Land Use & Environment Committee

City Hall City of Olympia 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Information: 360.753.8447 Meeting Minutes Land Use & Environment Committee Thursday, February 20, 2014 5:30 PM Council Chambers 1. ROLL CALL Present: 3 - Chair Steve Langer, Committee Member Jeannine Roe and Committee Member Julie Hankins OTHERS PRESENT Community Planning & Development Director Keith Stahley, Downtown Liaison Brian Wilson, Associate Planner Stacey Ray, City Manager Steve Hall, Assistant City Manager Jay Burney, Senior Program Specialist Bonnie Herrington, Parks Arts & Recreation Department Associate Director David Hanna, Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim 2. CALL TO ORDER Chair Langer called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None 4. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 4.A 14-0151 Consideration of a “Civic Center” Drug Free Zone Chief Roberts spoke about the proposal to establish a drug free zone downtown. He outlined state law requirements and addressed the challenges currently faced by the City with drug use downtown. He identified five facilities as potential drug free zones: the Washington Center for Performing Arts, the Olympia Center, Hands On Children’s Museum, Olympia Timberland Regional Library, and Olympia City Hall. Mr. Tunheim discussed details regarding the legality of the proposed statute and how the creation of drug free zones makes a positive statement about the kind of behaviors that are and are not acceptable in the downtown core. He presented information about sentencing protocols and effectiveness , drug court operation and opportunities in the criminal justice system for humane treatment of drug offenders . A member of the public commented she was disturbed by the focus on incarcerating more people when it has been well documented that resources supporting social service programs are much more effective and efficient with tax payer money than jail time. City of Olympia Page 1 Land Use & Environment Meeting Minutes February 20, 2014 Committee The Committee unanimously agreed to forward a recommendation and proposed ordinance to the full Council for consideration at the April 1 meeting. 4.B 14-0145 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Strategy Ms. Ray presented an update on the Comprehensive Plan implementation strategy. She described how guidance from Councilmembers is being integrated into the team’s work, and provided an updated project timeline. Ms. Herrington presented information about efforts to combine design features , images of the city brand, and the Imagine Olympia campaign as part of the implementation strategy identity. The report was received. 4.C 14-0150 Public Outreach Process Regarding a Potential New Off-Leash Dog Park Mr. Hanna explained the process for the creation of a lease to the City for a three-year period and identified the potential site, a 2.94-acre parcel adjacent to State Highway 101 at 3537 7th Avenue NW. The Committee directed staff to return with additional information after making some changes to the map, including neighborhood stakeholder input, and options of how to access water on the property. 5. Reports - Downtown Project Mr. Wilson reported on Alcohold Impact Area (AIA) progress. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. City of Olympia Page 2