Title
Review of Proposed Resolution Establishing a Community Renewal Area (CRA)
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Community and Economic Revitalization Committee (CERC) considered the proposed Resolution on December 15th and moved to forward the proposed Resolution to City Council for its consideration as an Other Business item at the January 6, 2015 City Council Meeting.
City Manager Recommendation:
Consider the proposed CRA Resolution and direct staff to schedule a public hearing on the proposed CRA Resolution and provide notice to the community and potentially interested parties.
Report
Issue:
Review and approve a Resolution establishing a Community Renewal Area in downtown Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department 360.753.8227.
Presenter(s):
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department
Background and Analysis:
In the Moving Forward with CRA document (Attachment 2) that City Council approved on November 3, 2014 included a two-step process for putting the CRA into effect. The first step is the consideration and adoption of a resolution (Attachment 1). The resolution establishes the CRA and directs the City Manager to take certain actions related to preparation of the required CRA Plan. The proposed resolution sets the stage for the second step by directing the City Manager to develop the request for proposals (RFP), determine what incentives the City might make available and develop a process for evaluating proposals. This work is all associated with the RFP. The CERC has considered a draft of the RFP and will be prepared to present their recommendations at subsequent City Council meetings before moving forward with this process. The results of the RFP will feed directly into the required Community Renewal Plan that is the second step in the CRA process. The Community Renewal Plan must also be approved by City Council following a public hearing.
The City hosted two well attended CRA Open House Events on December 3, 2014 and December 4, 2014. These events were held to provide an opportunity to inform the public about the CRA process and potential next steps and gather input and feedback about the CRA. Approximately 40 people attended each of these events and a broad range of feedback was received (Attachment 3).
The CERC feels that it is time to move the proposed resolution forward to a public hearing.
Next steps in the process include (Attachment 4) holding the public hearing on the CRA Resolution and finalization of the Draft RFP document and process by the CERC for consideration by the full City Council.
Options:
1. Provide feedback and direction to staff on the proposed CRA Resolution and direct staff to schedule a public hearing on the CRA Resolution and provide notice to the community and potentially interested parties.
2. Provide feedback and direction on the proposed CRA Resolution and refer it to the CERC for additional review and consideration.
Financial Impact:
None.