Title
Update on Sea Level Rise Response Planning Process Scope of Work
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the update. Briefing only; no action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing and provide input on the sea level rise planning process scope of work initiated by the City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia, and LOTT Clean Water Alliance.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works/Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, Public Works/Water Resources, 360.753.8575
Presenter(s):
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works/Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Background and Analysis:
Downtown Olympia and its peninsula are vulnerable to flooding. Sea level rise increases the likelihood of flooding and could threaten large portions of downtown. Implications to various public and private entities are extensive. Without action, maintaining downtown public and private services will be challenging.
The City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance share common concerns regarding sea level rise, yet also have unique individual vulnerabilities. The City, the Port and LOTT have entered into an Interlocal Agreement to jointly fund and participate in a formal sea level rise planning process for downtown Olympia and the Port peninsula.
The City, the Port, LOTT, and the selected consulting firm for the project, AECOM, held a full-day meeting to discuss the scope of work for the response plan and reached consensus on its content. The discussion focused on scope of work, community involvement, and plan products. It is essential that the partners, as well as our community, thoroughly understand the intent and expected outcome of the planning process before getting underway.
In summary, the tasks to be completed by AECOM for this project include:
• Evaluating the best available science
• Developing a sea level rise planning framework
• A vulnerability and risk assessment of downtown assets
• Developing three or four sea level rise adaptation strategies
• Completing a Sea Level Response Plan
Public involvement will be key to the success of the project. Three major community meetings to gather feedback on draft project material are planned in 2017 and 2018. Additional focus group meetings are also planned with various groups and stakeholders. Joint elected official meetings will also be considered.
The planning process will culminate with elected official consideration of the plan and its implementation.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Various community groups and other agencies are engaged in climate change and sea level rise issues. The City of Olympia Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Strategy support developing a sea level response plan. During a February 8, 2017, sea level rise community informational meeting, citizens voiced their support for the sea level response planning process. Coordination with regional climate change mitigation planning is occurring.
Options:
1. Review and support the scope of work as proposed. Providing support for the scope of work as written will allow the project to proceed as agreed to by the project partners.
2. Review the scope of work and recommend changes. Major changes to the scope of work would require review by the project partners and AECOM which could impact the project schedule. Major changes could also have budget implications.
Financial Impact:
The City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia, and LOTT Clean Water Alliance will share costs to develop the Sea Level Rise Response Plan. The Port of Olympia and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance will each pay up to $75,000 and the City of Olympia will pay $100,000 plus necessary in-house costs such as staff salaries. The City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility capital program is providing the necessary funding. The City and the other agencies will need to identify long term funding to implement the Response Plan that arises from this project.
Attachments:
Draft AECOM Scope of Work
Summary Sea Level Rise Response Plan
Project Schedule