Title
Approval of Interagency Agreement Between the Washington Department of Ecology and the City of Olympia for Washington Conservation Corp (WCC) Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve authorizing the City Mayor to sign the agreement between the Washington Department of Ecology and the City of Olympia for Washington Conservation Corp (WCC) Services.
Report
Issue:
Whether to enter into an interagency agreement that allows the City to sponsor a WCC, six-person work crew to support the Storm and Surface Water Utility’s habitat and vegetation stewardship project for another year.
Staff Contact:
Jesse Barham, Public Works Water Resources, Associate Planner, 360.753.8164
Joe Roush, Public Works Water Resources, Planning & Implementation Supervisor, 360.753.8563
Andy Haub, Public Works Water Resources Director, 360.753.8475
Background and Analysis:
The City sponsored a WCC work crew in 2015 to support field implementation of the Storm and Surface Water Utility’s habitat and stewardship strategy. By implementing the habitat and stewardship strategy, the Storm and Surface Water Utility and our partners are protecting and restoring critical habitat throughout the City. This interagency agreement allows us to continue sponsoring a WCC work crew through 2016.
The Washington State Department of Ecology screened, interviewed, and hired the current work crew that started in 2015. Although the crew members change every year, this interagency agreement allows the City to continue to work with the same crew supervisor for another year. The cost to the City is $140,000. This expense covers a fully-equipped, six-person crew including a supervisor for 41 weeks.
Staff will be briefing Council at an upcoming study session in October on the Habitat and Stewardship Strategy which will include the work performed by the WCC crew.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The habitat and stewardship strategy supports community and neighborhood environmental protection. Neighborhoods have expressed strong interest in the program. Staff is currently working with neighborhoods to refine habitat enhancement priorities, and on-the-ground work efforts.
Options:
1. Authorize the City Mayor to sign the agreement. This will allow the WCC crew to continue working on the habitat and stewardship strategy.
2. Decline to participate in the WCC program. The utility will investigate other opportunities to implement the habitat and stewardship strategy.
Financial Impact:
The agreement will dedicate WCC staff to the City for one year at a cost of $140,000. Funds have been allocated through the Storm and Surface Water Utility’s capital program (434-9017, Aquatic Habitat Improvements). The City Utility Advisory Committee initiated and continues to support the overall work effort. The scheduling and funding of other capital projects will not be affected by the proposed agreement.
Attachment:
Interagency Agreement with Washington Department of Ecology