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December 2024 Government Affairs Report

City of Olympia

City of Olympia

  • City approved Resolution requesting WA State and Fed to create a  commission to study reparations for descendants of enslaved African people and implement commission recommendations.
  • Will be layoffs and re-org to help get budget deficit in line
  • Community block grant report:
    • City will continue to prioritize CDBG funding to preserve and improve affordable housing stock
    • Rental Rehabilitation goals—1 rental unit has been rehabilitated through the city’s revolving loan fund for rental rehab projects.  The owner then commits to 20 years of affordable rents to low income.

 Ways to get involved & Stay informed: Engage Olympia (olympiawa.gov)

 

 

  • The Land Use and Environment Committee was provided a briefing on the new Housing chapter progress on September 19. The City is working with Cities of Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm, to prepare an economic displacement and racial disparity analysis that is a state required element of the Housing chapter. This analysis is expected to be completed in March 2025, by a third party consultant with input from each of the regional partners and their communities. Comments and questions related to the Housing chapter may be sent to Casey Schaufler at olympia2045@ci.olympia.wa.us.
  • City is beginning a planning process to implement new state requirements for ‘Middle’ housing.  If you want to be added to the email list to receive draft code amendments and public engagement opportunities, etc
Other items:

Thurston County

City of Lacey

  • Interlocal Agreement Franz Anderson Amendment
    • Because of challenges around construction timing of the Franz Anderson permanent supportive housing project and deadlines around the use of ARPA funds, the draft amendment proposes to remove ARPA fund commitments from Tumwater and Thurston County and replaces them with other funding sources. Approval of the amended interlocal agreement will address removing the ARPA fund commitment from Tumwater and Thurston County and will not change the City of Lacey's commitment of $3 million to support the construction of the permanent supportive housing.
  • Energize Thurston Campaign
    • The campaign focuses on residential energy efficiency and electrification. It builds off the Energize Olympia campaign, which subsidizes heat pumps and appliances.
    • Lacey has received $477,540 from the Department of Commerce for Home Electrification and Applicance (HEAR) Rebate grant funding. This funding is provided through the Climate Commitment Act.
    • Lacey has also received grant funding for $115,460 through the Inflation Reduction Act. This grant is called the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.
    • Campaign Goals
    • Engage at least 600 residents through community workshops, online and in-person.
    • Complete 60 to 70 subsidized heat pump water heater installations for low to moderate income participants
    • Enable approximately 150 total discounted streamlined equipment installations for self-funded participants.
  • Approved- Adopt ordinance 1669 amending Chapter 1 of the Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards Manual to meet the requirements of SB 5290
  • Amends Chapter 1 of the Development Guidelines and Public Work Standards
    • Purpose: Comply with Senate Bill 5290 passed in 2023.
    • Streamlines and improves local permit review processes.
  • Key Changes from Senate Bill 5290
    • Determination of completeness process clarified.
    • Must be made within 28 calendar days.
    • Based on clear procedural requirements for applicants.
  • New timelines for action established.
    • 65 days for projects without public notice.
    • 100 days for projects requiring public notice.
    • 170 days for projects requiring notice and a public hearing.
  • Monetary penalties for non-compliance with timelines.
    • Up to 20% of application review fees may be refunded.
  • Additional Measures for Compliance
    • Jurisdictions must implement at least three of ten additional measures.
    • City already imposes reasonable fees covering about 50% of review costs.
    • Development regulations allow housing as an outright permitted use in all
    • Staff required to meet with applicants to clarify permit requirements.

City of Tumwater

  • Interlocal Agreement Franz Anderson Amendment
    • The amendment to the Interlocal Agreement removes references to the County contributing ARPA funds to the Franz Anderson Project and references for compliance with ARPA requirements. The ILA is amended to indicate that the County's commitment of $3.5 million in funding remains and will be provided from local funds, such as the local Home Fund. This funding will come from local funds dedicated to affordable housing projects and not from the General Fund.

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners

  • Contract with Family Support Center of South Sound in the amount $1,000,000 for the acquisition of land and property located at 2440, 3158 and 3520 7th Avenue SW, Olympia for development of affordable housing.
  • Interlocal Agreement Franz Anderson Amendment
    • The amendment to the Interlocal Agreement removes references to the County contributing ARPA funds to the Franz Anderson Project and references for compliance with ARPA requirements. The ILA is amended to indicate that the County's commitment of $3.5 million in funding remains and will be provided from local funds, such as the local Home Fund. This funding will come from local funds dedicated to affordable housing projects and not from General Fund.
  • Commerce General Clean Energy RFA Grant Agreement
    • Contract with WA State Department of Commerce’s General Clean Energy RFA 2024 Program for grant funding of $130,000 to conduct a Multi-Site Community Solar Feasibility Study with no required match from the County
  • Approved-2024 amendments to the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan included in this resolution and ordinance address changes to long-term agriculture designation criteria and land use and zoning of the Grand Mound Subarea. amendments are separately docketed items on the 2024-2025 Comprehensive Plan Docket:
        • CPA-7a - Grand Mound West, includes 2 site-specific land use and zoning requests with UGA amendments for the Black Lake Quarry and Wilmovksy sites
        • CPA-16 - Community Driven Review of Agricultural Policies and Programs
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