Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to an Interagency Agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Rights of Way Initiative
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an amendment to an interagency agreement between the City of Olympia and Washington State Department of Commerce for the rights-of-way initiative.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an amendment to an interagency agreement between the City of Olympia and Washington State Department of Commerce for the rights-of-way initiative.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, 360.280.8951
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
On June 22, 2022, the City of Olympia, and the Washington State Department of Commerce entered into an Interagency Agreement for the Rights of Way Initiative for $6.2 million in grant funding for the development and operation of the Franz-Anderson property.
The work on the site commenced shortly after, clearing the east side of the parcel to create a tiny home village and extending the road and utility hook ups to allow for operations on the site. The west side of property is being advertised in a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for future development of permanent supportive housing. The developer is scheduled to be selected in early summer.
Due to the extensive requirements in developing the land in a tight timeline, the Department of Commerce has agreed to provide additional administrative dollars for the needed public works staff time and expenses. The amendment to the contract increases the funding by $310,000, dedicated to site design, paving, utility extension, and other related site improvement needs.
Climate Analysis:
The established encampments identified in the Right-of-Way program generate a significant amount of waste. Dumpsters are at each site which entice other residents to dump large trash near and around the encampments causing health and safety concerns. Closing these encampments and offering residents a place to transition to will also allow the City to remove those dumpsters and work to decrease the amount of solid waste in the public right-of-way. The SOI requires the housing development to follow the electrification standards for any new construction. The tiny home village, however, did not incorporate any energy reduction plans. Site energy improvements should be reviewed to better meet the City’s climate goals.
Equity Analysis:
The demographic data is not being captured from people residing on the state-owned right-of-way. However, the housing and homeless response team understands that people living on the identified encampments typically have compounding barriers to entry to housing. Chronic homelessness only exacerbates trauma and severe mental health needs and the direct connection to stable, safe housing is a key way to addressing those needs. Once residents enter into the provided housing, demographic data should be captured to best understand who is being most impacted by chronic homelessness and how the City can respond those disparities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This project is of great interest to the community as it addresses two of the City’s largest encampments; both Wheeler and Sleater-Kenney. The right-of-way improvements are needed at Franz-Anderson, the site providing housing for residents at the encampments, before either the tiny home village or permanent supportive housing can be developed.
Financial Impact:
The initial contract included $2.9 million for tiny home village site improvements, $3 million for 3 years of village operations and $300,000 for administration. The amendment shifts the initial $300,000 to outreach services and includes an additional $310,000 (5%) for administration, bringing the new contract total to $6,510,000.
Options:
1. Approve the resolution authorizing an amendment to an interagency agreement between the City of Olympia and Washington State Department of Commerce for the rights-of-way initiative.
2. Approve the resolution with edits authorizing an amendment to an interagency agreement between the City of Olympia and Washington State Department of Commerce for the rights-of-way initiative.
3. Take no action
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
Amendment