Title
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Strategy ("Action Plan")
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Direct staff to proceed with the proposed template, process and timeline for developing the Implementation Strategy for the draft Olympia Comprehensive Plan.
Body
Issue:
How does the Committee wish to move forward with development of a strategy for implementing the Comprehensive Plan?
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
In 2014, the City Council is scheduled to adopt an updated Comprehensive Plan. Included in the Scope of the Update for the Comprehensive Plan was: "Add an action plan or implementation strategy with performance measures." An Implementation Strategy picks up where the draft comprehensive plan leaves off and identifies what programs, projects, and activities will carry out the goals and policies in the updated Comprehensive Plan. It can help define priorities, support planning and budgeting, and measure performance.
In late 2012, LUEC provided initial direction to staff for crafting an Implementation Strategy. LUEC provided additional direction in early 2013. Staff has drafted a template, process and timeline to the proposal, which would result in a completed first Implementation Strategy by July 2014.
The proposed template for the Implementation Strategy would categorize actions into short, medium and long-term time horizons. City Council could use this information to prioritize these actions for work as it approves its annual budget, capital facilities plan, and advisory committee work programs. Priority actions could be initiated when staff and budget resources are identified for those actions.
For example, one of the actions that would likely be included in the Implementation Strategy would be a downtown master plan. The proposed 2014 city budget does not currently include the staff and budget resources for this action. To prioritize this action to begin in 2014, the City Council could choose to provide additional resources through its budget process, or delay other projects assigned to CPD. CPD staff will provide additional information at the Land Use and Environment Committee's meeting on the current and projected CPD work program for 2013 and beyond.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Over 1,000 community members have participated in Imagine Olympia, submitting input on how the Comprehensive Plan should be updated and on how it should be implemented going forward. An Implementation Strategy will carry out the comments heard from community members, and engage and interest community members citywide.
Options:
1. Direct staff to proceed with developing the first Implementation Strategy by July 2014.
2. Postpone initiating work on an Implementation Strategy until after adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.
3. Recommend to City Council to remove an Implementation Strategy from the Scope of the Comprehensive Plan update.
Financial Impact:
Proposed work on the Implementation Strategy in 2013 is already within existing CP&D planning resources. To complete the proposed work on the Strategy in 2014 would require approximately one staff person for 20 hours a week for 6 months (.25 FTE). This work could be included within the 2014 work program within the city manager's proposed 2014 budget.