Title
Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and the Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD)
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing to receive testimony on proposed amendments to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and the Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD).
Report
Issue:
Whether to take public testimony on amendments to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and the OMPD
Staff Contact:
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8068
Background and Analysis:
There are two proposed amendments to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and the Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD):
Scope of Advisory Committee Annual Review
Section 4.1.3. of the OMPD Interlocal Agreement states that the OMPD Advisory Committee shall “provide an annual report to the City Council and OMPD Board regarding the City’s compliance with the funding levels in (i.) and (iv.) in Section 4.1.1.” (Section (i.) refers to the requirement that the City allocate 11% of General Fund revenues to the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (OPARD). Section (iv.) refers to the requirement that the remaining one-half of the Non-Voted Utility Tax be used to acquire new park land and to maintain and develop those acquired park properties, with a priority on acquisition to the extent practicable.)
On July, 11, 2018, the OMPD Advisory Committee provided a report to the OMPD Board recommending that the language in Section 4.1.3. referenced above should be changed to read, “…provide an annual report to the City Council and OMPD Board regarding the City’s compliance with the funding levels in (i.) and through (iv.) in Section 4.1.1.”
Sunset Date of one-half percent Non-Voted Utility Tax
Section 4.1.1. of the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and the Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) details the use of various funding sources for the OMPD. Section 4.1.1. (iv.) refers to the use of one-half of the Non-Voted Utility Tax. Section 4.1.1. (v.) of the OMPD Interlocal Agreement states “The City intends to maintain the funding levels in (i.) and (ii.) without a time limit, and the funding levels in (iii.) until January 1, 2030, and the funding levels in (iv.) until January 1, 2026.” (Emphasis added)
On September 18, 2018, Olympia City Council approved a funding package for homelessness response that included the use of one-half of the Non-Voted Utility Tax for a period of three years (2019-2021). Council expressed interest in “reimbursing” these funds by extending the sunset date on this funding source by four years. (Four years was chosen rather than three to account for presumably higher land acquisition costs in the future). This would extend the sunset date to 2030.
On October 24, 2018 the OMPD Advisory Committee provided a report to the OMPD Board recommending that the sunset date on this funding source be extended five years to 2031. The Committee also recommended removing the words “absent an exigent financial circumstance” from Section 4.1.1. (iv.).
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Unknown
Options:
1. Hold the public hearing
2. Do not hold the public hearing. The Interlocal Agreement would remain unchanged as any changes require a public hearing.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement
July 11, 2018 Report from OMPD Advisory Committee
October 24, 2018 Report from OMPD Advisory Committee