include vehicles, and decreases the fine to $0 for unhoused violators.
Attached is the flow chart outlining how the new liveaboard process will be implemented. Each case will begin with Homeless Response, working with residents to share community resources, educate on the liveaboard policy, and connect with the coordinated entry system. Once all homeless response resources have been exhausted, the case will be transferred to Parking Services, and they will begin the citation process. When three tickets are cited to a vehicle or RV in a calendar year, the vehicle or RV becomes towable, and the case is transferred to OPD. An outlined communications plan of this policy is also attached and will be adjusted as needed as staff fully begin implementation of the new ordinance.
Climate Analysis:
This ordinance change has no impact on increased carbon emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The new ordinance was amended to specifically address equity in the City’s response process. Policing homelessness is neither effective nor humane and this ordinance amendment front loads support with homeless response for as long as possible. If housing is approaching and the residents are prepared to leave their vehicle, the team works with Parking, OPD, and surrounding neighbors to provide flexibility to allow for a more successful transition. If housing is not in the near future for the residents, then homeless response stays in communication with the residents, and informs them of the liveaboard ordinance and helps to support their overall compliance.
Homeless Response staff shared with the team developing this policy about the ineffective assessment of monetary fines. Internal data shows that a vast majority of tickets given to liveaboards are rarely paid and typically only escalates situations and make buildings relationships with people more of a challenge. An informational violation is more trauma informed and shares with the resident that they are out of compliance without taking the much-needed resources they need to survive.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community is very interested in how the city is approaching liveaboards and eager to see the updated ordinance better reflecting the city’s efforts.
Financial Impact:
No financial impact related to this ordinance.
Options:
1. Adopt on second reading, an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code relating to vehicle camping and amending OMC Chapter 10.16 by the addition of a new section and amending OMC Sections 10.16.030, 10.20.090, 16.06.020.
2. Approve with amendments and bring back for second reading at a future meeting, an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code relating to vehicle camping and amending OMC Chapter 10.16 by the addition of a new section and amending OMC Sections 10.16.030, 10.20.090, 16.06.020.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Ordinance
RV Parking Policy
Flow Chart
Liveaboard Communications Plan