Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with Thurston County Addressing Impacts of Unsheltered/Homeless Individuals Living in Vehicles along Ensign Road and Public Streets
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Olympia and Thurston County addressing impacts of unsheltered/homeless individuals living in vehicles along Ensign Road and Public Streets throughout the community.
Report
Issue:
Whether to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Thurston County to address and mitigate the impacts of unsheltered/homeless individuals living in vehicles on public streets throughout the community.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Assistant City Manager, Office of Community Vitality, 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
There is currently no shelter or sanctioned safe parking area to address the needs and impacts of individuals living in vehicles on public streets. Camping along Ensign Road in particular is detrimental to the health and safety of the individuals living there and surrounding businesses, property owners, and visitors. Ensign Road camping is having unacceptable, negative impacts on operations at Providence St. Peter Hospital, emergency medical first responders accessing the hospital, the safe navigation of public transit vehicles, the ability of the public to use the bike lanes and sidewalks in that roadway, and surrounding wetlands and streams.
The City of Olympia (City) and Thurston County (County) wish to create a clear understanding of their working relationship related to ongoing efforts to address the impacts of unsheltered/homeless individuals living along Ensign Road and other public streets and encampments located throughout the community.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets out an agreement between the City and the County to jointly and equally share in the costs of purchase, development, and management of the Franz Anderson property with the Regional Housing Council partners, with the intention of creating a temporary Safe Parking Site for individuals residing along Ensign Road and other places in Thurston County.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
$2,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars have been set aside by the City for this project. The County and the City will develop an interlocal agreement consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding that provides for shared purchase, development, and operations of the facility.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Resolution approving the MOU as proposed.
2. Direct staff to continue discussions with Thurston County to prepare an alternative version of the MOU.
3. Decide not to pursue an MOU with Thurston County.
Financial Impact:
$2,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars have been set aside by City for this project. The County and the City will develop an interlocal agreement consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding that provides for shared purchase, development, and operations of the facility.
Attachments:
Resolution
Memorandum of Understanding