Title
Joint Meeting of Elected Officials from City of Olympia, Port of Olympia and LOTT Clean Water Alliance on Sea Level Rise Response Planning
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a project update briefing on the Draft Sea Level Rise Response Plan and discuss opportunities for collaboration and next steps.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Draft Sea Level Rise Response Plan developed by the City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia and LOTT Clean Water Alliance. Discuss opportunities for collaboration and next steps.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works/Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenters:
Bill McGregor, Commissioner, Port of Olympia
Andy Haub, Director of Water Resources, City of Olympia
Justin Vandever, AECOM Technical Services Inc.
Steve Hall, City Manager, City of Olympia
Background and Analysis:
In early 2017, the City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia and LOTT 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, Port and LOTT share common concerns regarding sea level rise, yet have unique individual vulnerabilities. A consulting firm, AECOM Technical Services, is assisting with the planning effort.
On January 31, 2018, the planning effort’s first Joint Elected Officials meeting was held to review the results of the vulnerability and risk assessment and discuss opportunities for collaboration. On September 17, 2018, a second Joint Elected Officials meeting was held to review potential physical adaptation strategies that could be used to protect downtown from 24 and 68 inches of sea level rise. Staff also presented examples of potential operational, informational and governance strategies.
Building upon the draft adaptation strategies presented at the September meeting, the project team completed the Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan (Plan). The Plan was presented at a December 11, 2018, Community Meeting and is currently available on the Sea Level Rise webpage for public review and comment, through January 25.
This third Joint Elected Officials meeting is an opportunity for a briefing on, and discussion about:
• The Plan
• Public comments received on the Plan
• Opportunities for collaboration and next steps
The Plan is available on the City’s website. An executive summary is also available that discusses the Plan’s contents by chapter.
Next Steps
Public comment on the Plan will be accepted through January 25, 2019. Comments received, and staff responses, will be summarized and provided at the Joint Elected Officials meeting and will be added as an appendix to the Plan.
A City of Olympia public hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2019, and adoption of the Plan will be scheduled thereafter.
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. Citizens voiced their support for the sea level response planning process during four well-attended public meetings conducted during the 18-month planning process. Coordination with the City’s regional climate change mitigation planning is also occurring.
Options:
Information only.
Financial Impact:
None at this time.
City of Olympia Storm and Surface Water utility budgets include $125,000 for continued planning and technical work associated with Plan implementation. Additional capital facility funding is provided annually for downtown flood reduction work.
Attachments:
Sea Level Rise Response Plan Overview
Link to Sea Level Rise webpage