Title
Approval of Funding for Downtown Sanitation Master Plan Development
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee recommends approval of funding to develop a Downtown Sanitation Master Plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve funding to develop a Downtown Sanitation Master Plan and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve funding to create a Downtown Sanitation plan for Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Mark Rentfrow, Downtown Liaison, Community Planning and Development: 360.570.3798
Presenter(s):
Mark Rentfrow, Downtown Liaison, Community Planning and Development: 360.570.3798
Adam Young, Principal, Young Architecture LLC: 206.852.1956
Background and Analysis:
At its retreat in January 2017, the City Council made a commitment to implement a Downtown Sanitation Plan as the next logical step before taking any more actions regarding public restrooms beyond the currently approved Portable Restroom pilot project. The City anticipates developing a plan that helps to address public sanitation in our downtown and includes recommendations on location, siting, type of facility and hours of operation for public restrooms. A preliminary cost estimate for each recommended site would also be part of the work. Recommendations should include best practices around facility operations and including use of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
This project would require at least two public meetings to gather information, a least two meetings with key stakeholders, at least two meetings with City Staff to gather information and get feedback and two meetings with City Council including a presentation of preliminary recommendations and final recommendation.
Staff research revealed that Adam Young, an architect from Seattle, has done extensive work with the City of Seattle parks department in assessing restroom use and design to minimize conflicts. Staff contacted Mr. Young and requested a preliminary proposal to develop a public sanitation master plan for Downtown Olympia. His proposal and a scope of work are attached.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Human waste has become a public health issue on the streets of Downtown Olympia. In an effort to mitigate the effects that an increase in human waste on streets has to pedestrians and Downtown businesses, the City Council approved a Portable Restroom pilot project to site portable restrooms at strategic locations throughout Downtown. Now that all of the portable restrooms have been sited, next steps must be taken to ensure that the actions the City takes are the most effective toward mitigating future instances of human waste on our streets and alleys.
Options:
• Approve funding to develop a Downtown Sanitation Master Plan.
• Modify funding for the Downtown Sanitation Master Plan as presented.
• Do not approve funding the Downtown Sanitation Master Plan development.
If the Council does not wish to move forward with the Downtown Sanitation Master Plan, an alternate course of action should be considered.
Financial Impact:
Proposed cost for a Downtown the Sanitation Master Plan: $41,850. The Land Use and Environment Committee recommended that the Council consider taking funds from its Council Goal account to fund this planning process.
Attachments:
1. Sanitation Master Plan Scope
2. Sanitation Master Plan Proposal