Title
Public Hearing to Provide an Approximately Equal Opportunity for Persons to Express Support or Opposition for the Olympia Tumwater Fire Authority Ballot Proposition No. 1 at the Special Election on April 25, 2023
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Conduct a public hearing to provide an approximately equal opportunity for persons to express support or opposition for the Olympia Tumwater Fire Authority Ballot Proposition No. 1 at the Special Election on April 25, 2023.
Report
Issue:
Whether to conduct a public hearing to provide an approximately equal opportunity for persons to express support or opposition for the Olympia Tumwater Fire Authority Ballot Proposition No. 1 at the Special Election on April 25, 2023.
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, City Manager, 360.753.8447
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City Councils of Olympia and Tumwater separately adopted a Joint Resolution, City of Olympia Resolution No. M-2400 and City of Tumwater Resolution No. R2022-014, after determining it to be in the interest of each City and its residents to submit a proposition to the voters at a Special Election on April 25, 2023, concerning whether to create a regional fire authority, and approval of its Plan for governance, operations, and financing, including a benefit charge, pursuant to RCW Chapter 52.26.
Pursuant to RCW 42.17A.555, any action taken by the Council to support or oppose a ballot proposition must be done at an open public meeting following an opportunity for anyone to comment prior to Council action.
Climate Analysis:
The statutory requirements of RCW 42.17A.555 do not have a climate impact by affording members of the public an approximately equal opportunity to support or oppose Proposition No. 1 whether to create a regional fire authority pursuant to RCW Chapter 52.26.
Equity Analysis:
The statutory requirements of RCW 42.17A.555 require that members of the public be given an approximately equal opportunity to express their support or opposition to Proposition No. 1 whether to create a regional fire authority pursuant to RCW Chapter 52.26. This statutory process permits all views to be expressed in a public hearing before the Council takes any action to express its collective intent on Ballot Proposition No.1.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Conducting a public hearing allows the City Council to receive public input in support of or opposition to Olympia Tumwater Fire Authority Ballot Proposition No. 1 at the Special Election on April 25, 2023.
Options:
1. Conduct a public hearing to provide an approximately equal opportunity for persons to express support or opposition for the Olympia Tumwater Fire Authority Ballot Proposition No. 1 at the Special Election on April 25, 2023.
2. Do not conduct a public hearing.
3. Conduct a public hearing at another time.
Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact. RCW 42.17A.555 requires that before Council may adopt a Resolution to express its collective intent on a ballot proposal it must give an approximately equal opportunity to members of the public to comment on their support or opposition to a proposed ballot measure.
Attachments:
None