City Council

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 City Council Information: 360.753.8447 Tuesday, May 12, 2015 6:00 PM Council Chambers Special Study Session 1. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Mayor Stephen H. Buxbaum, Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones, Councilmember Jim Cooper, Councilmember Julie Hankins, Councilmember Steve Langer, Councilmember Jeannine Roe and Councilmember Cheryl Selby 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2.A 15-0482 ORAL REPORT - County Courthouse Issues - Discussion with County Judges Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy and District Court Judge Brett Buckley provided background on the possibility of relocating the Thurston County Courthouse to downtown Olympia. They noted they are speaking for themselves, not on behalf of any group or entity. Points covered, including pros and cons of relocating the courthouse, include: - The dynamic of downtown will be different. - Will bring many more people downtown. - Will decrease the number of bench warrants because of trouble getting up the hill. - Will bring a mix of many people downtown - doing business at the courthouse. - Jail would not move downtown. - Current building is completely obsolete. - Feasibility study will be conducted to look at various options. - If the whole County complex were moved downtown, this would bring 600 people into the downtown. - Looking at moving the courthouse only. - Options include rebuilding a new courthouse on the hill, and remodeling/rebuilding the current facility. - They have also talked to the Port and LOTT. - Development would include a parking garage. - They have met with development and banking communities and they are interested. - The new courthouse would include Thurston County Superior and District Courts, and Lacey, Tumwater, and Rainier Municipal Courts. Could also add a court for Olympia. - They want to build a building that fits in Olympia and will strive for Platinum Lead building. - Sites have not been determined at this time. City of Olympia Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2015 - Building could be 100,000 to 200,000 sq. ft. (City Hall is 89,000 sq. ft.). - Looking at 50- to 100- year building. - Looking at public private partnerships. - Will also talk with Intercity Transit. They shared issues with their current building and the need to upgrade, including security, technology/cabling needs, and space needs. The Council voiced support for their effort. The work session was completed. 2.B 15-0481 ORAL REPORT - Brief Councilmember and Committee Reports Councilmembers shared highlights of meetings and events they attended. City Manager Steve Hall announced the City hired Renée Sunde as the new Economic Development Director. The reports were received. 2.C 15-0458 City Council’s Mid-Year Retreat - June 20, 2015 Councilmember Roe reviewed discussion at the General Government Committee meeting. Council agreed to the following logistics and agenda for the upcoming mid-year retreat: Location: LOTT Board Room Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm with a working lunch Facilitator: Kendra Dahlen Agenda Items: - New Council Meeting Format - Review and adjust as needed - City Council Reports - Review and discuss General Government Committee recommendations - 2015 City Goals - Brief progress report - Discussion of most important targets for remainder of 2015, including 2016 Budget priorities/initiatives - Reflections of Service - Comments from outgoing Councilmembers concerning highlights, advice, and goals for the City moving forward Council agreed to bring the agenda forward on the May 19 Consent Calendar. The work session was completed. 2.D 15-0483 Future Agenda Check-Ins City of Olympia Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2015 Councilmembers discussed upcoming agenda items. Council agreed to invite Thurston County Prosecutor John Tunheim to the June 17 General Government Committee meeting to discuss drug free zones. Council also agreed to advertise this meeting as a Special Council Meeting to Conduct Business of the General Government Committee so all Councilmembers could attend. Council also agreed to a Special Study Session on July 14 to begin at 5:15 p.m. with a tour of the Maintenance Center and then meet at 6:00 p.m. in the Maintenance Center Conference Room to discuss plans and challenges of the maintenance center. Councilmember Roe asked staff to look at traffic near Washington Middle School. Mr. Hall said he will look into this. The work session was completed. 3. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3