Title
Approval of Interlocal Agreement with Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County for Environmental Education and Outreach
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County for Environmental Education and Outreach and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve and sign the Interlocal Agreement to formalize a Regional Education and Outreach Partnership currently known as Stream Team.
Staff Contact:
Jeremy Graham, Associate Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8097
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
In 1989, the Olympia City Council directed Storm and Surface Water Utility staff to create a program to engage volunteers and educate citizens. In 1990 staff created Stream Team. Stream Team’s mission is to protect and enhance water resources and associated habitats through citizen action and education. Later Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey and Tumwater joined Stream Team as well.
In 2007 the Department of Ecology issued the four jurisdictions municipal National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permits. These permits require jurisdictions to provide educational programs and encourage coordination among jurisdictions within shared geographic areas.
Payment for the Regional Education Partnership is provided through dedicated funding within Olympia’s Storm and Surface Water Utility’s operating budget. The maximum annual allocated cost for Olympia is $23,500. Based on the populations within the service areas of the four jurisdictions, this amount represents a proportionate share of costs to provide educational services.
This Agreement will not increase the workload for Olympia staff and the cost of providing these services will remain the same.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Joint programs provide consistent messages to the public in a cost effective manner.
Options:
Option 1: Approve the agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign. This allows the City to formally recognize its commitment in providing collaborative educational opportunities through this partnership with Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey and Tumwater.
Option 2: Modify the Agreement. Each jurisdiction is currently routing it through their approval authority. Modifications to the proposed Agreement would result in additional review and approval process by the other jurisdictions, delaying implementation of work efforts.
Option 3: Don’t approve the request to sign the Agreement. Without an Agreement, continued coordination with the other jurisdictions will be less efficient and effective.
Financial Impact:
This is not an increase in the current/anticipated funding for these work efforts.
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement