During 2022, Olympia completed some initiatives and long-term efforts spawned during the pandemic and George Floyd Black Lives Matter.
Here is a summary of the top stories from this year, organized by topic.
The city council recognized that homelessness continues to present significant public health and safety issues for the entire community. In October, the city council extended the public health emergency declaration related to human health and environmental conditions caused by increasing houselessness.
Olympia has implemented and supported various approaches to address homelessness, some of which are:
Olympia’s 37.7% households are “cost-burdened,” and more than 15% of those are severely cost-burdened, according to Community Planning and Development program analyst Max DeJarnatt.
The claim was further supported by Olympia’s survey, where 200 who participated said 50% said they pay about 30%-50% of monthly household income for rent, not including utilities, while more than 30% said they spend more than 50% of their earnings on monthly rent payments. About 80% said they earn $75,000 or less in their households.
In an attempt to address this issue, the city council adopted amendments to the rental housing code that limit move-in fees, rent increase notification, and pet damage deposit in August. Landlords and others claim that these amendments will have the effect of reducing the number of rental housing units in the city.
In addition, Olympia’s Housing Plan is contemplating reducing minimum parking requirements and clarifying permitting process to accommodate more housing projects and increase the affordable housing supply for residents.
The city also collaborated with other community organizations to support low-rental housing.
The committee is contemplating establishing a rental registration program with inspection requirements so the city can gather information about rental units in Olympia.
Thurston Strong was created to cushion the region from the economic impact brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a total of $11 million investment, Thurston Strong formulated a recovery plan and created various programs - mostly workforce programs - to support people experiencing homelessness and dislocated workers.
In bringing it to the local scene, the city's Economic Development created Olympia Strong to create a long-term strategy for economic resiliency.
According to strategic projects manager and economic development planner Amy Buckler, Olympia Strong's goal is to help community group - youth, single mothers, renters, people with disabilities and those who belong to the poverty level – who are most affected by economic disruption such as the pandemic.
Buckler said the city has been seeking engagement from the public to identify goals and priorities and develop vision and action plans for a resilient community.
According to Olympia City Manager Jay Burney, the city spent nearly 18 months researching, engaging the community and recruiting potential member-commissioners for the Social Justice and Equity Commission.
In April, Olympia appointed 11 members to the commission, which would mediate, conciliate and investigate complaints of unlawful discrimination and issues related to racial, social justice, human rights, or other forms of discrimination in the city.
In one of its meetings, the commission expressed its intention to focus on education and outreach around housing discrimination in the city.
The commission is in the process of hiring a consultant to help work on discrimination assessment and develop guiding principles that can support decision-making around diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
On December 6, the Olympia City Council accepted the community workgroup's recommendation for the Reimagining Public Safety project.
The community-led process looked at Olympia's public safety system, including policing, corrections, prosecution, defense, courts, and medical and fire response.
This project resulted from 18 months of public engagement, focus group listening sessions, surveys, and collecting a diversity of voices and perspectives in the community.
Using some of the city's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund, the Olympia Police District has acquired body-worn cameras in compliance with Washington State's RCW 10.109.2021, which strongly encourages cities to allow the outfitting of police officers with the equipment.
In November, the OPD implemented the body-worn camera program, which according to Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen “fulfills our mission of transparency and building public trust."
Community members criticized OPD and the city for the delayed implementation of body-worn cameras, which could have been useful in investigating a police officer who allegedly killed Timothy Green, who had mental health issues, in August 22.
The Olympia Planning Commission cautioned against adopting the 2023-2028 Preliminary Capital Plans Facilities, saying "it lacks infrastructures for walking, biking, and transit, particularly sidewalks."
The planning commission took the side of community members, who were clamoring for sidewalks and asking the city officials to refrain from using the voted utility tax (VUT) to fund Fones Road project. They claimed that the VUT funding was for a specific prioritized list of sidewalks program.
In heeding the public outcry, Public Works Director Mark Russell requested the Land Use and Environmental Committee to evaluate sidewalk policy in the Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
He said his department is also requesting the Finance Committee to review the TMP's current funding with specific consideration to an ongoing update of the pavement management system and the new sidewalk construction
As far as climate change is concerned, Olympia's biggest goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 59% - below 2019 levels – by 2030. The city also committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
Climate Program Manager Dr. Pamela Braff recommended building a decarbonized economy. She also proposed amending the commercial energy code to extend solar readiness requirements to include large multifamily buildings.
One action plan that the Land Use and Environment Committee is eyeing is the possibility of a 100% EV (electric vehicle) readiness in all residential parking in Olympia.
According to Braff, the 2021 International Building Code, which will require all new development to put EV charging stations in residential and non-residential buildings, will be implemented in July 2023.
Downtown Olympia is vulnerable to flooding. Sea Level Rise Plan predicts water elevation between 26 to 68 inches in the city by 2100.
According to Olympia’s Water Resources Director Eric Christensen said it would cost up to $350 million to adapt long-term strategies against flooding in downtown Olympia.
Despite opposition from community members, the Olympia City Council adopted a joint resolution with Tumwater to form a regional fire protection authority, its operations and finance plans, including the imposition of a fire benefit charge (FBC).
Community members strongly opposed and questioned the regressivity of the FBC, one of the funding components in the proposed RFA operation.
The RFA is moving forward to a special election set for April 25, 2023. If 60% of voters in both cities approve it, the proposition would lead to the formation of an Olympia-Tumwater Fire Authority and adapt the plan to provide fire protection and emergency medical services.
On January 9, the RFA Planning Committee is set to hold a public hearing focusing on the FBC.
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