Title
Approval of Regional Legislative Agenda
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Support the Regional Legislative Agenda
Report
Issue:
In addition to the City of Olympia’s 2017 State Legislative agenda, which was adopted by the City Council on December 13, 2016, several regional public and private partners have identified a set of regional projects that they believe have area-wide benefits. The question for the City Council is whether to support these regional projects.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360-753-8447
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia and several other public and private groups in the area work each legislative session to influence State legislation and funding decisions that support their missions and members.
In the late fall, representatives from several of these groups discussed whether or not there were any region-wide projects or initiatives that could be supported on a broader level. The criteria included projects that benefited multiple jurisdictions or groups and were achievable in the upcoming session. Groups involved in the discussion included South Puget Sound Community College, the Cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, The Port of Olympia, The Economic Development Council, The Chamber of Commerce, and Thurston Regional Planning Council.
Three projects were suggested for consideration.
1. Lake/Estuary options - A committee of State and Thurston County stakeholders has been meeting for the past years to explore options to help the State make tangible progress on the fate of the lake. The City of Olympia elected officials, and staff has been part of the Policy, Finance and Governance, and Technical Committees helping to shape the issue.
Governor Inslee has included $5.19 M in his proposed Capital budget to conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), as the next step in the process of deciding lake, estuary or some combination
2. Craft brewing and Distilling District - the request is for $2M to buy brewing and distilling equipment. The concept is to create an economic and educational hub for brewing and distilling. SPSCC has committed to a long-term lease as part of the project and will focus on creating curriculum and learning for the project.
3. Thurston County I-5 study - will look at long-term mobility needs between Mounts Road and 93rd. The congestion at JBLM is moving down I-5 and jeopardizes mobility and commerce in the area.
All three projects have economic development and/or job creation potential for the South Sound. Each represents a logical next step that is achievable in the near term.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Several partner agencies have been involved in the identification of projects.
Options:
1. Support the regional agenda
2. Do not support the regional agenda
Financial Impact:
The City’s involvement will be mostly staff and perhaps Mayor Selby’s time to promote and explain the regional agenda to Legislators and staff. Also, up to $2,500 is available in the Executive professional services budget to support development of materials and coordination of the effort.
Attachments:
Olympian Article, December 25, 2016