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Title:
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Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for a 2025-2027 Climate Planning Grant
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Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for a 2025-2027 Climate Planning Grant
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for a 2025-2027 Climate Planning Grant.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for a 2025-2027 Climate Planning Grant.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, City Manager's Office, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Climate Planning Requirements
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A) guides and directs local government planning in the state. It requires most cities and counties, including Olympia, to adopt and periodically update a comprehensive plan to accommodate the succeeding 20 years of growth and establish the primary goals and policies to guide all City actions.
Planning for climate change and resiliency was added as the 14th goal to the GMA in 2023, by adoption of House Bill 1181 (Chapter 228, Laws of 2023). The GMA now requires local comprehensive plans to have sub-elements for climate resilience and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
* The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission sub-element - with goals and policies to reduce GHG emissions and vehicle miles traveled - is mandatory for the state's 11 largest counties (including Thurston County) and for cities located within those counties that have a population size greater than 6,000; thus, this requirement applies to Olympia.
* The Resilience sub-element - with goals and polices to improve climate preparedness, response and recovery efforts - is mandatory for all fully planning counties and cities under the GMA and is encouraged for others.
In 2023, staff began the periodic update for Olympia's Comprehensive Plan, as required by the GMA. This update looks out to the year 2045 to show how the City will accommodate new population and employment growth. This update will also address the GMA goal for climate and the new Climate Change and Resiliency element requirement. The deadline to complete this update is December 31, 2025.
Climate Planning Grants
The Climate Commitment Act directs the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to administer grants and provide technical assistance to cities and counties to plan for climate change. Commerce will make approximately $30 million (as appropriated) in statewide grants to implement House Bill 1181, supporting the development of climate change and resiliency elements.
All local governments that are subject to HB 1181 (including the City of Olympia) may apply for funding for activities related to implementing climate change planning. The City of Olympia has been awarded a $78,583 Climate Planning Grant for 2025 to complete the development of Olympia's Comprehensive Plan Climate Element. This funding will support costs for staff time to finalize the Climate Element. All work must be completed by December 2025.
The City was previously awarded a $245,000 Climate Planning Grant for work completed from January 2024 - June 2025.
Climate Analysis:
Development of the Comprehensive Plan Climate Element will support long-term planning for climate mitigation (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions reduction) and resilience.
Equity Analysis:
Climate change affects everyone. However, some people and communities in Olympia (sometimes referred to as frontline communities) will experience greater impacts due to their age, race, gender, health, where they live, or what they do for work. Prioritizing environmental justice and maximizing co-benefits for frontline communities is a key goal of the Climate Element.
Equity has been incorporated throughout the Climate Element goals and policies, and staff prioritized outreach to frontline communities to the greatest extent feasible throughout the update process.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is considerable community interest in climate action (including greenhouse gas emissions reduction and resilience). Multiple opportunities and forums for community engagement were provided throughout the development of the Climate Element. A summary of community engagement activities and feedback will be provided when the Climate Element is presented to City Council for consideration.
Financial Impact:
The City has been awarded a $78,583 grant to complete the development of the Comprehensive Plan Climate Element, as required by the GMA. Grant funding will cover staff time costs associated with this work. There is no funding match requirement for this grant.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Resolution authorizing the Interagency Agreement between the City of Olympia and Washington State Department of Commerce for a 2025-2027 Climate Planning Grant.
2. Request changes to the Interagency Agreement between the City of Olympia and Washington State Department of Commerce for a 2025-2027 Climate Planning Grant.
3. Do not approve the Resolution authorizing the Interagency Agreement between the City of Olympia and Washington State Department of Commerce for a 2025-2027 Climate Planning Grant.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement