Olympia's City Council reviewed the 2025-2030 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP), a six-year blueprint for infrastructure projects in transportation, utilities, and parks, during a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
The plan outlines a projected $285 million in total spending, with $49.9 million allocated for capital projects in 2025 alone.
Associate Planner Casey Schaufler presented the 2025 budget priorities, with transportation and wastewater projects getting the most significant shares at 37% and 17%. Parks, arts, and recreation follow at 15%; the remainder is divided among drinking water, stormwater, and general facilities.
Schaffler noted that the CFP relies on 14 distinct funding sources, each bound by legal and policy restrictions, to allocate funds appropriately.
Several advisory committees reviewed the CFP and provided feedback to align the plan with Olympia's Comprehensive Plan and master plans.
The Utilities Advisory Committee (UAC) approved the CFP but raised concerns about delays due to limited funding. Committee members emphasized that stable funding is essential to support utility projects that are crucial for growth.
Schaufler reported that the UAC found the plan aligned with existing utility management strategies, although financial challenges remain.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) voted 7-1 to approve the plan but did not recommend automatic inflation adjustments. PRAC members voiced concerns that inflation adjustments across all projects could limit budget flexibility, preferring a balanced approach to ensure adaptability.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) praised the plan's increased focus on bike and pedestrian projects.
However, BPAC also encouraged Olympia to reduce car dependency by prioritizing long-term pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. BPAC requested clear metrics to ensure projects benefit the whole community and project selection and prioritization transparency.
Council members explored possible changes to improve the CFP based on committee recommendations.
Council Member Clark Gilman supported BPAC's call for "transformational versus incremental" improvements, advocating for a shift from car-centered infrastructure to bike- and pedestrian-friendly solutions.
Council Member Dani Madrone introduced the concept of "road diets" to reallocate road space for cyclists and pedestrians. She asked if specific areas had been identified or if this approach was still under consideration.
Schaufler clarified that BPAC's recommendation targeted areas where enhanced connectivity could improve safety.
Vice Chair of the Planning Commission, Greg Quetin, proposed a two-year update cycle for the CFP, rather than the current annual approach. "Capital projects take a long time," Quentin explained, adding, "A biennial cycle could give staff more time for essential changes and reduce administrative burdens, freeing up resources to focus on implementation. "
City Manager Jay Burney introduced a new funding source from the Transportation Benefit District (TBD), allocated explicitly for bike and pedestrian projects, including sidewalks.
"This was year one of collecting that funding, and the council has directed it toward Bike Ped projects," Burney said, explaining that TBD funds are exclusively reserved for improving non-motorized transportation infrastructure.
Burney also announced that the city is hiring an engineer to oversee bike and pedestrian project development, a step aimed at accelerating the CFP's timelines for these projects.
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