Title
Approval of Resolution Authorizing an Interagency Agreement Between the Department of Ecology and the City of Olympia to Sponsor Bioretention Hydrologic Performance Studies
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing an Interagency Agreement with the Department of Ecology to sponsor Bioretention Hydrologic Performance Studies and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution authorizing the City to enter into an interagency agreement that allows the City to sponsor a Department of Ecology Stormwater Action Monitoring effectiveness study.
Staff Contact:
Andy Haub, P.E. Water Resources Director, Public Works, 360.570.3795
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Olympia pays into a collective fund to implement the Department of Ecology’s (DOE) Stormwater Action Monitoring (SAM) Program. Administered by DOE, the program is a collaboration between western Washington jurisdictions with National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination Stormwater (NPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permits. SAM identifies effective actions and tracks regional progress to reduce pollution and flooding associated with stormwater. One of SAM’s focus areas is effectiveness studies to measure the effectiveness of stormwater management actions and communicating this information to jurisdictions.
DOE requested City sponsorship of a study to evaluate bioretention facilities and engineered rain gardens designed to remove contaminants and sediment from stormwater. The interagency agreement will allow $526,026 in funding to pass from the DOE to consultants performing the studies. The City will contract directly with the consultants.
Timing of the interagency agreement is critical. With Council authorization, staff will solicit requests for qualifications in October in order to start work this winter.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There are no specific neighborhood and/or community concerns. Studies will be performed throughout western Washington. Findings from the studies will benefit jurisdictions throughout the region.
Options:
Option 1: Move to approve the resolution and authorize the City Manager to sign the interagency agreement with DOE. This will allow important studies of the effectiveness of low impact development practices to proceed.
Option 2: Do not approve the resolution and do not authorize the City Manager to sign the interagency agreement with DOE. This would likely delay studies for a year until another sponsor can be found.
Financial Impact:
The Department of Ecology will provide funding of $526,026. City staff will process payments to the consultant and request reimbursement from Ecology. City staff will absorb the cost/time to develop and solicit requests for qualifications.
Attachments:
Resolution and Interagency Agreement