Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interagency Agreement with Department of Enterprise Services for the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary Environmental Impact Statement Funding and Governance Workgroup
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an Interagency Agreement with Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Funding and Governance Workgroup.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an Interagency Agreement with DES.
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753.8495
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In 2018, the Washington State Legislature directed DES to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for long-term management of Capitol Lake. Enterprise Services established the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary Long Term Management Project to meet this mandate. The EIS will evaluate and identify a preferred environmentally and economically sustainable long-term management alternative for the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary. An Executive Workgroup provides overall guidance to the project and includes representatives from the City of Olympia, City of Tumwater, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, Port of Olympia, Thurston County, Squaxin Island Tribe, and Enterprise Services.
The project has established several workgroups to provide expertise and advice on various aspects of the project. Mayor Selby represents the City on the Executive Work Group (EWG).
The State convened the Funding and Governance Workgroup (FGWG) in response to a legislative proviso that included a directive to identify options for shared funding and governance for long-term management of Capitol Lake -Deschutes Estuary. The role of this group remains advisory to members of the EWG. Jay Burney, City Manager, and Rich Hoey, Public Works Director, represent the City on the FGWG.
The purpose of this Interagency Agreement is to provide funding necessary to support the work of the FGWG of the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary Long Term Management Project. Under the Agreement, the City would reimburse DES for a share of the costs incurred for consultant, legal, and related support of the FGWG.
The total cost of the work by the FGWG is budgeted at approximately $284,000. Under the proposed Agreement, the actual costs are to be divided equally among the Cities of Tumwater and Olympia, Thurston County, the Port of Olympia, and LOTT Clean Water Alliance, each paying an amount not to exceed $60,000.
In 2019, the City Council agreed to allocate a portion of City Council goal money towards this effort. Local jurisdiction support was pivotal in securing state funding from the State Legislature to complete the EIS process.
Additional information about the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary Long Term Management Project can be found at the DES project website, linked in the attachments.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is a high degree of community interest in the outcome of the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary EIS process. This agreement is aimed at supporting the process for long-term funding and governance of the preferred alternative emerging from the EIS.
Options:
1. Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an Interagency Agreement with Department of Enterprise Services for the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary EIS - Funding and Governance Workgroup. The City had previously committed local funding to support this portion of the EIS effort.
2. Modify agreement to address Council concerns.
3. Do not approve the agreement. The City would not follow-through on a commitment to DES and the State Legislature when pursuing funding for the EIS process.
Financial Impact:
The City will pay up to $60,000 to support the work of the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary EIS - Funding and Governance Workgroup.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
DES Project Website