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 f...
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