TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol V. Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Jeff Churchill |
Planning Manager |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Beckye Frey |
Principal Planner |
TITLE:
title
Acceptance of Transit-Oriented Development Implementation Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The City of Redmond has been awarded a grant of $250,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce to facilitate the adoption and implementation of transit-oriented development (TOD). The grant funds will be used to:
1. Reimburse the City for planning work as part of Redmond 2050 to implement TOD around Redmond’s four light rail stations; and,
2. Expand community outreach and engagement with BIPOC and underrepresented groups for the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and development of a preferred alternative for the final EIS.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Redmond Comprehensive Plan policies PI-1 and PI-5 concerning community outreach and engagement; Redmond 2050 Phase 1 Community Involvement Plan.
• Required:
WAC 365-196-600 requires “early and continuous public participation in the development and amendment of comprehensive plans and development regulations.”
• Council Request:
n/a
• Other Key Facts:
The 2021 the state legislature appropriated $2.5 million for grants to cities to facilitate transit-oriented development that leverages investments in high-capacity transit systems and plans for high-density residential development near transit. Eligible activities include the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS), planned action ordinances, subarea plans, infill exemptions, and costs of local code adoption and implementation of plan and code updates, all of which are currently underway as part of Redmond 2050.
OUTCOMES:
This grant will reimburse the City for $220,000 of work being completed under the existing BERK contract including:
• SEPA Research & Document Creation
o SEPA draft & final EIS
o Community engagement on EIS and development of preferred alternative, including outreach to BIPOC and traditionally underrepresented community members
o Overlake Planned Action
• Policy & Regulatory Updates
o Urban Centers Element updates to implement TOD
o Overlake Neighborhood Plan addendum
o Redmond Zoning Code updates to implement TOD in the Overlake Metro Center
o Land Use and Zoning Map revisions
Upon acceptance of this grant, city staff will prepare a contract amendment for BERK to add $30,000 for community outreach with BIPOC and underrepresented groups to fund additional engagement, including translation and interpretation. The contract amendment will be funded through this grant.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Redmond 2050 outreach activities are ongoing, consistent with the Redmond 2050 Phase 1 Community Involvement Plan. The additional outreach activities funded through this grant would begin in Q2 2022.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
• Redmond 2050 website
• Let’s Connect
• Press release
• Social media
• Emails to City eNews, Redmond 2050, and Park & Recreation lists
• Emails to partner organizations
• Community workshops and open houses
• Stakeholder and focus group input
• Board & Commission meetings
• Tents and tables and community events and around the community
• Translation and transcreation of materials
• Community Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee input
• Videos
• Feedback Summary:
n/a
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$4,535,222 is the total appropriation to the Community and Economic Development offer and is where most staff expenses related to Redmond 2050 are budgeted. A portion of this is for consultant contracts that the Council authorized with IBI Group for visioning ($190,000) and BERK for State Environmental Policy Act analysis ($290,000) and BERK for the Climate Vulnerability Assessment ($125,000).
This grant will reimburse the City for $220,000 of work being completed under the BERK contract for SEPA. A contract amendment for $30,000 of additional community outreach with BIPOC and underrepresented groups will be processed upon acceptance of this grant.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
000250 Community and Economic Development
Budget Priority: Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain: n/a
Funding source(s): General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints: Grant deliverables are due by June 2023
☒ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
4/5/2022 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
n/a
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The grant includes expanded funding for community engagement and translation, transcreation, and interpreter costs. If not approved, the existing BERK contract would not be modified and engagement would occur at a lesser level than what could be delivered with the grant funding.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: TODI Grant Award Letter from Department of Commerce
Attachment B: Draft Interagency Agreement for TODI Grant Scope of Work