Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, City of Tumwater and Thurston Regional Planning Council for Implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, City of Tumwater and Thurston Regional Planning Council for implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an Interlocal Agreement for implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753.8495
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Pamela Braff, PhD, Climate Program Manager, 360.753.8249
Presenters:
Rich Hoey, Public Works Director
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor
Background and Analysis:
Regional Climate Mitigation Planning
In April 2018, Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) signed an Interlocal Agreement to complete Phase I of a regional Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, with TRPC leading the effort. Phase I work resulted in the following regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets:
• 45% below 2015 levels by 2030
• 85% below 2015 levels by 2050
In November 2018, Olympia and the other regional jurisdictions approved a Phase II Interlocal Agreement addressing the development of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP). Over the past two years, the regional jurisdictions worked cooperatively to develop the proposed TCMP. Acceptance of the TCMP is being considered by City Council under separate action.
The proposed “Phase III” Interlocal Agreement between the regional partners is focused on moving the TCMP into implementation over the next 12-month timeframe. Under the Interlocal Agreement, TRPC will serve as the lead entity to implement the Scope of Work found in Exhibit A. A total budget of $176,102 to $188,736, split evenly among the four jurisdictions, will fund TRPC’s implementation of the Scope of Work.
Each jurisdiction is also expected to contribute at least 0.25 FTE of staff and elected official time called for in the Scope of Work to operationalize the implementation framework. Pamela Braff, the City’s new Climate Program Manager will be the lead staff for this effort, working with City Council representatives serving on a Climate Action Steering Committee.
Scope of Work
The Scope of Work is broken into five main tasks, as outlined briefly below:
1. Project Management and Coordination - this task includes traditional project management responsibilities, along with coordination of a regional staff workgroup.
2. Climate Action Steering Committee - this task involves coordination of a regional steering committee made up of elected officials that will guide the Phase III work.
3. Policy and Action Research Support - this task calls for additional research to support implementation of certain regionally coordinated strategies found in the TCMP. Under this task, TRPC will prepare four white papers, including: 1) climate informed decision making, 2) energy efficiency of residential buildings, 3) electric vehicle ready infrastructure, and 4) regional program for carbon sequestration.
4. Monitoring and Assessment Program - this task includes the development of a monitoring framework to gauge accountability and track progress towards achieving the regional greenhouse gas reduction targets. This task also includes an annual progress report for Year 1 of TCMP implementation.
5. Public Outreach - lastly, this task involves development of a web page for TCMP implementation, as well as presentations by TRPC staff to interested parties. This task may also include development of a short educational video.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
During the TCMP planning process, many stakeholders and community members have voiced support for taking significant action to reduce the region’s greenhouse gas emissions. These community members have expressed the importance of both development and implementation of the TCMP.
Options:
1. Approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, City of Tumwater and Thurston Regional Planning Council for implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan. The City will be able to move forward with regional partners on the implementation of the TCMP as outlined in the Scope of Work.
2. Modify the Interlocal Agreement. Work with regional partners to modify the Interlocal Agreement to address City Council concerns.
3. Do not approve the Interlocal Agreement. The City would no longer work regionally on the implementation of the TCMP. The City would move forward on its own to implement the TCMP.
Financial Impact: The cost will range from $44,025 to $47,184 per jurisdiction depending on the number of Steering Committee and other meetings held under the Scope of Work. Sufficient funds are contained in the 2021 budget for work on climate change. Long-term costs of TCMP implementation are expected to be significant over time and will be determined in more detail through the next phases of work.
Attachment:
Resolution
Interlocal Agreement