Olympia City Council Meeting - March 24, 2026: Swearing-In, Proclamations, and Policy Approvals
Olympia City Council Meeting - March 24, 2026
The Olympia City Council held its regular business meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, online, and via phone. All seven council members were present. The meeting included special recognitions, public comment, approval of the consent calendar, and action on two major business items: the Rebecca Howard Park Development Plan and a Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Ordinance.
Special Recognitions
- Swearing-In of Police Chief Shelby Parker: City Manager Jay Burney administered the oath of office to Shelby Parker as the first female police chief in Olympia's history. Chief Parker introduced her family and made brief remarks. Councilmembers expressed support, highlighting her empathy, patience, and community engagement.
- Proclamation Recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31, 2026): Councilmembers read a proclamation. Co-founder of OlympiaQueerFyrd, Aster Avardeen, and community member Sam Kellendy accepted the proclamation and delivered remarks emphasizing the need for concrete action beyond symbolic recognition. Councilmembers responded by acknowledging the challenges and pledging continued work on protections, including the LGBTQ+ Sanctuary City policy.
- Proclamation Recognizing Outgoing Advisory Body Members: The council recognized 19 departing members from various advisory bodies. Outgoing Arts Commission member Jim Burlingame and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee member Marty Slighte spoke. Slighte highlighted ongoing pedestrian safety issues and the need for disability representation. Councilmembers thanked them for their service.
Public Comments & Testimony
Twenty-three people spoke during public comment. The majority addressed the proposed Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure (Home Energy Score) ordinance.
- Supporters (e.g., Tom Crawford, Lynn Fitz-Hugh, Rhonda Hunter, Rhonda Larson-Kramer, Thad Curtz, Court Olson, Betsy Norton, Christopher Van Dalen, Mark Newell, Gordon Wheat) argued the ordinance is a cost-effective, consumer-protection measure that provides essential information for homebuyers, helps reduce emissions, and has been successfully implemented elsewhere. They noted the six-year development process and regional collaboration.
- Opponents (e.g., Don Baker, Mark Kobyashi, Dave Champaign, Michelle Harney, Jesse Simmons, Corey Gauny, Amalie O'Connor, Theresa Allen, Brenda Wilnoth) requested a pause, citing concerns about added costs, government overreach, potential impacts on housing affordability and supply, enforcement challenges, and questioned the policy's effectiveness. Several favored a voluntary program instead.
- Rebecca Howard Park: Taulana Reid (NAACP Thurston County Branch) and Aisha Harrison spoke in enthusiastic support, emphasizing the park's importance for honoring Black history and providing a community space.
- Other: TJ Johnson presented the Thurston Conservation District's strategic plan. David Webb criticized the police department's record on equity and accountability.
Consent Calendar
Approved unanimously (7-0) with two items pulled for comment:
- 4B – Investment Policy Updates: Councilmember Gilman highlighted the new ethical investment statement, which avoids investments in fossil fuels, tobacco, weapons, and human rights violators, and favors renewable energy and climate mitigation.
- 4C – Reappointments to Advisory Bodies: Councilmember Madrone thanked all applicants and noted the competitive selection process.
Discussion Items
6A – Rebecca Howard Park Development Plan Associate Planner Sarah Giannobile presented the plan, developed over six years with extensive community engagement. The design features a community hub, café, stage, garden, gathering circle, and festival street. Parks Director Sylvana Niehuser recommended prioritizing this park over other undeveloped parks due to strong community momentum and a near-term $500,000 grant opportunity. Estimated cost: $5.5–6.5 million. Councilmember Vanderpool asked about safety and maintenance; staff noted CPTED design and operational cost estimates. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
6B – Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Ordinance Climate Program Director Pamela Braff presented the ordinance, which requires sellers to obtain a Department of Energy Home Energy Score (HES) before listing single-family homes and certain attached dwellings. Key provisions: one-year implementation delay (effective May 1, 2027), subsidized assessments for low-income sellers, exemptions for hardship, and regional coordination. Estimated first-year impacts: 3,000 ratings, 560 retrofits, $300,000 in energy savings. Compliance will involve MLS integration and city staff review. Councilmember Green raised concerns about enforcement capacity and costs; Dr. Braff outlined a tiered penalty system ($50–$250 per violation). After discussion, the council approved the ordinance on first reading (7-0), forwarding it to second reading.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Adopted unanimously (7-0) including items 4A-4I.
- Rebecca Howard Park Development Plan: Approved unanimously (7-0). The park is now the next new park development priority.
- Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Ordinance: Approved on first reading (7-0) and forwarded to second reading at a future meeting.
- **No Second or First Readings of other ordinances.
- **No Public Hearing held.
- **Council reports included updates on federal advocacy (National League of Cities), Transportation Policy Board, and police auditor work plan.
- **Adjournment at 9:45 PM. Next business meeting scheduled for April 14, 2026 (spring break recess March 31 and April 7).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 regular business meeting of the Olympia City Council. For the record, we have a quorum with all council members present tonight. So before we move on, I just want to mention that uh we will not be having any business meetings until Tuesday, April 14th. Uh we are not scheduled for a business meeting next week, uh nor the following week due to the spring break, and we'll return here in the chambers on April 14th. Uh so with that, I need a motion to approve tonight's agenda. Move approval. Second. All those in favor of the agenda as published, signify by saying aye. Aye. We have an agenda. So our first item tonight is 2A, which is special recognition swearing in of our police chief, Shelby Parker. Uh, and so I'm gonna invite up Jay Bernie, our city manager, for a few comments. Hey Jay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council members again for the record. Jay Burney City Manager. Uh, as the mayor said, I'm here tonight for a very exciting occasion as we welcome Shelby Parker to her new role as Chief of Police for the City of Olympia. Chief Parker brings more than two decades of dedicated public service to our community. She has served her entire career with the City of Olympia. She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to leading with integrity, listening and responding to our community's public safety priorities, and always seeking a balanced approach to keeping our community safe while moving our community members towards wellness. Chief Parker leads with optimism and is dedicated to strengthening relationships both within and outside the city organization. She has successfully built partnerships across Olympia, fostering trust through through dialogue, collaboration, and responsiveness. Chief Parker's leadership philosophy emphasizes equity, connection, and shared responsibility for community safety and well-being. She is committed to advancing Olympia's public safety goals through innovation, transparency, and accountability, while supporting the dedicated professionals in the Olympia Police Department to make sure they have the tools and resources they need to serve this community and stay safe and healthy. During her interim role over the past year, Shelby has led the department through challenging issues, demonstrating care for the community and her staff while building trust along the way. She graduated from the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police and holds an executive level career certificate from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which is the highest level of professional certification offered in the state of Washington. Shelby is uniquely qualified to be Olympia's next police chief, and I couldn't be more pleased to welcome her into this new role. I also think it is fitting to acknowledge that March is women's history month and a profession and a position that is held primarily by men. I'm honored to welcome Chief Parker as the first female chief in the history of our department. With that, I would like to ask Chief Parker to come forward to introduce her family in attendance. We're gonna I'm then gonna administer her oath. We'll do a pinning ceremony, invite her to make some remarks, and then I'll turn it over to the council. Chief, come on up, good evening, everybody. To say that I'm humbled is an understatement. My goodness. And next I'll recognize my parents. My father, Michael Metter, if you'll stand up, and my mother, Betsy, and my stepfather, Les Stevens. And last but certainly not least, I have my aunt, Jane Bobell, and my cousins, Eric Murphy, Lemia Murphy, and Ann Murphy, if you'll stand up. And a very special nod to my aunt Jane. She was the individual who sent me a job posting back in 2003 for a police job here at the City of Olympia because at the time she was the head of parks, arts, and recreation. Okay. State your name to solemnly swear. I, Shelby Parker, do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States. That I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States. That I will support and enforce the Constitution and Laws of the State of Washington. That I will enforce and support the laws and constitution of the state of Washington. And the ordinances of the City of Olympia. And the ordinances of the City of Olympia. That I will abide by the rules.
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