TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Public Works |
Aaron Bert |
425-556-2786 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Public Works |
Chris Stenger |
Deputy Public Works Director |
|
Public Works |
Tom Hardy |
Sr. Environmental Scientist |
TITLE:
title
Approval of an Interlocal Agreement for Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) 2025-26 with the Washington State Department of Ecology
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) maintains stream and habitat restoration sites throughout the City of Redmond. Maintenance is typically required by permits for the first 5-10 years after project completion and ongoing maintenance is necessary for long-term project success.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
Utilities Strategic Plan, Environmental Sustainability Action Plan
Interlocal agreements require Council approval.
N/A
WCC Agreement begins October 1, 2025
OUTCOMES:
Maintenance is a crucial activity to the success of restoration and mitigation associated with capital improvement projects. Approximately 100-acres of maintenance sites are distributed around Redmond (Attachment A).
The value of site maintenance goes far beyond permit compliance. Maintenance of restoration sites involves control of invasive weeds, litter pick-up, replacement planting, and other activities important to overall project success. This regular site maintenance enhances already completed projects, building on the initial investment, as well as improving the aesthetics of sites. This agreement includes 4 extra weeks of crew time to assist with large scale noxious weed management and tree planting projects.
WCC members are typically college-age students learning restoration techniques and gaining job skills. A crew consists of six staff that work a 40-hour work week, for 42 weeks, primarily managing noxious weeds and installing replacement plantings at City capital improvement projects. In addition, the crew helps with volunteer events, native tree planting, habitat assessment, small stream projects, site monitoring, and de-fishing stream projects. The contract with the Washington State Department of Ecology is included in Attachment B.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
- Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
- Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$289,380
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
00214
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Stormwater Operations $289,380
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
9/2/2025 |
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:
Agreement is for work between October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The City would not meet its maintenance obligations for previously permitted CIP projects. In addition, this lack of maintenance would compound, and future maintenance would be more expensive.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: WCC 2025-26 Restoration and Maintenance Map
Attachment B: WCC 2025-26 Agreement