City Council

City Hall City of Olympia 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Information: 360.753.8447 Meeting Minutes City Council Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:30 PM Room 112 Ad Hoc Community Renewal Area (CRA) Committee 1. ROLL CALL Present: 3 - Mayor Stephen H. Buxbaum, Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones and Councilmember Julie Hankins OTHERS PRESENT Community Planning and Development Director Keith Stahley CP&D Support Staff Janet Sanders 2. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 2.A 14-0144 Approval of January 30, 2014 Ad Hoc Community Renewal Area Committee Meeting Minutes Mayor Pro Tem Jones moved, seconded by Councilmember Hankins, to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Mayor Buxbaum, Mayor Pro Tem Jones and Councilmember Hankins 2.B 14-0132 Oral Report - Consider Community Renewal Area Planning Process Mr. Stahley handed out notes from a meeting on February 6, 2014 with owners of isthmus property and a memorandum prepared by ECONorthwest, dated February 12, 2014, that provides the scope for completing the Community Renewal Plan. The goal is to move the CRA process to completion by December 14, 2014. Mr. Stahley reviewed key tasks outlined on page 6 and the timeline on page 7. Mr. Stahley noted the work planned through June is included in the current budget. After June, funds of approximately $50,000 must be found to continue the planning process. Discussion followed regarding the integration of other tools such as New Market Tax Credits and the Section 108 loan program. Mr. Stahley asked the Community and Economic Revitalization Committee (CERC) to review the ECONorthwest memorandum and discuss it in more detail at the March 6 meeting. City of Olympia Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes February 12, 2014 Mayor Pro Tem Jones reminded the Committee that the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings and the design workshop are preliminary to a conversation with the larger community in the future. Mr. Stahley stated this is the purpose of the open house scheduled in July. The property owners have been invited to the next CAC meeting in March and the design workshop in April. Broader public participation would require a larger project budget. The Committee discussed CAC membership and the need for a well-balanced representation of stakeholders, such as community members, business owners, property owners, and the City. Mayor Pro Tem Jones suggested inviting Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Jim Nieland. He also suggested asking CAC members for confirmation of their intention to continue participating in the process. Mr. Stahley stated he would follow up on both items. The report was received. 2.C 14-0131 Oral Report - Isthmus Charrette Process Mr. Stahley reported the first meeting with isthmus property owners was held February 6, 2014. The property owners felt there was value to the meeting and were happy to participate in the conversation. They requested ongoing meetings and a chance to have conversations with other Councilmembers. They stated that as the individuals with a financial interest in the property, they have the most at stake in this process and their voice should be well represented and listened to. They felt there is a need for guiding principles going into this process. Mr. Stahley presented 14 guiding principles he has compiled from the process to date and asked the CERC for feedback. Mayor Buxbaum agreed the conversation was beneficial and the owners appreciated the opportunity to speak with a Councilmember. They specifically asked to speak with other Councilmembers to engage in a real conversation and he volunteered to carry the request forward. The owners expressed concern regarding unequal power of the City and a fear that the City will “do something to us instead of with us.” The owners felt rebranding was important. They liked the name Gateway District and the idea of making the area a destination is a key concept. They stated it is essential to know what the public wants, that the ideas are feasible, and a basis of going into projects with a high level of agreement is established. Mr. Stahley announced the design charrette has been rescheduled from April 12 to April 5 due to the facilitators’ schedules. City of Olympia Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes February 12, 2014 The Committee discussed presenting the current information to City Council. It was decided on February 25, the CERC will advise the Council of the March 6 meeting, brief them on the property owner meeting, and present the 14 objectives as presented by Mr. Stahley. On March 18, CERC will report to the City Council information from the March 6 CAC meeting. The report was received. 3. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3